While rumors about J.T. Realmuto continue to dominate the catching market, we’ve already seen such notable backstops as Yan Gomes, Kurt Suzuki, and Brian McCann switch teams this offseason. Here’s the latest on some other catchers….
- The Athletics have checked in with Wilson Ramos, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports, as the club explores its options on the catching front. It would be something of a surprise if the A’s went to the top of the market to find a catcher, as Ramos would require a pretty pricey multi-year commitment (MLBTR projects three years and $36MM) that could stretch Oakland’s traditionally limited payroll. While the A’s could boost payroll in an effort to return to the postseason, their pitching staff has enough holes that it probably deserves the lion’s share of dollars if the team did increase its spending. Committing multiple years to Ramos would also block catching prospect Sean Murphy, one of the Athletics’ better minor leaguers. It could also be that the A’s were simply doing their due diligence in talking to Ramos, just to see if a minor bargain could be found.
- A reunion with Jonathan Lucroy also isn’t out of the question for the Athletics, though Slusser reports that other teams have shown interest and the A’s are only offering Lucroy a one-year deal worth under $5MM. Lucroy is amenable to a one-year pact but wants a larger salary. Lucroy only hit .241/.291/.325 over 454 PA for the A’s last season, though he drew praise for his clubhouse leadership and handling of a pitching staff that was near-decimated by injuries.
- Chris Herrmann is one of several veteran catching options the Tigers are considering for next season, MLB.com’s Jason Beck reports (via Twitter). Grayson Greiner, John Hicks, and recently-acquired veteran Bobby Wilson comprise Detroit’s current catching core, with top prospect Jake Rogers waiting in the wings but still in need of more minor league seasoning. Herrmann was recently non-tendered by the Astros after being claimed off waivers from the Mariners after the season. The 31-year-old is perhaps known as much for his ability to play first base and left field than he is for his work specifically as a catcher, and Herrmann has a career .633 OPS over 898 PA with the Twins, D’Backs, and Mariners since 2012.
- Seven teams have been in contact with free agent Stephen Vogt, MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo reports (Twitter link). The bigger story here is that Vogt plans to play in 2019, which is good news for the veteran catcher in the wake of shoulder surgery that kept him off the field last season and threatened to end his career. Now, however, Vogt is hoping to be ready for Spring Training at the earliest and April or May at the latest, and he is now throwing from 70 feet.
Catcher is the clearest route for the Angels to add a bat. I’d like Ramos a lot. Grandal is the prize, though.
Over lucroy?
Lucroy can’t really hit, Grandal is an average fielder. Rather have Grandal than Lucroy, even though Grandal could end up a platoon if he doesn’t figure out LHP.
I think it is too early to write him off as at least league average hitting hes been on 4 teams in 3 years learning 3 new staffs
Grandal is an ave fielder? C’mon man! He’s the worst defensive catcher in baseball
The defensive gaffes in the postseason would scare the hell out of me with Grandal though the kid can definitely hit.
Ramos to Angels 3 years 33 Million.?
I’d be happy.
Please no Grandal.. Requires a draft pick. Rather have Ramos.
Herman’s career ops is .603… he’d fit right into the tiger lineup with that. He might even challenge mahtook for at bats at dh. Tigers would have the best defensive dh in the majors with a mahtook/herman platoon.
God this is going to be a long season.
DING DING DING DING….Stop the calls, we have a winner…..”Best defensive DH in the majors”……Stop your calls , please……
Classic!
Is lucroy ready to be a backup yet?
Unlikely if he’s asking for > 5/annum
Ramos is great offensively, no doubt. Yet, I would prefer the A’s go cheaper with Maldonaldo or resigning Lucroy.
I don’t get why the A’s haven’t been in on JT Realmuto, they have the pieces to trade for him and he would offer a middle of the order bat along with above average defense.
Id much rather them go after lucroy again and hopefully sign him for a reasonable amount. He was a big part of our team last year and brings a veteran presence. I would use those trade chips to go after a guy like Merrifield to play second for us or a top of the end starting pitcher. And then of course the rest of our salary cap on the rotation.
I think Lucroy is the perfect fit for the A’s. He helped a patchwork rotation made of spare parts to a 3.81 team era. He could absolutely help train young top pitching prospects Luzardo and Puk, as well as catcher Sean Murphy. He has great defense, and I think he led the league in base runners thrown out stealing last season. As for his bat, he is a career .277 batter. While he may not reach that again I wouldn’t be surprised if is bat bounces back and he hits .255 or .260 with 7-10 homeruns.