Eric Fryer
C FA
Mon 2/12/18 10:21 AM

Fryer has retired, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.
EDGE Analysis
The veteran catcher had signed a minor-league deal with the Phillies in December and could have provided some organizational depth, though he wasn't likely to play a significant role this season. Fryer's retirement ends a seven-year major-league career in which he was a third or fourth catcher for the Pirates, Twins, and Cardinals. He'll retire with a .232/.320/.300 line in 374 career plate appearances.

Eric Fryer
C FA
Mon 12/18/17 7:03 PM

Fryer signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Monday that includes an invite to spring training, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Fryer will head to camp clearly behind Jorge Alfaro, Cameron Rupp and Andrew Knapp on the organizational depth chart, so he should begin the year at Triple-A. The 32-year-old backstop saw time in the big leagues with the Cardinals in 2017. He has a career .232/.320/.300 slash line in 374 MLB plate appearances.

Eric Fryer
C FA
Mon 7/24/17 4:59 PM

Fryer cleared waivers and elected free agency Monday.
EDGE Analysis
Rather than accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A, the 31-year-old backstop will head to the open market to test free agency. His career .232/.320/.300 slash line certainly doesn't open too many eyes, although Fryer's experience in the majors could help him land at least a minor-league contract before the season's end.

Eric Fryer
C FA
Fri 7/21/17 11:40 AM

Fryer was designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Friday.
EDGE Analysis
Fryer was handed the DFA prior to the rivalry series against Chicago, while the club recalled top catching prospect Carson Kelly from Triple-A Memphis. During 34 games with the team, Fryer went just 11-for-71 from the plate, and wasn't able to hang onto his job through defensive ability alone as the Cardinals look to remain relevant in the playoff race.

Eric Fryer
C FA
Tue 7/4/17 11:53 AM

Fryer is slashing .154/.276/.200 in 76 plate appearances this season.
EDGE Analysis
The veteran backstop has also roped three doubles and driven in three runs while drawing 10 walks. Fryer has never hit below .213 in any major-league stop, and he managed a .368/.415/.421 line in 41 plate appearances for the Cardinals last season. However, his current offensive struggles aren't of particular concern, as the majority of his value is derived from his ability to provide solid defense behind the dish while giving Yadier Molina the occasional day off.

Eric Fryer
C FA
Sun 6/11/17 1:19 PM

Fryer will start at catcher and bat eighth Sunday against the Phillies.
EDGE Analysis
Fryer is making his third consecutive start with Yadier Molina (back) still recovering from an injury. The Cardinals remain optimistic that with a scheduled off day Monday, Molina will be ready to go for the series opener Tuesday with the Brewers, so Fryer's stint in the starting nine could be short lived. The backstop went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored Saturday.

Eric Fryer
C FA
Mon 5/29/17 1:44 PM

Fryer went 2-for-4 with a double in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Rockies.
EDGE Analysis
The backup catcher got a rare start with Yadier Molina sitting and was able to rope his third extra-base hit of the season. It was also Fryer's first multi-hit effort of the season, although it's worth noting he's seen just 32 at-bats to date.

Eric Fryer
C FA
Mon 5/22/17 9:46 PM

Fryer has one hit in only seven at-bats in the month of May.
EDGE Analysis
Playing time was always going to be scarce as Yadier Molina's backup, but Fryer has only a single at-bat since May 8. The 31-year-old catcher's .185/.267/.259 slash line in 27 at-bats this season is providing the Cardinals little reason to give Molina more rest.

Eric Fryer
C FA
Mon 4/17/17 12:09 PM

Fryer smacked a double and scored a run in his only plate appearance during Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Yankees.
EDGE Analysis
The backup catcher pinch-hit for Yadier Molina to open the ninth and promptly smacked a two-bagger to right field off Yankees reliever Dellin Betances, eventually coming around to score his second run of the season on Randal Grichuk's fielder's choice. Fryer has logged only eight at-bats and one start on the season, and is projected for sporadic playing time given Molina's iron-man reputation behind the plate.

Eric Fryer
C FA
Wed 3/29/17 4:41 PM

Fryer's contract was purchased from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
Fryer was a shoo-in to open the year as the Cardinals' backup catcher, as the team's top catching prospect, Carson Kelly, will be sent to Triple-A to get everyday at-bats to further his development. If anything should happen to Molina, however, Kelly, not Fryer, would be the likely option to come up and take over the everyday duties. This makes Fryer pretty unappealing, even in very deep leagues.