Earlier in the offseason the Arizona Diamondbacks traded catcher Miguel Montero to the Chicago Cubs. Although they relieved themselves of the $41 million left on Montero's contract, the team was left without a formidable option behind the plate for 2015.
Arizona has Tuffy Gosewisch and Oscar Hernandez as their options at catcher for next season. It appears the D-Backs want to upgrade since Gosewisch is a backup with only 55 games under his belt and Hernandez has yet to reach the majors. According to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi, the Diamondbacks are poised to make at least one more trade before spring training since they have a surplus of outfielders and needs at catcher and in the starting rotation.
Catcher would seem to be their first line of order. The team has made a number of trades since the 2014 deadline to acquire starting pitchers, including Vidal Nuno from the New York Yankees, Jeremy Hellickson from the Tampa Bay Rays, and Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster from the Boston Red Sox. Although they don't have an ace, their rotation certainly has depth whereas the catcher position is significantly lacking talent. One option seems to be Wellington Castillo of the Chicago Cubs.
"The Diamondbacks have also had discussions about Welington Castillo, who has been the Cubs' primary catcher the past two seasons but whose role is uncertain after they acquired Montero and signed free agent David Ross," writes Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. The Cubs were said to have been hesitant to discuss Castillo with the Diamondbacks during the Montero negotiations but have been more open to moving him in recent weeks."
Morosi also noted that Carlos Corporan of the Houston Astros could be an option, but it's unclear if the two sides have engaged in serious discussions about a trade. Another option Arizona might be considering is Wilin Rosario, who the Colorado Rockies made available earlier in the offseason. The Rockies signed Nick Hundley to a two-year deal last week and they have Michael McKenry on the roster as well. Colorado considered moving Rosario to first base or right field, but those spots are occupied by Justin Morneau and Carlos Gonzalez.
"The Rockies were involved in significant trade talks with the Texas Rangers regarding catcher Wilin Rosario," writes Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. "A trade didn't materialize, and now Bridich is talking about keeping three catchers - Rosario, Hundley and McKenry ... Bridich said using Rosario more at first base is a real possibility. Sorry, I'm not buying that."
It's been said Rosario would be a better fit in the American League since teams would have the flexibility of putting him at DH, but at only 25 years of age, the Dominican has plenty of time to improve his defensive shortcomings. It takes time to become a good game caller and the situation in Colorado isn't ideal for him because they have a young starting rotation that had the second-worst ERA in the league last year. Arizona's staff at least has some experience with guys like Hellickson, Josh Collmenter, Trevor Cahill, Daniel Hudson, Bronson Arroyo and Patrick Corbin.
Additionally, Rosario would provide the D-Backs with yet another power bat: in four MLB seasons (360 games) Rosario owns a .274/.308/.483 stat line with 65 home runs and 212 RBIs. The only problem is that Arizona's value is concentrated in the outfield, where the Rockies already have a number of solid players, including Gonzalez, Charlie Blackmon, Corey Dickerson and Drew Stubbs. However, Rockies' general manager Jeff Bridich said he would entertain trade offers for Gonzalez, who is owed $53 million over the next three seasons and has been hampered by injuries.
If they opt to move Gonzalez before spring training, would a Mark Trumbo-for-Wilin Rosario trade make sense for both clubs? Trumbo played in only 88 games for the Diamondbacks last season after suffering a broken foot early in the season. He's in his second year of arbitration eligibility and is under club control through 2016. A fly ball hitter such as Trumbo can hit A LOT of home runs at Coors Field and the team can use him in the outfield or at first base. After all, depending on how the 2015 season goes, they may not want to pick up Justin Morneau's $9 million mutual option for 2016.
