Pinstripe Alley: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Around SBN: BCB Interview: Mike Fontenot Bar-right-arrows



We Need A Catcher

And I mean, someone better than Chad Moeller.

Jose Molina is closing in on his career high for games played (he's played 60, high was 78 back in 2006).  Molina has been overexposed at the plate, hitting only .219/.260/.300.  His awesome defense earns him some slack (caught 25 of 52 basestealers).

But Jose is not an attractive option for the last couple months of this season, or for next season.

Jorge has been atrocious behind the plate.  While he seems a decent game-caller, his arm has always been his weakness.  Since his return from the DL it's gone from a weakness to a liability.  He's caught only 7 of 41 (17%).

So as the trade deadline approaches, I'm not really looking at starters.  There's not enough out there to be worth the price.  We've got one of the best (if unsexy) bullpens in baseball, with more relievers fighting for time at AAA.  I'd love to go get a centerfielder, but I think the catching market has more options.

 

  • Kenji Johjima is not an improvement.
  • Saltamachia (whom many of salivated over last season) has shown a good eye, but little ability to make contact (the Braves always seem to know which players to trade and which to keep).
  • I wonder what the demands for free agent-to-be Ivan Rodriguez would be.  His bat has been good this year, and his defense remains strong.  Paul O'Neill tells the stories about loving to hit when Pudge was behind the plate because he always got fastballs with basestealers on, so I'd want Joe G. calling pitches from the dugout.
  • Could we get Kelly Shoppach from the Indians?  He's offensively adequate (around .250/.300/.420 the last 3 seasons), and a defensive stud.  We send Molina, money, and some A or AA B-prospects.
  • Is it worth looking into Paul LoDuca?

 

0 recs | Comment 5 comments

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

Display:

I'll have to disagree with you on Molina.

I agree he doesn’t swing a great bat, but he has a cannon for an arm. I am very comfortable with him behind the plate. Excellent pick up by the Yanks.

I do agree though, we need to replace Moeller and Jorge needs to play more at first.

by bronxbound on Jul 20, 2008 3:39 PM EDT   0 recs

I left this out… Molina calls a great game as well.

by bronxbound on Jul 20, 2008 3:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed

Molina has been terrific behind the plate.

I give him a lot of credit for Mussina’s turnaround, and all of Pettitte recent good starts were caught by Jose. His clunkers were caught by Posada.

Damon’s imminent return will knock one of the no-hitting outfielders out of the lineup, and Jose’s inability to hit will be less of a problem.

"Well, that kind of puts a damper on even a Yankees win."
-- Phil Rizzuto after hearing about the Pope's death

by matthaggs on Jul 20, 2008 4:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Damon is going to be a DH for awhile first

So his return is more likely to knock Betemit and Posada out of the lineup for the first week or two after he’s activated.

I suspect Girardi is going to want to DH Damon as much as possible.

by anaconda on Jul 20, 2008 6:53 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Options

How about Doumit, Iannetta, or one of Jose’s brothers (Yadier or Bengie)?

"If you lived in my grandfather's house...and you wanted to eat, you had to be a Yankees fan." --Joe Biden

by SenorSwanky on Jul 20, 2008 3:53 PM EDT   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to Pinstripe Alley, an SB Nation blog about the 26-time World Champion New York Yankees.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

748180583_l_small
my 09 yankee roster
Vii_logo_small
Joe Girardi Show
Thomas_james_small
Yankees Themed Arcade Stick
Limes_125_small
Quick Survey of Outfielders' Fielding Ability
Dude_small
Melky to Scranton, Sexson released
Esfef_small
my 2009 Yankees dream roster
Dsc01731_small
Question for the locals
Mickey-mantle-at-yankee-stadium-1963-photographic-print-c10115880_small
Bobby Meacham
Small
Is Hank packing it in?
Small
More thoughts about Pudge and playoffs

Post_icon New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini


Managers

Mick_05_small anaconda

Dsc00073_small jscape2000

Small John Amato

Fist_2000_rings_small Ronster22

Small Travis G

ad

Site Meter