Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings is generating trade interest from clubs seeking help behind the plate, tweets MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. He lists both the Marlins and Yankees as possible matches in a trade.
Stallings, 32 next month, won’t wow anyone with his offensive numbers but is widely regarded as one of the best defensive catchers in the sport — if not one of the best defenders at any position. Over the past three seasons, he’s posted a .251/.331/.374 batting line with 17 home runs, 32 doubles and a triple in 780 plate appearances. That’s about nine percent worse than the league-average hitter, by measure of wRC+, though it’s right in line with the leaguewide average for catchers, specifically.
It might be tempting to assume that Stallings’ on-base percentage has benefited from hitting eighth in front of Pirates pitchers, but that’s not necessarily the case. Stallings has spent a good chunk of time in the eight spot, but he’s spent more time hitting fifth, sixth and seventh in the Pittsburgh lineup and actually has better walk rates out of those slots than he does in the eight hole.
Where Stallings truly shines, however, is with the glove. He’s ranked as one of the game’s best defenders for the past few seasons and finally got his well-deserved credit in 2021 when he took home his first NL Gold Glove Award. Stallings posted a massive 21 Defensive Runs Saved mark in 2021 and has racked up an outstanding 42 DRS dating back to Opening Day 2019.
Stallings has consistently delivered plus framing marks according to each of Statcast, FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus, and he draws perennially strong marks for his pitch-blocking skills at Baseball Prospectus as well. In terms of controlling the running game, Stallings had something of a down season in 2021 (21% caught-stealing), though the pitching staff surely shared some of the blame in that regard; Stallings had a huge 36.2% caught-stealing rate from 2019-20.
The other element of Stallings’ appeal is his affordable salary and remaining club control. Because he doesn’t pile up the counting stats that portend significant arbitration salaries, he’s projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn a highly reasonable $2.6MM in 2022. He’s controlled another two seasons beyond that, so any club to acquire Stallings would be bolstering its catching corps through the 2024 season.
Pittsburgh doesn’t have an immediate heir-apparent to take the reins if Stallings is dealt. Between that fact and the combination of his salary, club control and excellent defense, Stallings may have higher trade value than some would expect when glancing solely at his offensive numbers. That said, the lack of an immediate successor in Pittsburgh shouldn’t necessarily dissuade the Bucs from jumping if a strong offer is presented. The Pirates aren’t contending in 2022 anyhow, and the free-agent market has a number of veteran options who could be plugged in as a stopgap while the team waits on 2021 No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis to develop in the minors.
This has Yankees written all over it
Or the Mets. They need pitching and could try him on the mound
Well, Pitching now seems to being addressed with the addition of Mad Max.
Hahaha. No. It doesn’t.
Funny part is article says there’s interest but is silent on potential teams.
Funny part is article says there’s interest but is silent on potential teams outside of the obvious.
@TBF- I certainly hope so. It’s definitely time to move from Gary Sanchez. Hearing the Marlins and the Phillies have interest in him. Good riddance Gary!
Why would the Phillies have interest in a horrible defensive Catcher with a high strike out rate that can barely hit .200? You realize that they have Realmuto and Marchan, right? Not to mention they literally just acquired depth in the form of Stubbs and Donny Sands from your Yankees in the last few weeks.
@bucketbrew35 please tell me you’re not referencing Stallings when talking about horrible defensive catchers… it makes me think that you read nothing in the post besides the players name…
Bucket brew is exactly what his name implies.. Buckethead….he won a gold glove and Buckethead calls him a horrible catcher…idiot
This would excite me as Yankees fan. It’s not the big name sexy move, but would go a LONG way towards winning ballgames.
Exactly what the Yankees need behind the dish. Make Sanchez a DH and/or backup, since his bat still carries a ton of upside, make Stallings the starter, and trade Higashioka. possibly trade Sanchez in a deal for Matt Olson. That way you have the best defensive duo behind the plate in baseball.
