Meet the new backup catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers — George Kottaras. He’s essentially assured of the job after the Brewers traded his primary competition, Matt Treanor, to the Texas Rangers today for utility infielder Ray Olmedo earlier today.
The return isn’t great, but it’s probably not important who the Brewers got in exchange for Treanor. What is important is that it looks like the Brewers have made the right decision when it comes to the backup catcher spot. Kottaras is better offensively, bats left-handed, and is under team control for five more years. The only thing Treanor had going for him? He’s married to Misty May.
I liked the addition of Kottaras back when the Brewers claimed him off waivers from Boston, so I’m glad that it appears he’ll be making the team. As far as what this means for Jonathan Lucroy and Angel Salome, it looks like a lock that they’ll start out in the minors. As David noted a few days ago, we could have probably guessed that based on the lack of at-bats they’ve been getting this spring. The only question now is if they both start the year at Triple A, and if so, how the playing time will be divided. By most estimations, Lucroy has leapfrogged Salome on the organizational depth chart, but doesn’t have the experience in the system that Salome has.
In other Brewers roster moves today, Adam Heether and Josh Butler were both optioned to Nashville. Heether’s demotion, combined with the injury of Mat Gamel and trade of Hernan Iribarren, means that Joe Inglett is likely your second backup infielder, teaming with Craig Counsell.
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