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| Brian Mcann will be one of many 2014 free agents. Photo credit MLB |
An inside look at the upcoming free agent market for catchers.
Brian McCann -30- Atlanta Braves
Enters Free Agency relatively young with durability issues. In many ways represents a link to the old Braves, starting his career as John Smoltz's personal catcher. Moving forward, the Braves have Evan Gattis & highly touted prospect Christian Betancourt in the pipeline.
McCann inevitably departs, and should have a bevy of suitors given his Two-Way abilities & the general lack of offensive production at the position across baseball.
Yankees luxury tax dilemma inhibits a major offer. Toronto could covet his leadership, but I don't envision McCann heading north of the border. Teams like the White Sox & Cubs could inquire, but I don't see McCann joining a rebuilding process. Red Sox could reunite McCann with backup David Ross, and his potential courtship is more discussed in Jarrod Saltalmacchia below.
Texas Rangers Catchers A.J. Pierzynski & Geovany Soto are both eligible for FA. We'll hear that Texas coveted McCann when it dealt the Braves Mark Teixeira years ago, but the Braves weren't willing to include Major League talent. Acquiring Alex Rios in the waiver period appears to indicate the organization will allow Nelson Cruz to leave in FA. Therefore, upgrading the offense occurs at Catcher. McCann fills a leadership void, and adds a middle of the order Left Handed bat at a premium position.
Suitors: Boston, New York Yankees, Texas, Toronto, Washington.
Projection: Texas Rangers (5 Years 80.0 Million w/ a Club Option)
Jarrod Saltalmacchia -29- Boston Red Sox
Switch Hitting catcher with power, presents a major dilemma for GM Ben Cherington. Vastly improved plate discipline, Salty's .781 OPS will be highly attractive at his age & at a premium position. Struggles against left handed pitching, but mashes Right Handers (.779 OPS 2010-2012 & .866 OPS 2013).
Red Sox activity in Brian McCann market could detract efforts to retain Salty, who will draw interest from teams involved on McCann. Philadelphia must replace Carlos Ruiz, and prospect Tommy Joseph appears a year away. The Yankees could find the pricetag more appealing than McCann, the Yanks have long coveted Switch Hitters with left handed power. Tampa Bay could make a rare entrance into Free Agency, as their Catching prospects are years away from the Show & they've lacked offensive production at the position. Toronto again could upgrade their production at Catcher.
Suitors: Boston, New York Yankees, Philadelphia, Toronto, Washington
Projection: Philadelphia (4 Years 40.0 Million)
Carlos Ruiz -35- Philadelphia Phillies
Chooch delivered his best offensive season in 2012 before serving a 25 Game suspension for banned amphetamines to start 2013. Ruiz's .934 OPS in 2012 landed the Catcher in his first All Star Game, he complemented stellar defensive abilities with offensive production.
Finishing this season, Ruiz must prove 2012 offensive surge wasn't an apparition. The veteran backstop could resign in Philadelphia. Expect the Yankees to inquire, as GM Brian Cashman was rumored interested in Ruiz prior to the July Trade deadline. The Phillies will have a difficult choice on offering Ruiz the Qualifying Offer at $ 13.3 Million, which he could accept. Realistically, Ruiz isn't worth $ 13.3 Million per year, but he could command 8-10 million annually over 2-3 years.
Suitors: Detroit, New York Yankees, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Washington
Projection: Tampa Bay (3 Years 24.0 Million w/ a Club Option)
A.J. Pierzynski -37- Texas Rangers
A lighting rod player that teammates love & opponents detest, combines a power left handed bat & mediocre defensive abilities at this stage of his career. Rangers signed A.J. to a 1 year deal looking to upgrade it's Left Handed lineup after Josh Hamilton's departure, envisioning a 2013 courtship of Brian McCann.
Yankees could find an affordable 1 Year stopgap & they were interested during last offseason. Concerns emerge with defensive abilities, an area emphasized by former Catcher & current manager Joe Girardi. The other suitors will include those interested in McCann, Salty & Ruiz. Important to discern how he'll fit into your lockeroom. The two-time All Star won the Silver Slugger in 2012, and is a viable starter 4-5 days a week behind the plate. Therefore, he's attractive to AL teams that can utilize him a day each week in the DH slot.
