With Kurt Suzuki out of the picture, the Oakland Athletics could be in the market for a veteran catcher, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

I wouldn't be surprised if #Athletics look to make waiver deal for veteran catcher. Among those expected to be a available: Ramon Hernandez.

— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) August 3, 2012

The A's are currently rolling with Derek Norris and Georgge Kottaras at catcher after trading Suzuki to the Washington Nationals yesterday. Other backstops on the 40-man roster include Anthony Recker and Josh Donaldson.

Norris, a 23-year-old rookie, is hitting just .193/.256/.313. Kottaras, who was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, is hitting .207/.402/.348 overall in 2012.

Slusser singled out former Athletic Ramon Hernandez, who is hitting .212/.250/.356 for the Colorado Rockies. Hernandez, 36, appears to be a sensible candidate to be placed on waivers, as the Rockies have the second-worst record in all of baseball and are taking a look at more of their younger players.

Two catchers who recently became available are Carlos Maldonado and Wil Nieves. It would be safe to assume if Oakland had any interest in Maldonado, who was designated for assignment yesterday, they would have requested he be included in the Suzuki trade.

Nieves was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies Wednesday, has cleared waivers and is now a free agent, according to Troy Renk of the Denver Post. Nieves, 34, is a career .226/.272/.296 hitter.

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Should the A's be motivated to find a catcher, or stick with Norris and Kottaras?

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