Jarrod Saltalamacchia -- best starting catcher by OPS and SLG in the American League

[SoxFanForsyth]

He might well fall off the cliff again' date=' due to fatigue. Which is why I'd like to see Lav up catching some games. They could be the best 1-2 catcher combo in baseball.[/quote']

 

Lavarnway has been crushing in AAA lately.

 

Past 10 games: .432/.500/.730/1.230, 2 HR, 5 2B, 9 RBI. He started off very slow this year, but he's back to hitting .301/.389/.436 after this hot streak.

[Emmz]

The only thing that would make his numbers go down is his HR/FB% is high (22.4% compared to 14.3% last year) but he's also hitting more LD (up 3.7% from last year).

 

But again. Nobody is saying he's a .920 OPS catcher. He's likely going to be around a .820 OPS catcher, which is fantastic. Once his HR/FB ratio normalizes, that's likely where he'll end up.

 

Difference is you feel as though you "know" he'll hit for .820 OPS. I never said he couldn't, I just want to get a full season in before everyone thinks Salty's an elite catcher. It's reactionary, and you have a tendency to do this. You thought Bard was a sure bet for a sub 4 ERA. You even thought Prince Felix would have a sub-4 ERA. You're overly optimistic.

 

I am an optimist as well. Well more of a realist, but I think proven hitters will bounce back, because they've proven themselves worthy. Salty isn't there yet, maybe he hits for .850 OPS, and I will admit he's proven, and maybe his falling off at the end of 2011 is what was the real fluke. I just can't expect Salty to be that good all year, because it's setting up for disappointment.

[kapsis21]

Difference is you feel as though you "know" he'll hit for .820 OPS. I never said he couldn't, I just want to get a full season in before everyone thinks Salty's an elite catcher. It's reactionary, and you have a tendency to do this. You thought Bard was a sure bet for a sub 4 ERA. You even thought Prince Felix would have a sub-4 ERA. You're overly optimistic.

 

I am an optimist as well. Well more of a realist, but I think proven hitters will bounce back, because they've proven themselves worthy. Salty isn't there yet, maybe he hits for .850 OPS, and I will admit he's proven, and maybe his falling off at the end of 2011 is what was the real fluke. I just can't expect Salty to be that good all year, because it's setting up for disappointment.

 

well you do know he was the piece that got traded for Teixera so he was a high price at the time..

[Bellhorn04]

well you do know he was the piece that got traded for Teixera so he was a high price at the time..

 

With Andrus, Feliz and Matt Harrison. Teixeira brought a nice package to Texas.

[mvp 78]

As one of the few Salty backers on here, let me just say that he's having a great run, but will most likely come back to Earth. I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

[Emmz]

well you do know he was the piece that got traded for Teixera so he was a high price at the time..

 

That really doesn't hold any water. Mark Prior was a former #2 pick and Cy Young candidate. It doesn't mean if he pitches good for 2 months he's back.

[Emmz]

As one of the few Salty backers on here' date=' let me just say that he's having a great run, but will most likely come back to Earth. I'll enjoy it while it lasts.[/quote']

 

Exactly where I stand. I support Salty to, just not to where I think he'll be good all year. He hasn't proven that.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Difference is you feel as though you "know" he'll hit for .820 OPS. I never said he couldn't' date=' I just want to get a full season in before everyone thinks Salty's an elite catcher. It's reactionary, and you have a tendency to do this. You thought Bard was a sure bet for a sub 4 ERA. [b']You even thought Prince Felix would have a sub-4 ERA. You're overly optimistic.

[/b]

I am an optimist as well. Well more of a realist, but I think proven hitters will bounce back, because they've proven themselves worthy. Salty isn't there yet, maybe he hits for .850 OPS, and I will admit he's proven, and maybe his falling off at the end of 2011 is what was the real fluke. I just can't expect Salty to be that good all year, because it's setting up for disappointment.

 

Remind me again, what's Doubront's ERA right now? What's his xFIP?

 

Oh. Yeah. Maybe sometimes I'm right. And Salty at a .820 OPS is a 100 point OPS drop.

[SoxFanForsyth]

For what it's worth, a few things I said.

 

1. Bard would be a 3.50 ERA SP. I was wrong.

 

2. Doubront would be the Ivan Nova of 2011 for the Red Sox. So far it looks like I was right. I saw the kid in 2010, heard what Ferrell always said about him, and thought he would be what they thought he'd be.

 

3. Miller would be a big piece to the bullpen. Bullpen work suppresses control problems, and Millers biggest problems were repeating his delivery. Working exclusively from the stretch suppresses problems with delivery. And I was right on this one (so far) as well.

[Emmz]

Remind me again, what's Doubront's ERA right now? What's his xFIP?

 

Oh. Yeah. Maybe sometimes I'm right. And Salty at a .820 OPS is a 100 point OPS drop.

 

I could definitely see Salty struggling for 2 months and dropping it 100 points, and being okay, to drop it 20-30 at some point. Same goes for Felix, but hey, I'll give you props if either prediction becomes true.

[Emmz]

Everyone thought you were nuts on the Doubront prediction, so I think everyone will give you your props.

[kapsis21]

With Andrus' date=' Feliz and Matt Harrison. Teixeira brought a nice package to Texas.[/quote']

 

yes for sure, i wondered at times why Atlanta pulled that trade , i guess they were in need for a 1st baseman but man did they give up some key pieces.. sucks to be Atlanta right now.

