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| Kratz (right) |
The San Francisco Giants have acquired catcher Erik Kratz from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for INF CJ Hinojosa.
The Giants were in need of a backup catcher for Buster Posey with Nick Hundley leaving this offseason. They opted not to go with Aramis Garcia, who made his MLB debut in 2018, appearing in 19 games. Both Stephen Vogt and Rene Rivera were in camp on minor league deals, but Kratz is a better option. Kratz impressed last postseason with the Brewers. The Giants will be Kratz\’s eighth team, all since he left the Phillies after 2013.
Kratz, 38, hit .236 with six home runs and 23 RBIs in 219 Plate Appearances for the Brewers last season. He hit .292 in the Brewers\’ playoff run. In his MLB career for the Brewers, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, *exhales* Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates, Kratz has hit .211 with 30 home runs and 98 RBIs in 868 Plate Appearances.
The Brewers upgraded their catching this offseason, signing Yasmani Grandal to a one year deal. With Grandal and the starter last year, Manny Pina returning, their wasn\’t room for Kratz. Getting a prospect in Hinojosa was better than designating Kratz for assignment, looking other teams might have done in the same situation.
Hinojosa, 24, hit .265 with three home runs, six stolen bases and 28 RBIs in 311 Plate Appearances for AA Richmond and High-A San Jose last season. In his minor league career, Hinojosa has a batting average of .273 with 21 home runs, 135 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 1484 Plate Appearances.
CarterHud 