Catcher Position for 2020

[wntrtxn21]

Just perused some of the prior and newer top catcher prospects. Looking for maybe a guy blocking or being blocked. The Arizona DBacks have Carson Kelly now who played well last season. And then there is a one Daulton Varsho. From WI that is projected to make the Majors in 2020. Let's make a deal! I'll return to this later but go ahead. Discuss.

 

So the DBacks signed Vogt. They have better catchers at their disposal?

 

Varsho has never played above AA ball. The D'Backs will want to see how he handles AAA pitching, both with the bat and on defense. I believe he's at least a year away. They signed Vogt as a very capable backup to Kellyfor 2020. After 2020 they'll have decisions to make.

[ewitkows]

I would bet it's someone like Austin Romine who is brought in

[yoyomayoma]

I get the feeling that Avila will be signed soon.

[Eye Black]

According to Jeff Passan...

 

Catcher Yan Gomes and the Washington Nationals are in agreement on a two-year, $10 million deal that will return the veteran to the reigning champions, sources tell ESPN. Gomes caught the final out of the World Series and will rejoin Kurt Suzuki as the Nationals’ catching tandem.

[walleye]

Just perused some of the prior and newer top catcher prospects. Looking for maybe a guy blocking or being blocked. The Arizona DBacks have Carson Kelly now who played well last season. And then there is a one Daulton Varsho. From WI that is projected to make the Majors in 2020. Let's make a deal! I'll return to this later but go ahead. Discuss.

 

So the DBacks signed Vogt. They have better catchers at their disposal?

 

Varsho has never played above AA ball. The D'Backs will want to see how he handles AAA pitching, both with the bat and on defense. I believe he's at least a year away. They signed Vogt as a very capable backup to Kellyfor 2020. After 2020 they'll have decisions to make.

AZ has also been playing Varsho in the outfield so it’s not like he’s blocked .

[SRB]

What happened to Welington Castillo? Is he completely cooked? Only 32, which is not ancient.

[MadThinker88]

According to Jeff Passan...

 

Catcher Yan Gomes and the Washington Nationals are in agreement on a two-year, $10 million deal that will return the veteran to the reigning champions, sources tell ESPN. Gomes caught the final out of the World Series and will rejoin Kurt Suzuki as the Nationals’ catching tandem.

 

 

I happy for Yan, both for getting a ring & for finding a place to sign before Thanksgiving...

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/11/nationals-re-sign-yan-gomes.html

[wntrtxn21]

What happened to Welington Castillo? Is he completely cooked? Only 32, which is not ancient.

 

Castillo has a real bad year with the White Sox last year. .209/.267 while making $7.25M. He was traded to the Rangers who released him almost immediately.

[harmony]

Why would anyone want a catcher who is terrible defensively and whose own team is actively trying to shop him with three years of control left?

 

I normally don't mind trading defense for offense, but not at catcher on a team with a young, questionable pitching staff.

Seattle needs pitching and can trade from its depth at catcher where this year Tom Murphy posted a 126 wRC+ and 3.2 fWAR in only 76 games and utility man Austin Nola, a catcher by trade, posted a 114 wRC+ and 1.5 fWAR in only 79 games:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2019&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=11&rost=&age=&filter=&players=&startdate=&enddate=

 

Additionally, catcher Cal Raleigh is the seventh-ranked prospect in a healthy Seattle farm system:

 

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2019?list=sea

 

Baseball Trade Values approves a trade of Ethan Small and Drew Rasmussen for Omar Narvaez:

 

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/trade-16900/

 

... although the pitching-thin Brewers are unlikely to further deplete their farm system.

[clancyphile]

Why would anyone want a catcher who is terrible defensively and whose own team is actively trying to shop him with three years of control left?

 

I normally don't mind trading defense for offense, but not at catcher on a team with a young, questionable pitching staff.

Seattle needs pitching and can trade from its depth at catcher where this year Tom Murphy posted a 126 wRC+ and 3.2 fWAR in only 76 games and utility man Austin Nola, a catcher by trade, posted a 114 wRC+ and 1.5 fWAR in only 79 games:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2019&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=11&rost=&age=&filter=&players=&startdate=&enddate=

 

Additionally, catcher Cal Raleigh is the seventh-ranked prospect in a healthy Seattle farm system:

 

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2019?list=sea

 

Baseball Trade Values approves a trade of Ethan Small and Drew Rasmussen for Omar Narvaez:

 

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/trade-16900/

 

... although the pitching-thin Brewers are unlikely to further deplete their farm system.

