With all the talk of the Cubs becoming sellers and trying to dump their bad contracts on some poor, unsuspecting GM. One player who seems to be under the radar, but probably makes the most sense to trade is catcher Geovany Soto.
Soto had a bounce back year last year, after a sub-par 2009 season. But, so far this year, he's hitting only .215/.308/.372 and has not been able to really get going.
Why then should the Cubs trade him now, with he's hitting poorly and his value is low?
Because the demand for a quality catcher could be high this July. San Francisco has lost their ROY catcher Buster Posey for the rest of the season. As a result, they have been scrambling to find a replacement, even going so far as to sign Cubs' castoff Max Ramirez. Thus, they appear to be desperate.
Also, Ken Rosenthal indicated in a May 9 article that the Red Sox are targeting outside options at catcher. Rosenthal also stated that the market for catchers is pretty thin, which should boost Soto's value.
Another factor is that Soto is already in his arbitration years. The Cubs signed him to a $3 million contract for 2011 to avoid arbitration and that salary is likely to increase over the next two years. If the Cubs don't see him as their long-term solution at catcher, its best to cut him loose now before he gets even more expensive.
Finally, the Cubs have some depth at catcher. Currently, Welington Castillo (.319/.374/.605) and Steve Clevenger (.333/.384/.545) are hitting well in the minors (Castillo at Iowa and Clevenger between Iowa and Tennessee). Either one should be a good replacement for Soto (not to mention overpriced backup Koyie Hill).
So, the time appears to be ripe for the Cubs to dump their resident pothead, er I mean catcher. Let's just hope that Jim Hendry can take advantage of the situation and get something good in return.
I would be pretty upset if the Cubs trade Geo. Best OBP, SLG and wOBA of all major league catchers last year. With improved defense this year, Geo is one of the top catchers in baseball. Not worth selling here IMO, I would hope the Cubs can keep Geo for his career.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is, which is the true Soto? The one who had the best OBP, SLG and wOBA last year in his last year before arbitration or this year's (and 2009's) version?
ReplyDeleteI don't want to sign him to a long-term deal only to end up with the 2009 and 2011 version for the next 7 years.
Everyone keeps pointing at Geo's hitting, and it has been a bit up and down, but there is a lot more to a catcher than a stick. Geo is very good defensively, and he is very good at calling a game. He knows how to work with pitchers, and he throws well. All in all, from what I've seen of Castillo, it would be a step down. Not a big step down, but who wants to step down at all?
ReplyDeleteWatching the games you see Soto hit so many rockets right at defenders, and that's backed up in his unlucky babip. He's still taking a lot of walks, while admittedly less than the last couple of years, at 10.8% he's right at his rate of 11% in 2008. He just misses the top 15 in baseball for line drive rate at 23.8%. I think we will see his luck start to even out with a big second half.
ReplyDeleteGeo is having a bad year. Nonetheless i would rather have him behind the dish then most other guys. he cought a no no in his rookie season, and he can throw runners out far better than koyie hill
ReplyDeleteHay Cubs fans, we in Boston will be happy to welcome G.Soto to Boston as our new #1 catcher!!Do it!! & then 100y and years ++ and you will still be counting..
ReplyDeleteWe not long ago felt your Pain! And have moved on, from those time past.Save him for now, if ya can.
It would have to be a big pull for Soto and it would signal the Cubs waving the white flag for several seasons to come. Welington Castillo isn't ready and, even at his best, won't have Soto's ceiling.
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