The situation at catcher

[qwerty]

Fair enough.

 

He is reputed to call the best game of any catcher in the division, if not the league.

 

All I can say is, I was very impressed with Blanco behind the plate.  Looked to me like he did everything right.  He did a good job in Atlanta for a few years too.

 

But you are right, it depends on the price tag.  We'll see I guess.

One thing is there does not seem like many catchers no how to call a good game anymore. Does anyone else agree? Never seems like catchers are in control anymore like they should be. If he is such a good game caller i would think his cera would be in the very top of the league, he has caught soem damn good pitching staffs before.

[elrockinMT]

Thanks.

 

Other opinions?

I remember some talk about the Sox going after Charles Johnson again. I am not sure though that catching is the #1 priority though. I believe it is pitching. Who was that runner up in the Cy Young voting that we had in 2003 and part of '04? Could it be possible he will be back?

[qwerty]

I remember some talk about the Sox going after Charles Johnson again. I am not sure though that catching is the #1 priority though. I believe it is pitching. Who was that runner up in the Cy Young voting that we had in 2003 and part of '04? Could it be possible he will be back?

Johnson's contract sucks and all in all so does he. I hope loaiza does not come back. I like how people say they would not mind if he comes back. That is until he has a six era in june. Then people will be b****ing up a storm.

[Lefty Of Love]

One thing is there does not seem like many catcherS no how to call a good game anymore. Does anyone else agree? Never seems like catchers are in control anymore like they should be. If he is such a good game caller i would think his cera would be in the very top of the league, he has caught soem damn good pitching staffs before.

I think that's a function of coaching staffs calling pitch sequences from the dugout nowadays. I could be wrong, but I think that's been the trend in baseball for more than a few years now.

 

It's a shame, a good catcher should be able to call his own game w/out the bench holding his hand.

[YASNY]

Whether or not a catcher is the top priority is a moot point. If they perceive it as an issue that needs to be addressed, they'll address it along with any other issues. Then, it's just a matter of what opportunities present themselves at any particular time. If the opportunity comes along, they'll jump on it. Just because it's not the highest priority, doesn't mean they'd pass on it if they got the chance.

[greg775]

Good post Jim. We need to enliven this offseason with posts like this.

I would agree with your basic premise that this could happen.

I could see the Sox sticking with what they have, however.

I'm sure KW is hoping Ben can turn his career around at the plate

since he acquired him.

I am not so sure. Ben is pretty anemic.

[beck72]

At first, I couldn't see the sox spending $3 mill. on a .200 hitting C. Yet it doesn't sound that crazy looking at Blanco a little closer. If he could get the most out of the SP's like Garcia and Contreras, while stopping the opponent's running game [threw out 30 of 61 runners], advance runners with the bunt [had 11 SH in 315 ab's] hit for some pop [had 10 HR's and 30 total XBH], his low avg is doable.

 

Any defensive C must help the Sox pitching staff. Blanco seems like a guy who could help the staff improve. Seeing how the sox are trying to have their pitching carry them [and have thrown the dollars into them], getting a C like Blanco would seem like a wise investment, even with his light hitting.

[Guest JimH]

At first, I couldn't see the sox spending $3 mill. on a .200 hitting C. Yet it doesn't sound that crazy looking at Blanco a little closer. If he could get the most out of the SP's like Garcia and Contreras, while stopping the opponent's running game [threw out 30 of 61 runners], advance runners with the bunt [had 11 SH in 315 ab's] hit for some pop [had 10 HR's and 30 total XBH], his low avg is doable.

 

Any defensive C must help the Sox pitching staff. Blanco seems like a guy who could help the staff improve. Seeing how the sox are trying to have their pitching carry them [and have thrown the dollars into them], getting a C like Blanco would seem like a wise investment, even with his light hitting.

You said it better than I did.

 

The Tribune had a small blurb this morning saying that Blanco might be an option for the White Sox. Maybe they're reading SoxTalk again?

