Should Blue Jays shop around the Cincinnati Reds sale?

Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Devin Mesoraco – 

The 27 year old Mesoraco could be the backup catcher the Blue Jays are looking for. The once highly-regarded prospect and first round pick, Reds fans were waiting for Mesoraco to have his breakout season. In 2014, his first full season catching, Mesoraco would not disappoint while hitting .273/.359/.534, belting twenty-five homers and driving in eighty runs.

Devin’s offensive production was good enough for him to become an All-Star in 2014. Things were starting to look up, that’s until hip surgery in 2015 sidelined Mesoraco almost the entire season. Mesoraco is still recovering in the offseason, but is expecting to make a full recovery in time for Spring Training next

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Early in 2015 the Reds and Mesoraco reached an agreement to a four year twenty-eight million dollar extension. This contract is very affordable when you consider the upsides to it, especially with a bat like Edwin Encarnacion in a walk year. If the injury this year scares you away a bit, you have reason. Hip injuries in catchers playing in the prime years of their career doesn’t sound promising. From the Reds side of things, a team looking to shed some longer term contracts, this might be a great start in terms of return value.

Mesoraco would add further power to the lineup while provided solid defense when standing behind the plate. He’s certainly still young enough and will continue to develop. With his increase in power showing in 2014, learning the Blue Jay’s plate discipline approach would be important, as Mesoraco had a 23.4K% in 2014. The Reds would again be looking for prospects in return for Major League talent, wether or not the new Jays management regime will be interested in trading their younger talent is unknown.

Finding a backup catcher is one of the main Blue Jays priorities with the departure of Dioner Navarro. Mesoraco might be that perfect fit as his talent exceed that role and his bat could help to lessen the offensive losses Toronto may be facing one year from now.

Next: A couple options from the Dare To Dream category...