Austin Kearns is that you? Never considered that idea though. Could you see a possibility of giving Mesoraco a try in OF (like the Nats did with Harper) and let him catch 3-4 times a week, let Hanigan catch a couple times a week?
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Mes as a catcher is possibly something special. Mes in LF or 3B is likely run of the mill at best.
With his long, loopy uppercut, I question whether Mesoraco will ever hit at the level many on Redszone predict.
While dealing him may not be great, there are free agent options-- Russell Martin, Brian McCann, or Mike Napoli as either a full-time or part-time starter at catcher, or even a Chris Snyder, David Ross, or Kelly Shoppach as a back-up to Hanigan-- out there.
If Mesoraco can garner, say, a legitimate back of the 'pen arm or a be part of a deal for a legitimate table setter or cleanup slugger, IMO, you make that deal every day of the week.
A back-up catcher isn't worth all that much in today's game, and Mesoraco, frankly, is lucky to be even that after the stinker he put up last season.
I re-sign Navarro (or acquire someone similar) and start Mes in L'ville for at least a month or two to let him get regular AB's and then I bring him up once he's honed his stroke.
How do you see this playing out Doug? I can understand management's reluctance to hand him the job after last season, but Mes is gonna be pushing 25 years old next year. I was ok with making him earn the job last year, but we can't wait forever for him to go on a hot streak and finally claim Hanigan's spot. We've gone from having arguably the best catching prospect in baseball to a guy the organization doesn't even seem comfortable keeping as the back up.
If we are going to keep Mes then he has to catch at least 100 games next year, even if he struggles to start with they have to keep running him out there. I do think he has the potential to be an all star level catcher but my fear is that instead of playing him hes going to sit on the bench for 120 games the next two years and never get a chance to develop and we are going to just have wasted all that potential. If thats the plan then I would rather trade him and get something for him that helps the team win in 13, if we are going to let him play and at least be the #1 guy in the time share with hanigan then yes lets keep him.
I think some people forget Mes wasn't a 5 year veteran who actually had a history of stats to live up to instead of a rookie learning the toughest position on the field. It's a learning process and he's not going to be Johnny Bench right out of the gate. Sure he could have done better but how about cutting him some slack?
Did Mes even garner enough games or AB's for 2012 to qualify as his rookie year?
Checked it. Mesoraco has 165 AB's this year so 2012 was his rookie year.