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Thread: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

  1. #1
    Lark11 11BarryLarkin11's Avatar
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    The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

    Honestly, I can't believe we are heading down this road yet again. It would seem that Krivsky and Dusty are a match made in heaven, as now Dusty might be pushing the Reds to keep 3 catchers.

    It's unfathomable that the Reds think that it is so important to free up Javy for pinch hitting duties that they totally waste a roster spot on a third catcher. The Reds aren't talented enough to compete with a 24 man roster. They need to maximize as much production as possible from every roster slot.

    Three catchers? It's an issue that can muddy any Spring Training debate about the makeup of a final 25-man roster.

    Two catchers, or three?

    The Reds already have two returning catchers in David Ross and Javier Valentin. But on Feb. 1, veteran Paul Bako, a non-roster invite, was signed to a Minor League deal. From 2003-04, Bako played for Reds manager Dusty Baker.

    How much did Baker like Bako in Chicago?

    "A lot -- that's why he's here," Baker said.

    Baker said it's possible the Reds could carry three catchers.

    "It depends on how things go," Baker said. "Late in the game, you'd love to have a guy like Bako behind the plate for a double switch or to pinch-hit. I told [general manager] Wayne [Krivsky] I'm looking for options. The more options I have, the more things you can do, the more people that can play and be put positions where they feel comfortable and succeed."

    Under Krivsky and former manager Jerry Narron, Cincinnati carried Ross, Valentin and Jason LaRue in 2006. Last season, Chad Moeller was a third catcher, but he was shuttled back and forth from the Major League roster to Triple-A several times.

    Bako was originally drafted by the Reds in the fifth round of the 1993 First-Year Player Draft. He took the circuitous route to get back. The 35-year-old reached Triple-A in 1997 before he was dealt to the Tigers with Donne Wall for outfielder Melvin Nieves.

    "The team you get drafted by is the one you always hope you're going to make it with," Bako said. "Once I got traded the first time, it seemed like a yearly thing for a while."

    Since 1998, Bako has played for the Astros, Marlins, Braves, Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers, Royals and Orioles. A lifetime .233 hitter, he batted .205 in 60 games last season with Baltimore.

    "He's been a very good catch, throw and call guy," Baker said. "He's been around a long time and knows the game. I was talking to Paul Casanova about him the other day. He was my teammate and a fine catcher with the Braves and Senators. He looked at him and said, 'Bako knows what he's doing. Someday, he'll make a fine coach or manager.'"

    Bako appreciated having familiarity with Baker and some of the Reds' staff.

    "I was in this organization 10 years ago, but it feels like a place I've been the last couple of years because of the clubhouse staff, [head trainer] Mark Mann, Dusty, [pitching coach] Dick Pole and [bullpen coach] Porky [Lopez]," Bako said. "I played under [third base coach] Mark Berry for three years in the Minor Leagues. There are a lot of guys I played against a lot. It just feels really comfortable, you know, as opposed to signing with a random team."
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    Box of Frogs edabbs44's Avatar
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    Roster follies

    What is this roster going to look like???

    Notes: Offseason gets shorter for Junior
    The 19-year veteran was very busy during time off at home
    By Marc Sheldon / MLB.com

    SARASOTA, Fla. -- Ken Griffey Jr. thinks the Major League offseason is getting shorter and shorter. A veteran of 19 seasons, he's experienced plenty of them.
    "Last week, I unwrapped Christmas gifts -- now I'm at Spring Training already," the Reds right fielder joked.

    Griffey was back in camp on Tuesday for the official report date of the Reds' full squad, although he was around last week working out early. The 38-year-old took a round of batting practice with several other Reds inside Ed Smith Stadium.

    It might have been a perceived short offseason for Griffey, but he still managed to pack a lot in. He bought go-karts and raced them with his wife and kids, dealt with a generator fire on his large yacht and lowered his golf handicap to six.

    "The drives were long and I was feathery around the greens," Griffey joked.

    Two weeks ago, Griffey moved into a new house in his adopted hometown of Orlando, Fla. Although he declined to reveal its size, the home has a two-lane bowling alley in the basement.

    "It's a nice, small bungalow," Griffey said.

    Entering the final guaranteed year of an eight-year contract that pays him $12.5 million in 2008, Griffey batted .277 with 30 homers and 93 RBIs in 144 games last season. The year ended prematurely on Sept. 19 when he suffered a high left groin strain.

    There didn't appear to be any lingering issues from that injury. Griffey was asked how he was feeling now that he's back in camp.

    "It's a matter of going through the baseball drills and the aches and pains of the first two weeks," he said. "You try not to do too much and do what you can."

    Three catchers? It's an issue that can muddy any Spring Training debate about the makeup of a final 25-man roster.

    Two catchers, or three?

    The Reds already have two returning catchers in David Ross and Javier Valentin. But on Feb. 1, veteran Paul Bako, a non-roster invite, was signed to a Minor League deal. From 2003-04, Bako played for Reds manager Dusty Baker.

    How much did Baker like Bako in Chicago?

    "A lot -- that's why he's here," Baker said.

    Baker said it's possible the Reds could carry three catchers.

    "It depends on how things go," Baker said. "Late in the game, you'd love to have a guy like Bako behind the plate for a double switch or to pinch-hit. I told [general manager] Wayne [Krivsky] I'm looking for options. The more options I have, the more things you can do, the more people that can play and be put positions where they feel comfortable and succeed."

