We Want a Catcher, Not a Belly Scratcher (split fr/Get Used)

[Guest AG/DC]

So in addition to a freak injury taking out Delgado just as he's maybe sorta finding his stroke, Ramon Castro joins Schneider on the hammylist.

Cancel and Casanova are your catchers.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

And the Saloman Manriquez Fan Club disbands due to lack of membership funds.

[Guest AG/DC]

So, Pedro back. Castillo back.

Delgado down and Castro down.

Two steps up, two steps back. But I'm hoping the two steps up are larger.

[Theoldmole]

Who do they have left behind the plate? They may have to switch Joe Hietpas back.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I was briefly intrigued by Gustavo Molina.

During yesterday's telecast, Gary Cohen quoted Willie Randolph saying that Molina isn't ready yet, but he's going to be really good.

I looked him up today, and found out he's a 26-year-old journeyman.

Not that he can't still become really good, but I prefer my prospects to be closer to 21, especially if they're not ready yet.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Officials in the Snooze today said Raul Casanova is prolly first in line.

Like Nelson Figueroa he is also an original product of the Mets system -- traded away for Tony F. Fernandez, and had years with Detroit and Milwaukee and a few other teams. At best he's kind of a Ramon Castro type.

[Guest Triple Dee]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I was briefly intrigued by Gustavo Molina. During yesterday's telecast, Gary Cohen quoted Willie Randolph saying that Molina isn't ready yet, but he's going to be really good. I looked him up today, and found out he's a 26-year-old journeyman. Not that he can't still become really good, but I prefer my prospects to be closer to 21, especially if they're not ready yet.

The loss of Jesus Flores is really going to hurt the Mets.

It would have also spared us from seeing Mike Defelice and Sandy Alomar Jr laboring around home plate towards the end of last season.

[MFS62]

Casanova is, IIRC, also a switch hitter, which could be a deciding factor VS Molina.

Later

[DocTee]

Recently-released Doug Mirabelli gotta be a better option, no?

[seawolf17]

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

="seawolf17"]

I agree. Let him come back, play in some April games while Castro is hurt, get the thunderous applause he deserves then retire as a Met.

I'd even throw his number on the wall the next day.

Mets get an adequate back-up for a while, Piazza get to go out on his own terms, at least more so than going out because he didn't get a spring training invite.

[Guest AG/DC]

Well, the problem is that he may not want a one-month job, and he won't be as easy to make go away after a month.

OE: Not that I wouldn't eat it up.

[Guest AG/DC]

Interestnig note: Piazza's availaibility is holding up the draft order, as he's the only remaining eligilbe free agent with a compensation value (Type .

These things should expire earlier.

[nymr83]

Bonds doesnt qualify?

[Guest AG/DC]

I don't know. Maybe Piazza was offered arbitration and declined and Bonds wasn't. But I read that at a Yank blog on Friday.

http://riveraveblues.com/2008/03/14/2008-draft-preview-update-1-2307/

[Frayed Knot]

Bonds wasn't offered arb ... mainly cuz he would have snapped it up in a minute and the Gigantors would have been on the hook for at least 80% of whatever he was earning last year.

Piazza's a 'Type B' FA, meaning that Oakland would gain only a supplemental pick while the signing team doesn't lose one of their own.

Remember also folks that this guy didn't catch at all last season (not even in ST) and wasn't very good at it when he was younger, healthier and working at it regularly ... not to mention that his hitting isn't what it used to be.
His ship has sailed as far as I'm concerned. He's an AL DH at best and no one is rushing those jobs to him either.

[Guest AG/DC]

I think everyone remembers all that.

[nymr83]

Obviously there are 30 GMs who remember that.

[soupcan]

AG/DC wrote: ...But I read that at a Yank blog on Friday.

SteveJEdgyDC?

[Guest AG/DC]

THAT'S NOT FUCKING FUNNY!

[Valadius]

I'd take a flyer on Piazza.

[Theoldmole]

What are you doing reading Yank blogs?

[Guest AG/DC]

Searching for Mike Piazza.

[seawolf17]

If Mike Piazza signed with the Yankees, I would personally kick him in the gonads.

[Fman99]

AG/DC wrote: THAT'S NOT FUCKING FUNNY!

To hell it isn't!

[MFS62]

Justin Huber was traded by KC to the Pods yesterday for a PTBNL.

Didn't he originally catch for a few years in the minors?

Later

[Frayed Knot]

MFS62 wrote: Didn't he originally catch for a few years in the minors?

Yeah, but he wasn't any good at it - which is what dropped him from a better-than-average prospect back in the day to a slow-ish RH bat w/o a real position now.

Still, he's put up some good minor league hitting stats over the last 4 years (.275/.370/.520), is still only 25, and I was half-hoping he'd wind up here as a 1B/corner OF guy off the bench who could also be the emergency catcher that you never need but would allow them to PH Castro more often.

[Guest mario25]

They can go with Casanova until Castro is ready....he has some pop in his bat

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I like Casanova and hope he lights a fire under Castro's fat ass.

[smg58]

The Indians opted to demote Francisco Cordero rather than cut Jason Michaels. I have to think one of those two could be had.

On edit: Somehow this wound up in the wrong thread. Sorry.