Grandal vs. Mesoraco

[BLark = HOF]

Just curious who people think will be the catcher of the future????

[Mario-Rijo]

Originally Posted by BLark = HOF

Just curious who people think will be the catcher of the future????

IMO it's not even a comparison. Might be better off with a Yasmani vs. Yonder who will be the future 1B?

[BLark = HOF]

Originally Posted by Mario-Rijo

IMO it's not even a comparison. Might be better off with a Yasmani vs. Yonder who will be the future 1B?

What makes you think Grandal will be moved to 1B???

[Edd Roush]

Originally Posted by BLark = HOF

What makes you think Grandal will be moved to 1B???

I don't want to speak for Mario-Rijo, but I think Grandal will be moved to first base because Mesoraco will hopefully be the Reds catcher for at least six more seasons. Mesoraco is supposed to have better defensive tools than Grandal and he is much closer to the major leagues. Mes will have an earlier shot at the bigs and if he sticks, the Reds will need to find a place for Grandal to play. If Grandal was to become the regular 1b, I wonder if they would play him at catcher on Mes's off days. Interesting to think about.

[nemesis]

I believe I read somewhere that Grandal's second position was 3B. Which is the more pressing need. Soto, who is still just 21, is the 1B of the future in my fantasy world "if" Votto leaves.

Gives you something close to...

1B Soto
2B Cozart/Rodriguez/Negron/Valakia
3B Grandal
SS Hamilton/Gregorious
LF Yorman
CF Stubbs
RF Bruce
C Mesoraco

In 2014... I can live with that.

[mth123]

Originally Posted by nemesis

I believe I read somewhere that Grandal's second position was 3B. Which is the more pressing need. Soto, who is still just 21, is the 1B of the future in my fantasy world "if" Votto leaves.

Gives you something close to...

1B Soto
2B Cozart/Rodriguez/Negron/Valakia
3B Grandal
SS Hamilton/Gregorious
LF Yorman
CF Stubbs
RF Bruce
C Mesoraco

In 2014... I can live with that.

I think this is a solid point. I think the existence of Soto, Grandal and Francisco, who all may end-up at 1B, is just another reason not to worry about three years from now while holding onto Alonso. Alonso was just named the 49th best prospect in baseball. There are a lot of established 1B in the majors and several 1B/DH types ahead of him, so even at 49 I'm a bit unsure of his value, but I'd parlay him into immediate help post haste with the idea that the reds will be able to find a 1B.

[Mario-Rijo]

Originally Posted by nemesis

I believe I read somewhere that Grandal's second position was 3B. Which is the more pressing need. Soto, who is still just 21, is the 1B of the future in my fantasy world "if" Votto leaves.

Gives you something close to...

1B Soto
2B Cozart/Rodriguez/Negron/Valakia
3B Grandal
SS Hamilton/Gregorious
LF Yorman
CF Stubbs
RF Bruce
C Mesoraco

In 2014... I can live with that.

3B, that is an intriguing possibility. Though one of the main reasons for me thinking he may eventually move off of Catcher is his arm doesn't seem to be all that great which if the case might make 3B a non-possibility as well.

I actually believe Todd Frazier is still the future 3B or if he doesn't pan out maybe Junior Arias down the road.

In 2014 I am hoping to see something like this "if" Votto leaves
Hamilton SS
Sappelt LF
Bruce RF
Stubbs CF
Grandal or Soto 1B
Frazier 3B
Mesoraco C
Cozart 2B

Fleury C
Negron MIF
H. Rodriguez IF
Heisey OF
LaMarre OF

About to make the bigs
Yorman
Duran
Arias
Torreyes
Barnhart

With Grandal headed out with Soto perhaps to get us a bigger better 1st base bat if neither turn out.

[Edd Roush]

Originally Posted by Mario-Rijo

IMO it's not even a comparison. Might be better off with a Yasmani vs. Yonder who will be the future 1B?

Agreed, in which case, I would have to think that Yasmani has a much better chance of being a regular 1b for the Reds than Yonder. I just don't see the Reds moving Votto after this season, which may in fact be the best course of action for the entire organization. This is Yonder's last option year which means he has to be somewhere in the bigs in 2012. The Reds will either have to deal him at that point or let him rot on the bench if Votto isn't moved. Yasmani will have 3 years to develop on the farm and could be the sensible replacement if Votto is not extended further.

[cinreds21]

Something I've been wondering as well. I've seen Mes and I assume he'll be able to duplicate close to his 2010 campaign. Can't wait to see Yas though.

[lollipopcurve]

Whoever can become the better defender.

[JKam]

I know Grandal is supposed to have a good bat, but is it good enough to project as a firstbasemen? Being a good hitting catcher and a good hitting 1b are two different things.

If Mes and Grandal both live up to expectations, that would be one hell of a catching tandem. You'd have to think Grandal might even be major trade bait.

[JKam]

I know Grandal is supposed to have a good bat, but is it good enough to project as a firstbasemen? Being a good hitting catcher and a good hitting 1b are two different things.

If Mes and Grandal both live up to expectations, that would be one hell of a catching tandem. You'd have to think Grandal might even be major trade bait.

[nemesis]

I think once Soto figures out LHP, which is his Achilles Heel so far, 35 HR's is a very real number for him. I could see a .800+ OPS this year, .850 the next and .900+ in 2013. OPS'd .778 this year despite only walking 32 times all year with no real protection in the Lynchburg lineup.

[kpresidente]

Can Mesoraco play LF?

[cinreds21]

Originally Posted by kpresidente

Can Mesoraco play LF?

I highly doubt it. I'm almost positive it's a no.