Sandy Leon

[bosoxmal]

What in the world has got into this 27 year old third string catcher. He is looking more like the World Series Panda every day. I'm waiting for the fantasy to come to an end, and praying that it doesn't come to an end. He's not just doing things in a 7-2 game, he's doing it when it's a 7-5 game. Any opinions (you'll probably come up with the wrong projection, but don't we all?)

[Bellhorn04]

5 words: enjoy it while it lasts.

[Spudboy]

I have no idea if he is now a decent hitter or if he is just hot for a short while.

 

He is a good defensive catcher. Just what Kimmi said he would be.

 

I believe that he chose to remain with the Sox rather than go elsewhere for a possible better opportunity to play this season.

 

I'm glad that he is here.

[Jasonbay44]

I would ride his hot bat while it lasts. He is a very good defensive catcher and is on fire at the plate. might as well get him as many AB's as possible, as I don't see the downside.

[bosoxmal]

I don't see any downside either. It is an even more of a welcome surprise because he is a switch hitter. He comes around just as injuries are forcing to plug Shaw into left field at a time when he is trying to keep things straight going from 3rd to 1st and back. Holt comes back, and that may help the LF situation. Leon not only prevents JF from using too much of the young Vazquez, but gives him a good (for now anyway) pinch hitter. He's working his way upwards into the "best surprise player of the year."

[Nick]

He's out of options so it will be interesting when Hanigan comes back.....

[Jasonbay44]

He's out of options so it will be interesting when Hanigan comes back.....

I've heard a rumor they are considering optioning Vazquez and using Hanigan/Leon.. Personally, I would just DFA Hanigan. He's 36, Leon is 27 and Hanigan has been brutal this year and is incredibly injury prone. I just don't see what Hanigan offers that Leon/Vazquez don't.

[mvp 78]

I've heard a rumor they are considering optioning Vazquez and using Hanigan/Leon.. Personally, I would just DFA Hanigan. He's 36, Leon is 27 and Hanigan has been brutal this year and is incredibly injury prone. I just don't see what Hanigan offers that Leon/Vazquez don't.

 

I agree. At this point, you go with Vazquez's upside over Hanigan. Leon and Hanigan are basically the same guy.

[cp176]

I have no idea if he is now a decent hitter or if he is just hot for a short while.

 

He is a good defensive catcher. Just what Kimmi said he would be.

 

I believe that he chose to remain with the Sox rather than go elsewhere for a possible better opportunity to play this season.

 

I'm glad that he is here.

 

it has always been about the bat with Leon. As a catcher, there hasn't been much if any difference between vazquez and leon. with him, it has always been about the bat.

[illinoisredsox]

He's out of options so it will be interesting when Hanigan comes back.....

 

All that means is this is the last year they can send him down without exposing him to waivers. He can ride the I-95 express every other week this season if the team wants/needs him to.

[Nick]

it's hard for me to believe they would send down a hot bat

[a700hitter]

I am a big believer in sticking with the hot hand. Hanigan will need a rehab assignment. Leave him in Pawtucket for the maximum period. If Leon remains hot, keep him in the majors. If the guy steps up and wins the job, it is only fair.

[bosoxmal]

I feel the same way. From the little I've seen of Leon, he is a better catcher than Hanigan. I sure don't want to see Hanigan trying to catch Wright again. I'm sure JF doesn't either.

[a700hitter]

I feel the same way. From the little I've seen of Leon, he is a better catcher than Hanigan. I sure don't want to see Hanigan trying to catch Wright again. I'm sure JF doesn't either.

Plus, Hanigan has looked lost at the plate.

[Spudboy]

I like Leon too but you guys are on drugs if you really believe that either Vasquez or Leon is a better MLB catcher than Hannigan.

 

Be serious. The guy knows how to handle pitchers and can make all the plays that either of the other guys. Sans hitting!

[a700hitter]

I like Leon too but you guys are on drugs if you really believe that either Vasquez or Leon is a better MLB catcher than Hannigan.

 

Be serious. The guy knows how to handle pitchers and can make all the plays that either of the other guys. Sans hitting!

Hanigan has looked horrible both offensivelyand defensively this year. I am a big proponent of going with the hot hand. I'd stick with Leon until he plays himself out. Sometimes a guy gets it figured out and becomes a good hitter.

[Spudboy]

Hanigan has looked horrible both offensivelyand defensively this year. I am a big proponent of going with the hot hand. I'd stick with Leon until he plays himself out. Sometimes a guy gets it figured out and becomes a good hitter.

