Mets looking for centerfielder

[Kimmi]

It does amaze how the attitude with Swihart's defense is "he'll never learn" yet the attitude with Vazquez' offense is "he needs more of a chance. "

 

Personally, I prefer a defensive oriented catcher over an offensive one, and really hope that Vazquez' offense will improve enough that he can be our starting catcher. I know that he did not show 'elite' defense last year, but I think he has the ability to be defensively elite, not just very good.

 

That said, if Swihart does improve enough to be the overall better catcher, I think you have to go with him even if it means losing a bit defensively, and that is something that is hard for me to say.

[Kimmi]

I don't think Swihart is in the "he'll never learn" category. I think he is in the "he needs more games as a catcher" category. I have no doubts he will be good enough defensively, and if his bat forces him onto the field sooner than later, that is fine with me. I am also comfortable with the back up C being defense first, with the back up having a "special" relationship with a starting P and catching him every start. I have no feeling either way for Vaz or Leon, but do think Vaz has more upside defensively than Vaz, and also has the opportunity to offer more slugging upside

 

Swihart was put in difficult situations the past two years. He absolutely needs more games as a catcher.

 

I like Leon too.

 

I could be happy with any combination of 2 out of our 3 catchers being our major league tandem, but I really think Swihart needs to start in AAA to work on his development.

[rkarp1]

agree 100%. but if Swi is raking in AAA I expect him back June 1

[southpaw777]

It does amaze how the attitude with Swihart's defense is "he'll never learn" yet the attitude with Vazquez' offense is "he needs more of a chance. "

 

Not that at all... i've stated over and over I think swi will improve behind the plate..i just he needs to stay behind the plate to do it...I still believe that he's just naturally not going to be as good of a defender as Leon or Vasquez is, his but he can still be good. Good enough to be a starter in MLB.

Let's not forget that he only became a full-time catcher when he turned pro, so it's not that he can't be good it's just that he's going to need a lot of work still...

Edited December 27, 2016 by southpaw777

[notin]

I don't think Swihart is in the "he'll never learn" category. I think he is in the "he needs more games as a catcher" category. I have no doubts he will be good enough defensively, and if his bat forces him onto the field sooner than later, that is fine with me. I am also comfortable with the back up C being defense first, with the back up having a "special" relationship with a starting P and catching him every start. I have no feeling either way for Vaz or Leon, but do think Vaz has more upside defensively than Leon, and also has the opportunity to offer more slugging upside

 

All backup catcher are in the "defense first" category. And a lot of them are now used to handle one starter and give the regular catcher a break from squatting all day.

 

I'm not sure who has more upside between Vazquez and Leon, but I do know Leon fooled a lot of people with the bat last year. I don't expect a repeat of that and neither should anyone else, including Leon himself. It's a shame Swihart missed so much time last year, because Leon was an obvious "Sell high" candidate. (Although if I know this, I would assume 29 other GMs are equally wary.)

[rkarp1]

All backup catcher are in the "defense first" category. And a lot of them are now used to handle one starter and give the regular catcher a break from squatting all day.

 

I thought Hannigan was average and think defensively both Vaz and Leon are an upgrade...perhaps offensively as well

[notin]

All backup catcher are in the "defense first" category. And a lot of them are now used to handle one starter and give the regular catcher a break from squatting all day.

 

I thought Hannigan was average and think defensively both Vaz and Leon are an upgrade...perhaps offensively as well

 

Hanigan's time in MLB is running out. 7 or 8 years ago, he was an elite defensive backup catcher. Any career he has left might be built solely on experience and lower salary demands...

[a700hitter]

Hannigan is shot-- an empty shell.

[moonslav59]

It does amaze how the attitude with Swihart's defense is "he'll never learn" yet the attitude with Vazquez' offense is "he needs more of a chance. "

 

My point has always been that while Swihart is improving his D, so would Vaz and Leon, so Swi is likely never going to catch up with those two.

 

I do think Swi can and will improve.

 

I'm not sure by how much.

 

When I mention him possibly DH'ing for us, I hear what a waste of "an athlete" that would be. If he really is such "an athlete", then maybe LF is the best place for him.

 

Personally, I don't think Swi's D is good enough right now. If it was, he'd be starting next season for the Sox. I think he can and will get better. I'm not sure about getting better enough to play in MLB, but I'm also not sure about Vaz and Leon's offense.

 

I'm not big on needing offense from our catcher, so that's why nobody hears me harping on Vaz's bat.