Pirates Trade Rumors: Is Michael McKenry Out in Colorado?

Feb 26, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Michael McKenry poses during photo day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates trade rumors are in full swing as the Bucs are on the hunt for a catcher.  We wanted in on the action, so we immediately looked to the recently departed, Michael McKenry who is having a respectable spring for the Colorado Rockies.  The Fort has five hits in 20 meaningless spring at-bats.  He has three doubles and a home run for a triple slash of .250/.286/.550.    The question is why wouldn’t McKenry make the Rox roster?

Well take a look for yourself.  The question can be answered when you look at the talented bunch of catchers putting up some rather impressive meaningless spring plate appearances.

Ryan Casteel has a .364/.417/.818 and a sparkling 1.235 OPS in just 11 at-bats.  But still, Casteel seems unlikely to be the guy.

Willin Rosario has a .360/.417/.818, but we don’t think he will get the call.

Lehigh grad Matt McBride has a .345/.424/.483 for a .907 OPS in the most impressive work of the bunch.  The former Indians backstop is having a helluva spring and the Rockies seem to like him since they picked him up in the Ubaldo Jimenez deal in 2011.

Jackson Williams has an impressive triple slash and a .940 OPS.  But is organizational depth.

So the Rockies are seeing McKenry do some fine work, but reports say he has an uphill battle to make the ballclub.  If anyone can work to make a roster, we would vote on McKenry, he’s a workout machine.  While we think other options would be wise, we also know The Fort was a popular player in Pittsburgh, seemed to have a connection with the Pirates staff and the front office.

His familiarity with nearly every pitcher on the staff might be enough for him to get a shot back in the Burgh.  We don’t know whether to be happy or grab all those discount McKenry shersies at Gabriel Brothers.