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).
I wonder what a back-up catcher fetches these days.
I think we’ve given up enough talent as it is for guys like Giles. I’m for a backup not a starter. Although it’s a given that Castro will be on the DL at least 1/3 of the year.
The Tigers are the obvious trading partner here.
Salty is their backup now. He has a big “off the bench bat”. Holaday is the odd man out.
Tigers need some pitching after a rash of Spring training injuries.
The catch is trying to come up with an applicable return. I doubt it’s much.
For a back-up out-of-options catcher, I’m thinking a middling pitcher in A-Ball.
Yeah, I don’t think Holaday is going to be bringing someone back that is going to help out in Spring Training……………………..
Holiday does offer some position flexibility. He can at least play the OF and 3B in a pinch. Salty may also fetch a little better prospect. His power may play better in Houston than Detroit, too. Just my observation.
“Well Hank we didn’t think we would need you so we traded you for cash… Umm would you like to come back now?!?”
They will trade Wandy for brad ausmus
Holaday is out of options. He wouldn’t make it through waivers. The return for him will be minimal, but the Tigers might as well get some sort of low minor league depth vs. nothing at all.
Actually, back up catchers routinely make it thru waivers. If the Tigers wait until most teams have set there rosters, or even keep him as an extra player for the first few days, so every team has a set roster, I doubt there would be a problem. Detroit needs to keep their depth.
Tony Cruz?
Definitely surprised the Royals aren’t mentioned as a trade candidate. One would think Butera or Cruz would be a possible solution. Besides, they don’t have much use for a backup catcher with Perez playing so much. Cruz does have options though, so maybe the Royals want to hold onto him for depth purposes.
I might be way behind, but what happened to Evan Gattis?
Possibly which ever backup catcher does not make the Rangers roster.
Curt Casali is not out of options. He has one left. If you don’t believe me, just consult your list of out-of-option players for each team. Casali isn’t on there.
Tim Federowicz…… Theo will only want cash considerations for him as he won’t make the team, and probably won’t want to stick around the minors with the Cubs…. He’ll cost the Astros exactly $1 dollar…..
Lavarnway from the Braves for maybe a prospect.
Ryan Hanigan for Carlos Correa, let’s do it. Straight up. Sox will even pay most of Hanigan’s salary. Done!
Nice joke you made there.