FEB. 28: Wieters would earn $1.5MM in the majors and can opt out on March 22nd, per Mark Saxon of The Athletic (via Twitter).
FEB. 27: The signing has been announced. It includes an invitation to MLB camp.
FEB. 26: The Cardinals have agreed to a minor-league deal with veteran catcher Matt Wieters, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). Salary terms are not yet known.
While he held out in hopes of securing a MLB commitment, the 32-year-old Wieters will settle instead for a chance to serve as a backup to Yadier Molina. The competition is fairly limited. Francisco Pena seemingly held the edge at the outset of camp after re-joining the organization on a minors pact. Joe Hudson is the only other backstop in camp with MLB experience.
Wieters can still put the ball over the fence, and posted career-best plate discipline marks in 2018, but he has not been very productive with the bat of late. Since the start of the 2016 season, he’s producing at only a .235/.303/.376 rate through 1,200 trips to the plate. That’s a far cry from the .254/.317/.436 output that Wieters managed over the prior half-decade.
Wieters isn’t generally regarded as a high-quality overall defender at this stage of his career, and fares poorly in particular in pitch-framing metrics, but does still block, throw, and manage a staff well. It’s possible there’s still some hope that he’ll restore some of his lost luster with the bat, making this a nice low-risk move for the St. Louis organization.
For the Cards, the addition deepens the catching unit as Molina closes in on his 37th birthday and works to recover from an offseason knee procedure. The switch-hitting Wieters has historically performed better against right-handed pitching, as has Molina, but neither carries significant career platoon splits. If Wieters can beat out Pena for the job, he seems like a potentially solid mate for Molina.
Hope Matt Wieters rejuvenates his career there.
Given Molina catches nearly every game, he won’t get much of a chance.
He will against rightys off the bench probably. Then again Molina gets injured quite a bit.
…he has 500 plate appearances for 4 straight seasons. Even Sal Perez dipped to 499 in 2017
Lmao gets injured quite a bit. That’s funny.
Even me as a Cardinals fan has to acknowledge that Molina has had stints on the DL the last few seasons. Thumb surgery, groin surgery. So it’s not a fabrication to say he doesn’t get hurt. However, he still plays more games at catcher than anyone else even when he does hit the DL. He’s aging and having a backup like Weiters or even Pena doesn’t hurt.
For some reason, if Cards sign guy like Wieters, then I think it is genius. However, if someone signed him, then I probably think dumb.
His testicle exploded from a 105 mph foul tip. Injury prone is a creative label for that.
Injury bone more like it….
Good low risk pick up for the cards. Maybe a new coaching staff and change of scenery can help revive the guys career.
That’s called a bias and it’s refreshing to see someone admit it
Dear Cards fans:
And, you thought I had spent all the DeWitt money out of DeWallet?
Surprise!
Now, shut up and worship me.
Sincerely, John Mozeliak
This is a perfect explanation of my thoughts
We never thought that Mo had spent all of the money. True Cardinals fans know this. It’s the fact that the Cardinals never over pay for anyone and it’s always a smart move.
It’s a great way to end up in 3rd place.
Well said.
This just in: catching is a dangerous position, and Yadi has proven to be one of the most reliable catchers, not just in the past few years but in the history of Baseball.
He has. Injuries don’t make exceptions for anyone though. The older a guy gets behind the plate the greater his chances are. Not bad to have Wieters in your back pocket if that happens. Not the most likely scenario but I’d feel a lot better with Matt on my bench.
ruthless…what stats are you looking at to say he has had 500 plate appearances 4 straight seasons? He made 500 in 2 of the last 5 years… I am not arguing that he is mostly durable, but you can’t spit out stats that are not fact to prove a point.
Big difference if it is a minors deal and you got a backstop like Molina vs having him as your primary catcher.
You are looking at ab he is talking about pa
Are you mo s lover
Hmmm, Have you heard of Dexter Fowler or Brett Cecil?
huh?
I think the DH in the NL is basically a lock so if it does next year he will have a contact sewn up IF he does well this year.
Nobody wants an aging Matt Weiters and his career ops+ of 94 to be their DH when and if the DH comes to the NL.
He grades poorly offensively as a C. Why would anyone put him at DH?
Jose Martinez.
The average catcher’s ops+ is around 85 so Weiters has hit better than the average catcher. Also, aside from framing he rates well as a catcher.
Yeah, but that’s far from the average OPS+ of a DH, especially in a world where the Cardinals still employ Jose Martinez.
And if the NL gets a DH, the DH average ops+ and wrc+ will likely decrease.
They had to trade Carson Kelly because he couldn’t get time.
