Flowers looking like a fit with 2015 White Sox
Last winter, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn was shopping for a proven major-league catcher, not just an ordinary veteran.
Specifically, Hahn targeted free-agent Brian McCann and passed on available catchers like Dioner Navarro, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and yes, A.J. Pierzynski.
As for McCann, Hahn is likely relieved the Yankees made such an overwhelming financial offer and landed the former Braves star.
In the first season of a five-year, $85 million contract, let's just say McCann looks like a dubious investment with a .234/.289/.399 hitting line along with 20 home runs and 66 RBI.
This winter, Hahn might take another stab at making an upgrade behind the plate. But much like last off-season, there is really only one obvious free agent likely to be available - Russell Martin - and the cost again figures to be prohibitive.
A trade is always possible, but with glaring holes to fill in the bullpen, starting rotation, left field and at designated hitter, Hahn is not going to have the finances to fix everything.
That's why it's looking more and more like Tyler Flowers will be back with the Sox in 2015 and possibly beyond.
In late August, Hahn said Flowers is solid calling games, and that's a big plus. As for his offensive skills, it has been an up and down season to say the least.
Flowers came out strong, batting .367 in April. The average slipped to .208 in May before the 28-year-old catcher really tanked in June, batting .129 (9-for-70) while striking out 34 times.
To his credit, Flowers doesn't take failure lightly. Instead of relaxing over the all-star break, he worked on his swing and it paid off. Heading into Wednesday night's game against the Royals, Flowers was batting .285 with 9 home runs and 22 RBI in the second half.
"I just keep trying to do the same routine and make adjustments when I need to," Flowers said after hitting 2 home runs against Oakland last week at U.S. Cellular Field. "A lot of times I haven't made them quick enough or grasped on to anything, but it's been a lot of fun recently just feeling like I can go up and compete and put quality at-bats together. Even in the midst of striking out a fair bit still, I'm still going up there confident like I can contribute. It's definitely more fun that what it was for that month or so earlier in the year."
After batting .195 with 10 home runs and 24 RBI in 2013 before having season-ending shoulder surgery in September, Flowers wasn't too optimistic about his future with the White Sox.
He still received a one-year offer for $950,000 and figures to double that amount and be back with the Sox next season.
As Hahn and manager Robin Ventura have often said, finding catchers that are great hitters and great defenders is a difficult task.
"Catching wise, I've been very happy with his pitch calling, being able to call the game, helping the pitchers out when he can," Ventura said of Flowers. "Offensively, I think he's had a nice little comeback. He got off to a good start then buried himself for a little while. Now, I think if you look at the quality of his at-bats, they've been better."