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Finding a backup catcher
Earlier this offseason the Pittsburgh Pirates signed multi-time Gold Glove Award winner Roberto Pérez to a one-year contract to be the team’s primary catcher this season. This came after they traded defending National League Gold Glove Award winner Jacob Stallings to the Miami Marlins.
Even with Pérez in the fold the Pirates still found themselves in need of a second catcher. Right now Pérez is the only catcher on the team’s 40-man roster. Adding to the team’s need for a second catcher is Pérez’s history. He caught 119 games in 2019 with Cleveland. Outside of 2019 Pérez has never appeared in more than 73 games in a season.
Originally it appeared that the Pirates would be able to turn to the Rule 5 Draft to add a backup catcher. Especially with it being a strong Rule 5 catcher class. Well, part of the new CBA was the cancellation of the Rule 5 Draft. The Pirates must now go a different route to fill their hole at backup catcher.
Ben Cherington could turn to the free agent market to find a backup catcher. He could look to the trade market, or monitor the waiver wires in the coming days/weeks as plenty of players are set to be designated for assignment as roster additions are made. Regardless of the route that is taken, Cherington and the Pirates still need a backup catcher.