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The Next Mets Catcher

Edgy MD Dec 14 2011 11:53 AM

I'm not framing this as a poll, because we kind of need two answers: Who do you want it to be? Who do you think it will be? [list:y8mbo2xz][*:y8mbo2xz]Ramon Castro[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Chris Gimenez[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Koyie Hill[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Rob Johnson[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Dioner Navarro[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Ronny Paulino[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Ivan Rodriguez[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Chris Snyder[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]J.R. Towles[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Jason Varitek[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Eli Whiteside[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Some Other Freak[/*:m:y8mbo2xz] [*:y8mbo2xz]Nodody: they'll go with Nickeas and dudes already in the system (Lucas May, Vinny Rottino, Jean Luc Blaquiere, Francisco Peña, Kai Gronauer, congratulations)[/*:m:y8mbo2xz][/list:u:y8mbo2xz] This is for posterity.

Ceetar Dec 14 2011 12:03 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

we're talking backup here, or simply the 'next' guy that will squat in a Mets uniform that isn't Thole? I'm going with 'in the system' either way I think.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 14 2011 12:05 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

I'm gonna have to punt on the "who I want it to be" part because I know very little about most of those guys listed, and since it's not my decision to make, I'm not gonna do the research. But I do think that the 2012 backup to Josh Thole will be somebody who's currently in the Mets system.

attgig Dec 14 2011 12:12 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

I think they sign one of the guys for the cheap come early feb (or even late feb) with whatever dollars we have left. my vote would be for pudge or navarro.

metirish Dec 14 2011 12:39 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

attgig wrote: I think they sign one of the guys for the cheap come early feb (or even late feb) with whatever dollars we have left. my vote would be for pudge or navarro. agree, although I think it will be early next year or even January.

TransMonk Dec 14 2011 12:52 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

attgig wrote: ...with whatever dollars we have left... Hilarious! I think it will someone already [crossout]in the system[/crossout] on the payroll. I want them to trade for Alex Avila, but I don't think they will.

Edgy MD Dec 14 2011 01:08 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Lucas May may be cool because it'll be remarkable to have two Lucases on the team. Vinny Rottino may be fun because catchers that get move around the rest of the diamond are always a trip. Koyie Hill would be likely the first, last, and only Koyie in Mets history. If they can sign him to a minor-league deal, having him in camp could also give Nickeas confidence in his hitting. J.R. Towles might make a good designated catcher for R.A. Dickey. And maybe D.J. Carrasco, too. But seriously, check out the nationality action we currently have going in the catcher corps to back up Thole: Mike Nickeas: Anglo-Canadian Jean Luc Blaquiere: French-Canadian Kai Gronauer: German Rhinelander Francisco Peña: Domincan Juan Centeno: Puerto Rican Vinny Rottino: Italian-American Sconnie Lucas May: Emo-American

Fman99 Dec 14 2011 01:10 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

These guys all suck. Meh.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 14 2011 02:21 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

I could've gone for Shoppach; I could go for another cup of Blastro, if need be. But it's almost definitely coming cheaply, and from within (if not from current stock, then from a minor-league contract signee).

Vic Sage Dec 15 2011 08:24 AM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

They're not going to spend a plug nickel on a backup RH catcher. It's going to be Nickeas, unless an invitee or rostered guy beats him out in ST. I like the idea of a designated catcher for Dickey, though. Thole often looked lost trying to catch him.

Edgy MD Dec 19 2011 08:33 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Luís Martinez, DFA'd by the Friars, drawing Metly interest. Contact hitter, decent eye, doubles power. Offensively, looks like a righthanded Thole to me. Defensively, named the Pads' system's top defensive catcher in their January 2011 rankings. Originally drafted by the Mets in 2005, but didn't sign. Old-timey look to him. 2010 Defensive Player of the Year, with a videographer Daddy. [youtube]SA5GeqV6ti4[/youtube]

Frayed Knot Dec 19 2011 09:21 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Decent minor league hitting numbers albeit in hitters leagues (PCL & CAL)

Edgy MD Dec 21 2011 12:04 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Rangers make a trade for Luis Martinez. Onward.

Ashie62 Dec 21 2011 01:55 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Mike Nickeas and I'm fine with that....

Edgy MD Dec 22 2011 11:47 AM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Instead we get minor league contractee Rob Johnson. Punchless, but a favorite of Don Wakamatsu, who claimed he handed the Mariner staff better than Kenji Johjima. On the other hand, Wakamatsu had the 2010 Mariners at 42-70 when he was axed.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Dec 22 2011 11:58 AM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

I'm pumped. He could be the best Mets catcher named Rob since Robinson Cancel.

