The Chicago Cubs have a need for a veteran backup catcher. Yes, they have Victor Caratini, and in his second full season it’s expected that he will be better. But, this far, he hasn’t garnered the full trust of Joe Maddon, which led to Willson Contreras playing much more often than one would have liked in 2018.
Not only would a solid backup allow the Cubs to rest Contreras more often, it will give the veteran pitching staff a trusted backstop.
Enter the Boston Red Sox and catcher Sandy Leon.
Source: The Red Sox have placed catcher Sandy Leon on waivers. They're still carrying three catchers, wanted to break with two.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 24, 2019
Leon is purely a defensive option. A guy that hit .177 last season, and has only hit above .200 three times in his career. In fact, he was the worst hitter in terms of wRC+ of any hitter with at least 250 at bats.
But it is his defense that teams, especially the Cubs, should admire. According to Baseball Prospectus, only six of 117 catchers in 2018 added more runs based on pitch framing, and three of those six had at least 450 more chances than Leon. He also adds above average blocking and is an elite level signal caller.
It is the signal calling, and game prep that really sets him apart. Chris Sale hasn’t looked at a scouting report because he knows Leon had it locked down. Rick Porcello calls him the best catcher he’s thrown to. The relationship he’s able to build with pitchers is based on trust, and that’s something veteran pitchers, like Jon Lester need with a catcher.
Any team that adds him should immediately understand, he’s a backup. A backup so good that he played in 89 regular season games and 15 playoff games for the World Series champion Red Sox.
His availability seems to come at a perfect time as the Cubs and Red Sox prepare to play back-to-back games verse Boston to finish off Spring Training.
