High Catcher Cost Could Mean Waiting for Upgrade
The New York Mets have discussed Geovany Soto, Kelly Shoppach and Ramon Hernandez with the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies, but have found the asking price for the backstops to be "too high," reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Heyman adds that if the Mets are unable to add a catcher this summer, they will seek to acquire one over the winter:
#mets have talked about soto, shoppach & ramon hernandez but prices as "too high.'' if no go, will seek catcher in winter
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 30, 2012
It was reported yesterday that the Mets were discussing a trade involving Soto with the Cubs, though Andy Martino of the New York Daily News said it is unlikely to get done. He said deals with the Rockies and Red Sox involving Hernandez and Shoppach were also falling apart, most likely due to the high prices Heyman refers to in his recent report.
As the Mets continue to pursue catching help this summer and into the off-season, the player acquired will have an impact on Josh Thole’s future with the club.
While Martino said Thole will still receive a majority of the starts if the team acquires Hernandez or Shoppach, a source told him that Soto might become the club’s starting catcher if New York completed a deal for him.