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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 players Rockies should acquire

By Nicholas Ian Allen

May 31, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 23, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Martin Maldonado (12) at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Martin Maldonado (12) at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Martin Maldonado, C, Los Angeles Angels

Wolters isn’t a bad long-term option for the Rockies behind the plate, but an improvement in some key catching metrics could help take the club to the next level in terms of pitching and defense. A player like Angels catcher Martin Maldanado would be a perfect fit for Colorado, and could even help Wolters’ long-term development.

Maldonado is in his seventh season as a major league catcher, though he’s never been a full-timer. The 30-year-old has appeared in just 400 career games – an average of 57 per season from 2011-17, primarily as Jonathan Lucroy’s backup with the Brewers. In 45 games this season (his first with the Angels) Maldonodo is hitting .266/.321/.408 with four home runs and 14 RBI and has tied his personal best with a .729 OPS. Oddly enough, he currently leads the American League in times being hit by a pitch (8) and sacrifice hits (4).

More importantly, Maldonado has always had a strong defensive reputation, but he’s gotten even better this year. According to Baseball Prospectus, Maldonado has been the second best defensive catcher in baseball this season behind Dodgers backstop Yasmani Grandal. He ranks second in framing runs (6.1), fielding runs above average (6.4), and adjusted FRAA (6.3) – all of which would help the Rockies pitching staff. For comparison’s sake, Wolters ranks No. 53 in FRAA (-1.1) and No. 66 (out of 78) in framing runs (-2.0). Garneau and Hanigan are worse in both categories.

Simply put, Maldanado is one of the best defensive catchers in the major leagues, and the Rockies have three of the very worst defensive catchers in the major leagues. He’s also cheap since he’ll earn $1.725 million this season and has one more year of arbitration in 2017. Therefore, it seems like a natural fit.

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