The tools await a new owner in the Atlanta Braves dugout. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Braves are looking for a new catcher and a trade looks the best option. Who are some targets to consider?
(Note that this page is the same information from part 1. If you remember all that feel free to jump to the next paragraph.)
Notes On Catcher Defense
Judging catcher defense is more difficult than any other position because there are so many facets to it; framing, pitch blocking, game calling, controlling the running game and being able to manager pitchers. Pitch blocking and controlling running are impacted by the pitchers on the staff and to some extent by the whims of the scorekeeper.
There’s a lot of emphasis on pitch framing but it isn’t a make or break item. Stat Corner ranks catcher framing skills and this year Salvador Perez ranked last while Tyler Flowers was third.
Fangraphs ‘Defense’ metric ranks Perez first (15.5) and Flowers 51st (-1,1) among catchers with 350 innings while the Inside Edge ranking at the same link has Perez 34th and Flowers 18th.
Is limiting the running game your thing? Perez threw out 37 of 77 (48%) base stealers, Matt Wieters 23 of 66 (34%) while Flowers. . .never mind.
You get the idea, there’s a case for most of the top catchers depending on where you put the priority. As I go through the catching options I’ll throw some statistics in and you get to choose which you pay attention to.
Stat Corner breaks out framing by team, I combined the numbers of those players so the ranking I give may not match the one on the page. Onward and upward for a look at potential trades.
Trades – One that Won’t Happen Three That Could
“Trade a player a year too early rather than a year too late.” Branch Rickey
No one can be sure who will be traded this off-season because GMs will listen to offers on anyone. They may laugh after hanging up the phone but they will listen. Some things are pretty obvious to anyone paying attention:
The first category fits two obvious teams; the Padres and the Yankees. Let’s get the Yankees out-of-the-way first.
Brian McCann
The probability that Brian McCann returns to the Braves is small. His contract, age and declining bat are part of it but there’s more to it than that.
McCann earns $17M each of the next two seasons. His $15M 2019 salary vests if he reaches 1,000 PAs in the next two years, catches 90 games in 2018 and is not on the DL at the end of 2018.
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He may get close to the 1000 PA but he isn’t going to catch 90 games in 2018, Gary Sanchez ended that hope. That means the Yankees save $15M and have no incentive to take back salary as the Braves asked in talks this summer. .
Even if the Braves were willing to accept that contract, McCann plays at 33 next year and wants a World Series Ring.
His full no trade clause allows him to sit tight in New York hoping that they make the post season or choose to accept a trade to a team that will.
He clearly has no intention of returning to Atlanta as he recently put his home in Atlanta up for sale.
I’d suggest that indicates his next team will not be the Braves. What about some younger players who wouldn’t mind a move?
Aug 16, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Derek Norris (3) at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Derek Norris
The Padres want to make room for former top 25 prospect Austin Hedges and Hector Sanchez to become their catching tandem. The also have former Brave Christian Bethancourt whom they plan to carry as a third catcher, fourth outfielder and bullpen arm. Norris was beset with niggling injuries and had an awful year at the plate but caught in 114 games and hit 14 home runs.
In the three years prior to 2016 he posted a .256/.333/.405/.738 .738 line with home run totals of 9, 10 and 14. Stat corner ranked Norris 15th in framing this season, while Fangraphs ranked him 38th and Inside Edge had him at #30.
Norris will be 28 in February and is arbitration eligible in 2017 with a small bump from his 2.925M pay this year. The Padres need everything and we should be able to obtain him without a huge package of players heading to San Diego.
Sep 29, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Tom Murphy (23) throws out San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (not pictured) during the third inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Tom Murphy
Tom Murphy is one of three catchers competing for the Rockies starting job next spring. Baseball America ($) ranked him Baseball’s #97 prospect after 2015 saying:
Murphy could be a difference-maker on both sides of the ball. He generates plus power–particularly to his pull side–with a short uppercut swing that makes him a home-run threat whenever he steps to the plate . . (and) he has more than enough bat. . . threw out 39 percent of base stealers . . . controlling the running game with a strong and accurate arm and quick release. He has above-average receiving and blocking skills and has shown he can handle a pitching staff. Scouts rave about his makeup. Murphy has a high floor and projects to be an everyday catcher with power. . .
