Cincinnati Reds 2016-2017 Top 5 Offseason Priorities

Catching

The Reds selected Devin Mesoraco 15th overall in the 2007 draft, and when he exploded in 2014 for 25 home runs and an .893 OPS, the Reds were certain that they had found their catcher of the future. He was only 26 and heading into the prime of his career. Since then, Mesoraco has totaled 106 plate appearances in the major leagues due to two significant hip surgeries. He’s been worked in the outfield some in between the 2015 and 2016 seasons, but the team remains hopeful that he could return to catching in early spring training and possibly be ready for opening day 2017.

After two seasons of major injuries, Mesoraco should not be assumed healthy for sure. Tucker Barnhart showed to be a very capable backup, but the team was very short behind him as Ramon Cabrera and Rafael Lopez were supposed to be defense-first guys with light sticks, and their offense was as advertised without the defense.

This year is a solid season to be looking for a catcher with a deep market of guys available, especially veteran guys who could add some leadership behind the plate as well as solid play. A guy like Alex Avila, Kurt Suzuki, or Dioner Navarro may not scream “big signing” to Reds fans, but they would go a significant way to helping with a young pitching staff by providing veteran leadership behind the plate if Mesoraco is not able to be there for 2017, which is probably more likely than not, sadly.

Next: Prospects