Top 3 Free Agent Catchers

The World Series is done, and that can only mean one thing: the free agency season is now upon us in major league baseball. The names of players declaring their free agent status are coming fast and furious and from all corners of MLB. 

For teams who have specific needs, let's break it down and parse through the top names, position by position. We begin behind the plate. 

Willson Contreras

He's the offensive gem of the catching market. His average has dipped a bit in recent seasons, but he still collected an .815 OPS in his walk year, just a tick above his career norm. He also blasted 22 home runs in 113 games, about what you can expect him to deliver on an annual basis. Contreras also brings with him a World Series ring from helping lead the Chicago Cubs to the promised last in 2016. 

He nearly had a chance at another ring this year, as we learned today about a trade that almost went down at the trade deadline.

Christian Vazquez

He provides defense behind the plate and a veteran clubhouse presence for a contender (see: Astros, Houston). His offense is passable too, especially at the catcher position. He's hit above .270 in three of the past four seasons, this year finishing at .274 split between the Boston Red Sox and the Astros, along with nine home runs and 23 doubles in 119 games. 

Gary Sanchez 

He's still only 29, believe it or not. It seems like another lifetime when Sanchez broke onto the scene with the New York Yankees with a monster start to his career in 2016 and 2017, earning Rookie of the Year honors, hitting .285 between those two seasons (yes, really), with 53 home runs across that span. His average has cratered since then, as he hasn't hit above .205 in three years.  

Sanchez can still leave the yard though, launching 40 home runs over the past two seasons. His stay in Minnesota, however, is expected to be over after just one season.

Check out our Top 3 First Basemen on the market here

Top 3 Second Basemen

Top 3 Free Agent Third Basemen: Click Here

Top 3 Non-Aaron Judge Free Agent Outfielders: Click Here


Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports