Jacob Stallings, C
Jacob Stallings would be a solid trade chip for a team looking to make a run into the playoffs lacking experience or healthy starters at the catcher position. Stallings is 31 years old and in his 6th major league season.
Stallings, drafted in the 7th round of the 2012 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, has primarily been a backup or fill-in catcher for the organization prior to the 2021 season. This season, however, he took over the helm as the starting catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Through 128 plate appearances this year, Stallings has already outperformed his 2020 cumulative statistics or will, shortly. He has performed solidly and has amassed a 1.5 WAR which is pretty good for Stallings. He is a serviceable catcher who could be a short-term fill-in plus a solid backup. He could also start for some teams where the catcher is a glaring weakness.
Stallings will not be a superstar behind the plate but he will not lose the game for teams either. In his six major league seasons, 2021 is the first season with Stallings being the primary catcher for his team and he has shown he can perform as the number one catcher. A team like the Mets, suffering a myriad of injuries, could look to a player like Stallings as a stop-gap while they make a race towards the playoffs. Stallings would not cost much, making him an intriguing trade chip.