Hanigan appeared in just 18 games with Triple-A Sacramento this season and posted a lowly .447 OPS, so the Giants decided to part ways.

Hanigan slashed .267/.324/.347 over 33 games with the Rockies last season but had yet to catch on with a big-league club in 2018. The veteran backstop was cut loose by the Indians back in mid-March, and this will be his first opportunity with a team since. Hanigan will serve primarily as organizational depth, as Buster Posey is locked in as the main catcher, with Nick Hundley seemingly safe in a backup role.

Hanigan was never projected to make the team's Opening Day roster with Roberto Perez and Yan Gomes ahead of him. The 37-year-old is still a solid defender, but he doesn't figure to serve as anything more than organizational catching depth in 2018.

Both of the Indians' top two catchers from 2017 (Roberto Perez and Yan Gomes) have multiple years left on their contract and top prospect Francisco Mejia could be ready for duty behind the plate at some point this season, so it's difficult to envision Hanigan parlaying his minor-league deal into an extended stint with the big club in 2018, barring an injury to one of the aforementioned players. The 37-year-old Hanigan is well regarded for his receiving skills, but wouldn't bring much offensive upside to the table if he ends up landing regular plate appearances with the Indians. He slashed .267/.324/.347 across 112 plate appearances with Colorado last season, which equated to a meager 59 wRC+.