9:18pm: Leon’s deal with the Indians comes with a $2MM salary with performance bonuses of $25K each for 75 and 100 games started at catcher, Zack Meisel of The Athletic tweets.
7:20pm: The Indians announced Monday that they’ve acquired catcher Sandy Leon from the Red Sox in exchange for minor league right-hander Adenys Bautista. In order to open a spot for Leon on the 40-man roster, Cleveland has designated right-hander James Hoyt for assignment.
Leon, 30, would’ve likely been non-tendered by the Red Sox but now seems likely to be tendered a contract by his new organization. The swap doesn’t exactly bode well for Kevin Plawecki, who’d previously been in line to serve as the primary backup to 2019 breakout catcher Roberto Perez. Leon is projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $2.8MM in 2020, whereas Plawecki is projected to earn $1.5MM.
In Leon, the Indians are acquiring a switch-hitting veteran, although his value lies in his glove as opposed to his bat. Leon did have one standout season at the plate back in 2016, when he hit .310/.369/.476 in 283 plate appearances, but that output looks like an anomaly; in three years since that strong showing, he’s managed only a .199/.259/.312 batting line in 780 trips to the plate.
Leon has generally rated as an above-average framer and, with the exception of a 21 percent caught-stealing rate in 2019, has been excellent at controlling the running game throughout his MLB tenure (career 34 percent caught-stealing rate). Still, it’s at least somewhat of a surprise to see the Indians ostensibly swap out Plawecki for Leon, as Plawecki rated as the better defender in 2019, hit better than Leon over the past several seasons and was the cheaper option with two additional seasons of club control. Leon will be a free agent at season’s end.
Boston’s return isn’t particularly exciting — as one would expect when trading a backup catcher who was in line to be non-tendered. The 21-year-old Bautista has yet to advance beyond the Rookie-level Arizona League and has only pitched 43 2/3 innings of pro ball in total. He’s posted an ugly 5.98 ERA with nearly as many walks (31) as strikeouts (32) in that time and has demonstrated below-average ground-ball tendencies.
Hoyt, 33, has displayed huge strikeout numbers and passable control in his limited MLB chances. Through 80 innings between the Astros and Indians, he’s worked to a 4.16 ERA with 11.7 K/9, 2.9 BB/9 and a 45.5 percent ground-ball rate. He’s been quite homer-prone, however, which has limited his results a bit. Still, a pitcher with those strikeout totals, a 16.8 percent swinging-strike rate, a 36.8 percent opponents’ chase rate and a fastball that has averaged 93.9 mph feels like he should be a more interesting commodity than he’s been to either the Houston or the Cleveland organization. Hoyt still has a minor league option remaining, which should only enhance his appeal to another club.
Yeaaaaah, Kevin Plawecki wasn’t going to do it as a backup catcher for next year.
Is Leone that much of an upgrade over Plawecki?
If he matches his peak MLB season, yeah. Plawecki peaked as a prospect.
There’s no chance he matches his “peak” season. That was a total outlier — and really kind of a baffling one — with the exception of that season, even in the minors Leon has really barely been able to hold his own offensively. But defensively there are few better than he, especially when it comes to managing a game/pitching staff. I’ve got to say I’m not really say to see him go (Sox fan) but do wish him the best going forward. He’s a hard worker and does everything he can to contribute what he can to a teams success.
There’s no chance he matches his “peak” season. That was a total outlier — and really kind of a baffling one — with the exception of that season, even in the minors Leon has really barely been able to hold his own offensively. But defensively there are few better than he, especially when it comes to managing a game/pitching staff. I’ve got to say I’m not really say to see him go (Sox fan) but do wish him the best going forward. He’s a hard worker and does everything he can to contribute what he can to a teams success. p
All glove
Only took the Red Sox a year to trade him
Great for Cleveland as yes, defensively Leon is a big upgrade having seen both for some time. Also good for Boston to get anything for Leon who has previously cleared waivers. Having said all that, would anyone be surprised if Leon gets released at some point and re-signed by the Red Sox, even with Bloom in charge? Good luck Sandy, someone who always seemed to have the pitching staff’s trust.
Sergio would be.
Leon might be no better.
Leon was a great contributor to the pitching staff and the clubhouse in Boston. A smart player who brings a lot to the team that doesn’t show up in the box score.
Sandy is a great catcher, n a catcher the pitchers want to call the game. He was Porcellos personal catcher for a long time. I’ll miss him in Boston n wish him luck. He’ll love Tito.
I don’t really get this for the Indians. Leon is generally a decent defender, but he hasn’t shown any ability to hit at all outside of that one BABIP-inflated year that definitely seems like a fluke. I’m not totally convinced he’s any better than Kevin Plawecki or Eric Haase. I’m also pretty sure that all three of them are out of options (although I’m not sure), so my guess is that they’ll have an in-depth competition for the backup catcher behind Perez.
Fortunately, the minor leaguer they gave up doesn’t seem to be much, but I’d rather have Hoyt than Leon so I don’t really see the logic behind this.
I see next to no chance the Indians, of all teams, tender Leon and Plawecki. I think plawecki is as good as gone.
I would have to imagine he is too, but at that point why wouldn’t they have just DFAed him instead of Hoyt?
