Rockies May Cut Catcher Ramon Hernandez, But Pairing With SF Giants Seems Unlikely

May 15, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (9) watches the ball bounce ahead of Colorado Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez (55) during the eighth inning at AT

A week or so back, San Francisco Giants scribe Andrew Baggarly made a suggestion that the orange and black might look into Colorado Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez given Hector Sanchez‘s struggling recovery. Of course, there were two issues with that. Sanchez finally had some positive recovery news recently as he resumed throwing and taking swings from the left side quickly after that report and Hernandez is due $3.2 million bucks this year, something the Giants aren’t going to pay for what they would consider a third string backstop. Apparently, they aren’t the only ones concerned with the enlarged salary as the Rockies are struggling to find a trade partner and Fox’s Ken Rosenthal is reporting the Rockies may opt to cut the catcher if no trade partner can be found in the coming days.

"#Rockies might not find taker for R. Hernandez, who is due $3.2M. Release possible. Torrealba will back up Rosario."

With Hector Sanchez recovering (although slowly) it appears the Giants aren’t as in need of Hernandez as much as they were even a week ago, but there’s no doubt the Giants’ brass has to be concerned about how healthy Sanchez will be this season and what to do if he goes down. Guillermo Quiroz, while a quick stop gap in an emergency situation is adequate, he’s not really somebody you want to hedge your bets on especially in a situation like the Giants where Buster Posey will get his “rest” at first base relatively often. That’s not to say Hernandez is a world beater by any stretch, but I’m sure the vast majority would feel more comfortable with Hernandez behind the dish as opposed to Quiroz – not that either is really all that appealing however.

That all said – even if the Rockies do end up releasing Bochy’s former backstop in San Diego, he’d have to be willing to come to San Francisco and do so in a backup’s backup role, splitting time between Fresno and San Francisco depending on Sanchez’s health. And with other opportunities out there for far greater playing time (say like the New York Yankees), it doesn’t seem like it’s a perfect match for either party and I’m pretty sure there aren’t any Giant fans crying over it.