(Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports)
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports joined the the A’s Insider podcast to discuss the Oakland Athletics and what players they may look to possibly deal this offseason. One name came up that may be of interest to the New York Mets, in Stephen Vogt.
Yes, General Manager of the Metropolitans, Sandy Alderson has come out and said that the team intends to go into Spring Training with Travis d’Arnaud as his catcher. Although of course, this is baseball and if the right deal comes along, he is going to make it.
Vogt, 32, has become a pretty decent offensive player over the last couple of seasons. In 2016, he hit to a .251/.305/.406 batting line to go with 14 homers and 56 RBI in 137 games played while splitting time mainly between catcher and designated hitter.
Those numbers were a bit below his breakout 2015 campaign that saw him hit to a .261/.341/.443 batting line in which he also had 18 homers and 71 RBI.
Another interesting aspect to Vogt’s game is his ability to log some time at first base as well. He did not do so much in 2016, only getting to play one game at first, but he did do so 25 times in 2015. He even played both corner outfield positions in 2014, further showing his versatility.
Defensively, Vogt is not terrible but is not known as a high-class defender behind the plate. Baserunners do attempt to steal on him, this past season he allowed 51 stolen bases while throwing out 20. He is not though considered to be the liability that d’Arnaud has become.
Vogt is also a two-time All-Star now, appearing in the last two celebratory games for Major League Baseball. It is not exactly known what the A’s may be looking for in return at this time but it is certainly worth a check-in for Alderson at the upcoming GM Meetings in Washington D.C.
If he could indeed be had for the right price, Vogt could be a good addition to this Mets line-up. The trade whirlwinds are about to pick up as we head towards the General Manager meetings which begin December 5.
