Catcher in 2014

[SAAviour]

If you were AA, what would you do about catcher?

 

2014 free agents:Rod Barajas

Henry Blanco

John Buck

Jesus Flores

Ramon Hernandez

Gerald Laird

Brian McCann

Jose Molina

Dioner Navarro

Wil Nieves

Miguel Olivo

Ronny Paulino

Brayan Pena

A.J. Pierzynski

Humberto Quintero

Carlos Ruiz

Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Kelly Shoppach

Chris Snyder

Geovany Soto

Kurt Suzuki * (option)

Yorvit Torrealba

 

Sign one from that list, I'm thinking no chance we get McCann, or trade (for who realistically). Or stick with JP?

[G-Snarls]

Trade for Utley

 

Sign Ruiz

 

Deal Arencibia to Phillies since we took Ruiz. LOL.

[backontop]

Brian McCann, I liked the looks of this guy before I heard the Braves have another good young catcher and before I realized that the Blue Jays are in dire need for a new catcher. I like what he is made of, I'd be very happy with this guy for at least three years. I've seen sissy minded catchers in my day and don't want them on my team.

[SAAviour]

How much for McCann? 5 years at 75 mil(or is that way too high?)

I see no chance of getting him.

What would Ruiz cost, I think I'd go for him. Or pierzynski on 1 year deal as a platoon with JP.

[Caper]

JPA... With Jimenez being able to come up at any point.

[flafson]

Jimenez looks promising, he went 1 for 3 with 2 walks playing DH today. Doesn't seem to have home run power though.

[Caper]

Jimenez looks promising, he went 1 for 3 with 2 walks playing DH today. Doesn't seem to have home run power though.

 

 

I could care less for hr power from his spot. I just want a guy who when he comes up with the bases loaded can consistently make solid contact and cash a run.

[bendera3]

Jimenez looks promising, he went 1 for 3 with 2 walks playing DH today. Doesn't seem to have home run power though.

 

I could care less if he can hit the ball far. As long as he controls the strike zone, can hit for decent contact, and plays better than average defense I'd be all for giving him the job. We have a catcher right now that all he has is home run power, and pretty much everyone wants to get rid of him.

[G-Snarls]

We can give up power at C position happily, if we can increase it elsewhere (3B, LF, 2B, SS have all been well below average in this department)

[G-Snarls]

You don't need power everywhere. But you can't have 4-5 positions without it. Edwin and Jose can't be the only ones you rely on because HR power is streaky.

[Buster]

You don't need power everywhere. But you can't have 4-5 positions without it. Edwin and Jose can't be the only ones you rely on because HR power is streaky.

 

"You don't need good strike zone management, contact hitting, situational hitting, defense, and baseball IQ everywhere. But you can't have 4-5 positions without it."

[G-Snarls]

"You don't need good strike zone management, contact hitting, situational hitting, defense, and baseball IQ everywhere. But you can't have 4-5 positions without it."

 

Power and plate discipline are not mutually exclusive.

[Buster]

Power and plate discipline are not mutually exclusive.

 

Tell that to JPA.

[G-Snarls]

Tell that to JPA.

 

LOL. Seriously though...

[Buster]

I agree with you, but you aren't going to get that with JPA. The only reason he HAS power is because he throws out plate discipline. If you go out there and swing at everything, as hard as you can, eventually you will run into one.

[Abomination]

I agree with you, but you aren't going to get that with JPA. The only reason he HAS power is because he throws out plate discipline. If you go out there and swing at everything, as hard as you can, eventually you will run into one.

 

That isn't true at all imo. JPA has the same kind of raw power that EE has when he keeps his swing short, so he's going to hit a lot of them regardless. Better plate discipline would probably increase his home run numbers if anything.

[gruber92]

Sign Ruiz for 2 years and trade JPA. Have Jimenez come up after his clock time at some point.

[Buster]

That isn't true at all imo. JPA has the same kind of raw power that EE has when he keeps his swing short, so he's going to hit a lot of them regardless. Better plate discipline would probably increase his home run numbers if anything.

 

the point I'm trying to make (not well) is that JPA refuses to alter his approach.

[bendera3]

the point I'm trying to make (not well) is that JPA refuses to alter his approach.

 

Why should he? In his mind he's the perfect catcher.

[P2F]

Why should he? In his mind he's the perfect catcher.

 

It's hard to fathom just how delusional he is.

[bendera3]

It's hard to fathom just how delusional he is.

