Cardinals' Rumors: Options to fill in during Yadier Molina absence

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Oct 9, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina behind the plate in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs in game one of the NLDS at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals have a big problem with Yadier Molina having thumb surgery again today. How will the team react to this?

Earlier today, news broke out that the St. Louis Cardinals‘ best catcher of all time Yadier Molina was going to be out through the majority of the spring training. This scares me, we could be looking at this creeping into the regular season. So, my mind has been at work thinking about what the team could possibly do to make the injury/recovery hurt less.

I am not sure the team will necessarily look to go outside the organization to acquire a second backup catcher, but this is a possibility. With the loss of Jason Heyward the club does have payroll flexibility to entice a catcher to come over on a potential short term basis.

There’s not really a catcher that is ready down in the minor leagues with the release of Ed Easley and loss of Cody Stanley to suspension and release. So, naturally there is a spot available for the Cardinals to grab a guy and sign him to a low level deal. There really is only one guy in the organization, who is somewhat ready to be a serviceable MLB backup and that is Mike Ohlman and he is not that impressive really.

So, let’s take a look at who could be potentially available for the Cardinals to grab in free agency to be the backup to the backup and what we could expect out of backup Brayan Pena on a more regular basis if it comes to that.

Next: Wilin Rosario

Jul 3, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Wilin Rosario (20) hits a two RBI double in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Wilin Rosario

I will admit that this is my favorite of the bunch. While Rosario has been playing in hitter friendly Colorado for all of his career, he has put up some decent numbers in his career. Through five big league seasons Rosario has a slash of .273/.306/.473 with 71 career homers. His numbers have been on the decline since his breakout 2012 campaign when he slugged 28 homers and hit .292 the very next year.

In 87 games played last season, Rosario had his lowest “full season” OPS+ at just 79. Rosario would have likely had two more years left with the Rockies had he not been put on waivers late last month, instead of joining AAA Albuquerque after clearing waivers.

The problem with Rosario? His defense at the catcher position is atrocious and that is not what the Cardinals need, despite his very reduced playing time. Last year, Rosario only logged 17.1 innings at the position and spent the majority of his season at first base. Though the intrigue there is that Rosario could give the Cardinals a right handed option at first base sticking on the roster as a third catcher and option at first base.

If the Cardinals are looking for a guy they could potentially right into a very valuable bench option and possible candidate to help the first base problem, then Rosario very well could be the guy. However, the 45 pass balls he has in his career would likely not be a fit for the Cardinals, unless their really desperate.

Next: Michael McKenry

Jun 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Michael McKenry (8) holds onto the ball for an out after a collision with third baseman Nolan Arenado (not pictured) in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Michael McKenry

Here we have one of the other Rockies backstops from last year. McKenry has been largely unimpressive offensively for most of his career, however he has a few seasons that I would like to point out that could potentially help the Cardinals.

Looking at his career numbers of .239/.319/.407 doesn’t strike you as inspiring. But, remember we are looking for a backup to a backup here. Not looking for a starter or a guy who is going to get a whole lot of playing time. What is intriguing to me is some of McKenry’s seasons are actually impressive.

For example, looking at his 26 extra base-hits in 2012 for the Pirates in 88 games shows that he could potentially have a little bit of pop in his bat off of the bench. He also had an impressive 140 wRC+ in 2014 with the Rockies in 57 games, which was probably likely due to his .381 BABIP that year.

The wildcard with McKenry is his defense. It is much better than Rosario’s defense as he has only allowed 10 passed balls in his entire major league career and is actually worth 10.2 runs above average on defense for his career and 5.6 RPP (Catcher Blocked Pitches in runs above average). So, he would be at least serviceable defensively, which is all the Cardinals could really ask for from a player of his stature.

McKenry is also accustomed to being a catcher in-transit, as he has spent time in the minors the past few years. McKenry’s offense and defense could be worth a look if Yadier Molina is in fact unavailable by spring training.

Next: Jordan Pacheco

May 17, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jordan Pacheco (31) and manager Chip Hale (3) and relief pitcher Randall Delgado (48) talk on the mound during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Pacheco

Pacheco is another former Rockies’ catcher. Although Pacheco has made his way away from the Rockies and has spent the past season and a half with the Diamondbacks. Pacheco at first glance looks like a one tool player whose tool isn’t that great.

In 2015 he only managed to hit .242 in 29 games with the big league team, but did manage to get on base at a .333 clip, which is a respectable number for a backup catcher. Where Pacheco differs from the other two is that he simply does not have much power as he has not had more than five homers since hitting 13 in 2009 with the A Rockies team.

Like Rosario, Pacheco simply does not offer much defensively at catcher. However, Pacheco is far more versatile than either of the other two, seeing time at second, first, third, and left field in his career. Like McKenry, Pacheco has seen time back and forth between minor league teams in his career, so he could be someone who is looking for a better team to do so with.

While I like Rosario and Pacheco’s versatility, their lack of consistency at the plate does not help. I think that the best of the three options is actually McKenry, despite my interest in Rosario’s power, McKenry has the best bat of the three in my opinion and the without a doubt the best defense, which is just as important.

Next: What can we expect from Brayan Pena?

Aug 28, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Adam Lind (24) hits a single in the sixth inning as Cincinnati Reds catcher Brayan Pena (29) watches at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

What can we expect from Brayan Pena in an extended role?

Molina is not going to be available for most of spring training, so that makes Brayan Pena’s role much larger than originally intended when the team signed him earlier this offseason. So, in an expanded role, what can we expect from Pena?

Cardinals’ Rumors: Options to fill in during Yadier Molina absence

The St. Louis Cardinals have a big problem with Yadier Molina having thumb surgery again today. How will the team react to this?

Wilin Rosario

Michael McKenry

Jordan Pacheco

What can we expect from Brayan Pena in an extended role?

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