The Next Mets Catcher

[Edgy MD]

I'm not framing this as a poll, because we kind of need two answers:

Who do you want it to be?
Who do you think it will be?

[list:y8mbo2xz][*:y8mbo2xz]Ramon Castro[/*:m:y8mbo2xz]
[*:y8mbo2xz]Chris Gimenez[/*:m:y8mbo2xz]
[*:y8mbo2xz]Koyie Hill[/*:m:y8mbo2xz]
[*:y8mbo2xz]Rob Johnson[/*:m:y8mbo2xz]
[*:y8mbo2xz]Dioner Navarro[/*:m:y8mbo2xz]
[*:y8mbo2xz]Ronny Paulino[/*:m:y8mbo2xz]
[*:y8mbo2xz]Ivan Rodriguez[/*:m:y8mbo2xz]
[*:y8mbo2xz]Chris Snyder[/*:m:y8mbo2xz]
[*:y8mbo2xz]J.R. Towles[/*:m:y8mbo2xz]
[*:y8mbo2xz]Jason Varitek[/*:m:y8mbo2xz]
[*:y8mbo2xz]Eli Whiteside[/*:m:y8mbo2xz]
[*:y8mbo2xz]Some Other Freak[/*:m:y8mbo2xz]
[*:y8mbo2xz]Nodody: they'll go with Nickeas and dudes already in the system (Lucas May, Vinny Rottino, Jean Luc Blaquiere, Francisco Pe�a, Kai Gronauer, congratulations)[/*:m:y8mbo2xz][/list:u:y8mbo2xz]

This is for posterity.

[Ceetar]

we're talking backup here, or simply the 'next' guy that will squat in a Mets uniform that isn't Thole?

I'm going with 'in the system' either way I think.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm gonna have to punt on the "who I want it to be" part because I know very little about most of those guys listed, and since it's not my decision to make, I'm not gonna do the research.

But I do think that the 2012 backup to Josh Thole will be somebody who's currently in the Mets system.

[Guest attgig]

I think they sign one of the guys for the cheap come early feb (or even late feb) with whatever dollars we have left. my vote would be for pudge or navarro.

[metirish]

attgig wrote: I think they sign one of the guys for the cheap come early feb (or even late feb) with whatever dollars we have left. my vote would be for pudge or navarro.

agree, although I think it will be early next year or even January.

[TransMonk]

attgig wrote: ...with whatever dollars we have left...

Hilarious!

I think it will someone already [crossout]in the system[/crossout] on the payroll.

I want them to trade for Alex Avila, but I don't think they will.

[Edgy MD]

Lucas May may be cool because it'll be remarkable to have two Lucases on the team. Vinny Rottino may be fun because catchers that get move around the rest of the diamond are always a trip.

Koyie Hill would be likely the first, last, and only Koyie in Mets history. If they can sign him to a minor-league deal, having him in camp could also give Nickeas confidence in his hitting.

J.R. Towles might make a good designated catcher for R.A. Dickey. And maybe D.J. Carrasco, too.

But seriously, check out the nationality action we currently have going in the catcher corps to back up Thole:

Mike Nickeas: Anglo-Canadian
Jean Luc Blaquiere: French-Canadian
Kai Gronauer: German Rhinelander
Francisco Pe�a: Domincan
Juan Centeno: Puerto Rican
Vinny Rottino: Italian-American Sconnie
Lucas May: Emo-American

[Fman99]

These guys all suck. Meh.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I could've gone for Shoppach; I could go for another cup of Blastro, if need be. But it's almost definitely coming cheaply, and from within (if not from current stock, then from a minor-league contract signee).

[Vic Sage]

They're not going to spend a plug nickel on a backup RH catcher. It's going to be Nickeas, unless an invitee or rostered guy beats him out in ST. I like the idea of a designated catcher for Dickey, though. Thole often looked lost trying to catch him.

[Edgy MD]

Lu�s Martinez, DFA'd by the Friars, drawing Metly interest. Contact hitter, decent eye, doubles power. Offensively, looks like a righthanded Thole to me. Defensively, named the Pads' system's top defensive catcher in their January 2011 rankings.

Originally drafted by the Mets in 2005, but didn't sign.

Old-timey look to him.



2010 Defensive Player of the Year, with a videographer Daddy.

SA5GeqV6ti4

[Frayed Knot]

Decent minor league hitting numbers albeit in hitters leagues (PCL & CAL)

[Edgy MD]

Rangers make a trade for Luis Martinez. Onward.

[ashie62]

Mike Nickeas and I'm fine with that....

[Edgy MD]

Instead we get minor league contractee Rob Johnson. Punchless, but a favorite of Don Wakamatsu, who claimed he handed the Mariner staff better than Kenji Johjima.

On the other hand, Wakamatsu had the 2010 Mariners at 42-70 when he was axed.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'm pumped. He could be the best Mets catcher named Rob since Robinson Cancel.

[Edgy MD]

Johnson appears to be the sort of Sandy special kind of signing. His noodle-bat stats at the big league level reveal perhaps chronic injuries rather than inability, as he's hit in the minors. And maybe they're rolling the dice and hoping that he's put that behind him.

Else, welcome Dusty Ryan II.

[Frayed Knot]

Give him some points for consistency though.
In 2010 he hit .191 over 178 ABs (for Seattle)
In 2011 he hit .190 over 179 ABs (for San Diego)

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Well, yeah, but those are both pitchers' parks.

[seawolf17]

Dave Hudgens said he'd fix him in ten minutes.

[dgwphotography]

This is what it has come to. I read those names, and I. Really. Don't. Care.

[Edgy MD]

NRIs happen every year --- particularly catchers. Every year, they're construed as a representative move of a misguided franchise.

[DocTee]

Bold prediction: Merts will acquire Kurt Suzuki from Oakland, since the A's are slashing budget and just added a Catcher in the Gio G trade.

[seawolf17]

DocTee wrote: Bold prediction: Merts will acquire Kurt Suzuki from Oakland, since the A's are slashing budget and just added a Catcher in the Gio G trade.

Bold prediction: Kurt Suzuki sucks.

[MFS62]

I wonder what Charlie O'Brien is doing?
He's only about 50, and he could probably out-hit some of these guys.

Later

Edited December 23, 2011 by Guest

[Ceetar]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm pumped. He could be the best Mets catcher named Rob since Robinson Cancel.

I bet they give him #7.

[Edgy MD]

Yorvit Torrealba crosses the line.

[youtube:1m2f83hm]dEUUJiSu3V4[/youtube:1m2f83hm]

[MFS62]

I've never met a catcher named Yorvit who I could trust.
Oh, wait ...

Later

[ashie62]

dgwphotography wrote: This is what it has come to. I read those names, and I. Really. Don't. Care.

Are they even trying to improve this team?

Last year felt like 1978 to me and this one does also. Fred DeRoulet.

[Edgy MD]

Recent bubblings about Ivan Rodriguez and Ramon Castro, Part II. Both seem unlikely at this juncture, but clearly the Mets are still hunting for a backstop.