The Marlins added to the catching corps over the weekend, bringing in Christian Bethancourt in a trade with Cleveland. The former Ray looks to have the top spot on the depth chart, nudging Nick Fortes to the backup role. Those two are the only catchers on the 40-man roster, leaving room for another acquisition.
Barry Jackson and Craig Mish of the Miami Herald report that the Fish remain open to adding another catcher. To that end, Jackson and Mish indicate they’ve considered Andrew Knizner as a low-cost free agent target. The 28-year-old (29 in February) became a free agent when he was non-tendered by the Cardinals last month.
A former seventh-round pick, Knizner had spent his entire career in St. Louis. He was a prospect of some regard during his run in the Cards’ farm system. The presence of Yadier Molina kept Knizner from getting many extended reps, though, and he didn’t produce much in his limited opportunities. He hit .204/.292/.288 in 553 plate appearances between his 2019 debut and the end of the 2022 season. That contributed to the club’s decision to sign Willson Contreras to a five-year free agent deal after Molina’s retirement.
Knizner picked up 241 plate appearances in a depth role last season, the second-highest workload of his career. His .241/.288/.424 batting line marked a step up from his early-career work, at least from a power perspective. The right-handed hitter knocked 10 homers while making hard contact on a solid 40.9% of his batted balls. While still below-average offense overall, Knizner’s production was in line with the .236/.303/.394 league slash for catchers.
That the Cards nevertheless moved on from Knizner despite a modest $2MM arbitration projection hints at continued struggles on the other side of the ball. A late conversion to catching during his final season at North Carolina State, Knizner has always been viewed as a work in progress defensively. Statcast consistently grades him below average at framing pitches. He also ranked 65th out of 74 catchers (minimum 10 throws) in average pop time to second base.
Defensive questions aside, Knizner is coming off a better year at the plate than either Bethancourt or Fortes managed. He’d likely be available for a little more than the league minimum salary and would be eligible for arbitration after next year. He also still has a minor league option remaining (as does Fortes), meaning a signing team could send him to Triple-A — at least until he reaches five years of MLB service, which won’t happen until late August at the earliest. Beyond Knizner, players like Austin Nola, Martín Maldonado, Yasmani Grandal and Eric Haase are likely looking at one-year free agent contracts.
In other news, Jackson and Mish write that the Fish are considering giving right-hander George Soriano a rotation look next spring. The 24-year-old has worked in relief over the past two seasons, including during his 52-inning MLB debut this year. Soriano worked to a 3.81 ERA with a reasonable 22.8% strikeout rate against an elevated 10.1% walk percentage while frequently working two innings per appearance.
The Fish have already indicated that left-hander A.J. Puk will stretch out as a starter in exhibition play. Even if they do the same with Soriano, they could determine both pitchers are ultimately best suited to open the year back in the bullpen. Miami presently projects for a starting five of Jesús Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, Eury Pérez, Edward Cabrera and Trevor Rogers.
First-year president of baseball operations Peter Bendix comes from a Tampa Bay front office that hasn’t been shy about converting bullpen arms to starters, often in response to midseason injuries. The Rays found success with rotation moves for Drew Rasmussen, Jeffrey Springs and Zack Littell over the past two years (although Rasmussen and Springs have since sustained injuries that necessitated arm surgery).
Maybe the Cards are open to moving Ivan Herrera?
Fish would do well to hook Herrera in exchange for a pitching prospect of comparable stature, but they no longer have a surplus of MLB ready arms.
Does the author have some authority for the proposition that Bethancourt would be the starter and Fortes the backup or it is that just speculation based upon their stats and salaries?
Yeah a couple months ago I liked a Max Meyer for Ivan Herrera trade. But that was before Alcantara had surgery and the Cardinals signed 3 starters. At this point I don’t see a fit until mid season at the earliest.
I expect Herrera to do most of the catching in St Louis this year. I think Contreras will mostly DH. But Miami should look into signing Andrew Knizner. He could really bloom under a staff that appreciates him.
I don’t think Contreras being the DH is what’s best for the team. And I don’t think Herrera is all that good defensively either.
I’m not being a cynic when I say this. DHing will keep a 32 year old Contreras healthy and productive. He was a definite difference maker offensively in the second half of last season.
Herrera was much better defensively in ’23 than ’22. He is young enough and athletic enough to become very good defensively. I absolutely believe this is what’s best for the team short and long term.
He’s a bigger difference maker when he’s playing catcher because it allows another guy to DH. I just don’t think Herrera is all that good, offensively or defensively.
The only way the cardinals turn things around, especially with their current rotation, is by focusing on defense. Even if that means Contreras at DH so a slightly better Herrera plays catcher.
This idea that Herrera is better than Contreras defensively is a myth. The problem defensively last year was the outfield. Forcing Jordan Walker in the lineup and also on the field was the problem not Contreras.
They let Knizner go so Herrera could play, highly doubtful they’re moving him now.
Mitch Garver. Can DH most days and Catch occasionally. Gary Sanchez could fill the same role. This team needs more power in the lineup, especially with Soler likely playing elsewhere next season
@Rsox
I concur. Spend a few bucks and sign Garver as the primary DH/occasional C. We need more pop in the lineup. Target Knizner for organizational depth only if we miss on Garver. Despite his occasional power, Sanchez is a strikeout machine with a low batting average who’s also useless behind the plate. And I agree that we may have missed our window on Herrera. He could be too expensive (or unavailable) now.
