Catcher SituationLo
by Gnick on Jul 3, 2008 12:22 AM EDT
21 comments
With our current starting catcher hitting .216/.300/.364 and our backup hitting .235/.308/.333 it may be time to start thinking about replacing Cash and/or Varitek. For everything that is made of how well Varitek handles our pitchers, there may be a time where his lack of offensive production and poor rate of throwing out basestealers overshadow his intangibles. And, if you ask me, that time has come. Varitek is essentially a black hole of production at the bottom of our lineup.
The only difficulty is that young C's are hard to come by, and teams that get them rarely want to give them away. The only team with multiple good young catchers is Texas. To get one of them might mean giving up Bowden, Masterson, or both.
Which brings us the idea of available veteran catchers, of which there are once again next to none. With the Mariners struggling Kenji Johjima will probably become available, he's an excellent defender and would probably be good for the clubhouse in terms of Dice-K and Okajima, but do we really want a guy hitting .229/..270/.317. Even though he has that atrocious line his struggles may be at least partly attributed to playing for a dysfunctional team in Seattle, and a change in scenery could produce more respectable numbers.
The only other veteran Catcher that's available would be Paul Lo Duca of the Nat's, a player I wouldn't want to touch with a ten foot pole. He's missed significant time this year and is hitting .228/..307/.291, plus he was a steroid user in the past, meaning his body is most likely breaking down.
So what do you think RSN, what should we do at Catcher?
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Trade for Brian McCann or Russell Martin
Since we’d have to empty our farm system, we should do so to get someone who proven to be worthy while not being old.
Tek is looking bad at the plate these days. His swing is awful.
It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girls dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.
by MerryGoByeBye on Jul 3, 2008 12:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
black holes
Obviously, you can’t re-sign this guy like the Yanks did Posada (4-year deal for a guy already 35). I hate to say this but ‘Tek looks over-the-hill and his anemic hitting isn’t just a “slump.” He only hit about .230 last year. It’s time for the Sox to obtain their catcher of the future…..probably in the off—season. I hope they get a shortstop, too. Veritek and Lugo are “black holes,”” as you say – as are all of our relievers except Pap.
by ccthemovieman on Jul 3, 2008 8:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Tek hit .255 last year, with a .367 OBP and .421 SLG. He was a pretty good hitter. You’re probably thinking of 2006 (.238 BA) when he missed around 30 games to injury.
by 0157H7 on Jul 3, 2008 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Also, due to injury (something that happens with old catchers), Posada will likely play more at DH and 1B than C this year.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Jul 3, 2008 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't mind
seeing a little bit more playing time for Cash. Playing once every five games makes it real hard to become a solid everyday player. I still think you need Tek’s presence for a few more years to help mold the younger pitchers. Until Tek and Wake are too old to play, It’s hard seeing the Sox making a move to replace these guys.
Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.
by mystman995 on Jul 3, 2008 10:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Cash has been one of the worst hitters in baseball
over the past five years. The first three months of the season were an aberration.
I would mind very much if he got more playing time.
Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.
by britsoxfan on Jul 3, 2008 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Word
Cash is to C what Cora is to SS.
It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girls dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.
by MerryGoByeBye on Jul 3, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holy Crap
I just looked at his batting stats from years past. Yikes. This season has actually helped his career batting average. There has to be somebody out there better…..
Is there a catcher out there who can hit AND catch the knuckleball?
Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.
by mystman995 on Jul 3, 2008 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes, the sox need a new catcher
and no, it’s not going to happen in the middle of this season. ‘Tek still does a great job with the pitching staff and he’s the captain of the team after all. The only way the Sox would do a midseason trade for a catcher is if ‘Tek were hurt.
by RickD on Jul 3, 2008 12:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'd trade the farm
for a Taylor Teagarden type. My only untouchables are Buchholz and Bowden. Everyone else currently in the minors (and in the fifth spot of the lineup) is available for a front-line catching prospect.
Then sign Tek to a two-year extension, with the expectation that he’ll be a part-timer/mentor to a young guy. I think Tek would relish the role of mentor/coach/part-timer (entirely speculative on my part). Whoever the catcher of the future is should learn his craft from Tek.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on Jul 3, 2008 2:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Max Ramirez is a slightly more legit catcher.
And consequently, the price would be higher. But Texas need pitching. So… actually, I’d consider Bowden in that deal.
Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.
by britsoxfan on Jul 3, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trade
It’s true that we shouldn’t get too confident in stable of young arms, but to me the paucity of good catchers makes them more valuable than all but highest caliber pitchers.
I’d see who we could get for Masterson – I love him, but I don’t see as a high a ceiling on him as Bowden and Bucholtz. That he has shown such composure in the majors should make him very attractive. I say go after Salty while his stock is down.
by alfredo on Jul 3, 2008 4:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Salty is overrated
He’s not a very good fielder, and not a very good hitter as well. I wouldn’t trade for him.
It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girls dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.
by MerryGoByeBye on Jul 3, 2008 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd grab Salty for Masterson
He could be a .280/.350/.420 hitter for the next ten years, good production from a C.
by Gnick on Jul 3, 2008 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Salty for Masterson
Oh, I’d do that too. But I don’t think it would be enough for the Rangers.
It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girls dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.
by MerryGoByeBye on Jul 3, 2008 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay
Lets say Masterson, Crisp, and Bard. That might be able to get the job done and would be something I’m happy with.
by Gnick on Jul 4, 2008 1:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rangers would ask for Masterson and Bowden, I guess
Which is: No, thank you.
It's the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girls dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.
by MerryGoByeBye on Jul 4, 2008 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rangers
On paper, a very good prospective trade partner. But have you noticed that teams rarely trade young players for young players? I wish they could work something out, but I think the problem is usually that teams always overrate their own players, and want more back for them than anyone is willing to give. Which is why you usually see proven veterans traded for farm players. If anything, I think the Rangers would be willing to give up Laird, when he comes back from injury. He’s 28, so he’s not exactly a spring chick anymore, but he could give the Sox a good defensive catcher that can hit and is ready to go right now. Laird is also blocking the three other Rangers catching prospects, and I think he could be had for Masterson, Hansen/Delcarmen, and a low minors guy like Reddick or Kalish.
by sggut95 on Jul 6, 2008 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Too much.
Laird is a decent solution, but he’s basically worth a Coco Crisp.
The Rangers have three young catching prospects, and they have already shown a willingness to trade youth for youth (Hamilton-Volquez). And they are thin on pitching. Trading one of their young catchers for good pitching is the smart move for them.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on Jul 6, 2008 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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