Giants seeking a catcher?

by Eli Greenspan on Dec 30, 2009 1:09 PM EST

SI.com's Jon Heyman is reporting that the Giants believe Buster Posey is not ready to start in the MLB and we'll explore other short-term options. Free agent catcher Bengie Molina is reportedly nearing an agreement with the Mets on a two year deal, leaving the Giants with few reliable backstops to choose from.

Yorvit Torrealba and the Rockies are struggling to work out a contract, and one NL source believes the chances that Torrealba returns to Colorado are "slim to none."

This could give the Giants the veteran catcher they are looking for. While Torrealba doesn't hit for much of an average (.255 career average), he brings a lot of energy to the table is very familiar with NL West stadiums and pitchers.

Posey belongs in the minor leagues for more seasoning. If he is as good as the Giants think he can be, then he should be more than ready by the start of the 2011 season, if not sooner.

A short-term deal allows the Giants to not rush Posey, while giving them a veteran to mentor the young prospect.

Do you think the Giants should add a catcher and is Torrealba the best option?

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No, I don't think so, for either

I don’t think Posey needs another season in the minors. He’s probably not ready to be the everyday guy, but he should be up in the majors learning the game. His bat isn’t the issue to me. The question is, can he call a game for that excellent staff they have? I’m sure he can learn it, but Torrealba isn’t the best to learn from.

Eli Whiteside, the backup last year, is not a great offensive catcher. But he’s a fine defensive backstop, and I think he’s the one who can make sure Posey can call a game. If you’ll remember, Whiteside was behind the plate for Sanchez’s no hitter. I’m pretty sure he can handle the staff.

Posey should get the majority of the starts this year, but Whiteside is a fine tutor. Money needn’t be wasted on a mediocre catcher like Torrealba.

"Liberal is to the media what the 2008 San Francisco Giants are to good baseball."
-My Father.

by thecrippesking on Dec 30, 2009 2:10 PM EST reply actions

Start the kid. His OBP skills alone should get him the starting job.

by AndOnTheDrums... on Dec 30, 2009 6:50 PM EST reply actions

Depends on season goals

If the goal of the season is to contend for the playoffs, I think you need to get a catcher. Eli’s an adequate defensive catcher, but he hits on par with Rich Aurilia (the 2009 version).

Buster may turn out to be a very good or even great catcher, but to expect him to be an adequate starter on a playoff contending team is probably too much. He was fine in AAA – but it was only 130 ABs over 30 some games. He didn’t draw a single walk once he reached the majors, though there’s no question Sabean and Bochy botched how they handled him last September by not giving him more opportunities.

The league is littered with big name, high profile catching prospects (Miguel Montero, Chris Iannetta, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, JR Towles, Chris Snyder) who either couldn’t hit and needed more seasoning or needed several years in the majors before they hit their stride; of the list above only Montero’s even had over 350 ABs in any one season, and that was this past year, during his 3rd real season.

We certainly don’t want to sign an expensive catcher to a multi-year contract paying starting money, but if the goal is to contend, then the Giants probably need to get someone besides Posey and Whiteside.

Course, the Giants could try and wait and hope that Posey lights up pitchers during spring training, but guys like Myvit and Barajas will be gone by then.

Plus, I have the feeling, based on how they didn’t give Posey a chance last year and on the statements made so far, that they want to keep Posey in the minors for most of this year so the Giants get an extra year before he becomes arbitration eligible.

Cheap bastards.

by 18 Mile on Dec 30, 2009 10:47 PM EST reply actions