Does AJ get traded this weekend?

[daggins]

I really hope not. I'd almost rather bring back Castro. He knows the staff, can probably catch 2-3 days a week, and is fairly durable. This would split Flowers' playing time between learning C and just hitting at DH (or 1st). As long as AJ is on this team he is going to catch, full time. Extending him just sends Flowers the message that they don't consider him part of their future.

[witesoxfan]

I would honestly have no problem with the organization trading Flowers if they felt they he wasn't the catcher of the future and wanted to get value out of him while they still could. But then you still need to find another catcher of the future, because that catcher is most certainly not AJ Pierzynski.

[hogan873]

In all seriousness, what's the feeling about Lucy? Say the Sox sign AJ to an extension and trade Flowers. Is Donny Lucy the catcher of the future for the Sox? I don't know much about him except what I saw when he was up briefly.

Edited June 15, 2010 by pittshoganerkoff

[daggins]

Donny Lucy is not an MLB catcher.

[witesoxfan]

In all seriousness, what's the feeling about Lucy? Say the Sox sign AJ to an extension and trade Flowers. Is Donny Lucy the catcher of the future for the Sox? I don't know much about him except what I saw when he was up briefly.

 

Donny Lucy being the catcher of the future would be disasterous. Career minor league OPS of .667. Hits lefties just a little better than righties (.684 vs .658). He's a decent backup in the absolute best case scenario.

[balfanman]

The #1 thing that would drive AJ out of the Sox organization is if he doesn't like the amount of playing time he gets. Right now he catches 1000+ innings per year. The Sox should not bet on Flowers to immediately step up and catch 1000 innings. Better to do it gradually, by signing AJ to an extension. Then bring Flowers up. If Flowers performs well, and Ozzie plays him more, AJ will sit more and start to grumble and eventually demand to "play me or trade me".

 

By not signing AJ, the Sox would be betting that Flowers (or a combo of Flowers and Castro or Lucy?) could step in and catch 1000+ innings. That's a huge gamble with more downside risk than upside potential.

 

I kind of like a form of this idea. At some point, even though A.J likes to play a lot of innings, I think that he is smart enough to realize that DHing more often, or even playing some first base (Konerkos' partial replacement ?) would help to prolong his career and offensive numbers.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing A. J., Flowers, & either Castro or Lucy form a catcher / DH trio. It can't be any worse offensively than what we have now at DH. It gives all 3 catchers adequate playing time, Flowers learns more slowly with experience around him, and it give Ozzie flexibility at the catcher position. JMHO

 

[hogan873]

Donny Lucy being the catcher of the future would be disasterous. Career minor league OPS of .667. Hits lefties just a little better than righties (.684 vs .658). He's a decent backup in the absolute best case scenario.

Alright. That's the kind of info I was looking for, thanks. Now I better understand the importance of what happens with AJ and Flowers.

[witesoxfan]

I kind of like a form of this idea. At some point, even though A.J likes to play a lot of innings, I think that he is smart enough to realize that DHing more often, or even playing some first base (Konerkos' partial replacement ?) would help to prolong his career and offensive numbers.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing A. J., Flowers, & either Castro or Lucy form a catcher / DH trio. It can't be any worse offensively than what we have now at DH. It gives all 3 catchers adequate playing time, Flowers learns more slowly with experience around him, and it give Ozzie flexibility at the catcher position. JMHO

 

AJ Pierzynski is not good enough offensively to have him also spend a considerable amount of time at 1B and DH. He's essentially the same hitter as Mark Kotsay, but he is tolerated at catcher because he calls a good game and it's much harder to find offense at catcher. Beyond that, catchers generally age faster than other players due to the wear and tear on their body from the rigors of catching, and it's entirely possible that's what has gone on this season, so it is very possible that the Sox could be worse offensively with a trio of Pierzynski-Flowers-Castro/Lucy.

[hogan873]

AJ Pierzynski is not good enough offensively to have him also spend a considerable amount of time at 1B and DH. He's essentially the same hitter as Mark Kotsay, but he is tolerated at catcher because he calls a good game and it's much harder to find offense at catcher. Beyond that, catchers generally age faster than other players due to the wear and tear on their body from the rigors of catching, and it's entirely possible that's what has gone on this season, so it is very possible that the Sox could be worse offensively with a trio of Pierzynski-Flowers-Castro/Lucy.

