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Hot Stove: Under the radar MLB free agents who could pay off

By Kristen Bentley

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 14: Matt Harvey #32 of the Cincinnati Reds throws the ball against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning on September 14, 2018 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 14: Matt Harvey #32 of the Cincinnati Reds throws the ball against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning on September 14, 2018 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
(Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

With all the talk about the Marlins possibly trading J.T. Realmuto, the free-agent catcher market hasn’t gotten much attention.

There were 20 on the market and all of them are age 30 or older. Three have already been signed including Kurt Suzuki, Brian McCann, and Jeff Mathis. Chris Gimenez was on the list, but he chose to retire and was quickly nabbed by the Dodgers to be a coach.

This leaves several good catchers, but the one that could prove to be a valuable addition is Matt Wieters. He spent the last few seasons with the Nats, but they replaced him with Suzuki. And, after Wieters began his career with the Orioles, it might be time for the 33-year-old to leave the Beltway.

Wieters is coming off of a season where he only played in 76 games, which is a long way off of the three All-Star seasons where he played in over 120 games. Since moving to the Nats, he hasn’t performed up to the standards he set with the O’s. The career .251/.315/.410 hitter managed a weak .230/.303/.355 in the NL.

With the Orioles, Wieters was a fan favorite. He came through in clutch situations and has the honor of being the third Orioles catcher to have a five-hit game. In 2016, he hit two home runs, one while batting from the left, the other while batting from the right. He is also one of the few players in the league to have accepted a Qualifying Offer – he did this in 2015 with the Orioles.

He’s been rather quiet with the Nats and his free agency hasn’t been talked about much. But, Wieters is a capable catcher and hitter. In 2011-2013, he hit over 20 home runs in all three seasons. In 2013, he hit a league-leading 12 sac flies, proving he’s quality teammate between the lines.

He has proven to be a difference maker and with the right team, he could be that guy that surprises everyone. In 2016 with the Orioles, he made $15.8 million, but with the Nats, he earned $10.5 million in 2017 and 2018. With his drop in stats, the right team should be able to get him for less.

Where could he go? Any team that needs a catcher, like the Dodgers, Tigers, Athletics, and Astros. It would be nice to see him go to a team outside of the AL or NL East.

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