Which Catcher?

[Dalkowski110]

With a flurry of inactivity the past two days, I figured I'd try and restart something. So I'll put up a poll. Of all the catchers whose names have been attached to the Mets, who would YOU sign or trade for and why? I went with Torrealbla, who is a solid defender, good hitter, and isn't aging. He's also part of that Rockies team who still has their sights set at least eventually on using Chris Iannetta behind the plate.

[LostMet]

I figured go with a two year, "home town" deal with Lo Duca. He can still be a decent enough 7 or 8 hitter, especially if the Mets resign Castillo and put him in the second slot.

[freshprince85]

"other": Castro with Salti

[Dalkowski110]

freshprince, I hate to break this to you, but I think Jarrod Salatalamacchia is on the Rangers' untouchable list. As for Lo Duca, he's still a good option. He WAS producing when it mattered and after Torrealba, he'd be my second choice.

[NYMets523]

If we could get Bengie Molina for some low-level prospects, I would get him. He's only 32/33, a very good defender, not that bad with the bat either. Torrealba would be my 2nd choice.

[NJMetfan4life]

I say try for Russel Martin even though we have a 1 in a billion chance, I'd also like to see Piazza back on black(and orange and blue) if those fail, LoDuca

[NYMets523]

Russel Martin won't come here. Our streak of former Dodger catchers will end unless Lo Duca is kept. Piazza can't play catcher anymore.

[Sabes87]

Martin's definitely not going anywhere

besides he'd have to get traded to the Marlins before he got here anyway:happy:

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

Expensive? Not my money.
Solid, healthy, reliable? Absolutely.
Post season experience? A tad.


Wilpons must make a statement to the fans that they're willing to do what needs be doin' to make up for this year's disaster.

[sds416]

Great to see a few folks supporting LoDuca's return to Queens, although it likely isn't happening.

The name to watch is Ramon Hernandez. The Mets liked him 2 years ago, he's worn out his welcome in Baltimore and he's on the block for relatively cheap, as he has a large contract with 3 years left on it.

Torrealba was also supposedly on Omar's radar but I think he stays in Colorado. Ianetta isn't ready to be the full time #1 and coming off this run I think Rockies management will see his value and put the full court press on to keep him.

[NYMets523]

I've heard Ramon Hernandez has either a clause in his contract or a verbal agreement that he won't be traded to a NY team (Mets or Yankees). I can't find the source I read it. I wouldn't expect him to come.

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

Torrealba threw someone out once. He must have.

[LostMet]

Hernandez is a big nothing on a nothing team. The Orioles are desperate for "players" that should tell you about Hernandez since they would get rid of him on the cheap. Hs stats are about the same as Paul LoDuca's except LoDuca hit for higher average and is 4 years older.

[sds416]

Hernandez is a big nothing on a nothing team. The Orioles are desperate for "players" that should tell you about Hernandez since they would get rid of him on the cheap. Hs stats are about the same as Paul LoDuca's except LoDuca hit for higher average and is 4 years older.

Hernandez worked with Peterson when he was with the A's and got along very well with him and the staff there. Peterson holds him in high regard apparently.

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

Hernandez is a hitter, but he didn't block the plate well in Oakland... He'll come a lot more cheaply than my choice, Posada.

[sds416]

The catcher market got slightly smaller yesterday as the Reds exercised their team option on Javier Valentin for the 2008 season. Most had expected them to let him go via FA, but apparently Dusty Baker wanted a experienced defensive catcher, so Valentin stays.

The Mets have reportedly expressed an interest to Paul Lo Duca's agent, but no word on how deep the interest runs or if Paul is more interested in exploring other options.

[DODGER DEB]

The NY Daily News is reporting today that high on OMAR's list is JORGE POSADA....

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2007/11/01/2007-11-01_mets_target_posada_while_yankees_move_sl-1.html

c.

[sds416]

signing Posada would be baffling to me. He'd be 40 during the last year of his contract. I can't see a 40 year old catching on a regular basis. Sure they could move him to 1st base at some point, but he's never played it before and there is no guarantee that would work out at all (see the result the last time the Mets moved an aging catcher to 1st for proof). And how much of this year's offensive production is repeatable?

