MLB 2010-2011 Off Season Thread

[Vox Populi]

Well, he's got plenty of spare time on his hands these days...he could very well just be banging around from camp to camp or whatever, I suppose.

Originally Posted by Sweaty Meatball The main goal for the Red Sox is to still get another veteran catcher due to the void Martinez left and their previous catcher they groomed to be their future falling out of favor with the team (left for Yankees for a year and returned but lost his status).

I think you're giving the organization a bit of extra credit here. They've done a pretty piss-poor job of grooming anything resembling a legitimate successor to Varitek, as internally, they'd genuinely thought that Joe Mauer was going to get on the first plane possible out of Minneapolis and knock on the gate at Fenway. Stupid assumption to begin with that looks even dumber when you get a close look at the "top catching prospects" over the past few years. As good of a job as they've done drafting and developing at other positions, they pretty much punted on catchers for several years there.

[Damian Rey]

Originally Posted by Vox Populi I think you're giving the organization a bit of extra credit here. They've done a pretty piss-poor job of grooming anything resembling a legitimate successor to Varitek, as internally, they'd genuinely thought that Joe Mauer was going to get on the first plane possible out of Minneapolis and knock on the gate at Fenway. Stupid assumption to begin with that looks even dumber when you get a close look at the "top catching prospects" over the past few years. As good of a job as they've done drafting and developing at other positions, they pretty much punted on catchers for several years there.

I do agree with this, somewhat. But don't too ahead of yourself. The Yankees only recently acquired Montero, and he's not really a catching prospect. Not to mention, as long as a catcher can call a good game, they're doing their job. Catcher is the last position people are going to look for offense from, honestly. Not a lot of good hitting catchers are avaiable.

Originally Posted by Aguakate I still don't understand why the Red Sox traded for Victor Martinez, and then let him go, basically...

They needed him for a playoff push and stablize the position for the duration of his contract. I'm sure they would have loved to have kept him. But in losing him and Beltre, they upgraded with Crawford and Gonzalez. I think they felt they had to make a choice as to who they felt was more important to the team, and, personally, I'd Gonzo and Crawford over Beltre and Martinez any day of the week.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

Originally Posted by Damian Rey I do agree with this, somewhat. But don't too ahead of yourself. The Yankees only recently acquired Montero, and he's not really a catching prospect. Not to mention, as long as a catcher can call a good game, they're doing their job. Catcher is the last position people are going to look for offense from, honestly. Not a lot of good hitting catchers are avaiable. They needed him for a playoff push and stablize the position for the duration of his contract. I'm sure they would have loved to have kept him. But in losing him and Beltre, they upgraded with Crawford and Gonzalez. I think they felt they had to make a choice as to who they felt was more important to the team, and, personally, I'd Gonzo and Crawford over Beltre and Martinez any day of the week.

I agree! Crawford and A-gon are way better then them. One of the few advantages of having V-Mart on your team is that he could be back up catcher and Adrian really can't . As far as I know Gonzales has never been a catcher. So do the Red Sox trade for another catcher or just go with what they have? I really don't know how good this Exposito guy is , but I believe Varitek is just about done. He may have 2 years left in him but I say in 2012 or 2013 He is retired. So what I would do is trade for a back up or starting catcher mid season. Cause down the road I think you'll need him.

[Vox Populi]

Originally Posted by Damian Rey Catcher is the last position people are going to look for offense from, honestly.

Pretty sure shortstop is still winning that battle.

personally, I'd Gonzo and Crawford over Beltre and Martinez any day of the week.

Gonzo, Crawford and 4 draft picks.

[Damian Rey]

Originally Posted by Vox Populi Pretty sure shortstop is still winning that battle.

I'm too lazy to go look it up, but I'd venture to say there are more above average, well rounded shortstops who play at least good defense and are good hitters than there are catchers who profile similarly.

Catcher's been a black hole as a position for ages.