Blue Jays: Potential Catching Options at the Deadline

With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, management must consider all options to improve the Blue Jays as they look destined for a playoff push. Going into July 9th the Blue Jays currently sit just 3.5 games back of the second wild card position currently held by the Oakland Athletics.

The Jays have faced injuries and inconsistent play behind the plate so far this season. Reese McGuire has looked promising in recent weeks, however, questions regarding the sustainability of his recent hot run at the plate should be considered as he has yet to prove he can be a consistent big league hitter. Defensively, McGuire’s stats look strong as well with a 36% caught stealing rate, 1.000% fielding percentage and 0 errors according to Baseball Reference. He has looked promising although there is a significant chance of regression to his regular means down the stretch.

Danny Jansen has had a very tough season at the plate and has been decent at best defensively behind the plate. The upside for Jansen so far in his career and season has not been very high and little points to that changing down the stretch. Alejandro Kirk is an intriguing option who can definitely swing the bat, but there are many questions about his defensive play and ability to play everyday if needed.

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There are a couple of veteran catchers that may become available prior to the deadline that the front office can consider that would provide an upgrade behind the plate for the Blue Jays.

Yan Gomes

A familiar name to Blue Jays fans with his brief stint with the team back in the 2012 season. Gomes has had a fairly successful career in the big leagues that has featured an All-Star appearance in 2018. Gomes is 33 and would not provide a long-term answer behind the plate, but he would be an instant upgrade in various ways to the current team. Gomes is currently hitting .268/.323/.445 with eight home runs and 31 RBI in 209 at-bats this season according to baseball reference. Offensively, Gomes is an upgrade on any catcher on the current roster and would provide another dangerous option at the bottom of the order. Defensively, he has posted a 36% caught stealing rate compared to the league average of 25%. Gomes also has just five errors, a .988 fielding percentage and a WAR of 1.8. Gomes would most likely turnout to be a rental as he is set to enter free agency, but the price would be low and would also give Kirk more time to develop at AAA. The Nationals currently sit outside the playoff picture and would potentially be open to dealing Gomes.

Jacob Stallings

Stallings provides another potential catcher option for the Blue Jays who has had a decent season in various ways with the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates. Stallings is currently hitting .226/.309/.387 with six home runs and 35 RBI in 217 at-bats according to baseball reference. Those numbers won’t blow you away, but again would provide an upgrade over Jansen and most likely McGuire as well at the plate. Defensively, Stallings is around league averaging in caught stealing % but is supporting a .994 fielding percentage with just three errors and a WAR of 1.2.

Stallings is under team control until 2025 so could be a solid option behind Kirk for next season. This also could happen in a larger trade involving Pirates closer Richard Rodriguez if the Blue Jays have interest.

Honourable Mentions

Carson Kelly: If the Blue Jays are interested in making a trade for a promising catcher with control Kelly could be in play for a very bad Diamondbacks team.

Pedro Severino: Another offensive option that would allow the team to move Jansen or allow Kirk to gain experience in the minors.

Max Stassi: Splits time with the Angels but is hitting .318 and would provide an upgrade at the plate while being a capable complementary catcher.

Overall, there is not a drastic need to upgrade the catcher position prior to the deadline. Although if the Blue Jays are serious about making a push for the playoffs they may want to look at upgrading one of their catchers, as each have provided questions at points this season and all lack valuable experience that could be easily acquired at the deadline. Gomes and Stallings would both provide an immediate upgrade behind the plate and are both very capable of carrying the bulk of the games down the stretch.