Comments on: Buzz: Rod Barajas and his Multi-Year Offer http://www.metsblog.com/2009/11/27/buzz-rod-barajas-and-his-multi-year-offer/ Latest Mets News, Links, Rumors and Opinion Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:22:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: mdweyer http://www.metsblog.com/2009/11/27/buzz-rod-barajas-and-his-multi-year-offer/#comment-614267 mdweyer Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:58:07 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/?p=45623#comment-614267 the draft pick isnt the biggest issue but it is a big deal...im not in love with molina period; hes very very slow, old, i dont think his power will show as much in citi field (yes i know he hit in sf), nothing special defensively and probably the priciest i agree with you, idealy thole can get more time in AAA and then come up when he's ready....but i just do not see molina as the best option for this team the draft pick isnt the biggest issue but it is a big deal…im not in love with molina period; hes very very slow, old, i dont think his power will show as much in citi field (yes i know he hit in sf), nothing special defensively and probably the priciest

i agree with you, idealy thole can get more time in AAA and then come up when he’s ready….but i just do not see molina as the best option for this team

]]> By: brye65 http://www.metsblog.com/2009/11/27/buzz-rod-barajas-and-his-multi-year-offer/#comment-614248 brye65 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:32:50 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/?p=45623#comment-614248 Rod Barajas, Benji Molina or Migel Oliva... What all three have in common is not just being free agent but the power they will lack in citi field. Start with Rod Barajas a 200 batting average tolerable because his 19 hr production for a catcher. Take away the 19 Hr's. We got Schneider back. Migel Oliva & Benji Molina's power numbers will be down also but I do believe Molina will benefit the Mets more in the clutch and the HR's lost in citi will still be extra base hits and provide a higher batting avg among the 3 catchers. Benji Molina is my pick. Rod Barajas, Benji Molina or Migel Oliva… What all three have in common is not just being free agent but the power they will lack in citi field. Start with Rod Barajas a 200 batting average tolerable because his 19 hr production for a catcher. Take away the 19 Hr’s. We got Schneider back. Migel Oliva & Benji Molina’s power numbers will be down also but I do believe Molina will benefit the Mets more in the clutch and the HR’s lost in citi will still be extra base hits and provide a higher batting avg among the 3 catchers. Benji Molina is my pick.

]]> By: metskat http://www.metsblog.com/2009/11/27/buzz-rod-barajas-and-his-multi-year-offer/#comment-614241 metskat Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:07:35 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/?p=45623#comment-614241 Grote was no offensive powerhouse but i love the guy...i know i must be old....its too bad we are lacking so much in other areas...but thank god schneider is not coming back...i feel lied to regarding the guys defense... Grote was no offensive powerhouse but i love the guy…i know i must be old….its too bad we are lacking so much in other areas…but thank god schneider is not coming back…i feel lied to regarding the guys defense…

]]> By: astromets http://www.metsblog.com/2009/11/27/buzz-rod-barajas-and-his-multi-year-offer/#comment-614221 astromets Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:59:05 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/?p=45623#comment-614221 Would you be more willing to sign Molina if we don't have to give up a draft pick? It is possible they don't since they want to move on to Buster Posey. As for Thole, he just needs a lot of experience, period, and would get a lot more down in AAA. Would you be more willing to sign Molina if we don’t have to give up a draft pick? It is possible they don’t since they want to move on to Buster Posey.
As for Thole, he just needs a lot of experience, period, and would get a lot more down in AAA.

]]> By: astromets http://www.metsblog.com/2009/11/27/buzz-rod-barajas-and-his-multi-year-offer/#comment-614219 astromets Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:54:45 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/?p=45623#comment-614219 So, in your opinion, Thole's opportunity in September didn't convince you he could use more time learning in the minors? I agree with you, I just want a short-term defensive first catcher for next year who could mentor Thole when he is around. You would rather risk having Thole not be ready and then us not having a catcher or sign someone else for a year and push them to backup if Thole is ready. So, in your opinion, Thole’s opportunity in September didn’t convince you he could use more time learning in the minors?
I agree with you, I just want a short-term defensive first catcher for next year who could mentor Thole when he is around.
You would rather risk having Thole not be ready and then us not having a catcher or sign someone else for a year and push them to backup if Thole is ready.

]]> By: Dave in Spain http://www.metsblog.com/2009/11/27/buzz-rod-barajas-and-his-multi-year-offer/#comment-614213 Dave in Spain Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:24:04 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/?p=45623#comment-614213 Mets fans have been spoiled with catchers, and as a result we have unrealistic expectations. Grote, Carter, Piazza... Most catchers are not offensive powerhouses. They´re OK, but have so much to manage on the field that their offense usually suffers. Mets fans have been spoiled with catchers, and as a result we have unrealistic expectations. Grote, Carter, Piazza… Most catchers are not offensive powerhouses. They´re OK, but have so much to manage on the field that their offense usually suffers.

