Detroit Tigers Position Grades: Catchers Were Average — No More, No Less
By Matt Snyder
Jul 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
As mentioned above, the Tigers will be reasonably comfortable heading into the 2016 with the duo of McCann and Holaday performing the catching duties. That pair would be expected to approach league average production overall, but not much more than that (especially since both have had trouble hitting right handed pitching).
Ideally the Tigers would grab a cheap left-handed hitting backup to spell McCann on occasion when there’s a right-handed starer on the mound, but that’s easier said than done. Perhaps the only free agent who fits that bill is A.J. Pierzynski who is just finishing a one year, $2 million season with the Atlanta Braves.
The soon-to-be 39 year old had a tremendous season at the plate (.299/.336/.429) — and he was working on an affordable deal — but he may be looking to parlay that success into a larger deal.
The best bet is probably on the Tigers sticking with what they have and spending what little extra payroll they have on the pitching staff.
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