If he was 5 years younger, it would be a great signing. But at this point in the game, its a huge gamble.

[metfan13]

I'd love to have a catcher who isn't OLD for a change.

[mikemets]

i agree with metfan, we need a catcher who is atleast somewhere in his 20's
and will last for more than 2 seasons .

[sds416]

Not alot of great young catchers available. You might be able to pry Morales away from the Twins, or if the Rockies re-sign Torrealba, you might be able to acquire Ianetta (who is largely unproven at the MLB level). Salty isn't going anywhere with what Texas has invested in him.

The Mets already had one of the best young catching prospects currently in the bigs in their own system, but alas he is a Washington National now. Flores will be a productive, solid catcher for a long time to come.

[NYMets523]

Jesus Flores? He was a converted 3B. He still hasn't gotten used to crouching all game. He wasn't the best catching prospect in the major leagues.

The Mets should trade for Bengie Molina. He's only 33, IIRC. He's great defensively and a pretty good hitter. He's signed for another 2 years so he won't walk away. He's making a modest $6M for the following 2 seasons. Giants would dump him for some young players. I'm sure the Mets have some B-level outfielders they could part with. It wouldn't take much to get him since the Giants are in re-building mode.

[moebarguy]

Sign Arod, and make him catch.

[NYMets523]

Now that would make sense.

[moebarguy]

SS Jose Reyes
RF Lastings Milledge
3B David Wright
C Alex Rodriguez
CF Carlos Beltran
LF Moises Alou
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Damion Easley

[sds416]

Jesus Flores? He was a converted 3B. He still hasn't gotten used to crouching all game. He wasn't the best catching prospect in the major leagues.

The Mets should trade for Bengie Molina. He's only 33, IIRC. He's great defensively and a pretty good hitter. He's signed for another 2 years so he won't walk away. He's making a modest $6M for the following 2 seasons. Giants would dump him for some young players. I'm sure the Mets have some B-level outfielders they could part with. It wouldn't take much to get him since the Giants are in re-building mode.


I said he's one of the best prospects, I didn't say he was the best prospect. If you are going to paraphrase my comments at least have the integrity to paraphrase them correctly, otherwise don't even bother.

I don't care that Flores is a converted 3rd baseman. Russell Martin is a converted 3rd baseman, and he's only been a catcher for 3 years, does that instantly disqualify him from consideration as being among the best catchers in the N.L.? Of course not. That's a weak argument. The reality of it all is that the Mets thought very highly of Flores and figured since he was in A ball that he'd sneak under the radar of the rule 5 draft, rather than put him on the 40 man roster to protect him. To Washington's credit, they scouted him and snagged him. Ask any MLB scout who has seen him and you'll get an earful of how good they think he can be. There are few arms as good as his in the league. He has an absolute cannon. And as far as defense, he's very good given his relative inexperience.

Bengie Molina is a turd. Plain and simple. He is one of the slowest footed catchers in the league. His arm is probably 3rd in quality among all Molina's currently in the league, and he calls a lousy game. I can't understand anyone's fascination with him. The Giants are reportedly interested in Michael Barrett and consider him an upgrade, which should tell you all you need to know about Molina.

[milladrive]

I'd like to see Lo Duca behind the plate at Shea in '08.



SS Jose Reyes
RF Lastings Milledge
3B David Wright
C Alex Rodriguez
CF Carlos Beltran
LF Moises Alou
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Damion EasleyI know I'm out of touch... Castillo's not returning?

[NYMets523]

It's still up in the air.

[milladrive]

It's still up in the air.

I sure wouldn't mind bringin' him back for a spell.

[NYMets523]

I said he's one of the best prospects, I didn't say he was the best prospect. If you are going to paraphrase my comments at least have the integrity to paraphrase them correctly, otherwise don't even bother.

