MLB.com analyst: Matt Wieters ‘makes sense’ for Diamondbacks
Jan 30, 2017, 1:47 PM
Baltimore Orioles' Matt Wieters claps as he runs to first after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Saturday, May 21, 2016, in Anaheim, Calif. The Orioles won 3-1. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Despite being only 30 years old and coming off an All-Star season, catcher Matt Wieters is currently without a team.
Should the Arizona Diamondbacks have interest in his services?
According to MLB.com columnist Richard Justice, the D-backs as one of the five most logical fits for Wieters.
Wieters makes sense in terms of making the D-backs better in 2016. But as new president of baseball operations Mike Hazen shifts the franchise to a long-term approach, Wieters makes sense only on a short-term contract. The club has three veteran catchers — Chris Iannetta, Jeff Mathis and Chris Herrmann — and Hazen seems comfortable opening the season with them.
Justice also named the Los Angeles Angels, Washington Nationals, Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles as teams that make sense for the catcher.
Wieters is a four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner who hit .243 with 17 home runs, 48 runs scored, and 66 RBI last season.
The veteran, entering his ninth season in the majors, was at his best over the 2011-12 seasons, as he hit .255 with 45 home runs, 139 runs and 151 RBI over that stretch.
Iannetta and Mathis were signed to compete with Herrmann in an attempt to replace Welington Castillo, who signed with Wieter’s old team, the Orioles, in December. The Diamondbacks also recently signed veteran catcher Josh Thole to a minor-league contract.
Wieters would appear to be an upgrade offensively for the Diamondbacks, as the four catchers currently with the team combined for a .224 average, 16 home runs, 63 runs and 74 RBI last season.
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