Who Can Reds Bring In As Back Up Catcher?

[Big Klu]

My issue with this signing is that Maile is a true back-up catcher like Bill Plummer, Mike O'Berry or Don Werner. This team, with a primary catcher who has some injury history and during a time where the DH spot is going to provide quite a bit of his overall PT, needed more than a pure back-up. They needed more of a tandem guy. This situation isn't Johnny Bench and Bill Plummer. It should be more like Johnny Edwards and Don Pavletich or even Joe Oliver and Jeff Reed. Maile shouldn't be a guy who starts 60 to 70 games each year, but that's how the reds will be using hin.

I appreciate the squinting people are doing to try and see something positive out of this, but it's not enough for what this team needs.

Only problem is, the Don Pavletiches and Jeff Reeds of today's game are landing starting gigs. (Or at least getting paid like they are starters.)

[Mitri]

My issue with this signing is that Maile is a true back-up catcher like Bill Plummer, Mike O'Berry or Don Werner. This team, with a primary catcher who has some injury history and during a time where the DH spot is going to provide quite a bit of his overall PT, needed more than a pure back-up. They needed more of a tandem guy. This situation isn't Johnny Bench and Bill Plummer. It should be more like Johnny Edwards and Don Pavletich or even Joe Oliver and Jeff Reed. Maile shouldn't be a guy who starts 60 to 70 games each year, but that's how the reds will be using hin.

I appreciate the squinting people are doing to try and see something positive out of this, but it's not enough for what this team needs.

A few thoughts:

I think the team plans to use Stephenson primarily as a C. He’ll get a few DH starts, but will likely be played so much at C he’ll need the rest on his off days.

If Maile’s defense is solid (ie he handles the young staff well) this signing is fine. The primary focus of 2023 should be bringing along the young pitching. This guy can help do that.

If Stephenson hits the DL for an extended period of time, I don’t see a different C out there who makes a difference enough to keep this team afloat. I actually like Yang and am intrigued by what he can bring.

[dfs]

The reds probably had the best available catcher insurance available with Kyle Farmer and he hadn't done any catching since the pandemic hit.
Curt Casali probably was the best free agent available and the delta between he and Maile is pretty much not worth bothering about.

[klw]

NM

[Strikes Out Looking]

And another point, to expect Stevenson and Maile to be healthy all year and be the only catchers for 162 games is just stupid. They need another catcher of Maile's ilk to be in the system, even if he starts at AAA.

[westofyou]

And another point, to expect Stevenson and Maile to be healthy all year and be the only catchers for 162 games is just stupid. They need another catcher of Maile's ilk to be in the system, even if he starts at AAA.

Exactly, I expect another older guy and a couple ML catcher's to be invited to ST. There are more pitchers than than any other position player in baseball, you need catchers to work them out.

[757690]

And another point, to expect Stevenson and Maile to be healthy all year and be the only catchers for 162 games is just stupid. They need another catcher of Maile's ilk to be in the system, even if he starts at AAA.

I agree. The Reds need to assume that Stephenson will miss at least 50 games a season due to health. I don’t care about offense from the third string catcher, but they need to be able to handle the young pitching staff well. I’d be happy with re-signing Romine.

[757690]

From Nightengale Twitter:

Luke Maile on hearing from everyone after signing with his hometown Reds: “It's been a really, really cool 24 hours here. It's really difficult to put into words.”

Also in the story, GM Nick Krall isn’t ruling out signing another catcher in free agency.

Of course, not ruling out signing another catcher is not the same as say they intend to.

[Ron Madden]

Like Stephenson, Maile is a right-handed hitter. Krall did not rule out the Reds adding a third catcher to the roster that is a lefty or switch-hitter.

“There is a chance. We've got a DH spot and you can mix and match,” Krall said. “You can always, with that extra roster spot over the last year, it is something that's a little bit different. You could work with three catchers, especially with the DH.”
.

https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/reds-s...-one-year-deal

[Bob Sheed]

If half the starting lineup are replacement level hitters, you might as well put TySteve at DH and get a better defensive catcher.

I'm guessing even that is more thought than anyone in the front office gave to it.

More likely is, they are all trying to get every turd wrapped into a nice bow, so they don't have to even think about the Reds until February.

I feel so bad for this once proud franchise and its fans. They are the Breyers Ice Cream of MLB. The K-Mart. These aren't the Cincinnati Reds. This is a Cincinnati Reds cover band. And a ****ty one at that.
Shame on the entire group of owners.

[Kc61]

Not a great idea to sign another MLB backup catcher in addition to Maile. Four man bench doesn’t need two catchers, likely non-hitters. Another catcher is a AAA thing, get someone in the wings.