The Rays have released veteran catcher Erik Kratz following last week’s DFA, per the league transaction log over at MLB.com.
Kratz, 38, has appeared in a combined 21 games between the Giants and Rays in 2019 but managed just a .102/.170/.204 batting line through 53 trips to the plate. He logged a more respectable .236/.280/.355 output through 219 plate appearances in Milwaukee a year ago.
Kratz will have the opportunity to sign with any club he chooses now. He’s never been a strong hitter in the Majors but does have some pop in his bat. He’s also a strong option behind the dish in terms of controlling the running game (career 32 percent caught-stealing rate) and pitch framing, in addition to carrying a reputation as an outstanding clubhouse presence. The Rays themselves could be on the hunt for catching depth, as fellow backstop Nick Ciuffo was lost for upwards of 10 weeks (thumb surgery) just days after Kratz was designated for assignment. Others throughout the league figure to check in on the well-respected Kratz, too, as he searches for his next opportunity.
A future coach/manager?
Maybe the Ray’s will retain him on a minor league deal for
depth…..
I hear there is an opening in Visalia next year :)
Would love to see him as a coach/future manager/front office personnel. Dude is a baseball junkie.
Real life version of Crash Davis but with a lot more time in the Show. He will be a manager in the future if he really wants it. Love the guy from the limited time he was in Pittsburgh. They interview him any time is is back in town and love to hear him talk. Seems like such a quality guy.
He had that old man magic last year in september and into October for the Crew. Was at game 2 of the NLDS against the rockies and he had a big 2 run single in the 8th and the stadium was going nuts.
That alone should show how much fortune was required for a Milwaukee to do what they did the last six weeks of 2018.
Would not look at it like that. We had a terrific team last year and Kratz had a part in it mostly because of his great leadership skills. Had some big hits. But yes, you must hit on some minor signings to have success at times. Look at David Ross for the cubs their WS year. Every postseason run has a guy that is playing way above their talent level.
Already been on 9 different teams. May as well go for 10 and be on an exclusive list of only 40+ guys who have done that in MLB history.
12 organizations. Was signed to minors Deals with Cleveland, Seattle and the Angels as well 13 coming soon if he goes to where he has not gone before.
Wow, can’t say I agree with this move. Stick with what’s working.
Is this tongue in cheek? Or do you really believe that a replacement level 5th catcher with 17 PA is the glue holding the Rays together?
So odd how cheating, er, “pitch framing” is now a valued commodity.
Cheating? Odd. You should read the rule book. Seriously. Framing isn’t even a word that shows up. Furthermore, the rules imply that every pitch thrown is a ball unless the home ump decides it’s a strike based on one of 7 criteria. It doesn’t matter where the catcher catches the ball or how, it only matters on what the ump decides, even if some fans don’t like it. They even included a rule saying you can’t argue balls and strikes with the home ump because it was his decision.
Of course it isn’t cheating according to the rule book, duh. Of course the ump decides what’s a ball or strike. Double duh. But tell me, why does a catcher “frame” a pitch? What’s the purpose? To deceive an umpire. That’s the sole reason. Now one could blame the umpires for falling for this, but why prop up a catcher who’s good at, well, since you won’t permit me to say cheating, deceiving? I hope to see “framing” in the rule book someday soon, so this scam can end.
It’s not just used to make borderline pitches look like strikes but it’s also used to make strikes moving through the edge of the zone look like strikes, which they are. An ump can miss balls and strikes so having a catcher that can frame the pitch is incredibly helpful.
If a pitch slides through the front edge of the zone but the catcher catches it out of the zone, it’s a strike but might not get called without good framing.