Backup catcher is immediate priority
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Backup catcher is immediate priority
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Brian Schneider is talking with the Phillies. (Matt Slocum/AP file photo)
MILWAUKEE — Ruben Amaro Jr. said he targeted closer as his first major position this winter because he expects shortstop to take quite some time to fill. Jimmy Rollins is expected to wait out the market for his desired five-year deal. Depending on how long Jose Reyes, the top shortstop on the market, remains unsigned, Rollins could linger.
"I don't see that moving particularly quickly," Amaro said. I just had a feeling that would be the case."
So here at the meetings, Amaro said his immediate priority is to sign a backup catcher. That could happen in the coming days. Brian Schneider remains a possibility to return after two years with the organization, but Amaro has engaged other free agents too.
The Phillies liked Schneider because of his defensive abilities. The pitching staff had no problems with him behind the plate filling in for Carlos Ruiz. That will probably help Schneider's case. His .502 OPS and 38 OPS+ will not help.
So if the Phillies seek an offensive upgrade, there are options. Ryan Doumit hit .303 with an .830 OPS. But he reportedly turned down a one-year, $3 million offer from Los Angeles, so he could be pricier than the Phillies want.
Three backup catchers already signed and that's likely why the Phillies will act now on that position. Rod Barajas ($4 million), Henry Blanco ($1.2 million) and Matt Treanor ($1 million) all signed one-year deals within the past week.
Other free agents include Chris Snyder, Kelly Shoppach and Ramon Castro.
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Comments (44)
We're talking about a backup catcher. Not an extra guy! A backup catcher doesn't PH or things like that because if he did, then there would be no one to catch if the catcher in the game got hurt (I seem to recall 2 Phils catchers breaking fingers in the same inning a number of years ago at Connie Mack Stadium). Brian Schneider is a backup catcher and nothing more. He's not the reason the Phils lost in the playoffs. So we could sign Schneider and maybe win 102 games or we could waste a lot of time and resources that are needed elsewhere and sign someone else that will help us win 105. One last thing that hasn't been mentioned, the pitchers like throwing to Schneider and Ruiz.— Jersey_Joe- Warbiscuit - YOU are garbage! You obviously are huffing glue 90% of the time, which still doesn't explain any of your "comments." If that's all you have, get your hands off the keyboard. What's the reason that Pudge Rodriquez is not in any of these discussions?— dwp66
- Doumit could be a good fit if Amaro is willing to pay his price. He can backup catcher and has played first base before. He could fill in at first for a while and backup some games as well. We all know Thome can't play everyday in the field...— jeffmd
- Paperbon rocks and was an outstanding pick up. No regrets. Go Phils!!!!!!!!!— athousandgods
- Brian Schneider. Now there's the missing piece that will make us World Champs in 2012!— baseballman
- Isn't this the opportunity for Katz or Valle to get a chance--someone from the farm? Ruben sandwich believes in veterans who can't hit over getting our farm hands the experience.— Barneyboy
- Valle isn't going to be the starter in 2012 so he'd be better off playing every day rather than once a week as Ruiz's backup.
If something were to happen to Ruiz...then maybe you'd see Valle this season. Probably not, but it would make more sense then.— Worly? - Back up catcher an immediate priority? How about a starting catcher who can hit? Make Ruiz the back up.— baseballman
- doumit will likely wind up in the AL since he is more likely to get playing time over there (DH). I think he would have been an upgrade over Schneider, but he's a really bad defensive player. Unless you carry a 3rd C he has almost no value as a pinch hitter as well, since you can't use him without risking not having a catcher if Ruiz were to get injured in a game.
Posada might still be capable of putting on the tools of ignorance, but he isn't a catcher at this point in his career. Schneider isn't ideal, but I can understand why the Phils might be ok with him catching once a week for another season. If anything were to happen to Ruiz though, they would need an upgrade.— Worly? - Jorge Posada anyone? Would his ego allow him to play 1-2 games/week?— wilron
- Philly.thompson, so I guess Chooch sucks too. He wasn't any better at 23% CS last year. You conveniently forgot to mentioned that Flores was coming off an injury, after missing the entire 2010 season and was also not very familiar with the pitchers, you could say. But in 2009 his CS% was an outstanding 42%. You don't see that very often unless your name is Yadier Molina or Pudge Rodriguez. As a matter of fact, Carlos Ruiz caught more than 30% of base stealers only one, and that was in 2007. His CS% is only 26. Flores 29% and that's including the 20% last year. You also forgot to mention that Flores hit .301 in 2009 with an OPS of .877 to go along with CS 42%. So I guess that's sucks to you, genius.— EL Zorro
- rod barajas? 4 million????? wow..baseball has really gone off their rockers.
