Giants to carry 3 catchers in '09?
It's a roster construction you don't see very often anymore (and no the emergency catcher -- Pedro cough Feliz -- doesn't count) but it just might be the Giants will end up structured this way next season.

First you have to assume a few things: Molina won't be traded (he'll be the front line catcher next year) and there won't be any big moves by the Giants to sign a free agent 1b or 3b.
The latter being true, youd' have to expect Sandoval to see a lot of time at those positions when he's not giving Molina a day off behind the plate (i.e. caddying for Zito).
But on days when Sandoval starts at a corner, you simply can't pinch run for either before the 9th inning without a third catcher on the roster. It's not prudent; you don't want your last real catcher coming out with an injury in the 7th inning of a close game because the other team will steal more often than Ruben Rivera in an unattended locker room.
So, it could be that the Manifestation of Pablito is the best thing that ever happened to Steve Holm's bank balance.
Any statement by Giants brass that "Sandoval's future is behind the plate" is simply not true, at least not longer than the gap between Molina's departure and Posey's arrival as the mainstay behind the plate.
LXXV
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Pedro is Catching ^_^

Michael Ambort: Dude hits TATERS.
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball
by xanthan on Sep 11, 2008 7:50 AM PDT 0 recs
Where's Lowry in RF & Winn on 3B?
Adopted brother of the AnVil / GIANTSPACE™ returns!
by SoFa King Mike on
Sep 11, 2008 8:01 AM PDT
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Let's not forget Burriss in RF
I love Bizzaro Baseball.
I really liked Pedro ;(
Eugeniooooooo!!!!
by FairweatherFan on
Sep 11, 2008 8:03 AM PDT
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You know how much it pains me to agree with you
but i too was a major Pedro fan. Such a class guy.
Frustrating as hell to watch, but a great, great guy.
Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.
by delorean on
Sep 11, 2008 8:48 AM PDT
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I liked Pedro a lot, just felt he was miscast. If he could’ve been a 7th place hitter and played his All-Universe defense here, I would’ve been much happier. It was just frustrating to watch him stall out ot the big league level because he just couldn’t lay off sliders.
by tyrannoman on
Sep 11, 2008 9:00 AM PDT
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Perhaps his bat would have panned out a little better as a SS, too.
by rotorueter on
Sep 11, 2008 9:01 AM PDT
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I actually would have been okay with Pete at SS this year
Adopted brother of the AnVil / GIANTSPACE™ returns!
by SoFa King Mike on
Sep 11, 2008 9:07 AM PDT
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Back when we were stuck with Neifi Perez at SS, I shouted myself horse about giving Feliz a shot at SS. Nobody listened.
I ended up hating Feliz. He made huge strides with his defense, but he never, ever improved as a hitter. He could’ve been a decent hitter with his power, but he continued with his idiotic, hack-at-slop approach at the plate.
What man? Which man? Who’s the man? When’s a man a man? What makes a man a man? Am I a man? Yes. Technically I am. - FotC
by jcb9 on
Sep 11, 2008 9:13 AM PDT
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From what I remember...
Yes Feliz was ok as a SS, but as a 3B he was phenomenal.
The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
How is my adopted son almost twice as old as I am? Nevermind...Go Omar! Warm the Bench!
by WalrusMan on
Sep 11, 2008 9:16 AM PDT
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Bonds...
“Yo dude, you need to go over there.” ::points::
The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
How is my adopted son almost twice as old as I am? Nevermind...Go Omar! Warm the Bench!
by WalrusMan on
Sep 11, 2008 8:59 AM PDT
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Still the greatest thing I have ever seen.
"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on
Sep 11, 2008 8:20 AM PDT
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That picture
Always reminds me of the game that it was taken from, though. And that game sucked.
Catcher are base running. Hitters are offense.
by thehavenot on
Sep 11, 2008 8:30 AM PDT
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Yeah the game was a confusing, depressing mess.
"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on
Sep 11, 2008 9:12 AM PDT
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I was hoping somebody would post that.
Fred Lewis can stand under my umbrella.
