We needed a catcher, I get it. But let's talk:
Background: We don't have a catcher currently on the 40-man roster that we could add. Perez is still in rehab protocol and Ramos is done for the year. So we need to add a catcher NOT on the 40-man roster right now. We have three ways we can go here:
(a) Bring up someone from the minors who we are not afraid to DFA later when Roberto comes back or at the end of the season. We did that with Lavarnway before and it worked out. He did a decent job playing for us AND he snuck through waivers and agreed to stay with Columbus.
(b) Bring up someone from the minors who we plan/should roster this winter but who is not currently on the 40-man. We would start that person's free agency and arbitration clocks but it would only be for a short time.
(c) Bring up someone who would NOT have to be rostered this winter but who is a good prospect.
Given these three categories, let's take a look at the options
Ryan Lavarnway - A category (a) guy, he is the best option but, unfortunately, he is currently in the COVID protocol and is not available.
Bryan Lavastida - A category (b) guy, he is my next choice. Now, as a defensive catcher he not be the optimal choice but he should be rostered this winter as he is Rule 5-eligible this winter.
Bo Naylor - A category (c) guy, he does not have to be rostered this winter and as he is having trouble hitting at AA as he is young for the league, he clearly needs more seasoning.
Gavin Collins - A category (a) guy as he is not truly a prospect, he is also under COVID protocol. There is a chance that under the rostering rules we could move him off the 40-man roster without exposing him to waivers as he is still a rookie and this is his first time on the 40-man. He would still be exposable to the Rule 5 this winter.
Mike Rivera - Similar to Collins but a better defensive catcher, he is another Collins-like option. He is not on COVID protocol so is an option.
Gianpaul Gonzalez - Like Rivera and Collins, but less experienced, he is a true insurance policy as you don't want to have to play him. He is not considered a prospect and is probably not as good an option as any of the guys above him.
To me the natural selection, given the COVID situation, was Lavastida. Not selecting him raises questeion marks on whether the Indians are for sure going to roster him this winter. That, to me, is an issue. Although Lavastida has development to go he is a true prospect. The fact they didn't promote him is a red flag to me. Heck, the fact they didn't promote Rivera is a red flag to me as Rivera is a great defensive catcher, or so I have heard.
Not a huge deal but these guys are supposed to be the experts and it looks like they had better options and chose not to take them. You have to ask why.
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