One team has a clear need for catching depth and a few others could upgrade behind the plate. Here's a look at some teams that could look to acquire catchers before the July 31st deadline:
- The Red Sox are relying on Kevin Cash and Gustavo Molina with Jason Varitek and Victor Martinez on the DL. There's no timeline for Martinez's return to action, according to Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe.
- Like the Red Sox, the Tigers have other areas of need (shortstop, pitching), but they could upgrade behind the plate. Gerald Laird has a .524 OPS and just two homers. He and Alex Avila have both limited the running game well, but the Tigers aren't getting much offense from their catchers (Laird has thrown 29% of would-be base stealers out; Avila has nabbed 41%).
- Russell Martin is also throwing out his share of runners (37%) but he isn't hitting the way he once did. Martin (.679 OPS) and A.J. Ellis (.544 OPS) aren't providing Joe Torre with much pop, so the Dodgers could look to add a backup with power.
- Jason LaRue hasn't hit much for the Cards (.622 OPS) and All-Star starter Yadier Molina hasn't either (.595 OPS).
These clubs have a few options to consider over the course of the next few weeks:
- The D'Backs called the Red Sox about Chris Snyder, so he figures to be available, especially with Miguel Montero around. Snyder's ten homers and .240/.355/.448 batting line would appeal to teams, but the $8.6MM remaining on his salary would not. With that salary, there's a chance Snyder would clear waivers, enabling interim GM Jerry DiPoto to trade him in August.
- Ryan Doumit has at least $7.2MM remaining on his contract, but has a solid .260/.334/.415 line.
- John Buck, who makes $2MM this year before hitting free agency, is a cheaper option. Like Snyder, he has power (13 homers, .502 slugging percentage).
- The Rays have two catchers other than John Jaso (who boasts a surprising .393 OBP). Kelly Shoppach or Dioner Navarro could become trade bait.
- The Indians would presumably part with the recently-DFA'd Mike Redmond.
the fact that molina is in the allstar game is a joke. and im a cardinal fan. so many more deserving players.
if that’s a joke to you, what is buck being in the all star game? an hour of stand up?
Catchers are judged on more than batting average. The original post is ridiculous as well, there is less than zero chance the Cardinals would be looking to replace Yadier at catcher.
I will say that he should not be starting, no doubt about it. As a potential defensive replacement, understandable. Yadi has been very unlucky this season if you follow BABIP (.240).
Doumit actually looks pretty decent on this list. Any opinions on what he could bring?
Tons of headaches.
Is this article seriously suggesting the Cardinals would be in the market for a catcher? With the admiration La Russa and Duncan have for how Molina handles the pitching staff, suggesting that anyone is going to take at-bats from him is ridiculous.
Buck’s contract is pretty desirable amongst the other available names.
You’ve got to wonder with all the new young players out there, when will we start to see new young catchers?
Buster Posey, Carlos Santana, Jesus Montero…
Jesus Montero is not a catcher
Jesus Montero is definitely a catcher. He is one of the Yankees top prospects currently.
Miguel Montero? He’s been great since coming off the dl.
Matt Weiters, I’m just saying they haven’t been really making headlines.
I see no way the Dodgers get a catcher. Martin is one of the best defensive catchers in the game, and he has a solid OBP, and that is all we need with this offense. We have one of the strongest offensive OFs in the game, an all star SS and a solid 3B and 1B. We can accept having a bad offensive catcher, as long as he gives us defensive value and gets on base, which he has..
Martin is one of the best defensive catchers in the game*
* when he’s not lazily attempting to backhand catches of low pitches/balls in the dirt. Even Vinny has pointed out numerous times that Martin does that too much. Way too many passed balls. Other than that, he’s solid.
Not sure I’d call Casey Blake “solid” this season, though. He’s been rather mediocre.
My point is every single catcher becomes lazy from time to time. However, I’d take his few and far between mislapses over almost any other catcher in the game, except a select few.
With Casey, he makes the plays you expect and has surprising range. He is posting a 766 OPS(109 OPS+, 100 is average) with a 259 average(his career average is 266) and 9 HRs at the break. Not an all star but a solid option.
My point is every single catcher becomes lazy from time to time. However, I’d take his few and far between mislapses over almost any other catcher in the game, except a select few.
With Casey, he makes the plays you expect and has surprising range. He is posting a 766 OPS(109 OPS+, 100 is average) with a 259 average(his career average is 266) and 9 HRs at the break. Not an all star but a solid option.
Martin is one of the best defensive catchers in the game*
* when he’s not lazily attempting to backhand catches of low pitches/balls in the dirt. Even Vinny has pointed out numerous times that Martin does that too much. Way too many passed balls. Other than that, he’s solid.
Not sure I’d call Casey Blake “solid” this season, though. He’s been rather mediocre.
I wonder if the Mets would look to shop Blanco or Barajas with the way Thole has been performing.
It really makes me wonder what Kurt Suzuki’s trade value is, and if the A’s would be willing to sell him if they got a bounty. The A’s have a history of playing their catchers almost every day, so in a sense, it might be a good idea to trade Suzuki before he is worn out, though then again, they he’ll probably fall apart after his team controlled years than before.
They do have Josh Donaldson and Landon Powell who can step up and fill in the gap, and its not like the A’s are going anywhere this year (though next year is a different story)
you are an idiot
I don’t know about the propositions for other teams but there’s no way the Cardinals are looking for a replacement for Molina. That’s ridiculous.
I could see replacing Jason LaRue with Bryan Anderson (AAA Memphis) if he falls apart but I’d be pretty surprised to see the Cardinals make any moves at catcher.
the cards wont replace yadi, on the matter of yadi starting in the all star game…the only sensible option would be starting mccann, and he consistently lacks to put up the number offensively to propel him to trhe starting role. When you look at catchers defense clearly matters most, and molina is better defensively than mccann…so giving molina the nod as the starter makes sense to me. If mccann could actually hit like we all know he can, we would not be having this discussion
There’s no excuse all that Geovany Soto is not on this list.. He’s one of the lazy pricks on the Cubs.. Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, Zambrani.. Soto all need to be gone.. Hendry, Rothschild need to be gone to from the staff and Mike Quade is a horrible 3rd base coach.. stopping runners from scored on a double when that runner was on 2nd..
Someone needs to pick up Benji Johnson!