Found this interesting and inaccurate...

[TURBO]

From Rotoworld:

 

Erik Kratz went 3-for-3 with a homer, double and two RBI in a victory over the Diamondbacks in the Cactus League on Wednesday.

Kratz is off to a strong start on the spring season with a .333 average and 1.257 OPS. He'll likely be the backup to Yasmani Grandal in 2018, and won't be a streaming option when he gives Grandal rest.

 

Mar 6, 2019, 5:11 PM

 

I guess Pina is out the door...Way to do your homework Rotoworld.

[KeithStone53151]

I don't consider this an impossible scenario. Definitely a longshot though. That is super lazy by rotoworld.

[MrTPlush]

I don't consider this an impossible scenario. Definitely a longshot though. That is super lazy by rotoworld.

 

Unless Pina is injured, no, it is not possible.

[KeithStone53151]

I don't consider this an impossible scenario. Definitely a longshot though. That is super lazy by rotoworld.

 

Unless Pina is injured, no, it is not possible.

 

Injured or traded were the big 2 I was thinking. I also would generally disagree with this, but the Brewers seem to love Kratz and if Pina was bad enough in ST...I could see them wrongly giving Kratz the backup nod. Again, all longshots.

[monty57]

I'm glad for the strong opening to spring. Hopefully some team will give the Brewers a "lottery ticket" prospect for him rather than waiting for him to hit the waiver wire at the end of Spring Training. He'd have to be an upgrade at backup catcher for some team... right?

 

I'd say it's possible they trade Pina, but that would leave a big question mark going into 2020 with Nottingham being the only catcher on the roster. Barring injury, Kratz will probably be on another team's MLB roster to start this season.

[MrTPlush]

Yah, there is simply no way they go with Kratz and think he is going to outhit Pina enough to be worth the defense downgrade. Everyone thinks Kratz (not necessarily people on this forum) think Kratz was so good last year because of a few timely hit. I mean, yeah, I guess by Kratz standards who OPS'd -31 his last time seeing more than a handful of ABs last year was an MVP run. Even having the year of his life Kratz was still notably worse with the bat and everyone though Pina was terrible himself.

 

There just is no way they would go Kratz. Teams contending don't trade their back up catcher to have a big downgrade.

[wildcat83]

Is it totally unreasonable to think that Kratz might accept a minor league assignment to start the year? Honest question.

 

There's almost no chance of a team going all year without needing a 3rd catcher. He would be up at some point. I'm not sure what kind of salary dip he would get going to the minors as opposed to the vet minimum as a back up somewhere. I can't imagine it would be all that big of a pay cut honestly. He seems to like it here, and has even been linked to a possible coaching position within the organization once he retires. I could honestly see him being willing to go down until an injury occurs... might be wishfully thinking I guess, especially if the salary drop would be substantial.

[MrTPlush]

Is it totally unreasonable to think that Kratz might accept a minor league assignment to start the year? Honest question.

 

.

 

Yes because he would decline and shop around elsewhere, obviously. Could always then sign him to a split contract.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Is it totally unreasonable to think that Kratz might accept a minor league assignment to start the year? Honest question.

 

.

 

Yes because he would decline and shop around elsewhere, obviously. Could always then sign him to a split contract.

 

I can't imagine there is any way he wouldn't be able to catch on as a reserve somewhere on a ML deal. Just finding a guy who can give you a professional AB and not embarrass himself defensively would be an improvement for a lot of teams in that spot.

[Roderick]

I do remember a stretch where Kratz was hitting some liners that found fielders (so he gets a little benefit of the doubt).

 

But I don't see any logical scenario where Pina isn't the backup. Pina is still a better hitter and defender.

 

The illogical scenario would be someone trades for Pina. when they can sign Maldonado without costing a prospect.

[brewcrewdue80]

Maybe you find a buyer for Kratz before the beginning of the season? There always seems to have a catcher start a season injured. You wouldn't get much obviously, but you have Nottingham in case for a 3rd and backup next season. We lost Bobby Wahl for the season, maybe you get a team's AAAA RP. It is really awful to have overlooked Pina since Pina is a stud defensively with a better bat potential.

[MrTPlush]

Is it totally unreasonable to think that Kratz might accept a minor league assignment to start the year? Honest question.

 

.

 

Yes because he would decline and shop around elsewhere, obviously. Could always then sign him to a split contract.

 

I can't imagine there is any way he wouldn't be able to catch on as a reserve somewhere on a ML deal. Just finding a guy who can give you a professional AB and not embarrass himself defensively would be an improvement for a lot of teams in that spot.

 

Then why did Kratz struggle to get a job for years? He isn't any different now really.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Then why did Kratz struggle to get a job for years? He isn't any different now really.

 

Perhaps. I suppose there is a chance he could be squeezed through the DFA process, but it really seems to me that quality catching depth is at an all-time low league-wide. But if Kratz were to be DFA'd and claimed, I wouldn't view it as a big loss. Nottingham can easily come up if there is an injury, and Tuffy Gosewisch can fill that veteran catcher/AAA mentor/emergency MLB role.

[MrTPlush]

Then why did Kratz struggle to get a job for years? He isn't any different now really.

