House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves Catching: Four Trade Targets

By Fred Owens

Sep 7, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Catchers mask and glove sits in dugout before the game between the Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Catchers mask and glove sits in dugout before the game between the Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 16, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Derek Norris (3) at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Derek Norris (3) at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Derek Norris

The Padres want to make room for former top 25 prospect Austin Hedges and Hector Sanchez to become their catching tandem.  The also have former Brave Christian Bethancourt whom they plan to carry as a third catcher, fourth outfielder and bullpen arm.  Norris was beset with niggling injuries and had an awful year at the plate but caught in 114 games and hit 14 home runs.

In the three years prior to 2016 he posted a .256/.333/.405/.738 .738 line with home run totals of 9, 10 and 14. Stat corner ranked Norris 15th in framing this season, while Fangraphs ranked him 38th and Inside Edge had him at #30.

Norris will be 28 in February and is arbitration eligible in 2017 with a small bump from his 2.925M pay this year. The Padres need everything and we should be able to obtain him without a huge package of players heading to San Diego.

Sep 29, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Tom Murphy (23) throws out San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (not pictured) during the third inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Tom Murphy (23) throws out San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (not pictured) during the third inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

Tom Murphy

Tom Murphy is one of three catchers competing for the Rockies starting job next spring. Baseball America ($) ranked him Baseball’s #97 prospect after 2015 saying:

"Murphy could be a difference-maker on both sides of the ball. He generates plus power–particularly to his pull side–with a short uppercut swing that makes him a home-run threat whenever he steps to the plate . .  (and) he has more than enough bat. . . threw out 39 percent of base stealers . . . controlling the running game with a strong and accurate arm and quick release. He has above-average receiving and blocking skills and has shown he can handle a pitching staff. Scouts rave about his makeup. Murphy has a high floor and projects to be an everyday catcher with power. . ."

Murphy continued to hit and catch well this year posting a .327/.361/.647/.1008 line at Albuquerque and a .273/.347/.659/1.006 line with the Rockies in just 50PA.  He is currently MLBPipeline’s number ten catching prospect and the Rockies number ten prospect. Why would they trade him? The Rockies also have Tony Wolters and Dustin Garneau in their system and seemed to prefer shortstop turned catcher Wolters.

Conveniently the Rockies are actively seeking bullpen help according to GM Jeff Bridich a Denver Post story.

"“I’m not sure yet. I think that we are going to do everything that we need to do in the offseason to see if there are ways to making us better in the ‘pen.”"

I’d suggest that Arodys Vizcaino might be a nice centerpiece in a deal for Murphy.

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