I don't care that Flores is a converted 3rd baseman. Russell Martin is a converted 3rd baseman, and he's only been a catcher for 3 years, does that instantly disqualify him from consideration as being among the best catchers in the N.L.? Of course not. That's a weak argument. The reality of it all is that the Mets thought very highly of Flores and figured since he was in A ball that he'd sneak under the radar of the rule 5 draft, rather than put him on the 40 man roster to protect him. To Washington's credit, they scouted him and snagged him. Ask any MLB scout who has seen him and you'll get an earful of how good they think he can be. There are few arms as good as his in the league. He has an absolute cannon. And as far as defense, he's very good given his relative inexperience.
If he is so great, why have I seen nothing written about him? No one blasts the Mets for letting him go except you. No one. Nothing in the papers. If he's as good as you're saying and scouts agree, then something would have been written by now.


Bengie Molina is a turd. Plain and simple. He is one of the slowest footed catchers in the league. His arm is probably 3rd in quality among all Molina's currently in the league, and he calls a lousy game. I can't understand anyone's fascination with him. The Giants are reportedly interested in Michael Barrett and consider him an upgrade, which should tell you all you need to know about Molina.

Who cares about his speed? And it's stupid to compare him against him brothers. Why not just compare every hitter named Cabera? It makes as much sense but who cares? Compare him to other catchers. He's better defensively than Lo Duca for sure. Better hitter, too. The Giants gave Barry Zito a 7-year contract. I wouldn't use them to defend your asinine arguments.

[Dalkowski110]

"You might be able to pry Morales away from the Twins, or if the Rockies re-sign Torrealba, you might be able to acquire Ianetta (who is largely unproven at the MLB level)."

Morales would be interesting, especially since the Mets had some kind of trade talks with the Twins recently (about what or whom I have no idea). I like the idea of Iannetta, though. He may not be the grestest hitter, but he's an upgrade defensively over Lo Duca and is pretty young. He also has the talent...he just needs to put it together.

[NYMets523]

Morales would be interesting, especially since the Mets had some kind of trade talks with the Twins recently (about what or whom I have no idea).

Hopefully it's the guy the Mets really, really, really need.

[psbaseballfan27]

The Mets already had one of the best young catching prospects currently in the bigs in their own system, but alas he is a Washington National now. Flores will be a productive, solid catcher for a long time to come.[/QUOTE]

Then why did the mets let him get go in the rule 5 draft?

[sds416]

The Mets already had one of the best young catching prospects currently in the bigs in their own system, but alas he is a Washington National now. Flores will be a productive, solid catcher for a long time to come.

Then why did the mets let him get go in the rule 5 draft?[/QUOTE]

The Mets were trying to hide him and figured that no one would take a player at class A ball in the rule 5 draft. It was a horrible miscalculation and the Mets front office would tell you as much. They were VERY disappointed in the fact he was taken, they had him pegged for AAA this season and saw him as part of the future.

[sds416]

If he is so great, why have I seen nothing written about him? No one blasts the Mets for letting him go except you. No one. Nothing in the papers. If he's as good as you're saying and scouts agree, then something would have been written by now.



Who cares about his speed? And it's stupid to compare him against him brothers. Why not just compare every hitter named Cabera? It makes as much sense but who cares? Compare him to other catchers. He's better defensively than Lo Duca for sure. Better hitter, too. The Giants gave Barry Zito a 7-year contract. I wouldn't use them to defend your asinine arguments.


Ask anyone in the Mets front office how much they regret not putting Flores on the 40 man instead of trying to hide him at A ball and you'll find out for yourself that he was VERY well thought of and the Mets were disappointed to lose him.

As for Molina, I am not saying speed is an important aspect of the whole equation, however he is so slow that it is unusual and exceptional, therefore worth noting. As for my comment about him being the 3rd best Molina, you wouldn't clamor for Jose Molina, so why clamor for a catcher that isn't even as good (who is also a FA by the way)? He may be better than Lo Duca defensively but it is by the smallest of margains, and outweighed by Lo Duca's far better ability to manage a pitching staff. Offensively Molina may have more power than Lo Duca, however he does not have Lo Duca's ability to put the ball in play and stay away from the strikeout.

And as for Barry Zito, not that he fits this conversation, but alot of teams were more than interested in Barry, the Mets among him. He was one of the top FA's at his position and more than just the Giants STRONGLY considered giving him the 7 year deal he wanted. It's 1 season into the contract. I think its probably far too early to be judging that deal a success or failure. And I also wouldn't be too quick on the Giants judging of talent, they've scouted very well of recent years, look at the young pitching talent they have.

