Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB Free Agency: The top 30 free agents for 2018-2019

By David Hill

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 26: Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) waves to the fans at Nationals Park after the game against the Miami Marlins was called due to rain. The players returned to the field to throw t-shirts and collectables after the final home game of the 2018 season. (Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 26: Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) waves to the fans at Nationals Park after the game against the Miami Marlins was called due to rain. The players returned to the field to throw t-shirts and collectables after the final home game of the 2018 season. (Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
(Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

11. Yasmani Grandal

When last we saw Yasmani Grandal, he was chasing pitches to the backstop and swinging wildly at everything. It was not the final impression he wanted to make.

However, over the course of the season, Grandal was a different player. A decent defensive backstop, he was one of the better hitting catchers in the game. With a strong arm and solid pitch framing metrics, Grandal can help a team defensively. On offense, the switch hitter has the second most homers for a catcher over the past three seasons. He is certainly a weapon in any aspect of the game.

Those strong numbers continued last year during the regular season. He produced a .241/.349/.466 batting line, hitting 24 homers and 23 doubles. Grandal set a career best with his 72 walks and 121 OPS+, showing that he continues to improve as he moves through his prime.

There are a couple of concerns with Grandal heading into free agency. First, the Dodgers made a Qualifying Offer to their catcher, leading to draft pick compensation. And secondly, how much will his putrid performance, and eventual benching, in the playoffs factor into the minds of decision makers around the game? Grandal does have a history of disappearing in the postseason, with a lifetime .107/.264/.200 batting line over 92 plate appearances. For teams with playoff aspirations, he may not be a player that one can trust in those pressure situations.

Yasmani Grandal should still be a coveted free agent. However, he may not be the player that the acquiring team hopes that they brought in.

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