5 Free agent catchers the Cardinals should check out

Omar Narvaez should bring All-Star credentials to the Cardinals

Narvaez played in 84 games with the Brewers in 2022 after having an All-Star appearance in 2021. While he didn’t play as much in 2022, Narvaez has the talent to be an All-Star, Gold Glove-caliber talent the Cardinals need.

Narvaez slashed .206/.292/.305 with an OPS of .597. He had 12 doubles, one triple, and four home runs. He scored 21 runs and 23 RBI. But for his career, he’s hit .258 with 51 home runs in 600 games.

After stints with the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, and Milwaukee Brewers, the 31-year-old Narvaez should be looking forward to some stability he could get from the Cardinals by leading a talented pitching group

Austin Barnes’ talent and experience should benefit the Cardinals

In 62 games with the Dodgers, Austin Barnes has been a role-playing catcher. He’s spent eight seasons with the Dodgers, who seem to be set with Will Smith as their everyday catcher, meaning free-agent-to-be Barnes can take his talents elsewhere.

Thanks to his time in Los Angeles, Barnes has experience leading some excellent pitchers. He could successfully bring that experience to St. Louis.

In 2022, the 32-year-old catcher slashed .212/.234/.380 with an OPS of .708, six doubles, eight home runs, 31 runs scored, and 26 RBI. Defensively, Barnes has 32 defensive runs saved over his career as a catcher, including three in 2022.

Barnes would be an exciting pairing with Knizner and Herrera.