Arizona Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart: Price too high for catchers via trade

On the day the Diamondbacks traded Miguel Montero, General Manager Dave Stewart said finding another catcher was something the club had to do. But after seeing the cost of catchers on the trade market, Stewart doesn't seem to feel that way anymore.

"We've not made a whole lot of headway in that area yet," Stewart said. "Without really giving up something that's going to cost us a player that we don't want to give away, we don't have a whole lot of motion yet."

After dealing Montero to the Chicago Cubs last month, a trade that unloaded the remaining $40 million on Montero's contract, the Diamondbacks are left with last year's backup, Tuffy Gosewisch, and Rule 5 selection Oscar Hernandez, who spent last season in the Low Class A Midwest League.

The Diamondbacks don't seem to be expecting much offensively out of either player — Gosewisch hit .225 with a .553 OPS in 129 at-bats last season; Hernandez, 21, hit .249 with a .401 slugging for Bowling Green — but they think their surrounding cast is strong enough to overcome the lack of production.

"We feel that offensively we're going to be decent enough that we can give away some offense at a position or maybe even a position or two," Stewart said. "If (the right deal) comes our way, it comes our way. But I'm not going to give away a player that we hold in high regard to get a catcher."

Or, at least, not the catchers that are up for trade. The Diamondbacks have spoken with Toronto about Dioner Navarro, who became available after the Blue Jays signed free agent Russell Martin. Navarro, 30, has posted solid numbers in recent seasons but is just a .255 career hitter. He is owed $5 million this year.

The Diamondbacks have also had discussions about Welington Castillo, who has been the Cubs' primary catcher the past two seasons but whose role is uncertain after they acquired Montero and signed free agent David Ross. The Cubs were said to have been hesitant to discuss Castillo with the Diamondbacks during the Montero negotiations but have been more open to moving him in recent weeks.

Castillo had a productive 2013 season, hitting .274 with a .349 on-base, but fell off last year, posting a .237 average and .686 OPS.

Stewart suspects rival clubs are viewing the Diamondbacks as dealing from a position of weakness and are thus asking for highly regarded prospects in return. "Our top guys," he said.

Tomas' arrival

The Diamondbacks say Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas continues to make progress in securing documentation to come to the United States and are hopeful that he'll arrive within the next two weeks.

Stewart said Tomas has been working "really, really hard" at third base at the club's facility in the Dominican Republic and that he's made more strides with his physique.

"He's trimmed down a lot, leaned out," Stewart said. "He's still 250 pounds, but his body is changed in a different way. He's a real strong, solid guy.

"He's an exciting player," Stewart said. "Once you watch him in his batting practices, look at how he goes about his business. He works hard. He wants to make the transition to third base. It's going to be exciting. Don't get me wrong, he still needs quite a bit of work at third, but he's coming along pretty good."

Short hop

Stewart said he expects infielder Chris Owings' recovery from left shoulder surgery to stretch into perhaps the first week of the Cactus League season. "He's going to be a little behind," Stewart said.