| 12 January 2009
There's been a lot of discussion regarding the catching situation here with the Red Sox.
Before we continue with that discussion, let me thank everyone that chimed in on the "What's a Catcher Worth?" post last week... great stuff from everyone.
Red Sox Nation appears to agree that Saltalamacchia is not worth trading Clay Buchholz or Michael Bowden. Reports also seem to suggest that the Rangers think Teagraden is the most promising of their young catchers, and Peter Gammons said that the D-Backs keep asking for Michael Bowden in exchange for Montero - and the Sox aren't interested.
Evan at FBAL also reminds us that the 2009 rotation could look like this as early as 2009:
Josh Beckett
Jon Lester
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Clay Buchholz
Justin Masterson
(6. Michael Bowden)
So maybe the Red Sox should find another way to fix the catcher situation...
The Projo recently discussed the possibility that the Red Sox simply use a combination of Josh Bard, Dusty Brown and George Kottaras:
"We're not done and we're still going to work on this situation," echoed Red Sox director of player development Mike Hazen. "I don't think anything is set in stone. But I would hope both (Kottaras and Brown) think there is a significant opportunity no matter what happens. There's a tremendous amount of uncertainty at this position right now, but that spells opportunity for younger players."
[Kottaras] belted 22 home runs in Pawtucket last season with 65 RBI, while finishing with a .243 average in 107 games. He also impressed with his blocking and receiving skills.
Brown, who was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 35th round of the 2000 draft, hit .290 with 12 homers and 55 RBI in 84 games for the PawSox last summer. Behind the plate, the 6-foot 180-pounder has a cannon of a arm with a good release.
"They are both interesting guys, and they complement each other well," said Hazen. "They both had very good seasons last year. George probably felt he should have hit for a higher average, but when you get a catcher with that much power, you really overlook that. Both made a lot of strides."
Bottom Line: Both players played winter ball in the Dominican this offseason and is working out at the Athletes' Performance Institute in Arizona. To be honest, a look at the other short term options has me warming up to this "stop-gap solution."
Here's a look at a few more options:
The Seattle Mariners are loaded with catching depth... while their ace, Felix Hernandez won just 9 games in 2008. Trading a catcher might help the AL's worst team get back on track.
Kirby Arnold of Kitsap Sun recently discussed the abundance of talent Seattle has at catcher:
[Kenji] Johjima, [Jeff] Clement and Rob Johnson occupy spots on the 40-man major-league roster. Jamie Burke signed a minor league contract and will go to spring training with a great chance to be a backup for the third straight year. And behind them is fast-rising Adam Moore, who had a big year at Class AA.
Johjima just signed a 3-year deal through 2011, but had a dismal year in 2008 hitting just .227. With his starting job in jeopardy, Johjima will miss some of camp to play in the WBC, so the Mariners will be looking to see who steps up in his absence...
After hitting .335 with 14 HRs in AAA, Jeff Clement earned 200+ major league ABs, but hit just .227 in Seattle. Seattle has discussed moving Clement to first base, but Roger Hansen, the Mariners catching coordinator, has high hopes for Clement:
"You can go to first base and DH at any time," Hansen said. "He needs to improve his throwing, but his receiving and blocking are OK. You don't want to give up on that at 25 years old."
"Once he gets it as the total package, you're going to have something that's pretty impressive. People want a No. 1 (draft) pick to be in the big leagues right away, but they need time to learn how to catch."
Hansen equates Clement with Jason Varitek, who he worked with a decade ago after the Mariners drafted him. Varitek, drafted in 1994, didn't become a starter in the big leagues until 1999 with the Red Sox.
"Jeff has come a long way in a short period of time," Hansen said. "Sometimes it takes a little bit longer. Rob (Johnson) will end up being a Dan Wilson-type catcher, and Adam will be a starter, too, with right-handed power. Everybody wants it so fast, but each in their own time will emerge."
Bottom Line: Bill James projects 20 HRs, 78 RBI and .256 BA for Clement in 2009. With Johjima signed and Johnson (.305 in AAA in '08) in the wings, the Mariners might be willing to trade Clement for some pitching, a first baseman or an outfielder. If Seattle needs a first baseman, the Red Sox could offer Jeff Bailey or Chris Carter in a package...
