Over the next month, we will head towards the winter meetings with the top free agents at each area of the baseball diamond. We’ll start off with catcher, and then work our way outward. Starting and relief pitchers will be next. That will be followed by infielders and end with outfielders. As a National League fan, the DH will be left in its rightful place on the periphery of this conversation. So let’s get started with the best backstops on the market this winter.
Now we’ll start off by saying that with Matt Wieters becoming the second player ever to accept a qualifying offer, the catcher pool is left incredibly weak. AJ Pierzynski re-signed in Atlanta. Geovany Soto (Angels), Chris Iannetta (Mariners), and Alex Avila (White Sox) also took safe one year deals with new clubs. While the biggest catcher moves this winter may be through trades, here are the best free agents left for general managers to consider.
DIONER NAVARRO (TORONTO)
Navarro is the best left of the bunch and is more than likely the only catcher on the free agent market who could potentially command a multi-year contract. Navarro battled injuries for a great deal of 2015 and was relegated to a backup with Russell Martin’s introduction, but his years for the Cubs in 2013 and Blue Jays in 2014 have shown he could be an everyday catcher. Navarro’s bat puts him above the rest of the free agents at the position. He’s hit 30 home runs over the past three seasons. However, he isn’t a slouch behind the dish either. He calls a good game and still throws out a considerable number of would-be base stealers (39% in 2015). Dioner could be the short term replacement for Carlos Ruiz in Philadelphia or possibly return to his old stomping grounds in Tampa Bay.
JARROD SALTALAMACCHIA (ARIZONA)
With the way his 2015 started, Jarrod Saltalamacchia looked more destined for the Minor Leagues than a list of top free agents. He was hitting below .100 with the Marlins just one season after they signed him to a three year, $21 million deal. He was released by Miami mid-year. Arizona gave him an opportunity to stave off irrelevance and the man with the league’s longest last name obliged (.251, 8 HR, 23 RBI in 70 games). Now resigning in the desert seems like the smartest option for Salty given their limited catching resources, but as a catcher his bat still may bait GMs into a sweeter deal. Even as a backup Saltalamacchia should get a guaranteed Major League deal.
CARLOS CORPORAN (TEXAS)
Yup, we’ve already gotten to this level at the position. Corporan was relegated to spot start duty last year in Texas by Robinson Chirinos after not being able to hit his way out of the proverbial paper bag. But he is a catcher with part time pop and superb pitch framing from a playoff team which will always intrigue even the most frugal of front offices. Even at 31, Corporan doesn’t have the miles on his knees of a normal catcher because of his backup status for the majority of his career. If a team like the White Sox take a flyer on him, he could allow newly acquired Alex Avila a chance to not have to catch everyday and improve the team defense.
BRAYAN PENA (CINCINNATI)
Like Saltalamacchia, Pena came up as a top prospect in the Braves organization. Unlike his backstop brethren, the power potential never surfaced for the husky Cuban and he’s on his third team in four years with the Reds. Pena may not have the home run bat that the previous three catchers here have (he hit 0 last season) but he may be the one most likely to hit for a respectable average. He is also very durable, having played 108+ games in each of the last two years in Cincinnati. He is not the greatest pitch framer and struggles sometimes to get low on pitches in the dirt. He does however throw very well and his snap throws to the corner bases can be just as dangerous as throwing out a base stealer. He could return to Cincinnati, but he’d probably be a backup as Devin Mesoraco returns from injury. He may have a chance to start in Tampa Bay or Pittsburgh if they trade Francisco Cervelli.
MICHAEL MCKENRY (COLORADO)
Michael McKenry is a guy who has made the most of his career as the first guy who will be sent down when a roster spot needs to be opened up. He was an extra base machine in the Minors, but never really got an opportunity to be an everyday guy at the big league level. He hit .315 just two years ago, but a lingering knee issue sapped any chance he had at a solid follow-up at Coors Field. With the Colorado catching situation currently in flux, McKenry may be smart to give the thin air in Rockies country another go. But don’t sleep on a team like Boston to give the guy a chance at knocking some balls off the Green Monster, especially if Christian Vazquez isn’t 100% recovered from Tommy John surgery in the spring.
THE BEST (RELATIVELY) OF THE REST
Jeff Mathis (Miami)- A consummate professional who can’t hit anymore but could be a good influence on a young pitching staff.
J.P. Arencibia (Tampa Bay)- His strikeout numbers are the big thing keeping the former first round pick from a steady Major League gig. At least he’s got Kimberly Perry waiting for him at home.
Gerald Laird (Arizona)- Yes, Gerald Laird is still kicking around. You know he will get signed as well, even if it is a Spring Training invite.
Where do you think this thin crop of catching free agents will land? Let us know in the comments and stay here all winter for more Hot Stove talk!