Article: Catching Curiosities

[HitInAPinch]

 

The problem with statistics is they can be bent to mean many things with different variables, as mikelink just pointed out. I like Giminez as a teammate from all I've heard, he offers some versatility, and is not horrible at the plate either. Still, the numbers offered and Barber's ability offensively, and all the positives we've heard about his defense, I think its about time for his turn. I've said before, I wonder at some point if there will be a team needing catching help and Giminez might be moved. Agreed the team could do well with all 3 on the roster, with Garver sort of taking Vargas's spot. (Though I'm still not sure I'm willing to give up on Vargas just yet).

 

I am.  His best spot is DH.  As a first-baseman, he's a statue.  And let's be frank about Vargas:  after an initial splash, he's not much of an advantage on the field or at the plate in an average of 52 games and 192 AB's over the past 4 years.  I think it's time to move on from Vargas.  Mitch Garver can easily take his place.

[terrydactyls]

In my very humble and very old-school opinion, I would prefer a catcherthat can hit some, call a decent game, and most importantly, throw out base stealers. All the other "modern" metrics can be thrown in the garbage. Again, in my very humble and old-school opinion.

[Teddy]

 

Call up Garner! What are the Twins waiting for?

 

Gimenez isn't performing so poorly that they need to dump him now (see Breslow, Craig). They can wait five weeks and call up Garver September 1 and at that point, relegate Gimenez to performing the task for which he is best suited, namely pitching mop-up in games that are out of hand.

[mlhouse]

 

I don't really believe in Catcher ERA as an indicator of much... but I don't think anyone would question that Castro is the better defensive catcher. That's how he got the 3 year, $24+ million contract, and Gimenez signed on a minor league deal. But that stat does little for me. Way too many other variables go into that.

 

That said, I have obviously been a Garver guy since he was my choice for minor league hitter of the year in 2014 in Cedar Rapids. And now his play, offense and defense have improved to the point where he's ready. For me, instead of continuing to call up Vargas, I'd call up Garver as a #3 catcher/1B/DH/PH guy. 

 

Garver should have been called up a long time ago.  The idea of "ready" is really immaterial.  The move from minors, at any level, to MLB is a big step that few rookies are "ready".

 

On the other hand, Garver is already 26 years old,  will turn 27 before the start of next season, and has a .905 OPS in AAA over the past two seasons.  IF he is not ready now, when will he be???  WHen he is a 34 year old, marginal catcher like Gimenez?  Then will he look interesting to this Front Office.

 

And, to address a point you and others made in a previous thread:  OF COURSE, you treat Garver, a college draft pick, DIFFERENTLY than you treat a high school draft pick in their minor league development.  You missed the contrast.  While the Yankees drafted JOhn Ryan Murphy as an 18 year old high school catcher, they moved him up aggressively enough so that he made the Yankees roster as a 22 year old.  When you draft a COLLEGE player, they should be much more advanced so that you can move them up the minor leagues faster, more aggressively.  Murphy's first attempt at the majors was a call up from AA as a 22 year old who was not even close to the minor league hitter/catcher that Garver is.  

 

The second point that is ignored is that Garver has been in the Twins organization that is in extreme rebuild mode:  they have lost 96, 92, 79, 103 games in the seasons Garver has been part of the organization.  

 

Thirdly, the catchers for this team through Garver's time with the organization have been Kurt Suzuki/Eric Fryer/Juan Ceneno.  Claiming Garver isn't ready and then putting Eric Fryer in the game is ridiculous.  

 

TO try to compete is one thing.  I get the "playoff run", but this team isn't good enough for a playoff run. The fluke 2015 season should have taught us this lesson already.  Lets position this team to compete when it is actually ready to compete.  Lets find out who in the organization that can play, starting with Mitch Garver and others, and then fill in the spots we cannot fill from the organization with mediocre players like Jaime Garcia where needed.

[Mr. Brooks]

Gimenez isn't performing so poorly that they need to dump him now (see Breslow, Craig). They can wait five weeks and call up Garver September 1 and at that point, relegate Gimenez to performing the task for which he is best suited, namely pitching mop-up in games that are out of hand.

Probably apples to oranges, but just for fun, Gimenez actually has the exact same bWAR as Breslow at this point (negative 0.1), so relative to his respective position, he is in fact performing just as poorly as Breslow by at least one metric.

[Mike Sixel]

Garver should be up before the NL games start. He can hit, and has positional flexibility. Perfect guy for NL rules. Of course, they are calling up another RP instead.

[drjim]

Garver should be up before the NL games start. He can hit, and has positional flexibility. Perfect guy for NL rules. Of course, they are calling up another RP instead.

No brainer to call up a reliever for today.

[Mike Sixel]

No brainer to call up a reliever for today.

And when you pinch hit for the pitchers, who is doing that with this bench?

[ahart10]

The addition of Recker really muddies the 40 man waters. Any insights? I can't see Twins keeping 5 catchers too long.

[caninatl04]

 

Turner is finally back on the Reds active roster after suspect long DL for mysterious hammey...... has been in 20 games with 43 PAs. The Reds are carrying 3 catchers again. I guess they really want him and his .179 average and .489 OPS. I remember when catchers were expected to hit, and did...... and it wasn't that long ago. Now... shortstops don't need to hit, catchers don't need to hit, center fielders don't need to hit.... it really is ridiculous. 

Actually, these days SS's ARE expected to hit.  And, its only OUR CF's who aren't expected to hit.