Russel Martin plans to catch RA Dickey

[Guest]

Good

 

Now get a better backup catcher lol.

[burlingtonbandit]

Even if Martin can catch Dickey, Navarro should not be his back up. 5 Million could be spent a lot better than on a guy who is only going to get 150 ABs. Navarro still sucks behind the plate and even if he only catches once a week I don't see his pitch framing improving much.

[AdamGreenwood]

I can't believe y'all are seriously considering letting Martin catch Dickey.

 

Granted, Arencibia is nothing compared to Martin, but this is a knuckleball we're talking about. When was the last time Martin caught a knuckler? Probably never.

 

He'll only have 2 months to work on a knuckler. That's also with learning the entire pitching staff and other responsibilities.

 

I do not have confidence that Martin will be able to catch the knuckler effectively. You need more time to learn it.

 

And you guys want to dump Thole? RA's personal catcher for the last 3-4 seasons?

 

Then we'd watch the Yankees scoop up Thole and then ask for Aaron Sanchez when we suddenly realize we could use him when Martin fails.

 

I don't care about the deadweight of Thole on this roster. It's a sunk cost.

 

Y'all pretend that getting rid of Thole will not have an impact on Dickey. It will, and it will be disastrous.

 

 

I think HD makes some good points here. Asking a catcher who is brand new to the team, to re-learn all the AL hitters, get used to all of our pitchers, and learn the knuckleball over a couple of months is asking a lot.

JPA had the benefit of already knowing the pitchers, and playing in the AL and he still stunk at catching the knuckler (more more so than non-knucklers).

 

I would hate to go into the season with three catchers, but Thole might not be a bad backup catcher at least until Martin shows that he is capable of handling the knuckler, at which point, we can get rid of Thole for a more offense-minded backup.

[TwistedLogic]

I just remembered that Russell Martin was the Yankee that accused the Jays of stealing signs on him. Ha. Funny.

[saskjayfan]

and where are the Jays going to be if Martin missed 3 months of the season due to injury. I'm fine with moving Navarro, but I'm okay keeping him. 180ABs from Navarro as a backup with Thole in AAA wouldn't be the worst scenario for next year. Navarro as a switch hitter on the bench could be a useful bat for late game situations. Thole as a late game bat option is pretty much useless.

[L54]

and where are the Jays going to be if Martin missed 3 months of the season due to injury. I'm fine with moving Navarro, but I'm okay keeping him. 180ABs from Navarro as a backup with Thole in AAA wouldn't be the worst scenario for next year. Navarro as a switch hitter on the bench could be a useful bat for late game situations. Thole as a late game bat option is pretty much useless.

 

Navarro isn't the answer if Martin misses three months.

 

More of Martin's value is tied up in defense than offense. Something Navarro isn't very good at.

 

The offense could probably get by with a Martin injury. The defense and entire staff would take a hit though. I'd much rather have a good defender to back him up than Navarro.

[L54]

Plus, the salary relief and whatever AA can net in a trade.

[flafson]

Plus, the salary relief and whatever AA can net in a trade.

 

Right now it's 0.

[Smokey]

 

I don't care about the deadweight of Thole on this roster. It's a sunk cost.

 

Y'all pretend that getting rid of Thole will not have an impact on Dickey. It will, and it will be disastrous.

 

Yeah you're right, we need to do everything we can to accommodate to Dickey's needs. It doesn't matter if it takes 2 or even 3 roster spots to squeeze out those 2 WARs because it's all about sunk costs! lmao

Edited January 13, 2015 by Smokey

[Smokey]

JPA had the benefit of already knowing the pitchers, and playing in the AL and he still stunk at catching the knuckler (more more so than non-knucklers).

 

JPA, Eric Thames, David Cooper...Those are just some of the names I'd stay away from if I was you.

[ElNik2013]

So who's this great back-up that the Jays will get in place of Thole and/or Navarro?

 

 

Regardless, my guess would be they're still trying to trade Navarro and this is just posturing through the media.

[GD]

So who's this great back-up that the Jays will get in place of Thole and/or Navarro?

 

 

Regardless, my guess would be they're still trying to trade Navarro and this is just posturing through the media.

 

Erik Kratz

[L54]

Right now it's 0.

 

Good thing tomorrow isn't Opening Day.

[Spanky99]

and where are the Jays going to be if Martin missed 3 months of the season due to injury. I'm fine with moving Navarro, but I'm okay keeping him. 180ABs from Navarro as a backup with Thole in AAA wouldn't be the worst scenario for next year. Navarro as a switch hitter on the bench could be a useful bat for late game situations. Thole as a late game bat option is pretty much useless.

 

Where would any team be, if they lost a key player to their roster?

[Spanky99]

It has been overblown. In '91 the Jays acquired Candiotti, and there wasn't any drama over who would catch him. Borders and Myers were our catchers, and so they caught Candiotti's knuckleball. Done and Done. I hate that we have to waste a roster spot just to have someone to catch what amounts to our 3rd starter.

 

I still hope Dickey is traded.

 

Why?

[ElNik2013]

Erik Kratz

 

 

 

Yeah, I never got why they never gave him a chance to catch Dickey. Anyway...

[Spanky99]

Probably the best player on the team.

 

Concerning position absolutely.

[Spanky99]

Reilly's buzzing tonight, me likey!

