Spring Training

[BTS]

Because he is out of options and won't make the team. Pretty simple lol

 

My point was that he's probably the second best catcher in the org.

[Sammy225]

My point was that he's probably the second best catcher in the org.

 

Sanchez is likely ahead of him and not a bad defensive catcher but i like Jimenez and i think he would make a solid backup

[BTS]

Sanchez is likely ahead of him and not a bad defensive catcher but i like Jimenez and i think he would make a solid backup

 

I guess it doesn't really matter considering none of these guys are long-term assets. What's the most likely configuration: Thole as the MLB backup, Sanchez and Quintero to AAA, and Jimenez traded for a bag of balls?

 

I can't wait for Dickey and his sidekick to be gone.

[burlingtonbandit]

My point was that he's probably the second best catcher in the org.

 

Well since Thole has to be dickey's personal catcher I'm sure you can do anything else.

[Sammy225]

I guess it doesn't really matter considering none of these guys are long-term assets. What's the most likely configuration: Thole as the MLB backup, Sanchez and Quintero to AAA, and Jimenez traded for a bag of balls?

 

I can't wait for Dickey and his sidekick to be gone.

 

This team is definitely weaker with Thole as the backup when i feel there are two better options.

[BTS]

Well since Thole has to be dickey's personal catcher I'm sure you can do anything else.

 

I've never bought into Thole having a unique ability to catch the knuckler.

[BTS]

This team is definitely weaker with Thole as the backup when i feel there are two better options.

 

They could have also went out and acquired someone like Conger or Phegley in the offseason and had an actual contributor for 40-50 starts and decent insurance in case of injury to Martin. Instead we're chained to Josh Thole, who becomes the every day catcher if Martin breaks a femur or something.

 

I despise RA Dickey.

[Sammy225]

I've never bought into Thole having a unique ability to catch the knuckler.

 

I think it all stems from JPA looking like a lost little boy the first time that he caught him and then from now on it was ok only Thole can catch him. I think if you have any solid defensive catcher he should have no problem dealing with a knuckleball.

[Sammy225]

They could have also went out and acquired someone like Conger or Phegley in the offseason and had an actual contributor for 40-50 starts and decent insurance in case of injury to Martin. Instead we're chained to Josh Thole, who becomes the every day catcher if Martin breaks a femur or something.

 

I despise RA Dickey.

 

Even Kratz was available who is a good catcher.

[burlingtonbandit]

I've never bought into Thole having a unique ability to catch the knuckler.

 

I think what we've seen is other guys can do it just not as well as Thole. Martin, a superior defensive catcher could do it but he lost some strikes that Thole gets. If the backup catcher is catching 32 Dickey starts and only 10-12 other games don't you want the guy who is going to the best at catching Dickey.?

[BTS]

I think what we've seen is other guys can do it just not as well as Thole. Martin, a superior defensive catcher could do it but he lost some strikes that Thole gets. If the backup catcher is catching 32 Dickey starts and only 10-12 other games don't you want the guy who is going to the best at catching Dickey.?

 

I'd give up a strike here and there to have, say, Hank Conger around instead of Thole. Mostly because there is a non-zero probability that Martin misses a few months in any given season.

[burlingtonbandit]

I'd give up a strike here and there to have, say, Hank Conger around instead of Thole. Mostly because there is a non-zero probability that Martin misses a few months in any given season.

 

Well if you have Martin catch Dickey to have Conger be the backup then you are only increasing the chance of Martin getting hurt? Which is why you wanted Conger in the first place lol

[Angrioter]

Preston Tucker, Tyler White

 

Tyler White for sure. Domincan Winter League MVP and future batting champ at MLB level

[BTS]

Well if you have Martin catch Dickey to have Conger be the backup then you are only increasing the chance of Martin getting hurt? Which is why you wanted Conger in the first place lol

 

Huh? Why not just have Conger (or Phegley, or Kratz, or whoever) catch Dickey if you think it will exert a physical toll on Martin.

[burlingtonbandit]

Huh? Why not just have Conger (or Phegley, or Kratz, or whoever) catch Dickey if you think it will exert a physical toll on Martin.

 

My guess is because the FO felt all of those guys would be a downgrade on catching Dickey. Obviously we don't know the full story but there is likely a good reason why Thole is catching Dickey.

 

I'll just be thankful this whole dilemma will be over with after this season.

[crazy47larry]

Yeah but Hank Conger is like the Jon Lester of catchers. You get on first and you can walk to second. That would be even worse with a knuckler. I know Dickey has alright windup to plate times but thats only half the equation with that unique, silly, damning, tantalizing, eccentric, frustrating, awesome pitch.

[KingKat]

My point was that he's probably the second best catcher in the org.