You’re on crack if you think the A’s are trading Olson for Sanchez
Lol yeah A’s would want nothing to do with Sanchez. Try Volpe, another top 10 prospect, and an additional top 20 prospect for Olson
@Marshallx89- smh.The Yankees are not giving up Dominguez, Volpe, or Austin Wells for Olson. Hopefully Oakland trades him somewhere else, he isn’t a big need for the Yankees.
Yes thank you. As a Yankee fan I have no idea where other fans get this fantasy trade proposals from.
@higgy5220- fans get these fantasy trade proposals from their hope chest. Basically there not happening.
Sanchez has no value.
Sanchez is making too much for him to even be a throw in to the A’s.
I could see a stallings trade. At least he’s a starter, and depending on the metric used, the best defensive C in the game.
Yeah Clipper, I agree. Though if I had money on it, I would bet if the Yankees move on from Sanchez they would get Garver. Cash has more of a history dealing with Minnesota than Pitt. and I don’t think the prospect cost would be as high.
Joe: Honestly, I’d rather have Garver or Contreras anyway. Not that I don’t like Stallings, but he’s got no offense. Garver has always been intriguing, and an offensive powerhouse. He’s really been the offensive performer Sanchez was supposed to be.
He got league average offense and put him on the Yankees his numbers sky rocket!
Now the Yankees have a gold glove Catcher! Makes zero sense not to want him. Cheap and controlled
we won’t want Sanchez
Time to trade with the Bucos. Which Marlins players/prospects would you trade for Stallings? I’m reading…
The return for Stallings has to be starting pitching. There is no greater need than starting pitching if youre a Pirates fan
Has to include at least one of the Marlins’ big three pitching prospects (Sanchez, Meyer, Cabrera), as well as complementary pieces. Pirates have every right to put an outrageous price tag on Stallings. He’s a very good catcher who has multiple years of control left and would be the only starting caliber backstop if he is avaiable.
You’re crazy if you think one of the marlins top near MLB ready pitching prospects go for Stallings. I could see Eder or Fulton as a headliner in addition to Nicholas/McCambley or a younger prospect such as Salas as a likely package.
Stallings has averaged about 3 fWAR per 500 PA since the begining of 2019. You tell me what other catcher currently on the market, both trade and FA markets, that is puts up top of the line defense, is a solid hitter for a backstop, and has more than 3 or more years of control remaining. The Pirates have the most valuable catcher on the market, have no reason to rush a trade, and quite honestly might be more inclined to keep him than trade him. If you want Stallings, you need a crazy trade proposal.
Pkg 1 Cabrera & either Nicolas or Mccambley pkg 2 Fulton, Nicolas AND Mccambley for Stallings should be doable/ workable. Stallings is about league average offensively for catchers. He’s SUPERIOR DEFENSIVELY plus he’s under team control for multiple years.
Marlins could sign Yan Gomes or Roberto Perez and both would be a huge upgrade over Alfaro. No need to overspend for Stallings. The sense of urgency is on Pittsburghs end my friend. They clearly need some pitching talent in their organization. Marlins can offer that but no way they trade Meyer, Sanchez or Cabrera. All these guys have ace potential.
@ mlb1225—–Bingo on all points. Unless someone decides to overpay, there is absolutely no reason why the Bucs would move Stallings. He is not expensive now, There are years of control left and he would be very useful for the youngsters who are about to crack the lineup. Of course the Bucs should and will demand a high ask for Stallings and only will move him if they get the ask from someone.
@ Stretch the have Contrares and Priester going to hit the bigs soon. They have a ton of arms collected over the last 2 drafts. They have no urgency to move Stallings unless the get the price and the price would be high quality arms.
I’m really excited about Carme Mlodzinski. I think he’s really underrated. Omar Cruz looks solid. Also have some other under the radar guys like Ricky DeVito and Austin Roberts.
Yeah, it has been fun to follow the moves and the development on the Bucs farm the last couple of years. Some very interesting arms drafted in 2021 to go with Mlodzinski and Jones from 2020. Burrows was a good pick up too. Was very solid in the AFL that just finished. I am with you in that it would be silly to move Stallings unless they can get a prime return. The Bucs have no need to move him for a low level return.
