1:51pm: Despite moving to release Triple-A backstop Erik Kratz, the Mariners are not “close” to a deal to add a new catcher, multiple sources tell Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times (Twitter link). He does add that Seattle has been looking for a new reserve behind the dish, though it has found the prices unreasonable.
12:23pm: While the Braves have had talks with Seattle regarding A.J. Pierzynski, he is not the backstop who is close to being acquired by the Mariners, Morosi tweets.
12:09pm: The Blue Jays are not involved, says Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca (on Twitter). Toronto backstop Dioner Navarro has long looked like a strong trade candidate, but it appears he isn’t the player being pursued by Seattle.
9:54am: The Mariners are close to striking a deal for a backstop, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. The report does not give any indication of the identities of the player or the other team involved in talks.
Seattle, of course, has already traded for a catcher this year, acquiring Welington Castillo from the Cubs. But Castillo has since been shipped to the Diamondbacks as part of the Mark Trumbo deal.
Mike Zunino, who is only 24, still looks like he could be a long-term piece for Seattle. But his struggles have become rather pronounced: his batting line sits at .160/.223/.292 after 277 plate appearances on the year. While Zunino is well regarded as a pitch framer, and Defensive Runs Saved is a fan (+7) of his work behind the dish. But Baseball Prospectus does not rate him highly in its measure of Fielding Runs Above Average.
The addition of Castillo seemed like an effort to supplement Zunino, and it appears that the Mariners are about to undertake another such attempt. Of course, it is entirely unclear at this point what kind of addition is under contemplation. MLBTR’s Steve Adams recently provided a complete breakdown of this year’s trade market at the position.
mikeyziggy
Let the dealing begin!
mgnyc11
Castro, Carter and Appel for Felix. (I can dream)
bruinsfan94 2
Add Corea and more and maybe Settle picks up the phone.
alex navarrette
Seriously, it would take Correa and Springer just to get the conversation started.
chris to.
That’s not even close to enough. You would need a current MLB pitcher at least because Seattle is still in the wildcard hunt and would probably like to add, and not subtract.
Correa, Springer, Appel, Castro, McHugh even. That would get Seattle more interested.
wayneroo
Maybe they’ll keep whomever they get for more than 5 minutes this time. Zunino really needs some help.
GoFish
Cubs trade Kyle Schwarber to M’s for Tijuan Walker, mid-level prospect
David 29
Your the person who said this on the prospect pipeline.
That trade makes no sense.
justinept
Am I crazy – or does Baez for Walker actually make a ton of sense for both teams?
RunDMC
No, you’re crazy. Baez is coming back from injury (not quite ready) and is an undisciplined power threat with little defensive offerings. Walker, though inconsistent at times, has proven more in MLB and comes with more upside than Baez. SEA could get more than that for Walker.
kingjenrry
Pitching prospects are much easier to acquire than power-hitting middle infielders.
seamaholic 2
Nope. Baez is worth very little right now. Until he proves something.
justinept
Baez’s injury was a broken pinky. It’s healed, and he’s swinging a bat. We’re not talking about a knee injury or anything that will matter 7 days from now.
Undisciplined, sure. Offers nothing defensively? I’m gonna defer this one to the scouts who rate his defense at shortstop as a plus tool. He’s also rated at 75 power on the 80 scale, which – would immediately make him the most dangerous bat in Seattle… while playing a position of need for the Mariners.
Walker does not have more upside than Baez. A year ago, Baez’s prospect ranking was higher. And a year later, both have struggled to make any lasting impact at the big league level. Sure, you can point to Walker’s 2.36 ERA in June as evidence that he’s turned a corner – but his 5.82 ERA in July tells a different story. Of course, that 5.82 ERA this month is an improvement on the 6.86 ERA he put up in April and is only slightly off the 5.74 mark he threw up in May. Keep in mind, Walker pitches in one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in baseball… which would explain his 4.17 home ERA compared to a 5.47 mark on the road. And his 75 park adjusted ERA is one of the worst in the league.
