The Next Mets Catcher

[Benjamin Grimm]

I read someone somewhere speculating that if none of the Mets five projected starters break down in spring training (looking at you, Johan!) the Mets will be more willing to spend a couple of million to fill other positions, like perhaps catcher or reserve outfielder.

So if that's true, the "no" to Pudge might actually be a "not yet".

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Madden today wrote about Terry leaning on Thole to improve his handling of the staff and general work behind the dish saying he better hit a lot higher than .268 if he catches like he did last year.

I kind of admire his bluntness, no getting around the fact that Thole was a rotten catcher especially early last year and needs to improve his overall game to be a good one. But it was an encouraging kind of rip.

[Ceetar]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Madden today wrote about Terry leaning on Thole to improve his handling of the staff and general work behind the dish saying he better hit a lot higher than .268 if he catches like he did last year. I kind of admire his bluntness, no getting around the fact that Thole was a rotten catcher especially early last year and needs to improve his overall game to be a good one. But it was an encouraging kind of rip.

Supposedly Thole asked for the constructive criticism as well.

yeah, I like the bluntness. Collins isn't one to let guys get complacent. I thought Thole was mostly tolerable after about Mid-May or so. He had a really really bad start all around.

Interestingly, I'd sorta been giving Thole somewhat of a pass for the Knuckleball, but Collins turned it the other way; Maybe Thole should've had MORE passed balls that got assigned as Wild Pitches that he should've caught if he'd had the glove turned right.

[smg58]

I like what Collins is doing. Thole did not show last year that he can be the starting catcher on a good team, and Collins is letting him know in no uncertain terms that his present opportunity is finite in duration.

[Lefty Specialist]

And this is why they'd never re-sign Castro. He dogged it on many an occasion in his previous tour with the Mets. He wants someone who's got something to prove, in order to push Thole. This is what the Rob Johnsons of the world are for.

[metirish]

This comment from Collins just sounds like bullshit he made up to cover for Thole

According to Collins, the first thing Thole did when he got into camp was to summon the manager and coaches and declare: �Go ahead. Beat me up. I can take it. Tell me what I have to do.� Collins did.