Brian Schneider behind the plate next year?

[Guest mlbaseballtalk]

Here is a goofy one I heard recently. Apparantly he is friends with Omar, not sure of Schneider's contract, but it couldn't hurt if thats the best of who is out there on the market. Not a great year for backstops, so why not.

Steve

[Frayed Knot]

This is his 6th season, but several of the early ones look like they were partials so I doubt he'll be a FA this winter.
So if you want him you need to start talking trade.

[smg58]

Schneider's still a good ways away from free agency, and his availability would depend on whether the Nats have another option.

The best free agent catcher is Ramon Hernandez, who just happens to be in town right now.

The other options are rookies. Shoppach has been mentioned a lot, but the Indians have Ryan Garko (.858 OPS at AAA) blocked by Victor Martinez, the Marlins have Josh Willingham (monster numbers at AAA that I can no longer find, but he's on the DL) blocked by Paul LoDuca, the Rangers have Gerald Laird (.893 OPS at AAA), and the Dodgers have both Dioner Navarro (.781 OPS at AAA, but a .376 OBP and at 21 he's a few years younger than the other guys) and Russell Martin (.848 OPS at AA). It's definitely a buyer's market here, plus going for youth at catcher would free up money to pursue guys at the other positions of need.

[seawolf17]

smg58 wrote: The best free agent catcher is Ramon Hernandez, who just happens to be in town right now.

Maybe we can kidnap him, put Kaz Ishii in a Padres "Hernandez" jersey, and switch them... maybe nobody will notice.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Be here now.

[Guest Spacemans Bong]

I heard an idea which seems logical.

If the Mets decide to punt the season, Roberto Hernandez for Kelly Shoppach. Hernandez is having a great year (one of the best relievers in baseball, in fact), and Shoppach is an MLB-ready catcher who provides a good, but not great, bat and decent defensive skills. Plus he's blocked by Varitek.

Not a great player, but probably capable of 260/330/460 in the bigs, and will not cost much.

[Guest Rotblatt]

I like it.

[seawolf17]

In fact, I'd make that deal right now. I'm still thinking there's no way Bert holds up over 162.

[smg58]

I'd do it if they'd do it. But what happens if they insist on Looper?

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I don't see Looper as untouchable.

[Theoldmole]

Where does Piazza place in the Schaefer standings so far?

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Schaefer standings:
http://cybermessageboard.ehost.com/getalife/viewtopic.php?t=561

Through July 17, Piazza's in 6th place for the season.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Looper below Ishii. Yikes.

[Guest Rotblatt]

I don't think Shoppach alone gets you Looper . . . I really doubt that any other team would be willing to give up their closer for him, so why should we?

But maybe Shoppach along with another pretty good prospect--pitcher, maybe?--could work.

I agree that Loopy's not untouchable . . .

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Maybe Ishii would be more desirable than Looper. After all, he does have more Schaefer points.

[Elster88]

I've said it before, I'll say it again. If Piazza can be signed cheaply, he should be brought back and stuck behind the plate for next year. He'll hit average for a catcher, and we can put him at seventh in the lineup.

I know the main argument against this "B-b-b-but, he's an awful catcher. EVERYONE steals bases off of him! Why don't we sign a guy to bat seventh who is a better defensive catcher?"

I guess that's a valid argument, but I am the charter member of TORVO (Throwing Out Runners is Vastly Overrated). I think throwing out runners is the last thing on a baseball diamond that a team should be worried about. But that's me. And Piazza does the rest of the defensive stuff well.

Of course, it's easier to make this post the day after Piazza doubles, homers, and drives in three.

[seawolf17]

="Yancy Street Gang"]Maybe Ishii would be more desirable than Looper. After all, he does have more Schaefer points.

Can someone e-mail a link to those rankings to Theo Epstein? You know he's a numbers guy, and boy, numbers don't get more definite than Schaefer points! Come on, Theo! Kaz is a winner!

[Frayed Knot]

From another thread: 'Ramon Hernandez hasn't looked good'

No he hasn't, not this week anyway - not much hitting to speak of and several bad throws from behind the plate. He's also sporting a sub-.300 OBA for the season with something like 7 HRs.
He's been approx: .275/.335/.460 w/20 HRs-per over the last 2 seasons in a couple of pitching happy parks..

The problem - or at least A problem - is soome kind of a wrist injury which will likely require surgery. His dilemma is that his team's in 1st place so he can't cash in the season, but then he hurts his FA winter if he does it after the season's over.

He'll be an interesting case. He's got a rep as a good defensive player, has worked w/Peterson's staffs in Oakland, and turns 30 next spring.
The other thing is that he's reportedly going to (or already has) changed agents to none other than Scott Boras who wasted no time in bringing up Varitek's (4yr/$50mil?) deal as a target. Hernandez isn't as good as Varitek and doesn't have the same good-will that JV had coming off last year, but - like the semi-good looking girl at the bar at 3AM - he doesn't have to be all that cute in order to get himself a whole bunch of offers.

[smg58]

Hernandez got off to a good start, then injuries caught up with him. That's a dangerous trend to start if your position is catcher. He still has things to recommend him, but I'd proceed with caution.

[willpie]

Where do I sign up for this TORVO?
I am intrigued by your ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

[Elster88]

Your application and a complimentary brochure are in the mail. I hope you'll join, with your help we could double the current enrollment. We open the books next week.