[Al Lopez Ghost (old)]

No mention of Mike Matheny? I don't think STL will resign him. I haven't heard any teams that are very interested or what kind of money he'll get

Monday"s Tribune mentions him as a possibility, but then says he probably wants a 2 year, 5million per year contract, so they conclude he's probably out of the Sox price range. There sure are a lot of guys out of the Sox price range.

[beck72]

You said it better than I did.

 

The Tribune had a small blurb this morning saying that Blanco might be an option for the White Sox.  Maybe they're reading SoxTalk again? 

Hell, they'd be wasting time reading WSI or the mlb board. Those are both pretty lame

 

Somehow, I think Ozzie will take a C who can bunt and move runners over [a specialty of NL catchers] even if they hit .200, but can help pitchers get the most out of their talent. Blanco seems like that type of C. I can see Ben Davis being non-tendered with the sox spending the same money on Blanco. Davis would be fine at 500 k. But not at the $1 mill + he made last year, which he'd make close to in arb. Anyways, the sox need a solid guy behind the plate to help the pitching staff. Though it might seem like a minor move, a pick up like this, along with improved defensive players, will also improve the sox pitching staff.

[beck72]

BTW--has Blanco caught any current free agents before? It would be interesting to see if he had. Not that it would be THE deciding factor in signing a SP but it could be A factor in having him signed as the #1 catcher for 2 yrs.

 

Also, if the Sox got a guy like Blanco and paid him starters cash, they could very well go with a guy like Ryan Hankins as the 3rd C [versatile, play more than one position, can run I believe]. Burke has earned the backup spot, and Davis would cost too much to be a 3rd C.

[AnthraxFan93]

BTW--has Blanco caught any current free agents before? It would be interesting to see if he had. Not that it would be THE deciding factor in signing a SP but it could be A factor in having him signed as the #1 catcher for 2 yrs.

 

Also, if the Sox got a guy like Blanco and paid him starters cash, they could very well go with a guy like Ryan Hankins as the 3rd C [versatile, play more than one position, can run I believe]. Burke has earned the backup spot, and Davis would cost too much to be a 3rd C.

Are you joking?

 

Sign Blanco? WHY Davis is a far better option than Blanco is.

 

There is only 2 catchers that I would want over Davis

 

Martienz

and Pudge

 

Otherwise, they are over pirced or overhyped

[Guest JimH]

BTW--has Blanco caught any current free agents before? It would be interesting to see if he had. Not that it would be THE deciding factor in signing a SP but it could be A factor in having him signed as the #1 catcher for 2 yrs.

 

Also, if the Sox got a guy like Blanco and paid him starters cash, they could very well go with a guy like Ryan Hankins as the 3rd C [versatile, play more than one position, can run I believe]. Burke has earned the backup spot, and Davis would cost too much to be a 3rd C.

He caught for the Atlanta Braves for a few years and was obviously part of a winning situation there. In direct answer to your question, of course Radke is one guy ... I don't know if he ever caught Russ Ortiz.

 

We are thinking slightly differently on this whole situation though, beck.

 

I think the White Sox liked Ben Davis and they want to give him the #1 job, or a shot at it. They also like Burke, especially his versatility. Burke, as good of a team guy as he is, is not an excellent defensive catcher. Yes, you are correct that he's earned more playing time ... but if the Sox think they can improve defensively, IMO they'll do it.

 

They really saw a lot of Blanco last year and his weak bat notwithstanding, he was very impressive in areas where the White Sox need improvement, namely calling games, rapport with pitchers, throwing out runners, sacrifice hitting, and more.

 

As such, IMO they would bring in Blanco (or another veteran) as a #1A type of guy. A guy who'd be the #2 catcher but get a lot of playing time, in addition to giving Ozzie more in-game flexibility. As for Burke, he's the perfect 25th man and the Sox may disagree with me here but that's the role I would put him in. Burke can pinch hit, give the catchers a break, play a little 1B, 3B, even outfield. Hankins is a guy who can fill that role as well, in case something happens with Burke. Hankins is a good depth guy if they can keep him in the organization.

