The catching?

[Spitball]

Several posters have expressed concerns about the catching. Jarrod Saltalamacchia seems destined to start and David Ross stands to be the back-up. Ryan Lavarnway will likely be in Pawtucket.

 

How does everyone feel about this? Personally, I was hoping Saltalamacchia would be traded but don't really see that happening at this point. I fear he might be partly (to greatly) responsible for the failures of Jon Lester and other pitchers on the staff.

 

David Ross is suppose to be a great clubhouse guy, but I fear he might be a bit over-rated defensively. I know he was a Bronson Arroyo drinking partner, but why was he DFA by Cincinnati a few years ago? They brought up Ryan Hanigan, but they had Paul Backo and Javier Valentin who could have been let go. Why Ross?

 

Lavarnway might not be ready defensively to catch in the major leagues. I think triple A is probably a good place for him right now.

 

I know catching in the major leagues is scarce right now, but what direction should the Sox go with their catching? Does anyone else feel Jarrod Saltalamacchia is a negative behind the plate?

[mvp 78]

s***, Lavs is more defensively ready than Salty. Once Napoli is signed, Salty will be shown the door. It'll be a 50/50 Ross/Lavs split until Lavs starts hitting.

[Bellhorn04]

I definitely feel Salty is a negative. His CERA was a run higher than Varitek's in 2011, and a run higher than Shoppach's last year. When he catches we usually lose. These factors make me feel very negative about him.

[Palodios]

I believe that Salty will be the difference in the quality of the team in 2013. If he is gone, the Red Sox will make it into the playoffs. If he starts for the Red Sox, they will suffer badly.

 

His stance and reception cause strikes to be called balls, and his arm causes fat first basemen to steal third.

[User Name]

I think the appropriate question would be if there's anyone who DOESN'T think Salty's a negative behind the plate.

[onlybereaved]

Yeah, perfect time for the Red Sox to give Lavarnway rights to main catcher. Guy is at the very least just as good as Salty defensively, and will at some point (hopefully sooner than later) be offensively consistant (in a good way).

 

If Salty doesn't get traded, Lavs will be stuck in AAA while Salty/Ross get the main role - what a waste. Not like the Red Sox are contenders. Lavs is arguably as developed as he can be on a AAA level IMO. Guy needs to play a couple full seasons in the MLB and get that experience and have that confidence shown in him.

[mvp 78]

I think the appropriate question would be if there's anyone who DOESN'T think Salty's a negative behind the plate.

 

Yes, Dojji.

[User Name]

Yes, Dojji.

 

Jesus.

[jung]

I consider defense at the catching position and the handling of pitchers (giving a target, preparing for and calling a game etc) as two separate categories. If there is a front line catcher anywhere else in the major leagues that is worse at the combined skill sets, I don't know who he is.

[onlybereaved]

Varitek is going to be working 'odd-jobs' for now within the Red Sox organization...

 

Why the frig wouldn't they set something up where Tek goes to work with Lavs, seeing as how Lavarnway is has so much potential?

 

Just an idea, I don't know.

[User Name]

Who's to say Varitek isn't coaching Lavarnway though? A lot of times, on-the-side work that players do with coaches or ex-players (or even other active players) doesn't get any publicity.

[Bellhorn04]

Varitek is going to be working 'odd-jobs' for now within the Red Sox organization...

 

Why the frig wouldn't they set something up where Tek goes to work with Lavs, seeing as how Lavarnway is has so much potential?

 

Just an idea, I don't know.

 

That's what I was hoping even before Tek was hired.

[jung]

In my view Tek was not a great defensive catcher but he was a good defensive catcher tailing off at the end of his career and very very good at framing, calling a game, giving a target etc.

[onlybereaved]

Who's to say Varitek isn't coaching Lavarnway though? A lot of times, on-the-side work that players do with coaches or ex-players (or even other active players) doesn't get any publicity.

 

Yeah - no doubt.

 

I just meant in a pre-committed open to the public sort of way. Give Lavs all the confidence possible (giving him the chance at full time/main C), and have Tek working with him hardcore. Mind you, I could see how that would be a double edged sword with putting huge pressure on him.

[Palodios]

I consider defense at the catching position and the handling of pitchers (giving a target, preparing for and calling a game etc) as two separate categories. If there is a front line catcher anywhere else in the major leagues that is worse at the combined skill sets, I don't know who he is.

