Derek Norris
C FA
Mon 4/16/18 5:08 PM

Norris signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League on Monday, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.
EDGE Analysis
Norris was in camp with the Tigers the offseason but was released after failing to make the team. The 29-year-old has a career .230/.304/.380 line over six major-league seasons.

Derek Norris
C FA
Wed 3/28/18 7:47 PM

Norris was released by the Tigers on Wednesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Norris was expected to serve as organizational catching depth for the Tigers after failing to break camp with the big club, but with Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Brayan Pena also in the team's organization, Norris was ultimately deemed expendable. He'll look to catch on elsewhere, but given his struggles at the plate over the previous two seasons (.190/.256/.343 across 178 games), the 29-year-old will likely have to settle for a minor-league deal.

Derek Norris
C FA
Thu 3/22/18 9:59 AM

The Tigers reassigned Norris to their minor-league camp Thursday.
EDGE Analysis
The Tigers also reassigned fellow veteran backstop Jarrod Saltalamacchia to their minor-league camp Thursday, meaning that John Hicks has made the Opening Day roster as the second catcher behind top option James McCann. Norris has displayed some intriguing power relative to others at his position during his previous stops in the majors, but his poor approach at the dish has limited him to on-base marks below .260 both of the past two seasons. His return to the big leagues doesn't seem imminent.

Derek Norris
C FA
Thu 3/1/18 7:47 PM

Norris or Brayan Pena could make the Tigers' Opening Day roster as a third catcher, behind starter James McCann and John Hicks, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
New Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire often carried three catchers when he managed the Twins, and he's talked about the idea in Detroit. "If you have that luxury, it's really nice," Gardenhire said. "I've had that before. That's a really nice luxury to have. But I don't know if we have that here right now." Norris slashed just .201/.258/.380 in 53 games with the Rays last year, but he's blasted 10 or more home runs in a season three times in his career, so he can at least offer a little pop if he gets any playing time in Detroit.

Derek Norris
C FA
Tue 12/5/17 2:57 PM

Norris signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Tuesday which includes an invite to spring training.
EDGE Analysis
Norris played in just 53 games last season before being released by the Rays and ultimately suspended following a domestic violence investigation. He hit nine homers in 198 plate appearances and was a plus behind the plate, but his offensive rate stats were downright bad (.271 wOBA, 68 wRC+). It's entirely possible that he'll break camp with Detroit, but he would likely be No. 2 behind James McCann if that were to happen.

Derek Norris
C FA
Fri 9/1/17 4:12 PM

Norris was suspended for the rest of the 2017 season following a domestic violence investigation, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.
EDGE Analysis
Norris is currently a free agent after being released by Tampa Bay on June 27. The 28-year-old will be eligible to return next season, but was officially placed on the restricted list and deemed ineligible for the remainder of the year.

Derek Norris
C FA
Tue 6/27/17 3:28 PM

Norris was released by the Rays on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
EDGE Analysis
The 28-year-old flashed decent power (nine homes runs) this season, but was unable to show any consistency as he slashed .201/.258/.380 with the Rays. Norris will likely latch on elsewhere, but his poor numbers over the past two seasons should temper any expectations.

Derek Norris
C FA
Fri 6/23/17 11:24 PM

Norris will be designated for assignment Saturday to clear space for Wilson Ramos's return from the disabled list.
EDGE Analysis
Norris just couldn't hack it at the plate for the Rays in Ramos's stead, as he mustered just a .188/.242/.347 batting line over 194 plate appearances. He was similarly bad in 2016 (.186/.255/.328), but it's possible Norris's strong campaigns with the Athletics will convince somebody he's worth a waiver claim.

Derek Norris
C FA
Fri 6/23/17 10:45 PM

Norris went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer and three runs Friday against the Orioles.
EDGE Analysis
Norris clubbed his ninth homer of the season in the third inning to help the Rays pile up nine runs against Ubaldo Jimenez in a home win. Although his batting average is a huge liability, his ability to leave the yard gives him value, especially in leagues that require two starting catchers.

Derek Norris
C FA
Wed 6/21/17 9:43 AM

Norris is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Reds, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Norris will find himself on the bench for the second straight game after manager Kevin Cash elected to award the team's other backstop, Jesus Sucre, another start after Sucre connected on his third home run of the season Tuesday. While Norris still looks like the Rays' primary option behind the plate, Cash recently stated that Sucre has "earned the opportunity to get more reps" at catcher, suggesting that the team could choose to deploy more of a timeshare at the position going forward. If that's indeed the case, it will be detrimental to Norris' fantasy value, which had already been deflated due to his .188 average and .242 on-base percentage on the season.