The offseason began in a most unexpected place, with Buster Posey opting to call it a career.
The timing was curious given that Posey enjoyed a resurgent season in 2021, restoring his former high standing at a weak position. In fact, his .889 OPS was the second-highest mark of his career. True, he sat out basically every third game and faded some in the second half, but I had already ranked him as my No. 6 catcher for 2022.
With seven All-Star appearances and three World Series rings, the former Rookie of the Year and MVP has a case for Cooperstown, but more significant for our purposes is the heir apparent in San Francisco, a former No. 2 overall pick with the power potential to match.
It’s just one of the offseason developments worth discussing in these earliest stages, with plenty more yet to come. Below is the breakdown of what’s already happened. Be sure to check back throughout the offseason for the latest.
Wade Miley claimed by Cubs
Miley had a career year and will make a modest $10 million in 2022, so it’s surprising the Cubs didn’t have to give up anything to get him. But it’s also revealing. Despite the impressive stat line, the left-hander is no one’s idea of a front-line pitcher and got a healthy dose of regression in September, delivering an 8.35 ERA and 2.18 WHIP in four starts. He keeps the ball on the ground and is good for 5-7 innings most of the time, so he belongs in a major-league rotation. But with minimal strikeout ability and a career 4.14 ERA, he’s probably back to being just a matchups play in 2022, especially for a rebuilding club.
Buster Posey retires
Posey’s absence is a net loss for Fantasy Baseball, but it clears a path for one of the better-known catcher prospects in the game, Joey Bart. The 24-year-old, drafted second overall in 2018, has spent some time in the majors the past two years, making a minimal impact. Injuries have inhibited his development in the minors, rendering him something of an all-or-nothing hitter, and it’s possible the Giants will choose to ease him in, bringing in a veteran to bridge the gap. Still, the likelihood of Bart stepping into the role at some point in 2022 makes him worth targeting as a top-15 catcher in Fantasy, top 12 if the Giants begin talking him up.
Tucker Barnhart traded to Tigers
At first glance, this move doesn’t have serious Fantasy implications, but the role Barnhart leaves behind in Cincinnati figures to be filled by Tyler Stephenson, a former first-round pick who delivered a near-.800 OPS as the offensive-minded half a catching tandem. Only five catchers had a higher OPS, and one is now retired. Stephenson may not impact the ball quite hard enough to maintain that mark, but he’s clearly in the mix as a top-12 catcher. Meanwhile, Barnhart’s arrival in Detroit reduces slugging Eric Haase to backup status. He can also man the outfield, which will potentially give him enough at-bats to keep him relevant in two-catcher leagues, but that’s only if he isn’t eaten alive by strikeouts. His margin for error is less now.
C.J. Cron signs with Rockies
It’s no secret why Cron emerged as an impact contributor in 2021 after barely registering previously. It was his first year in Colorado, where he hit .326 with 19 homers and a 1.073 OPS compared to .235 with nine homers and a .734 OPS on the road. Now that we know he’ll be back with the Rockies, we can take the performance more or less at face value and target him as a top-10 first baseman for 2022. It’s no certainty he’ll be able to sustain those numbers age 32, but he’ll be in the one place that makes it possible.