The Phillies won the World Series with Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste behind the plate in 2008... but they have a great catching prospect in Louis Marson in Double A. Marson hit .314 in AA last year with a 68/70 BB/SO ratio - and we know the Red Sox love a good eye at the plate.
But as I just said, the Phillies won the WS last year, so what do they need to improve on? They could use a reliever with JC Romero set to miss 50 games in 2009, but Daniel Bard is not enough to make Philly part with Marson.
One other option could be Mike Lowell. Before signing with Boston, Lowell had significant talks with the Phillies. Now, 3B Pedro Feliz (34) is recovering from back surgery and is due $5M in 2009. Lowell (34) is set to make $12.5M in '09 and '10, but when healthy, he's a better player than Feliz.
Bottom Line: If Lowell has a strong recovery from hip surgery to start the 2009 season, the Red Sox could trade Lowell for Marson and use a Lowrie/Youkilis/Kotsay platoon at first and third for the rest of 2009. It's messy, and it creates more questions at short and third come 2010, but we'd get a top prospect at catcher in return:
James 2009: Marson - 343 AB, .292 AVG, 18 2B, 6 HR, 42 RBI... 56/77 BB/SO ratio.
Many Red Sox fans have mentioned Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta as an option. If Buchholz and Bowden are off the table, a deal for Iannetta is unlikely, but if you think he's more proven or talented than Salty, Teagarden or Montero - maybe you'd push for this move...
Yorvit Torrealba (30) is set to make $3.5 in 2009 with a $4M mutual option in 2010. The Rockies might be more willing to part with Torrealba, who hit .246 with 6 HRs and 31 RBI in 236 at-bats, and make Iannetta the catcher of the future at a much cheaper price. But Innetta is definitely the better option for the Red Sox... I just don't se it happening.
Bottom Line: Iannetta hit .364 with 18 HRs and 64 RBI in 333 at-bats and Bill James projects a .272, 21 HR, 79 RBI line for Iannetta in 2009... and if you're wondering about those skewed Colorado splits - Innetta actually hit better on the road in 2008:
Home: 172 AB, .250, 11 HR, 39 RBI
Road: 161 AB, .280, 7 HR, 26 RBI (lower production due to rest of Rockies' low road stats)
Lastly, I wanted to look at the Joe Mauer situation. A few readers have become frustrated with Red Sox fans hoping and wishing that Mauer will come to Boston when he becomes a free agent in 2010. Mauer is from St. Paul and many Twins fans think he will take the home town discount and remain in Minn. Also, Mauer's agent, Ron Shapiro, is not Scott Boras. In fact, Shapiro wrote a book called The Power Of Nice: How To Negotiate So Everyone Wins- Especially you! - I'm pretty sure that's the exact opposite of the Scott Boras philosophy.
But just because Mauer and Shapiro are nice guys, doesn't mean Joe doesn't want to win (and maybe earn some cash while doing so). Mauer is currently making $8.25M per year with the Twins, who continue to sneak into the playoffs here and there, but have not won anything since the World Series in 1991.
I'm not saying the Red Sox are a lock for more Championships, but they have the talent and the money to give Joe a better shot at one than the Twins. Of course the Yankees will be involved if Mauer tests the free agent market, so the Red Sox will need to decide if Mauer is worth another bidding war.
Bottom Line: The Twins need to get creative when building their roster. Billy Beane rented Matt Holiday for 2009, presumably, because he knows that Holliday will bring draft picks to Oakland when he signs as a free agent. The Twins might consider the same approach with Mauer, especially since they have Jose Morales (.315 in AAA in '08) ready to slide behind the plate for much less money and Wilson Ramos behind him.
If Mauer does re-sign with the Twins, Morales could become trade bait and the Red Sox have more talent in the farm than the Yankees to make that happen. But getting either player via trade will costs prospects... and we started this post with a warning that the Sox could need many of their prospects very soon. But as many of you have stated in the comments:
"You gotta give some, to get some." Right?
Okay boys and girls... let's hear your thoughts!
Image Sources: Kottaras - Larry Coor / Mauer - Keith Allison
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
