POLL Position of need - backup catcher

[LHG]

Thinking over some areas of need, I thought I'd create my first poll to see everyone's thoughts about how we feel the Giants should address this area of need/open spot.

The following 24 catchers are available on the free agent market (age in parenthesis) - 2019 OPS:
Robinson Chirinos (36) - .790
Bryan Holaday (32) - .779
Jason Castro (33) - .767
Austin Romine (31) - .748
Chris Iannetta (37) - .728
Kevan Smith (31) - .710
Matt Wieters (34) - .702
Josh Phegley (32) - .693
Wellington Castillo (33) - .684
Martin Maldonado (33) - .671
Russell Martin (37) - .667
Jonathan Lucroy (34) - .660
John Ryan Murphy (28) - .659
Francisco Cervelli (34) - .649
Kevin Plawecki (29) - .629
John Hicks (30) - .620
Elias Diaz (29) - .603
Nick Hundley (36) - .590
Tim Federowicz (32) - .559
Chris Herrmann (32) - .553
Blake Swihart (28) - .527
Caleb Joseph (33) - .513
Jesus Sucre (32) - .511
Luke Maile (29) - .440

 

[pachyderm]

You left out trade buster bring up joey bart....

 

[calsnowskier]

I don’t see it as a major issue. We are probably talking about a 1/2 season position.

the bigger question is what to do with Belt/Posey when Bart comes up.

 

[pachyderm]

I don’t see it as a major issue. We are probably talking about a 1/2 season position.

the bigger question is what to do with Belt/Posey when Bart comes up.

Get good pitching for Belt/Posey

 

[filosofy29]

Thinking over some areas of need, I thought I'd create my first poll to see everyone's thoughts about how we feel the Giants should address this area of need/open spot.

The following 24 catchers are available on the free agent market (age in parenthesis) - 2019 OPS:
Robinson Chirinos (36) - .790
Bryan Holaday (32) - .779
Jason Castro (33) - .767
Austin Romine (31) - .748
Chris Iannetta (37) - .728
Kevan Smith (31) - .710
Matt Wieters (34) - .702
Josh Phegley (32) - .693
Wellington Castillo (33) - .684
Martin Maldonado (33) - .671
Russell Martin (37) - .667
Jonathan Lucroy (34) - .660
John Ryan Murphy (28) - .659
Francisco Cervelli (34) - .649
Kevin Plawecki (29) - .629
John Hicks (30) - .620
Elias Diaz (29) - .603
Nick Hundley (36) - .590
Tim Federowicz (32) - .559
Chris Herrmann (32) - .553
Blake Swihart (28) - .527
Caleb Joseph (33) - .513
Jesus Sucre (32) - .511
Luke Maile (29) - .440

if it was last year and “semi” going for it, then yeah sure, try to get a Vogt clone. This year, it’s pretty clear that they want to see what they have with their youth. The only thing that makes sense is to let Aramis play and see what he’s got. Maybe he can be the long term backup catcher.....or at least give Bart some more time. Sounds like Bart is close, but he’s a free swinger...

I think this year, it’s all about finding youth (in farm or trades) that could be a long term fit, or sign folks who could be a long term fit.

JMO tho.

 

[SFGRTB]

Sounds like Zaidi is pretty comfortable with Garcia based on what I've read. That's what I hope for, personally.

 

[LHG]

I don’t see it as a major issue. We are probably talking about a 1/2 season position.

the bigger question is what to do with Belt/Posey when Bart comes up.

Do you think Bart starts 2020 in Richmond or Sacramento? In the past, I would have said Richmond but this new regime may be more aggressive so I won't be surprised to see him in Sacramento. That said, I cannot picture more than a cup of coffee in 2020, barring injuries and/or an absolute lights out performance in AAA for him. I think 2021 is when this question really needs to be asked. Belt will be on the last year of his contract then, as will Posey, so the Giants will probably have an easier time of moving Belt (really, are they going to trade Posey? Maybe). Here's to a great re-bound year for Belt in 2020 so that they can easily trade him, move Posey to 1st (in hopes that Posey's bat isn't too far gone by then) and start Bart in 2021.

