Yasmani Grandal, Catcher

Bats/Throws: Switch/Right

Age: November 8, 1988 (30)

Traditional Stats: 632 PA, .246/.380/.468, 28 HR, 26 2B, 2 3B, 77 RBIs, 109 BB, 139 K

Advanced Stats: 121 wRC+, -5.1 BsR, .361 wOBA, 5.2 fWAR; +1 DRS, 17 FRM (FanGraphs)

Grandal, a Cuban native, began his professional career in the Cincinnati Reds system after being drafted by the club in the first round (12th overall) of the 2010 draft (University of Miami).

Developed exclusively as a backstop, Grandal shone at the plate throughout his ascent to the majors (.310/.410/.488, 21 HR, 109 RBIs over six MiLB seasons; 783 PA). After being traded to the San Diego Padres in the Mat Latos trade in 2011, Grandal made his MLB debut with the Friars in June 2012.

Over 777 plate appearances from his debut through the 2014 season, Grandal slashed .245/.350/.412 with 24 homers, 34 doubles, and 94 RBIs. His 60-game rookie campaign (226 PA) resulted in an extremely encouraging .297/.394/.469 line while providing sterling defense behind the plate (15 defensive runs saved, 13.6 framing runs above average).

A knee injury ended his 2013 season in July (.216/.352/.341 in 28 games) and a sub-par 2014 (.225/.327/.401, 19 doubles, 15 homers in 443 PA) led to the Padres moving on from Grandal, dealing him, Zach Eflin, and Joe Wieland to the Dodgers for Matt Kemp, Tim Federowicz, and cash considerations following the season.

Over four seasons in Los Angeles, Grandal solidified himself as an elite major league backstop, accumulating 45 DRS and 82.5 FRM between 2015 and 2018 — best in the majors over that span by eons (Yadier Molina, 17 DRS, 21.7 FRM is second).

At the plate, Grandal slashed .238/.337/.453 with 89 homers, 76 doubles, 245 RBIs, 241 walks, and 462 strikeouts over his four seasons with the Dodgers, being named to his first All-Star team in 2015 for his efforts.

Despite his defensive hiccups in the 2018 postseason, Grandal drew moderately significant interest that offseason, his first foray into free agency.

After rejecting a reported four-year, $60 million offer from the Mets and their new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, Grandal instead chose to gamble on himself, accepting a one-year, $18.25 million deal from the Brewers with a mutual, $18.25 million option for 2020, which he declined this week.

Following another characteristically solid all-around season in 2019, the market for Grandal is sure to be active in the coming months.

Contract

Considering Grandal declined to accept his lucrative option for 2020, one must assume he’s looking to stretch that level of salary over the span of multiple seasons.

Being the cream of the catching crop that he is, a three-year, $58-to-$60 million deal is likely what he and his representation are looking to secure this offseason.

Whether they find a team willing to earmark those type of dollars to an undebatably terrific ballplayer is to be determined. Taking his upside into account, it’s not outside the realm of possibility.

Recommendation

For the New York Mets to somehow work Grandal onto their roster, they’d first have to find a taker on the remaining portion of current backstop Wilson Ramos‘ deal (one year, $9.5 million; 2020 team option).

Then Van Wagenen would need to convince the current ownership group that a nearly 200 percent salary increase at the catcher position is justified.

With the high level of pitching littered through the Mets’ staff — starters and relievers, alike — having a defensive whiz like Grandal on the receiving end of those guys could be a smart way to maximize the effect of that strength.

Though, considering the track record of said ownership, this type of scenario probably shouldn’t be expected to play out.