31 May 2007, 21:38 EST - the last time Matteh's career W-L wasn't below.500
by S.F. Giangst on
Sep 11, 2008 8:47 AM PDT
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If Pablo’s going to be playing first and third as well as catcher next year, they’ll probably definitely need to carry three catchers. Holm would probably turn into an emergency catcher though, which could be a wasteful use of a roster spot.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
by jponry on Sep 11, 2008 8:05 AM PDT 0 recs
I was thinking about that. But. if you’re talking about the 25-man roster, Vizquel and Aurilia will be gone so…
C – Molina, Sandoval
IF – Frandsen, Burriss, Velez +2 of Ochoa, Denker, Rohlnger, Ishikawa, Bowker, McClain, Ortmeier
OF – Lewis, Rowand, Schierholtz, Winn, Roberts
That’s 12 hitters and they’ll probably break camp with 13. So while it might be a “wasted” spot, it’s at least the last spot. It should be alright though, since it gives you the flexibility to pinch run for either, and especially you don’t have to ask Sandoval to strap it on in the late innings when he’s started in the infield.
Fred Lewis can stand under my umbrella.
31 May 2007, 21:38 EST - the last time Matteh's career W-L wasn't below.500
by S.F. Giangst on
Sep 11, 2008 8:46 AM PDT
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TBH Ort’s probably gonna be gone by next spring. He basically fell off the face of the earth since his injury.
"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on
Sep 11, 2008 9:13 AM PDT
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Given: Bochy manages this group of younger guys like he need multiple Platoons for the LHP.
IIF this was a "Lost year" for Ort because of his injury
Then he might have a shot earning a spot as the LHP part of a platoon and as utility guy.
Conclusion : Odds are not good. But there are there.
Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!
by daveinexile on
Sep 11, 2008 10:30 AM PDT
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Isn’t Ortmeier off the 40-man roster now? I can’t see him making it back to the big leagues with us. I’m also pretty sure Rohlinger will be in the minors, and while I’d like to see Denker on the team, the fact that they haven’t called him up since the roster expanded speaks volumes.
What man? Which man? Who’s the man? When’s a man a man? What makes a man a man? Am I a man? Yes. Technically I am. - FotC
by jcb9 on
Sep 11, 2008 9:15 AM PDT
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Lewis may not be back for the first month of the season or so. Thus one more spot in flux for a guy that could man a corner OF spot for a few days at a time.
Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!
by daveinexile on
Sep 11, 2008 10:34 AM PDT
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let me introduce you to Dave Roberts! Dave, daveinexile.
by tyrannoman on
Sep 11, 2008 11:21 AM PDT
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Nice!
Back on topic before i derail again still. That still leaves a roster spot open to fill if Lewis take a full 6 months. So players with some experience in OF would get bonus points when trying to survive the Cage Match ( Ochoa, Denker, Rohlnger, Ishikawa, Bowker, McClain, Ortmeier ) noted above.
Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!
by daveinexile on
Sep 11, 2008 11:34 AM PDT
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I’m thinking that it would be Bowker, rather than Ort. Ort isn’t even on the 40-man at this point, and I wouldn’t think he would be put back on it.
by tyrannoman on
Sep 11, 2008 12:08 PM PDT
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Could be Velez, Frandsen * shrugs* or even someone they give a crash coarse in Spring Training to.
Out that Steel cage match – barring a fabulous spring- would rather see Denker & Rohlnger along Bowker in Fresno getting every play. At least that’s the way I am leaning today.
Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!
by daveinexile on
Sep 11, 2008 12:39 PM PDT
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Ishikawa will make the roster. McClain would be doubtful to make the roster.
Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal
by nostocksjustbonds on
Sep 11, 2008 11:33 AM PDT
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So would Frandsen, Ochoa, Denker, Rohlinger, Ishikawa, Bowker, McClain for that matter. There isn’t a single impact bat in that group of hitters, and that is what the Giants need more than anything else.
Why isn't Sabean held accountable for leading the Giants into many years of mediocrity???
by oldrips on Sep 11, 2008 9:12 AM PDT 0 recs
Noooooooooooooooooooooonan!
sorry… I just wanted to say that. you may carry on.
Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?
by shikantaza on Sep 11, 2008 9:24 AM PDT 0 recs
IHNJH
but I thought the headline read “Giants to carry 3 Characters”
FIRE BRIAN SABEAN
by zenbitz on Sep 11, 2008 9:28 AM PDT 0 recs
my 3 favorite
characters are # ! ?
Which one is playing catcher for us?
