Is Cameron Rupp a Possible Trade Candidate?
After a breakout 2016 season, many have begun to question whether or not Phillies starting catcher, Cameron Rupp presents himself as a possible candidate to put up for trade this offseason.
To answer this question, let’s breakdown all aspects and see if we can come to a verdict in the end, with the intent to determine whether or not Rupp is a strong trade candidate.
The first question we should ask is, ‘[d]oes Rupp have enough trade value?’ Even with a thin trade market, it’s quite difficult to know if Rupp carries enough trade value to warrant a valuable return.
Cameron Rupp is far from a proven backstop like Brian McCann. However, at 28-years-old, and under club control through 2021, Rupp does have trade value, but the exact amount is unknown.
Rupp is coming off a solid, unexpected, breakout season in 2016. Slashing .253/.303/.447 (.750 OPS) with 16 HR and 54 RBI, posting a 1.3 WAR.
Are the number similar between Rupp and McCain? No, they are not.
Since McCann played in 25 more games than Rupp this past season, let’s dig back even further to both players last 561 plate appearances:
- Rupp – 24 HR and 75 RBI, .250/.306/.416 (.722 OPS), 141 strikeouts
- McCann – 21 HR and 65 RBI, .230/.326/.366 (.692 OPS), 111 strikeouts.
Though both players had very strong first halves this past season, Rupp has been the better hitter overall. McCann has the better BB/SO ratio, but at the plate, that’s practically it.
While McCann stands as a far better framer and overall defender, Rupp isn’t bad by any means. Rupp has a much stronger arm and is also quicker to react, however he still needs to improve his below average pitch framing. Rupp must be able to generate some positive return value. Maybe not to extent of McCann’s, simply due to track record, but there’s no reason Rupp couldn’t net a return that doesn’t leave fans in question.
Next, which teams would be interested in adding Rupp to their roster?
Even though he had shaky second half of the season, there’s no question that Rupp is still an above average offensive catcher. In addition, there’s about half the league who could use his services behind the plate, as well as in the batter’s box.
Obviously half of the league doesn’t have interest Rupp himself, but there’s still a handful of teams who might. The AL champion, Cleveland Indians (MLB worst .596 OPS from catchers), Baltimore Orioles (likely losing Matt Wieters via free agency), and the Boston Red Sox (Sandy Leon showed promise, but really struggled down the stretch) all seem like logical fits.
Rupp and his power at the plate would be very good fits in both Camden Yards and Fenway Park. Plus, Cleveland desperately needs to upgrade offensively.
At just 28, entering his prime, and with four more years of club control, Rupp would make plenty of sense for all three teams, and maybe even more.
Next question, ‘[h]ow do the Phillies replace Rupp?’
While Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro represent the future, to replace Rupp’s offensive and defensive production, the Phillies could look into some familiar faces to the upper management.
The Phillies front office is very familiar with four-time all-star catcher, switch-hitter Matt Wieters.
Both general manager, Matt Klentak and president, Andy Macphail were in the Orioles upper management during Wieters debut and rise in Baltimore from 2009-2011. He averaged 14 HR and 55 RBI during that stretch, slashing .265/.328/.415 (.743 OPS), and posting a 8.9 WAR.
Wieters continued his success for two more seasons, but from 2014-2015 he would only play in 101 games for Baltimore dealing with multiple injuries.
But, is Wieters a reality for the Phillies?
Wieters could get multi-year deal, and should. Also, many would agree that if the Phillies went that route, they wouldn’t be wasting their time. As mentioned, Wieters is still only 30, and while he did make the all-star team this past season, and doesn’t have a draft pick attached to him in free agency, this was still only his first season back.
A player like Wieters could benefit from taking a massive one year deal. In the past, he has taken qualifying offers, so the idea that he’s a player who wants to bet on himself is at least real.
Finally, with all things considered, should the Phillies trade Rupp?
With two premium catching prospects, money to spend, a desire for veteran hitters, as well as the fact there’s a real chance this could be the best of Cameron Rupp…
I’m on board with selling now.
Though there’s not much upside for the Phillies, Rupp does have value. Jorge Alfaro is penciled in as the man of the future, and Andrew Knapp is quite the insurance policy.
But let’s not forget, money with flexibility can always help too.
Photo: Arturo Pardavila III (via: Flickr)
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Categorized:Phillies