The SF Giants got some bad news this week when it was announced that their catcher Patrick Bailey would go on the IL with an oblique injury. The Giants could use some help at catcher, and it could come in the form of the recently released Elias Díaz.
The Colorado Rockies placed the veteran catcher on outright waivers recently and he is now a free agent. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Giants could have interest in Diaz after the injury to Bailey.
Díaz has been with the Rockies since 2020. Giants fans have probably become familiar with him over the years and may even remember his go-ahead home run in the 2023 All-Star Game that helped the National League win their first All-Star Game since 2012 and resulted in him being named the game’s MVP.
Díaz was having a decent year for the Rockies before they let him go. He was slashing .270/.315/.378 with 5 home runs and 36 RBI in 84 games played and 304 at-bats. The move appears to be a way for the Rockies to make room for rookie catcher Drew Romo.
The Giants definitely seem like a candidate to sign Díaz. Bailey is only on the 10-day IL, but oblique injuries can be unpredictable. If the Giants feel like there is a chance Bailey misses an extended period of time, then they may need to add another catcher.
Currently, the Giants have catchers Curt Casali and Jakson Reetz on their big league roster. Both are serviceable catchers, but if Bailey misses an extended period of time they are certainly going to want more production from that position.
No one is going to be able to replace Bailey defensively. He is among the most elite defensive catchers in the game. But Casali and Reetz are not offensive upgrades in any way which is saying a lot since Bailey has been ice cold at the plate since the All-Star break.
Díaz would probably be an offensive upgrade over all the team’s catchers including Bailey. He had 14 home runs last season so he has some power and is not a defensive liability. He would make the team better the rest of the season especially if Bailey is out for longer than is hoped.
Some may be wondering about Tom Murphy, the backup catcher the Giants signed in the offseason who injured his knee earlier this year and has been out since May. He began hitting and running recently so he could return this year but he has not played in a while and would need a rehab assignment before coming back to the big leagues. Plus, he was not exactly tearing the cover off the ball when he was healthy as he has a .118 batting average this season.
Elias Díaz is a viable option for the Giants as they scramble to find a replacement for Bailey. Do not be surprised if they end up signing him soon.
