2021 In-season transactions

[Post Count Padder]

Hey why not, let's kick it off.

The Reds just released Noe Ramirez, who they received for Raisel Iglesias. I still have no idea what they were thinking with that one.

Braves also DFA'd old friend from the offseason Phil Ervin. I assume there's no way we get him back but we did just release Cameron Maybin.

[Post Count Padder]

The Angels have an agreement in place to sign Noe Ramirez, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). It is not expected to be a Major League deal, adds the Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya (via Twitter).

So Reds got basically salary relief and a lottery ticket prospect for Iglesias. Yikes.

[Post Count Padder]

Rather have him over Brothers. Bring him home!

[TomtheBombadil]

I tried to defend that trade, woof, but would still say LAA's park is a way better fit for Iglesias. 24 HRs between 2018-2019 is a ton for a closer to allow, couldn't give the Reds much confidence

-----

Former prospect legend Ronald Torreyes made the Phillies roster, his 7th straight year getting some ML action

[Bear Cub]

Robinson Chirinos has been released.

[Rob]

Robinson Chirinos has been released.

Somewhere this morning, TT is waking up in the best mood of his life.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Whoever signs him will still have him under team control through age 44, what value!

[jersey cubs fan]

2021 In-season transactions:
Bunch of meaningless spring training releases

[TomtheBombadil]

Cubs sign Tony Wolters, a glove first backup catcher who started for the Rockies over multiple years. He can’t hit but I like that he’s a LHH anyway and think either he or Romine would be quality backups to Contreras this year

[squally1313]

Cubs sign Tony Wolters, a glove first backup catcher who started for the Rockies over multiple years. He can’t hit but I like that he’s a LHH anyway and think either he or Romine would be quality backups to Contreras this year

He's equally terrible against all pitchers, so don't particularly care about what hand he is, unless he can trick some dumb manager to make a dumb reliever choice. Would have rather just given PJ Higgins (12.1% BB rate, .895 OPS in Iowa in 2019) a shot, but....whatever.

[Tim]

Cubs sign Tony Wolters, a glove first backup catcher who started for the Rockies over multiple years. He can’t hit but I like that he’s a LHH anyway and think either he or Romine would be quality backups to Contreras this year

He's equally terrible against all pitchers, so don't particularly care about what hand he is, unless he can trick some dumb manager to make a dumb reliever choice. Would have rather just given PJ Higgins (12.1% BB rate, .895 OPS in Iowa in 2019) a shot, but....whatever.

Career veteran backup catcher gonna like veteran backup catchers.

[TomtheBombadil]

He's equally terrible against all pitchers, so don't particularly care about what hand he is, unless he can trick some dumb manager to make a dumb reliever choice. Would have rather just given PJ Higgins (12.1% BB rate, .895 OPS in Iowa in 2019) a shot, but....whatever.

I’m not a big believer the backup catcher has to hit. Hell, believing the starting catcher *has* to hit is pretty fresh for me. I care most that Wolters can defend, has experience, and yeah generally prefer backups to be opposite hand hitters if available. I like Higgins as a multi-position third catcher for a ML debut, maybe he can close the season as the primary backup

[squally1313]

He's equally terrible against all pitchers, so don't particularly care about what hand he is, unless he can trick some dumb manager to make a dumb reliever choice. Would have rather just given PJ Higgins (12.1% BB rate, .895 OPS in Iowa in 2019) a shot, but....whatever.

I’m not a big believer the backup catcher has to hit. Hell, believing the starting catcher *has* to hit is pretty fresh for me. I care most that Wolters can defend, has experience, and yeah generally prefer backups to be opposite hand hitters if available. I like Higgins as a multi-position third catcher for a ML debut, maybe he can close the season as the primary backup

I can see an argument for a Nico type who can come in late provide an upgrade. We aren't making defensive substitutions if we're only carrying two catchers. There's just no logic there. Whoever it is is going to start every 10 games. There's no basis for that particular game requiring more defense over offense. If it's a net positive, then he should be starting, which he's obviously not good enough to do. If you want to carry Higgins as some incredibly dollar store version of Schwarber, then yeah, can see the value of Wolters here. The rest means nothing to me.

[Cubswin11]

I only saw Higgins catch 1-2 innings in a game last week and he looked horrible behind the plate. Like Michael Barrett bad, couldn’t block horsefeathers. He was catching one of the minor league guys like Thompson too, who you’d think he’s be familiar with. Woelter’s sucks though, Tyler Flowes is still a FA. He should’ve been the add. He’s considered elite defensively and has had plenty competent seasons with the bat for a backup catcher, lots of 80s and 90s wRC+ seasons. Guessing he thinks he’s deserving of closer to a starting/platoon role though.

