2012 Catcher

[the_broom]

While I am an optimist and expect Buster back in full health next season...there still needs to be a backup.

Is there any reason Sanchez shouldn't get every start the balance of the year? The Giants already know what Whiteside/Stewart can...and more importantly...can't do...

 

[the_broom]

Also, just saw an ESPN report that Posey is throwing and is either on schedule or ahead of rehab...

Good news!

 

[gp956]

While I am an optimist and expect Buster back in full health next season...there still needs to be a backup.

Is there any reason Sanchez shouldn't get every start the balance of the year? The Giants already know what Whiteside/Stewart can...and more importantly...can't do...

Only that getting a day here or there allows you to reflect and incorporate new information. Always good when you're in a learning phase to take some breaks during the process.

 

[Heathbar012]

Only that getting a day here or there allows you to reflect and incorporate new information. Always good when you're in a learning phase to take some breaks during the process.

Whiteside's fault.

 

[SFGRTB]

I think Stewart would be a fine backup catcher moving on. Give Sanchez more time to work in his catching duties. Whiteside is done as a Giant though IMO. I don't think lincecum likes throwing to him, he doesnt even do his job and really it is all just Whitesides fault.

 

[CameronFrye]

I think ole Noggin has a soft spot for Whiteside and if he had his druthers, he would bring back that useless excuse for a ballplayer.

I think that Stewart or Chez3 should be the backup but with a former catcher as manager, I think his opinion will have a lot of sway.

 

[calsnowskier]

I think ole Noggin has a soft spot for Whiteside and if he had his druthers, he would bring back that useless excuse for a ballplayer.

I think that Stewart or Chez3 should be the backup but with a former catcher as manager, I think his opinion will have a lot of sway.

We are talking about the manager and a back-up position. To say his opinion will have a lot of sway is like saying the Japan Tsunami kinda made things damp.

I am not sure I agree that he will pick Whitey, but his word will carry 100% weight.

 

[mistgl]

I think ole Noggin has a soft spot for Whiteside and if he had his druthers, he would bring back that useless excuse for a ballplayer.

I think that Stewart or Chez3 should be the backup but with a former catcher as manager, I think his opinion will have a lot of sway.

Whiteside and Stewart walked into golden situations with Giants.

Whiteside, during his tenure with us has always played behind a fairly successful catcher, and as a result has never had to play much. AKA his short comings were overlooked. He's made around $1.2mil the last three years doing jack shit.

Stewart, a career minor leaguer, has made a little over $300k in just over three months of working, and will have a decent shot at being the back up next year.

 

[Robotech]

Whiteside is what he is. We saw this season what happens if he gets extended playing time. He doesn't do enough things well to warrant being brought back. His main job was to be Jonathan Sanchez's personal pitcher, and since we don't even know what's gonna happen with Dirty, we probably don't need Whitey.

 

[iHATEdodgers]

I think Stewart would be a fine backup catcher moving on. Give Sanchez more time to work in his catching duties. Whiteside is done as a Giant though IMO. I don't think lincecum likes throwing to him, he doesnt even do his job and really it is all just Whitesides fault.

I like Stewart and I LOVE his arm, but, and I made this point in another thread, if Buster can only catch say 4 days a week I do NOT want his backup to be a .200 hitter. I hope Sanchez can just take that role from Stewart, but if not they need to find someone who isn't an automatic out.

If Buster can catch 6 days a week then it's not as much of an issue and I'd be ok with Stewart.

 

[the_broom]

I like Stewart and I LOVE his arm, but, and I made this point in another thread, if Buster can only catch say 4 days a week I do NOT want his backup to be a .200 hitter. I hope Sanchez can just take that role from Stewart, but if not they need to find someone who isn't an automatic out.

If Buster can catch 6 days a week then it's not as much of an issue and I'd be ok with Stewart.

Posey isn't going to catch 6 days/week....regardless of how he comes back.

 

[iHATEdodgers]

Posey isn't going to catch 6 days/week....regardless of how he comes back.

What I mean is if he's only going to catch 100-120 games then we need to have a backup who can do better than .200. If he will be able to catch 120-140 then it's not as big of an issue.