— Shemp Howard - I think Pudge is staying in Washington to continue tutoring Wilson Ramos and to be Strastburg personal catcher. Now, like I have mentioned before, another Nats' catcher could be available, Jesus Flores, if they decide to keep Pudge. Flores is not happy because he's not longer the catcher of the future and could take over Chooch in a few years.— EL Zorro
- People, what team did you watch? This team lost because Utley made some bonehead plays and Lee just flat out sucked against the Cards. They won over 100 games and rarely fielded the regular 8 all year. Maybe they are too old, but because they are the best team the franchise has ever fielded, they deserve another shot at winning the WS together. Resign Rollins! Bring Raul back on a one year deal for a lot less. Schnieder is a decent backup. Let the young guys fill out the bullpen. Done! Still the best team in the NL and it isn't even close.— Paul SoTX
- Jose Molina? He makes Schneider look like a speedster!....Pudge? Not so good since getting off all the PEDs.....Doumit? Who would want to play for the Dodgers? He'l gladly come here. At this point with all the $$$$ you are spending why not pay some chump change for him, atleast he can hit more than he weighs, can realistically be called a decent PH and fill in at other positions if needed. Talk about flexibility on the bench. Haven't seen that much since my last trip to Vegas.....— Mark1npt
- Erik Kratz definitely deserved a shot to come up to The Phils last season but instead, still baffling to this day, Dane Sardinha got the call. Kratz had a nice season for The Iron Pigs last year. He can handle a staff, throw out a good percentage of basestealers, and swing an aggressive stick. He would be familiar with Worley and some of the young arms coming up in the pen. I wouldn't be upset if he was Chooch's backup coming out of spring training. As far as free agents, there is Jose Molina, for more defensive purposes. I have to agree with a couple of the other posts regarding Ryan Doumit. He is a switch hitting catcher with some good upside.— Seeing Red
- the backup catchers realistically available are garbage. you arent going to give up draft picks to sign Ramon Hernandez and he wouldnt want to be a backup. Doumit is a TYPE B and can hit a bit but is bad defensively. So you have a bunch of older guys who cant hit, so there is nobody to get excited about. hey, its what happens when you trade young catchers in the Halladay and Lee trades. those trades were great but they will leave holes other places..IF Ruiz stays healthy, you can live with Schneider or whoever else as a backup catcher. thats not why they lost in the playoffs. i did read that the phils talked to 40 year old Pudge for what its worth. we make fun of the venezuelans but that Nats trade of Matt Capps for Ramos was brilliant and is one of the reasons the Nats will be a team to worry about in 2013 and beyond.— jim715
- Hey Philly.thompson, is isnsulting people the only thing you do? Why not just express your opinion about baseball issues and skip the ridicule.— LarryB2
- Do the homework homies - nearly 12 catchers out there that could all fill the bill and I don't include Yadier in that mix because we don't need 2 number 1's.
Kratz won't be one of them. And don't be surprised if a certain BoSox backup takes his last year here. But my bucks are on someone like Shoppach, or Kendall - perhaps one that the aces have had experience with that upgrades the OPS and BA. A lefty bat, likely.
— 24sDad - Ryan Doumit would be a nice addition to the team. Good hitter and would be fine if chooch were to go down for a few weeks. Heck he could also play more than 41 games, maybe we would see some production out of the catchers spot in Aug/Sep/Oct if they didn't get worn down.— tsump
- If the backup catcher could hit well and throw out runners, he would be a...........starting catcher.......hello......— Alpheratz
- Ugh, looks like Schneider, according to rumors it appears they are close to a deal, I hope the numbers are less than last year. He is awful.— craigmack
- Ryan Doumit is not considered a good defensive catcher, but he can hit. Sounds a lot like Mike Napoli, who was thought of as an all-hit, no-defense catcher when he played for the Angels. But after one year with the Rangers, he's considered one of the game's better all-around backstops.
