Kelly Shoppach with the Red Sox earlier this season.
Earlier this afternoon the Mets announced that they have acquired catcher Kelly Shoppach from the Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later. Shoppach is is 32 years old and bats right handed. The Mets have needed an upgrade at backup catcher for quite some time now, and hopefully Shoppach can be just that.
Shoppach has posted a .250 batting average with Boston this season in 148 plate appearances. His on base percentage sits at .327 and has currently has a .471 slugging percentage. Shoppach has always been a catcher who has hit for above average power, although he strikes out at a very high rate. He has struck out 62 times this season while walking just 11 times.
On the defensive side of things, Shoppach is slightly above average in all aspects of defensive skill. While he will not wow you behind plate, he usually makes all of the plays that need to be made. The part of Shoppach’s game that will help the Mets the most is his ability to hit left handed pitching. Shoppach had a .270 batting average against lefties.
Overall I like this move for the Mets. Shoppach is under control for this season, so the rest of this season is almost like a tryout for next year, which works in the Mets’ favor. If Shoppach goes out and plays well, he will most likely be retained headed into next year.
Another interesting thing will be how much chemistry our young pitchers will be able to develop with Shoppach. Harvey seemed comfortable with Johnson, but he will most likely be headed back to Buffalo after this trade.
In addition, I do not expect the player to be named later to be anyone of great significance, and I believe that player will be announced after the season.
What do you think about the trade? Do you see Shoppach as an option for 2013? Leave a comment below with your thoughts, or send me a tweet @tysim19.
