The Astros hope to bring back Brad Ausmus one more time, recently offering him a one-year, $2MM contract. Ausmus, who will be 39 next season, hasn’t decided what he wants to do yet.
$2MM per year is becoming the going rate for backup catchers, which is probably the role the Astros have in mind for Ausmus next year. In November of last year, the Cubs set the market by giving Henry Blanco $5.25MM over two years. Mike Redmond and Vance Wilson had each signed for two years, $2MM a few months prior. Mike Lieberthal got one year and $1.25MM. The Cubs seem to set the market often.
The Cubs and Astros are in similar situations, with up-and-coming young backstops in Geovany Soto and J.R. Towles. Each is going to need a defensive-minded backup long on experience.
