Arizona Diamondbacks Remain in the Hunt for a Catcher

By Griffin Fabits | Dec 29, 2016

Oct 2, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) bats in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /

The Arizona Diamondbacks are still in the hunt for a catcher, according to azcentral.com. One option could be free agent All-Star Matt Wieters.

Although the Arizona Diamondbacks have signed catchers Jeff Mathis and Juan Graterol this off-season, general manager Mike Hazen says the team is still in the hunt for other catching options. It is most likely to come in the form of a minor move, as reported by azcentral.com.

But a minor move may not be the route Hazen chooses to take, as the D-Backs are keeping tabs on four-time All-Star Matt Wieters. Wieters has spent the first eight years of his career with the Baltimore Orioles, but is now a free agent.

When healthy, the switch-hitting Wieters flashes some power from both sides of the plate. From 2011-13, Wieters hit 67 home runs and drove in 230 RBI. The 30-year old backstop signed a one-year deal last season worth $15.8 million to stay in Baltimore. He may not be the cheapest option, but one in which the Diamondbacks should certainly take a flier on.

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The Diamondbacks have lost catchers Welington Castillo and Tuffy Gosewich this off-season, as both have signed to play for other teams. Gosewich is now with the Atlanta Braves, while Castillo signed with the Orioles.

It seems pretty obvious that the O’s won’t make an attempt to retain Wieters, especially after bringing in Castillo this winter. So therefore, Wieters is looking for a home in 2017.

As of right now, it seems as if the Diamondbacks would trot out a Jeff Mathis-Chris Herrmann platoon come Opening Day. While that is certainly doable, it wouldn’t be anything flashy, exciting, or even above-average.

Mathis hit for a career-high .238 last season with the Marlins and has never hit more than nine home runs in a season. Herrmann was a surprise for the D-Backs last season when he compiled a slash line of .284/.352/.493 in 56 games.

Herrmann came off a few rough seasons in Minnesota, and showed some potential in his first season in the desert. While he showed some consistency last season, he’s already 29-years old.

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And sure. Wieters will turn 31 in May of the 2017 season. But he’s an elite catcher when healthy, and one in which the Diamondbacks should try and go after.

It won’t be cheap, but it’ll certainly be an upgrade to their current situation.

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