Houston Astros: Jason Castro, Carlos Corporan On The Move?

The Houston Astros have been quite active over the past few days.

I had a sliver of uncertainty that the franchise was satisfied with the moves they’ve made over the past month or so.

Just a sliver I said.

I know we have one of the most aggressive general managers in baseball with Jeff Luhnow but I began to wonder.

The team has brought back Jed Lowrie — who was the featured short stop for the Astros in 2012 — for a second stint.

They’ve also added veteran relief pitchers in Luke Gregerson and Pat Neshek.

Just two days ago, the Astros also acquired rising star and utility man in Evan Gattis in exchange for Rio Ruiz, Michael Foltynewicz and Andrew Thurman — all budding prospects. This was a massive deal that involved five teams.

I was kind of bummed losing those three but sometimes you have to give to get and I think they were worth the price of Gattis.

He is far from a long shot and will be able to plug in with the Astros offensive schemes immediately.

We have a new manager in A.J. Hinch so it will be interesting to see the specifics of what those schemes are under new leadership.

But we presently have a logjam of catchers after the Astros already have Jason Castro as well as Hank Conger who was also acquired earlier in the off-season from the Los Angeles Angels.

That leaves Carlos Corporan, a reliable backup catcher that has been with the Astros the past four seasons the odd man out.

May 8, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Houston Astros catcher

Carlos Corporan

(22) receives congratulations from teammates after he hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The switch-hitter settled with the club on a one-year deal worth $975,000 yesterday avoiding arbitration. That’s nearly a 50 percent pay raise above $503,300 he made last season.

Corporan, 31, hit a gaudy .235 churning up a lackluster .302 on-base percentage in 190 plate appearances through 55 games in 2014. His catcher runs above average (RsbC) was at -1 while getting only 22 percent of the runners out that he faced which is sadly below average.

But there’s more to CC than his numbers — he was always there to make a huge play when needed and his infectious, jovial personality made life in the clubhouse a lot easier for he and his teammates. He is good friends with Jose Altuve and former Astros’ prospect Enrique “Kike” Hernandez, who had an opportunity to play alongside him for a short while last season.

Remember when he broke up Yu Darvish’s no-no with a homer back late in the 2013 season? Yeah, huge plays and stuff like that.

If there was an award for Most Awesome Backup Catcher — he’d definitely be the front-runner but just like any major-league franchise, it’s a business.

And there is word out that the Astros are pushing hard on making a deal with the Texas Rangers because of their need for a full-time catcher.

They’re looking to bring back Geovany Soto to which he was purchased by the Oakland A’s from the Rangers late last season. So Corporan coupled with Soto would fill their needs.

But what would the Astros get in return?

The Houston Chronicle’s Evan Drellich reported that it’s possible the Astros could get a mid-range prospect that would service the Astros backup needs.

Jun 20, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Houston Astros catcher

Jason Castro

(15) against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

I’d prefer a multifaceted, utility-type prospect to get the best bang for the buck.

But this is business and if he has to be moved, it will be done. But I still imagine things will be different without No. 22 around.

If Corporan were moved, that would free up that logjam to allow Castro, Conger and Gattis to all co-exist.

But who’s to say Castro isn’t on the trading block?

He’s been shopped around for quite some time and it all depends if Luhnow is confident enough to bring Gattis in as the featured catcher if a deal can be made with another team.

Although Luhnow has said Gattis will play a little left field, designated hitting and first base he may be have a deal he’s trying to broker in his back pocket.

But can Gattis and Castro co-exist?

Absolutely — especially if Castro turns his hitting around and restores himself as a regular, reliable presence at the plate.

He is just one season removed from hitting .276 with 56 RBIs with a solid .835 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) in lone All-Star appearance.

I know Castro can bounce back but will he do it in H-Town?