5/22 Cleveland @ Boston

[Dojji]

Depth guys in the bullpen have been very impressive so far this year, especially Hembree.

[Bellhorn04]

What is Ortiz trying to do, have the greatest season of his career?

[d-money]

Great win today. Back to 10 games over 500. Need to keep winning. Colorado up next. They have a big road trip after that against a.l east teams.

[Spudboy]

Swihart making plays in left.

 

How could he? There goes his value.

[Bellhorn04]

Before that 1-2-3 inning by Kimbrel opponents were hitting .103 against him this year.

[cp176]

Swihart making plays in left.

 

How could he? There goes his value.

 

Once again, I will say that his value in any kind of trade is greater with him catching as opposed to him being in left field. Does he need to be traded - of course not. Could he become our permanent left fielder - maybe. Is he a special athlete - of course. Do you think Spud that anyone wants to see him traded? My guess is no. I hope we hold a pat hand right now. Now that being said - hypothetically if the Sox were shopping him, do you think he would be more valuable as a future catcher or a future left fielder?

[Maxbialystock]

If trading Swihart meant getting a reliable starter, make the deal. Otherwise, don't.

[a700hitter]

You've been to a lot of games this season! That's awesome!

Thanks. I picked a good season to go to more games.

[Spudboy]

Once again, I will say that his value in any kind of trade is greater with him catching as opposed to him being in left field. Does he need to be traded - of course not. Could he become our permanent left fielder - maybe. Is he a special athlete - of course. Do you think Spud that anyone wants to see him traded? My guess is no. I hope we hold a pat hand right now. Now that being said - hypothetically if the Sox were shopping him, do you think he would be more valuable as a future catcher or a future left fielder?

 

No, I don't want to see Swihart traded.

 

I do understand why a Catching prospect can be valued higher than a LFer given similar offensive tools.

 

I suspect that being able to play LF as well as being a reasonable catching prospect increases the chances of finding a suitable trade partner because every team has both of those positions that may need to be filled.

[Maxbialystock]

I would just like to point out that Hannigan, who is probably a better catcher than Swihart, is 11 years older--35 vs. 24--and can't hit as well. Long term, I sure would want to hang onto Swihart, especially if he can also play the outfield. If he is traded, it should be for a good starter.

 

.

[mvp 78]

I thought Hannigan would've been traded once Vazquez was declared healthy.

[Kimmi]

I thought Hannigan would've been traded once Vazquez was declared healthy.

 

IMO, trading Hanigan would be a huge mistake. The importance of having a veteran, defensive oriented catcher is underrated.

 

As far as trading Swihart goes, I agree with Max. Unless it's for a good, reliable starter, I'd hang onto him.

[Jasonbay44]

I don't think Hanigan is really worth trading, he has more value to this team just by catching Steven Wright (which must be a bitch to do) and handling the pitching staff then he would get back in trade.

[Bellhorn04]

I agree with Kimmi. It's good to have a veteran catcher on the team.

[mvp 78]

IMO, trading Hanigan would be a huge mistake. The importance of having a veteran, defensive oriented catcher is underrated.

 

As far as trading Swihart goes, I agree with Max. Unless it's for a good, reliable starter, I'd hang onto him.

 

At this point, Swihart isn't ready to be a good defensive catcher so I wouldn't trade Hanigan unless they got tremendous value for him.

[cp176]

it's beating the dead horse over and over I know but everyday that Swihart doesn't go behind the plate is another day longer it will take him to ever really be a dependable catcher at the big league level. Hope he hits.

[Maxbialystock]

it's beating the dead horse over and over I know but everyday that Swihart doesn't go behind the plate is another day longer it will take him to ever really be a dependable catcher at the big league level. Hope he hits.

 

Meh. So far it looks like he is a better leftfielder than a catcher. My strong impression is that he was moved to Pawtucket because management--Farrell, Lovullo, the pitching coach, and the front office--agreed that as a catcher he was hurting the pitching staff. He did not grow up as a catcher but as an infielder/outfielder thru high school. I'm sure he caught a lot in the minors and last year caught around 84 games at Boston.

 

What he is getting now is another chance to show he can hit, especially from the left side. It is almost a truism in MLB that, if you can hit, you can play.

[Palodios]

Swihart is in the outfield because he is the third best catcher in th organization. We all probably would have lusted for his glove in the Saltalamacchia days.

[Maxbialystock]

Swihart is in the outfield because he is the third best catcher in th organization. We all probably would have lusted for his glove in the Saltalamacchia days.

 

I can't disagree with that. The advantage of developing LF skills is so that he can play more often while still being the backup catcher. The Nationals's Bryce was a catcher through high school, one year of college, and the minors until they switched him to OF so he could play in more games. He might have been a great catcher, but his bat was too valuable.