The Orioles have acquired catcher Luis Torrens from the Cubs in exchange for cash, per a team announcement. Right-hander Joey Krehbiel was designated for assignment in order to open a spot on the 40-man roster.
Torrens, 26, signed a minor league deal with the Cubs in the offseason. He appeared in 13 games for them this season but tallied only 22 plate appearances, going 5-for-20 with a double, a walk and eight strikeouts in that time (.250/.318/.300).
Prior to that brief run in Chicago, Torrens spent two years with the Mariners after coming over alongside Ty France and Andres Munoz in the trade sending Austin Nola, Austin Adams and Dan Altavilla to the Padres. In 799 Major League plate appearances, he’s a .227/.289/.352 hitter with 19 long balls, a 26% strikeout rate and a 7.8% walk rate. While he wasn’t especially productive in his time with Seattle, he did make a fair bit of hard contact, averaging 91 mph off the bat and putting 45.7% of his batted balls in play at an exit velocity of at least 95 mph.
Defensively, Torrens has drawn below-average grades from Defensive Runs Saved and most pitch-framing metrics. He has a career 21.7% caught-stealing rate that’s below the league average, and he came up empty in his only attempt to throw a runner out with the Cubs. He did throw out nine of 28 attempted thieves (32.1%) as recently as last season.
Torrens is out of minor league options, so the Orioles will carry him on the big league roster. That’ll give them three catching options, as he’ll join 2022 Rookie of the Year runner-up Adley Rutschman and veteran James McCann on Baltimore’s roster.
Krehbiel, 30, hasn’t pitched in the Majors this season but logged 57 2/3 innings out of Baltimore’s bullpen in 2022, notching a solid 3.90 ERA with a below-average 18.4% strikeout rate but a sharp 7.4% walk rate. Overall, her has a 3.78 ERA in 69 Major League frames between the D-backs, Rays and O’s.
The 2023 season has been rough for Krehbiel, however. While he’s sporting a 2.00 ERA in nine Triple-A frames, he’s also walked more batters (seven) than he’s struck out (six) and has plunked another hitter. That’s nearly 22% of Krehbiel’s opponents that have either drawn a free pass or reached via hit-by-pitch. Even beyond those command woes, Krehbiel’s broader numbers in Triple-A (5.34 ERA in 175 1/3 innings) are actually worse than his big league output.
The Orioles will have a week to trade Krehbiel or attempt to pass him through outright waivers. He’s been outrighted once before, so even if he goes unclaimed, he’d have the right to elect free agency if he chooses.
Cubs got at least cash, that’s something.
Same as for McKinstry for the Cubs don’t need low level prospects any more. Hence, the cash which buys them baseballs ha
As an Os fan this is scary news. They have several competent catchers and already need to make room on the roster for Givens and Tate. I’m concerned this means an injury
Givens and Tate are already on the roster.
That said, hard to imagine a scenario where he’s not immediately designated because he’s out of options.
Think he meant the 26 man. They’re both on the 40. Bullpen crunch is going to be real when we get that pair back.
Idk who goes down. Baumann and Akin because they have options?
Baumann has shown some cracks recently but he’s certainly pitched well enough to stick as a middle reliever. Cionel has been bad but I doubt we let him go after how electric he was just last year.
They’d have to be added to the 26, Akin has an option, so he might be vulnerable. But Baumann, Cano, and Baker have been good. Voth is settling in and is the main long guy. Perez has had a couple of good outings and he’s lefthanded, so he goes no where. Lefty Coulumbe has been awesome. Felix is Felix. Who goes when Tate and Givens are ready?
I would guess Akin sent down, Cionel phantom IL stint
I’ve also suggested Bradish optioned after starting 5/6, which gives room until 5/16 needs a starter. Bradish could come back 5/21 to make his regular start.
Yeah, that’s just a temporary band aid though. I could see us flipping a reliever before the deadline for something else.
O’s have a real dilemma at catcher now.