 

I get Narvaez and Tim Beckham for Alex Claudio and Buddy Derby.

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/trade-16933/

[harmony]

Why would anyone want a catcher who is terrible defensively and whose own team is actively trying to shop him with three years of control left?

 

I normally don't mind trading defense for offense, but not at catcher on a team with a young, questionable pitching staff.

Seattle needs pitching and can trade from its depth at catcher where this year Tom Murphy posted a 126 wRC+ and 3.2 fWAR in only 76 games and utility man Austin Nola, a catcher by trade, posted a 114 wRC+ and 1.5 fWAR in only 79 games:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2019&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=11&rost=&age=&filter=&players=&startdate=&enddate=

 

Additionally, catcher Cal Raleigh is the seventh-ranked prospect in a healthy Seattle farm system:

 

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2019?list=sea

 

Baseball Trade Values approves a trade of Ethan Small and Drew Rasmussen for Omar Narvaez:

 

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/trade-16900/

 

... although the pitching-thin Brewers are unlikely to further deplete their farm system.

 

I get Narvaez and Tim Beckham for Alex Claudio and Buddy Derby.

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/trade-16933/

The Mariners want more than Alex Claudio's two years of team control ... but the Brewers can probably bid on Tim Beckham after next week's tender deadline.

 

Seattle and Milwaukee probably do not match up.

[Eye Black]

I get Narvaez and Tim Beckham for Alex Claudio and Buddy Derby.

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/trade-16933/

Unless they were going to flip Claudio in another deal, I can’t imagine the Mariners being motivated to move any of their assets for a middle reliever with just two years of control remaining.

[Eye Black]

Not likely a realistic target for the Brewers, but there appears to be increasing smoke around the idea of the Cubs possibly trading Willson Contreras this offseason. If they do, I will be curious to see what they are able to land for him, and if they seek mostly major league talent or use it as an opportunity to give their farm system a boost. The latter seems a little crazy considering where they are in their current win cycle.

[PeaveyFury]

Seattle needs pitching and can trade from its depth at catcher where this year Tom Murphy posted a 126 wRC+ and 3.2 fWAR in only 76 games and utility man Austin Nola, a catcher by trade, posted a 114 wRC+ and 1.5 fWAR in only 79 games:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2019&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=11&rost=&age=&filter=&players=&startdate=&enddate=

 

Additionally, catcher Cal Raleigh is the seventh-ranked prospect in a healthy Seattle farm system:

 

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2019?list=sea

 

Baseball Trade Values approves a trade of Ethan Small and Drew Rasmussen for Omar Narvaez:

 

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/trade-16900/

 

... although the pitching-thin Brewers are unlikely to further deplete their farm system.

 

Thanks for the insights! It Seattle expected to try to contend, or are they reloading for 2021 and beyond? Better put, are they looking for MLB-ready arms, or are prospects more ideal?

[Lathund]

Not likely a realistic target for the Brewers, but there appears to be increasing smoke around the idea of the Cubs possibly trading Willson Contreras this offseason. If they do, I will be curious to see what they are able to land for him, and if they seek mostly major league talent or use it as an opportunity to give their farm system a boost. The latter seems a little crazy considering where they are in their current win cycle.

 

Probably getting a lot less than people would expect in return. Fangraphs and baseball Prospectus' versions of WAR have him at 8.3 and 6.3 WAR respectively for his career, due to his horrendous pitch framing. And will start to get expensive. Now if you believe that the electronic strike zone is coming in 2021, then he's suddenly a lot more valuable.

[brewcrewdue80]

Hmm, loaded up a Catcher 2019 ranking. Narvaez had a 17% CS rate. Worse than Vogt while run on about 3times the amount. Grandall beat Pina in that category. 27-25%. A name that pops near the top of the list is Alex Avila who threw out 11 outta 21 attempts. He's been around and takes his share a walks to consiately be above .300OB. 4.2mil last ur for Arz. Avila is a roller coaster OPS in his years. From the looks of it, he'd be my choice if we end up with a beteran Catcher. Even if it came at a 2yr deal. It's not likely over 5mil a yr. And you can trade that. Lefty platoon is also a plus.

[brewcrewdue80]

I am going to go with Alex Avila in a platoon with Pina. Up until this year, Pina was a much better hitter against LHP, so a lefty platoon partner makes sense.

 

Avila is a very low BA (.207) with a high whiff rate (32%). He walked a lot against RH pitching, but the high strikeout rate and very low BA is a problem with a team that already whiffs at an extremely high rate.

