Which catcher is more likely to be in the HOF?

[gunnarthor]

Mauer or Yadier Molina?

 

[tducey]

Mauer.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

Molina ONLY because he has already played 500 more games at catcher, and Mauer now rarely plays C...

Mauer is by far the better hitter, while Molina is better defensively... But the positional longevity is going to kill Mauer since he wasn't able to get to 10 seasons of playing catcher, so even if he plays for a long time his catcher advantage is just decreasing...

 

[huskers1217]

Yadier Molina's surprisingly weak Hall of Fame case

 

[calsnowskier]

I think Molina is a borderline case, but he will likely get in because he has the rep as the greatest catcher since sliced bread (and we all know what a GREAT catcher sliced bread was!).

Mauer is a tough case. He was the best catcher in the game at an early age. But at 32, he is barely replacement level at 1B. I am not sure he will end up having a long enough career to warrant the Hall.

If one of the HAD to make it, I think I would go with Molina, but I am not ready to champion either of them yet.

 

[dredinis21]

I think Molina is a borderline case, but he will likely get in because he has the rep as the greatest catcher since sliced bread (and we all know what a GREAT catcher sliced bread was!).

Mauer is a tough case. He was the best catcher in the game at an early age. But at 32, he is barely replacement level at 1B. I am not sure he will end up having a long enough career to warrant the Hall.

If one of the HAD to make it, I think I would go with Molina, but I am not ready to champion either of them yet.

Neither. Posey, for HOF effective immediately.

 

[msgkings322]

I think Molina is a borderline case, but he will likely get in because he has the rep as the greatest catcher since sliced bread (and we all know what a GREAT catcher sliced bread was!).

Mauer is a tough case. He was the best catcher in the game at an early age. But at 32, he is barely replacement level at 1B. I am not sure he will end up having a long enough career to warrant the Hall.

If one of the HAD to make it, I think I would go with Molina, but I am not ready to champion either of them yet.

I really hope this isn't Posey's fate....

 

[calsnowskier]

I really hope this isn't Posey's fate....

Even if that is his fate, he already has 3 rings and was one of the primary driving forces of all 3 (not necisarily of the Series' themselves, but of the teams).

One of the big selling points for Mo is his 2 rings...

 

[scoutyjones2]

Neither...it will be Salvi Perez

 

[broncosmitty]

Neither...it will be Salvi Perez

There isn't a catcher in the game today that will make the HOF, imo.

But Sal prolly would have the best shot if Yost doesn't destroy his legs from overuse.

 

[broncosmitty]

I don't assume Posey will be a catcher much longer.

Just to be sure Gigantes fans don't take offense.

 

[dredinis21]

I don't assume Posey will be a catcher much longer.

Just to be sure Gigantes fans don't take offense.

He's got a few more years left in him.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I don't think either will make it.

Mauer's not really a catcher anymore and Molina all jacked up on PEDs.

 

[Cedrique]

man, a couple years ago I would have thought Mauer had a great shot but the last two seasons he has been in decline. People will still remember the great years he had as a catcher but I think he needs to turn it around a little and play 4 good years. And it would help a lot if he could have one real good season and play in the postseason and get some exposure near the end of his career.
I agree with most people that Posey has a clear path. Even if he switches positions, people will still remember him as a catcher in all those world series so as long as he can put up some more good offensive years at any position he will have a good chance.

 

[calsnowskier]

Mauer, as a catcher...

OPS+ (10 season - one with 107 ABs)
120 - 7
130 - 7
140 - 5
150 - 1 (171)

That is VERY good. I am not sure it is HOF-worthy. His defense (dWAR-wise) has never been anything special. While he was always a positive player, he was never at 1 or better.

Since moving to 1B in '14, he has put up a 107 and a 96. That is not even starting level production, let alone all-star or HOF.

Molina...

OPS+ (12 seasons)
120 - 3
130 - 1

His defense is comparable to Pudge, so that is REALLY what we are looking at with him, though. Pudge, however, had a decent bat. It is hard to even categorize Mo's bat as "decent".

Posey...

OPS+ (6+ years)
120 - 5
130 - 5
140 - 2
150 - 1 (171)

Posey's defense has been getting better (a 1.8 dWAR in '15) and he is still playing catcher and is still in the prime of his career. I am not sure Posey is in yet, but he would have to do WORSE than Mauer did after his elite years to not make it. The difference, between him and Mauer is that Posey is more decorated than AND he brings defense to the table, which Mauer never did.

 

[Cedrique]

Mauer, as a catcher...

OPS+ (10 season - one with 107 ABs)
120 - 7
130 - 7
140 - 5
150 - 1 (171)

That is VERY good. I am not sure it is HOF-worthy. His defense (dWAR-wise) has never been anything special. While he was always a positive player, he was never at 1 or better.

Since moving to 1B in '14, he has put up a 107 and a 96. That is not even starting level production, let alone all-star or HOF.

Molina...

OPS+ (12 seasons)
120 - 3
130 - 1

His defense is comparable to Pudge, so that is REALLY what we are looking at with him, though. Pudge, however, had a decent bat. It is hard to even categorize Mo's bat as "decent".

Posey...

OPS+ (6+ years)
120 - 5
130 - 5
140 - 2
150 - 1 (171)

Posey's defense has been getting better (a 1.8 dWAR in '15) and he is still playing catcher and is still in the prime of his career. I am not sure Posey is in yet, but he would have to do WORSE than Mauer did after his elite years to not make it. The difference, between him and Mauer is that Posey is more decorated than AND he brings defense to the table, which Mauer never did.

I think you just agreed with everything I said, but made it more complicated. Keep in mind we're trying to think like Hall of Fame voters, who may or may not even know what OPS+ is.

 

[calsnowskier]

I think you just agreed with everything I said, but made it more complicated. Keep in mind we're trying to think like Hall of Fame voters, who may or may not even know what OPS+ is.

I wasnt arguing with you in any way, shape or form. Just adding more info to the kitty.

Yes, I think we agree.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Telling you...Salvi Perez

 

[Cedrique]

I wasnt arguing with you in any way, shape or form. Just adding more info to the kitty.

Yes, I think we agree.

Oops, my bad. You did add more to Posey's case though. Everyone is talking like he's already moved to first base. If he is still playing catcher and playing good defense and even hitting like Mauer is now that's still good enough. The problem with Mauer is they moved him to 1B/DH to preserve him and keep his bat in the lineup, but somehow his offense has been in a straight decline since he stopped catching. He really needs to turn it around this year because in today's climate if he has one more bad year, then comes back with a good year in 2017 there will be all kinds of PED questions.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Speaking of catchers and the HOF, it'll be annoying if Pudge gets in as a first ballot guys after Piazza had to wait. If Piazza was a suspected steroid user despite never being accused Pudge has to be every bit as suspect, especially playing on those juiced up Rangers teams.