 

[calsnowskier]

I think Bart starts in Richmond, but he gets some play at 1B. He gets called up by July-ish and he is put into a 3-way platoon with Belt and Posey.

 

[Stokes1931]

I think Bart starts in Richmond, but he gets some play at 1B. He gets called up by July-ish and he is put into a 3-way platoon with Belt and Posey.

You're probably right, but I think there is a very good chance he begins in Sacramento. He started badly in the Eastern League, but then warmed up and was hitting well. He was on fire in the AFL until the injured hand. They may want to see how he is healed before the final decision. The dude can flat out hit, and his defense is pretty good. Still lots of places to grow and develop (like plate patience), but I see no reason for him to toil away in Richmond for very long.

 

[LHG]

You're probably right, but I think there is a very good chance he begins in Sacramento. He started badly in the Eastern League, but then warmed up and was hitting well. He was on fire in the AFL until the injured hand. They may want to see how he is healed before the final decision. The dude can flat out hit, and his defense is pretty good. Still lots of places to grow and develop (like plate patience), but I see no reason for him to toil away in Richmond for very long.

And considering Richmond being a graveyard for most hitters and its colder weather in April, do you really want to assign him there to start the season? Sacramento seems to be the better place to start.

 

[calsnowskier]

Good points by all. Who knows how FZ will run the minors. My estimation was based on how the old regime ran things. And the new regime is 180 degrees different from the old regime.

 

[LHG]

Good points by all. Who knows how FZ will run the minors. My estimation was based on how the old regime ran things. And the new regime is 180 degrees different from the old regime.

Considering the just acquired infielder, I'm not so sure. Maybe 90 degrees different.

 

[calsnowskier]

Considering the just acquired infielder, I'm not so sure. Maybe 90 degrees different.

Cozart was the price the Giants had to pay to get Wilson, I suspect.

 

[LHG]

Just to circle back to this, the catcher market in free agency has been significantly reduced. The ones not crossed out remain:

Robinson Chirinos (36) - .790
Bryan Holaday (32) - .779
Jason Castro (33) - .767
Austin Romine (31) - .748
Chris Iannetta (37) - .728
Kevan Smith (31) - .710
Matt Wieters (34) - .702
Josh Phegley (32) - .693
Wellington Castillo (33) - .684
Martin Maldonado (33) - .671
Russell Martin (37) - .667
Jonathan Lucroy (34) - .660
John Ryan Murphy (28) - .659
Francisco Cervelli (34) - .649
Kevin Plawecki (29) - .629
John Hicks (30) - .620
Elias Diaz (29) - .603
Nick Hundley (36) - .590
Tim Federowicz (32) - .559
Chris Herrmann (32) - .553
Blake Swihart (28) - .527
Caleb Joseph (33) - .513
Jesus Sucre (32) - .511
Luke Maile (29) - .440

I was never in favor of picking up a back up through free agency but the quality has defintely decreased enough that I fully expect the Giants to sign two of these guys to minor league deals and then pick up three more on waivers during spring training (oh wait, maybe I'm just having flashbacks to last year).

 

[LHG]

Man, this stinks! This was Garcia's chance to make the team. Looks like Heineman and Brantly will compete for that spot. Maybe the Giants pick up one of Russell Martin, Jonathan Lucroy or Jesus Sucre as well.

 

[calsnowskier]

Man, this stinks! This was Garcia's chance to make the team. Looks like Heineman and Brantly will compete for that spot. Maybe the Giants pick up one of Russell Martin, Jonathan Lucroy or Jesus Sucre as well.

That sucks for him. He wasn’t going to be a star, but I thought he had potential to be a solid journeyman catcher. This may be the end of the road for him, though.

 

[pachyderm]

Get well Aramis.

 

[tzill]

Quick! Get the Pirates on the phone....

 

[calsnowskier]

Quick! Get the Pirates on the phone....

What would a top 10 catcher cost, prospect-wise?

and do you really want to block Bart like that?

 

[tzill]

What would a top 10 catcher cost, prospect-wise?

and do you really want to block Bart like that?

You are definitely due for a lawsuit against your scrotum.

A "SUE SACK" if you will......












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