Dodgers: Four Questions the 2018 Dodgers Must Answer

Who is the primary catcher for the Dodgers in 2018?

The Dodgers face a conundrum at the catcher position as well for the 2018 season.  It is more than probable that they will even carry three catchers on the roster since Austin Barnes and Kyle Farmer are capable of playing multiple positions when they aren’t catching.  The question is how do the Dodgers divide up the playing time at catcher?  Barnes took over the starting role towards the end of the season and during the post-season, but he appeared to break down from starting too many games.

Barnes is listed at 190 pounds so he is small for a catcher and it’s not a good idea for the Dodgers to start him more than 100 games.  While Yasmani Grandal once again faded in the second half, he still did not have a bad season overall but is approaching a contract year.  Grandal will be 30 years old after next season which is getting old for a starting everyday catcher.  Especially one who has had as many injuries has Grandal has had throughout his career.

Dave Roberts could choose to play a platoon since Barnes had a .886 OPS off of southpaw pitching compared to a .668 OPS by Grandal.  Playing a platoon would allow both catchers to get rest and not wear down as much as an every day starting catcher would.  Both Grandal and Barnes are elite pitch framers so the Dodgers will have a strong defensive catcher no matter who starts.