Edgy MD Dec 22 2011 12:22 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Johnson appears to be the sort of Sandy special kind of signing. His noodle-bat stats at the big league level reveal perhaps chronic injuries rather than inability, as he's hit in the minors. And maybe they're rolling the dice and hoping that he's put that behind him. Else, welcome Dusty Ryan II.

Frayed Knot Dec 22 2011 01:14 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Give him some points for consistency though. In 2010 he hit .191 over 178 ABs (for Seattle) In 2011 he hit .190 over 179 ABs (for San Diego)

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 22 2011 01:22 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Well, yeah, but those are both pitchers' parks.

seawolf17 Dec 22 2011 01:25 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Dave Hudgens said he'd fix him in ten minutes.

dgwphotography Dec 22 2011 02:01 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

This is what it has come to. I read those names, and I. Really. Don't. Care.

Edgy MD Dec 22 2011 02:08 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

NRIs happen every year --- particularly catchers. Every year, they're construed as a representative move of a misguided franchise.

DocTee Dec 22 2011 02:32 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Bold prediction: Merts will acquire Kurt Suzuki from Oakland, since the A's are slashing budget and just added a Catcher in the Gio G trade.

seawolf17 Dec 22 2011 07:55 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

DocTee wrote: Bold prediction: Merts will acquire Kurt Suzuki from Oakland, since the A's are slashing budget and just added a Catcher in the Gio G trade. Bold prediction: Kurt Suzuki sucks.

MFS62 Dec 23 2011 07:20 AM Re: The Next Mets Catcher Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 23 2011 07:25 AM

I wonder what Charlie O'Brien is doing? He's only about 50, and he could probably out-hit some of these guys. Later

Ceetar Dec 23 2011 07:21 AM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm pumped. He could be the best Mets catcher named Rob since Robinson Cancel. I bet they give him #7.

Edgy MD Dec 27 2011 08:08 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Yorvit Torrealba crosses the line. [youtube:1m2f83hm]dEUUJiSu3V4[/youtube:1m2f83hm]

MFS62 Dec 28 2011 08:31 AM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

I've never met a catcher named Yorvit who I could trust. Oh, wait ... Later

Ashie62 Dec 28 2011 08:50 AM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

dgwphotography wrote: This is what it has come to. I read those names, and I. Really. Don't. Care. Are they even trying to improve this team? Last year felt like 1978 to me and this one does also. Fred DeRoulet.

Edgy MD Mar 01 2012 12:11 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Recent bubblings about Ivan Rodriguez and Ramon Castro, Part II. Both seem unlikely at this juncture, but clearly the Mets are still hunting for a backstop.

Benjamin Grimm Mar 01 2012 12:17 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

I read someone somewhere speculating that if none of the Mets five projected starters break down in spring training (looking at you, Johan!) the Mets will be more willing to spend a couple of million to fill other positions, like perhaps catcher or reserve outfielder. So if that's true, the "no" to Pudge might actually be a "not yet".

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 01 2012 12:43 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

Madden today wrote about Terry leaning on Thole to improve his handling of the staff and general work behind the dish saying he better hit a lot higher than .268 if he catches like he did last year. I kind of admire his bluntness, no getting around the fact that Thole was a rotten catcher especially early last year and needs to improve his overall game to be a good one. But it was an encouraging kind of rip.

Ceetar Mar 01 2012 12:57 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Madden today wrote about Terry leaning on Thole to improve his handling of the staff and general work behind the dish saying he better hit a lot higher than .268 if he catches like he did last year. I kind of admire his bluntness, no getting around the fact that Thole was a rotten catcher especially early last year and needs to improve his overall game to be a good one. But it was an encouraging kind of rip. Supposedly Thole asked for the constructive criticism as well. yeah, I like the bluntness. Collins isn't one to let guys get complacent. I thought Thole was mostly tolerable after about Mid-May or so. He had a really really bad start all around. Interestingly, I'd sorta been giving Thole somewhat of a pass for the Knuckleball, but Collins turned it the other way; Maybe Thole should've had MORE passed balls that got assigned as Wild Pitches that he should've caught if he'd had the glove turned right.

smg58 Mar 01 2012 08:43 PM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

I like what Collins is doing. Thole did not show last year that he can be the starting catcher on a good team, and Collins is letting him know in no uncertain terms that his present opportunity is finite in duration.

Lefty Specialist Mar 02 2012 11:06 AM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

And this is why they'd never re-sign Castro. He dogged it on many an occasion in his previous tour with the Mets. He wants someone who's got something to prove, in order to push Thole. This is what the Rob Johnsons of the world are for.

metirish Mar 02 2012 11:14 AM Re: The Next Mets Catcher

This comment from Collins just sounds like bullshit he made up to cover for Thole According to Collins, the first thing Thole did when he got into camp was to summon the manager and coaches and declare: “Go ahead. Beat me up. I can take it. Tell me what I have to do.” Collins did.