I would imagine they sign someone in free agency at some point this offseason also. Perhaps the thought was that they’re going to be DFA’ing both Hoyt and Plawecki. They might be trying to flip Plawecki for a very small prospect. Tough to know. But I don’t think the Indians will have both on the roster next year. That would be uncharacteristic of a Terry Francona coached team. And the Indians like to save their dollars where they can..
I agree with pretty much everything you just said
I’ve learned to stop doubting the Indians talent evaluations. They must see something in Sandy that will surprise us all.
This is such a stupid move by Boston. Leon is Chris Sale’s personal catcher and Sale’s results with Leon are far better than with any other catcher, let alone the fact that Leon is one of the league’s better defensive catchers. I get the need to shave payroll but yikes this could come back to bite them
Yep, the immense loss of Sandy Leon now puts Boston’s ceiling at no better than third in the East.
Well then it’s an even smart move for Boston getting an actual 20 hr old live arm in return for him, considering Sale will most likely be gone for two seasons after TJ.
Live arm is a stretch. This looks like a non prospect who can’t throw any strikes.
Adenys Bautista turned 21 back in early August…..
baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bau…
A 21 year old in rookie ball who can’t throw strikes or strikeout batters? Maybe non prospect wasn’t the right word. Organizational depth prospect?
You want to waste a roster spot on a player that plays every 5 days and can’t hit over .200?
But, but…. he’s a great pitch framer!
But, but…. he’s teh “gOoD cLuBhOuSe GuY!!1!”
Ya, I just saw Sale at Home Depot buying some kindling for a clubhouse fire….
30M a year, Sale should be willing to pitch to Sandy Duncan, never mind Sandy Leon……and Duncan’s a lot cuter……
Leon’s bat is completely anemic, his only value coming from “framing” (a stat of some dubious quality) and throwing out the one baserunner a month in the AL East who tries to steal. Lots of guys in AAA who can do the same for minimum wage.
The first trade of the “Bloom” era.
Sandy Duncan … ♂️ … Good one!
As a hitter, Leon seems to have twice as many glass eyes as Duncan.
Solution- Find a new home for Sale (if possible)
Hoyt deserves a real chance from some team.
He was really good down the stretch last year. I don’t get it.
He’s always struck out a lot of batters and had success in every minor league season as well.
If he gets a legitimate opportunity, I think he could be a pretty solid bullpen arm. He’s already in his 30s, but he could provide some good value for a few years.
Are they planning on using that 26th roster spot on a catcher? If not, they have 3 catchers that cannot be optioned with Leon, Perez and Plawecki. So if you’ve decided Leon us an upgrade on Plawecki… why not DFA Plawecki instead of Hoyt?
Because someone might get injured in spring training. You can cut him before opening day and only pay a fraction of contract.
I think the a’s take a flyer on hoyt. Probably just wait until he becomes a FA, because his market is probably non-existent, but if you can sign him up for 850k… do it.
He’s pre-arb why wouldn’t you just claim him?
Why do the indians want him
Happy trails to the only active HoF’er…
so i no longer get to watch fat sandy hit 124 and be to overweight to try to run to first base when he does make contact and be an automatic doubleplay EVERYTIME hes up? what a tragedy
Next person traded or non tendered is JBJ then Boston is very close to the Lux tax line without trading Betts they can hold onto him and see if they are blown away with a trade offer.
RedSox getting ready to pounce on Blake Swihart!
Please, that’s what ruined Swihart’s career. Big Sloppy fell on him.
now here’s a dumpster-diving team
Why bother trading for a player that was soon to become a free agent? Does anyone think Leon would have gotten his projected arbitration salary as a free agent?
I don’t know the rule but is there a pecking order for DFA guys? Perhaps Cleveland would think someone else would grab him first?
No, once you’re non-tendered you hit free agency immediately.
I’m not really a fan of giving Leon roughly $2 million or so, but the pitcher they gave up is a complete non-prospect so it’s a small price to pay if they really thought someone else would be interested in him.
As the rosters move permanently to 26 players, it looks like the Indians are planning on using that last spot for an additional catcher. I’m not sure that is what I would do, but if I were to add a bullpen catcher-type player, Sandy Leon would be a good pick.
Hasse?
Knowing Francona, that extra roster spot will be a relief pitcher, no reason ever to carry 3 catchers during regular season unless that catcher can play OF or IF.
At first I thought that was a picture of a fatter Jason Kipnis.
Leon had 1 good hitting season 1 he is simply a non starter so as a Boston fan i won’t miss him at all
Let the fire sale begin
Depth move on the Tribe’s part,
Plawecki was fine defensively last season and will be cheaper than Leon
Haase is meh defensively,but still has an option and will be in Columbus.
You can never have enough good defensive catchers I guess.
And Plawecki gets non tendered.
Bit of a surprise, but Leon agreed to a team friendly deal around 2 million with incentives so he was around the same price as Plawecki and the Tribe obviously likes his defense better.
Whoever is putting players in the teams respective jersey’s is doing a great job.
I came to post a similar response, the pic made me do a double take.
Is that even right? that he’s literally only eligible for $50K worth of bonuses or is it supposed to be $25K per game from 75-100 games started. $50K total seems kind of absurd so to me it seems like it must be per game which would at least total $725K if he were to start 100 (which seems unlikely but still)