Catcher, Now a Need...

[walstib]

...I would not be surprised if a decent catcher is included somewhere in the bounty for Cueto, Chapman, Bruce, Phillips, Frazier, Byrd, Leake, Cozart, Hamilton, Brennaman, Grande, et al when the exalted brain-trust determines to blow this team up.

[dukecrunchybagel]

At this point, you just get the best talent package you can for those guys.

[Lark11]

Realistically, what ISN'T a need going forward? First base.

[rocky15231]

The Padres have a few decent catchers.

Then again, how many catchers have overinflated value, and end up having to move positions by time they hit 30. It just happened with Mesoraco earlier. Unless you find a Yadi Molina or Jonathan Lucroy, a guy who can hit, field and stay in the position for over a decade, is it really even worth having a premium catcher? The cost to obtain such a player is often much higher than other positions, it might just be better to roll with Barnhart and find another guy and go with a platoon. As long as both guys can call games, work the umps and not embarrass themselves with the bat, I'm fine with upgrading other places.

Preferably, the Reds need to find a real talent at SS and one of the corner OF spots.

[redsfanman]

How is catcher a need?  Devin Mesoraco is signed through 2018, and there's no reason not to expect him to be fully ready for spring training, after having his surgery.  Tucker Barnhart has been impressive.

I'd be shocked if Mesoraco gave up on catching so early in his career.  Even if he were to move to the OF it seems like it's necessary to surgically treat his hip impingement, it'd be weird to choose to go through life unable to squat.  And once he's had the surgery he should be able to catch again, so, well, I assume he will.

If you're talking about immediate need, Brayan Pena is headed to free agency but seems likely to stick around through 2015.  With Mesoraco out I think they'll avoid trading Pena to keep him assisting in the development of the young starters.  It's not like Pena has significant trade value, and the positive impact he could have on Lorenzen, DeSclafani, Iglesias, and eventually Moscot seems likely to exceed any value he'd bring in a trade.  Heck, if Mesoraco doesn't want to catch anymore resign Pena to a cheap 1 year deal.

Catcher, Not a Need.... other than a firstbaseman it's the thing they need LEAST.

Needs include more young starting pitchers, more young relievers, young outfielders capable of getting on base, and maybe some middle infielders (although Suarez has hit better lately).  The primary need is getting the best package of talent for whatever players are traded.  I would be shocked, and probably disappointed, if they went out of their way to target a catcher in the process.

[kramer1]

RFM still an idiot.

[redsfanman]

May 27, 2015 13:41:09 GMT -5 kramer1 said:

RFM still an idiot.

I know, this board has degraded so much so fast that it kills brain cells.  Vacation is relaxing and I've made a pretty thorough recovery.

[kinsm]

Is it over?...we enjoyed your vacation as well.

[redsfanman]

May 27, 2015 13:54:21 GMT -5 kinsm said:

Is it over?...we enjoyed your vacation as well.

No no, I was just checking in, seeing if anything had changed.

I addressed the statement about how the Reds needed new catchers... rather than a serious discussion or response I got two personal attacks.  It's clear nothing has changed, and that serious discussion was a pre-2015 wonder.

Bye!

[yorak]

Heard that Yasmani Grandal kid ain't too bad.

[walstib]

May 27, 2015 13:36:06 GMT -5 redsfanman said:

How is catcher a need?  Devin Mesoraco is signed through 2018, and there's no reason not to expect him to be fully ready for spring training, after having his surgery.  Tucker Barnhart has been impressive.

I'd be shocked if Mesoraco gave up on catching so early in his career.  Even if he were to move to the OF it seems like it's necessary to surgically treat his hip impingement, it'd be weird to choose to go through life unable to squat.  And once he's had the surgery he should be able to catch again, so, well, I assume he will.

If you're talking about immediate need, Brayan Pena is headed to free agency but seems likely to stick around through 2015.  With Mesoraco out I think they'll avoid trading Pena to keep him assisting in the development of the young starters.  It's not like Pena has significant trade value, and the positive impact he could have on Lorenzen, DeSclafani, Iglesias, and eventually Moscot seems likely to exceed any value he'd bring in a trade.  Heck, if Mesoraco doesn't want to catch anymore resign Pena to a cheap 1 year deal.

Catcher, Not a Need.... other than a firstbaseman it's the thing they need LEAST.

Needs include more young starting pitchers, more young relievers, young outfielders capable of getting on base, and maybe some middle infielders (although Suarez has hit better lately).  The primary need is getting the best package of talent for whatever players are traded.  I would be shocked, and probably disappointed, if they went out of their way to target a catcher in the process.

Mesoraco has an affliction that could end his days behind the plate. So I take the opportunity to build our team's catching depth so we are not caught off-guard if Meso can no longer catch. If Mesoraco can no longer catch, who is the Red's long term answer behind the dish?

[kinsm]

I'm sorry...but it his highly unlikely Pena is on this club at the end of the season (unless he signs an extension soon). Even if you only get a C level prospect back for him - you move him. What difference does it make if you lose games with him or with Skipworth/Cabrera/Berset/Maron/Madfan on your 25 man roster?

[redsfanman]

Mesoraco has an affliction that is supposed to be fully treatable through surgery, although the recovery process will take months.  The Reds' long term answer behind the plate is Devin Mesoraco, with some Tucker Barnhart.

What difference does it make who is behind the plate if you lose?  Good question.  A related question is what influence a catcher has on a rookie pitching staff.  Rookies DeSclafani, Lorenzen, Iglesias, eventually Moscot - and anyone the Reds acquire at the trade deadline - are adjusting to MLB.  Brayan Pena seems to be well regarded by the organization, both as a team player and for working well with pitchers, pitchers who in several cases really need help, and who could really benefit from his experience.  Barnhart, Skipworth, and others could hold a glove up in the strike zone, but will the Reds deem starting an inexperienced rookie to be the best course of action for DeSclafani, Lorenzen, Iglesias, and Moscot's development?  Is a C level prospect more valuable than doing anything they can to help the young pitchers develop?

I think the Reds will decide that Brayan Pena's veteran leadership is more valuable to them through the end of the season than the negligible trade return he'd bring.  When Cueto and Leake are traded the rotation will only get younger and more inexperienced.  This is an organization that kept Corky Miller in AAA for years for the positive influence he'd have on young pitchers.

[kinsm]

First of all, Mes has a hip injury that may never allow him to be an everyday catcher again. He could very well be the Reds starting LF'er next year.

Pena is useless as "veteran leadership" because Barnhart needs to be playing every single game sans offday if/when they decide to sell.

He doesn't need to be here to "help" Iglesias, DeScalafani, or Lorenzen - that's what they pay coaches for.

You take whatever the hell you can get for him, no sense in paying his remaining salary if you don't have too (that's not how businesses operate).

[kinsm]

FYI - Corky Miller wasn't being paid 1.4 M$ to play in Louisville.