If the Tigers don't want him, we need to get him

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 3, 2007 4:59 PM EDT

The rumors out of Detroit are that the Tigers do not plan on picking up Ivan Rodriquez's 9 million dollar option for next season. If the Tigers do allow "Pudge" to go, the Rays need to make him one of their top priorities of the off season.

While he is not the same player he was a couple of years ago, Pudge is still one of the best catchers in the league. He has already worked magic with two young staffs with the Marlins and Tigers. Possibly the most important person on the baseball field is the catcher. He sets the defense, works with the pitchers, and keeps guys from stealing and getting into scoring position. Scott Kazmir has asked for veteran help, and this would be the perfect move.

Pudge one of the leagues youngest staffs when he was with both the Tigers and the Marlins, but they had their best years with him behind the plate. Both teams were terrible the year before Pudge go there, but made runs immediately after getting him on the team. While it was not all Pudge that did this for him, he was a huge part of why those teams made the runs they did. Ask any pitcher that Pudge has caught for and that guy will tell you exactly what Pudge does for a team and a pitching staff everyday.

Pudge is not only great with the pitchers about their pitches, but also has a cannon for an arm and may be the best defensive catcher in the league still. No one wants to run on him and he does not allow many pass balls. Pitchers feel comfortable with him behind the plate and go out to the mound focused on pitching and not worrying about anything else. He is getting older and is not in his prime, but he is still one of the best and a great upgrade for the Rays. His offense has declined recently, but he is still a much better hitter than Dioner Navarro.

The Rays young staff would listen to Pudge not only out on the field, but also in the clubhouse and during pitching sessions. It is like having another coach out on the field and on the team everyday he is with the team. The Rays know they need to address the pitching and get a veteran on the team. Acquiring Pudge would help both of those things out. They would still need to get another arm in the pen and maybe a starter, but Pudge himself will lower the team ERA a point. The Rays won't have to pay him 9 million, but may need to shell out a decent amount to get him here. He is worth it and not only will it help the team, but it will show fans they are serious about winning.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Comments

And Navarro?

He hit .285/.340/.475 in the second half. I don't think we're in the market for a catcher, nor should we be. Give Navarro a chance and see if his production can translate to a full season.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Oct 3, 2007 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

Re: And Navarro?

I guess my point was more that the catcher does a lot more than hit. Pudge has helped so many young staffs and almost all playoff teams have a vet behind the plate. Our pitchers could learn a lot from him. If we could get him for 4-5 mill i think it would be a good deal.

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 3, 2007 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think he will come that cheap

But a .714 OPS with a sub-.300 OBP isn't anything to crow about. I'd rather take my chances with Navarro even at that price.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Oct 3, 2007 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: If the Tigers don't want him, we need to get h

I've heard the Tigers were going to retain Pudge. If that's not the case I don't see how he wouldn't benefit the Rays.

Yeah, he's not what he once was but he's still one of the top 5 catchers in the game. Acquiring Pudge wouldn't mean we have to give up on Pudgito (Navarro). Would it really kill Navarro to back up Pudge for a year or two? Heck I think it would do him good to learn from the best.

Pudge would most certainly help our pitchers develop. Imagine Kaz, Shields and Price learning some tricks by one of the best to ever call a game. That's priceless.

by floridaroar on Oct 3, 2007 6:45 PM EDT reply actions

Re: If the Tigers don't want him,

I think it would be a great pick up, but my guess is that he will re-sign with the Tigers at a discount. The Tigers don't really have someone ready to step in when Pudge leaves, so I think they will be keeping him.

by missplacedraysfan on Oct 3, 2007 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

Let's get him...

I will personally throw in my $8.78...81 to pay for pudge... All of this (shakes fist full of coins) could be his!

I would also friggin' love Posada!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Oct 3, 2007 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

Two words...

Scott Boras

Nothing comes cheap and easy. They should get him in a platoon, but Stu already has kiboshed it. Too bad

Joe

by joedobr on Oct 3, 2007 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Two words...

Alright boys... I will go grab a shovel... someone grab a flashlight... this Boras guy has got to go... Boras... any relation to....

by thebaddancingraysfan on Oct 3, 2007 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Navarro

I am just not sure that we want to stifle Navarro's playing time just after he finally appeared to "get it" and show results with his bat. I would love to see this progress continue to be exhibited on a day to day basis next year. If Navarro had struggled through the second half that would be one thing, but he didn't. He got hot, and I just don't think you screw with that.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Oct 3, 2007 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

Hopefully all the personal issues are behind Navy

And he can come to camp in the best shape of his pro career.

