Catcher

AutomatedTeller · 11-27-2006, 02:44 PM

in particular, backup catcher.

Who will it be? I am assuming it would be Kottaras (or, "The man for whom Theo threw in the towel), but is he ready?

What do you guys think?

Dan · 11-27-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutomatedTeller

in particular, backup catcher.

Who will it be? I am assuming it would be Kottaras (or, "The man for whom Theo threw in the towel), but is he ready?

What do you guys think?

I heard you guys were in on Zaun.

AutomatedTeller · 11-28-2006, 07:51 PM

what is up with Zaun? anyone know?

Rice4HoF · 11-28-2006, 11:24 PM

In a bizzare twist of events, Zaun signed with the Jays today, after Rod Barajas apparently reneged on a handshake deal with them.
(I heard this on a Canadian radio sportscast - I'll look for a link).
Good news is that make Barajas available to use. I wouldn't mind him, if the price is right.

Rice4HoF · 11-28-2006, 11:27 PM

Here's the link.
It mentions Barajas was supposed to get a 2 year $5.25M contract. I'd take him for that.

Zen653 · 11-29-2006, 01:35 PM

Is Barajas willing to sign as a No. 2 catcher? If so, the Red Sox might as well sign him. If not, I don't it's worth the potential team chemistry problems. Varitek may be declining offensively but he still supposedly calls a good game and pitchers continue to rave about him. I doubt Varitek wants to platoon.

Rice4HoF · 11-29-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

I doubt Varitek wants to platoon.

There's a fine line between platooning and taking a few days off to stay fresh for the late months.
I wouldn't suggest that Varitek only play every other game, but I think playing 4 of every 5 games will take its toll on his body as the season wears on. I'd like to see him play about 2/3 of the games, and his backup 1/3. For that, we need a backup who's good enough to start for many teams, such as Barajas.

Zen653 · 07-02-2007, 04:56 PM

I heard a caller on WEEI today offer what I thought was a great trade idea. How about sending someone like Wily Mo Pena and a pair of third-tier prospects to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Ryan Doumit? Doumit is both an outfielder and a catcher. He's appeared in 18 games as a catcher this year and 21 games as a right fielder. He's batting .305 with 4 homers and 17 RBI. He's only 26 years old.

On the Red Sox, Doumit could be both our fourth outfielder and a third catcher behind Varitek and Mirabelli. This would allow the Red Sox to give more time off to Varitek without hurting the team with Mirabelli's bat. It would also allow us to comfortably pinch-hit for Mirabelli in Tim Wakefield starts.

In addition, the team could slowly groom Doumit into becoming our long-term No. 2 backstop by having him catch Wakefield's bullpen sessions. Because Doumit is also a capable outfielder, we wouldn't have to release Mirabelli. In a way, we'd be getting two players for the price of one roster spot. We'd also potentially be adding our 2009 starter if it turns out that Doumit can sustain a .300 batting average and solidly handle the position defensively. There's really no downside.

I'd offer Wily Mo Pena, Brandon Moss, Abe Alvarez and Edgar Martinez for Ryan Doumit and Damaso Marte. The Pirates would at least consider this deal because Pena is a potential 40 HR guy who would finally get an opportunity to play everyday in a city like Pittsburgh. Moss would replace Doumit as the fourth outfielder. Alvarez, as a slop lefthander, could have success as a fourth or fifth starter in a very weak National League. And Martinez is a fireballing young relief pitcher who would only cost the major league minimum.

AutomatedTeller · 07-03-2007, 10:18 PM

I've always liked Doumit.

I think Pena has more long-term value - Doumit is never going to be a major contributor, and if things go right for Pena, he's going to hit 40 HR and drive in 100 runs at least once.

Zen653 · 01-10-2008, 02:54 PM

The Boston Herald reports that the Red Sox are close to re-signing Doug Mirabelli to a 1 year/$550,000 deal:

Quote:

According to sources, Mirabelli is close to accepting a one-year deal from the team that will pay him in the range of a guaranteed $550,000 to serve as backup to Jason Varitek. The guaranteed portion of the deal is down from the $750,000 Mirabelli earned last season, but incentives allow the catcher to reach an approximate $1 million ceiling that he had last year.