They’re torrens between Rutschman and McCann now.
This stuff just seems to write itself lately, doesn’t it?
):8o
Torrens between two glovers.
I was gonna say maybe the Angels should take a flyer on this guy, but I missed the whole BB/K ratio. K-thx-bye.
More teams are starting to carry 3 catchers. It’s a demanding position especially when it comes to concussions. I’d like to see MLB expand rosters to 27 to accommodate a third catcher or 6th SP. It would help keep these guys healthy and on the field.
I have never seen 2 catchers get hurt in the same game. High school, college, minor league or MLB. Needing a 3rd catcher is even less of an issue now that the NL has the DH. 26 players is plenty for one baseball game.
Me either. I’ve been watching baseball for decades. Never saw it.
1970 – Both Phillies catchers hurt in the same inning. McCarver broke finger on foul ball by Willie McCovey. His replacement broke his finger later that inning when McCovey slide into him on a play at the plate.
Big Mac 44 was, well, big.
Stretch McCovey, the catcher killer.
I used to watch him at Shea from the 1B side.
When he waved that bat at the plate, I’d get nervous. He looked huge.
its not just about how many catchers get hurt in one game, it’s about keeping these guys healthy for a full season. It’s easy for fans like you sportswood to say it’s unnecessary because you don’t put on the tools of ignorance and take 100 MPH balls to your face and back swings to the head and hands. I don’t make the trends, I was only pointing them out. If you think teams don’t need 3 catchers, maybe you should contact the O’s
Why are you so offend honey…? I can almost envision a tear rolling down your cheek. Good grief, obviously the keyboard should be labeled a tool of ignorance.
Honey…
Heh heh heh…
“Aw Honey… Sugar Sugar.”
who are you thinking is offended sportswood? I’m sorry for pointing out how wrong you were. I didn’t mean anything personal by it but i’m glad others chimed in and called you out too
“…and Honey, I miss you…. and I’m being good.
I’d love to be with you…. if only I could…”
Great tune. Like to cry your eyes out.
Someone going all the way back to McCovey doesn’t really help your argument. 26 man rosters allow for a lot of flexibility. Cut a pitcher if you want an extra C. I know, that would force a reliever to pitch multiple innings! Heaven forbid!
I watched a double-header in 1968. Yanks and Senators.
Yanks used two pitchers, two catchers, and a 25-man roster. and completed each game in under 2:30. This despite the Yanks scoring 16 runs in one game and 10 in the other.
And no pitch clock.
In the Orioles case, they have been using Adley at DH for days he’s not catching. When McCain is catching, if he gets hurt, you loose the DH if Adley has to move from DH to catcher.
Something like that. The 3 catcher thing is related to DHing your main catcher and having #2 guy Catching and getting hurt/pinch hit for. It about not loosing the DH, as the Orioles had to do a couple games back. Also makes it easier to pinch hit the McCain in the lineup and not loose the DH.
Nobody needs to see Pitchers hitting anymore.
Makes sense. I’d say the obvious solution would be to alter the DH rule, so teams don’t have to carry 3 catchers for this reason.
Let the Orioles know I won’t be filing a complaint because they are carrying 3 catchers. They can carry 5 for all I care.
Maybe this is more about McCaan. FO realizing not the best off season move to help rest Adley? He’s 33, Torrens is 6 years younger with league level experience … It’s a long season. McCaan odd man out? IE gets moved, or if no takers, Os cut him loose.
@jeff doubt that seriously. McCann has been good. 33 years old isn’t ancient for a backup C. He plays sparingly and has done a pretty good job with that. Youd think he has rapport built with the pitchers by now also. Seems odd that they’d disrupt that.
I think we either see Torrens as more versatile than just a backup C or we’re trying to “O’hearn” him through waivers.
McCann has been everything they could have wanted when they signed him!
