Editor's note: Now that free agency has started, Keith Law picks out possible best values, worst values and trade targets across every position group. We kick off the annual series with a look at the catchers who have hit free agency, as well as some potential trade targets.
For the top 50 free agents across every position, click here.
Free agents
Matt Wieters: The Orioles made Wieters a qualifying offer, and while in the abstract it seems like it'd make sense for him to accept it and try to have a full, healthy season before heading back out into free agency, he's the only everyday catcher on the market this winter. That would seem to guarantee that he'll get several multiyear offers that would make the qualifying offer pale in comparison. Wieters has never reached his full potential offensively and has consistently had poor pitch-framing results, although he's been a good throwing catcher -- at least when his elbow is OK -- and is considered a good receiver.
Geovany Soto: There are a handful of decent-but-not-great part-time catching options on the market this winter, with Soto the best of the bunch because he's a good framer with some pop. I also like Alex Avila as a possible value play -- he has a little pop and at least takes a walk, and has good receiving skills -- and expect to see Chris Iannetta, Brayan Pena, Dioner Navarro and A.J. Pierzynski get low-base one-year offers. There just isn't enough catching to go around.
Trade targets
Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee Brewers: Lucroy is both a valuable player and the most important asset the Brewers have if they want to rebuild; they don't have to trade him, as he's due just $4 million this year and $5.25 million in 2017 on a team option, but those salaries make him potentially the biggest name on the trade market this winter. He missed six weeks in April and May with a toe injury and suffered a concussion in September, all of which were factors in his lower production this season. Even if he can't come close again to his 2014 MVP-level output, he's a steal at his current salary and should net the Brewers two or three good young players or prospects in return.
Stephen Vogt, Oakland Athletics: The A's have been adamant about not dealing Vogt, even though his first-half surge in 2015 didn't last. (He hit .217/.280/.349 in 51 games after the All-Star break.) Oakland also has Josh Phegley, who graded out slightly better in framing last year in a small sample, with catcher Jacob Nottingham (acquired in the Scott Kazmir trade) two or three years away. Moving Vogt now would help them rebuild while dealing away the risk that his second-half performance is closer to his true talent level.
Derek Norris, San Diego Padres: At some point, the Padres have to let Austin Hedges play, right? Norris had a solid season as the Padres' everyday catcher in 2015, a better framer than receiver, but with a drop to a .305 OBP. Hedges won't produce Norris' level of offense, but he's an excellent defender across the board and won't cost the $3-4 million that Norris will earn in arbitration. With the Padres facing significant needs up and down their roster -- shortstop, center field, left-handed bats and probably two starting pitchers -- dealing Norris to fill any of them and save some money would be a good start.
Miguel Montero, Chicago Cubs: Montero is due $28 million over the next two seasons and is coming off a moderately productive season, in which he produced 1.8 WAR and graded out extremely well again in pitch framing. The Cubs have no need to trade Montero, but they have a potential surplus behind the plate in the near future with prospect Willson Contreras less than a year away, and of course with Kyle Schwarber available as a part-time option right now. I think it's more likely the Cubs move Montero next winter, or even next July.