Maybe this year AJ is Kotsay-like, but I think he's a better hitter than Mark Kotsay in general. But, I agree that he's valued more overall because of his ability to call and catch a good game.

[balfanman]

AJ Pierzynski is not good enough offensively to have him also spend a considerable amount of time at 1B and DH. He's essentially the same hitter as Mark Kotsay, but he is tolerated at catcher because he calls a good game and it's much harder to find offense at catcher. Beyond that, catchers generally age faster than other players due to the wear and tear on their body from the rigors of catching, and it's entirely possible that's what has gone on this season, so it is very possible that the Sox could be worse offensively with a trio of Pierzynski-Flowers-Castro/Lucy.

 

I didn't necessarily mean to have A.J. be the full time first baseman, maybe share some time with Viciedo if Konerko leaves, or for Konerko himself if he stays. I just thought that A. J. might realize that it is better for him and the Sox if he can become a little more versatile and take a little more time off from behind the dish.

 

I agree that he is somewhat the same hitter as Mark Kotsay, but wouldn't it be more valuable to have your backup first baseman also able to catch rather than play the outfield.

 

[LittleHurt05]

Maybe this year AJ is Kotsay-like, but I think he's a better hitter than Mark Kotsay in general. But, I agree that he's valued more overall because of his ability to call and catch a good game.

 

AJP Career : .284/.324/.425, OPS+ 94

Kotsay Career: .279/.336/.412, OPS+ 98

 

 

[Chicago White Sox]

Donny Lucy being the catcher of the future would be disasterous. Career minor league OPS of .667. Hits lefties just a little better than righties (.684 vs .658). He's a decent backup in the absolute best case scenario.

Lucy is batting .213 at AAA with a .562 OPS. I know he calls a good game and is solid defensively, but he's got no offensive ability whatsoever. Honestly, I wouldn't even want him as my backup. His offensive game would potentially be Corky Miller bad in the majors. IMO, he's nothing more than a AAA catcher who provides some depth.

[southsider2k5]

If the April and June numbers end up bearing out reality for Flowers, versus the May numbers, Flowers will be the starting catcher next year. There is not a single doubt in my mind. It is an easy $6 million+ to save. We might lose something in pitch calling and defense, but we would end up gaining a lot on the offensive end.

[hogan873]

AJP Career : .284/.324/.425, OPS+ 94

Kotsay Career: .279/.336/.412, OPS+ 98

Well shut my mouth. Very similar. I even checked ABs and noted that Kotsay has had about 1200 more at bats than AJ. So, they are both hitting quite poorly this year in regards to their career numbers.

[Greg Hibbard]

Since turning 30 and prior to being acquired by the White Sox, Kotsay had hit .263 in 1184 at bats from 2006 to mid-2009. His White Sox batting average is .242, bringing his post-30 batting average to an overall .260 clip.

 

Since turning 30, AJP is hitting .277.

 

I'm not really sure at this point, they are the same basic player. They used to resemble one another more.

Edited June 15, 2010 by Greg Hibbard

[ptatc]

Since turning 30 and prior to being acquired by the White Sox, Kotsay had hit .263 in 1184 at bats from 2006 to mid-2009. His White Sox batting average is .242, bringing his post-30 batting average to an overall .260 clip.

 

Since turning 30, AJP is hitting .277.

 

I'm not really sure at this point, they are the same basic player. They used to resemble one another more.

 

Offensively.

 

You can tolerate these numbers if they have value defensively, especially at catcher. AJP while he cannot throw runners out is outstanding a calling games, making pitchers comfortable and blocking pitches.

 

[Greg Hibbard]

Offensively.

 

You can tolerate these numbers if they have value defensively, especially at catcher. AJP while he cannot throw runners out is outstanding a calling games, making pitchers comfortable and blocking pitches.

 

I should have said hitter. I was responding to the previous point that they were the same basic hitter. They aren't. One is falling off precipitously and the other is falling off slightly.

[T R U]

If the April and June numbers end up bearing out reality for Flowers, versus the May numbers, Flowers will be the starting catcher next year. There is not a single doubt in my mind. It is an easy $6 million+ to save. We might lose something in pitch calling and defense, but we would end up gaining a lot on the offensive end.

 

Maybe, but that's why we need to see what we have in Flowers..

 

Especially if his bat translates, because that would be a huge upgrade over AJ