Catcher Tony Wolters opted out of his minor league deal with the Pirates, the team announced. Wolters’ contract contained an out clause that allowed him to become a free agent if he wasn’t added to the active roster.
Wolters was signed in February to a contract that would have paid him $1.4MM in guaranteed money if he had made the team, but Pittsburgh decided to go with Michael Perez as the backup behind Jacob Stallings. It isn’t yet known if another contract with the team is possible, considering that another veteran in Todd Frazier just re-signed with the Pirates after similarly opting out of his minors deal earlier this week.
The Rockies non-tendered Wolters in December rather than pay the catcher a projected arbitration salary in the $1.9MM-$2.2MM range. Wolters has spent his entire five-year big league career in Colorado, hitting only .238/.323/.319 over 1232 plate appearances but earning quite a bit of playing time (391 games) due to his excellent defense. This track record of solid glovework could get Wolters some looks from teams who dissatisfied with their catching options as Opening Day looms.
Wise choice keeping Perez. I followed him with the Rays. His numbers aren’t great but he has a knack for clutch hitting, and his defense is good.
Can they drop both and get Jonathan Lucroy as the backup?
what does that do for a rebuilding team? Perez at least has upside.
Lucroy has NO upside. He is on a downward spiral in all categories. Seems like your just wanting to sign a name. Just go back to playing MLB The Show and GM the franchise that away
Wtf?? Can’t have an opinion on here I guess.
Not really. I don’t know why the comment section is so vicious. I like to scroll down and see what other fans think of the trade or signing etc.
Usually ends up with negativity towards other posters.
No thanks on Lucroy, not for this team.
Wolters to the Cubs? Possibly looking for backup. Very good defense. Only problem is, it would probably only be for a few weeks.
Wolters’ defense is highly overrated. He throws pretty well, that’s about it. Not a major league player, though a great guy.
I disagree, watched him for years in Denver. He would just be a backup, and probably just until Romine gets back.
We’d love to have him in Cleveland as Columbus’ catcher, he’s be our next guy up since Beau Taylor just got DFA’d. Wolters also was drafted here. We don’t really have any catching prospects near to the MLB level.
We have Ryan Lavarnway as a catcher for our taxi squad but besides him that’s about it
Wolters stats away from Coors is atrocious.
Another 1.4m in savings for the ever rebuilding Pirates!
Well if his defense is good the Orioles could use him.
I keep on floating Wieters but he is always poo pooed. The bottom line is the Orioles have catchers who can’t catch
Like many on here, I watched Perez quite a bit when he was with with TB. I had no idea why they waived him, and certainly wasn’t surprised that the first team with waiver priority (Pirates) claimed him.
Solid to better receiver, has some pop, hits LH, goes out and plays 1B when asked….what else do you want from a backup?
They’ll need a taxi-squad C, so maybe Wolters fills in there.
Well said, they made the right choice
Wolters may follow everyone else and just re-sign to a new minor league contract. Unless an injury occures somewhere between now and thursday i don’t see him getting a Major League deal anywhere