Blake Swihart wants out of Boston

[gunnarthor]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/05/blake-swiharts-agent-asks-red-sox-for-trade.html#comments

 

Swihart was a former top 20 catching prospect who was extremely hyped by the ESPN machine a few years back. He hasn't played much the last few years but is out of options and basically sitting on the end of the bench like a rule v guy. He wants out. He hasn't hit - he has a .234/.295/.320 career line at AAA - and he hasn't caught much over the last few years (65 games behind the plate the last two years). 

 

Obviously, there is some upside since he was a former top 100 guy and the #2 catcher in the minors. He's a switch hitter. I don't think he'd cost much, if anything. His biggest problem is he'd need a 25 man roster spot. But he might be an upgrade over Wilson.

 

But Realmuto would be a nice upgrade too.  

[wsnydes]

Interesting.  I'm not sure that it makes sense to trade for somebody to replace Wilson when he's a short term fix due to injury.  At least Realmuto would be an upgrade over both of the active roster catching options.  

 

This could be an intriguing move organizationally speaking though if you were able to stash him in AAA for a bit.

[Mike Sixel]

I have previously pushed for him. I'd give up a middling prospect for him, as I believe Castro is out for a long time..

 

But yes, I'd rather have Realmuto

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

pass

[nicksaviking]

I'd rather have Garver playing every day. If it's simply to replace Wilson, sure I guess I don't much care.

 

Though with Swihart's lack of catching duties as of late, I'd guess that means he's a pretty poor defender? 

[Mike Sixel]

I'd rather have Garver playing every day. If it's simply to replace Wilson, sure I guess I don't much care.

 

Though with Swihart's lack of catching duties as of late, I'd guess that means he's a pretty poor defender?

That has been the issue, yes. And yes, I'd still rather have him than Wilson.

[gunnarthor]

 

I'd rather have Garver playing every day. If it's simply to replace Wilson, sure I guess I don't much care.

 

Though with Swihart's lack of catching duties as of late, I'd guess that means he's a pretty poor defender? 

Not sure. I'd assume so but I think I remember reading an article a few years back about how the Red Sox wanted to move his bat out from behind the plate to get him in the lineup more often. He had a decent but injury affected rookie season so they moved him to LF the following year (he had never played the OF before, even in the minors). 

 

I'd give up a rule v type for him just to see if we can hit on the lottery ticket. Luke Bard is back in our system. See if that's enough and move on. I'd still rather they get Realmuto but that won't happen. Swihart has some potential upside even though I don't think he'll reach it. But he and Garver would probably be better than Garver and Wilson. 

[Thrylos]

Got to think of this a bit:  Swihart is out of options.  Is he better than Mitch Garver?  I don't think he is.  Because that's who will go down if the Twins get Swihart when Castro returns.   I believe that if Garver get consistent playing time, he will be good.  Already his hitting is at league average (97 wRC+, 100 OPS+)

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

I'd be fine with Swihart to take Wilson's spot. I believe he is out of options, so he'd have to be up, right?

 

Swihart and Garver are good friends and work out together in the offseason. 

[nicksaviking]

 

That has been the issue, yes. And yes, I'd still rather have him than Wilson.

 

Is it one thing particular about Swihart? There's some pedigree with him being a former top prospect but looking at his MiLB numbers, they actually aren't any better than Bobby Wilson's. It does look like most of Swihart's excitement may have been the old trumped up East Coast prospect hype machine.

 

I could go either way (though would prefer neither), I'm just wondering if there is something to still like about Swihart or if we're just talking about getting Wilson out of here.

[jkcarew]

When the guys that are supposed to produce offensively aren't producing (for whatever reason), then you get desperate and start looking for any sliver of improvement from anywhere you might find it.

 

In terms of catcher, I'm pretty sure the Twins will not consider another bat-first catcher to pair with Garver.  For obvious reasons.  When a guy (Swihart) is OPS+'ing 70-90 over an extended period of time and plays more corner OF and 1B than catcher...that's a dead give-away he's not a major league catcher.

 

I'm not saying they shouldn't try, but not hopeful that an offensive solution is going to come from the catcher position any time soon.

[TheLeviathan]

Since I think Realmuto is a pipe dream....

 

yeah.  He's not Bobby Wilson.  Case closed.