Rockies are set for Gold Glove-winning catcher reunion

The Rockies are carrying three catchers in September. Following the release of Elias Díaz last month, Colorado promoted prospect Drew Romo. He joins fellow rookie Hunter Goodman and veteran Jacob Stallings on Bud Black’s catching roster.

Colorado is unlikely to fully commit to the inexperienced pairing of Romo and Goodman next season. It appears like the team intends to keep Stallings. Last week, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding urged that Colorado try to get him back. Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post stated that there is mutual interest.

Stallings inked a $2 million contract with the Rox last summer. He’s making $1.5 million and is owed at least a $500 thousand buyout on a $2 million mutual option for next season. While the simplest course of action would be for both parties to use their option, this is extremely rare. Even if Stallings wants to stay in Denver, he is likely to decline his offer. The difference between the option value and the buyout is $1.5 million. The 34-year-old backstop (35 in December) has performed well enough to warrant a higher pay.

Stallings has a.260/.353/.450 batting line over 77 games. He’s unlikely to match his.319 average on balls in play, but he owns a personal best nine home runs in 267 plate appearances. Stallings has approximately league-average strikeout and walk numbers to go with that slight uptick in power.

Any offensive production by Stallings is a plus. His primary importance resides in his defensive ability. Stallings earned a Gold Glove with the Pirates in 2021. He has a solid reputation as a game caller and appears to be an effective mentor to the team’s younger catchers. Stallings has thrown out a solid 22.5% of baserunners and is still one of the sport’s best surehanded defenders. He has been charged with only one passed ball this season and four total since the beginning of 2021. Stallings does not do well as a pitch framer, but he is generally a reliable option behind the plate.

Stallings’ contract will most likely be for one year, but he should receive a raise. Colorado signed him after a difficult two-year stint in Miami, when he hit.210/.287/.290 with lower defensive marks. This year’s performance may bring his compensation closer to the promises made by Luke Maile ($3.5M), Austin Hedges ($4M), and Martín Maldonado ($4.25M) last winter.

Goodman and Stallings have gotten the brunt of the recent playing time. Romo, 23, has been assigned to a third catcher position after beginning his MLB career with a.174/.208/.239 slash in 13 games. According to Saunders, the Rox may send Romo down to Triple-A to begin next season and rely on a Stallings/Goodman combo if the veteran is re-signed.e.