MLBTR will be previewing the trade market at various positions between now and the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline. We’ll start the series off today with a look at some potentially available catchers:
- Kurt Suzuki, Athletics – Suzuki’s his trade value may have reached an all-time low. Measured by wOBA, he ranks 58th out of the 64 MLB catchers with at least 50 plate appearances. Plus, his contract calls for a $6.45MM salary in 2013 and an $8.5MM club option in 2014 — enough to deter some potentially interested teams. Suzuki could clear waivers, making him an August trade candidate.
- Ramon Hernandez, Rockies – Hernandez, who's now on the 15-day disabled list with a strained hand, could interest teams looking to add a veteran backstop if his rehab goes well. He'll earn $3.2MM in 2013 under his current contract.
- Geovany Soto, Cubs – Soto hasn't done much at the plate so far in 2012. He earns $4.3MM this year and though he’s under team control through 2013, he must be considered a non-tender candidate. Keep in mind that this contract could also slip through waivers in August.
- Kelly Shoppach, Red Sox - The Red Sox could move Shoppach and create roster space for Ryan Lavarnway. Jarrod Saltalamacchia's emergence might make it easier for Ben Cherington to part with Shoppach, a right-handed hitter who’s best used in a platoon. Only two catchers have a better wOBA than Shoppach's .378: Carlos Ruiz and Jonathan Lucroy.
- Humberto Quintero, Royals – The Royals designated Quintero for assignment last week, so he's definitely available. The 32-year-old posted a .232/.257/.341 batting line in 144 plate appearances before losing his roster spot.
The Cubs would almost certainly pick up most of Soto’s remaining salary to get something in return. They wouldn’t get much–another maybe-a-change-of-scenery-would-help type with slightly longer team control, or maybe another fading prospect a la Bowden–but that would be better than sitting on him and non-tendering him later.
I disagree… I think they could get more for him that. Every other yr. he’s shown flashes of what he can do. He’s not a guy that should be depended upon during a rebuild, but he’s got good presence behind the dish to work with veterans mixed with young budding pitchers. That can’t really be coached or taught… He could be a plus for a team that’s close or already built that needs a decent catcher.
No reason to think that Nick Hundley isn’t on this list with the way that Grandal has been playing.
Somebody wants Nick Hundley?
Doubtful, but Soto is on this list, so Hundley may as well be also.
no JP arencibia?
Can’t see him being available. D’Arnaud is injured and hasn’t proved he is ready yet. Deal JP too soon and Mathis is the starter……no thanks.
Last time I checked D’Arnaud was absolutely murdering the ball. He is ready just blocked.
And injured….
but jays should be in selling mode with the injuries to pitching staff…
so the injury does not change anything,
Sure it does. A stud catcher tearing a knee ligament could be a long-term deal (he’s out 8 weeks). Hopefully not, but it’s not really a time I want to deal my MLB starting catcher. I know Arencibia isn’t really playing well enough to keep the job on his own, but he’s at least capable of being a warm body behind the plate, and catching depth is priceless.
I’d be selling on JPA anytime I can get a decent return. If healthy, D’arnaud will be up in September (at the very least he’s the starting C in 2013), and if they’re selling, then you have to sell tradeable parts, and JPA is totally tradeable. Yan Gomes and Mathis can catch for the rest of the year, or sign Quiroz or another vet for the remainder of 2012. But I don’t think AA is in sell mode yet.
If I were the Red Sox, I’d trade Lavarnway — he’d bring the best return and is expendable if they’re sticking with Saltalamacchia for 2013. Who’d really want Shoppach?
Catching market has gotten absurd with the extensions given out to Molina and now Montero. Salty probably will want a Montero like deal after next season and no chance Boston gives him one.
Lavarnway has a better bat than Salty and he knows how to take a walk, or now swing at everything near the K zone.. Nope.. He is the catcher of the future IMO and isn’t going anywhere.
murdering the ball yeah but in Vegas with absolutely no MLB at bats. Hard to say for sure he is ready until he gets called up for a decent amount of time and we see what he can do. I can’t see them dealing JP until then.
And also, he is injured right now….
funny how arencibias stats at vegas were pretty much the same as D’arnauds are now
That is actually NOT FUNNY AT ALL! Hush you!
I think Mathis is the starter right now – he just plays while wearing a body suit that looks remarkably like JP.
above market offer and JP is gone,,,
and we can easily expect Mathis starter for last 2 months,,,, same no-offense and way better defense
I understand J.P. isn’t doing great this year, but it hasn’t been terrible either. He is up there in the top 10 for home runs, RBI and runs for a catcher.