Murphy continued to hit and catch well this year posting a .327/.361/.647/.1008 line at Albuquerque and a .273/.347/.659/1.006 line with the Rockies in just 50PA. He is currently MLBPipeline’s number ten catching prospect and the Rockies number ten prospect. Why would they trade him? The Rockies also have Tony Wolters and Dustin Garneau in their system and seemed to prefer shortstop turned catcher Wolters.
Conveniently the Rockies are actively seeking bullpen help according to GM Jeff Bridich a Denver Post story.
“I’m not sure yet. I think that we are going to do everything that we need to do in the offseason to see if there are ways to making us better in the ‘pen.”
I’d suggest that Arodys Vizcaino might be a nice centerpiece in a deal for Murphy.
October 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez (55) hits a solo home run in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Roberto Perez
I’ve been talking about Perez for a long time. Eleven months ago I suggested the Braves pair him with A.J. Perez a 33rd round selection of the Indians in the 2008 draft. Ranked the best defensive catcher in the Indians system from 2010 through 2012 he was named the Indians #15 prospect by Baseball America (subscription required) after the 2013 season and made his major league debut in 2014.
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the BA scouting report said that Perez, “. . . his offense took a major step forward” in 2014 giving him,” a chance to be more than just a defense-first backup.” They lauded his “bat-to-ball skills” and a short swing that allowed him “to let the ball travel deep in the zone”
His improved offense didn’t affect his still stellar defense. He calls a good game, receives the ball well and has an above-average throwing arm.
Perez broke him thumb four games into this season and didn’t return until after the All Star break. He had only 24 rehab at bats before rejoining the Indians and struggled to find his timing for 25 games.
On August 21st however he started to hit again and in the 99PA that took him to the end of the season he posted .263/.326/.438/.763 line (ISO of 175). Fangraphs ranks him 20th, Inside Edge ranked him third and Stat Cast ranked his framing ninth.
If you’ve watched the Indians this post season you’ve seen him provide timely hitting and superb defense behind the dish. The Indians however have Yan Gomes and Chris Gimenez on the books MLB Pipeline’s #4 catching prospect and Baseball’s #84 prospect Francisco Mejia waiting in the wings.
Perez might cost a little more in prospects but he is major league proven on both sides of the ball. Mallex Smith might be the kind of offer they couldn’t turn down.
Sep 27, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Mallex Smith (17) hits an RBI single as Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) is shown on the play in the eighth inning at Turner Field. The Braves won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
The Phillies Triumvirate
The Phillies are very deep in catching right now. In addition to incumbent and solid player on both sides of the ball Cameron Rupp they have MLBPipeline’s number seven catching prospect (Phillies number 11) Andrew Knapp knocking on the door beside MLBPipeline’s number one catching prospect (Phillies number four) Jorge Alfaro kicking down the door to get in.
They don’t have to move any of them of course. Alfaro got a cup of coffee this year and seemed to move past Knapp.. BA’s scouting report from last season spoke highly of his bat and rebuilt arm – he had TJ surgery in 2013.
Knapp’s bat will be his carrying tool. He’s a switch-hitter with a balanced swing from both sides of the plate and power to each pull side. He hits better against right handers . . .but his numbers against southpaws improved greatly(at AA in 2015). . . He also shows enough plate discipline and doesn’t chase many pitches out of the zone. . .(he need to improve) blocking and receiving, but scouts praise Knapp’s ability to call a game as well as his quick release. He used a solid-average arm to throw out 36 percent of base stealers (2015)
This year at AAA Knapp threw out 38% of runners (18 of 48) and posted a .266/.330/.390/.719 line in 443 PA. His drop off at the plate (he had a OPS at AA in 2015) allowed Alfaro to move past him.
Trading in division is not as taboo as it once was but the Phillies would want to extract some extra from us for any of their prospects.
That’s A Wrap
I know you’ll all have your favorite under the radar guy that I left out. I passed over players like Austin Barnes, Blake Swihart, Miguel Montero, Austin Romine and others as either too expensive, too old or not a sufficient improvement.
This is of course a way too early look at a market that hasn’t developed except that Coppy’s said he’s already been in discussions with teams about trades.
Of the three I highlighted I like Perez, Murphy and Norris in that order but all would work well enough. I tried not to get too specific in the trades other than highlighting known needs for a couple of teams. I’m sure you’ll have ideas and let me know what they are. I look forward to reading them.
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