
Willson Contreras ( Cubs), Carson Kelly ( Diamondbacks), Gary Sánchez ( Yankees), and Jacob Stallings ( Pirates) could all be available, with Contreras and Sánchez most likely to move, I'd say.
#Buster posey retires free
1 free agent catcher by a significant margin and Detroit recognized that, so they sent the Reds a prospect and will exercise Barnhart's reasonable $7.5 million club option for 2022.Įven with Barnhart already moved, the catcher trade market is much more promising than the catcher free agent market. They're unlikely to be happy with what's available, however.Īlready one potential catcher trade target is off the board: Tucker Barnhart was dealt from the Reds to the Tigers on Wednesday. So yes, the Giants could look to free agency to replace Posey. Gomes and Piña are clearly the best of the best. Like I said, it's a very weak free agent catching class. Other free agent catchers include Robinson Chirinos, Sandy León, Wilson Ramos, Austin Romine, Chance Sisco, and Kurt Suzuki. His defense is slipping a bit and the more he plays, the more he gets exposed, but the 34-year-old Gomes is still a viable major league catcher. 252/.301/.421 with 14 home runs between the Nationals and Athletics this season. The only other free agent catcher this offseason with a chance to catch somewhat regularly next season is Yan Gomes, who hit. Anderson ranked only one catcher among his top 50 free agents, and he was No. The problem? This offseason's free agent catcher class is incredibly weak.

The Giants could give Bart an extended look (extended as in 2-3 years), and if it doesn't pan out, Bailey's coming and would give the club another shot at a long-term backstop.ĭiving into free agency to replace Posey is always a possibility and it might be the smart move. hit 322/.415/.531 in Single-A this season and is a few years away from the big leagues. It should be noted the Giants have another top catching prospect in Patrick Bailey, the No. It's risky, the jump from Triple-A to everyday big league catcher is enormous, but Bart is very talented and should be able to handle it defensively at a minimum. Turning the catching reins over to Bart and pairing him with a veteran backup next season - incumbent backup Curt Casali can remain under team control as an arbitration-eligible player in 2022 - is sensible. He moves well for a big catcher and San Francisco pitchers praised his game-calling ability and leadership. He has worked hard on his defense and has become a quality receiver who blocks balls well and displays a strong, accurate arm. Bart has progressed from a high schooler with questions as to whether he could stay behind the plate to a potential Gold Glover. Here's a snippet of their scouting report:īart's bat speed, strength and the leverage in his 6-foot-2 frame give him well above-average raw pop, more than most catchers possess. He's done all he needs to do at the highest level of the minors. 295/.358/.472 with 10 home runs in 67 Triple-A games this season and has appeared in 35 games with San Francisco the last two years. They have a top catching prospect knocking on the in Joey Bart, the No. Here are the club's options to replace Posey on the eve of his retirement announcement.Īll things considered, the Giants are in good shape to replace Posey internally. They're unlikely to replace him with a bona fide middle of the order producer because catchers who hit like that are rare, but they don't want to replace him with a journeyman backup type either. That said, the Giants do now have to replace Posey. Catchers his age usually turn into pumpkins. This was a best case scenario kind of season, and Posey would have gone into next year with more miles on his body and innings on his knees.

Replacing that level of production will be damn near impossible, and truth be told, expecting Posey to perform like he did in 2021 again in 2022 would have been foolish. Posey played so well this year that the Steamer projection system pegged him as the fourth best catcher in baseball going into 2022:

304/.390/.499 batting line with 18 home runs during his resurgent 2021 season, when he led the Giants to 107 wins and the NL West title. The 34-year-old Posey certainly did not limp to the finish. Posey was the best all-around catcher of his generation, and when the time comes, he will receive serious Hall of Fame consideration.
#Buster posey retires series
On Thursday, San Francisco Giants icon Buster Posey announced his retirement following 12 big league seasons, three World Series championships, seven All-Star Game selections, and one Most Valuable Player award.