And none of that is to bash Walker. He’s a young player, a once former top prospect who hasn’t hit the ground running like some other big-time prospects. Can he turn it around? Absolutely. But so can Baez. And that’s the point here… The shine is off both guys. I won’t deny that Baez struggled, but it’s insane that you can look at Walker’s numbers and suggest he’s done anything but struggle, too!
And when you factor in that the Mariners are desperate for offense, and that they have no issue finding good, young pitching – and you couple that with the fact that the Cubs are desperate for pitching, and that they have no shortage of good, young hitters — this deal makes sense.
Dock_Elvis
If Baez had the unquestionably skills you are saying scouts claim henhas he’d either be in Chicago or have been dealt. I believe the scouts DID feel he had strong skills..but he stalled. The Mets reportedly weren’t interested in the offseason.
The Cubs are desperate for pitching? You’re stretching it. They can flip for a pitcher or go after Price. I don’t hear them on Cueto…or even most marginal pieces.
You have a case that Baez has value, sure….but you don’t have to oversell. Baez wouldn’t be a AAA Cub now if other teams thought he wasn’t a risk.
justinept
Baez struggled mighty in his initial call-up and was sent to the minors to start the next season – which is no different than what happened to a lot of other guys (namely, Anthony Rizzo, Mike Trout…) But it’s a bit unfair to say that he wouldn’t still be in the minors if other teams didn’t think he was a risk because the fact is simple – Baez would be in the big leagues right now if he didn’t break his ring finger in early June… And it’s possible that he would’ve been up prior to that if he didn’t miss the first month of the season due to the death of his sister.
The Cubs are very clear about positional changes at the minor league level. Guys play their natural position until a call-up is imminent. It’s why Baez was called-up last year only a few days after switching to 2B. It’s why the same thing happened to Russell this year. And it’s how we can see that Baez playing 3B for 5 games before the injury was evidence that he was returning to the big leagues shortly.
Dock_Elvis
I don’t deny Baez has talent, and other teams would be interested… I’m just saying you sound like his agent. He MUST have the strike zone figured out. You can’t K 250 times a season no matter what your talent is. Cubs dangled him last winter without bite. Perhaps the Cubs wanted too much. It’s pretty clear they want to showcase him for a deal.
Dock_Elvis
Honestly, if I were Milwaukee… I’d want Baez. I’d give him a run in the infield… Maybe 3B. I think he’s at least Luis Valbuena in profile.
All I’m really saying is that I don’t think Baez is a 1-1 deal anymore for a Mets starter.
justinept
I’d agree with you there because the Mets starters – Synergaard, deGrom and even Matz (despite the injury) haven’t lost their prospect shine. They’ve performed very well early in their career. I can’t say the same for Walker, which is why I think that his value is on the same level as Baez’s.
Dock_Elvis
You’d have a lot of teams that would value a young starter over a young infield prospect though…
Dock_Elvis
Rant Sports suggested Baez-Olt-Lake for Syndergaard. But that doesn’t seem likely to me…in my book that’s basically a 1-1 of Baez for Syndergaard. Olt and Lake are both depth.. Basically freely available AAA talent.
justinept
Again – I’d agree with you. Lake has incredible raw tools, but if he hasn’t put it together by now, he never will … and while I can make an argument that Olt has never been given a long enough big league look to make an accurate judgment on, his age is also a big factor against thinking he’s going to be the guy that was once a top-25 prospect. So that all being the case, this suggestion does boil down to Baez for Syndergaard. One is a former top prospect who has lost shine; the other is a former top prospect who is still trending upward. The deal doesn’t make sense for the Mets from that perspective.
kingjenrry
In all fairness, Walker hasn’t exactly been stellar and Baez is starting to cut down on the Ks.
Dock_Elvis
Walker has shown typical young starter growing pains…he’s strong one game and gets hit the next…. Lights out over 4 innings and gets hit in the 5th.
justinept
This is an unfair argument to make. Why is it OK to write off Walker’s struggles as typical growing pains of a young player while looking at Baez’s struggles as a denouncement of his potential future production?
