The Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals will both have different opening day catchers in 2018, as the organizations have declined the extend qualifying offers to Matt Wieters and Wilson Ramos. Wieters will more than likely be the highest sought after catching free agent with Ramos recovering from anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
The Orioles and Nationals had until 5 p.m. ET Monday to extend the $17.2 million qualifying offer. Technically both Wieters and Ramos can still re-sign with their respective teams, but it would forfeit the team’s right to Draft-pick compensation in next year’s draft.
Wieters hit .243 with 17 home runs this season. The switch-hitting catcher was drafted by the Orioles in 2007 and played eight seasons in Baltimore. His 124 games played this season was the most since 2013, however he had one of his least productive season offensively. Despite the low numbers, the four-time all-star will still attract extensive offers from teams with not a lot of better options available on the market.
The Orioles had a decision between Wieters and home run king Mark Trumbo. On Monday, the Orioles decided to extend the qualifying offer to Trumbo. Trumbo lead the team with 47 home runs and 108 runs batted in.
Ramos had his best season of his career come to a crashing halt in the last week of the season. Trying to extend for a high throw home, Ramos landed awkwardly on his right knee, tearing his ACL. The 29-year-old has now had two surgeries on his right knee, which may deter teams from signing Ramos to a long-term deal.
In his seventh season for the Nationals, Ramos set career highs in just about every offensive category and was expected to receive at least a qualifying offer from the organization at the end of the season. Now, after the surgery, the earliest he will be able to play could be June. The future for “The Buffalo” may depend on an American League team making them their designated hitter.
The Orioles have catchers Caleb Joesph and Francisco Pena on the depth chart, however may decide to go with prospect Chance Sisco. Sisco is the no. 2 prospect in the Orioles system and hit .320 in 112 games at Double-A Bowie last season.
The Nationals appear ready to replace Ramos with last year’s catching backup Jose Lobaton and no. 14 prospect, Pedro Severino. Severino impressed in his short stint in September, hitting .321 in 16 games. Barring any other offseason moves, Lobaton will more than likely serve as the primary catcher as Severino develops.
Josh Belanger is the Nationals and Orioles writer for Outside Pitch Sports Network. You can connect with him on Facebook and also on Twitter.
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