Yeah the Marlins are not going to overpay for Stallings
That is fine. They don’t overpay and the Bucs will keep him. Works well for me 🙂
Ur nuts
As stated, Marlins are not going to give the Pirates JT Realmuto trade return for Jacob Stallings. They weren’t even willing to part with that for Wilson Contreras. If you want a haul for Stallings, you’re going to have to include Bryan Reynolds as the main get for the Marlins. Marlins can go in many other directions and be satisfied with comparable impact. This is Jacob Stallings – not JT Realmuto, Salvador Perez, Contreras, or other top catcher.
Actually, I don’t believe any of us have said that the Marlins should. Rather myself and others are saying that the Pirates would be foolish to trade Stallings unless they got a huge offer. They are not pressed at he moment to move him. Getting additional mid or lower level prospects for one of the top defensive catchers in the game at the moment would be counter productive. They Pirates have several good young pitchers nearing promotion to the majors. Stallings would be more value to the Pirates working with the young pitchers arriving than they would receive if they moved Stallings just to move him. I look for Stallings to stay put. If by chance someone would offer something crazy then of course Cherington would move him.
If the Fish offered any of those three pitching prospects and the pirates did not immediately accept then they are acting like an organization that will consistently finish in last place. Wait a minute….
Pirates will take any good deal. A top 100 with a lotto or 2. Or 3 4 high upside non top 100 A ball kids. Positions don’t matter.
Done deal. I guess you Pirates fans feel that your team is foolish because we got Stallings in a trade that is more in line with what us Marlins fans expected…that was a bit far off from what you Pirates fans were hoping for.
Rumor I heard this morning FWIW
Pirates close to signing Gomes
Yankees to trade Sanchez to the Marlins
Yankees trade for Stallings
I really hope this never comes true. Gary sucks.
Just the typical Bad Yankee Fan Trade Proposal™.
As no names in the trade scenarios were given I think you’re jumping to conclusions.
How can it be a “bad Yankee fan trade proposal” when there was no trade proposal? Lol
Why would the Marlins trade for Sanchez when they’ll be able to pick him up for free after the Yankees non-tender him? Unless you mean a trade straight up for our potential non-tender catcher, Jorge Alfaro.
There is no credible source that would predict a shuffling like this. Rumors you hear from the crazy guy in the back of the subway cart don’t count as rumors.
Rumors are just that. Rumors. Anything on YouTube is actually just as credible as anything from Heyman for as often as either are right. I doubt it happens but it is an interesting thought but with way too many moving parts.
Objectively not true. As much as I love to make fun of reporters for getting stuff wrong, I would absolutely take what any one of them say, as they have actual conversations with agents and teams, over some random dude in his mom’s basement.
A rumor must be circulating by definition. Just making something up on the spot doesn’t count as a rumor.
As I said it isn’t likely to happen but with Heyman et al getting info from agents: they are usually being fed a narrative the agent wants to push for his client. So you could call it informed nonsense maybe.
Is your sourse MetsFan22?
Ha, no just something making the rounds on YouTube this morning that I thought was fun to dream on.
Would be interesting to see a move that sees a Bucs catcher go to the Yanks instead of the other way around. The last 3 moves that saw a catcher move between the 2 teams via trade or FA saw the catcher leave the Yanks and go to the Bucs.
I’d like the Orioles to pick him up to work with Adley but doubt it happens
I’m predicting here and now that the O’s sign Johnny Cueto to a one year deal worth roughly $8M in hopes of flipping him at the deadline. Also predicting that strategy will backfire.
They could find a much cheaper option to mentor Adley.
The Pirates don’t have to trade Stallings Or Reynolds! I would love to see them go after an Outfielder, and Pitching instead. The Central is very average and worst case scenario you move these guys at the deadline!
If you trade you need to get blown away with an offer.
Contreras could be a #2 if his arm holds up but will probably start year in AAA. The rest of their starters are #4 #5. They haven’t been in on any of the difference making starters so looks like this is another audition year for a half dozen guys.