The thing is that they’re on similar trajectories. They were both blue chip prospects who failed in their first big league action – both getting optioned to Triple A as a result. They’ve both shown flashes of their potential, but their struggles have overshadowed them. That’s the reality of both players, but for some reason, people want to forgive Walker and condemn Baez.
Again – I’ll repeat, the reason this makes sense is because the Cubs need a pitcher right now. If they trade for Hamels, it will deplete their farm system while taking them out of the David Price sweepstakes this winter. If they trade for Cueto, it will deplete their farm system for a 2-month rental. If they trade for Samardzija, it’ll cost less in terms of prospects, but it’s still a rental – and there’s no guarantee that Samardzija would be anything more than the 4th best pitcher behind Lester, Arrieta and Hammel. Why Walker makes sense is because he can slot into that 4-5 spot while giving the Cubs the flexibility to go hard after Price in the off-season – additionally, the potential to be a TOR guy is still there. I’m not denying that. But whereas so many people seem to think that Walker has arrived, I’m not willing to close nearly that far. He’s still just potential.
The reason this makes sense for the Mariners is because they pitch in a pitcher-friendly park – hell, JA Happ is a terrible big league pitcher, but he has a 2.66 ERA at home this year. The team’s problem is hitting; they can’t find it! That’s why they gave Nelson Cruz a 4-year deal when he’s 35… It’s why they gave Robinson Cano a 10-year deal when he was 31. These aren’t smart, long-term investments, but they’re desperate for hitting.
And you know what? So are most teams because premium hitters NEVER hit the market in their prime! Of the top 22 offensive players according to WAR, Cruz is the only player that got to his current team via free agency. That’s it – one guy. And he’s 35-years old!
When you see the kind of landscape, and you take into account that your home park is pitcher friendly, you value young power hitting over young pitching every time!
Dock_Elvis
I think I’m being fair because it is typical for a young starter to struggle start to start and after a time around the batting order. The issue with Baez is batting eye and contact….that is a difficult thing to break from as it tends to be ingrained. Players don’t tend to develop a much better batting eye and contact rate once they get to MLB. Sure..it can get better….but Baez needs to get ALOT better. There are a slew of players of commensurate talent that will never be more than OK because of this. Go watch BP sometime and note the players that can flat rake….then get them in an MLB game with high end curves and off speed offerings…. They hit .230 and walk into 15 homers.
Baez could be great….but he could also be Luis Valbuena. Nothing wrong with that…but if other teams think he’s Valbuena…they won’t offer a high end prospect back. Not every prospect will work out. Sure, maybe a team will pay a bit more for Baez…but they aren’t breaking the farm for him.
I’m just saying the days of Baez being a top trade value have past…for now. He looked outrageously overmatched in the big leagues
iowarockeyes
How about you guys take Montero so we can call up Schwarber?
seamaholic 2
You don’t want Schwarber catching. Trust me. The pitching staff would revolt, despite all the HR’s he’d hit.
willi
One of the Scouting Reporst I’ve seen says he a DH at most !
iowarockeyes
I didn’t realize he was that terrible. Where do they think he pans out with the Cubbies? LF? Do they now hope the league changes NL to include a DH?
scissormetimbers
Navarro for J. Happ!
Bronx Bombers
Yankees have a few catchers available, namely Murphy and Romine.
Matthew Brinegar
How about the Orioles trade Weiters for Walker and whatever prospect the M’s will throw in
Dock_Elvis
Doesn’t Weiters walk after the season? Why would The M’s want to lose Walker for that?
RunDMC
And Wieters is coming back from major surgery (TJ).
jeffkyblue22
not to mention there is no way Seattle gives up Walker let alone any additional pieces for Wieters
means
It’s Pierzinski from Atlanta
screwball
had the same thought
jeffkyblue22
Good guess although I believe its Bryan Pena
kcroyals
This wouldn’t surprise me at all…
RunDMC
By quantity of deals, ATL would make the most sense, but they’re also in the market for a catcher and rely quite a bit on the aging veteran while Bethancourt has been relegated to the minors and ATL has scrounged the waiver-wire for backups.