 

I agree with this. He should be starting the vast majority of games until he turns back into a Mendoza pumpkin.

[moonslav59]

Leon's sample size is way too small to make any definitive judgement on. It's great what he's doing, and I'm all for riding the hot bat as long as possible, but I'm not expecting it to go on much longer. There's little evidence he will ever remain a good hitter, even among MLB catchers, so it's all about his defense compared to Hanigan, Vazquez and Swihart's.

 

It's tough call for me between Leon and Hanigan. Maybe we can extend Hanigan's rehab assignment, but honestly, even if Leon stays hot for another week or two, do we really want to bet on his bat continuing to be even slightly plus for a catcher?

 

Maybe we can find a taker for Hanigan and his contract. He has an option year remaining.

 

2016:$3.7M and 2017:$3.75M club option ($0.8M buyout)

 

I doubt many teams are looking to pay Hanigan that much to be their back-up. He probably cannot be relied upon to be anyone's FT catcher either, so we'd probably have to pay $500K to $1M to any team trading for him. I don't expect much in return either.

 

It's tough choice, but I'd go with Leon- not because of his recent offense, but because he has 3 arb years left and Hanigan has just one year of control left.

 

Keeping Leon though, means he has to stay on the 25 man roster or risk being snagged by another team. This means Swihart would have to be traded or take on a role as a LF'er (platoon?) and 3rd string catcher. I like the idea of a 3rd string catcher being available, because you can PH for our 1 & 2 catchers freely, but I still say Swihart's value at catcher for another team is worth more than his value to us, so he should be traded (not handed away for lesser value).

[a700hitter]

It would be a much easier call if Hanigan hadn't looked like a player had gone over a cliff offensively and defensively.

[moonslav59]

It would be a much easier call if Hanigan hadn't looked like a player had gone over a cliff offensively and defensively.

 

A lot of his defensive issues are about him trying to catch Wright.

[Spudboy]

A lot of his defensive issues are about him trying to catch Wright.

 

What are the defensive issue other than looking foolish catching a Knuckleball?

[moonslav59]

What are the defensive issue other than looking foolish catching a Knuckleball?

 

Not much. That's my point.

 

I don't hold a catcher responsible for not being able to catch a wicked knuckleball.

 

Hanigan has always been viewed as a plus defender who normally hits LH'd pitching well.

[a700hitter]

I don't think Hanigan has looked good at all, even when not catching the knuckleball.

[Spudboy]

I don't think Hanigan has looked good at all, even when not catching the knuckleball.

 

And who the f*** anointed you an expert on catching you old geezer?

[a700hitter]

And who the f*** anointed you an expert on catching you old geezer?

LOL!! He just doesn't look like the same guy as last year. If he did, the decision would be easy. I would just delay any move until Leon turns back into a pumpkin.

[Dojji]

Agree. Nothing wrong with riding the hot hand.

[bosoxmal]

It's already lasted longer than I thought it would. He's not going away, and I would be surprised if he catche 3 out every 5 games. I hope so. We need someont to hit from of Betts. He's doing just fine, thank you!

[bosoxmal]

I'm beginning to think Swihart is the one who would bring a good starting pitcher. Leon passes my eye test. He is built a little like Panda; a smaller and far more fit version. Swihart is the only highly promising young player that would not be missed that much. Imagine me saying that a month ago? I am still a big fan of Swihart, but I see no other option. Leon has been a gift from the Gods!

[cp176]

I'm beginning to think Swihart is the one who would bring a good starting pitcher. Leon passes my eye test. He is built a little like Panda; a smaller and far more fit version. Swihart is the only highly promising young player that would not be missed that much. Imagine me saying that a month ago? I am still a big fan of Swihart, but I see no other option. Leon has been a gift from the Gods!

 

he is still a young man. I am just curious to know what he has done in such a short period of time. He has always been a very good catcher with a great arm. Just no hit! You have stick with him to find out if it is the real deal. It may be.

[moonslav59]

I'm beginning to think Swihart is the one who would bring a good starting pitcher. Leon passes my eye test. He is built a little like Panda; a smaller and far more fit version. Swihart is the only highly promising young player that would not be missed that much. Imagine me saying that a month ago? I am still a big fan of Swihart, but I see no other option. Leon has been a gift from the Gods!

 

I'm a big believer in Swihart too, but I've been saying for a long time- his value to a team in need of a good catcher (about 70% of MLB teams these days) is worth more than his value to us. If that's not a major piece of a foundation for a trade, I don't know what is.