Erik Kratz

The Yankees Don’t Have as Much Faith in Kyle Higashioka

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New York Yankees, Kyle Higashioka

The New York Yankees decided the best option they have is to shore up their options at the catcher position for the 2020 season. Signing Eric Kratz earlier this offseason, they recently signed Chris Iannetta to a minor league contract with a spring training invite. Now, at the GM meetings this offseason, Brian Cashman said he’d “feel comfortable using (Higashioka) as the permanent backup catcher”. But does he really?

Why Iannetta Matters to Higashioka

Higashioka is out of options. So if Higashioka makes the team for Opening Day, and is sent back down, he’ll no longer be protected by the Yankees. He’ll have to clear waivers in order to return to Scranton. Now, let’s evaluate Iannetta vs Higashioka, as one of them will be filling in for an extended time behind Gary Sanchez, in all likelihood. 

With 56 major league games to his credit, Higashioka has a bit of a Tyler Wade problem. He’s a mediocre (at best) hitter, while simultaneously embodying the biggest problem with hitters. If he isn’t hitting for power, he’s getting out. He currently posses a 30% strikeout rate (48 strikeouts in 156 plate appearances), which is not great. While he’s spent most of his time in the minors (since 2008), Higashioka is a pretty lackluster defensive catcher. His dWAR is only 0.2, which helps explain (as well as his -0.3 oWAR) why he never stuck around the bigs.

Chris Iannetta is, by contrast, the perfect backup catcher. He’s not going to hit a ton, but he’s going to be much more dependable both offensively AND defensively than Higashioka. Iannetta’s career 19.0 and 3.8 o/dWAR’s speak to that value. Granted, Iannetta has had much more time getting to that point on a big league level than Higashioka has had, but if Higashioka was actually good enough, he should have had the opportunity to get a regular spot on the big club before he turned 30.

It’s like the Clint Frazier problem the Yankees have. If Frazier’s defense was better, Frazier would be the shoe in over Mike Tauchman for that 4th outfielder spot. If Higgy was a more viable option than Romine, Romine wouldn’t have been on the big club for as long as he was.

At the end of the day, you don’t go out and sign 2 backup to the backup catchers if you have faith in Higashioka.

New York Yankees: Should Kyle Higashioka Be Worried?

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New York Yankees, Kyle Higashioka

The New York Yankees signed veteran catcher Chris Iannetta to a minor league deal on Thursday, throwing a fourth catcher into the mix.

Should Higgy Be Worried?

Gary Sanchez is without question the starting catcher, but the team now has three other catchers that could play as the backup.

I believe that Kyle Higashioka is still the favorite to win the spot, and it’s his to lose. Iannetta and other catching veteran Erik Kratz have been around forever, and both are such smart catchers.

Kratz is 39, a few years older than Iannetta (36). There is no way in my mind that Kratz sees the major league level in 2020, as he bat just .102 in 2019. He’s last in the depth chart.

Iannetta is third for right now, but that could change. He bat .222 as the Rockies backup last season, but still may have a little left in the tank. He could steal the backup position, but that would be if Higgy has a disaster of a spring and Iannetta has a flawless spring.

Overall, I think that Higgy should be a little concerned about his chances, but not code red concerned. Iannetta is on minor league deal, meaning that he would have to be added to the 40-man roster and the team would have to clear a spot for him. But, if they Yankees think that he’s undoubtedly the guy, then they would of course clear the spot for him.

Every time that Higgy is called up, he looks better and better. It’s just a matter of if the can sustain consistent offense and show that he belongs in the spring. I think that the spot is still his, he just needs to show it.

 

The New York Yankees Sign A Catcher

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New York Yankees

Rumors have reported that the New York Yankees signed catcher Erik Kratz to a minor league deal on Friday.

Kratz, 39, has had several stints with the Yankees over the last few years. He made four appearances with the team in 2017, and spent time in Scranton in both 2018 and 2019.

Because of his age, he’s on the last leg of his career and just happy to being playing baseball. He’s played pro ball since 2002 and made MLB appearances in every season since 2010.

The signing of Kratz actually makes the catcher depth chart clearer. By the looks of it, the Yankees will be out on Martin Maldonado and will use Kratz as the third catcher. He will eventually be put on the 40 man roster with Kyle Higashioka and Gary Sanchez.

With that being said, it appears that Higashioka will be the backup catcher. Brian Cashman and ownership spoke about Higgy during the Gerrit Cole signing day ceremonies, and all stated that they feel very comfortable with him as the backup.

When Sanchez or Higashioka gets hurt, it’s likely that Kratz would come up. But, once he comes up, he can’t go back down without clearing waivers. I think that the team would look to pursue another catcher if/when Kratz gets called up.

Obviously, Kratz will get a spring training invite and will probably be with the team almost until it’s time to break camp and head north.

Overall, I like this move from the Yankees. They have another catcher waiting for whenever called upon, and it didn’t cost much money.