Sixto, Cabrera, Mayer and Luzardo to Pittsburgh for Reynolds and Stallings
Alejandro Kirk to Pittsburgh for Chris Stratton
Daulton Varsho to Pittsburgh for Cole Tucker and Mason Martin
As a Bucco fan I’d be happy with that outcome but no way Chris Stratton gets Kirk, almost no way Reynolds and Stallings are packaged in a trade and highly unlikely the Diandbacks trade Varsho especially for those two considering they can have Martin for the cost of a roster spot by taking him in the rule 5 draft.
Nobody wanted Stratton at deadline. He isn’t a late inning guy. Tucker Martin aren’t fetching much, certainly not Varsho. Maybe Clint Frazier.
One thing to consider regarding Stallings is that his years of control could come down a lot depending on any new CBA. He could be the poster child of the type of player who should get free agency based on age not service time. He paid his dues slowly through the minors and based on performance should be paid now. As a Pirate fan, I hate to see him traded, but he deserves to be able to cash in now not when he is 34-35.
There would undoubtedly be a grandfather clause. They aren’t just going to take away arb years for existing players.
I totally agree, but I do think with his age and years before free agency that it could be reduced some. Just another factor to consider. Of course, unless he is actually traded in the next 2 days, all parties involved in any trade would know of any change in his years of control.
Yankees better get this done.
why would anyone trade for this guy when you could promote any AAA catcher and get the same production?
Stallings has averaged about 3 fWAR per 500 plate appearances. If you have a catcher in the minors who can put up about 3 fWAR in a mostly full season, then you shouldn’t need Stallings.
AAA comment! Let the adults talk
Pirates have to be demanding the moon and stars for Stallings. He’s a great defensive backstop and with the amount of young pithing the Pirates have, he’d be a great benefit for said young pitchers if the Pirates kept him around.
And the young catchers coming. But plenty of old cheap free agents who could provide the same at a loss in on the field performance.
Guardians….we’ll have Hedges , Stallings, and Sandy Leon…..sounds about right
@OIC2021- oh man. I hope not. The poor Guardians always need their parents permission before they go on a field trip. Smh
Its actually the kids that need the Guardians permission. I’m sure there’s a joke in there, but sadly you struck out.
The Pirates have every right to put an outrageously high price tag on Stallings. There’s no real rush to move him, he provides a lot of value as a backstop for the young pitcher the Pirates have, and he’s the only starting caliber catcher, both on the free agent and trade market. If you want Stallings, you better be willing to sell half of the farm for him.
I think half the farm is a bit of an exaggeration but I understand your point nonetheless. Pirates have every right to demand something good but you’re looking at 2 top 30s from someone’s farm with at least 1 ranking in the top 100 overall and not much else in terms of complimentary pieces. Most teams would rather not trade for him at all regardless of catching needs than to give up an arm and a leg for a poor offensive catcher. If I’m the Yankees I take my chances on Gary Sanchez hitting 25HR with below average defense.
Any chance perhaps that the White Sox shift Grandal to DH and have Stallings in as catcher? He’s be a major upgrade defensively, and they have a strong enough offense to compensate for Stallings’ average hitting.
@duffys. What you are proposing makes perfect sense. But your likely going to catch a whole lot of grief from those Chisox fans who aren’t willing to admit just how horrible Grandal has become defensively. But the organization is stuck with him at $18M/yr, for a couple more years.
I also agree with your sentiment @duffys. WhiteSox have a conundrum choosing which position to strengthen defensively by moving one of Abreu, Grandal, Eloy or Sheets to DH. Catcher would be my choice for a defensive upgrade due to its importance on every pitch and influence over the performance of the staff, while LF, RF and 1B aren’t essential positions defensively. Abreu has admittedly improved at 1B and continues to hit while Sheets seems to have youth and bloodlines on his side for handling RF. Thus, the SOX must decide quickly if they can live with deflated catching defense to protect Eloy from injury, or commit prospect capital to get a glove first backstop to catch a majority of games to lessen Grandal’s share and keep his bat at DH. Longshot would be Collins or Zevala taking a leap defensively to average and taking a bigger share.