[TomtheBombadil]

I can see an argument for a Nico type who can come in late provide an upgrade. We aren't making defensive substitutions if we're only carrying two catchers. There's just no logic there. Whoever it is is going to start every 10 games. There's no basis for that particular game requiring more defense over offense. If it's a net positive, then he should be starting, which he's obviously not good enough to do. If you want to carry Higgins as some incredibly dollar store version of Schwarber, then yeah, can see the value of Wolters here. The rest means nothing to me.

I don't think that would be the thinking at all, but rather what is a backup catcher most likely to excel at. Starting every 10 games isn't exactly the ideal situation to stay locked in at the plate nor is 16 starts at catcher making or breaking the offense. Defense is a much more stable and likely route for these guys to make a positive impact.

Also also would add that if they're just carrying two catchers, defensive subbing late in games makes sense whenever possible to sneak some rest in for Contreras. We've already kinda gone through Contreras taking on extraordinary defensive workloads compared to everyone else, whatever year that was he caught like 40 games in almost as many days due to injuries and an extreme schedule, and it was ugly

I only saw Higgins catch 1-2 innings in a game last week and he looked horrible behind the plate. Like Michael Barrett bad, couldn’t block horsefeathers. He was catching one of the minor league guys like Thompson too, who you’d think he’s be familiar with.

There's got to be some worry that giving a backup catcher job to someone with no experience at all is going to take you towards a guy who neither hits or defends

[Bryant's Disco Ball]

What happened with Austin Romine? Is he out to start the season or getting DFA?

[TomtheBombadil]

What happened with Austin Romine? Is he out to start the season or getting DFA?

Sprained his right knee a few weeks ago

Norwood got DFA’d so I guess Romine is safe for now

[JeffH]

What happened with Austin Romine? Is he out to start the season or getting DFA?

Sprained his right knee a few weeks ago

Norwood got DFA’d so I guess Romine is safe for now

The roster is still at 41 even after the Norwood DFA. There will be either a 60-day IL placement or another DFA.

[squally1313]

I can see an argument for a Nico type who can come in late provide an upgrade. We aren't making defensive substitutions if we're only carrying two catchers. There's just no logic there. Whoever it is is going to start every 10 games. There's no basis for that particular game requiring more defense over offense. If it's a net positive, then he should be starting, which he's obviously not good enough to do. If you want to carry Higgins as some incredibly dollar store version of Schwarber, then yeah, can see the value of Wolters here. The rest means nothing to me.

I don't think that would be the thinking at all, but rather what is a backup catcher most likely to excel at. Starting every 10 games isn't exactly the ideal situation to stay locked in at the plate nor is 16 starts at catcher making or breaking the offense. Defense is a much more stable and likely route for these guys to make a positive impact.

Also also would add that if they're just carrying two catchers, defensive subbing late in games makes sense whenever possible to sneak some rest in for Contreras. We've already kinda gone through Contreras taking on extraordinary defensive workloads compared to everyone else, whatever year that was he caught like 40 games in almost as many days due to injuries and an extreme schedule, and it was ugly

I only saw Higgins catch 1-2 innings in a game last week and he looked horrible behind the plate. Like Michael Barrett bad, couldn’t block horsefeathers. He was catching one of the minor league guys like Thompson too, who you’d think he’s be familiar with.

There's got to be some worry that giving a backup catcher job to someone with no experience at all is going to take you towards a guy who neither hits or defends

Fair point on Higgins being potentially terrible behind the plate. If that's the case, whatever. Conceptually, if you're only carrying 2 catchers I think you're less likely to make late game subs there. If you sub Contreras out and then something happens to Wolters (like, say, he swings at a pitch that hits him in the balls), then you're in a tough spot. Every 10 games is probably less than what a backup should actually play, though obviously I don't want a personal catcher this year because we don't have someone of Caratini's ability level. In the 20 starts a year, I'd prefer someone who can approach competency at the plate, but ultimately it's not going to make much of a difference, and it sounds like this is just a placeholder for Romine anyways.

[Bertz]

The over/under on Wolters starts is like 5? I would have preferred Lucroy but it's hard to care.

[Post Count Padder]

I was kinda rooting for Higgins to make the roster. I know having experience in your backup catcher is important but assuming Romine isn't out too long I wonder how much an upgrade you get from Higgins to Wolters.

Also best of luck Norwood. Another Theo/Jed pitcher out the door.

[abmillis]

Wolters swung at a pitch that hit him in the dick a week or two ago.

[CubinNY]

Wolters swung at a pitch that hit him in the dick a week or two ago.

He'll fit right in then.

[Backtobanks]

Wolters swung at a pitch that hit him in the dick a week or two ago.

He'll fit right in then.

Who knows they might work better than the team's bats.

[TomtheBombadil]

6’2” switch hitter who can play SS, 2B, and walked alot and more than K’d in the minors over 1100+ pro PAs with a .411 OBP. One of the very best prospects out there, IMO the closest to a Zobrist-esque prospect since Zobrist left the minors