That is going to be nearly impossible. Yadi catches almost everyday. Hes not going to get enough bats to do it.
Yadier turns 37 this year. I’d say it’s more likely than not that he gets injured this year. I hope he doesn’t but it is what it is.
Also, he played in 123 games last year. That is closer to 3 out of 4 days which is definitely not catching almost every day. That is about average for a starting catcher, perhaps on the low end
He missed a whole month due to a freak injury. Molina normally tops 123 games with ease.
Low end? You serious? For a catcher? What’s your high end, all 162?
You realize, even with the injury last season Molina was still 4th in innings caught and games among catchers right?
If Molina missies any serious time it would be Knizer that plays. Bye is only in the minors to work on reps behind the plate.
I cant imagine he gets more than 150 to 200 players appearances. Hed have to really kill it to be relevant again
Players appearances? Is that like doing a promo with Telly Savalas for the Players’ Club card?
haha…a 3rd backup & minors contract. Yes, sounds like a great revision.
Rejuvenates? He was never a stud in the first place. In this case, rejuvenation would be a reversion back to mediocrity.
You cannot rejuvenate a career playing in 30-50 games at best.
Rejuvenates to below average???
@xabial
A little late in the game for Weiters to rejuvenate his career, don’t u think?
Yeah Baby!!!
I guess he’s better than Pena
It would be hard for him to be any worse than Pena was last year. Man, did he suck, both offensively and defensively! In fact, he wishes he had the year that Dexter Fowler did. I never understood why the Cardinals brought Pena back for another year in the first place.
Must have some incriminating photos of the GM at a day spa or something
I still miss him in Baltimore. It’s crazy how quick the window can close
It closes faster with poor upper management
or a meddling senile owner
And even quicker if you have both.
and no pitching. 🙂
He was given a generous contract. Had solid pitchers and performed poorly when not out. Not much more Nats management could have done
Pretty sure they are referring to Baltimore above, not the Nationals
Yeah, doesn’t seem that long ago that he was rumored to be set for one of those crazy mega contracts. A Joe Mauer like contract wasn’t out of the question. Would have never guessed at the time that he’d be signing a minor league contract with a team that gives him minimal opportunity to make the big league roster.
Clarify – to be the main catcher…
Wieters only has ever been good in 2 seasons, 2011 and 2012. Its 2019 now and he’s been pretty bad every other season.
I’m talking about the Orioles window
i think his 2014 really teased a lot of people too. didn’t hurt he was injured forever after that and remained an open-ended question mark for a year or two. poop past 2016 tho
About the same number of good years that Chris Davis and Harper have had.
@Strike Four
Yeah, and Xabial is still waiting for him to “rejuvenate” his career LOL
Pretty decent 2nd catcher to back-up Molina.
In 2016, sure
sure, in one of his all-star years, he’d be a feasible backup to Yadi. right.
He’s solid defensively and offensively for a catcher in general, let alone when compared to the dumpster fire that is Pena. He would’ve been a 2 WAR upgrade on last year.
Right. I was saying it’s ridiculous to have a 2016 version of Wieters behind the plate considering Wieters was still getting everyday ABs and was an all-star in Baltimore. I don’t disagree with you; I hate when people make unrealistic demands for bench players. Wieters is a super intriguing fit in STL; bench was all righty, too, before this.
Tho reading back I’m not sure how you could have read my comment any way differently? Why would an all-stat catcher not be able to back up Yadi? Of course he would be able to, but that’s not realistic. It’s borderline incredible it’s realistic now considering he might sniff 200 PAs. That was my point
I gotcha and wasn’t trying to sound combative. I’ll definitely take 2018 Wieters in 200ish PA. Pena makes me sicker than Tony Cruz did. I don’t understand why they haven’t just used their best minor league defensive only org guys in that role at least in the past. Because Cruz and Pena were both horrendous players both ways.
Even at last years OPS+ of 86 is pretty solid for a backup catcher. Certainly an upgrade to Francisco Pena.
As for the 2016 comment. That was a pretty stupid comment considering he posted a 89 OPS+ in 2016 and an 86 OPS+ last year. I’m an orioles fan so I’ve always waited for the big breakout from Wieters but we’ve never seen it and he’s essentially settled into that kind of hitter. That’s still miles better than Pena is behind the plate. Not bad at all for a backup C.
that’s a solid backup catcher NL Central keeps getting more interesting.
ok
Man. I was hoping the Rockies would get him. He could have easily been the #1 catcher there.