 

This is an important point. The defensive part of catching requires talent, but handling pitchers requires knowledge of the game.

 

Lavarnway is a Yale graduate, and Saltalamacchia bypassed college for the MLB draft. Doesn't that tell you a lot about which pitcher is more likely to excel in a role that requires learning and intellect?

[onlybereaved]

Also, it's pretty crucial to consider that the Red Sox wouldn't have sought out a contract with Ross at C unless they a) expected to keep Salty in the main catchers role w/ Ross replacing Shop as back-up and leaving Lavs in AAA altogether, or expected Salty to be inevitably traded.

 

Hopefully Salty is gone prior to the season starting IMO

[Spitball]

Varitek might be helpful, but the Sox already have one of the best in Gary Tuck.

[reYoukilis]

Maybe Ross will be given the starting role. I took getting him to be Tek 2.

[onlybereaved]

Yeah eh, maybe.

[SCM33]

I think the appropriate question would be if there's anyone who DOESN'T think Salty's a negative behind the plate.

 

There was a time when Emmz, MVP, a700 and myself were the only Salty haters.

 

Ive been anti Salty since day 1.

[Spitball]

Maybe Ross will be given the starting role. I took getting him to be Tek 2.

 

He will be 36 years-old and hasn't started more than 47 games at catcher in a season since 2007.

[jung]

I seriously doubt Ross will get the starting roll. The Sox far prefer the devil they know to the devil they don't. I expect to see Salty start the season behind the plate, Ross as his backup, Napoli if signed catching so few games that it turns out to be something done in a pinch or under an outrageously unique set of circumstances and Lavs down at Pawtucket again until later in the season if at all in 2013. Lavs possibly comes up sooner based on the potential for injury or if Salty gets offed to some team still in the hunt and desperate for catching......desperate as in willing to take somebody that can at least get into a crouch.

[onlybereaved]

I don't even hate Salty. Just really excited for Lavarnway to be the everyday guy. Even if it means having to see an inconsistant/shakey season or 2 out of him.

[reYoukilis]

Lavarnway needs to get good and now. I would love to see him live up to the promise he gave us at the end of 2011. I think for a tall guy he's surprisingly agile behind the plate unlike Salty.

[jung]

I think with Lavs at some point in time the Sox are going to have to do something foreign to them and something they shrink from regularly....they are going to have to bite the bullet and give Lavs the job. This is twice now that they have brought Lavs up as the third wheel catcher on the roster. One time it has failed miserably (2012) and if you think about it, Lavs showed more defense than offense in 2011.

 

I just don't see the Sox doing it this year although it would be as good a year as they are going to see to just do it. Is he 100% ready....no.....Is he the overcooked 110% ready that finally, usually motivates the Sox to give the guy the job (different from just bringing him up).....no.....Is there much chance of Lavs hurting the 2013 effort relative to Salty.... I would suggest.....no.....

[a700hitter]

There was a time when Emmz, MVP, a700 and myself were the only Salty haters.

 

Ive been anti Salty since day 1.

I don't think it is hating if you just recognize that a player is merely adequate and not good.

[Spitball]

I don't think it is hating if you just recognize that a player is merely adequate and not good.

 

Right. Besides, there have been many of us who were never happy with Salty.

 

I'd like to see Saltalamacchia as the back up catcher, first base, dh. Let him play four or five games a week but limit his time behind the plate.

[BSN07]

Salty seems like a good dude. I don't dislike him. I'm just kinda over watching him catch. If Napoli signs he will get moved between now and at some point in the early stages of the season. There's a good chance he might get moved even if Napoli doesn't sign. If Lavs hits in ST they might decide to go with Ross and Lavs anyways.

 

Salty hit 22 HR last season. He has some value as a "bat". He isn't a good catcher. But if a team losses their starting C early on, he will look like a decent plan B.

[Dojji]

Yes, Dojji.

 

Not behind the plate, I don't. I've been calling for him to move to 1B this offseason if we can't sign Napoli.

[mvp 78]

Not behind the plate, I don't. I've been calling for him to move to 1B this offseason if we can't sign Napoli.

 

Then the answer is nobody. Thank you, sir.