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 3, 2007 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Navarro

Patrick,
Let's be honest. when it comes to catcher, Navy sometimes gets lacksidasical. Maybe bringing a PROVEN veteran who has won championships and award would be pretty helpful.

He is called Pudgito for all-sake.

Yes, his bad did come alive at the second half. I know I do better if I know there is a competition. Think about. Since Navi has joined the squad backstop was his position.

by thebaddancingraysfan on Oct 3, 2007 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Damian Miller please.

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 3, 2007 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions

He Screams

Second coming of Charlie O'Brian.

by thebaddancingraysfan on Oct 3, 2007 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

But why are we lighting a fire under his ass?

When he has shown the most life of his career in the last period of this season?

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Oct 3, 2007 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Damian Miller?

A 38 yo catcher with a .645 OPS. Are you kidding?

by TomT on Oct 3, 2007 9:33 PM EDT reply actions

Better than Paul

He's cheap, and he calls a decent game.

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 3, 2007 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Better than Paul

Paul has better facial hair

by thebaddancingraysfan on Oct 3, 2007 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: If the Tigers don't want him, we need to get

Boras part does suck about Pudge, I agree. I think that he offers so much more than just a catcher, as I talked about. Pudge has turned around young staffs before and I think this would be a great spot for him. I am not talking about giving up on Navvaro. Navvaro has been called little pudge because he reminds people of pudge, so why not giv him the real thing to learn from? He can learn for 2 more years, he is only 21, and be a better catcher for it. I think this could be a great thing for the Rays pitchers, catchers, and organization.

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 3, 2007 10:38 PM EDT reply actions

Navarro will be 24 next February

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Oct 3, 2007 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Navarro will be 24 next February

24, wow, sorry thought it was 21. Still 25 for a baseball player is great. 27 is the great number for breakouts

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 3, 2007 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes

But at 25 you are still getting into the prime of your career, and coming off one of his career highpoints, I don't think we want to put off his starting PT for a year or more.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Oct 4, 2007 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Very Pleased

I do want to say that no matter the differences I am glad that we all have on thing in common, we love the Rays and want them to win. We all believe we know how to accomplish it, but each opinion could be correct in its own way.

Go Rays

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 3, 2007 11:29 PM EDT reply actions

If the Tigers don't want him, we need to get him

If a player puts asses in seats, has taken two teams to World Series Championships with his handling of a pitching staff, you currently have humpty frick'n Dumpty (Navarro) behind the plate. The only thing to consider is how much cha-ching to throw at him and for how long.

SIGN HIM!!!!!!!!

by Mick 08' on Oct 5, 2007 9:07 AM EDT reply actions

Re: If the Tigers don't want him, we need to get

Of course, it wasn't Magglio Ordonez, Justin Verlander, ect. and good talent driving the Tigers, it was Pudge! And it wasn't Miguel Cabrera going apeshit, nope, that was Pudge.

Humpty Dumpty's OPS: .642
Puge: .714

Obviously he would've made a huge difference this year...right?

Also since when do catchers past their prime who were accused of roid usage put people in the seats?

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 5, 2007 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: If the Tigers don't want him, we need to get

My comment again was on the pitching staffs. You cannot deny that he has a great effect on young pitching staffs. Bondermand and Maroth got instantly better when Pudge got there. The Marlins young staff also got better. My point has nothing to do with his OPS. He is a better defensive catcher than Navarro and calls a better game.

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 5, 2007 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

He probably does

However my comments were geared towards Mick's "single handedly lead two teams to the playoffs" line.

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 5, 2007 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: He probably does

I apologize. i totally agree with the fact that he could not lead us there by himself.

http://tampabaysportsfanatic.blogspot.com/

by tampabaysportsfanatic on Oct 5, 2007 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Honestly

As difficult as this may be, try thinking about the matter logically. I don't think that any player in baseball really "puts fans in the seats" but Barry Bonds. No consequential number of fans come to see any other individual player, they come to see their team. Barry Bonds is a legend now and in a category all by himself. No one else draws an important number of fans to the ballpark by themselves.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Oct 5, 2007 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions