The pickings may be slightly slim in relation to the very best free agent catchers in 2023. Most of MLB’s best catchers last season have been both younger or already tied to long-term offers. That’s dangerous information for groups hoping to improve at that place. Nevertheless, the marketplace for catching isn’t fully empty. There are just a few good choices among the many finest MLB free-agent catchers in 2023.
Rating finest free agent Catchers for 2023-24 offseason
So who’re the very best free-agent catchers in 2024 for groups that want a backstop for subsequent season? Nicely, you gained’t discover many of those gamers linked to profitable offers in relation to making free agency predictions.
Nevertheless, there’s a strong assortment of catchers accessible in 2024 for groups that want one. Listed here are the 5 finest free-agent catchers heading into 2024.
5. Yasmani Grandal
At age 35, the very best days for Yasmani Grandal are absolutely behind him. He was on the open market after the 2019 season and signed a four-year, $73 million cope with the White Sox.
Nevertheless, it’s secure to say that he didn’t stay as much as that contract, hitting eight dwelling runs or much less in three of his 4 seasons in Chicago. After hitting .234 with an OPS of .647 in 2023, Grandal is not an impression offensive participant. However he’s been round lengthy sufficient to nonetheless have some worth as a backup and will get a assured contract from somebody and an opportunity to proceed his profession.
4. Victor Caratini
After spending the final two seasons with the Brewers, Victor Caratini is on the free-agent marketplace for the primary time at age 30. His upside offensively is slightly missing, as he’s a .236 profession hitter within the large leagues. However he did outperform his profession numbers in 2023 whereas additionally offering robust protection behind the plate.
Caratini is the kind of catcher who’s going to contribute to a staff by managing the pitching employees and calling a superb sport. Maybe extra importantly, he’s the youngest free-agent catcher among the many prime choices this winter. That ought to assist make him a viable choice for groups which might be in search of a catcher.
3. Martin Maldonado
Offensively, groups shouldn’t count on a lot from Martin Maldonado. He’s hit under .200 for the Astros in three consecutive seasons, though he’s hit a minimum of 12 dwelling runs in every of these seasons. Extra importantly, Maldonado maintained a job with a championship-caliber staff due to what he does behind the plate.
So far as defense-first catchers are involved, there isn’t a greater choice on the free-agent market this winter, and there aren’t many higher choices in baseball, interval.
2. Tom Murphy
Accidents have restricted Tom Murphy to simply 61 whole video games with the Mariners over the past two seasons. On the brilliant aspect, he’s been a productive hitter when he’s been wholesome, hitting .290 with an OPS of .873 in 47 video games this previous season. That creates slightly little bit of risk-reward for a catcher who will likely be 33 in 2024.
At this level in his profession, Murphy most likely suits finest as a backup catcher. Nevertheless, we’re speaking a couple of high-end backup who can nonetheless be an asset on a contending staff.
1. Mitch Garver
There isn’t a doubt that Mitch Garver is the very best catcher accessible this offseason. Profitable a World Collection ring with the Rangers actually helped his inventory. Garver had three dwelling runs and 14 RBI in 14 postseason video games. In fact, that was after he hit .270 with an OPS of .870 in the course of the common season.
To be truthful, Garver has been wildly inconsistent offensively from one 12 months to the following throughout his profession. He’ll additionally flip 33 earlier than the 2024 season, so his age is an element, particularly since he’s a catcher. Then again, he’s coming off the very best season of his profession and gained a Silver Slugger award earlier in his profession. For groups that want a part-time catcher and a part-time DH, he’s the proper match.
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