Astros Trade Hypothetical: Club should target Salvador Perez

The Astros have very few question marks going into the 2019 season, but after missing out on J.T. Realmuto, could Salvador Perez be the real answer at catcher?

I know what you’re thinking, and no, I will not be talking about J.T. Realmuto at nauseating lengths. Also, yes, I know this is purely generated in my own mind, but follow me for a second.

After witnessing, what I can only describe as baseballs’ equivalent of “Keeping Up with The Kardashians”; the baseball world finally saw Realmuto bid adieu to Miami and arrive as a hero in Philadelphia. Among the suitors vying for Realmutos’ services were, in fact, the Houston Astros.

Instead of landing the “Big Fish”…(you see what I did there?)…the Astros settled on signing Robinson Chorinos and continuing the Max Stassi experiment. However, there is still a major question mark behind the dish. While the options now are cheap and serviceable, there needs to be general behind the plate.

This is where I believe a lot of opinions splinter off, when someone offers up the idea of the ideal catcher. Many people want someone like Buster Posey, equal parts offensively and defensively prolific. Others like someone more akin to Brad Ausmus, who is mainly a defensive-minded catcher.

The Astros have both polar points in Stassi and Chirinos; the latter is notably better with the bat; as evident with his plus power (.419 SLG in 2018 and .506 SLG in 2017) and ability to get on-base (.338 OBP in 2018 and .360 OBP in 2017).Stassi, on the other hand, being known for his glove more (.997 FLDG % in 2018) and ability to throw out runners (26% thrown out rate in 2018).

Looking at those numbers, its still hard to spin a positive review on how the catching position will shape out in 2019. What if, however, we could blend both players together and get the catcher we need?