The Catcher Question: Kottaras v. Bard

[Dojji]

OK we've had a chance to see some Spring Training at bats from both catchers, it's time to try for a serious conversation of which one of our options we actually want the team to go with.

 

We can talk about other catching options but really, it cones down to Bard and Kot. Trying to pass a catcher who hit 22 home runs in AAA last year through waivers is basically kissing him goodbye, and Bard's contract is IIRC not guaranteed. Meaning that if we pick anyone but Kot, we lose Kot, and if we pick anyone but Bard, we lose Bard.

 

We could pick a third option, and Brown's tearing it up, but if we break camp with him we will have to eaive or trade both Bard and Kottaras. And again, given how hard it is to find a catcher who can hit I have a hard time believing either would pass through waivers. Given Varitek's age and Theo's usual approach to the roster, even if we have to throw away two catchers with possible big league utility we won't be getting rid of two. So realistically speaking, it's between Kottaras and Bard.

 

So with that said, my preference is Kottaras. Bard is having a nice Spring, but he doesn't have Kottaras upside with the bat and he has had a very inconsistent career. Also Bard would be a switch hitter playing behind a switch hitter, meaning going with Bard means we lose a chance to end one of the great evils of mankind (you know, pestilence, war, famine, death, and Varitek batting lefthanded). With Kottaras behind Varitek, that'll eat up a lot of lefthanded at bats, especially if he hits. And it'll do it in a way that Tito can explain to Varitek without wounding his pride. With Bard you could do that, but you don't have that built-in excuse. In other words having Kottaras behind Varitek might make Varitek's numbers better. That's at least a tiebreaker if all else was equal. Personally I think it should be a major factor consideration. Goodness knows Varitek's gonna need help.

[BSN07]

The main issue is whether or not Kott can catch Wake on a consistent basis. If you didn't have to worry about that, I would go Kott. If mainly out of curiosity to see what he can do in the bigs.

[Dojji]

I think you have to ask the same question of Bard, and with much more reason. At least Kottaras handled Charlie ZInk pretty well last year. That makes him as close as we have right now to a safe pick in that regard.

[example1]

I hate it that this question once again boils down to whether or not they can catch one particular slightly-better than average pitcher.

 

I suppose Kottaras is probably the better play, as if he has anything he can start proving it now or forever hold his peace. I think Bard is the better "now" bat, so if they are going to develop a catcher from within this year or next, it will be Kottaras.

 

That said, I don't think Kottaras or Bard are the catcher of the future for this club; they still need to find that guy. If they acknowledge that Kottaras isn't that guy then they can keep Bard up as his bat could be more helpful right away.

 

It should be an interesting decision.

[ORS]

You know what will really make Varitek's numbers better? No Varitek. I vote to keep them both.

[Dojji]

You know what will really make Varitek's numbers better? No Varitek. I vote to keep them both.

 

Sure, except that'd never happen. Varitek has a guaranteed contract for 2009 and the team isn't going to embarrass themselved by eating it without giving him some April at bats. By then one of Bard and Kot is gone.

[ORS]

I agree, it won't happen, but it's what should happen given his ST looks exactly like his horrible year last year.

[Cocos Disciples]

I agree, a Kottaras/Bard split would have been nice.

[a700hitter]

It is possible that Varitek has fallen off the cliff. It happened just that fast with Rich Gedman, who had been a pretty good offensive catcher.

[Dojji]

Gedman was overrated. His peak consisted of his age 24 to 26 seasons whereupon it looks like he just got exposed. He was also an on-base nightmare. His one really good season is also the only season in which he had more than 40 walks.

[a700hitter]

Gedman was overrated. His peak consisted of his age 24 to 26 seasons whereupon it looks like he just got exposed. He was also an on-base nightmare. His one really good season is also the only season in which he had more than 40 walks.

His dropoff was precipitous. After 1986, he looked like a blind man at the plate. He just had no chance. The point is that the end can come suddenly. The point was not to compare Gedman to Varitek.

[BSN07]

It's honestly not surprising to see Tek struggling at the plate. He was never an elite hitter, just good. And considering his age and how much wear and tear is on his body, he's bound to lose bat speed. And when that happens at the ML level, your days as a hitter are numbered.

 

 

Also, I don't think the Red Sox brought him back for his bat. I think they where well aware he could be aiming for the Mendoza line this year.

 

 

For a comparison, look at Pudge. He was a much better bat then Tek ever was. But he's up around the same age and losing bat speed. And his numbers have shown it. Once a Catcher hits 35, you can't expect them to be able to produce the same anymore. Your best hope is they can stabilize their down turn in production, and hope it falls slowly instead of rapidly.

[mvp 78]

As for Gedman, his problems started during the 86-87 offseason when he wasn't allowed to sign with the sox until May 1. He struggled to regain his form afterwards and then dealt with injuries off and on for the rest of his career. That offseason really put him behind the 8 ball (thanks owner collusion!).

[rician blast]

Never speak Gedman's name around here.

[BoSox21]

Once a Catcher hits 35' date=' you can't expect them to be able to produce the same anymore. Your best hope is they can stabilize their down turn in production, and hope it falls slowly instead of rapidly.[/quote']

 

Posada's best season came at age 35

[BSN07]

Posada's best season came at age 35

 

 

Posada is an exception. And the presence of an exception establishes that a general rule exists

 

 

Besides look at him now.

[riverside sluggers]

wow sox placing bard on unconditional release waivers. Its not like he was having a bad ST offensively, surprising to say the least. Oh well good to see what Kott can do in the bigs

Red Sox released catcher Josh Bard.

Bard entered camp as the favorite to back up Jason Varitek, but much like 2006 the Red Sox have decided to go in another direction. George Kottaras now appears likely to claim the No. 2 catcher job after having more success corralling Tim Wakefield's knuckleball, although Doug Mirabelli is always just a phone call away.

[BSN07]

Wow that happened quick. I'll be looking froward to seeing what Kott can do.

 

 

 

Side not for further down the road, Wagner seems to be having a decent spring.

[BoSox21]

meh, the difference between Kottaras and Bard is marginal anyway

[rician blast]

Posada's best season came at age 35

 

(cough)...roids...(cough cough)...hgh....

[Dojji]

Wow that happened quick. I'll be looking froward to seeing what Kott can do.

 

 

 

Side not for further down the road, Wagner seems to be having a decent spring.

 

Don't forget Dusty Brown, for that matter. Having a guy like Brown around was the big reason why I was surprised they bothered with Bard.

 

Hopefully this means Varitek bats lefthanded rather infrequently this year . Maybe that'll help his numbers.

[Cocos Disciples]

I'm glad, I want to see what Kottaras can do.

[WhiskeyBreath]

 

Hopefully this means Varitek bats lefthanded rather infrequently this year . Maybe that'll help his numbers.

 

I doubt it.

[whitesox901]

Bard got cut today

[walk_off]

Bard got cut today

 

Good....bring out the Kott

[diony]

I'm glad' date=' I want to see what Kottaras can do.[/quote']

 

K

[mvp 78]

I'm wondering if they only brought Bard in in case Tek didn't resign. Either way, I don't think there is that much of a difference between Bard and Kottaras.

[schillingouttheks]

I'm wondering if they only brought Bard in in case Tek didn't resign. Either way' date=' I don't think there is that much of a difference between Bard and Kottaras.[/quote']

 

I would have preferred Kottaras and Bard instead of re-signing Varitek. Couldn't be much worse, if at all.

[BoSox21]

Clearly they think highly of Tek's game-planning cause they sure as hell didn't think him back for his offensive output

[soxfan17881]

I'm confused...

 

Bard was hitting something like .429, Kottaras .280. I watched that game the other night against the Yankees when Wake started and Kottaras looked like the last guy you'd expect to be catching Wake's knuckler - he had like thee passed balls in three innings.

 

It seems awfully quick to be getting rid of Bard.