 

Bottom line, I think the White Sox management is "ok" with Davis and Burke but I really sense they want to not necessarily upgrade, but augment, i.e. add to. Bringing in a guy like Blanco or my 2nd choice (Dan Wilson) accomplishes this.

 

And I know this angle is beaten to death but there is the Venezuela connection as well.

[beck72]

Are you joking?

 

Sign Blanco? WHY Davis is a far better option than Blanco is.

 

There is only 2 catchers that I would want over Davis

 

Martienz

and Pudge

 

Otherwise, they are over pirced or overhyped

If you read my posts in this thread you'd know why I thought Blanco made sense.

 

The sox are investing in pitching, primarily SP, but maybe the bullpen as well. If a catcher can help those pitchers develop into even better pitchers, [not everyone agrees with this statement, but I think a catcher helps more than people think] that helps the investment.

 

IMO, Blanco could help develop the Sox young pitchers and guys like Contreras, and Garcia better than Davis. Davis has had chances to catch Freddy in Sea. and in Chi.

 

As far as only wanting 2 other C's than Davis, you forgot to post that in green. Davis I think is Arb. eligible which means he can only take a certain cut from his $1.5 mill contract of 2004. Talk about over pirced and overhyped!

[beck72]

I think the White Sox liked Ben Davis and they want to give him the #1 job, or a shot at it.  They also like Burke, especially his versatility.  Burke, as good of a team guy as he is, is not an excellent defensive catcher.  Yes, you are correct that he's earned more playing time ... but if the Sox think they can improve defensively, IMO they'll do it.

I think KW likes Davis more than Ozzie does. The Southtown had Ozzie and KW quotes on all the players. Ozzie didn't seem too hot for him saying he was fine defensively [i wasn't that impressed with his throwing out runners, or his passed balls, or ability to block pitches], yet weak offensively [not only power and avg, but OBP, K machine, couldn't out the ball in play, etc] Yet KW seemed like he was all set having him start 2005. Davis is the sort of pet project KW has been infatuated with recently--mining the scrap heap for "top prospects gone bad"--Grilli, Escobar, Andres Torres, etc. Few of these pan out.

 

But if a guy like Blanco is signed for $1.5 mill, the sox can't afford to pay Davis the $1 mill + he'll make in ARB. [What's the max. cut a player can take in arb, 20-30%? 30% would get him to $1.05 mill--he made $1.5 mill in 2004]. I think Ozzie would be fine having Burke play 70 games, with Blanco playing 90. Whether KW will that's the question. Then the Sox could play a young guy like Hankins [prob.a UTL man at best, will prob. never develop into a reg. everyday player] being the 3rd C who sees little time but gives Ozzie flexibility.

[beck72]

I think the White Sox liked Ben Davis and they want to give him the #1 job, or a shot at it.  They also like Burke, especially his versatility.  Burke, as good of a team guy as he is, is not an excellent defensive catcher.  Yes, you are correct that he's earned more playing time ... but if the Sox think they can improve defensively, IMO they'll do it.

I always thought Burke did a fine job defensively for the Sox. That he caught MB says a lot about him. But I wanted to look up the stats and compare him w/ Davis.

 

In 45 games at C, Burke:

CERA 4.78

11 sb's, 8 CS

1 PB's

3 E's

 

In 53 games at C, Davis:

CERA 5.15

32 sb's, 12 CS

5 pb's

5 E's

 

Burke beat him in all areas. I'm glad my eyes aren't deceiving me . I think they're both backup C's. But one at over $1 mill and one at 300K, I'll take the one at 300k. But putting $2.8 mill into the C's spot spent over 3 players--and not getting a solid fulltime player out of at least one of them--doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

 

I agree. the sox may be comfortable with Davis and Burke going into 2005. I wouldn't be though.

[AnthraxFan93]

beck72, those are great and all, but..What was Blanco's numbers both OFf and Def?

 

ALso, I see Blanco as Royce Clayton type player, someone that is like a pitcher in regards to the lineup.

[beck72]

beck72, those are great and all, but..What was Blanco's numbers both OFf and Def?

