Washington Nationals: 5 possible replacements for Matt Wieters

Washington Nationals catcher Matt Wieters may not play again this year after undergoing hamstring surgery on Wednesday. Here are five possible replacements.

The Washington Nationals have always been a bit snakebit behind the plate. Catcher is a gruesome position, which nobody knows better than the Nats.

Jesus Flores began the decade as the Nats’ catcher, but suffered a few significant shoulder injuries, derailing his career. Then, Wilson Ramos took over and tore his ACL twice. Now, Matt Wieters, Ramos’ replacement, has suffered a significant hamstring injury.

Last week, when the Nats were visiting the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wieters jogged to first after singling into center field and called for the trainer. He did not take an awkward step and walked off the field under his own power, but something was clearly wrong.

After the game, Dave Martinez said that Wieters felt something grab in his left hamstring and knee, and he would receive an MRI once the swelling subsided.

Now, the Washington Nationals have announced that Wieters underwent hamstring surgery. However, they would not give a timetable for his return.

Hamstring surgery typically signals a significant tear, which would likely result in Wieters missing the remainder of the 2018 season. It is never good to speculate, but it appears unlikely that he will return this year.

In Wieters’ absence, Pedro Severino will become the Washington Nationals primary catcher. The 24-year-old backstop has impressed early in 2018, slashing .274/.386/.356 in 25 games. His elite defense and energy have also allowed him to quickly become a clubhouse favorite.

There is little doubt that Severino can handle the role, but the Nats lack a proven backup.

Spencer Kieboom is currently on the roster after hitting .324 in 26 games this spring but has yet to receive a major league at-bat. He could be the answer, but he has not yet received an opportunity to prove himself.

The Nats also have veteran Tuffy Gosewisch in Triple-A. The 34-year-old is a career .190 hitter but is hitting .283 in 17 games for the Syracuse Chiefs. Look for him to receive an opportunity if Kieboom struggles possibly.

Finally, the Nats have Raudy Read, who is almost major league-ready. Unfortunately, he is currently serving an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

In all likelihood, the Nats will be in the market for someone to at least split time with Severino. Without further ado, let’s take a look at five possible fits.

Wilson Ramos

A longtime fan favorite in DC, Ramos is a prime candidate to return to the nation’s capital. “The Buffalo” slashed .268/.313/.430 in seven seasons with the Nats and has continued to rake since signing with the Tampa Bay Rays.

In 32 games, Ramos has slashed .289/.333/.430 with four homers, including a 13-game hitting streak. His .289 average is also best among American League catchers.

A major concern with Ramos, though, is his health. He tore his ACL twice while with the Nats, making the AL a better fit. He has caught in 30 of his 32 games, but he can serve as the Rays’ designated hitter if he wears down as the season progresses. The Nats would not have this luxury.

While Ramos could not DH with the Nats, he could receive additional days off. Severino has established himself as a solid starting catcher but has never played more than 98 games in a season as a professional.

Due to Ramos’ injury history and Severino’s inexperience, both catchers could benefit from a platoon. Because they are both capable of starting, it would be relatively easy for Dave Martinez to give each catcher the necessary days off to stay healthy and productive.

Despite Ramos’ hot start, he is likely to wind up on the trade block. He is in the final year of his contract, and the Rays are not in a position to contend. Tampa Bay figures to sell at the deadline, with Ramos, Chris Archer, and Alex Colome, among others, possibly being dealt.

It appeared that we had seen the last of Ramos donning the Curly W, but that may not be the case.

Blake Swihart

As a former first-round draft pick, Blake Swihart has always been a big part of the Boston Red Sox‘s plans. At least, he was until now. Christian Vazquez and Sandy Leon have received the bulk of the playing time behind the plate this year, leaving Swihart as the odd man out.

Swihart has hardly seen the field, receiving just 29 at-bats in the team’s first 43 games. Because of this, his agent has now requested a trade.

The Red Sox do not have a ton of leverage in trade talks, but they can boast about Swihart’s offensive potential and defensive versatility. He has hit just .138 this year, but it is difficult to perform without regular playing time.

This winter, Swihart slashed .407/.515/.481 in the Dominican Winter League and crushed three homers in spring training. These are not eye-popping stats, considering they are not for the major league regular season, but they are encouraging. Scouts raved about his offensive skillset during his ascension through the minors, which is still there somewhere.