Hey you can carry 3 C’s if you want especially if one hits as well as Rutschsman. The Cubs did it all last year with Contreras. Woods point was just to carry 3 C’s to have 3 is pointless unless one can do something else. And he’s right in all those games I’ve only seen an emergency C used once maybe. Even in games that went 18 innings in the old days. The Cubs used Torrens at a couple of positions in the spring trying to see if he could do other things but he wasn’t needed to do those things during the season. So there’s no need to get Scooters undies in a bundle. I’m sure in 14 days it’ll pass. Pretty sure the Cubs will have to get another C with some options due to Gomes and Barnhart’s ages because Amaya isn’t ready. I’m amazed he’s been doing as well as he has for not having caught a game in 3 years and he’s injury prone as well. I’m not sure if Nunez has options but if he does he should be added to the 40 man when Rios and Hosmer hit the road.
@Orioles2024 & CurtB, point taken guys. In hindsight, this is a move about this year. Obviously off to a great start, in FOs mind, this helps solidify continued momentum.
On the downside, does it take away opportunity for the long jam of talent at AAA and Prieto at AA to get reps in Baltimore? IE. FO is saying we can win now with what we’ve got, future put on hold. I guess the Vavra experiment as a number 3, didn’t cut the mustard? If they would’ve gone in that direction, it would not have taken away a roster spot to get all these AAAA fellas a look see?
So let your star player catch! Is McCann really the better catcher? Guess Adley doesn’t live up to the hype.
@stymee
If you’ve seen one game you’d know that Adley is the best by far. He’s already a top 3 catcher in baseball.
However he hits so well that it’s not a bad thing to have him DH a bit more. Especially if the backup has a glove and doesn’t hurt you too bad with the bat. McCann hasn’t so far.
There was a game last year where starting catcher got tossed , then replacement got hurt thus requiring emergency 3rd catcher. Doesn’t always have to be 2 injuries.
So 1 game out of…. Which is the point. It’s one game. Figure it out, call someone up and come back tomorrow. What, this is 1 game out 50,000 that it happens.
Torrens had a nice spring but really wasn’t much for the 3rd role he played. Inconsistent AB’s and bad weather probably played a role but he’s out of options so he had to be DFA’d. Rios is also out of options so you can’t just send him down so you’d have to do the same thing and he has the same problem as Torrens. Bad weather and few AB’s. Hopefully Mervis will be here soon, Hosmer will be gone and maybe Bote will get another shot. Seems like the best place for Morel right now is Iowa as he’s raking. Throwing him into limited AB’s is probably not good for him until he can at least get regular AB’s. Then if they DFA Bote somebody takes him. I can hope can’t I. As far as Cubs not willing to go over the Luxury Tax that is so stupid it’s ridiculous. Ricketts could care less about a few bucks in the luxury tax and they’ll be below it to reset it next year if they want to go that way.
Maybe the solution is simple. Hockey has emergency Goalies in case of a disaster. Every team has a bullpen Catcher who could probably catch a few innings in an emergency. That has to be a better option than watching some position player trying to Catch if he never has. Unclemike, Solving problems and making sense. Who knew? LOL
@riffraff, there was a Pirates game in 2022 where the backup catcher got tossed while on the bench, and the starting catcher got injured later in the game. Pittsburgh’s utility guy, who had no professional experience as a catcher, had to finish the game behind the plate. I believe that backup catcher got DFA’d sooner after.
riffraff- Was he banging on a garbage can?
Actually, let’s just put a bin behind the plate that the pitcher throws at and it collects the balls. Move the catcher off to the side, sit him in a lazy-boy behind plexiglass. Allow him to wear shorts and flip flops. If we’re trying keep these guys safe, rested and healthy, this is a better option than wrapping them in bubble wrap
One whole game that happened? By all means, we must change the rules!
Let that bin shoot the baseballs back like bazookas too! Have a speed control that goes up to 125 mph! Nail baserunners, the occasional pitcher, and Angel Hernandez when he umps at first!
