Astros Likely To Acquire Backup Catcher From Outside

The Astros are looking for a backup catcher, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle tweets. Drellich suggests there’s a 60% chance the Astros will find that catcher outside the organization.

The Astros have recently been connected to Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy in trade rumors, although he would obviously be a starter if they acquired him. It appears their current focus is more on catchers to back up Jason Castro.

Max Stassi is out for six weeks after having hamate surgery, leaving minor leaguers Tyler Heineman and Roberto Pena as the Astros’ top backup catching options. The Astros have shown at least some interest in Bryan Holaday of the Tigers and A.J. Jimenez of the Blue Jays, both of whom are out options. There could be other, more speculative possibilities as Spring Training reaches its end as well. The Rays, for example, have two out-of-options catchers in Rene Rivera and Curt Casali, in addition to Hank Conger. Red Sox veteran Ryan Hanigan could be another potential option (although perhaps not a terribly likely one now that Sox manager John Farrell has said Christian Vazquez isn’t likely to start the year with the big club).