Positonal Battles - Catchers

 In my opinion no position battle is more interesting for the Guardians this spring than catcher.

Everyone is thinking that our starter is Mike Zunino.  Not saying that Zunino won't be the starter but counting on a guy who is coming off major, albeit non-throwing, shoulder surgery is not as sure a thing as counting on a guy NOT coming off major surgery.

So let's take a look at 2 scenarios, one with and one without Zunino

SCENARIO 1: Zunino catching 110 games

In this scenario we are just looking for a backup catcher.  The candidates are Bryan Lavastida, Bo Naylor, Cam Gallagher, Meibrys Viloria, Zach Collins and David Fry.  This was a really interesting off-season for the Guardians in that where they brought in a lot of depth guys and new starters was at cactcher, replacing two guys, Hedges and Maile, who did most of the catching last year. 

Outcome 1

Lavastida wins the job with great play this spring.  This is the best outcome for Cleveland as he is on the 40 man already and sets himself up for a job he could have for the next 6 years, backing up Bo Naylor most of that time.

Domino effects: Naylor goes to AAA as the starting catcher. Cam Gallagher opts out.  Meibrys Viloria goes to Columbus to be Bo Naylor's backup.  David Fry is the 3rd catcher at Columbus. Zach Collins probably opts out.

Outcome 2 

Gallagher wins the job and serves as a placeholder for when Bo Naylor is ready.

Domino effects of that outcome: DFA someone (Jason Bilious, Bryan Lavastida or Richie Palacios most likely) or someone goes on the 60-day.  Naylor to AAA, Lavastida, if not DFA'd, backs him up, Collins opts out, Viloria either goes to AAA (only if Lavastida DFA'd), opts out or goes to AA. Fry emergency catcher at AAA

Outcome 3 

Viloria or Collins get the job (only if Gallagher gets hurt and Lavastida isn't ready.

Domino effects: DFA someone or someone goes on the 60 day. Naylor to AAA, Lavastida, if not DFA'd, goes to AAA, if Viloria Collins opts out, if Collins, Viloria to AA or AAA if Lavastida DFA'd. Fry emergency catcher at AAA.

SCENARIO 2 - Zunino can't go, ends up on 15 day DL

Outcome 1

Naylor is the starter. 

Domino Effects: Gallagher is the backup.  We DFA someone.  Lavastida and Viloria to AAA. Collins opts out. Fry is the emergency catcher

Outcome 2

Gallagher and Viloria split catching duties.

Domino Effects: We need to DFA 2 people (likely Bilious and Palacios) or someone goes on the 60 day. Naylor to AAA with Lavastida (if not DFA'd) or Collins.  If Lavastida at AAA then Collins opts out.  Fry is the emergency catcher.

SCENARIO 3: Zunino goes to 60 day DL

Worst outcome for the Guardians.  We are paying Zunino and getting nothing out of him.

Same possible outcomes as Zunino on the 15 day except that him being on the 60 day means we have to only DFA one person or put another player on the 60 day.  Outcome 1 is the most likely in this case as having 2 AAAA catchers on your major league roster is very unappealing.

Summary: Obviously there are more outcomes if trades are made but, from the deck we have been dealt, these are our outcomes that I see.