How about a catcher?

by stpetelawyer on Jun 1, 2007 11:40 AM EDT

From what I've seen, there is a decent free agent crop of catchers available for '08. I can't remember all of them, but Pudge and Lo Duca come to mind. How much would it help this young pitching staff to have an established, veteran catcher behind the dish?

Seeing as how we should have some cash available for free agents, I see catcher as the only non-pitcher position that needs a major upgrade. That is, assuming Pena is for real. Hell, let's even "overpay" for a catcher if we have to. This is a glaring need. The benefit we get will not only be seen in terms of batting average and RBI's. No, having our young staff throwing to a catcher who knows the game and knows how to win will be invaluable to their growth.

Any thoughts?

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Notable C FAs

Pudge
Lo Duca
Damian Miller
Jose Molina
Brad Ausmus
Michael Barrett

ect.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 1, 2007 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

Re: How about a catcher?

I'd love to have Pudge, only 5 years younger. His age for his position has me a bit hesitant.

by SeanDubbs on Jun 1, 2007 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

Re: How about a catcher?

I think Mike Barrett is the best option. He doesn't command that much money, he's a good hitter and can play the position well. And let us not forget he clocked AJ Peyreryudszinskiri in the jaw.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 1, 2007 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

I agree

Barrett is the best hitter of the group without a doubt, but something in the back of my mind says he has the reputation of being a dick, so while you could bring him in as a bat, I'm not sure how much use behind the plate he would bring.

And I'm not too sure about the salary aspect either. Catchers in the prime of their career that can mash are very valuable. He might not get a lot of attention, but his stats will do the talking when it comes time to get a payday. The plentiful market of catchers might depress his expected salary, but regardless he has got to be the prime target for many teams.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 1, 2007 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: I agree

I'm not aware of Barrett having a reputation. I followed him pretty closely when he was up with the Expos and don't recall any issues, even when he was being flip-flopped back and forth between the majors and minors and third base and catcher.

Having said that, I'm not sure putting a huge investment into a catcher is the wisest move. Catchers have a tendency to drop off rather dramatically once they pass their prime.

by RATW on Jun 1, 2007 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: I agree

Nevermind, I just saw that Barrett got in a fight with teammate Carlos Zambrano during today's game. Impeccable timing.

by RATW on Jun 1, 2007 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: I agree

In fairness to Mikey, Carlos isn't exactly without a load of ault in taht situation.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 1, 2007 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Personally I like Damian Miller the best

But I may have a soft spot for older catchers with OBP skills and decent BA abilities that have a reputation for calling good games and being staff leaders.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 1, 2007 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Personally I like Damian Miller the best

And he worked with Schilling, Johnson, Wood, Prior, Zambrano, Zito, Harden, Mulder, Hudson, Bush, Capuano, and Sheets.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 1, 2007 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Personally I like Damian Miller the best

He'll be 38 next year, his statistics have been in a sharp three year decline, and he offers no potential solution beyond 2008. If we want to go after a catcher, we need not half ass it. We can't keep dipping our hands into the well and pulling out discarded or mid-level catching prospects. We need to do it right this time, and that means Saltalamacchia or a catcher in his prime such as Barrett or another catcher through a trade. I firmly believe that catcher is the most important position on the diamond, and I think that it should be a top priority to solidify it.

Now, that raises the obvious question: why not draft Matt Wieters? And quite frankly it is a very tough call for me, even with my bias. But I'm concerned about three things:

His ability to stay at catcher long-term (what's the point in having a catching prospect if they are eventually going to be moved?)
Signability
Drafting based on need almost always comes back to bite the offending party in the ass. Wieters is certainly a reasonable top pick and this wouldn't be an egregious offense, but I think Price is the better prospect.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jun 1, 2007 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Personally I like Damian Miller the best

Miller wouldn't be an option to start, however the hope would be Navarro or Riggans would have solidified themselves by then as starter material.

I'd love Barrett, but looking at his numbers this year I question what's going on with him.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 1, 2007 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: How about a catcher?

No, no, no, we don't need Salty or Wieters. We need a grizzled veteran with a World Series Ring or two. Someone with a veteran presense that our young'ns can learn from. Sign him to a two year deal and watch our team improve.

Personally, I want Jake "Couldn't cut it in the Mexican League" Taylor, from Major League.

by stpetelawyer on Jun 1, 2007 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

Re: How about a catcher?

I'll start combing the Mexican Leagues right now. Good thing I have Renee Russo's phone number on speed dial.

by SeanDubbs on Jun 1, 2007 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: How about a catcher?

I think we do need Salty Dawg, especially if we can get him for the price of an outfielder (seems like that will be Atlanta's primary need) Throw some stick'em on Rocco's hammys and hope he hits .280/.340/.400 for the rest of the year and maybe we can get Salty after the Yankee's purchase Anduw Jones.

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Jun 1, 2007 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions