The Indians have acquired catcher Kevin Plawecki from the Mets for right-hander Walker Lockett and infielder Sam Haggerty, Cleveland announced.
This is the second trade of the day for the Mets, who previously acquired infielder/outfielder J.D. Davis in a five-player swap with the Astros. Plawecki became expendable to the Mets when they signed Wilson Ramos in free agency last month, and Sunday’s trade leaves them with three catchers – Ramos, Travis d’Arnaud and Tomas Nido – on their 40-man roster.
The Indians entered Sunday in need of reinforcements behind the plate, as they traded Yan Gomes to the Nationals in November. The subtraction of Gomes left the Indians with Roberto Perez and Eric Haase as the only catchers on their 40-man roster. Perez was a dreadful offensive player in 2018, though, while Haase has totaled a meager 17 major league plate appearances.
A former top-1o0 prospect, the 27-year-old Plawecki debuted in 2016. He has been a respectable hitter since 2017, having batted .225/.330/.379 (97 wRC+) with 10 home runs in 395 PAs. But Plawecki hasn’t been as useful on the defensive end, as Baseball Prospectus ranked him near the bottom of the majors in 2018, when he threw out 23 percent of would-be base stealers (28 percent was the league-average mark).
The 24-year-old Lockett had a short stint with the Indians, who acquired him in a November trade with the Padres. A fourth-round pick of the Padres in 2012, Lockett debuted in the majors last year, though the results weren’t pretty. Lockett pitched to a 9.60 ERA in 15 innings in San Diego, but he has been better at the Triple-A level, where he has put up a 4.60 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 over 206 2/3 frames. Haggerty, also 24, joined the Indians as a 24th-round pick in 2015. He has since hit .244/.349/.373 in 1,341 minor league PAs.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
The wheels keep on turning
Too bad the tires on them are flat.
The wheels are not flat. Wagon Wheel is showing Mutt and Jeff that he can improve the club by making lots of deals. When you see the team making trades think of Fred Flintstone’s vehicle with square wheels.
This deal is a huge improvement. Getting an outfielder who hit .175 past year is a perfect compliment to Wagon Wheel’s recent trades that fill out the roster. This is real depth protection.
I’m not picking on the new Flushing Boy Wonder. He’s doing the best he can knowing that the account to his ATM card has a zero balance.
oh boy. championship
Brodie Van Dipoto
Dipotto east!!
BVW is Dipoto in disguise!
You can have Lockett. He was a joke for the padres
Is this a backup backup catcher move?
Two half-@$$ed catchers for the Tribe to battle it out…
Three
This just in… The Mets have traded a beer seller and a parking attendant to Toronto for a clubhouse assistant and cash considerations.
Fans of both teams will need a lot of beer this coming season…
The Indians will win their depleted offense and pen (besides hand)
*their division
Put everything you’ve got on ‘em.
Slight overpay by the Mets
Cash considerations? Good, Wilpon knows a guy who can invest that money for him at an unbelievable rate…
1 point for polish hammer.
Love it. Too bad the dude’s in prison
They’ll load it onto his commissary account…
Lenny;
Where ya been, man?
America needs you now more than ever!!!
Where did all of the Mets’ fans go? Come on, metseventually and metsfanforever, stand up and take the lead. Maybe you can get help from front office genius “TC” to explain what his new bosses’ moves are all about.
and International beer money
Hub,
Is there a Hot dog to be named later?
Yeah, … A-rod.
Plawecki is probably just a backup but the Indians gave up two nobodies to get him and he adds another decent option to their catching group, so I’m cool with it. He’s also never had a ton of chances in the majors and he was a good prospect, so there’s at least a chance.
I was shocked when they originally traded for Lockett, and I’m surprised that they used him as a trade chip too.
Under Francona the Indians have done a sensational job developing Catchers to call a game and handle a staff. At the same time the Indians have developed pitchers and gotten superior pitching. This is far more important in regards to a team winning then the % of base stealers thrown out (usually due to the individual pitchers holding runners on) and the silly/gimmicky pitch framing.
Plawecki is kinda like Gomes when they got him – sort of at a dead end…..although the Jays were trying to make Gomes into a C-1B-3B-LF utility guy. Having played for Calahan this year, Plawecki has a leg up on what the Indians will be asking him to do.
If they can square Plawecki away some he’ll be an excellent #2 Catcher that can start 40 games a year. Getting his BA up some might help. I was thinking maybe .245, but Bryce Harper is a dominant offensive machine at .248, so maybe asking .240 is more reasonable……then again, Harper can’t call a game or handle a pitching staff.
Or get signed
I also don’t understand the Mets’ sudden willingness to stockpile minor leaguers who aren’t really prospects. Haggerty is pretty much just depth, and the other guy they just got with JD Davis struggled big time in the low minors.
Because all of their money for a good catcher is either still being paid to Bobby Bonilla or sitting in a federal slammer in Butner, NC
Lockett haha
Dude is like I went from San Diego to Cleveland and now the toilet
Trader BVW?
9 era ! Yikes
You mean Lockett? Yeah he sucks.
Maybe these pitching Gurus can fix him. lol
He made no strides in San Diego under the best how will New York did him
Mickey Calloway is no slouch
Neither is Darren Balsley.
How many Cy Young’s has he coached up lately?
Darren Balsley? Turned Brad Hand from a DFA into an all star closer, fixed Fernando Rodney for a season, Made Drew Pomeranz into an ace starter, He’s taken nobodies and turned them into effective pitchers- Butcher, Yates, Thayer. Considering what he’s been given to work with what he’s gotten out of guys nobody wanted you’re asking about cy youngs lol? He hasn’t exactly been given much talent to work with the last 5 years.
Yeah Pomeranz is an absolute ace, hows he doing lately? Guy was drafted 5th overall, so he certainly had no talent before Balsey harnessed that little talent into something serviceable. Rodney fixed? LOL! Sure seem to cherry picking a bit…
Drew Pomeranz is an ACE STARTER ? Yup, practically won the Series for Boston with that stellar 2-6 record and 6.08 era ! Mowing em down with those 66 K’s. Looked more like Anthony Young than Cy Young. Bosox foolish to let that “ ace starter “ get away.
When Pomeranz played for the Padres he was posting a 3.15 FIP and 10 k/9. That was ace level stuff.
How’s he doing since being traded to the Red Sox? About as well as Price and Porcello have done working with their pitching coaches.
Fernando Rodney was coming off 4.92, 5.27, 3.47 FIP the previous years. Wound up pitching a 2.31 FIP with the padres clearly significantly lower than he had posted the previous years.
Funny how you don’t mention Hand, Yates, Thayer, Buchter, whom I also mentioned. LOL.
3.15 FIP, 10 k/9 pitching for the padres. ACE STARTER production. But hey, why let facts get in the way of posting comments about Pomeranz working with Red Sox pitching coaches and his production playing for the Red Sox instead of working with Darren Balsely.
Yup, he only learned how to pitch while out in SD and then forgot it all. That pitching coach left such an indelible impression on him it vanished when going to Boston.
Just like calloway leaving really hurt Kluber and bauer.
Pitching coaches mean next to nothing.
Boo;
If pitchers won’t listen, yes.
But coaches are also capable of doing more harm than good.
There’s no hard and fast rule, only individual ‘cases’.
That’s only a run an inning. Pretty good for the Mets. Might turn out to be their closer
Uhg are the Indians trying to give the division away … sign/trade for an outfielder
Derek Fisher for Kluber?
It’s, uhhhhh, gonna take a lot more than that
Yeah they must be “giving the division away” since they gave away two nobodies for a backup catcher…SMH…
This is a zero trade where The Indians trade 2 stiffs to The Mets for a Stiff catcher who not only cannot hit but was ratted as one of the worst defensive catchers in all of the majors. I would go as far as to say none of the 3 players involved in this deal even belong at the minor league level.
at some point I look for Eric Haase to take the starting job at catcher.
I kind of felt Haase would win the job after they traded Gomes. Bring in one more person for him to beat out doesn’t hurt, but Haase is ready and I hope will get a fair shot in spring training.
From 2017-2018, of catchers with at least 200 PA, Plawecki’s 97 wRC+ ranks 23rd – above Russell Martin, Brian McCann, Salvador Perez AJ Ellis, and the guy he is replacing, Yan Gomes
This idea he can’t hit is kind of ignorant.