 

Oh and I knew there was a previous Avila mention. 32% k rate does result in a low BA. But Id imagine majority of Catchers are around there. Career he throws out 30% of baserunners. Ive beaten this in the past of Catchers being poor and having a poor one right along with 90% of the league isnt going to cost you too many games.

 

D'Arnaud I'm pretty sure was a top 3 in Baseball prospect rank. Been a dud. Your also looking at 60-110 games played in arguing on the position.

 

Varsho from Ariz may not have Abs above AA but the team still has Nottingham to pass the time for some AAA experience.

[harmony]

Seattle needs pitching and can trade from its depth at catcher where this year Tom Murphy posted a 126 wRC+ and 3.2 fWAR in only 76 games and utility man Austin Nola, a catcher by trade, posted a 114 wRC+ and 1.5 fWAR in only 79 games:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2019&month=0&season1=2019&ind=0&team=11&rost=&age=&filter=&players=&startdate=&enddate=

 

Additionally, catcher Cal Raleigh is the seventh-ranked prospect in a healthy Seattle farm system:

 

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2019?list=sea

 

Baseball Trade Values approves a trade of Ethan Small and Drew Rasmussen for Omar Narvaez:

 

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/trade-16900/

 

... although the pitching-thin Brewers are unlikely to further deplete their farm system.

 

Thanks for the insights! It Seattle expected to try to contend, or are they reloading for 2021 and beyond? Better put, are they looking for MLB-ready arms, or are prospects more ideal?

The Mariners probably are looking for arms that could be MLB ready by 2021, such as former college powerhouse pitchers Ethan Small, who turns 23 in February, and Drew Rasmussen, who turns 25 in July.

[long ball]

The more I've thought about this, I'm not sure it really matters who the other catcher is. I'm fine with Martin, Avila, Castro, Romine, and maybe Cervelli but his concussions worry me.

 

Chirinos is probably the only starting caliber free agent left. His pitch framing grades out poorly so I'm not sure he's a fit with the Brewers. Only a theory, but the Astros may have been willing to deal with his poor framing because of the elite quality of their starting pitching.

[TURBO]

The Mariners probably are looking for arms that could be MLB ready by 2021, such as former college powerhouse pitchers Ethan Small, who turns 23 in February, and Drew Rasmussen, who turns 25 in July.

 

Please, please, please, do NOT trade Ethan Small for this guy.

 

PLEASE?

[harmony]

The Mariners probably are looking for arms that could be MLB ready by 2021, such as former college powerhouse pitchers Ethan Small, who turns 23 in February, and Drew Rasmussen, who turns 25 in July.

 

Please, please, please, do NOT trade Ethan Small for this guy.

 

PLEASE?

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/trade-16900/

 

Trivia: Back in April Mississippi State starter Ethan Small dropped a decision to Arkansas starter Isaiah Campbell, whom the Seattle Mariners selected with the 76th pick of the June draft:

 

https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/campbell-shines-as-razorbacks-take-opener/

 

But, again, Seattle and Milwaukee may not match up in a trade.

[Eye Black]

Well with the Brewers acquisition of Omar Narvaez it’s worth pointing out that you didn’t need to look any further than the first two posts of this thread to know what direction the Brewers would ultimately go.

[ReverendBrewmeister]

Omar coming?

 

 

Seems like a good replacement for Grandal. Looks like he’s controllable for a few years.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

The Mariners probably are looking for arms that could be MLB ready by 2021, such as former college powerhouse pitchers Ethan Small, who turns 23 in February, and Drew Rasmussen, who turns 25 in July.

 

Please, please, please, do NOT trade Ethan Small for this guy.

 

PLEASE?

https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trades/trade-16900/

 

Trivia: Back in April Mississippi State starter Ethan Small dropped a decision to Arkansas starter Isaiah Campbell, whom the Seattle Mariners selected with the 76th pick of the June draft:

 

https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/campbell-shines-as-razorbacks-take-opener/

 

But, again, Seattle and Milwaukee may not match up in a trade.

 

I'm gonna be sad if it is Small or Rasmussen going back to Seattle. I may sound naive, but I kinda hope its for multiple 17-year-old lottery tickets. Small and Rasmussen fit our 3-year window.

[wntrtxn21]

Omar coming?

 

 

Seems like a good replacement for Grandal. Looks like he’s controllable for a few years.

 

Great offense against RH pitching. Terrible defense, one of the absolute worst in MLB. With his bat you have to take the bad with the good.