• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cleveland Daily

Cleveland Sports News, Rumors & Highlights

  • Home
  • Guardians News
  • Cavs News
  • Browns News
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About

2 Solutions To Cleveland’s Catching Problem

By Spencer Richardson July 6, 2022

Austin Hedges #17 of the Cleveland Guardians throws to first base after forcing out Jarren Duran #40 of the Boston Red Sox at home plate during the seventh inning at Progressive Field on June 25, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

 

The Guardians officially have a problem behind the plate.

Of course, there are problems at the plate as well (an 11-4 loss to the anemic Detroit Tigers is unsettling, to say the least).

But as it stands, the Guardians need a change at catcher.

Cleveland’s recent skid has, at least temporarily, dimmed playoff hopes and deleted all of the progress the club made in early-to-mid June.

As of Wednesday, the Guardians are 4.5 games behind the Twins in the AL Central, holding the slimmest of two-game leads over the White Sox for second place.

But the lack of offense from the catchers isn’t some recent phenomenon.

Since March, Cleveland’s backstops have struggled to make any offensive impact.

Their best hitting catcher is Luke Maile, whose .183 average is likely inflated because of only 81 plate appearances.

Cleveland’s usual starter, Austin Hedges, is batting .160 with just 23 hits against 40 strikeouts in 144 at-bats.

He’s a virtual guaranteed out for any opposing pitcher, which is only going to become more obvious as the season drags on.

Could the Guardians be in the market for a replacement?

 

1. Wilson Contreras, Chicago Cubs

Contreras’ name is on just about every “Top Trade Pieces” list, including one by Bleacher Report.

And it makes sense.

So far this season, Contreras is slashing .274/.392/.498, with a career-high 4.1 WAR.

By comparison, Maile’s WAR is 0.0, and Hedges’ is somehow worse: minus-.20.

Even more impressive, Contreras has mashed 21 homers on the season, over four times as many as Hedges.

With that number, Contreras would also have the most on Cleveland (61 total HRs), as José Ramirez currently leads the team with 16.

Contreras is a legit star at the position, rated as the second-best catcher in baseball this season by FanGraphs.

Since June 22, when the Guardians’ recent struggles began, Contreras is batting .271 with eight RBIs.

Imagine if those eight RBIs came in Cleveland’s latest skid — it very well could have been the difference in the team’s few tight losses.

At this point, I’m not sure whether the Guardians’ players or fans need an off day more 😂 #ForTheLand

— Christian Zylstra (@Chizzy_CMZ) July 6, 2022

But Chicago knows what it has in Contreras, so a deal for the catcher is going to require Cleveland to fork over major compensation.

Is Contreras worth it?

Depends on what you think of Bryan Lavastida, the team’s current catcher heir-apparent.

In 12 at-bats this season, Lavastida struggled to make an impact, batting just .083 with one hit and four strikeouts.

It’s possible with a little more time to develop, Lavastida will enter the pros ready to contribute day-to-day.

But if Cleveland wants to bring in a legit veteran presence to help with this season and next, Contreras would be a promising addition.

 

2. Daulton Varsho, Arizona Diamondbacks

The Guardians need a catcher.

Unfortunately, every team that JT Realmuto and Will Smith don’t play for also needs a catcher.

But one team to keep an eye on is Arizona.

The Diamondbacks are “leaning sellers” ahead of the August trade deadline, according to The Athletic.

And while Daulton Varsho isn’t one of the “veterans” that Arizona might be looking to part ways with, Cleveland should at least give the D-Backs a phone call.

Varsho is batting .247 with 41 RBIs this season.

Further, he’s just 26 years old, meaning the Guardians could add another long-term piece to their strong core.

One factor that will go into this decision is how Cleveland feels about Bo Naylor.

Good morning!

Things can’t possibly get worse than they already are, so time to be positive.

Let’s get a win this afternoon to avoid the sweep! #Fortheland

— 216 Baseball Podcast (@216BaseballPod) July 6, 2022

Naylor is currently Cleveland’s no. 2 catching prospect, who was recently promoted to Triple-A with a .282 average this season.