    Under Krivsky and former manager Jerry Narron, Cincinnati carried Ross, Valentin and Jason LaRue in 2006. Last season, Chad Moeller was a third catcher, but he was shuttled back and forth from the Major League roster to Triple-A several times.

    Bako was originally drafted by the Reds in the fifth round of the 1993 First-Year Player Draft. He took the circuitous route to get back. The 35-year-old reached Triple-A in 1997 before he was dealt to the Tigers with Donne Wall for outfielder Melvin Nieves.

    "The team you get drafted by is the one you always hope you're going to make it with," Bako said. "Once I got traded the first time, it seemed like a yearly thing for a while."

    Since 1998, Bako has played for the Astros, Marlins, Braves, Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers, Royals and Orioles. A lifetime .233 hitter, he batted .205 in 60 games last season with Baltimore.

    "He's been a very good catch, throw and call guy," Baker said. "He's been around a long time and knows the game. I was talking to Paul Casanova about him the other day. He was my teammate and a fine catcher with the Braves and Senators. He looked at him and said, 'Bako knows what he's doing. Someday, he'll make a fine coach or manager.'"

    Bako appreciated having familiarity with Baker and some of the Reds' staff.

    "I was in this organization 10 years ago, but it feels like a place I've been the last couple of years because of the clubhouse staff, [head trainer] Mark Mann, Dusty, [pitching coach] Dick Pole and [bullpen coach] Porky [Lopez]," Bako said. "I played under [third base coach] Mark Berry for three years in the Minor Leagues. There are a lot of guys I played against a lot. It just feels really comfortable, you know, as opposed to signing with a random team."

    Everyone's here: The first full squad workout for 62 players is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Most of the position players were already out on the field a day early. Adam Dunn took batting practice in Griffey's group. Brandon Phillips fielded ground balls at second base. Edwin Encarnacion and Joey Votto also made their first appearances at camp.

  4. #3
    he/him *BaseClogger*'s Avatar
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    Re: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?


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    Re: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

    I have a feeling it's going to be a long, long year.
    Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

  6. #5
    The Lineups stink. KronoRed's Avatar
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    Re: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

    12 pitchers Three catchers and a guy who can only play 1st?

    What a bench!
    Go Gators!

  7. #6
    he/him *BaseClogger*'s Avatar
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    Re: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

    Quote Originally Posted by KronoRed View Post
    12 pitchers Three catchers and a guy who can only play 1st?

    What a bench!
    You forgot about Hopper--a guy who can only bunt...

  8. #7
    Lark11 11BarryLarkin11's Avatar
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    Re: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

    Seriously, Dusty says he's "looking for options," but how can anyone think that Paul Bako brings any positive options to the table?

    For his career, Bako has a line of .233/.306/.315/.621. Maybe the Reds should also carry Juan Castro to REALLY give Dusty some options. Admittedly, he doesn't have the bat that Bako has, but he can play ALL the infield positions.
    Last edited by 11BarryLarkin11; 02-19-2008 at 06:09 PM.
    "Always do right. This will satisfy some people and astonish the rest."

  9. #8
    he/him *BaseClogger*'s Avatar
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    Re: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

    Quote Originally Posted by 11BarryLarkin11 View Post
    Seriously, Dusty says he's "looking for options," how can anyone think that Paul Bako brings any positive options to the table?

    For his career, Bako has a line of .233/.306/.315/.621.
    It's amazing how old farts like Dusty want to recycle old parts like Bako over and over again when their are brand spanking new products that were/are available in the minors (Perez/Tatum/Hannigan anyone?)...

  10. #9
    Member Tom Servo's Avatar
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    Re: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

    This is probably the worst idea ever.
    “I don’t care,” Votto said of passing his friend and former teammate. “He’s in the past. Bye-bye, Jay.”

  11. #10
    Member kheidg-'s Avatar
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    Re: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Servo View Post
    This is probably the worst idea ever.
    I agree. Hanigan, even Tatum over Bako. If we must keep Bako one of the other catchers has to go. No more 3 catchers.

  12. #11
    2009: Fail Ltlabner's Avatar
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    Re: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

    Just when things seemed to be on track and going smoothly.

    Hopefully this is just idle speculation but something tells me the 3rd catcher idea is the thing that would not die.

  13. #12
    I hate the Cubs LoganBuck's Avatar
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    Re: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

    If you count Wilson the could have four catchers.......
    Hugs, smiling, and interactive Twitter accounts, don't mean winning baseball. Until this community understands that we are cursed to relive the madness.

  14. #13
    Box of Frogs edabbs44's Avatar
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    Re: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

    Quote Originally Posted by *BaseClogger* View Post
    It's amazing how old farts like Dusty want to recycle old parts like Bako over and over again when their are brand spanking new products that were/are available in the minors (Perez/Tatum/Hannigan anyone?)...
    Here's how to stop the Dusty recycling experiment.

    Just say no to recyclables.

    This is why some people (like me) hate it when vets like Bako and Mercker get signed for "depth".

  15. #14
    Member RedsManRick's Avatar
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    Re: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

    I love it edabbs!
    Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

  16. #15
    Making sense of it all Matt700wlw's Avatar
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    Re: The Return of the 3rd Catcher?

    "Return of the 3rd Catcher"

    Sounds like a cheesy horror movie sequel.


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