 

I wish I was living in his world. Make believe land is so much more fun than reality.

[DuckDuckGose]

If you were AA, what would you do about catcher?

 

2014 free agents:Rod Barajas

Henry Blanco

John Buck

Jesus Flores

Ramon Hernandez

Gerald Laird

Brian McCann

Jose Molina

Dioner Navarro

Wil Nieves

Miguel Olivo

Ronny Paulino

Brayan Pena

A.J. Pierzynski

Humberto Quintero

Carlos Ruiz

Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Kelly Shoppach

Chris Snyder

Geovany Soto

Kurt Suzuki * (option)

Yorvit Torrealba

 

Sign one from that list, I'm thinking no chance we get McCann, or trade (for who realistically). Or stick with JP?

 

I'd be quite content with Jose Molina as a stopgap to Jimenez. McCann and Ruiz are the stars of that class, both would improve the Jays immensely.

[IronLadle]

I'm hoping Jimenez is ready next year, not a big fan of paying big money for McCann or Ruiz.

[BabbaGanoush]

Jiminez = Sal Perez lite?

[DuckDuckGose]

No guarantees Jimenez will even be a starting MLB C. Theoretically, he could be up this year or next but, that doesn't mean he'll produce or stick at the MLB level. He has a long ways to go still and is realistically 2-3 years away, if at all, from being a consistent contributor for the Jays. TBH I think Jimenez value might have peaked as a prospect and now may be the time to sell. McCann or Ruiz would give AA another big chip to move in a package for a starting pitcher, which is a big bonus IMO.

 

The Jays have been running replacement level C since Jose Molina left and there are two AS level players potentially available on the FA market. They have to at least make a phone call and see what it would take to bring one of them in.

[Tuco]

No guarantees Jimenez will even be a starting MLB C. Theoretically, he could be up this year or next but, that doesn't mean he'll produce or stick at the MLB level. He has a long ways to go still and is realistically 2-3 years away, if at all, from being a consistent contributor for the Jays. TBH I think Jimenez value might have peaked as a prospect and now may be the time to sell. McCann or Ruiz would give AA another big chip to move in a package for a starting pitcher, which is a big bonus IMO.

 

The Jays have been running replacement level C since Jose Molina left and there are two AS level players potentially available on the FA market. They have to at least make a phone call and see what it would take to bring one of them in.

 

I disagree with the 2-3 years before he can be a contributor thing. The guy is already 23 years old and really should be promoted to AAA within a few weeks. His D is already said to be MLB capable and were currently throwing out 2 guys that are brutal offensively. It's also very debatable to say his value has peaked. Hes just come back from injury and has hit well in a small sample size. You send him to AAA and he continues to hit well and call a good game his value will be alot more 2 months from now.

 

I see no reason why this guy couldnt possibly make the team out of spring training next season.

[DuckDuckGose]

I disagree with the 2-3 years before he can be a contributor thing. The guy is already 23 years old and really should be promoted to AAA within a few weeks. His D is already said to be MLB capable and were currently throwing out 2 guys that are brutal offensively.

 

d'Arnaud was in the exact same spot as Jimenez (but a year younger and with a much better prospect pedigree) two years ago, he's still in AAA. s*** happens especially with young catchers. I agree 100% with what you said about his defence but, the bat is a HUGE question mark. Probability suggests he is far more likely to be the next Jeff Mathis than the next Yadier.

 

It's also very debatable to say his value has peaked. Hes just come back from injury and has hit well in a small sample size. You send him to AAA and he continues to hit well and call a good game his value will be alot more 2 months from now.

 

Sorry, I think I need to expand here a bit. I meant that Jimenez strong season has boosted his value immensely, I expect him to continue to have a great season and maintain that value in to the off-season. That being said after another year in AAA will he have more value next year? From my view his value wouldn't change much but, perhaps I'm wrong, as you said it's highly subjective. IMO it would take strong play at the MLB level to raise his stock at that point which is why I threw out the term peaked.

 

We may see Jimenez in September, especially if he keeps this pace up. I'm guessing it will be Nickeas that gets the call as third catcher and we don't see Jimenez until 2013.

 

I see no reason why this guy couldnt possibly make the team out of spring training next season.

 

Certainly could happen but, that would require Jimenez leaping JPA and AA has shown no indications he is leaning that way or that it is even a possibility.

[Tuco]

The only reason d'Arnaud is still in the minors is because he cant stay healthy. Even if his bat is a question mark his D is supposedly already better then JPA's and I bet he could come close to posting close a similar or better OBP then JP.

