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10-01-2007, 04:35 PM
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#1 |
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thirsty and miserable
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NJ/NY
Posts: 5,397
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The Catching Problem
The general consensus among Reds fans is that while David Ross plays some fine defense his bat only hurts the Reds, while Javy Valentin can hit alright but can't field to save his life. So if you're Wayne Krivsky what do you do about our catchers in the offseason? Do you stick with what we have, trade for someone, or sign one of the many catchers available?
Here is the list of catchers available in free agency: Brad Ausmus Michael Barrett Ramon Castro Jason Kendall Paul Lo Duca Jorge Posada Jose Molina Ivan Rodriguez - $13MM club option for '08 Yorvit Torrealba
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"Since I've been with the Reds in 1989, we've never had a farm system this loaded," Bowden said. "If we were the New York Yankees and had unlimited dollars, we could have traded for Colon, (Jeff) Weaver, Rolen, (Cliff) Floyd, (Kenny) Rogers and Finley and gotten them all -- and still held onto our top five prospects. That's an amazing statement." |
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10-01-2007, 04:38 PM
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#2 |
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He has the Evil Eye!
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: south of the border
Posts: 23,858
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Re: The Catching Problem
I'd prefer a deal with the Mariners to get Clement. He is stuck behind Johjima.
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What are you, people? On dope? - Mr Hand |
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10-01-2007, 04:57 PM
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#3 |
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Stat Wanker Hodiernus
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 14,915
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Re: The Catching Problem
Ross's offensive problems were more attributable to bad luck and regression to the mean (of his true ability) than any real decline in ability.
In 2007, he had a ridiculous .230 BABIP despite a very reasonable 18.5 LD% (an improvement over 2006's 16.8%). No more player with more than 200 PA (Ross had 348) was worse. The lowest BABIP among qualified hitters was Ray Durham at .244. If we bump up that .230 BABIP to a more reasonable .280, he's suddenly hitting .235/.305/.450 or so. Still not great, but a .750 OPS from a plus defending catcher is an asset. His 2006 HR/FB rate of 23.9% is wholly unsustainable and the drop of HR can account for the drop in BA in to the .230s from 2006's .255. Ross is basically Jason LaRue v2.0 with a touch more power right down to the late start of his career, good arm, low batting averages, etc. So long as he's cheap he's worth keeping around and is a decent primary catcher. Spending money on anybody on the list besides Posada and possibly Barrett (neither of whom is stellar defensively) would represent a waste of money.
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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. Last edited by RedsManRick; 10-01-2007 at 05:17 PM. |
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10-01-2007, 05:03 PM
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#4 |
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Danger is my business!
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Back in Florida
Posts: 7,846
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Re: The Catching Problem
Ross did have a .761 OPS vs. Lefties (.248/.291/.470).
As a platoon player, he may not hurt too much.
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"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals and you know it." http://dalmady.blogspot.com |
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10-01-2007, 05:41 PM
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Designated Threadkiller
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,789
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Re: The Catching Problem
What do you think Posada would fetch? And would the Yankees let him walk?
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Climbing down from the bridge, but keeping the torch lit until Dusty's fate is settled |
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10-01-2007, 05:58 PM
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#6 |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Newburgh, IN
Posts: 3,440
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Re: The Catching Problem
Face it! Catching is not a big offensive position and you will get some HRs from him while you get great defense. Javy can be a plug against rightys and both can stay fresh platooning. For the money hang with them and just get some pitching. None of those names impress me and the ones that do are too expensive.
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And This One Belongs to the REDS!!! |
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10-01-2007, 06:02 PM
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Five Tool Fool
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 16,567
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Re: The Catching Problem
Quote:
That said, what would the Reds give up to get him?
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"This isn’t stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner |
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10-01-2007, 06:23 PM
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Passion for the game
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 8,080
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Re: The Catching Problem
The Mike Lavalliere, Don Slaught platoon worked pretty good.
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10-01-2007, 07:26 PM
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The Lineups stink.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: West N. Carolina
Posts: 55,342
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Re: The Catching Problem
Quote:
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Go Gators! |
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10-02-2007, 09:29 AM
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He has the Evil Eye!
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: south of the border
Posts: 23,858
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Re: The Catching Problem
Quote:
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What are you, people? On dope? - Mr Hand |
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10-02-2007, 09:32 AM
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#11 |
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: New Jersey, USA
Posts: 5,408
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Re: The Catching Problem
Posada's going to back up the brinks truck and I'm sure the Yankees will meet his price. But he's in a good spot in the AL. He can DH once in a while, and NY finally got a decent backup.
LoDuca's getting some age, but he's solid. I actually like Castro, his backup. I think he'll get a starting shot somewhere.
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"The players make the manager, it's never the other way." - Sparky Anderson |
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10-02-2007, 09:33 AM
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2009: Fail
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 7,441
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Re: The Catching Problem
Quote:
Couple this with the main focus of time and money expenditures starts and ends with the mound.....I'd say give Ross another year.
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a super volcano of ridonkulous suckitude. I simply don't have access to a "cares about RBI" place in my psyche. There is a "mildly curious about OBI%" alcove just before the acid filled lake guarded by robot snipers with lasers which leads to the "cares about RBI" antechamber though. - Nate |
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10-02-2007, 11:27 AM
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#13 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 24,098
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Re: The Catching Problem
Someone explain Ross being a "plus defender."
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10-02-2007, 11:35 AM
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#14 |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 24,098
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Re: The Catching Problem
Question for those who have seen Jay Bruce play the outfield: how capable is he of playing CF?
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10-02-2007, 11:44 AM
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He has the Evil Eye!
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: south of the border
Posts: 23,858
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Re: The Catching Problem
Quote:
Having said that GABP is certainly not a CF but I don't think he would be any better in CF than Hamilton. It seems to me that for Bruce to be in the Reds OF starting next season someone has to be leaving.
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What are you, people? On dope? - Mr Hand |
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