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What catchers will the Houston Astros seek at the deadline?

By Kyle Cardoza

KANSAS CITY, MO - JULY 07: Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) hits a sacrifice fly during a Major League Baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Royals on July 07, 2018, at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JULY 07: Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) hits a sacrifice fly during a Major League Baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Royals on July 07, 2018, at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Astros
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 17: Wilson Ramos #40 of the Tampa Bay Rays at bat against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium on June 17, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

Wilson Ramos

Ramos is arguably the best hitting catcher in the entire MLB after Realmuto. He has the second-best OPS among backstops with more than 200 at-bats. And he has the second-best average in the league as well.

Moreover, the veteran catcher has been one of the more productive backstops in two of the last three seasons.

The 30-year-old is consistent with his contact, owning a .270 career average. And while he played in Washington for much of his career, he contributed to several winning teams.

Now Ramos seems to be hitting his peak. In 2016, the All-Star posted a strong .307/.354/.496 slash line. His .291/.340/.479 line this season isn’t far from it.

Yet, the catcher is somewhat wasted talent on a team that’s not expected to make the playoffs. Thus, Tampa Bay would likely benefit from dealing the Venezuelan, who is a free agent this offseason.

Ramos reportedly enjoys playing for the Rays, and an extension was supposedly in the works. However, Tampa can ship him elsewhere, like Houston, in exchange for prospects.

Granted, if Ramos goes to the Astros, his willingness to re-sign with them might increase because of their success. Nevertheless, when the Yankees dealt Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs, he re-signed with New York later that year.

Houston would slot Ramos into the leading catcher role. And even though McCann has another year left on his contract, he may retire before then – especially if the Astros win another title.

The seasoned backstop is poised to be the main guy behind the place somewhere in the league. And Houston wants to acquire someone that can become a long-term starter.

Ramos has all the tools to become exactly that.

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