Perhaps Kevin Long, one of the most respected hitting coaches in the league, could help Swihart rediscover his swing.

Swihart also provides impressive defensive versatility. He is a natural catcher but has also played left field, first base, and third base in the majors. Furthermore, Alex Cora has asked Swihart to take grounders at second base this year. He is exceptionally athletic, especially for a catcher, which makes him a valuable defender.

For the Nats, who are among the most injury-plagued teams in the league, Swihart’s versatility could prove to be an enormous asset.

Finally, Swihart is signed through 2022 and comes relatively cheap. The Nats do not have many catchers capable of backing up Severino long-term, but Swihart could fill the role. He is also owed just $563,500 this year, which would be a welcome addition to the Nats’ high payroll.

A former top-20 prospect, Swihart is oozing in potential. Injuries have held him back in Boston, but a change of scenery could turn the tide.

Jonathan Lucroy

After remaining unsigned into mid-March, Jonathan Lucroy has gotten off to a phenomenal start with the Oakland Athletics. In 34 games, the veteran backstop has slashed .284/.352/.379.

Lucroy was an All-Star-caliber catcher throughout his seven-year tenure in Milwaukee, but his numbers fell off upon his departure. He struggled in Texas and Colorado over the last two seasons, despite playing in two extremely hitter-friendly ballparks.

Now, with Oakland, Lucroy has returned to form. The A’s were in need of a reliable veteran behind the plate after parting ways with Stephen Vogt last year, and Lucroy has given them just that.

With Lucroy in tow, the A’s have gotten off to an impressive start. They are hovering around .500 and exceeding expectations. However, they play in one of the most difficult divisions in the league and currently find themselves in fourth place.

The A’s could remain in contention for the second Wild Card if they continue to hover around .500, but that is unlikely. Billy Beane loves to make trades, and he will be doing a lot of that this summer. Add in Beane’s history of making trades with Mike Rizzo, and the two appear destined to swing another deal this summer.

Khris Davis is the biggest name that could be dealt, but Lucroy could be on the move as well.

If the Nats were to acquire Lucroy, they would be getting a veteran leader in the clubhouse and a mentor for Severino. Severino has impressed, but he is still just 24 years old. He keeps a notebook of stuff to remember in an effort to learn as much as possible, and he could benefit greatly from working alongside Lucroy.

The Nats were reportedly interested in Lucroy this offseason and could finally bring him to DC via a mid-summer trade.

Yasmani Grandal

After falling just short of a World Series title a year ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers entered 2018 as the National League favorite to return to the Fall Classic. However, things have not gone as planned. The Dodgers currently find themselves 10 games under .500 and in the NL West cellar.

If the Dodgers are not able to turn things around quickly, they could presumably sell at the trade deadline. They would not tear everything down since they are an immensely talented bunch, but they could make a few trades.

Even if the Dodgers opt against selling at the deadline, Yasmani Grandal could be on the move. They are currently carrying three catchers, making Grandal expendable. He is also in a contract year, which makes him a trade candidate in itself.

Grandal’s name was reportedly floated in trade talks this offseason, but he ultimately remained in Los Angeles. The Dodgers are thrilled that they held onto him, as he has hit .278 with seven homers in 38 games.

Justin Turner and Corey Seager have each missed significant time early in 2018, but Grandal has provided some production in the heart of the lineup.

While Grandal has gotten off to a hot start, Austin Barnes is the Dodgers’ catcher of the future. Because of this, there is not much of a role for Grandal moving forward. Add in the fact that he is in a contract year, and it becomes very likely that he is dealt this summer.

If the Dodgers are going to trade Grandal, they would be smart to do it sooner rather than later. He has been outstanding, but his hot start may not be sustainable.

Grandal hit just .247 last year, which was his highest batting average since 2012. He has always hit for power, but his high average is almost certain to regress. The Dodgers would be wise to sell high on their veteran backstop.

If the Nats were to acquire Grandal, he and Severino could form a natural platoon. Grandal is a switch hitter, but he fares better against right-handed pitchers. Meanwhile, Severino is a right-handed hitter and fares better against left-handed pitchers.

Severino should continue to receive regular playing time, but a platoon could benefit both catchers. Acquiring Grandal would also give the Nats more depth in case he or Severino suffers an injury.

The Washington Nationals catching depth seemingly grows thinner by the week, but bringing in Grandal would replenish it quite a bit.