The 3 best catchers available this offseason

MLB’s 2024 free agent class is absolutely loaded with talent. Enough so that this class could completely change the entire outlook on the league. If the right players sign with the right teams, we could see a complete shift in which teams are competitive and which teams can’t keep up.

There are superstars like Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes and Pete Alonso available. There are plenty of star pitchers available, including multiple Cy Young winners. There are also a lot of incredible infielders available. The class of outfielders is also loaded with talent.

But don’t forget the catchers! These are the three best currently available.

For more news and rumors, check out the work of MLB Insider Robert Murray The Baseball Insiders Podcastsubscribe to The Moonshotour weekly MLB newsletter, and join the Discord to get the scoop between now and the MLB offseason.

When you look at the class of catchers, there aren’t many names that jump off the page at you. In fact, there are only a handful of serviceable catchers, while the rest of the names are just backup options. Still, there are some useful backstops available this winter.

The first name that jumps off the page is the Boston RedSox catcher Danny Jansen. Jansen started the year with the Toronto blue jays before being traded to the Red Sox ahead of the deadline. In the first half of the year with the Blue Jays, Jansen slashed .212/.303/.369. After being traded to the Red Sox, he slashed a slightly worse line of .188/.323/.300.

Jansen is a good defensive option as he is one of the best blockers in the league. At best, he’s a solid rotation player that a team could sign as a backup catcher. At this point in his career, a contending team couldn’t afford to send him out as their primary catcher. But if someone signs him for a few million dollars, he could be a serviceable backup who can get in about 50 games a season.

If we go from the Danny Jansen level of players to the next level, we find ourselves with Travis d’Arnaud. d’Arnaud was a crucial part of the Atlanta Braves selection from recent seasons. d’Arnaud was named to the All-Star team during his tenure with the team, but he was never a true star.

Yet he has been more than helpful in recent years. While with the Braves for five seasons, the veteran catcher has posted an OPS+ over 100 in three of those seasons, including a 103 OPS+ last season.

Unlike Jansen, d’Arnaud has the ability to be an everyday catcher for a team if he can stay healthy for all 162 games in that role.

The veteran backstop is an average defender with average numbers across the board, but his bat is slightly above league average and makes up for it. He should sign a contract for a year or two worth around $15 million or $20 million.

While d’Arnaud has been good and is above league average in terms of production, he is not the best backstop in this class. There were a few players who just missed this list, but the number one option should come as no surprise.

The top catcher in free agency should not be a surprise to anyone. Midway through the season, some had predicted this spot would be taken Colorado Rockies backstop Elias Diaz, but Diaz’s production dropped off considerably along the way.

The best backstop entering free agency this season is the former San Diego Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka. Higaskioka had a career year in 2024 and the veteran was heading in the right direction heading into free agency.

During the first seven years of Higashioka’s big league career, he never posted a WAR higher than 1.0. Last season with the Padres, he posted a 1.4 WAR after slashing .220/.263/.476 with 17 home runs. He looked like a real slugging option with San Diego last season.

Spotrac expects Higashioka to win a contract worth just over $1 million, but that number should be higher than that. He exceeded his salary from the 2024 season, so I would be very shocked if he saw a pay cut next season.

With the number of teams in need of catchers, especially catchers who score above league average in OPS, Higashioka will have suitors this winter. Teams like the Cubs, Red Sox and several others could add him to their roster. San Diego will also likely look to carry him for another year, especially if his price tag is as cheap as reported.