I don’t think the catchers were hurt, but through pinch hitting the Orioles in one August 1983 game against Toronto had removed both Rick Dempsey and Joe Nolan and were forced to put Lenn Sakata behind the plate. Tippy Martinez picked off three Jays in a row in the top of the 10th. Sakata hit a walk off HR in the bottom of the 10th.
This may allow them to DH Rutschman more to save his body. Torrens was rock solid for the M’s a couple seasons back with 15 hrs. He played multiple positions too. Not a bad utility guy to have.
How about teams start hiring managers that can work a roster, utilizing players to give them rest. How many years was 25 players enough? If you want an extra C, just cut back to “only” a 7 man bullpen.
The Cubs need to make more necessary roster moves. Start with sending Rios to the minors. He has a minor league option. Then release Hosmer. Yikes! Watching Hosmer at bat is like watching Heyward all over again. Ground out to short. Pop fly to center. Then just bring up Mervis. Time to see what this guy can do in the majors. Give him a share of playing time. 1st base, DH.
Agree 100%. Also need to call up Morel. He has to be the best hitter in the minors so far this year. His numbers are ridiculous!
I only call up Morel if they’re going to hand him the 3B job and give him everyday AB’s. Until Wisdom goes back into his whiff fog they can stay where they are. If they’re going to move Wisdom then OK. But Morel needs to play wherever he is. Wisdom as a bench guy doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Simple solution, just expand the active roster to 40, then no one needs to worry about these things.
According to owner Tommy “I want to buy the entire neighborhood” Ricketts the Cubs are cash poor. So every penny helps to pay the bills
The Cubs are pushing the luxury tax (9 million under) this season so the “cheap Tom” jokes need to stop.
Speaking of pushing the tax, does the “trade for cash” come off the luxury tax? So if the Cubs trade a guy for 50k, does that free up 50k in luxury tax?
Tom Ricketts isn’t really lying about being “cash poor”, Wrigley renovations was completely funded by the Cubs organization and it cost them around 1 billion dollars. The Cubs are in good position to become extremely profitable by buying up real-estate around Wrigleyville and starting their own network but it’s a large up front investment.
That’s getting REALLY old! When did he say that last?
I saw Tom on Undercover Boss, and he was a nice guy.
So BACK OFF, man!
The Cubs didn’t need Torrens any more once they were certain that their prospect Miguel Amaya could catch for a couple of weeks after coming back from multiple injuries. He came back last year but was only DH-ing.
I’d have demoted Edwin Rios instead, but Ross seems to want him on the bench for some inexplicable reason.
I’m of the opinion the Cubs should DFA Rios and bring up Mervis.
Bringing up Mervis will add another DH into the mix making Rios expendable and then regulate Hosmer to the bench. If Mervis can stick at the ML level and at first, DFA Hosmer and bring up Morel.
Look at the splits. Against lefties, Torrens is a .243 career hitter with power. Gunnar has hit .111 (career) against lefties. It’s nice to have a right-handed pinch hitter… and having a third catcher is also a nice luxury. It’s a very minor move that’s probably designed to help us win like 1 extra game; I assume Torrens will be dropped when Tate or Givens is ready.
So the Orioles won’t be picking up Gary Sanchez.
Not unless the have a forklift.
Hosmer to the bench? He needs to follow Frank the Tank into the wonderful world of Asian baseball. Or Sun City Az for a nice retirement. He sucks. DFA Rios and Hosmer, Bring up Bote and Mervis. That’s the logical play.
Deep depth is fine I guess. Probably try to pass him through waivers once they get a handle on things. Their Minor leaguer Handley getting hurt likely played a part here.
And they MUST protect Rutachman at every opportunity!
Adley is so valuable, its safest to not play him at all. He might get injured, or tired.
You know when a guy is batting 50% above the league average offensively—good teams tend to find ways to get that bat in the lineup as much as possible. Especially when your backup C is hitting roughly league average for the position.