If Naylor (and not Lavistida) is the guy of the future, then the Guardians may not need a young talent like Varsho.

But if Naylor’s the guy, that also means Bryan Lavistida could be a potential piece in a summer trade, given how catchers (and catching prospects) are premium players.

    Get ALL the latest Cleveland sports news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cleveland daily newsletter here!    

Filed Under: Cleveland Guardians Rumors And News (Updated Daily) Tagged With: cleveland guardians

Reader Interactions

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Cleveland Guardians News

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

Top Guardians Prospect Falls In Latest Rankings

7 months ago

Andres Gimenez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians (center) is congratulated by teammates after he hit a grand slam home run against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 29, 2022 in Oakland, California

What To Watch For As The Guardians Face Tough Schedule Stretch

7 months ago

baseball on field

Does The MLB Owe The Guardians An Apology?

8 months ago

Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians watches from the dugout during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field on May 19, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Guardians Rated Highly In Latest Power Rankings By MLB Insiders

8 months ago

Emmanuel Clase #48 and Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate after the final out of their MLB game victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 14, 2022 in Toronto, Canada.

What’s Behind The Guardians’ Recent Winning Streak?

8 months ago

Andres Gimenez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians (center) is congratulated by teammates after he hit a grand slam home run against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 29, 2022 in Oakland, California

Report: Guardians Unlikely To Be Big Spenders This Winter

8 months ago

Austin Hedges #17 celebrates with teammate Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians after beating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

3 Surprising Guardians Stats With 50 Games Left

8 months ago

Luke Maile #12 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly to defeat the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field on June 10, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Athletics 3-2.

MLB Insider "Sells" Deep Guardians Playoff Run

8 months ago

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

Fans React To Guardians Moving To First In The Division

8 months ago

Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Guardians singles off Lucas Giolito of the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning at Progressive Field on July 13, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The White Sox defeated the Guardians 2-1.

What's Next After Franmil Reyes DFA?

8 months ago

Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Progressive Field on August 03, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Could Shane Bieber Be On The Move This Winter?

8 months ago

Outfielders Alex Call #65 Myles Straw #7 and Nolan Jones #33 of the Cleveland Guardians run in after the Guardians defeated the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on July 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Tigers 10-0.

Solving The Guardians' Logjam At Right Field

8 months ago

baseball on field

Report: Guardians Pursuit Of Deadline Target Fell Apart Over Prospects

8 months ago

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

What Is The Guardians Outlook After A Quiet Trade Deadline?

8 months ago

Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals looks on during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 06, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Is Daniel Espino Too High A Price For Juan Soto?

8 months ago

Alex Call #65 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 31, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida.

Fans React To Guardians Win Versus Rays

8 months ago

Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians flips his bat after hitting a RBI single in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox during game one of a doubleheader at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

How Josh Naylor’s Injury Affects Guardians’ Trade Deadline Plans

8 months ago

Sean Murphy #12 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Houston Astros at RingCentral Coliseum on July 10, 2022 in Oakland, California.

Report: Oakland's Sean Murphy A Guardians "Top Target"

8 months ago

Austin Hedges #17 celebrates with teammate Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians after beating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

What To Watch For In Guardians Series Versus Rays

8 months ago

Starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field on June 14, 2022 in Denver, Colorado.

What Is Shane Bieber's Value?

8 months ago

Pitcher Logan Allen #54 of the Cleveland Indians throws in the bullpen during summer workouts at Progressive Field on July 06, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio.

2 Bullpen Targets For Guardians At Trade Deadline

8 months ago

Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs smiles during the 92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Guardians Among "Most Likely" Trade Destinations For Cubs' Contreras

8 months ago

Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 06, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan.

What Is Shane Bieber's Future In Cleveland?

8 months ago

Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox slides home to score in the fifth inning against Luke Maile #12 of the Cleveland Guardians during game two of a double header at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

Fans React To Guardians Doubleheader Versus White Sox

8 months ago

Primary Sidebar

Search Cleveland Daily

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms And Conditions

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - ClevelandDaily.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Indians or Major League Baseball.