Not only that, Doumit can play a little first base and, in a pinch, some right field.— PhightinPhil - Let's see.. he can't hit.. he can't throw.. he can't run... SOMEBODY ELSE PLULLLLEEEESE— stoky
- Jesus Flores, buried in the Nats' system.— Claudio Vernight
Comment removed.- Jesus Flores, buried in the Nats' system.— Claudio Vernight
- Five words I never thought I'd read anywhere, ever: "Backup catchup is immediate priority." No, don't think so. We have no starting shortstop or left fielder and need a lefty in the bullpen. Backup catching is so way not a priority. Sheesh.— eman
- How about Phils get a catcher who can actually HIT? Ruiz didn't do ANYTHING the last month or so of the season and the same in the playoffs...along with the rest of the downward side of their career starters....— mbutley
- Their record was incredible in games Schneider started, which is amazing because he was so horrible. Bring in someone else.— phillyinsd
- Why not give Kratz or Gosewich a chance. Can't take another year of Schneider— mikespinner
- Comment removed.
- typical rube garbage - spends unnecessary extra $6 million on a closer( $50 million v $44 million -- Papelbon will NOT be an upgrade from Madson -who was probably best closer in baaseball last year).. and then can't afford a backup catcher who can hit over .200) --clueless about how to build a team— warbiscuit
- Yea Army, I guess it would have to be dependent on how much money they are willing to (or should be willing to) pay for a backup. Schnider made 1.5M last season.
I think it's clear that he isn't a great defensive catcher now. All the metrics have issues with catchers but I personally don't love the CS stat- it has a lot of other variables (how good is the pitcher at holding runners on, is the runner being held on at first, good throw not handled by fielder etc). Curious on others thoughts...but for me for a backup catcher, I think I'd prefer someone who could be adequate receiving but be a good offensive player.— TeamAwesome - Really dude? Backup catcher? If you consider that a priority your fantasy team is gonna suck. Schneider hit .176 in a 139 AB's. You mean that Dane Sardinha can't match that? Even if Goosewich hits half of it, at least Halladay likes throwing to him.— don julio
- The Phillies have been lucky for several years now in that Ruiz has'nt suffered an injury that would keep him out for several months.
They really need to go out and get a quality backup - not just a body.
Ivan Rodriguez , though way past his prime , would be a logical choice. The might have to pay more that the other hacks like Schneider to get him. He can still throw and hits half decent.— candidly - Team Awesome, I think he would have to be better last year. As you stated, they were all career lows and it would be almost impossible to have a BABIP of worse than they .225 of last year. The defense is more of a concern for me. He only threw out 3 of 23 runners and looks to be trending down defensively. Also, agree with you that there should be more pressing concerns right now.— Armyofthe15Monkies
- Don't get any from Venezuela.— burholme
- Eh this isn't much of a concern for me. I hear ya Army that he was bad last year but it was career low bad in BA, OBP, wOBA and BABIP. It depends on if you think those numbers are an accurate reflection of his skills or that he'll regress some to his mean. I don't know the answer to that but I do know that backup catcher should not be the priority now.— TeamAwesome
- Brian was terrible last year he cant hit or play defense anymore. i dont think he threw out a single baserunner last year. We have a guy in AAA Erik Kratz who had a very fine year and hes cheap.— Joey0210
- Comment removed.
- I question your ability to be able to READ! All the guy said was, He had a good year and was cheap! So you think you're going to get a top tier catcher as backup for about 1 million a year? If that's the case, you're not intelligent enough to say anything to anyone! — twpman
- Why no mention of Ivan Rodriguez?— ronin32
- Anybody but Brian Schneider. He was horrible last year. A -0.9 WAR in only 41 games. That is unspeakably bad. I mean, even Matt Treanor was better last year and he is a horrible player.— Armyofthe15Monkies
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The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
Bob Brookover
Inquirer Baseball Columnist
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