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MLB free agency 2017: 5 potential teams for Wilson Ramos

By Joshua Sadlock

Oct 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (40) throws out a ceremonial first pitch before game one of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (40) throws out a ceremonial first pitch before game one of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) prepares to play the Minnesota Twins before the game at Target Field. The Braves win 9-7. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) prepares to play the Minnesota Twins before the game at Target Field. The Braves win 9-7. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

3.Atlanta Braves

It does not appear likely that salty veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski will be back in Atlanta for a third season. The 39-year-old is a free agent and played in only 81 games in 2016 before a season-ending injury. As the rebuilding process continues in Atlanta, the Braves should be seeking a long-term answer at catcher.

Wieters, a native of Goose Creek, South Carolina and a Georgia Tech product, has plenty of familiarity with Atlanta, and is a very logical choice for the Braves to target. The Braves have a stable of young pitching that will help lead them back to contention, and Wieters has a good track record of working with a young staff from his days in Baltimore. Where that reputation comes from, however, is unclear. None of the Orioles top prospects have fully broken through at the next level, and Kevin Gausman has significantly better numbers across the board when throwing to Caleb Joseph. As a pitch framer, Wieters is mediocre at best, and his throwing arm is showing signs of decline.

Ramos is a better option for the Braves, especially if they are looking for more offense from behind the plate. Ramos has the experience of working with some of the best pitchers in the game, like Scherzer and Strasburg, but has also worked with young arms like Joe Ross and Lucas Giolito. Wieters continues to skate by on his pre-draft and minor league reputation as an outstanding defender, and has truly never lived up to the massive hype that surrounded him when he entered the league. Both Ramos and Wieters should receive comparable contracts, but the former Orioles is more likely to fail to live up to his contract. Look for the Braves to wait out the market and pounce on one of the two remaining All-Star catchers.

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