Drat, I was hoping the O’s were going to sign him to a minor league deal
SMH
Maybe Carlos Gonzalez will sign with the O’s on a MLD, it’s my only hope
O’s need some veteran leadership on that team
I was hoping the same thing. Hopefully Jonesy will sign. I think he would be great for Mullins’ development
I hope jones doesn’t sign we have far too many outfielders who need to play this year already. Trumbo is going to clog up a spot and likely Mancini so there’s really not even a clear job open. And I certainly don’t want jones blocking Diaz or Hays later this year. DJ Stewart is also an option early on.
Why does no one want Maldonado? Great defensive
Poor guy wanted $80M two offseasons ago. Really interesting fit though, and the first established catcher in tandem with Yadi since really ever. I like it
Pena is terrible.
Good move.
…probably since Molina was Matheny’s backup in 2004.
That’s what I was thinking too. Unless Kelly Stinnett or Gary Bennett count
Tbh this is my favorite Cardinals backup catching move since signing George Kottaras lol
AJP for a little bit in 2014.
Ah yeah! But he rarely played in tandem with Yadi, right? He was like Yadi’s replacement that summer
What a fall from grace…
Thank Cthullu the Braves didn’t sign him. i remember that was the rumor a few years ago
He’s on a minor league deal if he makes the main roster can’t he opt out of it and shop around?
Why would he opt out if he makes the team?
Am I the only one that noticed that this is a Minor League deal. Pena is backup. Wieters was signed to mentor Knizner at AAA
Pena’s also on a Minor League deal, right. And isn’t Tony Cruz in camp to mentor Knizner? This seems a weird signing to me.
Cruz retired
Right, and I think he’s in camp as an instructor
Pena’s is a minors deal too, so, we’ll see how it shakes out.
just buying time until a 40-man roster spot becomes available, likely via putting a player on the 60-day DL. he’s firmly ahead of Pena
I second it but sill a chance.
Wieters just couldn’t get a guaranteed deal. I highly and I mean highly doubt he’ll spend a single day in AAA if it isn’t a rehab assignment.
Crash Davis of the Carolina leagues doesn’t train catchers he helps young Nukes get to the big leagues. Yadi is getting older and will rest more than before. Weiters will battle for backup spot. We know he hits better than Pena.
Hope he considers a move to 1B and resurrect his bat.
The cards have pretty good 1b…or 3 doubt he gets shot there..
Most overrated player in recent times. 3.6 bWAR over his last 424 games. He’s done.
He’s not done. He’s just not necessarily an everyday player at this point. Still value there … he can handle 400 AB, much less 200-250 like expected here in STL.
I’m sure his bat will have more upside than Pena’s if Yadi misses a month again with another exploded testicle.
Cannot fault the logic of bringing him in on a Minors contract. A switch-hitting bench option is not a bad thing to be and occasionally play catcher. Plus he can warm up the pitchers when Yadi is gearing up after an AB.
Legitimate candidate for a bounce back year and a much better option than Kelly was or Pena is. Good to have a legitimate established catcher behind Yadi. Low risk, high reward. Nice move by Mo.
Kelly is much better at this point than Wieters.
Kelly has produced zero in the big leagues and talked about how he felt like he never got a chance to succeed in the bigs with cardinals. In a part time role we don’t know if Kelly ever would’ve been an effective back stop there. He certainly wasn’t in his brief time. If Wieters has accepted where he’s at in his career and acclaimates well to the role he could certainly be an upgrade in the backup role. As a full time catcher that’s a different story but as long as yadi is healthy and around that isn’t going to happen.
Very little chance of a bounce back season with almost no playing time. Good back up, but playing behind Yadi will just stagnate him even more.
Hard to believe that he would choose to go to St. Louis. Not even Oakland wanted him.
Hard to believe that’s possible.
No mention of Wieters being Bryce Harper’s best friend!!! Welcome to STL, Matt.
As a cardinals fan, I prefer Pena but I guess it doesn’t hurt to add depth
Why? Pena sucks both offensively and defensively. Wieters is still above average offensively for a catcher and isn’t horrible defensively.
Never a bad thing to have depth and especially a catcher with MLB experience!! Even though Pena has experience I think this was a good move.
More Boras Magic!
In a comparison of switch-hitting catchers out of Georgia Tech, four-time All Star and two-time Gold Glove winner Matt Wieters has posted 18.4 fWAR and 18.0 bWAR in 1,081 games over 10 MLB seasons while three-time All Star and one-time Gold Glove winner Jason Varitek posted 19.5 fWAR and 18.4 bWAR in 1,068 games over his first 10 MLB seasons in Boston.
Varitek was two years older than Wieters in those parallel seasons.
