3 catchers the Cleveland Guardians need to target at the deadline

The Cleveland Guardians need a new catcher and we have three ideas.

Let’s be very clear, there are two truths here. Firstly, the Cleveland Guardians need a new catcher. The ones they have are just the worst and as much hype as Bo Naylor has as a prospect, he’s far from being ready. Secondly, there is no guarantee the Guardians have the ability to pull off any of these trades.

The three names on this list are all on losing teams and all may be available, but we’re just guessing if they are in available.

That doesn’t mean the Guardians shouldn’t try to make a move for one of them, nor does it mean the player isn’t available for the right price. While each player has value for the Guardians, it’s best to just sit tight and not over-pay, so these aren’t make-or-break moves.

These are simply ideas to improve the position because the Guardians have been getting nothing offensively out of the position consistently since Yan Gomes left.

Three catchers the Cleveland Guardians should trade for

Jonah Heim

Jonah Heim is under team control for the next four seasons, so why would the Texas Rangers trade Heim, who’s having a career year of .258/.311/.490, with 12 home runs? Simple, he’s 27 and the Rangers aren’t competing anytime soon. They lost 102 games last year, and while they’re 37-41 currently, they’re likely to have another 90-loss season. Heim doesn’t look to be in the window of their rebuild.

Salvador Perez

This isn’t as likely as others, as he’s 32 and has four years left on his contract, with over $70 million left on his deal over the next three and a half seasons. So financially, not the best bet, and he’s having a down year. Hitting 60 points less than the year before. That said, if he can turn around his season and return to his career average of .267 while keeping the power (20 home runs in five of the last six seasons), then he’d be a boon to the offense. The Royals aren’t going to be ready to compete during his prime, trading him now is the best way to get the most out of him.

Willson Contreras

He’s in the last year of his contract, and he’s on a team going nowhere fast. He’ll likely get traded, but to where is anyone’s guess. If the Cubs aren’t demanding a huge return on him, as they shouldn’t see how he’s gone in free agency, then the Guards should consider him; even if he’s just a rental.