John Bazemore/Associated Press
Houston Astros: C J.T. Realmuto
The Astros’ catching depth chart is fronted by Robinson Chirinos (.222 AVG in 2018) and Max Stassi (.226). For a club with championship aspirations, that won’t cut it.
Which brings us to J.T. Realmuto, the top available catcher. Realmuto is under contract with the Miami Marlins, who asked for outfielder Kyle Tucker or right-hander Forrest Whitley in a swap, as Morosi reported in December. Those are the Astros’ top two prospects.
It’d be a lot to cough up, but the ‘Stros are in an unambiguous win-now window. Realmuto is arguably the best catcher in baseball and controllable through 2020. This simply makes sense.
Los Angeles Angels: LHP Dallas Keuchel
The Los Angeles Angels need to build a winning team if they have any hope of keeping superstar Mike Trout on the roster beyond 2020, when he can become a free agent. To that end, they need to improve a suspect starting rotation that finished 19th with a 4.34 ERA in 2018.
Probably, any additions the Halos make will be of the ho-hum variety. Alternately, they could go for broke and sign the southpaw Keuchel.
Keuchel, entering his age-31 season, carries risk, but he eclipsed 200 innings in 2018 and reeled in American League Cy Young Award honors in 2015. Prying him from the division-rival Astros would be a headline-grabbing coup for Los Angeles.
Oakland Athletics: LHP Gio Gonzalez
After winning 97 games in 2018, the Oakland Athletics will look to build on their success in typical fashion. That means passing on the biggest names and looking for bargains late in the offseason.
Could their strategy lead to a reunion with left-hander Gio Gonzalez, who began his MLB career with Oakland in 2008? It could.
Gonzalez posted a 4.21 ERA between the Nationals and Brewers last season and is entering his age-33 season. On the other hand, he finished sixth in National League Cy Young Award balloting in 2017. In this tepid market, the A’s could probably grab him for an affordable price and boost a starting rotation that will be without ace Sean Manaea, who is out indefinitely following shoulder surgery.
Seattle Mariners: LHP Zach Duke
The Mariners have spent the offseason jettisoning pieces as they position for a rebuild or at least a retool.
They have uncertainty in the back end of the bullpen, however, and could use an experienced arm to steady their relief corps.
Assuming the price is right, the M’s could look toward a reunion with veteran lefty Zach Duke, who posted a solid 3.01 FIP with Minnesota and Seattle last season while striking out 51 in 52 innings. Assuming Duke is amenable to a short-term pact, he could be a fine addition to the Mariners’ unsettled pen.
Texas Rangers: C Nick Hundley
The Texas Rangers have made a number of ancillary additions, including to the starting rotation, even as they move forward with a seemingly inevitable rebuild.
They could use a veteran catcher, however, as they wait to see if sophomore Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s future is as a super-utility player or a full-time catcher. Jeff Mathis and his .544 OPS aren’t enough.
Nick Hundley is no one’s idea of elite, but he hit 10 home runs in 96 games for the San Francisco Giants last season and is an experienced, reliable receiver who could bridge the gap on the cheap.
from News fore today http://bit.ly/2SfreWr
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