The Sox were hoping to bring back Mirabelli on a non-guaranteed contract, something the player and his agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, were unwilling to do. As is often the case, there decidedly few options at catcher in the free agent market.

With Varitek entering the final year of his contract, the Sox have serious long-term catching concerns beyond this season. It is likely that the club will revisit Varitek’s contract with him during spring training in hopes of securing the player to an extension that could cost between $10-$13 million a year, the latter of which is the sum being pair to both Pudge Rodriguez and Jorge Posada.

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: Clubhouse Insider» Blog Archive » Mirabelli to return

Zen653 · 03-13-2008, 04:15 PM

In a somewhat surprising move, the Red Sox released veteran catcher Doug Mirabelli today:

Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

While he wasn't anything great in recent years, he knew how to catch the knuckleball and he occasionally had some pop in his bat. I hope the Red Sox didn't waive him simply to make room for Kevin Cash. The 30 yearold journeyman catcher is the classic case of a 4A player of limited ability.

I also question the timing of the release. Mirabelli was batting .273 with a .438 OBA in spring training. So it's not as though there was a sudden decline in performance that led to the release. I don't think it's a behavioral issue either. I know Mirabelli wasn't popular in San Diego but that was mainly because he wanted to be in Boston. If he were such an ornery guy, why would Epstein trade a pair of prospects to re-acquire him?

Pllus, even if the Red Sox wanted to go in a new direction, Mirabelli's $550,000 was hardly going to break the bank. The team could have kept him around as insurance by DL'ing him until the September roster expansion. At this stage in his career, he probably wouldn't have objected to such a move.

I hope there's more to this story than we're getting right now. Perhaps a Coco Crisp trade involving a backup catcher, or news that Dusty Brown (.556 AVG, .600 OBA in 9 at-bats) and/or George Kottaras (.500 AVG, .538 OBA in 10 AB) are closer to the big leagues than we think. I'd rather give one of those guys a shot instead of Kevin Cash. The Hearld says that Francona loves Cash, though, and that Wakefield endorsed him last year. He's probably the beneficiary of the Mirabelli release.

AutomatedTeller · 03-20-2008, 07:21 PM

Well, the link doesn't go to Mirabelli being released anymore, but if I remember correctly, his bat speed had dropped and his arm wasn't as strong this spring - I guess the Sox looked at him in the spring and decided he was done. man is 38, after all - were it not for Wakefield, I'm not sure he would have had a job last year.

Cash won't be all that great - good defense, worst hitter the sox have seen since tony pena, probably.

11-27-2006, 02:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
AutomatedTeller Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 544	Catcher in particular, backup catcher. Who will it be? I am assuming it would be Kottaras (or, "The man for whom Theo threw in the towel), but is he ready? What do you guys think?

03-13-2008, 04:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,194	In a somewhat surprising move, the Red Sox released veteran catcher Doug Mirabelli today: Extra Bases - Red Sox blog While he wasn't anything great in recent years, he knew how to catch the knuckleball and he occasionally had some pop in his bat. I hope the Red Sox didn't waive him simply to make room for Kevin Cash. The 30 yearold journeyman catcher is the classic case of a 4A player of limited ability. I also question the timing of the release. Mirabelli was batting .273 with a .438 OBA in spring training. So it's not as though there was a sudden decline in performance that led to the release. I don't think it's a behavioral issue either. I know Mirabelli wasn't popular in San Diego but that was mainly because he wanted to be in Boston. If he were such an ornery guy, why would Epstein trade a pair of prospects to re-acquire him? Pllus, even if the Red Sox wanted to go in a new direction, Mirabelli's $550,000 was hardly going to break the bank. The team could have kept him around as insurance by DL'ing him until the September roster expansion. At this stage in his career, he probably wouldn't have objected to such a move. I hope there's more to this story than we're getting right now. Perhaps a Coco Crisp trade involving a backup catcher, or news that Dusty Brown (.556 AVG, .600 OBA in 9 at-bats) and/or George Kottaras (.500 AVG, .538 OBA in 10 AB) are closer to the big leagues than we think. I'd rather give one of those guys a shot instead of Kevin Cash. The Hearld says that Francona loves Cash, though, and that Wakefield endorsed him last year. He's probably the beneficiary of the Mirabelli release. __________________ My teams know how to win: 2001, 2003, 2004 Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots 2004, 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox 2006 Spain: FIBA World Basketball Champions 2006, 2007 Sevilla FC: UEFA Cup Champions 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics 2008 Spain: European Cup Champions

