Marty Noble, in his latest mailbag for MLB.com, talks about the many needs that the Mets need to address this offseason, but one need that has been masked by other glaring problems is a catcher.
…i agree with this, but at the same time, i wonder if the solution is really out there right now…to me, it’s clear that Josh Thole will likely need a full season at triple-A Buffalo before being able to determine if he is the solution, which leaves the Mets in a situation where they need a stopgap…i think the Mets will be looking for a defensive-oriented catcher, but they need someone who isn’t an automatic out as well…
In 2009, Mets catchers hit just .252 with 13 home runs and 86 RBI.
…the run production wasn’t awful this year, but when you look at, for example, Brian Schneider’s run production, eight of his 24 RBI came in a three game stretch in June against the Rays and Cardinals, which is just under 10 percent of the production out of the catcher’s position for the season…
Since the beginning of the 2007 season, over 486 games Mets catchers have hit just .258 with 51 home runs and just 249 RBI.
…i think that acquiring a consistent everyday catcher is important, because i believe that having consistency behind the plate can only help the pitching staff…since Paul Lo Duca left, the Mets haven’t had a fixture in the catchers position due to injury or lack of production…but this is another reason why the Mets need a three year plan in place to win and build a solid and steady core up the middle because i don’t think they be able to address every need in it’s entirety in three months…
For more, as well as answers to other questions, check out Noble’s mailbag.
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13 hrs and esp. 86 rbis doesnt really look that bad and it surprises me…i am still hoping that omir is a late bloomer…
The ideal catcher for the Mets would be a lefty who would play the majority of the games so Santos could be a good back up. Im wondering if the Mets should give Varitek the money he wants? He would be good for the chemistry and pitching staff
Yes there are questions going into 2010 but let me address the “hit just” used above. Mets catchers combined for the following:
583ab / 147h / 32d / 2 t / 13hr / 83 RBI / 46 r / 45 bb/ 86 k / .252/.306/.381
If this qualifies as “hit just” then what about Murphy’s 2009 production FROM 1B??? Look it up. They are not too different. How is his production acceptable and the catcher’s production questionable? How can anyone say his production was anything but pathetic in 2009? I am not talking about next year and beyond, that is an entirely separate arguement – just this year’s production: how is it defendable???
Thank you Sylow. That has been my point exactly. Not to mention most catchers arent really expected to hit… ALL MAJOR LEAGUE FIRST BASEMAN are expected to hit 25 + home runs per year and 100 rbi’s…. Well on a winning team atleast. If you can’t guarantee those numbers next season than Murphy CAN NOT be our first baseman.
Actually, if I remember correctly, the Mets catchers combined to have some of the best stats in the NL, of any catching corps.
How is Varitek these days defensively? I’d like to have a strong presence behind the plate, and would sacrifice some offense, if the defensive skills were still there.
not another marty noble mailbox, how many more of these before he shuts up?
I agree with you. The guy is a “know it all” and he’s sooooo annoying. No more Marty Noble..Thanks.
Thank you!! The last time i logged onto mets.com there were links to like a hundred of his mailboxes and then i come on here and there is a post about his stupid mailboxes! I cannot wait till the mets sign somebody so we have something else to talk about
The Mets need someone to platoon with Santos next year to hold down the position until Thole is ready to take over.Hopefully at some point next summer.
It is the same situation at first base, where Murphy should platoon with a righty until Ike Davis is ready. Also, hopefully at some point next summer.
I believe Thole is hitting very well in winter ball. He hit well with the Mets in September. He caught some good games then too. If he works well with the pitchers, then give him a shot to make the team out of spring training. Get a backup/platoon veteran catcher to complement Thole is they don’t think Santos is the answer. But I think Thole is ready.
Ugh, and no washed up big name vets like Varitek or Pudge. They block the development of younger guys and Varitek’s arm is toast now, not to mention his bat.
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