Three

by silentearth36 on Mar 20, 2008 1:19 AM PDT Comment 28 comments

The Giants, Bruce Bochy, and Brian "the fabulous one" Sabean have the impending 25 man roster crunch on their hands and things are complicated with the guys out of options and veterans holding spots that should be open for the younger talent. While most of the talk is geared towards the bullpen (and with very good reasons), there is a troubling development that has some how slipped through the cracks of Giants nation: the carrying of three catchers on the active roster.

Why would a club carry three catchers? From indications on the radio and through news reports, Molina, Alfonzo, and Rodriguez are all projected to be on the opening day 25 man active roster. But why all three? Honestly, it is a waste of a space and either Rodriguez or Alfonzo should be at Triple-A Fresno. Bengie Molina has the starting job locked up, so the question of who should be the back up lingers on...and Bochy and Sabean don't seem to want to answer it.

Experience: Molina started 125 games last year, the most ever in his career thus easy to assume he probably won't have that many this year. So for sake of argument, lets say he starts 112 games, leaving 70 for the back-up(s). Spliting it evenly, thats 35 games a piece with the average of 3 at-bats a game hitting in the 8th spot, equaling 105 at-bats per back-up. Alfonzo is the only of the two to have over 100 at-bats in the majors (Alfonzo-350 in 113 games, Rodriguez-87 in 39 games). Advantage: Alfonzo
Skills: Guillermo Rodriguez is the stronger of the two defensively, while Alfonzo has the upper hand offensively (upon comparing 2007 in the majors and minors). Advantage: Push
Intangibles: The Giants are in a youthful movement...sort of. Alfonzo is a year younger. Advantage: Alfonzo. Rodriquez is physically in better shape than Alfonzo. Advantage: Rodriguez.

Unless anyone can come up with anything else, as my brain is fried as it is 1:00AM on the West Coast, Alfonzo should be the back up and Rodriquez should be embarking on his 12th minor league season. This one spot determines whether the Giants carry 11 pitchers or 12 pitchers. If the Giants carry 12 pitchers, 5 of those are starters (excluding Lowry for now since he will start the season on the DL) leaving 7 spots for the bullpen. Wilson, Hennessey, Walker and Taschner are guarrenteed for spots. Steve Kline, Merkin Valdez, Erick Threets, Vinnie Chulk, and Pat Misch are fighting for the final three spots. Misch will start off at Fresno, and Chulk will most likely take a spot. Merkin Valdez has definitely earned a spot, thus leaving the question of Kline or Threets...but if there are three catchers, which two get the axe?

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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Read More: catchers, alfonzo, rodriguez, molina

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giants suck at hitting=we need all the hitting we can get even if it is from back ups
Alfonzo seemed more comfortable that g-rod, plus he has more experience while rod is a minor leaguer for life

my vote: ALFONZO

"But if he's swinging at real flies, well, in that case there are two definite solutions: 1) Fresno 2) Ritalin." - howtheyscored

by CPGiant756 on Mar 20, 2008 1:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

interesting note

Both Alfonzo and Rodriguez have spent 11 seasons in the minors...Alfonzo is only more experienced at the major league level

by silentearth36 on Mar 20, 2008 7:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather see Notgardo up over Grod. More pop and cooler nicknames.

SAVE_US.RAY

by Natto on Mar 20, 2008 2:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, this is what we have to look forward to this year. Which crappy career minor league catcher would be a better fit for a 90+ loss team? Are they at least both gamers?

by mikeivie on Mar 20, 2008 2:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Eliezer wears the old school catchers mask, sooooo... GAMER!

http://www.baycityball.com

by xanthan on Mar 20, 2008 5:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Old School Catchers masks...

If I owned a team I'd make every catcher wear these.

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Mar 20, 2008 7:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm so old school...

...I'd make the pitchers wear 'em too.

2008: My previous assessment may have been overly optimistic.

by EliminateMe on Mar 20, 2008 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorting by EQA among the PECOTA forecasts -- Molina comes in 24th among catchers, Rodriguez 42nd, and Alfonzo 67th.

Conclusions:

1. Since he's considered the stronger defensive catcher, Rodriguez is a clear choice over Notgardo.

2. The real problem is with the starter, not the backups.

by Evan on Mar 20, 2008 7:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree that defense is key

I wonder if the pitchers care one way or the other. Also, Bochy being a former catcher and all, he may actually know something we don't on this particular issue.

Julio is tourist in San Francisco?

by hairball on Mar 20, 2008 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

they both suck at hitting

people just think Alfonzo is good because he had one good month. He does probably have a little more pop. G-Rod can at least play defense. My vote: Rodriguez.