He’s merely an average range fielder, but he can definitely hit for a catcher
Martin didn’t hit well last year, and before you drop his OBP number just realize Toronto fans watched him deteriorate as a hitter and it was ugly at times.
McCann’s numbers dipped, Sal Perez’ numbers dipped and he doesn’t walk, AJ Ellis can’t hit either.
Not ignorant. If Plawecki could hit, the Mets wouldn’t need Ramos or entertain Grandal. He is a backup for a reason; he can’t hit.
How dare you bring facts into this discussion. Simpletons on here think there’s 25 mike pizza’s in mlb today when the position has never been shallower. Try finding a catcher in a standard fantasy baseball league with 12 teams. Take Indians Roberto Perez for example. If you listen to the simpletons here he’s the worst catcher in the league. Its because they just look at his batting average and decided he sucks. The position isn’t viewed as a offensive position teams just need the catcher to catch the ball and call a good game.
^I’m sure Mike Pizza appreciates your input, goutseyes.
Anytime you talk real world value and then discuss fantasy baseball you should be banned from ever posting again…
He made a good point. Fans act as if the position is loaded, when it is not. The struggle to find a decent catcher for fantasy purposes is very difficult. Where as in the MLB teams see this and value the glove side more than the stick.
2017-18 catchers with at least 200 PA:
23rd in wRC+
2017 catchers with at least 50 PA:
17th in wRC+
2018 catchers with at least 50 PA:
27th in wRC+
2017-18 catchers with at least 50 PA (106 total):
33rd in WAR (despite only ~400 PA)
2017-18 average catcher was 85 wRC+ to Plawecki at 97
Spew all the excuses you want, but facts are facts – he can hit better than most catchers, and saying he can’t hit is ignorant
And the Mets signed the #2 hitting Catcher in the game the last two years – that says nothing about how Plawecki hits, getting the #2 hitting Catcher is an upgrade over all but Posey
I think most people understand just how lean it is and how much analytics has changed views of their value.
^In 50 at bats? Please, Luke Maile last season in his first 50 at bats was on his way to Cooperstown. Same in 2014 with Josh Thole. Spare me….
If Plawecki was as good as you think he is, the Mets would have never entertained the idea of dealing him and he’d be starting for them. Mets were all over Grandal and Ramos because they knew they needed an upgrade at the position. The other guys weren’t cutting it.
Better off putting a bouncey-net behind the plate. Fewer passed balls, and just as good on offense.
How does batting near the mendoza line respectable? It’s a joke
Wrong.
A Catcher with a 97 wRC+ is a joke?
What does that make the 65 catchers with at least 50 PA that all produced a sub-97 wRC+ last year?
97 would rank 22nd of all 2018 catchers, not that far behind the 101 wRC+ of Gomes
Not to mention that they got Plawecki for two nobodies and got two intriguing young guys and a serviceable minor leaguer for Gomes.
Gomes is definitely better than Plawecki, but not so much better that he was worth so much more. He had a well-timed career year and is on the wrong side of 30.
Agree. Gomes and Plawecki hit about the same the last two seasons. Yan is much better behind the plate, but at 30+, with that injury history and with that type of salary…
On paper this series of moves looks like a good idea by the Indians. We’ll have to see how it works out in reality though
Agreed. They’re taking a slight hit at catcher for sure, but the drop off is worth it since they got an MLB ready reliever and a toolsy prospect out of it (not to mention a few million in savings). They added solid depth and flexibility at the cost of a slight decrease behind the plate, which is pretty reasonable.
I’m a huge fan of Gomes and he’ll always be one of my favorites, but they sold high on him.
@ Michael Chaney;
Not saying you’re doing it – but this is not fantasy baseball where we look at numbers of one player, and compare them to another. It’s about what the Indians requirement was……
Perez is an excellent Catcher, but a crummy hitter. At critical points in a game Francona uses pinch-hitters – in Perez’ case Terry will often call on a LH hitter…..which the Indians always have lots of. They needed an experienced ML Catcher to come in and handle the pitcher(s) when he makes that move.
Expect Plawecki to be in at least 100 games in 2019 if he’s relatively healthy.
