Rockies Free Agent Target: Geovany Soto
With the lackluster play of Wilin Rosario in 2014, it’s time the Colorado Rockies look at other catching options.
The Rockies need a different catcher. It’s plain and simple; black and white. Colorado needs someone other than Wilin Rosario behind the plate.
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Rosario could be called an adequate catcher; however he is someone the Rockies really need to consider replacing. He is not up to the standard the franchise should be expecting out of someone with his experience level. The only option they should be pursuing at this point is a replacement.
One possible candidate is Geovany Soto, a free agent catcher who last played for the Oakland Athletics.
Soto, a veteran catcher with nine years of experience under his belt, has spent the majority of his career with the Chicago Cubs and has bounced between the Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics in the last few years.
Soto is definitely not a long-term answer nor is he the best catcher available, but he is a great low cost option to help solve the catching problem the Rockies have found themselves in.
His defense is also something that should appeal to the Rockies’ front office. In his 10 games with the Rangers this year, Soto threw out 10 would-be base stealers. That’s leaps and bounds better than Rosario who threw out just seven in 96 games played.
His bat is also attractive. Soto is a career .248 hitter, has an average slugging percentage of .436 and an OBP of .334. He finds more ways to get to first base than Rosario, who has a career OBP of .308.
Like I said, Soto is not the long-term answer for the Rockies, but he is someone that could help the club short-term; at least until Colorado finds a more permanent solution. He is a solid, low-cost option, with a good bat and an even better defense presence behind the plate.