After the 2008 season apparently no club would sign Varitek with a compensation pick attached after Varitek declined arbitration:
mlbtraderumors.com/2009/01/jason-varitek-a.html
Varitek ultimately re-signed with the Red Sox.
The free agent market certainly has changed in 10 years.
The writing on this website has changed too…. For the better it appears.
Yeah, but Varitek was a 114 OPS+ everyday guy for five years at this age. Wieters isnt
Wieters wanted back on a bird-themed team.
Yadi has a Kevlar cup this year
The cards just realized they still need Carson Kelly lol
No, No they didn’t. Why would you waste a prospects prime years behind Yadi?
Something tells me Goldschmidt is going to help the Cards forget Carson Kelly.
Haha guess again, slow starter and playing in AZ before the humidor was like playing in Cinny with shorter fences.
Not going to put up numbers anywhere close…but um he plays good defense…
Derpy Derpy derp! That’s what your argument comes across like. Fyi.
Interesting take….you didn’t look at Goldschmidt’s splits I see. He’s been a better hitter away from Arizona during his career than he has been at home.
More home runs did you say? Because I’m not talking batting average.
He is gonna start slow and then there will be pressure to trade him because the Cards aren’t going to compete this year.
Wrong again OJ Juice. The cubs aren’t competing this year. The Cards are loaded bub.
I’m just thankful the Central is going to be a shootout again this year. Not sure why all the card hate. I always admired the cubs fans, cause you knew those people were fans. They were so bad for so long and these fans stuck with them. Not sure what your deal is Juicyjuice
Everything? His batting line away is better than his home batting line for his career. I know math is hard but generally bigger numbers are better.
I like this move. No risk. There are a few relief pitchers left to pick up on a minors contract. Heck even Norris might be had on another minors deal this spring.
Can’t beat the goat
But you can strap it’s carcass atop your car and circle Pigley Field to invoke the Billy Goat curse.
This is a very good signing for the Cards
Hard to believe MATT WIETERS FACTS was 13 years ago. Time flies …
God that stuff was awesome though.
Very Chuck Norris like
Second only to LaPorta/God
Love it. Hopefully he beats out Pena for the backup job.
Wieters might not be the player he used to be but I’m confident he’s still miles better than Francisco Pena. Wieters provides some semblance of an offensive player.
Hope he continues playing bad defense there. Go Cubs!
He doesn’t play bad defense, just hurt due to the over valuation of framing. Let me explain the framing thing. A couple of years ago one of Yadi’s brothers was on MLB network and discussed framing. He stated, and I whole-heartedly agree that grading on framing is very error prone. Like Yadi, Jose (I think it was Jose, but maybe Benji,) argued that trying to frame every pitch is a losing proposition. He suggested that umps hate it. The argument being that one should save holding the ball longer as if it were a strike should be saved for the proper conditions, otherwise umps will get irritated, and not give you the call when you need it. Umps aren’t stupid, and to frame every pitch as if it were a strike is counter-productive. Save it for when it means something, even if it means you are down-graded as a less effective framer.
That’s only a little part of what Jose was saying during the interview but okay. There is a whole lot more to framing than just trying to slide the glove back into the zone. It’s all about body position and how still you are when receiving the ball. Certainly there are times you want to steal a strike by sliding the glove a bit but framing overall is certainly an every pitch thing.
He could be a nice left handed bench bat in spots. I still feel like his bat his life that never developed.
Maybe in a consistent bench role he’d get some stable AB’s.
More than anything though, he’s a good defensive backup at catcher and could spell innings if there is an injury and they don’t have to rely on Pena.
Surprised Wieters took this job though.
Probably figures his best chance for a ring. Unless I have forgotten a recent Oriole championship flag flying over Camden, then he doesn’t have one. I am sure there isn’t one waving in Washington.
Where was I? Didn’t Molina announce he was retiring after last season?
He signed an extension through the 2020 season.
Yadi has never said when he will retire. In fact, he’s open to playing beyond this contract. He did say he will only play for the Cardinals and only if they what him.
Seems like only yesterday when he was going to be the next great free agent that was all but sure to land in Yankee Stadium for a fortune…
Wieters has to be one of the most over-hyped and poorest producing catchers of our era. Cards can have him because almost no other team does. St. Louis better hope Molina stays healthy.
Perhaps, but he’s still better than Pena.
Low Hanging Fruit
Look man, I dont want to bash a fellow Cards fan, but come on. Almost every team has made this kind of deal. If you dont bbn like Wieters, who do you suggest the Cards go after as a BACKUP catcher?
Great, now can we sign Dallas Keuchel so he can pitch to Molina and never Matt Wieters please?
Here’s to Cardinals being a cellar team