A'sfaninUK
But who would ATL use?
RunDMC
That’s it. Ryan Lavarnway is the only other C on the roster…and the only way he gets duty behind-the-plate is if we truly are looking for someone other than Bethancourt and we’ve lost hope for 2015.
billyisgone14
Have to wonder as a Jays fan if this is FINALLY when Navarro goes. This season they planned to use him quite a bit but that just hasn’t happened.
arichardson1uu
Hopefully Avila is going bye bye
stymeedone
Actually, I was thinking Bryan Holiday, but Avila might work, too. The Tigers have always been impressed by Wilhelmson. I would like to see them get Furbush back.
Marvin Berry
Roberto Perez to the M’s?
jamesess
Navarro, Ruiz, Ellis? I don’t think they’d trade the years of control of Walker for a rental or a backup catcher. If they trade Walker, Elias or Montgomery it better be for a Schwarber type but I think they still want Zunino long term. Maybe Happ and a bullpen piece for a Ruiz or Navarro type of guy?
Goat_Rider
Gonna be Steve Clevenger, so hold onto your seats…
joshrk18
Walker isn’t getting traded. Hoping for Navarro or Vogt maybe
scissormetimbers
Navaro for Happ
joshrk18
And apparently it isn’t Navarro now
A'sfaninUK
Vogt isnt getting traded for anything other than a massive, massive overpay.
scann
Victor Martinez……
User 4245925809
Boston would have offered him a contract the 1st time he became a FA if they thought he could still catch, the problem was he couldn’t even then, or barely and Varitek had to give him a crash course when he got to Boston on the fundamentals of the job on his arrival to begin with. He was an atrocious catcher that just couldn’t do the job, they let him go though 50m for a catcher would have been a great deal? Boston knew he would never, ever last more than 1.. Maybe 2y if that behind the plate.
screwball
what about jesus montero?
zxcx
I heard someone offered him a cake-pop and he got so mad, he renounced his role as a catcher.
joshrk18
Last time he caught was in 2013 and he tore a muscle in his leg, he’s done caching and his a 1B/DH now
docmilo5
He’s lost a ton of weight and is in great condition. He’s not the same guy as he was in 2013. He really should go to Tacoma for a month and get his catcher legs back.
jamesess
Montero was the worst receiving catcher in 2013 according to Fangraphs and most of us watching too. I think he was considered the worst framing catcher followed by Ryan Doumit, who was an outfielder mainly. He did catch the combined no hitter but Jaso caught the Felix perfect game. Montero was the DH that day. I’m excited to see what Montero can do with his bat but he shouldn’t step behind the plate again unless he becomes an umpire.
jeffkyblue22
Bryan Pena starts the Reds fire sale
Ray Ray
The only way Pena is traded is if a lesser catcher is included in the return. Mesoraco is out for the year and they would need someone to catch the rest of this season. Their owner might eventually be convinced to sell, but I doubt he will ever be convinced to be completely non-competitive. Perhaps Jesus Sucre and a bullpen prospect would work though.
myaccount
Sucre is so awful with the bat and made 3 mental mistakes last game he caught, I doubt you want him catching the bulk of those games.
Ray Ray
Tucker Barnhart would catch the majority of the games. I was thinking of Sucre as a back up.
mrkinsm
If Barnhart is starting 3/4 out of every 5 they can use anyone of the AAAA catchers they’ve accumulated as a backup for the rest of the season. A season in which they are destined to lose 90+ games.
Donnie B
Pena is a FA at year’s end, he would be good for the M’s. The Reds have Barnhart who is doing well.
User 4245925809
Boston is the team with too many catchers ATM.. They have Sandy Leon, who has the cannon arm frames pitches fairly well, but can’t hit. Ryan Hannigan who gets on base, frame pitches well and just got off the DL after breaking his hand and Blake Swihart on a rehab assignment who will be coming off any day now and then? Vazquez, the starter from last year who had TJ this spring.
