Pittsburgh Pirates Should Add Recently DFA’d Catcher

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 04: Pedro Severino #28 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws out a runner during the game against the Chicago Cubs at American Family Field on July 04, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 04: Pedro Severino #28 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws out a runner during the game against the Chicago Cubs at American Family Field on July 04, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /
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On Wednesday, a NL Central foe designated a catcher for assignment. The Pittsburgh Pirates should look to add him to boost their catching situation.

Prior to their game at PNC Park on Wednesday the Milwaukee Brewers designated two players for assignment. One of these two players was catcher Pedro Severino. Now, the Pittsburgh Pirates should look to pounce on Severino.

The catching situation of the Pittsburgh Pirates is not a pretty one. Right now the team’s catching duo is Tyler Heineman and Jason Delay. However, Heineman exited Wednesday night’s victory after coming up limp while running out a ground ball.

It is possible that Heineman could be hurt and land on the injured list. Even if this is not the case, the Pittsburgh Pirates should look to add the recently DFA’d Severino. Regardless of Heineman’s health, Severino would improve the Pirate catching situation.

Severino saw limited MLB time this season after beginning the season suspended due to testing positive for a banned substance. In eight MLB game and 21 plate appearances, Severino hit for a .222/.333/.333 slash line to go with a 92 wRC+ and a 90 OPS+.

For his career, Severino has 1,241 PAs in 370 games played. Severino has hit for a .235/.306/.371 slash line in his career. He has a career 8.6% walk rate, a manageable 23.4% strikeout rate, an 81 wRC+ and an OPS+ of 81.

Severino would be a huge upgrade over the current catching situation for the Pirates. Especially if Heineman is hurt. The options at Triple-A to replace Heineman are career journeymen Jaimie Ritchie and Taylor Davis, as well as struggling prospect Carter Bins.

Ever since Roberto Pérez suffered a season-ending injury in May the Pirates have been scrambling at catcher. Adding Severino to the fold could help settle things down at the position for the final two months of the 2022 campaign.

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The 29-year-old Severino remains under team control through next season. So, adding him would help the catching situation both now and next season. This would also be beneficial to the Pirates as one of their top offseason needs is going to be figuring out the catching situation for next season. If you have Severino in the fold, you can add another catcher to pair with him and be in decent shape.