Earlier today we posted an article on the rumored talks between the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates. Jon Heyman noted that the two teams planned to meet during the Winter Meetings this week to discuss a possible Starling Marte trade. He also noted that the Pirates were looking for young/controllable catchers. There are updates tonight on the trade talk and a possible catcher in their sights.
Heyman notes tonight that the Pirates and Mets are indeed talking now, though he offers no extra details, other than “names have been discussed”.
Mets, as suggested earlier, are now talking to the Pirates about Marte. Names have been discussed but unclear how far down the road they are.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2019
The second note is also from Heyman, who mentions that the Pirates are one of five teams interested in free agent catcher Robinson Chirinos.
Robinson Chirinos market: Rangers, Houston , Detroit, Tampa, Pitts. So the 2 Texas teams, his last 2 teams, want him.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2019
I’m not exactly sure why the Pirates would be showing interest in a 35-year-old catcher. Granted he had a terrific season, posting a career best 3.8 WAR according to Baseball-Reference. Those two things mean that not only will he be in line for a nice deal this year, but he’s also at an age where most catchers are on the downside of their career.
Chirinos is helped by the fact that he didn’t start catching until he was 24 years old, so he doesn’t have the usual wear and tear, but it’s still an advanced age for a backstop. With the Pirates looking more like sellers right now, there really isn’t a need for an expensive, aging catcher. They do need catching, but that’s not the direction you would expect them to go.