 

Even if that were true (which it isn't), do you want to run three catchers on the 25?

[BTS]

Even if that were true (which it isn't), do you want to run three catchers on the 25?

 

Who's better?

 

I'd rather have him than Thole.

[KingKat]

Who's better?

 

I'd rather have him than Thole.

 

All glove no bat catchers aren't exactly a rarity. Cheung is probably a better catcher, main difference is that he doesn't have any residual prospect shine but he'd probably provide as much value. Thole isn't really any worse either. Sanchez MIGHT be lesser defensively (if we're going by old scouting reports on A.J.'s glove) but he's an infinitely more valuable player as someone who can actually hit a little while playing the position.

 

Jimenez is a non-asset. The only reason the Astros might want him is as a dirt cheap fill-in for Stassi. They'd dfa him as soon as the later came back.

[Rusty_Savage]

Who's better?

 

I'd rather have him than Thole.

 

Sanchez will be starting at AAA so that pretty much makes him a back up there. I would also take Chung too. As far as organizational depth Jansen and Pentecost (if he stops getting injured) probably profile as better catchers going forward

[KingKat]

Sanchez will be starting at AAA so that pretty much makes him a back up there. As far as organizational depth Jansen and Pentecost (if he stops getting injured) probably profile as better catchers

 

Pentecost might not be a catcher at all anymore. He really shouldn't factor in this discussion until his comeback is further along.

[Rusty_Savage]

Pentecost might not be a catcher at all anymore. He really shouldn't factor in this discussion until his comeback is further along.

 

Good point. Where do you think they move him to?

[KingKat]

Good point. Where do you think they move him to?

 

I've heard 1B. Would really kill his value but they might not have a choice.

[GD]

Huh? Why not just have Conger (or Phegley, or Kratz, or whoever) catch Dickey if you think it will exert a physical toll on Martin.

 

Roberto Perez, Austin Barnes

[BTS]

All glove no bat catchers aren't exactly a rarity. Cheung is probably a better catcher, main difference is that he doesn't have any residual prospect shine but he'd probably provide as much value. Thole isn't really any worse either. Sanchez MIGHT be lesser defensively (if we're going by old scouting reports on A.J.'s glove) but he's an infinitely more valuable player as someone who can actually hit a little while playing the position.

 

Jimenez is a non-asset. The only reason the Astros might want him is as a dirt cheap fill-in for Stassi. They'd dfa him as soon as the later came back.

 

I'd still prefer to get a chance to see how good he is defensively than run Thole out there. He gets great reviews for his defense, and it would be nice to get some framing data and see if he can give you some runs above replacement while catching 40 games or so. I'm not convinced that any catcher in the org is above replacement, Martin excluded. I'm almost sure Thole and Sanchez aren't. Jimenez might be. Or maybe his framing suxxx and he's terrible. Either way we're taking fractions of a win, so it doesn't really matter.

[intentional wok]

How many catchers have been frozen out of the organization because of Dickey's sidekick now?

[BTS]

How many catchers have been frozen out of the organization because of Dickey's sidekick now?

 

Josh Thole has been such a blight on this organization. Over the last 3 years:

 

120 games, 337 PA, 212/283/258 line for a 0.250 wOBA and 53 wRC+. -0.7 fWAR + a couple of framing runs, maybe, depending on the math that results from catching Dickey.

 

The opportunity cost of rostering this leech is significant. -0.7 wins from him, when a hallway competent team should have been able to get about a win from half a season of a backup catcher. That's a 1.7 win swing. I can not accept that he's so uniquely skilled at catching Dickey that he earns his keep.

[BTS]

Thole will retire before Dickey. Then what do we do.

 

Give Dickey a firm handshake and tell him not to let the door hit him on the way out of Rogers centre on October 31st?

[GD]

Josh Thole has been such a blight on this organization. Over the last 3 years:

 

120 games, 337 PA, 212/283/258 line for a 0.250 wOBA and 53 wRC+. -0.7 fWAR + a couple of framing runs, maybe, depending on the math that results from catching Dickey.

 

The opportunity cost of rostering this leech is significant. -0.7 wins from him, when a hallway competent team should have been able to get about a win from half a season of a backup catcher. That's a 1.7 win swing. I can not accept that he's s uniquely skilled at catching Dickey that he earns his keep.

 

You could very well factor this into Dickey's valuations if he's essentially responsible for a second roster spot.

[intentional wok]

I haven't liked Dickey since 2014. And I'm still in awe that a coaching staff/FO (one that's seen turnover, no less) still believes Thole is some snowflake with a unique talent for catching Dickey. No, he learned just like anyone else could have. Russell f***ing did it, and so could any other major league catcher.