[Dojji]

He might well fall off the cliff again' date=' due to fatigue. Which is why I'd like to see Lav up catching some games. They could be the best 1-2 catcher combo in baseball.[/quote']

 

What part of Shoppach's current .920 OPS do you think Lavarnway is going to improve on?

[Dojji]

The biggest reason you don't call up Lavarnway is twofold.

 

First: Whether or not you trust Salty's numbers to hold up as is for a full season, the fact is that FOR NOW he's earned the right to be the starting catcher. You DO NOT undermine what Salty has accomplished by overthinking the catcher's role at this time

 

Second: We're already having enough trouble getting one prospect into the lineup in the 1B/3B/DH rotation. Now add a guy like Lavarnway who's a C/DH. There is literally no room for this guy to start every day unless we trade Salty, and we're still too close to that second wild card for me to be sanguine about a move like that when we are even less sure what Lavs will do over a full season as our starting catcher than we know about Salty.

 

So unless you think Lavarnway can play some corner outfield, there's just no way to make that work at this time.

[SoxFanForsyth]

What part of Shoppach's current .920 OPS do you think Lavarnway is going to improve on?

 

Perhaps his 34.6% K rate?

[FredLynn]

The biggest reason you don't call up Lavarnway is twofold.

 

First: Whether or not you trust Salty's numbers to hold up as is for a full season, the fact is that FOR NOW he's earned the right to be the starting catcher. You DO NOT undermine what Salty has accomplished by overthinking the catcher's role at this time

 

Second: We're already having enough trouble getting one prospect into the lineup in the 1B/3B/DH rotation. Now add a guy like Lavarnway who's a C/DH. There is literally no room for this guy to start every day unless we trade Salty, and we're still too close to that second wild card for me to be sanguine about a move like that when we are even less sure what Lavs will do over a full season as our starting catcher than we know about Salty.

 

So unless you think Lavarnway can play some corner outfield, there's just no way to make that work at this time.

 

Cheer up. Our FO isn't smart enough to bring up Lavarnway to replace Shoppach (career: .227/.741), who is bound to regress to career norms soon. The good news is that you get to witness it happening!

[BornToRun]

Aside from last year, when was the last time he's had consistent playing time? Even last year, for a catcher, his final numbers were decent offensively and it seems like he's gotten better with the glove. I think he can be a consistent power bat. He's still young. I'm throwing my hat into the ring and saying I think he's gonna be able to last here if he can stay near this current level of production.

[NCPack2889]

Cheer up. Our FO isn't smart enough to bring up Lavarnway to replace Shoppach (career: .227/.741)' date=' who is bound to regress to career norms soon. The good news is that you get to witness it happening![/quote']

 

Shoppach can hit lefties, and plays good defense behind the plate. He's not going anywhere.

[Dojji]

Right. As backups go Shoppach is well above average even if he does return to his career level. I'm glad he's here. He'd be right at home in my mind catching as many as 60 games for the Sox and he wouldn't be a liability if he did. For his role that's just fine.

 

No one is quite dumb enough to chuck Shoppach overboard when Salty is still not fully proven. You don't deliberately make holes in your roster to promote an unproven player. And you definitely don't give yourself 2 underexperienced catchers in a year where you expect to make a good run for the playoffs.

[BornToRun]

Right. As backups go Shoppach is well above average even if he does return to his career level. You don't deliberately make holes in your roster to promote an unproven player.

 

Plus I'd rather have Lavs get consistent playing time in the minors.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Plus I'd rather have Lavs get consistent playing time in the minors.

 

Biggest reason not to promote him.

 

Here's a question.

 

Let's say, just for argument's sake, that Salty ends the season this year with a .850 OPS.

 

Does Lavarnway become trade bait for a SP?

[Bellhorn04]

Biggest reason not to promote him.

 

Here's a question.

 

Let's say, just for argument's sake, that Salty ends the season this year with a .850 OPS.

 

Does Lavarnway become trade bait for a SP?

 

One of the two, Salty or L-Way, has to become trade bait, don't they?

[SoxSport]

Lavarnway has been crushing in AAA lately.

 

Past 10 games: .432/.500/.730/1.230, 2 HR, 5 2B, 9 RBI. He started off very slow this year, but he's back to hitting .301/.389/.436 after this hot streak.

 

Lav could be another Middlebrooks.

[NCPack2889]

How do you mean? Lavarnway isn't being blocked by an inferior player.

[mvp 78]

Biggest reason not to promote him.

 

Here's a question.

 

Let's say, just for argument's sake, that Salty ends the season this year with a .850 OPS.

 

Does Lavarnway become trade bait for a SP?

 

Nah. I still like him as a C/DH (Napoli-ish) and I'm not sure his trade value would bring anything substantial back. Just think he has more value to the Sox.

[FredLynn]

Shoppach can hit lefties' date=' and plays good defense behind the plate. He's not going anywhere.[/quote']

 

Eventually, he will have to go. Lavarnway deserves a chance to play.

[Palodios]

I took one look at this thread, and threw up a little bit in my mouth.

 

If he's so valuable, trade him to someone who can survive his 6.00 cERA.

[FredLynn]

I took one look at this thread, and threw up a little bit in my mouth.

 

If he's so valuable, trade him to someone who can survive his 6.00 cERA.

 

Does he pitch?

[Palodios]

Does he pitch?

 

Nope.

[pedroias laser]

I have to agree with emmz here. Salty if he does keep up this pace very unlikely considering

his career numbers would have an ops well over 800 and right he is playing awesome but

i see more realistically a ops of 740-780 which is still not bad.