11-28-2006, 07:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
AutomatedTeller Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 544	what is up with Zaun? anyone know?

11-28-2006, 11:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rice4HoF Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 60	In a bizzare twist of events, Zaun signed with the Jays today, after Rod Barajas apparently reneged on a handshake deal with them. (I heard this on a Canadian radio sportscast - I'll look for a link). Good news is that make Barajas available to use. I wouldn't mind him, if the price is right.

11-28-2006, 11:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rice4HoF Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 60	Here's the link. It mentions Barajas was supposed to get a 2 year $5.25M contract. I'd take him for that.

11-29-2006, 01:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,194	Is Barajas willing to sign as a No. 2 catcher? If so, the Red Sox might as well sign him. If not, I don't it's worth the potential team chemistry problems. Varitek may be declining offensively but he still supposedly calls a good game and pitchers continue to rave about him. I doubt Varitek wants to platoon.

07-02-2007, 04:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,194	I heard a caller on WEEI today offer what I thought was a great trade idea. How about sending someone like Wily Mo Pena and a pair of third-tier prospects to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Ryan Doumit? Doumit is both an outfielder and a catcher. He's appeared in 18 games as a catcher this year and 21 games as a right fielder. He's batting .305 with 4 homers and 17 RBI. He's only 26 years old. On the Red Sox, Doumit could be both our fourth outfielder and a third catcher behind Varitek and Mirabelli. This would allow the Red Sox to give more time off to Varitek without hurting the team with Mirabelli's bat. It would also allow us to comfortably pinch-hit for Mirabelli in Tim Wakefield starts. In addition, the team could slowly groom Doumit into becoming our long-term No. 2 backstop by having him catch Wakefield's bullpen sessions. Because Doumit is also a capable outfielder, we wouldn't have to release Mirabelli. In a way, we'd be getting two players for the price of one roster spot. We'd also potentially be adding our 2009 starter if it turns out that Doumit can sustain a .300 batting average and solidly handle the position defensively. There's really no downside. I'd offer Wily Mo Pena, Brandon Moss, Abe Alvarez and Edgar Martinez for Ryan Doumit and Damaso Marte. The Pirates would at least consider this deal because Pena is a potential 40 HR guy who would finally get an opportunity to play everyday in a city like Pittsburgh. Moss would replace Doumit as the fourth outfielder. Alvarez, as a slop lefthander, could have success as a fourth or fifth starter in a very weak National League. And Martinez is a fireballing young relief pitcher who would only cost the major league minimum.

07-03-2007, 10:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
AutomatedTeller Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 544	I've always liked Doumit. I think Pena has more long-term value - Doumit is never going to be a major contributor, and if things go right for Pena, he's going to hit 40 HR and drive in 100 runs at least once.

03-20-2008, 07:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
AutomatedTeller Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 544	Well, the link doesn't go to Mirabelli being released anymore, but if I remember correctly, his bat speed had dropped and his arm wasn't as strong this spring - I guess the Sox looked at him in the spring and decided he was done. man is 38, after all - were it not for Wakefield, I'm not sure he would have had a job last year. Cash won't be all that great - good defense, worst hitter the sox have seen since tony pena, probably.