Brewers Rumors: MLB Insiders Surprisingly Report Crew Catcher Could Be On Trade Block

The week leading up to the MLB trade deadline is always the craziest time of the regular season. Rumors are swirling left and right, trades are being executed, and fan bases are all hopeful that their team will get the player(s) needed to in order propel their team to the World Series or receive an exciting prospect in return.

This year the Brewers are poised to be buyers as they are attempting to regain the National League Central division crown. There are multiple positions in which they could upgrade offensively, but per two separate MLB Insiders one of their catchers is emerging as a trade candidate.

Milwaukee Brewers catcher Victor Caratini has been linked to multiple reports from MLB Insiders suggesting that he is a trade candidate.

Both Jeff Passan and Robert Murray have listed Victor Caratini as a trade option. As of late the backup catcher has served as Corbin Burnes personal battery mate. He is a solid defender and hits from both sides of the plate, which makes why other teams find him appealing easy to justify.

Offensively, Victor Caratini has a career 84 OPS+, which indicates that he is a below average offensive catcher. When Milwaukee acquired him a season ago he ended up earning the starting gig over Omar Narvaez but a dreadful second half of the season brought his numbers down to reality. This year he has been used situationally, which is likely a role he would continue to serve in should he be dealt to a contending team.

This season, Caratini is putting up solid numbers, hitting .248 with five homers and a .710 OPS.

As a backup catcher who is set to be a free agent at season end it is hard to imagine the Brewers getting a significant player in return. It's possible that Milwaukee is trying to package him with other players, but as mentioned that may not be appealing to any team that is out of the playoff hunt for he will become a free agent later this year and there is no guarantee that they would be able to retain him.

Aside from Willson Contreras there are not a lot of catchers names being thrown around prior to the trade deadline. Victor Caratini may be the best option available for a team that feels like they need an upgrade at the position.

Should the Brewers part ways with Caratini, they would need to add a backup catcher to the 40-man roster. 20 year old prospect Jeferson Quero is currently on the IL and a jump from Double-A to the Majors seems unlikely. In Triple-A Payton Henry started the year on the 40-man roster and could be considered but Alex Jackson is having a better season.

It would be a bit of a surprise to see the Brewers move a valuable veteran from their big league roster at the Deadline considering their position in the standings, but the Brewers have surprised us before. The MLB trade deadline is next week Tuesday, August 1.