I think they simply valued the defense over the bat. As long as we are healthy when the playoffs start our offense is fine. With a historically good staff they went to get the gold glove catcher to complete it. Personally I love this deal
That does make sense, I can certainly get behind that line of thinking. But do you see Maldonado making an impact in the playoffs? Is he strictly insurance if McCann can't come back fully healthy? This could have just been the front office saying that they have no faith in Stassi to play in this season's playoffs, which I wouldn't necessarily disagree with.
If Maldonado can call a good game and keep the hitters off-balance, in addition to his strong arm, this will be a good trade.
I'm not sure how much more, but yes a player who has been significantly better over the last 3 seasons would cost more.
It is about value. There is nothing more valuable at C than pitch framing, stopping the run game and in general providing confidence to the pitchers and infield you have a guy who knows what he is doing, knows what he is calling. Ramos will give you an OK bat, but he will cost more to resign and doesn't provide the necessary defensive confidence. And if his bat falters next season like it did the last, you're kicking yourself. I see Maldonado as the better value given the Astros strengths and someone who can play for years to come at a doable price.
For those who need some proof of what this guy can do. BTW all my Angel fam loved what he did behind the plate. They like the return too.
This is why I'm underwhelmed by the trade. But getting a GG catcher is an upgrade over Stassi. I'm looking at Maldonado as McCann insurance. Hopefully McCann will be fresh and ready to go in the playoff, since he hasn't been catching 100 games or so going into the playoffs. I really wanted Ramos though. What's Maldonado's contract status?
Coming off of a pretty serious injury? A leg injury for a catcher adds a lot uncertainty. Also, most of the league passed on Ramos this offseason (again due to the uncertainty of how he would return from an injury). Maybe you'd have to thrown in another lottery ticket arm, but I don't think Ramos would cost you terribly more.
Maldonado will be a free agent. His pitch framing has not been good this year but has been exceptional in the past. Hopefully he has renewed focus going an elite team. His power is positive, just really doesn’t hit well enough.
I did notice that he hits LHP well. If McCann comes back healthy this would make for a great platoon situation. Since I wanted a vet catcher going into the playoffs because nobody knows if McCann is going to be healthy, I think this is a good, not great trade. GG catchers that hit .284 against LHP dont fall off of trees.
Agreed, I know very little about Sandoval except he's had a good year. It appears to me he has avg stuff. Has Jake avg .284 against LHP?
I want a vet like Maldonado behind the plate in the playoffs if McCann isn't healthy. Have you seen Verlander/McCullers/Morton dressing Stassi down lately. I will bet you from this point forward McCullers starts pitching better with Maldonado behind the plate.
FWIW, mot of McCullers's recent starts have been caught by Federowicz. So although Stassi had nothing to do with his actual performance, maybe McCullers told Hinch he was not comfortable with Stassi catching him? And until Stassi caught Cole's previous start in Colorado, it was usually Stassi catching Verlander, Keuchel, and Morton, and Federowicz catching McCullers and Cole.
I'm sure as hell glad I don't have to watch Fedo try to catch him anymore. All caveats apply, but McCullers ERA and starts by catcher: McCann 2.93 (12), Fedo 5.60 (3), Stassi 6.32 (5)
