Free John Jaso: A Story of Irrational Love Told With Rational Facts

In that case the difference (while pretty huge) is .321 and .290. Over 300 PAs that’s roughly 8 runs or just less than a win.

or is that just us putting two and two together based on higher payroll and the potential to lose CC and Pena?

For what it’s worth, I fully support the Free Jason movement.

I think that maybe his walks went down in AAA because he tried to hit for more power, or hit more period, so he started swinging more. I don’t think he’ll be a great hitter in the majors, but his batting eye makes him more than playable.

Is that pitchers who pitched to him in Durham last year say that they like pitching to him much better this year because of his changed stance. I understand it’s not something that can really be quantified sabermetrically, and has become somewhat of a whipping boy because of occasional dumb quotes, but pitchers liking him is going to carry a large amount of weight with the FO and clubhouse.

This guy was an all-star 2 years ago. If he has about 1.5M left to be paid for the year I would think someone would be willing to take a flier on him for that.

They like us! They really like us!

Chances are, Jaso is still in the big leagues on a temporary basis. Shoppach could be back in June and, since Jaso has minor-league options remaining, the logical move would be to send him back down.

But that doesn’t mean it is a sure bet. Based on a very small sample of games, Jaso is potentially Tampa Bay’s best offensive catcher. And if his defense continues to improve, the Rays might consider some more creative options.

With just 20 plate appearances, Jaso has five walks, six RBIs and six hits. That’s more walks, more runs driven in and the same number of hits that Navarro has in 49 plate appearances.

But according to this rough projections, catcher framing alone can be worth more than an 18 run difference. Of course, I don’t remember Navarro being particularly good at that anyway.

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2010/3/26/1360581/a-first-pass-at-a-catcher-framing

Navi should be hitting many more lefties than he gets a chance too. If we are going to stick with Shoppach, particularly against lefties, (which we should) then Jaso is probably best going forward. I do think Navi is a decent bit better defensively than either Jaso or Shoppach, but if we can’t be sure then we can assume the scouting reports of improving defense are credible and the increase in offensive production is clear.

Its not that Navi can’t be productive, but its that he isn’t going to be productive in this situation. The Zaun/Navi platoon last year was his ideal situation, he just doesn’t matchup well as a platoon partner for Shoppach at all.

…Saturday and Sunday, and, while I’m not ready to jump on the bandwagon right now, I’m damn close. Jaso was impressive. I didn’t cringe as he came to bat, as i often do when Navi steps to the plate… I like Jaso. Can’t wait for Shoppach to return. Oh, and Price is the freakin man!!!!!!

He even trusts himself and his pitcher enough to call for a pitch in the dirt. Now throwing wise….we haven’t seen much but I remember when I did see him throw, his arm seemed very weak. But Navarro is no Jose Molina either.

It has gotten to the point where Jaso has played some lefties and has still hit them well. We all know the AVG wont stay up but I think his incredible patience at the plate alone makes him more valuable than Navi and a Shoppach/Jaso platoon would be awesome.

But he plays with so much energy and really seems to have tons of heart. I am 100% on the bandwagon.

While we’re busy discussing the Rays 3 options at catcher, the Red Sox are stuck with one catcher who can catch (a little), but can’t hit… and one who can hit but can’t catch. Don’t be surprised of Jaso goes back to AAA just for that reason. There’s nothing wrong with hoarding catchers.

I have no doubt that the Rays will make the best move for them when the catchers are healthy.