Braves Close to Signing Backup Catcher David Ross

From Ken Rosenthal:

The Braves, identifying a backup for Brian McCann, are close to signing free-agent catcher David Ross to a two-year contract, according to a major-league source.

Ross, 31, will replace the combination of Corky Miller and Clint Sammons, who served as McCann's backups last season.

Ross began last season with the Reds, but was released on Aug. 18. He cleared waivers and signed with the Red Sox, but batted only eight times the rest of the season.

The Braves will be Ross' sixth team in eight seasons. He is a .222 career hitter, but posted a .369 on-base percentage in 68 games with the Reds and Red Sox last season.

Meh. I guess this is one of those items that's way down there on the list. The Braves usually like to do this instead of turning it over to the younger guy (like Sammons). This was also probably necessary after Tyler Flowers was traded so that the organization can have some readily available catching depth in case of an injury -- Sammons becomes that depth in the minors. But a two-year contract is interesting...

[Update: 12/3/08 @ 9:01pm]

From Mark Bowman:

Looking to improve the production they received from their backup catchers last year, the Braves are close to signing Dave Ross to a two-year deal worth approximately $3.5 million.  Ross confirmed the signing could come as early as Thursday.

Well, I did call for the Braves to spend more money on the bench.