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In a post to Metstradamus, John takes a closer look at C Brian Schneider.
In the end, John writes, “Considering the options out there, Schneider doesn’t look so bad.”
…my hunch is the team will return rookie C Josh Thole to Triple-A next season… he looked good, and i believe they see him having the potential to be a Paul Lo Duca type, but he needs time in Triple-A where he can catch former major-league pitchers, who have more substantial repertoire than he received in Double-A… i bet he gets recalled at some point in the middle of next season, though, but i get no sense he’ll be on the opening day 25–man roster… in the end, assuming they get a bat for left field, i feel the Mets should sign a free-agent, defense-first, veteran catcher to split time with Omir Santos…
To check out the full list of potential free-agent catchers this off season, which includes Rod Barajas, Benjie Molina, Yorvit Torrealba, and Ivan Rodriguez, go to MLB Trade Rumors.
…because the team is said to value defense first at catcher, i have a feeling we might hear lots of buzz connecting the Mets to barajas and pudge… barajas is a platoon catcher, best used against left-handed pitching, he is strong on defense, he’s been around the block, he doesn’t walk much, but he can hit for power and he’ll hit some doubles… pudge is still strong on defense, but offers little in terms of power… in pudge, the Mets would be signing a leader, but he gets hurt a lot and i have to think he’ll again seek out a starting job before settling in to a platoon with omir… i’d toss torrealba in the mix, because he is a contact hitter, a decent defender with a strong arm, and his super intense, but i just can’t see him or the Mets going down that road again, given what happened last time…
Last week in the Boston Globe, Michael Silverman said Victor Martinez will likely be the starting catcher for the Red Sox next season, adding, “The Sox hold a $5 million option for Jason Varitek’s services for next season. If they decline it, Varitek then will decide if he wants to stick with the Red Sox for another year for $3 million or go to free agency and seek a full-time catching job somewhere else.”
In 109 games this season, Varitek hit just .209 with 14 home runs and 51 RBI, after hitting just .220 with 13 home runs and 43 RBI in 2008.
Last off season, Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com said the Mets were divided on whether to sign Varitek, who ended up returning to Boston.
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Torrealba? After the way things went between him & the Mets last time, I would hope that HE has enough pride to not talk to the Mets — because if he doesn’t, then he’s not the kind of guy I want on the Mets.
Yeah, the lack of interest between Torrealba and the Mets will completely come from Torrealba’s side, and I don’t blame him.
But there are no good options for behind the plate. When Omir Santos is a legit option, you know there’s nothing out there.
I wouldn’t mind getting Barajas to be the primary guy with Omir’s “short little swing” off the bench. Just sign a guy who’s really cheap, will only need a one-year deal and won’t cost a draft pick (aka NOT BENGIE MOLINA)
Brian Shneider doesn’t look so bad? Wow. I’d rather have Armando Benitez come out of retirement as a converted catcher.
I will VOMIT if we bring back Schneider. I hated the deal when we brought him in for Milledge.
How can any winning baseball team put together a lineup with Castillo, Schneider, Pitcher being your 7 thru 9 hitters! That is a terrible lineup. It was even bad with Church, Schneider, Castillo, Pitcher…
Our organization is clueless but it would be COMPLETELY clueless if they brought in a catcher who hits .200 for the year.
Someone who is in support of bringing Schneider the bum back to our team for another season please name ONE winning team in baseball that has a catcher as bad as Schneider.
Well, Carlos Ruiz is a career .246 hitter, but I do get your point Lorenzo
Carlos Ruiz has only been an everyday starter for three seasons. Not to mention he is much younger than Schneider and This year he has hit 26 doubles and batted .255 while playing very very solid defense. The Phillies also have a great lineup from number 1 thru 7 in the batting order. Cant compare Ruiz and Schneider.
The Mets lineup isn’t good enough, even when healthy, to win with Castillo, Schneider, Pitcher in the 7 thru pitcher spot. Especially with ZERO power.
Of this group Rod Barajas, Benjie Molina, Yorvit Torrealba, and Ivan Rodriguez, the only one who makes even a little sense is Benjie Molina and he will not sign for one year and will want to much $ to be caddy to Thole/Santos……
brian schneider seems like a nice person…but he sucks as a catcher…we were told that his defense would make up for his lack of offense when we got him…NOT…and yes…he does look that bad…in this case if they are trying to change the face of the team change for the sake of change would be the right way to go…plus i am hoping (what else am i to do as a mets fan) that santos will get a little better….