 

ALso, I see Blanco as Royce Clayton type player, someone that is like a pitcher in regards to the lineup.

Blanco's offense is nil [though he can bunt, which is a big plus on an Ozzie team]. But so is Davis'.

 

My thinking is if they can't get a good hit/ good field guy, they should go with a C who can help improve the Pitching staff. By all accounts, Blanco can do that. Blanco threw out nearly 50% of runners trying to steal. He's also known for his handling of pitchers. Davis? I'm not sold on him. And not for the same money as Blanco

[Guest JimH]

I agree. the sox may be comfortable with Davis and Burke going into 2005. I wouldn't be though.

Agree totally.

 

One stat not measured is how many balls Burke dropped on plays at the plate. Not a huge deal, but I sure do remember several.

 

Blanco turned down a two year deal at $1.8M total, or roughly $900K per year.

 

The Sox could sink let's say $3M into their catching situation and have a pretty damn good catching corps with Davis, Blanco, Burke.

[AddisonStSox]

Agree totally.

 

One stat not measured is how many balls Burke dropped on plays at the plate.  Not a huge deal, but I sure do remember several.

 

Blanco turned down a two year deal at $1.8M total, or roughly $900K per year.

 

The Sox could sink let's say $3M into their catching situation and have a pretty damn good catching corps with Davis, Blanco, Burke.

I think many of us would approve of the Sox snagging a FA catcher, only after Kenny addresses or more pressing needs. I, too, fear a core of Hardhitting Ben Davis/Jamie Burke for an entire MLB season, but I could live with it if we nail a big-time starter, a reliever and a decent hitter(no matter what position).

[southsider2k5]

I think many of us would approve of the Sox snagging a FA catcher, only after Kenny addresses or more pressing needs.  I, too, fear a core of Hardhitting Ben Davis/Jamie Burke for an entire MLB season, but I could live with it if we nail a big-time starter, a reliever and a decent hitter(no matter what position).

A million dollar contract isn't going to affect what we do with our more pressing needs. I would welcome the addition of Blanco for many of the reasons already stated, but most importantly his defense and throwing ablities.

[YASNY]

Agree totally.

 

One stat not measured is how many balls Burke dropped on plays at the plate.  Not a huge deal, but I sure do remember several.

 

Blanco turned down a two year deal at $1.8M total, or roughly $900K per year.

 

The Sox could sink let's say $3M into their catching situation and have a pretty damn good catching corps with Davis, Blanco, Burke.

Considering the Sox are spending $20 million plus on the top four of their rotation, I'd say $1 million on a catcher that can bring the most from them is well worth it ... to hell with the offensive production from the position.

[AddisonStSox]

A million dollar contract isn't going to affect what we do with our more pressing needs.  I would welcome the addition of Blanco for many of the reasons already stated, but most importantly his defense and throwing ablities.

True, a million dollar contract should not sink a team. However, this is the Sox we are talking about. I fear that Kenny has a bottom line figure he needs to live by and whenever he makes a signing it eats away at that figure. If we had a flexible front-office willing to negoiate how much we spend in the off-season, it would be very sensible to bring in another C at this point; but, I think Kenny feels that if he were to spend that money most effectively, it would require him to answer the rotation questions first.

[beck72]

True, a million dollar contract should not sink a team.  However, this is the Sox we are talking about.  I fear that Kenny has a bottom line figure he needs to live by and whenever he makes a signing it eats away at that figure.  If we had a flexible front-office willing to negoiate how much we spend in the off-season, it would be very sensible to bring in another C at this point; but, I think Kenny feels that if he were to spend that money most effectively, it would require him to answer the rotation questions first.

Filling a hole at C for $1.5 mill might be a hindrance to TB and their $20 mill payroll but not the Sox. Anyway, the FA SP's or possible position players [Dye, Nomar] who the Sox may target will sign later than the backup position players or lesser starters, as has already been happening.

[beck72]

Jim H:

I checked and saw that Blanco caught Russ Ortiz and Jaret Wright in 2003. Kevin Millwood in 2002. FWIW