Its too bad Chisox didn’t resign McCann, a miscalculation in my mind that could eventually cost several young pitching prospects to correct. Hahn would be wise to make a trade or two to strengthen their minor league catching now by trading with organizations with depth at catcher. It’s what the Rays do so well, bolster their farm by moving major league pieces, something Hahn seems oblivious to. Trade a ML reliever to STL for Julio E Rodriguez or something similar with another org.
Yanks missed the boat on Tucker Barnhart. He would have fit in nicely for them. Stalling would do great for the Yanks though.
For what the Pirates might demand I think you take your chances on a Gary Sanchez offensive bounce back year in the number 7/8 hole. Volpe or Dominguez would only get moved for Reynolds, Olson, or Castillo and nobody else this off-season.
I heard the same rumor Gomes signing with Pirates and A 3 way deal involving Stallings & Sanchez and prospects from both teams going back to the Pirates
Names mentioned were Florial & Devi Cruz & From the Marlins Niedert & Ian Lewis
Don’t know how true but worth watching
Much ado about nothing. Pirates control him for three more years and have no other catching options ready. Why trade now? Have to be a large haul of low risk, high reward prospects or major league ready talent. IMO, a good catcher is worth more than a good pitcher or a good fielder.
I would not be surprised if the Pirates try to buy out his arbitration years plus another year or two.
I see an extension highly unlikely. However, with their best prospect being a catcher, it would make sense to keep Stallings around until Davis comes up. The two of them working together would only help Davis, especially at the start of his career.
IMHO, it’s a waste of his talent. since Stallings will likely be gone by the time the Pirates are looking to compete, wouldn’t you want a couple of top-100 prospects ready to join the team in 2024?
I’m sure the A’s will listen to offers for Sean Murphy, however it will have to be overpay given how weak the catcher market is.
I’m really curious to see a trade happen with Stallings. I want to see what trade package gets it done because when signing these kinds of glove first players, you don’t really see to many lengthy, high dollar contracts so will that discount translate into a trade?
This is different than most glove first players. He’s one of the very best defenders in the game and being a catcher makes that even more prominent. If a trade happens, it could set a precedent.
Might be worthwhile for SF to look into Stallings as I don’t think Joey Bart is ready to step in to be their everyday catcher.
If I were Ben Cherington, the top two items on my offseason to do list would be to trade Stallings and sign Reynolds to an extension. This coming season should be the last year of terrible baseball in Pittsburgh, 2023 might not be a great team either but at least it looks like it won’t be a laughingstock either. As such and since Stallings and Reynolds are the last two big chips to potentially cash in during the rebuild the team should trade Stallings and sign Reynolds long term mostly due to the age vs. performance scale of each player moving forward. Trading Stallings signals the closing of the book on the rebuild and extending Reynolds opens the window of contention. Then sign a couple relievers to one or two year deals with the plan/expectation of flipping them at the deadline, sign another stopgap outfielder and roll with that squad into spring training.
Sounds like a good plan. Pirates last year of struggling will be ’22. Agree with you that ’23 will be an average team, but I can see the Pirates beginning to contend in ’24 and into the future. Cherington is a good GM and the Pirates are an excellent project for him.
You may be right, but they have nothing to replace Stallings with right now. I kind of thought he would just pass the reins to Henry Davis 2023 at some point and become the backup and a trade chip. I don’t think catcher is a spot you can or should just throw out a waiver wire guy like gamel and hope for the best. They need him to handle the young pitching staff as much as anything else.
Interesting. At first I was hesitant on the Buccos trading Stallings. Good catcher and leader, let him help develop the youngsters coming up. But sure, let’s get some of those veteran backstops out there and wait for Davis to get the call up. The return from a Stallings deal would be beneficial and hopefully develop along the same timeline as Davis.
Seems like the Pirates have what the Yankees are looking for. Between Newman, Stallings, Moran, and Stratton they have the potential of a huge trade. I could also see a three way trade where Kuhl heads to the Mets.
I see Gomes going to the Yanks but who knows!
Cant see anything happening. He is going to be cheap even by Pirate standards and he is worth more to them than he would be for any other team.
He, like Brian Reynolds, only gets moved if the offer is massive. His presence has a positive effect on the pitchers, who, believe it or not, would fare far worse without him.