Ryan Lavarnway thread.

[SCM33]

Three items to discuss.

 

1: What is his role?

 

2: What are the expectations?

 

3: What does his final output line look like?

[iortiz]

1. He should be Salty's backup, by now.

 

2. He should be our next titular DH/catcher in the mid/long future.

 

3. I see a solid power batter with a respectable defense as a catcher. No a super star but above the average as a catcher.

 

Unless...

 

They use him as a key piece in order to bring a solid SP.

[jacksonianmarch]

This yr, AAA catcher. Next yr, DH and backup catcher. Long term, I think he's a DH

[Palodios]

I very easily see him turning into a Martinez/ Napoli type. I'm very surprised that he's not on the major league roster though... that makes it seem pretty clear to me that they actually do see him as a fulltime catcher in the future. His bat is definitely ready... but if they want him to work on his glove then that must be why they're letting him marinate.

[jacksonianmarch]

There is no reason for him to be on the big league roster. His value increases if his defense improves

[Palodios]

There is no reason for him to be on the big league roster. His value increases if his defense improves

 

So you're under the impression that he's trade bait? I think that if he gets dealt, this is the opportunity for them to do it, right now.

[jacksonianmarch]

Not necessarily. Obviously, anyone is game for the right price. It just doesn't make sense to drop his value when you could potentially enhance it

[FredLynn]

He needs to work his ass off to improve defensively. If he accomplish that, he really has no value. The age of players being just a DH should be ending. It takes up a roster spot with someone of limited utility and decreases the flexibility of the team. We have two catchers now; Lavarnway should go back to Pawtucket to work on his defense this year.

[Dojji]

His defense didn't look that bad with the SSS we saw at the end of the season. No one is lining up to give him Gold Gloves, but there are worse catchers that start regularly.

[FredLynn]

His defense didn't look that bad with the SSS we saw at the end of the season. No one is lining up to give him Gold Gloves' date=' but there are worse catchers that start regularly.[/quote']

 

Another year of instruction and he could get much better at it. Another option is half a year of instruction, then we bring him up and get rid of Shoppach, who is aweful offensively.

[iortiz]

I very easily see him turning into a Martinez/ Napoli type. I'm very surprised that he's not on the major league roster though... that makes it seem pretty clear to me that they actually do see him as a fulltime catcher in the future. His bat is definitely ready... but if they want him to work on his glove then that must be why they're letting him marinate.

 

Exactly.

[redsoxfan3]

Three items to discuss.

 

1: What is his role?

 

2: What are the expectations?

 

3: What does his final output line look like?

 

This year he is going to be the third string catcher and will start the year in AAA. He will probably remain in AAA the majority of the year, unless either Salty or Shoppach get hurt at C or Papi gets hurt at DH. He will be back again during the September callups if he isn't already in the majors due to injuries. The reason he stays in AAA is so that he gets his at-bats and a chance to improve defensively. I expect him to do well in AAA offensively and improve some defensively. I feel that he is major league ready now as a DH, but I expect him to improve more defensively so that he can play C at the major league level. I am not going to give predictions in regards to statistics, because he is not going to be in the majors the majority of the year.

[seabeachfred]

Concerning Lavarnway, the first thing the Red Sox must do is not to offer Ortiz arbitration next winter because we have to find a place in the lineup for Ryan. The guy could turn out to be another Mike Piazza for the Red Sox. He can hit, he can hit with power and he has a strong arm. I know he will be at Pawtucket this coming year, at least for about half the season, but if his catching improves enough he should be on the fast track to Fenway Park as soon as possible. We need another good RH hitting power hitter and he is it. He must not be blocked after this season. He can be our DH as well as our second catcher in 2013, and on that route it means we could carry an additional IF or OF since our DH is also our second catcher. He is one guy we must hold onto at all costs.

[SoxSport]

Lav shined when he was brought up late in the season. He not only hit a couple of homers, he made a good play in the field as a catcher (saw it on TV)--which showed he had some moxie.

 

The Red Sox are way too conservative, in my view, at bringing up prospects to see what they can do.

Part of that is they fill their roster with expensive FAs or declining veterans. That's what happened to Kalish last year. They said he wasn't ready, but that was BS. He was blocked by Cameron and Drew.

James had him hitting big time for the Sox last year, based on his performance for the Sox the previous year. Now look at where he is. He almost wrecked his career getting hurt in Pawtucket.

 

Look at Reddick. He had lousy numbers in AAA. Came up to the Red Sox and had an amazing first half last year. Came down to earth later in the season, but not unusual for a young player. Beane clearly was pleased. Sometimes these guys raise their game when they hit the Show. You never know. Beane might have a nice player.

 

Finally, let's look at Iglesias. He comes up to Boston, plays all-star SS a few games, shows incredible speed circling the bases on a key hit in a game, and promptly gets sent down to AAA. He's just a kid 21?, and he doesn't hit his first year at AAA. So now he's pegged as can't hit. More BS. Aparicio couldn't hit, either, as a rookie. Neither could Belanger.

[jacksonianmarch]

If your problem is pitching, you dont throw a rookie catcher who isnt known for his defense behind the dish. You work on his defense and game calling and hope he can cut it as a backup C/DH next season. There is no coincidence that the Yankee staff got a lot better with the introduction of Martin.

[diony]

Jesus Montero Lite-lite.