Excuse me, 11 in runs.
Also George Kottaras if Lucroy gets back in time. He’s not really a starter though.
Tampa should bring back Kelly Shoppach !!!
We’ll take that Price guy off your hands for him.
how about Price and Longoria for Shoppach?
Your kidding right? Either that or you don’t know the first thing about the Tampa Bay Rays (or the MLB for that matter).
When you see a trade suggestion such as Price and Longoria for a back up catcher, go ahead and assume sarcasm.
I agree… A lot of uptight posters on this board.
Whoooosh.
Of course I´m not Kidding…you don´t like the trade? ok How about Price, Longoria and Pena for Shoppach??? hehehe, come on mate where is your sense of humor…
Oh come on. That trade makes absolutely NO sense. Seriously, where would we put Peña?
Rays should trade for Suzuki. Molina is awful.
Yet Molina has a better OPS than Suzuki.
Exactly. Rays should at least include Matt Moore to even things out.
Oh ,so now you think the Red Sox are going to take someone on the DL for Shoppach?
Such a rip-off. You would have to add in Moore and Shields to even make it close.
haha…I wish
I would settle for Archer.
What about Sanchez for the Giants…they already have Posey.
Pretty sure they need a solid backup, as Posey probably needs more days off catching the rest of the way than the average catcher given his importance to the team.
That is correct but if theyre going to keep up with Dodger moves, they will need an extra bat and Sanchez might get that hitter we need
The Giants aren’t gonna trade him. They need him to catch some games, in order to rest Posey, and to help the two pitchers who’ve been the worst on the team this season: Zito and Lincecum. Maybe one day he’ll be trade bait, but not now.
I thought this article was titled Potentially Avoidable Catchers. When I saw the first 3 names on the list I was convinced that I was right.
Suzuki is only catching 2 of 5 SP now with the emergence of Norris. I doubt he is around until August as a post waiver period deal.
Still think his glove makes him somewhat tradeable, but harder to get back value playing so few times a week. Especially for someone who was used to being a regular until a few weeks back.
Should be titled “Potentially Available Good Catchers.” Otherwise you need to add Miguel Olivo to the list as he can be had for very little at this point I’m sure.
ummmm…..did you read the list?
Actually, Olivo has some pop in his bat and would probably thrive outside of Safeco (in fact, he has). The catch is, whoever takes him has to outfit him with goalie pads behind the plate because he has a BIG problem with passed balls and allowing wild pitches to get away from him. But some team (Tampa, Florida, Mets) may give up a fringe prospect for him, and the M’s would be just fine with that.
My comment had nothing to do with Olivo. I was saying that with the list provided “Potentially Available Good Catchers” was NOT the name for this post.
They are all better than Olivo. Maybe it could be “Potentially Available CATCHers.”
George Kottares is probably another available catcher (once Lucroy returns from the DL).
The Rays should and will make a run at Suzuki.
The Mets need an upgrade over Mike Nickeas in the worst way. Ramon Hernandez would be a nice pickup if some of his salary was eaten.
Suzuki would never make it through waivers since a defensive catcher that can call a good game is hard to find. Yes his trade value is low but they will not trade him this year because they have a rookie backing him up. Look for a trade in the off season if Norris continues to do well behind the plate.
the problem is, if you claim him on waivers, you have to take his entire contract. it’s much more likely that you’d try to trade for him, ask the A’s to eat part or all of his contract in return for a fringe prospect in A-ball or something.
Fosse said couple nights ago on the broadcast that Suzuki was only going to be catching 2 of the 5 Sp and forgot which 2 it was..
thank god. so tired of his lack of a bat.
Tyler Flowers suddenly looks good.
No. He doesn’t.
Kelly Shoppach should definitely be on the Mets wish list when they start making moves. I can’t stand Nickeas and he’d be a step up from Thole. If that doesn’t work, getting Soto for cash considerations wouldn’t be a bad idea. I see a resurgence in his game once he leaves the Cubbies.
Don’t think Theo & company will part with Soto “for cash considerations”. They are rebuilding & would want “prospect(s)” in return…
Oh, well if Shoppach has the third best wOBA with runners in scoring position, while the lights are on…
All your prospects belong to Red Sox.
Hopefully your team doesn’t need a catcher…