The Top Unsigned Catchers – MLB Trade Rumors

Pitchers and catchers will probably be reporting to Spring Coaching in about three weeks however a gradual offseason means there are nonetheless loads of free brokers on the market. MLBTR already took a have a look at the center fielders nonetheless accessible and can now check out some notable catchers.

• Gary Sánchez: Sánchez has at all times had large energy in his bat, having launched 173 house runs already in his profession. However he’s typically paired that with low batting common/on-base numbers, strikeouts and questionable protection. He wasn’t capable of safe a serious league deal final offseason, signing a minor league pact with the Giants after which opting out and signing one other with the Mets. The latter membership added him to their roster however shortly put him on waivers, with the Padres placing in a declare. From there, he went on to have a terrific season. He hit 19 house runs in simply 75 video games, maintaining his strikeouts to a palatable 25.1% clip earlier than a wrist fracture ended his season in September. His glovework has additionally improved these days, relative to earlier in his profession. His becoming a member of the Padres coincided with Blake Snell fully turning his season round and ultimately profitable a second Cy Younger. Snell spoke positively of his relationship with Sánchez in the course of the yr, as relayed by Dennis Lin of The Athletic, maybe suggesting his game-calling might be seen as a plus. There are warts on his profile however he’s clearly a powerful participant and will be capable of discover a higher deal than he did a yr in the past. He’s going into his age-31 season.
• Yasmani Grandal: Grandal has lengthy been a powerful backstop on each side of the ball, however he has tapered off these days. He hit .240/.355/.451 from 2012 to 2021, combining energy with a eager eye on the plate, however that batting line has dropped to .219/.305/.306 over the previous two seasons. He’s nonetheless a powerful framer and was good in opposition to lefty pitchers as not too long ago as 2022. The switch-hitter slashed .257/.409/.365 in opposition to southpaws that yr however simply .186/.265/.241 in opposition to righties, although that cut up evened out final yr. Now 35 years outdated, he might not be capable of get a job as a membership’s major catcher, however his protection, framing and switch-hitting capacity ought to make him a match someplace.
• Curt Casali: Casali has by no means been greater than a part-time participant, however he’s been a strong one. He’s appeared in every of the previous 10 MLB seasons, although by no means in additional than 84 video games in any particular person marketing campaign. He has popped 47 house runs in 1,454 plate appearances whereas strolling at a ten.7% fee, resulting in a .220/.314/.380 batting line. His 89 wRC+ is under common general however fairly near par for a catcher. He’s usually thought-about a succesful defender as nicely. He’s coming off a disappointing season whereby he hit poorly in 40 video games for the Reds earlier than touchdown on the injured listing in July as a result of a foot contusion and never returning. He’s now going into his age-35 season.
• Manny Piña: Just like Casali, Piña has lengthy been a serviceable part-time catcher. He has appeared in 10 MLB seasons, solely twice taking part in greater than 76 video games. He’s hit 43 house runs in his 1,255 plate appearances and slashed .243/.312/.410 for a wRC+ of 91. He’s solely performed 9 large league video games over the previous two years, primarily as a result of wrist points. He underwent surgical procedure in Might of 2022 whereas with Atlanta, then was flipped to the A’s going into 2023 as a part of the Sean Murphy deal. The wrist points lingered into final yr and he was launched in August. He’s now going into his age-37 season.
• Mike Zunino: As not too long ago as 2021, Zunino confirmed off his large energy on the plate, launching 33 house runs for the Rays. However the yr after, he required thoracic outlet surgical procedure and wasn’t capable of bounce again. The Guardians gave him a one-year, $6MM deal for 2023 however he was nowhere close to his earlier self. Strikeouts have at all times been an issue for him even when he was at his greatest, as evidenced by his profession fee of 35.1%. Nevertheless, that fee was all the way in which as much as 43.6% final yr as he hit simply .177/.271/.306. Zunino was launched in June and didn’t signal with anybody else after that. His protection is taken into account sturdy, so he might be a helpful participant if his offense improved with a bit extra take away from his surgical procedure. He’ll be 33 in March.