Cardinals: Trade proposals for rumored catcher targets

Alejandro Kirk

While the Blue Jays could want a variety of things in return for one of their catchers, it appears like their club’s biggest needs would be a left-handed outfield bat or starting pitching. In this trade for Alejandro Kirk, Toronto gets a new switch-hitting center fielder.

This would certainly be a huge trade, but the more you look at it, the more sense it makes for both sides. Dylan Carlson, even after a disappointing 2022 season, just recently turned 24-years old and is already an elite defender in the outfield. With George Springer likely needing to move to a corner outfield position, the Blue Jays would love to get a cost-controlled, switch hitting bat to play center field for them, who still has potential at the plate.

Moises Gomez was one of the breakout stars of the Minor Leagues in 2022, leading all levels with 39 HR on his way to a .955 OPS in the Texas League for AA Springfield. Gomez feels like a Blue Jay, someone with immense power who could fit in at a corner outfield spot or DH, especially with guys like Teoscar Hernandez and Springer getting up in age.

The Cardinals would acquire an All-Star catcher in the form of Kirk, who slashed .285/.372/.415 with 14  HR and 63 RBI while catching in 78 games and DHing in another 51. There is a chance the club could stretch Kirk closer to 90 or 100 games in 2023, but he will not be the kind of catcher who plays 3 out of 4 games behind the plate (but few are in today’s game). Kirk is just 24 as well with 4 years remaining of control, making him extremely valuable.

Losing Carlson would be a tough pill to shallow, but still leaves St. Louis with Jordan Walker, Tyler O’Neill, Lars Nootbaar, Juan Yepez, and Alec Burleson to man the three spots in 2023. Grabbing a starting catcher at the level of Kirk for the next four years is a no-brainer.