[Spanky99]

Yeesh, 5 shots to 1 but the Buds had a couple good chances, the Kings are ruthless on the forecheck.

[Spanky99]

Good job Bodie, wake the bench up!

[Spanky99]

Faack, wrong thread, sorry folks.

[Spanky99]

Right now it's 0.

 

Says you?

[Spanky99]

So who's this great back-up that the Jays will get in place of Thole and/or Navarro?

 

Jiminez

 

Regardless, my guess would be they're still trying to trade Navarro and this is just posturing through the media.

 

Most definitely.

[saskjayfan]

Where would any team be, if they lost a key player to their roster?

 

St. Louis lost Yadier last year....they did ok. Navarro is a backup at catcher and DH. If Justin Smoak doesn't bounce back it would be much nicer having a Navarro who can DH and catch vs Thole who can only catch Dickey. 5 mil is a little steep for that role so I understand trading Navarro, but if they don't it wont be the end of the world.

[Spanky99]

St. Louis lost Yadier last year....they did ok. Navarro is a backup at catcher and DH. If Justin Smoak doesn't bounce back it would be much nicer having a Navarro who can DH and catch vs Thole who can only catch Dickey. 5 mil is a little steep for that role so I understand trading Navarro, but if they don't it wont be the end of the world.

 

I'm not so sure Navvy's around and Thole should be in the minors, the Cards missed Yadi bigtime. Especially in the postseason. Navvy's too expensive for the bench, move him for a decent reliever.

[BTS]

Why would anyone want to keep Navarro around in case he has to DH? He's a 100 wRC+ guy. You can find that at any time off the scrap heap if you don't care about defense.

[glory]

Navarro sucks. Trade him for anything with a pulse, especially if it saves five mil.

[saskjayfan]

Why would anyone want to keep Navarro around in case he has to DH? He's a 100 wRC+ guy. You can find that at any time off the scrap heap if you don't care about defense.

 

one...last year Navarro played through injury quite a bit and was still a league average hitter. You can't find league average guys off the scrap heap. How many 24th guys on a teams roster are league average? There were 70 catchers with 75 at bats or more last year...Navarro ranked around 20th or so on that list. Billy Butler posted a 97 wRC+ last year and he got 3 for 30. Smoak was a 77 wRC+.

 

Navarro as a switch hitter late in games can help you in late game situations. He provides something. Thole isn't as good as Navarro. He would have been the number 1 last year. If smoak doesn't bounce back you have Navarro who can DH.

 

I would prefer to flip Navarro for a quality reliever or for a prospect if they would use that money on a K-rod. I definitely don't want 3 catchers on the roster and that won't happen, but if Martin does catch Dickey and we had Navarro as a back up his hitting tool can provide some things to the team even if it isn't worth 5 mil. I'm just playing devils advocate for discussion sake. Some of you are making him out to be JPA. He's not. His hitting tool is pretty solid.

[CrackerJack]

one...last year Navarro played through injury quite a bit and was still a league average hitter. You can't find league average guys off the scrap heap. How many 24th guys on a teams roster are league average? There were 70 catchers with 75 at bats or more last year...Navarro ranked around 20th or so on that list. Billy Butler posted a 97 wRC+ last year and he got 3 for 30. Smoak was a 77 wRC+.

 

Navarro as a switch hitter late in games can help you in late game situations. He provides something. Thole isn't as good as Navarro. He would have been the number 1 last year. If smoak doesn't bounce back you have Navarro who can DH.

 

I would prefer to flip Navarro for a quality reliever or for a prospect if they would use that money on a K-rod. I definitely don't want 3 catchers on the roster and that won't happen, but if Martin does catch Dickey and we had Navarro as a back up his hitting tool can provide some things to the team even if it isn't worth 5 mil. I'm just playing devils advocate for discussion sake. Some of you are making him out to be JPA. He's not. His hitting tool is pretty solid.

 

Agree with this. Trading Dioner (and his 5M salary) to improve the bullpen should be the goal, but if that deal ain't out there before the season starts then Navarro over Thole when the squad heads north. Last season the strength of the Jays was supposed to be their offence yet (injuries happen and such) Navarro ended up DHing about 20 games. (Gibby even used him there when Kratz wasn't around as the third guy.) The bench was so weak last season ... let's have some guys as late inning options who aren't complete dead wood.

[Spanky99]

one...last year Navarro played through injury quite a bit and was still a league average hitter. You can't find league average guys off the scrap heap. How many 24th guys on a teams roster are league average? There were 70 catchers with 75 at bats or more last year...Navarro ranked around 20th or so on that list. Billy Butler posted a 97 wRC+ last year and he got 3 for 30. Smoak was a 77 wRC+.

 

Navarro as a switch hitter late in games can help you in late game situations. He provides something. Thole isn't as good as Navarro. He would have been the number 1 last year. If smoak doesn't bounce back you have Navarro who can DH.

 

I would prefer to flip Navarro for a quality reliever or for a prospect if they would use that money on a K-rod. I definitely don't want 3 catchers on the roster and that won't happen, but if Martin does catch Dickey and we had Navarro as a back up his hitting tool can provide some things to the team even if it isn't worth 5 mil. I'm just playing devils advocate for discussion sake. Some of you are making him out to be JPA. He's not. His hitting tool is pretty solid.

 

Not for 5 million, sorry.