Three Starting Catchers the Miami Marlins should Target via Trade

The Miami Marlins have an obvious need at the catcher position as they seek to improve their depth chart and build off their surprise 2023 playoff run. Veteran Jacob Stallings struggled mightily, to the tune of just three homers, 20 RBI, and a putrid .191 batting average across 241 at-bats. Outside of a few key hits down the postseason stretch, he was a net-negative for the Marlins.

Meanwhile, the younger Nick Fortes posted equally sub-par numbers of six homers, 26 RBI, and a .204 batting average. While the 26-year-old may have some room left to develop, both he and Stallings, unfortunately, profile as, at best, backup catchers.

To make matters worse, Stallings was also below average as both a pitch framer (ranking 56 out of 63 catchers), and as a backstop arm (ranking 44 out of 63). Fortes, on the other hand, was able to crack the top 20 pitch framers. Yet, he was even worse containing baserunners, ranking 50th of 63.

One catching solution made our recent "Six Low-Cost Position Players the Miami Marlins Should Target in Free Agency" piece. However, there are also a number of potential options residing in the trade market.

Which catchers are on the trade block? And which should the Marlins target first? Here are our Top Three Catchers worth trading for:

#3: Yan Gomes, CHC

While the Chicago Cubs may very well be content to retain Gomes as they try to crack the postseason in 2024, the Miami Herald has identified him as a potential Marlins' trade target. If this is indeed the case, the former All-Star and Silver Slugger is a rock-solid option as Miami could hope for.

Despite the fact that Gomes will turn 37 years old in July of next season, the journeyman backstop still ranks in the top half of MLB catchers. The veteran recorded 10 homers, 63 RBI, and a .267 batting average across 116 games played in 2023.

Gomes' defensive Statcast numbers do leave something to be desired. He ranked just a hair above league average in throwing out base stealers, but well below average as a pitch framer. However, both of Gomes' marks would be an improvement of the incumbents Stallings and Fortes.

If he were to be made available, Gomes would be a welcome addition to the Miami lineup. If, of course, the price is right!

#2: Elias Diaz, COL

In a league with precious few top-tier catchers, Elias Diaz represents one of the better hitters at his position. A first-time All-Star in 2023, Diaz posted a stellar 72 RBI, 14 homers, and a .267 batting average, while appearing in a career-high 141 contests.

While the veteran did get the benefit of the thin air at his home park Coors Field, his home/away splits should give a club like the Marlins confidence that he can produce outside of Colorado. While his batting average did dip slightly away from Coors (.277 to .258), nearly half of his homers and RBI came on the road.

Diaz, unfortunately, ranks as a below-average pitch framer, he was in the top 8 at throwing out would-be base stealers last season. As such, he would represent a clear upgrade both offensively and defensively.

In a league where the number of superstar catchers can be counted on one hand, Diaz represents an everyday starter who would provide above-average production in nearly every facet of the game. Long rumored as a trade candidate, Miami would be wise to reach out to the Rockies front office about a trade.