Minor Move for the D-Backs at a Big Cost

by Hayden Hughes
3/31/14

With Opening Day finally here, I've found that I posses a little bit of pessimism for 2014 and the Diamondbacks. I know trades don't typically happen on such a joyous day like Opening Day, but if I were the Diamondbacks, I'm not so sure I wouldn't be working the phones. It is my opinion that this team has misjudged it's priorities while ineffectively filling less-imperative voids (all while getting little return). One void that I believe needs to be filled is the role of backup catcher.

Yes, backup catchers are not the heartbeat to a ball club and usually catch no more than 20 or 30 games barring injury. But with what the Diamondbacks have at the catching position, I can't say I'm impressed and I think the following option could eventually be a building block towards the future that also helps the team in the immediate.

News is coming down this afternoon that Henry Blanco has decided to retire (although there seems to be some question about this) and will become a part of the Diamondbacks' coaching staff. This leaves 30-year-old Tuffy Gosewisch as essentially the D-Backs lone option to back up current catching incumbent Miguel Montero.

Montero, also 30, is coming off a forgettable 2013 season and seems to have gotten his swing back after a solid Spring Training - if looking into that is your thing - but I'm not convinced the Diamondbacks are handling Montero's struggles appropriately.

Manager Kirk Gibson, as recently as earlier today, has defended Montero and claimed that he could hit in the five spot of the lineup, ahead of Mark Trumbo, in the event that a right-handed starter is facing the Snakes. I'm not in favor of a lineup that has Montero batting higher than sixth unless some injuries have occurred. He's a good baseball player and team captain, but right now he's essentially still in a funk. My biggest fear is that the Diamondbacks are looking at what's down the road in terms of what they owe "Miggy." He's under contract through 2017, when he will be 33 years old. In 2014 he'll make $10M, $12M in 2015, an $14M in 2016 and 2017. I understand they aren't going to bench Montero with this type of investment attached to him, and given another awful season in 2014 Montero will be essentially immovable. But in the immediate I think you have to get a catcher to back up Montero that is young enough to be considered his successor or even replacement, but maybe doesn't have the flashy name of, say, Gary Sanchez of the Yankees. Here's my proposal:

The Diamondbacks approach the Reds about a trade in which Cincinnati will receive J.J. Putz in exchange for catcher Tucker Barnhart. It's a head-scratcher on the surface, but let me explain.

Putz's role had been demoted to setup man with the arrival of Addison Reed, and with the loss of David Hernandez Putz is all the more valuable to the Diamondbacks. However, the Diamondbacks have relief pitchers in their farm system who are younger, cheaper, and ready to pitch in the big leagues. At this point in J.J.'s career, I'm not so sure some of these pitchers would be better than Putz.

Putz has been solid for the Diamondbacks, posting a 2.45 ERA in the last
three seasons with a 10.1 K/9.

23-year-old Matt Stites, who came over from San Diego at last year's trade deadline, apparently is now the bright spot in the return Kevin Towers received for Ian Kennedy, and this year is his estimated time of arrival. Not far behind Stites is 22-year-old ASU product Jake Barrett who will also see some time in the big leagues this season. And finally, after an impressive Spring Training, Bo Schultz seems finally ready to see some time in a Diamondback uniform at age 28.

And finally, before getting to Barnhart, we should acknowledge that the need for Putz in Cincinnati isn't particularly random. Hard-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman went to the DL at the end of Spring after being hit by a gruesome comebacker hit by Salvador Perez. Also on the DL are veterans Sean Marshall and Jonathan Broxton. Marshall had shoulder inflammation, so one would assume the Reds won't rush the lefty back into action. Broxton had surgery on his elbow on March 22nd, and is coming off a 2013 in which he pitched in only 30.2 innings. To me, Putz isn't a young replacement for these question marks, but he's a short-term replacement as he will hit free agency after this season.

Now for the Diamondbacks' return. Tucker Barnhart, as I mentioned, isn't a household name. But the switch-hitter is 24 years old and has been praised for his make up and leadership skills that will elongate his career for years to come. You know, that lingo when he doesn't do much offensively. Barnhart, while he is never going to hit 15 or 20 homers, could still put up a better slash line than .178/.174/.222. You know who did that in 47 plate appearances last year?

Barnhart was a tenth-round draft pick by the Reds in 2009

Tuffy Gosewisch, who of his eight hits, only two of them weren't singles. They were doubles.

So Barnhart's limited power really doesn't matter in comparison. He's 24, can hit to all fields, is a stronger left-handed hitter than he is right-handed, and is great defensively. Barnhart threw out more than 40% of basestealers in his minor league career.

Because Putz will make $7M in 2014, my assumption is the Diamondbacks could shed all of what he is owed because they get little in return - in typical Kevin Towers-fashion. Putz has been reliable in the closer's role as well as a setup man. His only obstacle in 2013 was staying healthy, so in asking Cincinnati for a tenth-round draft pick to back up Miguel Montero could arguably be selling low on Putz. But I just get the feeling if the Diamondbacks ask for anything else from the Reds, they end up having to eat a little of Putz's owed salary. Just me assuming things though.