They could easily move Leon and might even move Hannigan, never know.
miggypop44
Mariners really brought Zunino up too early and it showed both last year and this year. It’s unfortunate they didn’t let him develop more in the minors. Hopefully, whoever they acquire allows them to give him that time.
joshrk18
If it’s an established starting catcher they could send down Zunino and use Sucre or Kratz as a backup
Dock_Elvis
It’s Wellington Castillo for Mark Trumbo. Dave Stewart is on a quest to confuse the galaxy. He’s on the lookout for a low obp power bat…looked at the dback team yearbook and realized he must have traded Trumbo…and doesn’t realize how Wellington Castillo got on the roster.
docmilo5
I want Guerrero and Reinheimer back, too.
JRS-72
It could be the Reds moving Brayan Pena, who would cost very little in terms of prospects even if the Reds pick up most of his remaining salary.
Dock_Elvis
I often envision Dave Stewart waking Billy Beane up at 3am
“Hey Billy…whatcha up to?”
“It’s 3 in the morning, I’m sleeping…this had better not be about Ron Hassey again.”
“Billy, I’m just showing my interest… Is he available?”
“Dave…I’m going back to sleep now..he’s not on the roster”
“Glen Hubbard, Billy….how’s about Glen Hubbard”
“Done, Dave…now go back to sleep.”
jamesess
Elias, Farquar, Montero and Ackley for Vogt and Reddick….
A'sfaninUK
A’s could get an absolute bounty for those two, not 3 scrubs.
jamesess
Yeah I’m just dreaming. Elias would be a good pickup for them and Ackley or Montero might be a good reclamation project but not at that price. Unless the M’s want to dip into the DJ Peterson/Marte area of the farm they don’t have a lot of trade bait for frontline talent.
Dock_Elvis
I’m not sure Ackley can even be considered a reclamation project…he’s never done anything to be reclaimed. He was #2 overall and that’s it
fumbalihaha
The players are only part of the problem. Management is doing their fair share between unhelpful trades and the lineup merry-go-round. I just hope Jack Z doesn’t trade away our entire farm system trying to save his job before he gets sacked.
inkstainedscribe
Braves pull the plug on Bethancourt? AJP is the more likely one to go, of course.
Not Xabial
Let my favorite part of the season begin!
davbee
If the M’s deal any pitching on their major league roster it will be Happ. I know he doesn’t have that much value, but the article only says the M’s are dealing for a catcher. It says nothing about it being a good catcher. He only has to be better than Zunino is now.
scissormetimbers
Happ for Navarro!
jamesess
I’d really be surprised if they just gave up on Zunino’s catching ability and power for a higher average hitter. I think they are looking more to replace Sucre’s zero power and .038/0 RBI. If you can ignore Z’s .160BA and just look at the 9HR’s and 20 RBI’s from the bottom of the lineup that part isn’t too bad. Z wouldn’t look as bad if the rest of the lineup was hitting with RISP.
davbee
Obviously Sucre would be a goner, but I think Zunino loses at bats to a new catcher as well. Right now he’s catching 6 out of 7 games. It would probably go down to 5 or even 4 out of 7, depending on who the new backstop is. The one trade I read here that makes a ton of sense is Happ going to Toronto for Navarro.
jamesess
I agree. I think that Z would continue to catch Felix and Iwakuma but if Navarro came on board he would probably get equal or maybe even the bulk of the at bats. Zunino is Stellar behind the plate and handles the staff like veteran. I don’t think Mike gets sent down no matter who comes on board though.
jamesess
Unless it is Navarro or Ruiz I see it being another backup type of guy. Only because I don’t really see what the M’s have to trade beyond Happ or a glut of mediocre outfielders. I don’t see them trading prospects away when Zunino is the catcher of the future. I could see Kuma going to a contender but then what contender has a good catcher that they’ll trade in the middle of contention? So in my opinion it has to be Happ for Navaro, lower prospects for Ruiz or a trade for a backup catcher for a PTNL type of guy.