2002? I'm over it. But I'll never be over Rich Aurilia.

by wjackalope on Mar 20, 2008 8:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I like the discussion, but ...

I like this kind of discussion, but whether that 25th player is Alfonzo, Rodriguez, Valdez, Threets, Kline or Gary Coleman, will it really matter much in 2008?

I would build the roster as young as is feasible and try to avoid sending out anyone I think has a decent chance to help in the future but who might be taken if sent down.

by sharksrog on Mar 20, 2008 9:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Gary Coleman...

...can he play short?

2008: My previous assessment may have been overly optimistic.

by EliminateMe on Mar 20, 2008 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

SAVE_US.RAY

by Natto on Mar 20, 2008 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

different impressions

I'm not sure we're getting intel from the same sources.
(1) I was under the impression that the 3rd catcher thing had been tabled ever since they made the decision to go with 12 pitchers. Maybe I assumed something there, but I haven't seen anything suggesting the 3-catcher scenario in a while. FWIW, I'd cut Notgardo if I had to make the choice. Backup catcher screams defense first.
(2) I don't see Taschner as having a guaranteed spot at all. I think they'd like to keep him, but he's got an option, and Threets and Valdez are out of them. I would say that Chulk is guaranteed a spot if he's healthy, but a DL-stint may be the loophole we need to save the boys out of options: Wilson, Walker, Hennessey, Kline, Threets, Valdez, (pick a swingman from Yabu, Fortunato, Misch). But even in this scenario, I don't see Tasch making it right away. All of this changes if you can send Kline somewhere, but you can't count on that. And if Vinnie's ready to go... well then you have a real tough call. I would like to put Henn into the swingman role for this season (since he clearly still wants to start anyway), but I don't know if you could convince him that it's a valuable role. The risk with Tasch is that he is sounding entitled to a spot, so you may seriously disrupt his progress if you send him down. Maybe that is worth just dumping Kline, but I'd have to know more about Tasch's character to make the decision.
(3) Nothing to do with your post, but I thought it was interesting to read the reasoning on sending Schierholtz down early, since then he will be down for 10 days by the time the season starts. This way he can be brought up in case there is an injury. Trade of an outfielder pending, anyone? I know, I know, they are likely just being cautious, but let's hope that Roberts is on his way somewhere. (Or Winn?)

by BigO on Mar 20, 2008 10:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Taschner

In response to (1), i haven't heard anything directly stating they were planning to carry 12 pitchers or 11 pitchers, but heard earlier this week via KNBR that Bochy plans on carrying all three... interesting how we have been hearing/reading two completely different things, shows the true state of the team...

Your right about his option, but he has superb stats this spring (ERA under 1). I would much rather see Kline moved to make room for Threets than Taschner sent down to save a spot. Taschner has better stats than even Wilson and Fortunato.
But with the likes of the front office, who knows what is going to happen until it actually happens...

by silentearth36 on Mar 20, 2008 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Threets

I dunno, spring stats have to be taken with a grain of salt. The other possibility is that Threets could actually make it through waivers. I suppose it's possible; Chris Haft thinks they'll try.

by BigO on Mar 20, 2008 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

stats

i completely agree with ya that spring training stats should be taken with a grain a salt, but still spring is the time to compete for your job and if any guy throws and earns an ERA under one, doesn't that seem to mean he has an earned spot?

I seriously doubt Threets would make it through waivers. Somebody with a bullpen spot will take a chance with him since he is only 26 and has an arm on him (284K's in 278 innings & opponents batting average just over .215). Hopefully Sabean will make a move or two in the next ten days that will free up a space for Threets.

by silentearth36 on Mar 20, 2008 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I vote for the Kanoodler!

But, unfortunately, my vote doesn't count in these primaries because I broke the rules and tried to vote for an A. Essentially, I'm Florida in the "Giants Backup Catcher" primaries.

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

by howtheyscored on Mar 20, 2008 10:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunately..

I believe he signed with the A's.

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Mar 20, 2008 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

That was why my vote didn't count, remember.

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

by howtheyscored on Mar 20, 2008 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe you're thinking of Jerome Williams.

SAVE_US.RAY

by Natto on Mar 20, 2008 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

Prove it!

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Mar 20, 2008 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I vote for Notgardo, soley for the reason that his parading around the field with Omar's Gold Glove Award as if he'd won it was one of the funniest moments I can recall from last season.

Like I said when the Hindenberg blew up, "Oh the hilarity!"

2008 Giants: A steaming pile of scrap!

by Goofus on Mar 20, 2008 12:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs