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Mariners: 3 Possible Catcher replacements for Tom Murphy this offseason

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 02: Tom Murphy #2 of the Seattle Mariners looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on October 02, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 02: Tom Murphy #2 of the Seattle Mariners looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on October 02, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Mariners catcher upgrades: Manny Pina
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 26: Manny Pina #9 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates winning the Central Division title after the game against the New York Mets at American Family Field on September 26, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Brewers defeated the Mets 8-4. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Option 3: The Mariners could try and sign Manny Pina

We have to start off by realizing that pending a trade or the surprising release of one of the likely-to-sign club option guys (more on those later), there just aren’t a lot of great options this year.

That’s why Manny Pina comes in a number three on the Mariners target list for changes at catcher. Pina has always been a guy with a low strikeout rate (21.0%) and a strong walk rate (7.6%). His walk rate has been better the last three years as well, averaging 9.5%.

He’s good behind the plate as well. Over the last five seasons, he has averaged a 1.3 dWAR despite playing in just 80 games per season (pro-rated with last year’s shortened season).

Although the offense has been a bit below average, he’s been consistent when it comes to OPS+. 94, 87, 86, 98, 94. There was a strong indicator of improvement though, as he had 13 home runs, a K rate of just 18.3%, with a walk rate of 10.6%. He also had horrendous luck with BABIP, registering a number of just .162. That explains the low slash line, which came in at .189/.293/.439.

Pina will give you solid defense, walks, and put the ball in play. If he has an average season with BABIP, raising those numbers to .240/.330/.480 wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

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