I got one word for you: "youneverknow"
by senorvegas on
Sep 11, 2008 9:55 AM PDT
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isn't it obvious
- is catching
? is pitching and
! is hitting (although honestly he usually just stands there with his bat glued to his shoulder)
Do they know to win the game a team has to actually score at least once?
by noahthek on
Sep 11, 2008 11:11 AM PDT
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hmmm
maybe ’# is catching
Do they know to win the game a team has to actually score at least once?
by noahthek on
Sep 11, 2008 11:13 AM PDT
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I generally like to start a campaign with more than 3 Characters
Otherwise, they’ll be struggling to beat a gaggle of goblins.
VAE PVTO DEVS FIO
by Bhaakon on
Sep 11, 2008 12:54 PM PDT
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Do you split their skills equally?
Or stock up on one type? In FF1 speak:
Fighter
Thief
White Magic
Black Magic
In the 5th spot do you take another magician or another fighter or thief?
by Lars The Wanderer on
Sep 11, 2008 5:38 PM PDT
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He’s talking D&D, but I’m always an aggressive physical attack sort of player regardless of game. I don’t have time for silly strategy and time-consuming thinking. If I can’t just smash my way through a boss, what’s even the point?
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on
Sep 11, 2008 8:46 PM PDT
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Nothing’s more fun than coming up with some crazy strategy and totally flabbergasting the DM.
VAE PVTO DEVS FIO
by Bhaakon on
Sep 11, 2008 9:07 PM PDT
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Yeah, as long as that crazy strategy involves lots of smashing and not much else.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on
Sep 11, 2008 9:19 PM PDT
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No, no
You got to do something totally crazy. Like shrink a half-ton hog down to the size of a suckling pig, cooking it up, feeding it to your enemies, then releasing the spell.
VAE PVTO DEVS FIO
by Bhaakon on
Sep 11, 2008 9:41 PM PDT
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Could I shrink the hog down by beating it, and the release the spell by taking a half-ton hammer to my enemies?
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on
Sep 11, 2008 9:53 PM PDT
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Meh
Just not as fun as making their stomachs explode. Inside their bodies, that is.
VAE PVTO DEVS FIO
by Bhaakon on
Sep 11, 2008 10:59 PM PDT
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If I had a bomb and a knife, I could do that.
I mean, it would be somewhat invasive at first, but the eventual explosion would be coming from inside their bodies.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on
Sep 11, 2008 11:16 PM PDT
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Garrett
Your game-playing strategy is clearly lacking in speed and defense, which, as everyone knows, is where gaming is headed.
your 2008 SF Giants: this isn’t totally insane, just really stupid
by Lyle on
Sep 12, 2008 8:15 AM PDT
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But… power! You can’t spell power without POW!
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on
Sep 12, 2008 9:56 AM PDT
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Having three catchers in this scenario would make more sense than the last time we had three catchers in the mid-90s – I remember two of them were Kirt Manwaring and Tom Lampkin, but I can’t remember the third. It was all deeply pointless.
What man? Which man? Who’s the man? When’s a man a man? What makes a man a man? Am I a man? Yes. Technically I am. - FotC
by jcb9 on Sep 11, 2008 11:38 AM PDT 0 recs
Rick Wilkins!?
Michael Ambort: Dude hits TATERS.
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball
by xanthan on
Sep 11, 2008 11:40 AM PDT
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Yes, that must be who it was!
His Giants tenure was pretty weird: he was very good the first year, then almost Bocock-bad the next. Well, not really. But he hit below .200 in around 200 at bats, which ain’t good. His biggest contribution, though, was to get traded for Brian Johnson.
What man? Which man? Who’s the man? When’s a man a man? What makes a man a man? Am I a man? Yes. Technically I am. - FotC
by jcb9 on
Sep 11, 2008 11:45 AM PDT
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And looking at the 1995 roster, I’m reminded we also did a stint with Manwaring, Lampkin, and Jeff Reed. Reed’s numbers were amost Burriss-ian – OBP of around .375, SLG of under .300.
What man? Which man? Who’s the man? When’s a man a man? What makes a man a man? Am I a man? Yes. Technically I am. - FotC
by jcb9 on
Sep 11, 2008 11:47 AM PDT
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Rick Wilkins was my #3 all-time favorite Giants back-up catcher.
We actually traded hot shot prospect C Marcus Jensen for Johnson.
/useless knowledge
Michael Ambort: Dude hits TATERS.