 

It wouldnt necessarily mean he has to leap JPA. They could go out and get a decent vet and sign him for 2 years and have him catch 75% of the games while Jimenez catchs 25%. I think the smart and prudent thing to do would be to cut bait with JPA and go in a different direction.

 

Funny enough just when I'm posting this Arash Madani is on PTS and says this

 

"Someone close to the orginization told me the Jays would have been alot better this season if they had stuck with John Buck instead of JP".

 

Right there that shows that some people that arent wearing the rose coloured glass's understand just how much JP and his lack of actually being able to catch/hit is hurting this team.

[DuckDuckGose]

The only reason d'Arnaud is still in the minors is because he cant stay healthy. Even if his bat is a question mark his D is supposedly already better then JPA's and I bet he could come close to posting close a similar or better OBP then JP.

 

Fun fact, through their age 23 seasons AJ Jimenez has 728 PA's less (1291 PA vs 2019 PA) than d'Arnaud. People are quick to point out d'Arnaud durability concerns but don't acknowledge Jimenez has never played a full season, he has gotten hurt literally or platooned every single year. There are huge red flags there.

 

From the games I;ve seen of Jimenez he is no doubt a better defensive receiver than JPA. I'm not great at evaluating catcher D so I can't really comment on how he stacks up vs the rest of the league. There is no reason to believe he would put up an OBP over .280 in The Show though, the bat needs a lot of work.

 

It wouldn't necessarily mean he has to leap JPA. They could go out and get a decent vet and sign him for 2 years and have him catch 75% of the games while Jimenez catchs 25%. I think the smart and prudent thing to do would be to cut bait with JPA and go in a different direction.

 

That's the Jose Molina route I mentioned earlier. I;d totally be ok with that as long as they bring in a vet who can actually play defense.

 

Funny enough just when I'm posting this Arash Madani is on PTS and says this

 

"Someone close to the organization told me the Jays would have been alot better this season if they had stuck with John Buck instead of JP".

 

Right there that shows that some people that arent wearing the rose coloured glass's understand just how much JP and his lack of actually being able to catch/hit is hurting this team.

 

Actions speak way louder than words. I'm not dim enough to believe that AA and co have been happy with JPA's performance to date. However I do know that the team feels JPA is getting better and that he will continue to get better going forward. They truly believe he has what it takes.

[Tuco]

Fun fact, through their age 23 seasons AJ Jimenez has 728 PA's less (1291 PA vs 2019 PA) than d'Arnaud. People are quick to point out d'Arnaud durability concerns but don't acknowledge Jimenez has never played a full season, he has gotten hurt literally or platooned every single year. There are huge red flags there.

 

From the games I;ve seen of Jimenez he is no doubt a better defensive receiver than JPA. I'm not great at evaluating catcher D so I can't really comment on how he stacks up vs the rest of the league. There is no reason to believe he would put up an OBP over .280 in The Show though, the bat needs a lot of work.

 

 

 

That's the Jose Molina route I mentioned earlier. I;d totally be ok with that as long as they bring in a vet who can actually play defense.

 

 

 

Actions speak way louder than words. I'm not dim enough to believe that AA and co have been happy with JPA's performance to date. However I do know that the team feels JPA is getting better and that he will continue to get better going forward. They truly believe he has what it takes.

 

Sure he has injury concerns but as of right now the guy is healthy and mashing and its not like I'm proposing they bring him up and give him the starters role. JPA is currently sporting a .245 OPB or something of that nature. Jimenez doesnt hit for much power and but hes shown a ability to make contact so him posting a similar OBP I think would be realistic. I'm not really sure where the .280 OBP number came from seeing its not even close to what JP is currently posting and his career OBP is a brutal .268.

 

Of course the team is going to say nice things about JPA considering they have basically invested the future position on him. Even if its true that he has gotten better, its like going from downright brutal to now slightly below average. A improvement? Yes but really not something to get very excited about.

 

A catchers job first and foremost is to play D, call a good game, pitch frame etc and just generally be the general of the team and to anyone thats been watching objectively they can see hes just not very good. Does he have good power? Of course but all the other deficiencies basically negate any good that comes from his power. If he was some stud offensively you could prolly look past his shortcomings as a catcher but the guy has shown that his bat is actually pretty bad and hes not exactly a young player anymore so expecting massive improvement is very unlikely.