The White Sox may be the best fit of all for A.J. Pierzynski, who hits free agency this offseason. It once seemed as though Tyler Flowers would replace Pierzynski, but the White Sox could look to keep the 13-year veteran if they don't want to hand the starting catcher's job to a minor leaguer who slumped his way through the 2010 season. Pierzynski has said he's open to returning to the South Side, so it would not be surprising to see the sides reach a new deal.
As MLBTR's Steve Adams pointed out when he examined Pierzynski's stock a few weeks ago, the relative strength of this year's free agent catchers could limit the catcher's bargaining power. Victor Martinez, Ramon Hernandez, John Buck and Rod Barajas will be available on the market and Miguel Olivo, Yorvit Torrealba and Bengie Molina could join them. But a number of teams will be seeking catching help this winter, so Pierzynski should draw interest if he doesn't return to Chicago.
Here are some potential destinations for the 33-year-old. He batted just .270/.300/.388 this year, but no one said it was easy to find catchers who can hit.
- Red Sox – If Martinez signs elsewhere, the Red Sox may look for a more experienced complement to Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
- Rangers – The Rangers will be looking for a catcher if Bengie Molina retires.
- Mariners – The Mariners need offense everywhere they can get it.
- Marlins – The Marlins are looking for a catcher this offseason.
- Mets – Josh Thole hit relatively well in half a season with the Mets, but new GM Sandy Alderson could look to sign a veteran catcher.
- Reds – The Reds have interest in bringing Hernandez back, but they could be in the market for a catcher if negotiations don't go well.
- Padres – The Padres and Yorvit Torrealba have a mutual option for 2011. If the option doesn't get exercised, GM Jed Hoyer could be searching for a backstop, depending on the organization's confidence in Nick Hundley.
AJ’s stats: aol.it/cwJUGX
I could see him fitting with the Red Sox if they lose Victor. Thoughts?
The guy is a real pain,but he’s a proven winner. Guillen stated that he’s the type of player who you absolutely hate when he’s on the other team, and when he’s on your team- not as much! Has good tools, hits enough to play everyday, can handle a pitching staff and he’s a grinder. This would be an excellant signing, that would permit the cutting of ties with Veratek.
How is he a proven winner?
1. His teams haven’t been overly successful.
2. Even if they were, his presence alone can’t be considered the reason why.
Just curious what you mean by that.
Agreed. he does not exactly fit the Red Sox mold of patience at the plate, cannot force a BB upon him and if they want someone with Varitek’s throwing arm to back up Salty.. Just resign varitek and don’t have to deal with this headache..
1. Has a WS ring. Been an all star twice. That his team has not been very successful is not his doing. He’s certainly not a great catcher, but he’s better than Boston has going for them at the moment. V-Mart is not certain to come back, Tek is shot and Salty is not as good. He shouldn’t have a difficult time getting signed somewhere.
No thank you. I don’t want him on the Sox. He doesn’t get on base and does not have any power. He is too old and would cost a first round draft pick. Moving on.
He’d only cost a first-round pick if he is offered and declines arbitration. I find both scenarios (ChiSox offering and AJ declining if they do) to be pretty unlikely.
No thanks. I rather watch Salty throw it over the pitcher’s head every time.
The Red Sox would do well to steer clear of Mr. Platinum Primadonna. This guy has to be one of the most hated players in the game.
who cares if he is hated?
I know the Brewers like Lucroy a lot, but his .253/.300/.329 line was hardly overwhelming and his backup Kottaras barely hit .200 and threw out a very small percentage of base runners.If Cora happened to get the Brewers managerial job, I could see him pushing for Pierzynski. Now whether Pierzynski would be interested in a 60-40 rotation with Lucroy or the Brewers would pony up for a semi regular at his price level is another matter. Either way, with the lack of lefty bats in the lineup, Pierzynski would seem to be a decent fit.
I think he’s a fit in Milwaukee too, especially given Lucroy’s awful splits against RHP. Pierzynski would get the lion’s share of the playing time there, and add at least a reasonable left-handed bat to the lineup from a weak position.
Plus, he’d still get the opportunity to be booed ruthlessly in Minnesota, which he definitely enjoys.
I don’t really see this at all. Lucroy’s OPS was only 60 points lower than Pierzynski’s, he will likely cost like 1/10th as much as Pierzynski,, and Pierzynski’s age and the lack of DH in the NL would mean his role would be limited.
It makes more sense, IMO, for the White Sox to keep him, platoon him with Flowers, and put him at DH if they can’t find someone better then Mark Kotsay.
“put him at DH if they can’t find someone better then Mark Kotsay.”
wut
this would be an organizational failure that is beyond description. kotsay is not long for baseball let alone the white sox. and aj at dh i don’t think i need to comment on.
Flharfh,
Signing Pierzynski would diminish Lucroy’s role, not eliminate it. The Brewer’s could really use a lefty bat in their lineup, and logically there’s not another spot on the field where one fits. By the way Pierzynski’s OPS vs righthanders was significantly better than Lucroy’s (.702 to .589) last year in what was a down year for A J.
Sure he’s not cheap, but the Brewers have payroll room and they aren’t going to be able to get value in pitching.
I’d rather see the sox trade for or sign russel martin if he is non-tenderd.
dont discount that, and by sox i hope you mean whitesox they seem to like getting dodgers players
Dioner Navarro has split from Tampa Bay…
He was an all-star game catcher for Tito Francona in 2008
Can be had for minimal investment.
AJ is from Florida. He might just want to play close to home. West Coast is out.