Eli Marrero's roster spot

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Disclaimer: This isn't one of those "the worst guy on the Mets sucks because he's the worst guy on the Mets" rants like someone posted about Chris Woodward a week or so ago.

I'm not sure what to think about Eli Marrero.

He hardly ever plays. When he does, he doesn't really produce. And then last night, when he was going to get a rare start, he had to beg out because of a sore neck.

The best thing that Eli brings to the table is that he's the third catcher, a luxury that few teams have. With Ramon Castro ailing recently, the Mets have been able to play Lo Duca every day withing having to make a roster move to get him a backup. And in the postseason, having a third catcher can be very handy, especially if Lo Duca or Castro gets hurt during a series, when roster moves can't be made.

But other than his potential as an emergency third-string catcher, he's pretty much not a contributor.


So, should Eli Marrero be on the Mets postseason roster? Or should they look to replace him with someone who can be more in the mix?

[Guest cooby]

]He hardly ever plays. When he does, he doesn't really produce. And then last night, when he was going to get a rare start, he had to beg out because of a sore neck.

He must sit in the dugout at an odd angle most nights


Anyway, I'm sure a trick like this will be well remembered when they are building a post season roster. Or even next week's.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I think that's a problem for another day. But a team rarely needs more than nine pitchers in the post-season, as the fifth and sometimes fourth starter moves into the pen, so I have no problem carrying a third catcher/outfielder/firstbaseman over a twelfth pitcher.

Eli's cool. He can hit a little, plus he's playing without a thyroid. How many people can say that? He's Pete Gray out there.

The sore neck is interesting, because his neck is where his cancer was.

[metirish]

I had forgotten about him until Gary mentioned him last night, no I don't think he should be on the postseason roster,he hardly ever even gets called on to PH, maybe he catches tomorrow if Castro can't play,Willie was talking about having to make a move if Castro is still ailing,LoDuca needs some days off.

[Guest cooby]

]The sore neck is interesting, because his neck is where his cancer was.

!! I did not know that!

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I didn't know about the cancer or the thyroid either.

My cat has a thyroid condition. She manages it by taking a half pill daily inside a mushy salmon-flavored cat treat.

Which gives me a thought...

Meet me in the "my favorite products" thread!

[metirish]

]!! I did not know that!

Stop making fun of the poor lad Cooby.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I also didn't know about Marerro's health troubles either.

Howie on the radio last nite said he was almost certain Castro would be DLed, which would require the promotion of a catcher (prolly minor league vet Sandy Martinez) or maybe a trade. Weird that with 3 catchers we really only had 1 available last nite.

Bigger picture I don;t see Marerro providing much value to the team other than his emergency ability, and I'd prefer his spot go to a LH-hitter who can be a threat.

You know, Burnitz is awfully available...

[seawolf17]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: You know, Burnitz is awfully available...

Because we definitely need someone who can strike out in a big spot. Let's go drag up Rich Becker's corpse and throw a uniform on it.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I was kinda joking, but the guy slugs right-handed pitching at .500 and has 3 pinch-hit homers this year.

I'd prefer a left-handed hitting slugger who makes fewer outs and can catch in an emergency too, but can't find one. Can you?

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I wonder, in an emergency situation, let's say it's a playoff game and Lo Duca was pinch-run for and then Castro gets hurt. Marrero's not on the roster.

Who catches? Woodward? Would Delgado ever be an option?

[seawolf17]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: I was kinda joking, but the guy slugs right-handed pitching at .500 and has 3 pinch-hit homers this year. I'd prefer a left-handed hitting slugger who makes fewer outs and can catch in an emergency too, but can't find one. Can you?

Fair point. Too bad Matt Stairs is no longer available.

="Yancy"]I wonder, in an emergency situation, let's say it's a playoff game and Lo Duca was pinch-run for and then Castro gets hurt. Marrero's not on the roster. Who catches? Woodward? Would Delgado ever be an option?

I'd have to figure Delgado's already in the game at that point, but he'd probably be the guy. Unless Roberto Hernandez is available.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Oh, I'm sure Delgado would be in the game. But he could move behind the plate and Franco or somebody else would take over first base.

[MFS62]

The Daily News mantioned this morning that the Mets might have to put Castro on the DL (I forget the nature of his injury). It then went on to mention Mike DeFelice and someone else (a "veteran" now at Norfolk) as the possible replacements.
I think that says a lot about the possibility of seeing Marrero behind the plate.

Later

[Elster88]

]I think that says a lot about the possibility of seeing Marrero behind the plate.

And further underlines Eli's uselesness.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I'm not sure what's being insinuated here. He got hurt and was removed from the lineup.

is there a pattern of him begging out of the lineup?

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

No, I don't think so.

And I have no objection to his being on the roster on August 4.

I'm just wondering if his ability to be a third catcher justifies him being on the roster on October 3. And if Eli's not going to be on that roster, who would be a better choice?

[MFS62]

Edgy DC wrote: I'm not sure what's being insinuated here.

Nothing by me.
I just reported what I had read, and wonder why the Mets would look at other alternatives to bring up from the minors. Eli is already on the ML roster and had been a semi-regular catcher in the majors.

Later

[Guest Edgy DC]

Because they are disabling the backup catcher, and the starter and the third-stringer are both sore.

It doesn't have to mean anything that the Daily News suggested that the Mets might replace a catcher with a catcher.

[Gwreck]

Well, he lost his spot.

I was frustrated that Willie steadfastedly refused to give him innings (he had 3 total, all in blowouts) behind the plate. Still, unless he could hit, his value was minimal at best.

Woodward is the emergency catcher, prior to Marrerro being on the team, he would go out to warm up pitchers, etc. which I like to see, as a preparation of sorts.

[Guest cooby]

ew, sorry Eli, I didn't mean to jinx you...

[Guest Edgy DC]

Marrero is in a fix career-wise. He was a good catcher when he was young. But he seems to have made it clear that he's only an emergency catcher at this point, perhaps in deference to his health concerns. While a team can respect that, they certainly have no obligation to employ him if he only manages to hit well enough to be a catcher