Atlanta Braves Position Profile: Catcher

By Kevin Floody | Sep 26, 2015

5 of 5

Sep 25, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) scores a run as Miami Marlins starting pitcher

Jose Fernandez

(16) reacts during the fifth inning at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

A Theoretical Timeline

I fully expect the Braves to involve themselves in trade talks this winter with the Milwaukee Brewers regarding Jonathan Lucroy. I do not expect the Brewers to give him up cheap, despite his injured 2015 season. Ultimately the cost to the Braves will be too high and they will turn to free agency, and yes I do believe they will do it this offseason.

More from Atlanta Braves

It is safer and makes more sense to have an established catcher who can manage a young and growing pitching staff, and the Braves will want to have that before they enter SunTrust Park in 2017. Thus, it would be fitting to sign a receiver now to acclimate him to the system and familiarize him with the young stable of arms.

Matt Wieters would be a logical choice, and though he certainly arrives with plenty of risk, the upside and his situation’s convenience cannot be ignored. I expect the Braves will make him an offer for about 3 years. Any less and he may sign somewhere else for security reasons,and any more the Braves could be sticking themselves with a mid-30’s catcher who can’t stay healthy.

If Wieters is not signed, I would expect the Braves to try to bring back A.J. Pierzynski and again platoon him with Christian Bethancourt and Ryan Lavarnway.

Next: Atlanta Braves Drop Near Comeback 12-11 to Fish

More from ATL All Day

Home/Atlanta Braves