 

Perhaps. I suppose there is a chance he could be squeezed through the DFA process, but it really seems to me that quality catching depth is at an all-time low league-wide. But if Kratz were to be DFA'd and claimed, I wouldn't view it as a big loss. Nottingham can easily come up if there is an injury, and Tuffy Gosewisch can fill that veteran catcher/AAA mentor/emergency MLB role.

 

I mean I don't hate Kratz, he would be a pretty nice 3rd catcher (much like Pina as a really good 2nd catcher), but if some team wants him I guess they can have him. Most teams prefer zero offense and good defense for their #2 if they don't have a choice. Kratz is probably bad at both.

[topper09er]

I would say Kratz has a small chance to make the team, not sure if CC can reduce the veteran grit level of the team by like 80% if we cut him. We started last year with like 600 first baseman on opening day, maybe we go with 3 catchers at least for a few weeks. I'd give this scenario a 3% chance of happening

[AKCheesehead]

I assumed (albeit probably incorrectly) that Kratz's contract was a split contract. I seem to recall $300k guaranteed, $1.2m if in majors. That sounded like a split contract to me.

[MrTPlush]

I assumed (albeit probably incorrectly) that Kratz's contract was a split contract. I seem to recall $300k guaranteed, $1.2m if in majors. That sounded like a split contract to me.

 

It is an arbitration contract. We can cut him and only pay him $300k. $1.2mil if he makes roster, but obviously we then signed Grandal.

[stalton]

As someone pointed somewhere else, this could be this year's version of our first base glut last year.

 

Lets get Kratz some reps at first /blue

[wntrtxn21]

I don't consider this an impossible scenario. Definitely a longshot though. That is super lazy by rotoworld.

 

Unless Pina is injured, no, it is not possible.

 

Injured or traded were the big 2 I was thinking. I also would generally disagree with this, but the Brewers seem to love Kratz and if Pina was bad enough in ST...I could see them wrongly giving Kratz the backup nod. Again, all longshots.

 

I think Stearns is looking beyond this year. IF Grandal leaves in 2020, Pina will again be the #1 catcher designate. Plus his defensive skills are far superior to Kratz's. EK's age is against him too.

[KeithStone53151]

Injured or traded were the big 2 I was thinking. I also would generally disagree with this, but the Brewers seem to love Kratz and if Pina was bad enough in ST...I could see them wrongly giving Kratz the backup nod. Again, all longshots.

 

I think Stearns is looking beyond this year. IF Grandal leaves in 2020, Pina will again be the #1 catcher designate. Plus his defensive skills are far superior to Kratz's. EK's age is against him too.

 

I would like to think that even with Grandal leaving, we are aiming higher than Pina as the #1 catcher on a contending team. That we'd find someone else to be the number 1 next year if needed. Beyond that, Nottingham/Henry/Feliciano all show varying degrees of promise.

[jerichoholicninja]

Look at Gosewich's numbers. Then look at Kratz. Somehow that Tuffy guy keeps finding jobs despite being a much worse player than Kratz. I couldn't care less about either of them but I think Kratz would catch on somewhere if we cut him. He's 3 or 4 on the depth chart here, I think he could get a #2 job somewhere, even if it's just for the first couple weeks of the season.

[clancyphile]

I think the return for Pina is being underestimated as well. We may see him an meh compared to who he replaced behind the plate (Lucroy in his prime) as well as Grandal, but he is capable of a .750 OPS and is very good defensively. Arguably one of the top 20 catchers in the majors.

 

Put it this way: The Bears are reportedly fielding offers for Jordan Howard and could get the 2019 1st rounder they traded for Khalil Mack back from the Raiders. And Howard is dismissed by some as a one-dimensional power back.

[long ball]

I would say Kratz has a small chance to make the team, not sure if CC can reduce the veteran grit level of the team by like 80% if we cut him. We started last year with like 600 first baseman on opening day, maybe we go with 3 catchers at least for a few weeks. I'd give this scenario a 3% chance of happening

 

 

I agree. Somewhat likely scenario if all are healthy for opening day is Granndal, Pina, and Kratz all making the roster. The Brewers making 3 catchers work for as long as possible and DFA Kratz if not injuries or trade opportunities arise and they can no longer roster all 3.

 

Stearns likes to delay making permanent roster decisions for as long as possible.

[Brew crew 92]

Hoping Stearns can sign Kratz to minor league deal. Be nice to have him available in case of injury. The guy is leader of men, you can tell the players love and respect the guy. But Pina is just elite defensively with a bazooka for an arm so he’s gotta be the back-up. IMHO too valuable to trade right now. 26 man roster might keep Kratz

[jerichoholicninja]

I would say Kratz has a small chance to make the team, not sure if CC can reduce the veteran grit level of the team by like 80% if we cut him. We started last year with like 600 first baseman on opening day, maybe we go with 3 catchers at least for a few weeks. I'd give this scenario a 3% chance of happening

 

 

I agree. Somewhat likely scenario if all are healthy for opening day is Granndal, Pina, and Kratz all making the roster. The Brewers making 3 catchers work for as long as possible and DFA Kratz if not injuries or trade opportunities arise and they can no longer roster all 3.

 

Stearns likes to delay making permanent roster decisions for as long as possible.

 

The only way I can see 3 C's making it is if Thames is traded. Otherwise you have 5 guys covering only 2 positions. That's very anti-Stearns.