What if Lavastida flames out? Then guess what our options for our roster ends up back to the AAAA catchers... you are banking 100% of Lavastida being an everyday player. Lavastida moved in front of Naylor as MLB ready cause of his bat and athleticism are way better than scouts want to give him credit for. He has very few innings behind the plate and that's what is going to make or break him. Lavastida will make it to the pros cause of his plus bat, but we are hoping he can put the catching all together..
I know full well what Naylors time-line is and he had a horrible 21 when it comes to hitting as well, but the moving up to AA is usually a make or break for prospects, especially hitters. Naylor is still a solid athlete and he has done well behind the plate. We have to see in 22 how he recovers from 21.
Those are your only two C prospects at the current moment with any hope of making the pro roster anytime soon, so any Plesac or JRam trade, you know we will try and get a prospect to get behind/near these two so we can get depth that way...We still may even swap a player like Tena for a young but solid catching prospect...
I actually think you are overestimating Gomes' price tag. Bimbo was thinking a 1/6.5 and MLBtraderumors thought a 2/10... On average via Fangraphs most places have him less than 7 million a season. He stays within the Guardians price point more than likely and honestly I'd sign him for two seasons. I want him being Lavastida's mentor along with Hedges and Alomar...
Stassi possibly could be non-tendered by the Angels... I could have stolen a base off of him in high school. Stassi has no arm and is on the last season of his contract. He would be cheap enough to go easily get, but I don't think he would be better than spending more money for Gomes... I mean Stassi via MLBTR, is projected 2.7 million...
If I was looking for a defensive catcher... McGuire from the Blue Jays is available and he is pre-arb or Ali Sanchez of the Cardinals.. if I was looking for one with more offense... I would love Varsho from the D-Backs but it would have to be Carson Kelly, but his value overall is way below giving up Naylor for even if we did get Marte...