Hunter Goodman, the Colorado Rockies’ two-time All-Star, is crushing baseballs with 31 home runs and an .888 OPS, making him the top trade candidate on his team. But hold up, Emerald City, because despite all that offensive firepower, there’s a huge problem that has the entire league raising an eyebrow: his defense behind the plate is straight-up concerning.
That Bat Is Electric, But the Glove Is a Buzzkill
Yeah, you read that right. Goodman’s bat is pure gold, the kind of slugging prowess that makes you want to tune in every night. Yet, when he puts on the gear and gets behind the dish, it’s a different story. He simply does not grade as a strong defender at catcher. We’re talking a below-average pop time and framing that isn’t exactly making pitchers happy. This isn’t just some fan theory, either. Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon from The Athletic dropped the scoop, saying, “Yet, interested clubs are resisting the Rockies’ early ask, according to people briefed on the discussions, in part because of their dissatisfaction with Goodman’s work behind the plate.” It’s brutal when your biggest strength is overshadowed by a glaring weakness, isn’t it?
Yankees, Red Sox, and the Big Catch Dilemma
You’d think teams needing a catcher would be all over a guy with 31 dingers, right? Well, two teams with a clear need behind the plate are the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, but even they’re hesitating. Goodman’s struggles with the glove are a real hurdle. Rosenthal and Sammon hit us with another gem from an exec who’s looking for a catcher: “Goodman’s defense was so concerning that his club did not even check with the Rockies about their price.” Ouch. Another exec was even more blunt, saying his club would need a better defensive catcher to give up the prospect capital the Rockies will undoubtedly demand. It’s a tough spot. Is the bat enough to overcome a defensive black hole? For some teams, the answer seems to be a hard no. Remember, the Yankees have Jose Caballero pushing the limits of the rules, but that’s a whole different vibe.
What’s Next for Goodman and the Rockies’ Price Tag?
The Rockies, bless their hearts, are last in the majors in ERA, but they don’t blame Goodman for their pitching woes. According to sources briefed on their thinking, the organization believes their pitchers are “simply not good enough.” While Goodman’s defense probably shouldn’t be fully blamed for the rotation’s struggles, it could play a part. Here’s the kicker: the Rockies are in no rush to trade Goodman. He’s got three years of club control after 2026, which means they can set a high price. But if interested teams like the Yankees (whose trade deadline plans are apparently all about Aaron Judge) and Red Sox aren’t willing to meet it because of his defensive issues, they’ll likely just look elsewhere for their next catcher upgrade. Will Goodman’s power bat eventually win out, or will his glove keep him grounded in Colorado? We’ll be watching to see if any team decides to roll the dice on his incredible offense despite the defensive questions.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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