Improving the catcher position

[Kc61]

Without debating Ross' merits as a defensive catcher, he is hitting .189 in July and the Reds have no other starting alternative in the majors or high minor leagues. As the trade deadline approaches, as much as the Reds need pitching, they also have to focus on the catcher position. I think acquiring a catcher should be a priority, now or in the off-season. At least someone to provide an alternative to Ross if his bat doesn't come around.

With all the focus on adding pitching, I wonder what major league or high minors level catchers may be available. I know the Braves have a highly touted guy, although he may not be on the market.

Any thoughts?

[bucksfan2]

I think Ross serves a very good purpose on this team. He is a solid defensive catcher. Granted hes under the mendoza line he has some pop to the tone of 14 hrs so far this season. I like him as the 8 hole hitter. If someone makes a mistake he can deposit it in the stands. Every player the reds have isn't going to be a .300 hitter with a .375 obp.

[redsfan30]

I don't have a problem at all with David Ross. As said, he's a pretty good defensive catcher with a rocket arm and he can hit you close to 25 home runs.

I'll take that in the eight hole anyday, even with an average hovering around .200.

[oneupper]

David Ross needs me in the stands.
He has 5 HRs in the last three REDS games I've attended.

[RedLegSuperStar]

Pudge Rodriguez is going to be a Free Agent at seasons end...

[LINEDRIVER]

Pudge?? Could we handle a high-priced free-agent that turns 36 in November?

He would command more jack than 'small-market' Cincinnati and Reds fans could possibly handle. Even if he were signed, his first 1-for 11 slump would have the boo-birds out in force while calling to trade him so we can get younger.

[Falls City Beer]

I think Wayne will overlook a chance to get better pitching this deadline and try to acquire a catcher. JMO.

Wayne's been a very linear thinker and that's about as linear as you're going to get.

[KronoRed]

Originally Posted by oneupper

David Ross needs me in the stands.
He has 5 HRs in the last three REDS games I've attended.

Get this man season tickets.

Ross's offense can be ignored if he's good defensively, and if the rest of the O doesn't have any black holes.

[acredsfan]

Didn't I read somewhere that Jorge Posada was going to try test the FA market? Anyway, Ross is just like LaRue, he strikes out a ton, but hits a few home runs. His greatest asset is defense, just like LaRue's was, and he can handle a pitching staff, then again, they said that about LaRue, so who really knows. In my mind all we have is a younger LaRue. Last season was a bit of an abberation, but as long as he's a solid defender I'm fine with that. I do feel that the fans will get tired of him after a few seasons just like they did LaRue and be calling for a repacement. Lets face it, Catcher is one of the hardest positions to play. They take the worst beating of anybody else on the team, but the nature of the people who play that position allows them to play through pain more than most other people on the team. You have to be tough to be a catcher, so I'll excuse poor offense as long as they play solid defense day in and day out...

[vaticanplum]

Originally Posted by acredsfan

Didn't I read somewhere that Jorge Posada was going to try test the FA market?

The Yankees need Posada horribly. They have almost no viable minor-league options at the position, and the only other Yankee thing to do would be to pay big bucks for an old, established FA catcher like Pudge -- and there's no reason for them to do that when they can do that with their own FA catcher who's having a pretty spectacular year at almost 36 years old. he may talk about testing the waters to get his price up and his contract lengthened with the Yankees, but that's exactly what's going to happen. He's not going anywhere.

[acredsfan]

Originally Posted by vaticanplum

The Yankees need Posada horribly. They have almost no viable minor-league options at the position, and the only other Yankee thing to do would be to pay big bucks for an old, established FA catcher like Pudge -- and there's no reason for them to do that when they can do that with their own FA catcher who's having a pretty spectacular year at almost 36 years old. he may talk about testing the waters to get his price up and his contract lengthened with the Yankees, but that's exactly what's going to happen. He's not going anywhere.

Yeah, that was kind of a tongue in cheek comment... I agree, it's a ploy to get more money from the Yanks, and it will work. Either that or he'll end up in Boston.

[Kc61]

Originally Posted by redsfan30

I don't have a problem at all with David Ross. As said, he's a pretty good defensive catcher with a rocket arm and he can hit you close to 25 home runs.

I'll take that in the eight hole anyday, even with an average hovering around .200.

I won't. A starting catcher consumes, say, 375 or 400 at bats. If he is hitting .240 it is passable, but not .189. In the National League, with the pitcher required to hit, you can't have sub .200 position players in the regular lineup.

I feel the same way about starting pitchers with ERAs over 5.00. Starting pitchers consume, say, 180 innings per year. You can't afford that many innings with a 5 plus ERA. The Reds this year have two spots in the five-man rotation with ERAs well over five. That's two/fifths of all the games.

Players have bad years or get better, I'm not saying any guy with this profile needs to be cut or sent down tomorrow. But if the objective is to be a real team, a high echelon club, you can't have this. Because a starting catcher "calls a good game" or a rotation pitcher is a "back of the rotation starter" doesn't eliminate the problem.

[vaticanplum]

Originally Posted by acredsfan

Either that or he'll end up in Boston.

THAT was tounge-in-cheek, right?

[LINEDRIVER]

Originally Posted by acredsfan

Didn't I read somewhere that Jorge Posada was going to try test the FA market? Anyway, Ross is just like LaRue, he strikes out a ton, but hits a few home runs. His greatest asset is defense, just like LaRue's was, and he can handle a pitching staff, then again, they said that about LaRue, so who really knows. In my mind all we have is a younger LaRue. Last season was a bit of an abberation, but as long as he's a solid defender I'm fine with that. I do feel that the fans will get tired of him after a few seasons just like they did LaRue and be calling for a repacement. Lets face it, Catcher is one of the hardest positions to play. They take the worst beating of anybody else on the team, but the nature of the people who play that position allows them to play through pain more than most other people on the team. You have to be tough to be a catcher, so I'll excuse poor offense as long as they play solid defense day in and day out...

Yep, who really knows???

Team Clark and I were working on an assignment at a Reds/Yankees spring training game in Sarasota in 2000. We were sitting amongst Yankees brass that included Gene Michael and Brian Cashman. There were also Yankees scouts and other scouts sitting around us. We couldnt believe our ears while hearing the conversations regarding Posada. Apparently, the boys didnt think Posada would pan out and they were considering trading for Montreal Expos catcher Chris Widger!!!!

As it turns out.....

Since 2000 and thru 2006, Posada has averaged 142 games a year, 23 HR's a year, and handles that sometimes maligned pitching staff as well as anybody could. He's a .274 career hitter and is hitting .330 this season.

Widger appeared in all or parts of 10 big league seasons thru 2006 for a total of 613 games and 55 HR's.

However, I do recall Gene Michael correctly referring to then young pup/Yankee rookie second baseman Alfonso Soriano as "a real thoroughbred" and "he'll be a star."

I would expect Posada to resign with the Yankees. (The way the Yankees overpay people, you wouldnt think Posada could get a better deal out of NY anyway)

.

[fearofpopvol1]

I don't have any problems with Ross. The pitching staff seems to love him and I think for the most part he calls good games. He has a good arm and his best asset seems to be throwing out baserunners. He has pop in his bat. I'd love to see him raise his batting average 20 or 30 points (I think he's a career .235 hitter), but that may come with time. I doubt he will stay below .200 for the whole season.