A'sfaninUK
Has to be Navarro, right?
A'sfaninUK
lol guess no
Phillies2017
My Guesses
1st- Dioner Navarro for Mayckol Guaipe
2nd- AJ Pierzynski for Luis Liberato
3rd- Carlos Ruiz and $8,000,000 for Justin Ruggiano (As more salary offset), Jesus Sucre and Tyler Pike
4th- Brayan Pena for Zach Shank
myaccount
If that’s all it takes for Navarro, sign me up.
mdbaseball05
As much as I think it will be someone like Navarro, it would be interesting to see something done for Lucroy. The Mariners are essentially going all out for the next couple of years, so I could see them trading from the farm and future for the present. That would probably start with Zunino going to the Brewers, plus a lot more.
myaccount
I don’t foresee the Brewers moving Lucroy this season, if for nothing more than other FOs disagreeing on value. Even though he’s been turning it on as of late, I don’t see teams willing to give up 3 top 10 prospects and a mid-level for him (which is what I think it’ll take) when he’s slashing .241/.307/.325… maybe I’m wrong and someone will bet on his stellar track record, but I think it will end up making more sense on Milwaukee’s end to hang onto him.
philly77
I hope it’s Carlos Ruiz, but I doubt it.
NoRegretzkys
So what started out as a vague report, is now only slightly less vague with 2 catchers that it is NOT. I can break a report too. “Blue Jays are close to acquiring a pitcher” – it will happen eventually.
chris to.
I would assume it is an MLB-ready catcher with experience to either split time or take over the starting role for Zunino. The options probably are:
1. Navarro
2. Pierzynski
3. Norris
4. Soto
5. Mathis
6. McKenry
7. Hundley
8. Avila
9. Bethancourt
10. Rosario
11. Leon/Hanigan
1 and 2 are apparently out. It’s almost like a game of clue, where you eliminate one player at a time.
mdbaseball05
Lucroy
stymeedone
Bryan Holiday was with the Tigers when Lloyd McClendon was. He was the back up all of last year, so he is experienced. I don’t know if the Tigers want to move Avila quite yet. Plus he is their only lefty bat after Victor.
chicothekid
You forgot Plawecki. Mets could make him available in the right deal and then go get a defensive backup to replace him. I don’t see Mets keeping TDA and Plawecki, long term. TDA can’t stay healthy, but Plawecki’s defense won’t work with their pitching staff. They could REALLY use a guy like Leon back there, and Boston does need pitching.
Not saying it will happen, but if the M’s wanted Plawecki badly enough, I could see something shaking out that way. Mets move Plawecki to Seattle and then Mets move pitching to Boston for Leon. Guess this is the long way of saying, you might have missed one.
John B. 3
Austin Hedges for Chris Taylor and Danny Hultzen
myaccount
I don’t think the M’s want to lean on two young catchers. I expect Jack Z acquires a vet. Whether it’s one who splits time with Zunino or supplants him is more of the question.
Wouldn’t mind Norris though.
taesamlee
Miguel Olivo FTW
link2217
If pierzynski and Navarro are out I see Pena or hundley as most likely headed to Seattle. With Norris or lucroy as the possible surprise targets
docmilo5
The M’s need to fire the GM now and not allow this guy to trade any more prospects. Zduriencik traded for Trumbo when he had Montero hitting in AAA. Montero lost a ton of weight showing he was committed this year. They also traded Gabby Guerrero and Jack Reinheimer in the Trumbo deal. This GM is throwing away prospects because he was unwilling to give Montero a shot. Fire Zduriencik now!
