The Brewers are close to trading George Kottaras to the Athletics, a source tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Kottaras was designated for assignment by Milwaukee on Thursday.
The 29-year-old has a has a .209/.409/.360 slash line in 116 plate appearances this year for the Brewers. In parts of five big league seasons, Kottaras owns a .221/.326/.402 batting line. The Brewers replentished their catching depth this afternoon when they inked Humberto Quintero to a minor league deal.
Why?
Because even with Norris (who is not really hitting well) the A’s have the second worst production from the catcher spot in all baseball.
Norris is a rookie, he will struggle. Kottaras has been in the league for four years and they have nearly identical numbers this year (outside of walks). Just more of the same production I’d say.
over a 100 point difference in OPS this season isn’t an insignificant difference in the context of a tight wildcard race.
also, kotteras could just as easily cut into suzuki’s playing time, which would be an even bigger improvement.
and: if norris got sent down, he would stay in AAA for a month tops. once september hits and rosters expand, the starting catcher tandem will probably be 50/50 kotteras/norris, with suzuki as the emergency backup/clubhouse presence.
for the cost of probably a filler piece, its a shrewd upgrade and doesn’t prevent the A’s from making other moves.
I can deal with 1 start a week max, and get rid of Suzuki. Higher OPS I understand, but both of them have ~ 80 at bats. I’d rather see Norris play.
Kottaras never had a full time job. His numbers would be higher if he played more than 1 game a week not counting pinch hitting.
no real reason to believe that
How so? That’s how it is for a lot of hitters. Hard to hit well when you don’t have consistent AB’s.
As an A’s fan, I wouldn’t want him to start. Norris will be the starter for the next 5 years, so what do they need him for?
Wow,
I’m guessing Jarrod Parker.
LOL! If the A’s trade anyone from their 40-man roster for him I’m going to quit watching baseball for the rest of my life.
Edit: Except Graham Godfrey or Jim Miller.
graham godfrey? jim miller?
Good point.
Parker blew his shoulder out and nobody told me?
Send Norris back down?
They shouldn’t, they should keep this team the way it is except getting a better shortstop.
he’s not terrible, but the MLB BB/K ratio is scary bad, especially for a player like Norris who has posted great ones in the minors.
he has some pop in his bat, but he also appears overmatched.
also: the A’s can just keep three catchers on the roster. the SP go deep enough into games to make that a possibility.
No, why?
A’s fans are underrating Kottaras. He is a decent bat, that doesn’t get enough consistent appearances in Milwaukee to show what he can do. In a full season I think he would have a line along the .240/.330/.400 range.
His defense is very mediocre though.
With good power as well.
Mediocre is a pretty generous description of his defense.
Look at this OPS…. that’s why
If you want to swap catcher for catcher, we’ll take Max Stassi from you… my guess is a low level pitching prospect though.
Good fit, I thought the Rays would trade for him but Oakland were the original OBP guys and they’ll like him a lot.
The only thing I wonder is I know he has a good eye, but will he keep up that walk rate without a pitcher hitting behind him?
I don’t know the numbers but look at all his pinch hit stats. Lots of walks there too.
The A’s should of pounced on Scutaro.. he could play short, he could play at second, and third. The perfect role player but he is also a decent starter.
I think that Kottaras is a solid backup, but the A’s will not be giving up more than cash. The real question is what do the A’s do with Suzuki. He has been almost worthless this season, and Norris is clearly the future. Does Kottaras go to the minors as depth or do the A’s cut bait on Suzuki (or maybe trade him to a team in need… TB?).
Does this mean Kurt Suzuki is on the way out?
Oakland agrees to split his airfare with the Brewers.
He’s a very solid backup catcher. I would expect a low level guy in return, but Doug Melvin is also the GM who gave away Carlos Villanueva for cash considerations, so Oakland may get him for a song.
I thought Villanueva was part of the Marcum deal. I could be wrong though.
Nope – given to Toronto for “future considerations,” I believe the term was. I think they were just tired of him… or at least I was tired of him.