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball
by xanthan on
Sep 11, 2008 11:54 AM PDT
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Really? Hmm. I could’ve sworn in was Wilkins. Ah, baseball-reference helps – actually, we traded Manwaring for Wilkins. That’s what I was thinking of.
So the three-catcher roster I was thinking of was definitely Manwaring, Reed, and Lampkin.
What man? Which man? Who’s the man? When’s a man a man? What makes a man a man? Am I a man? Yes. Technically I am. - FotC
by jcb9 on
Sep 11, 2008 11:57 AM PDT
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Remember Brent Mayne? I was also fond of him.
Michael Ambort: Dude hits TATERS.
My favorite pie is (name of pie flavor)
Bay City Ball
by xanthan on
Sep 11, 2008 11:58 AM PDT
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He was okay. Not a personal favorite.
I forgot we ever had Damon Berryhill! I remember when he and Joe Girardi both came up for the Cubs around the same time.
I was always inordinantly fond of Torrealba.
What man? Which man? Who’s the man? When’s a man a man? What makes a man a man? Am I a man? Yes. Technically I am. - FotC
by jcb9 on
Sep 11, 2008 12:00 PM PDT
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+1 on the Torrealba fondness. I don’t know why, but I just loved the guy.
by tyrannoman on
Sep 11, 2008 12:09 PM PDT
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He lead the league in Not Being Pierzynski and Not Being Traded For Nathan, Bonser, And Liriano, so that helped.
What man? Which man? Who’s the man? When’s a man a man? What makes a man a man? Am I a man? Yes. Technically I am. - FotC
by jcb9 on
Sep 11, 2008 12:25 PM PDT
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For that, he deserves a Yankees-style statue at Mays Field.
your 2008 SF Giants: this isn’t totally insane, just really stupid
by Lyle on
Sep 12, 2008 8:16 AM PDT
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I hate him now though. Bastard.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
by jponry on
Sep 11, 2008 1:47 PM PDT
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Yorvit (the big boys now)
When Yorvit was a rookie, Mark (Rxmeister) called him Yorvit (the big boys now). I LOVED it — and I still love Yorvit as a player, although his shoulder injury has robbed him of his throwing ability and probably some power.
But just think what might have happened if instead of trading the entire pitching prospect staff for A.J. Pierzynski, the Giants had instead signed Gregg Zaun — who signed a minor-league free agent contract with the Blue Jays, for whom he still plays — and platooned the lesser-fielding, good switch-hitting Zaun, then called the world’s best backup catcher, with slick-fielding, developing right-handed hitting Yorvit.
by sharksrog on
Sep 12, 2008 12:40 AM PDT
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now i am sad again.
Ivan Ochoa - Heir to the legacy of Rob Andrews & Rikkert Faneyte!
by daveinexile on
Sep 12, 2008 9:29 AM PDT
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For a second I thought you said the Giants should’ve signed Greg VAUGHN. I was scratching my head on that one.
What man? Which man? Who’s the man? When’s a man a man? What makes a man a man? Am I a man? Yes. Technically I am. - FotC
by jcb9 on
Sep 12, 2008 10:36 AM PDT
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I always thought Berryhill looked like one of the Baldwin brothers…
Fairley odd parent to Wendell
by WTF on
Sep 11, 2008 1:10 PM PDT
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I think it would be cool. Especially since Holm’s hitting far exceeded my expectations this year. although he wouldn’t see much action, he seems like a good guy and it would be cool to see him draw a big league pay check.
I’ve said this before regarding Feliz: I think with his quick hands, sure glove and cannon of an arm, he could have been a very good catcher. His offensive deficiencies would have been far less bothersome there.
Zooperstars, they quack me up!
by Goofus on Sep 11, 2008 2:04 PM PDT 0 recs
Two
Since the third catcher’s bat would likely be weak, I would carry only two.
by sharksrog on Sep 12, 2008 12:41 AM PDT 0 recs
But is it likely to be weaker than the IF Sandoval displaces? If not, 3.
Fred Lewis can stand under my umbrella.
31 May 2007, 21:38 EST - the last time Matteh's career W-L wasn't below.500
by S.F. Giangst on
Sep 12, 2008 3:10 AM PDT
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“the other team will steal more often than Ruben Rivera in an unattended locker room.”
Too soon!
"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK
by Josh from Hollywood on Sep 12, 2008 3:28 PM PDT 0 recs