[SoxSport]

If your problem is pitching' date=' you dont throw a rookie catcher who isnt known for his defense behind the dish. You work on his defense and game calling and hope he can cut it as a backup C/DH next season. There is no coincidence that the Yankee staff got a lot better with the introduction of Martin.[/quote']

 

They are paying now for years of using a roster spot for Wakefield's caddy. They never developed a solid catcher to replace Tek.

[Palodios]

They are paying now for years of using a roster spot for Wakefield's caddy. They never developed a solid catcher to replace Tek.

 

The real problem is that they traded away their catcher of the future in Federowicz.

[Dojji]

If Tim Federowicz is more than a career backup I'd be very much surprised. He's a very very good future backup mind, the kind you can send out there for 40 games a year without worrying too much to let your starter rest, but h'd have to have a team that can stand putting a Jeff Mathis into the lineup in order to be the starter, and those are pretty rare.

 

Moving Fed to the National League is the kindest thing we could possibly have done for him. He'll have a much easier time finding an opportunity for himself there.

[Palodios]

If Tim Federowicz is more than a career backup I'd be very much surprised. He's a very very good future backup mind, the kind you can send out there for 40 games a year without worrying too much to let your starter rest, but h'd have to have a team that can stand putting a Jeff Mathis into the lineup in order to be the starter, and those are pretty rare.

 

Moving Fed to the National League is the kindest thing we could possibly have done for him. He'll have a much easier time finding an opportunity for himself there.

 

I see no reason why he couldn't hit to a .750 OPS every year. There are so many below average defensive catchers that when you see an above average one that still has time to grow, he's bound to do good things for a team.

[RedSoxFan84]

I'm no expert on baseball or the Sox, as I mentioned in my introductory post, but I tend to agree with what has been said so far. With his defense/game-calling looking like a weakness at this point, I think it will do him good to spend some time in AAA ball where he can play a major role and work on his game. With Ortiz getting older, we will need a new DH before too much longer, and if Lavarnway is able to improve enough to be our full-time backup C by that point, he can also play as our DH which would give us an extra roster spot.

[ForeverYoung]

The real problem is that they traded away their catcher of the future in Federowicz.

 

No when we let Victor Martinez walk is when we lost our catcher, and that was because Theo was invested in his reclamation project Salty. Don't get me wrong Salty was a great grab, and can work as a day to day catcher but the Red Sox need a force behind the plate and that was Martinez.

 

Lavarnway looks like a descent catcher, and a stellar bat. I think Shoppach was brought in mainly to teach Lavarnway and Salty how to throw out runners. They will let Lavarnway sit on the active roster as part-time DH and insurance against Ortiz's slowing bat, and allow Bobby V to sit Papi when he is too tired to run out fly balls.

 

I personally think that one of the more important aspects of this year will be if Lucciano and Cherington can convince Varitek to come on as a catcher's/Pitcher's coach. If he really wants to come back as a player I am willing to bet he is wearing a cubs uniform next year, Theo will pay his salary just to mentor his pitchers. Bringing 'Tek on as a coach allows us to not waste his salary towards the luxury cutoff, and instead bring in someone like Edwin Jackson or Joe Saunders.

 

Let me ask everyone, what is the potential they try and teach Lavarnway how to field in Right? I know most Catchers goto 1B when their knees are shot, but how about moving him to the fence before his knees blow out. Or is he just too much of a liability out there, similar to if they moved Crawford over there?

[Dojji]

I see no reason why he couldn't hit to a .750 OPS every year.

 

 

In other words you think Tim Federowicz can be one of the best offensive catchers in the league.

 

Tim Federowicz.

[RedSoxFan84]

Let me ask everyone' date=' what is the potential they try and teach Lavarnway how to field in Right? I know most Catchers goto 1B when their knees are shot, but how about moving him to the fence before his knees blow out. Or is he just too much of a liability out there, similar to if they moved Crawford over there?[/quote']

 

 

 

 

I'm not really that sure about him, but I thought he was supposedly a big and slow power guy. Would he have the range and speed to play a spot in the OF? If he does, then I can't really see a problem with it, especially if Sweeney and Kalish don't pan out.

[Spudboy]

I think playing rf is a stretch. The kid is a catcher. He needs more time to develop those skills. I'd like to see him get some more at bats this year. I like his bat very much.

[Palodios]

In other words you think Tim Federowicz can be one of the best offensive catchers in the league.

 

Tim Federowicz.

 

He hit .808 between AA and AAA last year.

[SoxSport]

No when we let Victor Martinez walk is when we lost our catcher, and that was because Theo was invested in his reclamation project Salty. Don't get me wrong Salty was a great grab, and can work as a day to day catcher but the Red Sox need a force behind the plate and that was Martinez.

 

QUOTE]

 

VMart doesn't catch much in Detroit. They have a better defensive catcher in Aviles, who also hits. They are paying VMart about $13 mil to DH, which the Red Sox were unwilling to do. I think they view DHs the same as closers these days--not of great value. Ortiz is an exception because of his gloried past in Boston. He'll be the last one.

[jacksonianmarch]

RF in Fenway for this lumbering brute? Lets be real. He's either a C or a 1b, thats about it.

[Spudboy]

RF in Fenway for this lumbering brute? Lets be real. He's either a C or a 1b' date=' thats about it.[/quote']

 

Exactly. The rf idea is not a good one.

[User Name]

He hit .808 between AA and AAA last year.

 

And that translates to MLB production how?