P.S. Keep an eye on LH hitting Catcher Noah Naylor in their system
I’d take a guy off the bench who had a .330 OBP.
The White Sox should just cash in and grab Machado along with Kimbrel. The Central is garbage and Cleveland isn’t a huge threat. Yes the goal is 2020 but they have a huge window open especially with their payroll only at 35 million currently.
Oh yes, the three-time defending division champs aren’t a threat
Kuechle, Machado and Ottavino to White Sox
Harper to yanks
Kimbrel staying in Boston
*Keuchel. Kuechle is a football player.
@mega
Players have to want to sign with you. Currently, that is not the case. If the WSox wanted to win now, they should have built around Sale, Eaton, and Quintana.
I agree that the White Sox aren’t ready to bring in big time talent. Although in their defense, they tried building around Sale, Eaton, and Quintana, and they didn’t get anywhere; that’s why they blew it up.
If they bring in the three above to go along with their talented youth, you will be surprised what they can accomplish.
From the results of 2 of 3 players. They made the correct decision. Eaton and Quintana? What have you done for me lately
Stymee;
They didn’t have any decent bricks.
The number of runners caught stealing can be misleading. You are somehow penalized because you can’t throw out Billy Hamilton when he gets a great jump? You would need a ++ arm and would have to defy physics. And, what about the pitcher each time and slow deliveries or pitchers who ignore runners?
As a Mets fan, Plawecki is completely lacking in bat speed. The ball dies off his bat despite his big frame. He is more athletic than the average catcher but league average defensively. Mets pitchers attributed to the below average numbers.
Mets keep trading and getting lesser players.
Looking into his numbers some, I’m a bit shocked the Mets didn’t want something of value for him
Afterall, from 2017-2018 there were 106 catchers with at leat 50 PA. Plawecki ranked:
27th in wRC+
22nd in OBP
40th in ISO
33rd in WAR
With years of control, a minimal salary, years of peak-age left and those types of values with the Bat produced? Well he seems to be one of the more under-appreciated values in the game.
I wonder if Dipoto and BVW have a side bet to see who can trade the most players or make the most trades by Opening Day.
I can’t wait to see them team up for a three team trade with the Rays. I think Dipoto has them on speed dial.
throw;
The commissions must be killing ‘em.
He’s a better backup catcher than d’Arnaud. d’Arnaud sucks defensively and is made of glass.
Yeah, I’m not really excited.
Grandahl back to SoCal on short-term deal?
Shopping at Big Lots.
Hey, I got my pub-style dining table there. It’s excellent!
Still waiting for Manny and Bryce to go on sale.
So they shopped for a bargain bin fill in for a bargain bin fill in position like backup catcher? Kudos to them!
Has Danny B dropped by to declare this a win for the Mets?
You traded the wrong catcher, Brodie. Plawecki > d’Arnaud.
I know we weren’t going to get much for Plawecki, but this somehow fell below even my most minimal of expectations. So that’s impressive.
Maybe Haggerty is ever so slightly interesting? Lots of speed and has shown good patience in the minors, but he’s been pretty old at each of his stops.
Would’ve preferred we keep Plawecki over Travis. Oh well.
He’s versatile and he’s patient at the plate, but I don’t see anything in him to make me think he’s more than organizational depth
Same.
…. And to think a Mets blogger thought Chris Taylor straight up was a fair return for Plawecki. X)
i don’t understand this trade other than free up 40 man roster since KPlaw was out of options..
They needed the spot because they got broxton and jd from houston.
Of course brody could of just released d’arnaud like he should of and kept plaweki.
But the genius let him go to arbitration cause he wanted “options”.
The guy is just in over his head and other gms are lining up to abuse him.
Lockett is terrible. I was surprised that the Padres were able to find a trade partner in Cleveland. I believe he has to be added to the 40 man roster, so this seems a little perplexing to even want Lockett in the return.
BVW wouldve done better receiving a batch of bats instead of these two crap players!!
Good luck Kevin !
I wonder how we’ll fair this year…. Seems like a rebuilding year yet we have so many good key pieces….
Should be interesting….
I think we have promise though!
Give Brodie a chance let’s look at final product all these trades are depth moves So let’s see what we field first!
Bring on Opening Day!!!