A'sfaninUK
Hmmm, I wonder if the Cubs might move Montero seeing as everyone loves Schwarber so much and his bat is more than ready…
pimpdaddy
Padres trade Norris to Mariners
mdbaseball05
I would like to see this. I wonder what it would take to acquire him though.
sktgamerdudejr
Do the Padres really start a fire sale already though?
pimpdaddy
Not a fire sale.Norris for James Paxton.Padres have two young catchers that are better defensively.
davbee
Mariners won’t be trading Paxton or any of their young pitching anytime soon.+
snazzypants
I know this may seem like a stretch, but what about Carlos Ruiz? He’s an experienced catcher who knows how to handle aces, and he wouldn’t cost much in terms of prospects. The only obstacle would be his contract, but I’m sure the Phillies would be willing to eat most or all of it.
flyerzfan12
I’m sure he’s available but he’s still owed $4 mil this year, $8.5 mil for next year, and a $4.5 mil team option/500k buyout. That’s a minimum of about $13 mil owed to Chooch so I guess the Phils would have to kick in at least half of that and then they’d still be lucky to get a lower-level, low tier prospect in my eyes.
Chooch can still handle a pitching staff, but his defense has gotten worse as I guess you’d expect with his age. I expected the offense to drop off, but didn’t expect the defense to this quickly since that was always his bread and butter.
Larry D.
Is it possible that the Tigers are discussing Alex Avila?
Mr Pike
Yes, rumor was they shopped him before the season. That may have just been posturing for contract negotiations.
ace2098
I could realistically see Nick Hundley as a guy they would target because he is cheap and the Rockies are out of contention. Sure he’s not an everyday catcher but I don’t think they need an everyday catcher with Zunino.
geoffb1982
I’m guessing Hector Sanchez from the Giants.
thethrill
I could see it happening… Who would the Giants get back?
sktgamerdudejr
I’d mark out if it was Lucroy, Norris, or Vogt. I don’t think it’s either of them though. Mariners probably won’t have enough for Lucroy, I don’t see San Diego selling yet, and I’m guessing Oakland doesn’t want to trade Vogt for cheap. Though if the Mariners could swing a deal for Vogt/Zobrist, man I’d be soooo happy.
Stallis10
LuCroy for Walker/Montero
Not Xabial
Lol.
jamesess
M’s released Kratz. Are they making room for Sucre to go to AAA? That makes me think the catcher in question is on a team that isn’t asking for a catcher in return. A team that has three on staff or with an easy call up from triple A.
Dock_Elvis
So we have nothing but a created news story? Reporter one fills space by mentioning something…reporter two comes back later and denies this citing sources. All in a good day of web and social media hits. Then when a trade DOES occur it seems to blindside them.
homeparkdc
Correct. And you’ll notice we’re following along like lost sheep because there is NO BASEBALL game today. 🙂
jamesess
Wasn’t it Morosi that always used to “report” that Felix was going to the Yankees without proof? Seeing that Ryan Divish and Bob Dutton have no intel on this at all makes it sound like JP was jumping too far ahead on a rumor.
Dock_Elvis
Some of these jokers actually get paid by views. I’m just saying this news ONLY exists in the realm of conjecture.
drewb16
Maybe its john jaso
Jorge Soler Powered
He doesn’t catch.
sacrifice
Ryan Hanigan from Boston.
sacrifice
Ryan Hanigan
Kevin D.
The fact that the latest update says that the asking price is high for the M’s makes me think it’s Ruiz. Sounds like Amaro dealing…I don’t know that he’s a full time catcher anymore, but pitchers love throwing to Ruiz. Would be a good pickup for the M’s in my opinion. I don’t know much about M’s farm system but I’d expect maybe an 11-15 rated prospect plus the Phillies kick in some cash.
willi
Add in Paps , and we can really Kill two Birds with one Trade
jjdunckley
Hopefully it is Bethancourt from the Braves. All we want in return is a couple of autographed Jay Buhner jerseys and the rights to name Edgar Martinez as our next hitting coach
stymeedone
Its amazing that a discussion of who the back up catcher in Seattle might be, ends up with over 100 comments, including this one.
willi
Carlos Ruiz of the Phillies is Still serviceable and relatively Cheap !
DieHardMsFan
Thanks for all the false hope Morosi…also my f5 key is now broken.
philly77
Alex Jackson was taken out in Everett after just one at bat. Hmmmm.
Zepp
Matt Wieters?