It Wasn't A Joke

by jasomack on Feb 21, 2008 11:18 AM PST

http://www.mercurynews.com/giants/ci_8322634

Yes, the Giants are really thinking about carrying three catchers. To pinch run for Molina more.

Giants catchers not named Molina had 80 PA's last year. I guess they aren't prospects, so there's no need to leave one of them in AAA to get consistent at-bats, but give me a fucking break. We're considering carrying three catchers when we have three pitchers (Valdez, Capellan and Threets) we'll lose if we cut? And you know reduced-fat Kline will make the team, and one of the savvy-invitees (Yabu and Williamson).

Is the fear that we'll pinch run for Molina, and then Alfonzo will get hurt again? Is giving up a promising young pitcher worth not having an emergency catcher in the game for two innings? Is there anybody associated with the Giants who understands rebuilding teams are supposed to put an emphasis on moves that help the team in the future?

We should trade Molina and use Alfonzo anyway. He's the same player, except younger. I don't know how good his defense is, but it can't be worse than the next two years of Molina, and there's no way he can be slower. Right?? Right?!?!?!

I just wanted to get worked up and rant about something.

The stuff about both our backup C's having experience at 1B was interesting. Interesting being relative to our 1B situation though. If a 4th-outfielder can play the most offensively demanding position, why can't a backup catcher? I LOVE THIS TEAM!!!!!

Poll

Why am I so pissed?

The drugs are wearing off. That's also why your mouth is hurting again.

6 votes

Bochy and Sabean are about as qualified to rebuild a team as FEMA is to rebuild New Orleans.

23 votes

Bengie Molina is our cleanup hitter. That's the spot in the lineup where you put the hitter with the most power and run-producing ability.

12 votes

They're probably going to give up Sanchez for Crede.

6 votes

Our offseason priorities was giving out 17m to a 50-y/o SS and a good-not-great CF.

12 votes

59 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.

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Comments

Re: It Wasn't A Joke

If we pinch run for Molina, then we won't have our clean-up hitter for the rest of the game.

by WilliamVanLandingham on Feb 21, 2008 11:31 AM PST reply actions

Re: It Wasn't A Joke

funny, sad & true.

So relax! Let's have some fun out here! This game's fun, OK? Fun goddamnit.

by ResDog on Feb 21, 2008 11:50 AM PST up reply actions

Re: It Wasn't A Joke

that'd really be a shame... if our cleanup hitter wasn't Bengie Molina.

Southern California: Water thieves and Dodgers fans.

by jasomack on Feb 21, 2008 11:52 AM PST up reply actions

Re: It Wasn't A Joke

I know. Who else could possible keep opposing pitchers from intentionally walking Randy Winn. That guy's a beast.

by WilliamVanLandingham on Feb 21, 2008 3:19 PM PST up reply actions

Re: It Wasn't A Joke

Bochy was on KNBR last week and said Molina promised him 3 stolen bases to match his career total in one season.

by OrangeJesus on Feb 21, 2008 11:38 AM PST reply actions

Re: It Wasn't A Joke

What Bengie didn't mention was that he hoped the Giants wouldn't press charges.

by sharksrog on Feb 21, 2008 1:23 PM PST up reply actions

Re: It Wasn't A Joke

So with a 5% conversion rate, he'll only have to get thrown out about 57 times to do it!

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 21, 2008 6:50 PM PST up reply actions

Re: It Wasn't A Joke

All of the above?

by KCDrummer82 on Feb 21, 2008 1:08 PM PST reply actions

Re: It Wasn't A Joke

I don;t know about this pinch running business, but we could sure use the flexibility to pinch hit for Bengie.

Fool me seven times, shame on you. Fool me eight or more times, shame on me.

by Bhaakon on Feb 21, 2008 1:11 PM PST reply actions

Re: It Wasn't A Joke

Molina's about the one veteran player on the Giants I appreciate having. I think he's crucial to the developement of all the pitchers you're talking about raising. He is one of the best catchers around for calling pitches and working with pitchers. Alfonzo can't provide that, though he is learning pretty well. But I do agree that it's a waste of roster space to have 3 catchers.

by boonitez on Feb 21, 2008 4:39 PM PST reply actions

Three of a kind

If SF decides to carry 3 catchers, shouldn't at least one of the catchers be a LHH? Both Alfonzo and Rodriguez have played 1b before so hopefully they will see some action at 1b this spring and could be a decent replacement. I do like the idea of carrying 11 pitchers and having the starters pitch deeper into games. I would use the extra position player to add more infield depth and versatility.

by wilriv21 on Feb 21, 2008 4:44 PM PST reply actions

Re: Three of a kind

I think we should stash Capellan as our mop-up 12th man, and save LinceCain's arms. I wouldn't want them going much over 200 IP for a team like this. I haven't seen Jose pitch yet, I'm just hoping for a surprise young stud to come out of spring training. If we have Aurilia/Leone/Vizquel/Frandsen/Durham/Ort, we have 3 players who can play each infield position, I think that's plenty depth and versatility. Just not much good. I guess I wouldn't cry if the third catcher took Leone's (or insert AAA infielder here) spot, but if a third catcher costs us a young pitcher with any potential, well I guess I don't see the wisdom in that.

Southern California: Water thieves and Dodgers fans.

by jasomack on Feb 21, 2008 9:16 PM PST up reply actions

If we didn't have such a logjam...

In the OF I wouldn't really mind. If Lewis or Roberts was gone then I'd say go for it, Alfonzo/Rodriguez would be the next best players. But they aren't, Lewis or Roberts (wow) will be better.

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Feb 21, 2008 8:27 PM PST reply actions

Re: It Wasn't A Joke

3 catchers would be a nice luxury, and very few teams do it. So I think Boch is blowing smoke.
Especially with all of em hitting righty. G-Rod, by the way, used to take lots of grounders at third for San Jose and looked OK to me.

I do think that managers are way too cautious about using their backup catcher for PH, or bringing him in after a pinch runner. There is this very rare situation where he gets hurt like Fonzo last yr, and you have to take emergency steps. Didn't we win that game with Feliz catching anyway?

They don't do that with their best pinch hitter or their closer, they use em rather than save em.

adopter/sponsor of "Go, Antoan" Richardson

by foothillsfan on Feb 23, 2008 10:51 AM PST reply actions