Archives for July 2010

One team has a clear need for catching depth and a few others could upgrade behind the plate. Here's a look at some teams that could look to acquire catchers before the July 31st deadline:

• The Red Sox are relying on Kevin Cash and Gustavo Molina with Jason Varitek and Victor Martinez on the DL. There's no timeline for Martinez's return to action, according to Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe.
• Like the Red Sox, the Tigers have other areas of need (shortstop, pitching), but they could upgrade behind the plate. Gerald Laird has a .524 OPS and just two homers. He and Alex Avila have both limited the running game well, but the Tigers aren't getting much offense from their catchers (Laird has thrown 29% of would-be base stealers out; Avila has nabbed 41%).
• Russell Martin is also throwing out his share of runners (37%) but he isn't hitting the way he once did. Martin (.679 OPS) and A.J. Ellis (.544 OPS) aren't providing Joe Torre with much pop, so the Dodgers could look to add a backup with power.
• Jason LaRue hasn't hit much for the Cards (.622 OPS) and All-Star starter Yadier Molina hasn't either (.595 OPS).

These clubs have a few options to consider over the course of the next few weeks:

• The D'Backs called the Red Sox about Chris Snyder, so he figures to be available, especially with Miguel Montero around. Snyder's ten homers and .240/.355/.448 batting line would appeal to teams, but the $8.6MM remaining on his salary would not. With that salary, there's a chance Snyder would clear waivers, enabling interim GM Jerry DiPoto to trade him in August.
• Ryan Doumit has at least $7.2MM remaining on his contract, but has a solid .260/.334/.415 line.
• John Buck, who makes $2MM this year before hitting free agency, is a cheaper option. Like Snyder, he has power (13 homers, .502 slugging percentage).
• The Rays have two catchers other than John Jaso (who boasts a surprising .393 OBP). Kelly Shoppach or Dioner Navarro could become trade bait.
• The Indians would presumably part with the recently-DFA'd Mike Redmond.

For contenders looking to acquire a new leadoff hitter, here are a few potentially available options (100 plate appearances leading off required):

• Kelly Johnson, Diamondbacks.  Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports finds the D'Backs likely to retain their second baseman, as he's under team control for 2011.  We've read that Josh Byrnes was willing to listen on Johnson, but it's less clear what Jerry Dipoto is planning.
• Rickie Weeks, Brewers.  It appears that Weeks would be even tougher to pry loose, as ESPN's Buster Olney recently tweeted that the Brewers have no interest in trading him.
• Fred Lewis, Blue Jays.  He cost only cash for the Jays to acquire, so perhaps they'd consider flipping him.
• Scott Podsednik, Royals.  The Royals hold a $2MM club option on Pods for 2011, though if he tallies 146 more plate appearances he can void it.  He should be available.
• David DeJesus, Royals.  It's rumored the Royals will wait a little longer before deciding whether to trade DeJesus, who can be retained in 2011 for $6MM.  The Padres and Giants could make sense.
• Corey Patterson, Orioles.  He's never been known for getting on base, but he's doing a decent job overall back with Baltimore.  But if he's healthy, you'd think the Orioles would want to give more playing time to another former Cubs "next big thing," Felix Pie.
• Nyjer Morgan, Nationals.  Four days ago, Rosenthal noted that "some within the Nats’ organization are in favor of trading Morgan to clear center field for Roger Bernadina."  However, the Nats would be selling low on Morgan.
• Ryan Theriot and Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs.  Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports recommended a month ago that the Cubs consider moving both players.  Theriot is under team control through 2012 as an arbitration-eligible player, while Fukudome is signed through '11 at a large salary and has no-trade protection against 15 teams.