Colorado Rockies morning after: It’s time to stop carrying three catchers

After Tony Wolters‘ flabbergasting blunder in the sixth inning of the Colorado Rockies’ disastrous 3-2 walk-off loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon, the big question that has been a complete thorn in my side ever since Tom Murphy was called up on June 12, finally reached its boiling point. Why in the name of Yorvit Torrealba does Bud Black and the Rockies continue to carry three catchers on the roster?

I originally posed this question back on June 22 and it is just as relevant now as it was back then.  The more I think about it, it is even more relevant considering just how bad the Colorado Rockies catchers have played.

Before Wolters’ leadoff single in the top of the seventh of Thursday’s loss, Colorado’s catchers were a combined 0-for-16 in the last five games and 5 for their last 45. Before Thursday’s game, the three catchers combined slash line was a worthless .202/.288/.341 with four homers and 48 RBI.

Defensively, they haven’t been much better. In the National League, they are 10th in stolen base percentage and 12th in passed balls. To break it down even more, Chris Iannetta has three errors and three passed balls in 55 starts, Wolters has three errors and five passed balls in 36 starts, and Murphy has four errors and no passed balls in 17 starts behind the plate.

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However, not everything has been all bad. Rockies pitchers posted a 3.16 ERA in the month of July, which was the lowest ERA for a month in franchise history. The catchers do deserve some credit for the pitchers’ performance last month which led to a 17-6 record.

What may be even more frustrating is that the Rockies’ front office had an opportunity to upgrade at the trade deadline … but did nothing. The Philadelphia Phillies traded for All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos for a player to be named later and cash considerations. Wilson is on the disabled list at the moment, but there is no way he wouldn’t have been an upgrade over the Rockies catchers when healthy (which is expected to be soon).

Instead, the Rockies did nothing at the deadline about their catchers and continue to think that Wolters’ defense and Murphy’s bat are a good combo to pair with Iannetta’s all-around ineffectiveness.

Besides the bullpen, the catcher position has been the biggest disappointment for the Rockies. There is no need to continue carrying three when none of them are performing up to expectations. It’s time to make a move.