Braves targeting Matt Wieters

Free-agent catcher Matt Wieters is among the players on the Braves’ list of targets, according to ESPN’s Jim Bowden.

Atlanta may like to upgrade at catcher, with only Tyler Flowers, Anthony Recker and Tuffy Gosewisch as current options behind the plate. The club had some interest in Jason Castro this winter before he signed with the Twins on a 3-year deal, but was unwilling to meet his asking price early in the offseason.

The Braves will likely only sign Wieters if he meets their ask price, as general manager John Coppolella downplayed the potential match in a recent Twitter chat while admitting that a deal “would have to make sense” for both sides. At this point in the winter, Atlanta may find a bargain in Wieters, who is the best available catcher after the signings of Castro and Wilson Ramos.

Wieters, who will not return to the Orioles after their signing of Welington Castillo, is likely to sign during the month of January, according to agent Scott Boras. The backstop did not receive a qualifying offer from the O’s at the outset of the winter, and has not seen his market to develop to his liking thus far. The Nationals have been considered one of the favorites to sign Wieters after losing Ramos to the Rays, though those sides do not appear close to a deal either.