 

[the_broom]

What I mean is if he's only going to catch 100-120 games then we need to have a backup who can do better than .200. If he will be able to catch 120-140 then it's not as big of an issue.

Agreed that the less the backup is out there the better...but even so the team shouldn't be willing to trot out a .200 hitter 20% of hte games...

 

[SFAnthem]

Agreed that the less the backup is out there the better...but even so the team shouldn't be willing to trot out a .200 hitter 20% of hte games...

I wish we could only be talking about the catcher position.

Gimme Stewie's rocket arm and amazing bunting skillz.

 

[SF11704]

I guess a question that comes to mind - if we don't want a catcher with a sub 200 average - what are we willing to pay for a catcher with a 250 average that we only intend to use for 20% of the games. This I think throws us into a Pudge type of selection. A catcher willing to take limited playing time but brings some decent credentials to the plate. I'm not sure we'd be willing to pay the price for this. I'd take Stewart and his 300,000-500.000 salary. If we're going to spend money there are other positions that warrant it more - CF and SS

 

[tzill]

I guess a question that comes to mind - if we don't want a catcher with a sub 200 average - what are we willing to pay for a catcher with a 250 average that we only intend to use for 20% of the games. This I think throws us into a Pudge type of selection. A catcher willing to take limited playing time but brings some decent credentials to the plate. I'm not sure we'd be willing to pay the price for this. I'd take Stewart and his 300,000-500.000 salary. If we're going to spend money there are other positions that warrant it more - CF and SS

This.

The Giants are going to be strapped to resign Beltran, or bring in a significant FA. Here's how I see the budget breaking down:

1. Players under contract(salary, in millions): Zito (19), Rowand (13.6), Huff (10), Cain (15.3), Wilson (8.5), Freddy (6), Affeldt (0.5 buyout), Bum (0.5), Runzler (0.5), Belt (0.5), Crawford (0.4), Pill (0.4). Total: 75.2
2. Players arb eligible with best guess salary: Lincecum (18), JSanchez (5), Lopez (4), Keppinger (3.5), Torres (3), Ramirez (2.5), Casilla (2.5), Vogelsong (4), Sandoval (5), Romo (1.5), Nate (1), Eli (1). Total: 51.0

That's 23 players and $126.2MM estimated payroll. I think I've been pretty conservative in my estimates for raises. It's possible they don't keep Lopez ($4MM), and possible they trade JSanchez ($5MM). That would leave four open spots and a payroll of $117MM or so. They could also backload a contract for Tim, reducing his 2012 hit to $12MM or so. That could reduce 2012 payroll to $110. Let's say all that happens. I don't think they'll be able to trade Sanchez for value, and I'd hate to lose Lopez. Even so, the ownership group has given no indication that they're willing to raise payroll into the $130MM+ range. They have said that they won't lower it (currently about $124MM). That leaves Sabean with about $15MM to fill four holes (fifth starter -- Surkamp (0.5); middle reliever ; FA SS; and FA OF. The reliever can probably be filled internally at low cost (0.5). So, $14MM to fill SS and OF. Beltran has said he won't come back unless the leadoff situation is taken care of, and his salary would preclude that happening -- so he's gone. Reyes is off the table. Rollins and Crisp??

 

[iHATEdodgers]

I guess a question that comes to mind - if we don't want a catcher with a sub 200 average - what are we willing to pay for a catcher with a 250 average that we only intend to use for 20% of the games. This I think throws us into a Pudge type of selection. A catcher willing to take limited playing time but brings some decent credentials to the plate. I'm not sure we'd be willing to pay the price for this. I'd take Stewart and his 300,000-500.000 salary. If we're going to spend money there are other positions that warrant it more - CF and SS

Personally I am hoping H Sanchez could fill the role of a .250 or better backup. I do not think they can or should break the bank otherwise. But we have to do better than Whiteside.

 

[the_broom]

Whiteside didn't seem like such a problem when we only had to see him a game or so a week...we became somewhat spoiled with having Buster Posey back there.

With his injury we went from having possibly the best catcher in baseball to having the position be one of the weakest in baseball...