Cardinals won’t move Herrera whatsoever.
Sure they would for the right yield, but they will price him like a MLB league top twenty prospect, so I doubt they’ll get a taker. Not too early to see if Contreras can play another position because while he is a solid hitter, he is not elite enough to be a full time DH on a top team.
Austin Barnes he’s all yours.
Nah, give them Cartaya for 1 Marlin SP.
This team is going nowhere until they actually become willing to spend some money.
What happened to Francisco Mejia? Former #1 prospect in baseball we traded years back.
Plays for Rays
He’s no longer with the Rays.
Salvador Perez and prospects for Cabrera?
Nope.
Slow news day when the Marlins catchers warrant a column. Even then, the Marlins got no respect because 75% of the comments were about the Cardinals catchers!
Former Mariner and Padre, Austin Nola, would be an excellent and inexpensive signing. His defense is rated highly, and he did show some offensive chops when he was with Seattle.
It’s better than hearing about another aspect of the ohtani contract that no one asked to hear about.
Let’s combine both. How long did the Marlins consider signing Ohtani? And what type of package did they consider offering? and how much money would be deferred? And what would the Marlins pitching staff be like when both Ohtani and Alcantara would lead the staff in 2026 when they’re both fully healthy? And would Ohtani throw left-handed next year so he could be the Marlins Closer? And, what restaurants will Ohtani want to go to on South Beach? And am I even allowed to reveal any of these discussions without offending Ohtani?
Oh, and most importantly, what name will be on the jetski that his dog rides on in Miami Beach?
I still fail to understand how position players (specifically catchers in this case) that have been playing for probably ten plus years still can’t hit by the time they’re they’re drafted, don’t hit in the minors and then are somehow able to get to the majors and have a sustained career.
E – meant to be an independent comment not a reply.
It’s like with pitchers. they tend to work so much on their craft that they neglect the hitting side a bit. That’s why it’s rare to have a catcher that can both hit and catch well – and why those guys are generally special in value. Most catchers are defensive specialists that can’t hit, and the others are good hitters that can’t catch.
@MarlinsFanBase
Someone, anyone with, say, a .260/.330/.440 slash line along with good defensive metrics would do just fine. But then again, I’m old school.
Brewers can offer Jeferson Quero for 1 or 2 pitchers
A lot of teams can offer a lot of things. Is any of it likely to happen? Stay tuned.
Why stop at 2? If Marlins are blessed by acquiring Quero, who will easily be a future multi MVP, then Fish need to send Eury, Luzardo, plus Sandy, pay the remaining salaries and pay Corbin’s future contract.
Only fair
@Mjm117
Forget that. But I’ll take Quero off your hands for either Trevor Rogers or Edward Cabrera. Plus we’ll toss in a PTBNL and some cash.
The legacy of Kim Ng and her refusal to put a priority on the catching position looms large over the team.
Chauvinist misogynist!
How dare you criticize Kim Ng! She did a flawless job! All of the things that went wrong during her time was done by Jeter and Denbo, and after they were both gone, some invisible guy in the corner of the room that none of us have figured out is yet. And even if she did anything wrong, there are many male GMs that do things wrong, and they never ever get criticized unfairly like she did. Look at how Stearns is being treated like gold in NY, with absolutely no criticism, and he’s been there for a whole couple of months! Not fair to criticize Ng when she was only here for three years!
Now leave her alone while I go buy my Avi Garcia jersey to replace my Sean Segura jersey that I tossed in the pile with the Anthony Bass jersey.
@MarlinsFanBase
One thing I believe we can all agree on is that Jeter and Denbo were clueless. Their “deals” were ill-conceived cost-cutting measures that ended up doing nothing except trim the attendance. They gutted the team (at least in terms of position players) and defrauded loyal Fish fans.
The Rays found success with rotation moves for Drew Rasmussen, Jeffrey Springs and Zack Littell over the past two years (although Rasmussen and Springs have since sustained injuries that necessitated arm surgery).
How do you define success?
Knizner would be a great fit in Miami, he’s may look like he’s not the best player but he’s decent for his value, backup for sure but i feel he’d be a great fit in Miami with Skip as his Coach.
@Eovaldismemes
You know what? Knizner’s .303/.369/.461 slash line across four minor league seasons lends credibility to your assertion. Looks like a numbers game in St. Louis. Obviously no room for him there, so a change in scenery might pay big dividends.
Catching game was always blocked by Yadier & Willson, now Herrera will be backup as the plan always was, Herrera might face the same fate as Knizner if we keep riding the same train, i always wanted Knizner to be the main man behind the dish after Yadi’s departure and have him in until Herrera is ready.
It always comes down to the same thing – player evaluations. You have to know what you have in a player, what his true capabilities are. If you don’t maximize his chances for success, you could end up looking under every rock for the perfect solution, never realizing that your best option is the guy standing right in front of you.
1. Sign Knizer. Solid C2 at minimum. will be cost effective, produce depth.
or.
2. Sign Nola. Same scouting report as Knizer.
This needs to be done to show some direction.
Trading for C gets complicated, though LA has Cartaya , but would cost pitcher
Garver is interesting piece BUT not for C2. He could help as DH more. C3 in pinch