[NYMets523]

Ask anyone in the Mets front office how much they regret not putting Flores on the 40 man instead of trying to hide him at A ball and you'll find out for yourself that he was VERY well thought of and the Mets were disappointed to lose him.
He wasn't ready to be an everyday player right now. The Nationals are hurting his development by making him play now.


As for Molina, I am not saying speed is an important aspect of the whole equation, however he is so slow that it is unusual and exceptional, therefore worth noting. As for my comment about him being the 3rd best Molina, you wouldn't clamor for Jose Molina, so why clamor for a catcher that isn't even as good (who is also a FA by the way)? He may be better than Lo Duca defensively but it is by the smallest of margains, and outweighed by Lo Duca's far better ability to manage a pitching staff. Offensively Molina may have more power than Lo Duca, however he does not have Lo Duca's ability to put the ball in play and stay away from the strikeout.
If by "putting it in play" you mean "grounding out to SS" or "flying out a few feet into the warning track", then yeah Lo Duca does that much better. Lo Duca is shot.

Jose Molina isn't an everyday player. That's why he's not worth mentioning. Wouldn't mind having him be the backup but it seems the Mets will return with the fragile Castro.


And as for Barry Zito, not that he fits this conversation, but alot of teams were more than interested in Barry, the Mets among him. He was one of the top FA's at his position and more than just the Giants STRONGLY considered giving him the 7 year deal he wanted. It's 1 season into the contract. I think its probably far too early to be judging that deal a success or failure. And I also wouldn't be too quick on the Giants judging of talent, they've scouted very well of recent years, look at the young pitching talent they have.
The Mets wanted him but no other team was dumb enough to give him that ridiculous contract. Even if just first season was bad, it was a horrible signing. He's gotten worse ever since 2002.

[moebarguy]

If he is so great, why have I seen nothing written about him? No one blasts the Mets for letting him go except you. No one. Nothing in the papers. If he's as good as you're saying and scouts agree, then something would have been written by now.

I've read a few things about how it was a mistake we didn't protect him. Heck, when I saw he was claimed by the Nationals, I was sort of confused since I had put him on a list of top Mets prospects. The reason you haven't read anything in the papers about him is because he hasn't really gotten to play yet. Believe me, if the guy pans out a few seasons from now, you'll be reading articles about how the Mets gave up on him...

[sds416]

He wasn't ready to be an everyday player right now. The Nationals are hurting his development by making him play now.
.


Agreed, but given the fact he was thrown into the fire, he did an admirable job this season.

Just imagine how nice it would have been if the Mets had actually just put him on the 40 man and kept him, given him a year of seasoning and tutoring at AAA this season under a vet like Defelice or Alomar and had him ready for the bigs in 08.

Instead Omar decides to try to hide him....great thinking there. Did they think that every organization had Helen Keller scouting class A ball?

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

OK, they messed up with Flores. Onward...

... Let's go out and sign Posada. He's a winner. Remember, in this day and age of player's chemists keeping them young, 40+ [see Alou] isn't as off putting to GMs as once it was.

[NYMets523]

Posada would be a horrible, stupid signing. He's 37. Other than this year, he's been declining. He'll never have the same kind of season he did this year. He won't be able to catch when he's 40.

Alou is not the healthiest player at age 40. He's also not a catcher.

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

Posada could keep the window open for Martinez. He'd give them a couple of good years, and then they can dump him to the AL as a DH... Alas, he's no Flores. Not many are. :-)

[NYMets523]

Martinez? You mean Victor Martinez? The worst defensive catcher in baseball.

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

You know I meant Pedro. :-)

[moebarguy]

OK, they messed up with Flores. Onward...

... Let's go out and sign Posada. He's a winner. Remember, in this day and age of player's chemists keeping them young, 40+ [see Alou] isn't as off putting to GMs as once it was.

Alou was a one-year contract for $7.5 mil. Posada would be like $15 mil per, 3-4 years. It would be an awful signing.