Looking to upgrade at the position & add a new personality into the mix; the Blue Jays should be interested. Underperformance has stagnated the optimistic organization. One of the notable underperformers has been J.P. Arencibia, who the organization appears to have soured on. Adding Pierzynski is a risky proposition, but he brings a grittiness & veteran presence to right the ship.
Suitors: New York Yankees, Tampa Bay, Toronto.
Projection: Toronto (1 Year 8.5 Million)
Kurt Suzuki -30- Washington Nationals (8.5 M Option w/ 650 K Buyout)
After Oakland GM Billy Beane signed Suzuki to a 2010 4 Year 16.25 M extension, he was traded to Washington. Extension appeared team-friendly, with Suzuki coming off a (.274/.313/.421) slash line 2009 season. When Beane dealt him to Washington, the move shocked Suzuki & teammates. He appeared one of the Franchise cornerstones, but the deal proved brilliant on Billy's end.
Highly unlikely the Nats exercise the option given the offensive output. Looks for opportunity to rejuvenate career, and a team that has ABs available at the position.
Suitors: Boston, New York Yankees, Philadelphia.
Projection: New York Yankees (1 Year 3.0 Million)
Dioner Navarro -30- Chicago Cubs
Spending time in 6 organizations in his career, Navarro never lived up to expectations of his highly-touted prospect status. Delivering his best offensive season since 2008, GM Jed Hoyer & President Theo Epstein entertained trade talks prior to the deadline.
The question on Navarro: Is he a 2 day per week backup, or can he handle a more prominent role? One team could see his offensive output & believe he's well-suited to start behind the plate 3-4 days per week.
Suitors: Chicago Cubs, Detroit, New York Yankees, St. Louis.
Projection: Detroit (1 Year 4.0 Million)
John Buck -33- New York Mets
Offensive output to start the season carried the Mets, but production gradually regressed to the mean. At his core, Buck is a powerful right handed bat that will deliver home runs in bunches, strikeout at a high rate & throw out near 25% of would-be base runners. Calls a good game, but his near 0.0 WAR will have the sabermetric community hesitant.
The Mets could retain Buck whose added veteran stability inside the Clubhouse. A throw-in to the R.A. Dickey trade, question is Travis D'Arnaud's readiness to assume catching duties full-time given durability concerns. From the player's perspective, it's questionable whether he'll have willingness to resign given the organization's investment & desire to transition D'Arnaud into a full-time role.
Suitors: Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets.
Projection: Los Angeles Dodgers (2 Years 10.0 Million)
Jose Molina -38- Tampa Bay Rays
Defensively, Molina remains one of the game's best. Throwing out 37.6% of baserunners in his career, Molina works tremendously with young pitchers in developing & implementing a gameplan.
Molina's offensive production has declined in 2013 after a tremendous 2012 season given most projections. He'll deliver the rare homerun, but is a liability on the base paths. Prototypical backup catcher that will benefit a young pitching staff.
Suitors: Baltimore, Kansas City, New York Mets
Projection: Kansas City (1 Year 3.0 Million)
Trade Targets:
J.P. Arencibia -28- Toronto Blue Jays
Battling bursitis in knee, Arencibia enters Arbitration off a disappointing 2013 season. Power exists, but strikes out at an alarming rate & it's unlikely he ever becomes a plus .300 OBP Catcher. That limits him from a future projection standpoint, and Toronto could cuts it's losses & move forward at the position.
Suitors: Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Philadelphia, Washington
Projection: Traded to Washington Nationals for LHSP Ross Detwiller
Jason Castro -26- Houston Astros
Arbitration Eligible in 2014, rebuilding Astros could deal the former 10th Overall Pick & 1st Time 2013 All Star this offseason. The organization could consider dealing Castro given he's producing a 4.0 WAR Season & his stock might never be this high. But ultimately, a rebuilding organization shouldn't make habit of dealing productive & controllable players given they're on track for another 100 loss season.
Suitors: Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia, Toronto, Washington
Projection: Dealt at 2014 Deadline
Lou Marson -27- Cleveland Indians
Entering Arbitration Year 2 after earning 1.0 M in 2012 for spending virtually the entire season on the DL. Still relatively young & not a logical non-tender candidate, a team looking for potential could deal a bullpen arm or mid-level prospect for Marson. Even if he gets healthy, the Indians have Carlos Santana & Yan Gomes at the position. A change of scenery would benefit Marson's career.
Suitors: New York Yankees, Philadelphia
Projection: Traded to Philadelphia for Mid-Level prospect
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