]]> By: Old Backstop http://www.metsblog.com/2009/11/27/buzz-rod-barajas-and-his-multi-year-offer/#comment-614200 Old Backstop Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:24:46 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/?p=45623#comment-614200 Thole very well may need time to learn in the minors, but I would rather have him prove that he can't get it done before he has to prove that he can. We're not exactly in a situation where we can let him marinate in the fridge until we feel he is ready beyond doubt. If there's a chance he could make the jump, we could use him right now. The other option is to add some cheap (i.e. neither Barajas nor Molina) AAAA catcher that is sound defensively and start out with him and Santos, letting Thole start and play 5 days a week at AAA to prime for the role and take over as soon as possible. If a guy like Molina is open to a one year deal, I would consider that for sure, but if these .220 and .250 hitters want multi-year deals ... I would pass Thole very well may need time to learn in the minors, but I would rather have him prove that he can’t get it done before he has to prove that he can.

We’re not exactly in a situation where we can let him marinate in the fridge until we feel he is ready beyond doubt. If there’s a chance he could make the jump, we could use him right now.

The other option is to add some cheap (i.e. neither Barajas nor Molina) AAAA catcher that is sound defensively and start out with him and Santos, letting Thole start and play 5 days a week at AAA to prime for the role and take over as soon as possible.

If a guy like Molina is open to a one year deal, I would consider that for sure, but if these .220 and .250 hitters want multi-year deals … I would pass

]]> By: OrangeNBlueSince82 http://www.metsblog.com/2009/11/27/buzz-rod-barajas-and-his-multi-year-offer/#comment-614197 OrangeNBlueSince82 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:08:05 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/?p=45623#comment-614197 The Mets don't have to give up a draft pick if they sign a Type A free agent this year because of where they finished this season. Although Molina is one of, if not the slowest player in baseball, he has some pop and can come up with some clutch hits. Look at that game at CitiField where he homered for the eventual win this season. Plus, he's a Molina. None of them are bad defensively. Sure, he's not as good as Yadier or even Jose defensively but he can do the job. LoDuca was great in '06 but was never a stud defensive backstop. Schneider was supposed to be great defensively but allowed a ton of passed balls and wasn't as good at throwing base stealers out as previously believed. He also can call a pretty good game. It helps having Lincecum and Cain sure, but he still has something to do with it. The Mets don’t have to give up a draft pick if they sign a Type A free agent this year because of where they finished this season.

Although Molina is one of, if not the slowest player in baseball, he has some pop and can come up with some clutch hits. Look at that game at CitiField where he homered for the eventual win this season.

Plus, he’s a Molina. None of them are bad defensively. Sure, he’s not as good as Yadier or even Jose defensively but he can do the job. LoDuca was great in ’06 but was never a stud defensive backstop. Schneider was supposed to be great defensively but allowed a ton of passed balls and wasn’t as good at throwing base stealers out as previously believed.

He also can call a pretty good game. It helps having Lincecum and Cain sure, but he still has something to do with it.

]]> By: mdweyer http://www.metsblog.com/2009/11/27/buzz-rod-barajas-and-his-multi-year-offer/#comment-614196 mdweyer Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:54:33 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/?p=45623#comment-614196 im all for a platoon situation this year. santos and someone cheap....im not a fan of molina, especially because we would have to give up a draft pick to sign him, or barajas. doumit and snyder are interesting but is santos/thole platoon out of the question? should thole stay in the minors and play everyday or would some parttime big league experience help in the long run? im all for a platoon situation this year. santos and someone cheap….im not a fan of molina, especially because we would have to give up a draft pick to sign him, or barajas.

doumit and snyder are interesting but is santos/thole platoon out of the question? should thole stay in the minors and play everyday or would some parttime big league experience help in the long run?

]]> By: astromets http://www.metsblog.com/2009/11/27/buzz-rod-barajas-and-his-multi-year-offer/#comment-614186 astromets Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:59:32 +0000 http://www.metsblog.com/?p=45623#comment-614186 Old Backstop - Thole needs time to learn the position in the minors! He has only played 190 games there in his whole life, 164 of them in the past two years. Cerrone - I thought Molina was supposed to be a good defensive backstop who handles pitchers well? How does one determine a catchers value defensively anyway? Steals aren't big in this game, but he is good at that. And looking at baseball-reference.com it appears that Molina put up some of his best defensive stats last year. Please explain. All I want from catcher is good defense and either some pop like Molina or some average like Thole. Old Backstop – Thole needs time to learn the position in the minors! He has only played 190 games there in his whole life, 164 of them in the past two years.
Cerrone – I thought Molina was supposed to be a good defensive backstop who handles pitchers well? How does one determine a catchers value defensively anyway? Steals aren’t big in this game, but he is good at that. And looking at baseball-reference.com it appears that Molina put up some of his best defensive stats last year. Please explain. All I want from catcher is good defense and either some pop like Molina or some average like Thole.

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