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Oakland A’s could look for more help behind the plate

By David Hill

Jun 14, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy (12) catches a foul bowl against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy (12) catches a foul bowl against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland A’s catching situation could be in a degree of flux in the coming season. Sean Murphy has been listed as someone that the team could potentially consider trading even though he has four more years of team control left. Even if the A’s have questions about his production, it seems odd that they would look to move on from an inexpensive option at a weak spot on their roster.

That would be the case even if Murphy was to stay on board. The A’s have little behind him on the depth chart, especially since Yan Gomes departed in free agency. This leaves Aramis Garcia, Austin Allen, and Christian Bethancourt as the A’s top options behind Murphy.

Oakland A’s need more catching depth

There is some potential in that group. Garcia is an excellent defensive backstop but struggled with the bat in his 94 plate appearances. Allen has impressive power potential but only received eight plate appearances last year. The A’s do have some intriguing catching prospects in their own right, but they are primarily in the lower levels of the minors.

As such, it is not a surprise that the A’s could pursue more help behind the plate. Melissa Lockard of The Athletic suggested as such as she looked at their roster and the minor league deals they had signed thus far.

The problem is that there is little help to be found in free agency. One of those players could come to the A’s on a minor league deal with the hope of emerging as the backup catcher, but it would be difficult to expect any of those options to be a viable upgrade over what is already on the roster. If the A’s are going to make a move, it will likely be as part of the return in one of their expected trades.

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The Oakland A’s have little depth behind Sean Murphy at the moment. Although they are not going to spend much, they need to find another catcher.