Toast and Marmalade for Teagarden?

[G-Fafif]

Competition for Anthony Recker? Only from the front.

The Mets have signed catcher Taylor Teagarden to a minor-league contract with spring-training invite. Teagarden, 30, presumably would join Juan Centeno at Triple-A, with Anthony Recker backing up Travis d'Arnaud at the major league level. Officially, though, Teagarden would compete with Recker for the backup catcher spot. Teagarden hit .167 with two homers and five RBIs in 60 at-bats with the Baltimore Orioles last season. He has a .206 average and 20 homers in 467 career at-bats over six seasons with the Orioles and Texas Rangers.

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[Frayed Knot]

Was considered a decent up-and-comer with the Rangers a couple years back, but has never really flourished during his ML time.

[Edgy MD]

Accomplished catch-and-throw guy with puncher's power. Good choice, I think.

[ashie62]

I don't believe this satisfies the need for an MLB backup for D'Arnaud..

Go fish..

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

For some reason, probably his fruity name, I want to think he was a Marlin once, but he wasn't.

Also recall at one time he was a prospect catcher. Like John Buck and Ben Petrick and like that.

[Edgy MD]

Ashie62 wrote: I don't believe this satisfies the need for an MLB backup for D'Arnaud.. Go fish..

The Red Sox backup catcher is David Wade Ross, who hit .216 / .298 / .382 // .681 last year, and is bald.

The Braves backup catcher is Gerald Laird, who gets in drunken brawls at basketball games and stores spare bedding in his jowls.

The Tigers backup catcher is Bryan Holaday, who wears number 50, has hit one big league homer in 22 career games, and wears number 50.

He's not there to be the "MLB backup for D'Arnaud." He's there to be the reserve in Las Vegas. Don't sweat backup catching.

[ashie62]

I'm sweating the idea that if D'Arnaud goes down we might need a C for 300 PA or some sick number....

I miss John Buck..

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Edgy MD wrote: Accomplished catch-and-throw guy with puncher's power. Good choice, I think.

So what you're saying is, he's a little Barajish.

In Vegas insurance/backup pool duty? Well, I ain't clotted-creamin' or nothin', but the move doesn't turn me sconeful, neither.

[ashie62]

I want to hear Ralph Kiner say Taylor Teagarden...

[MFS62]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Accomplished catch-and-throw guy with puncher's power. Good choice, I think. So what you're saying is, he's a little Barajish.

If he comes out with a comp more like a Todd Pratt, I wouldn't be too upset.

Later

[Edgy MD]

Ashie62 wrote: I'm sweating the idea that if D'Arnaud goes down we might need a C for 300 PA or some sick number.... I miss John Buck..

That happens, and you still think your team is in a race, you make due with Recker and Teagarden (and Juan Centeno and Kai Gronauer), while you work the trade wires.

If you're not in a race, well, you take advantage of that unfortunate time to give these guys their work.

Buck may well be a waste of bucks. Don't sweat backup catchers. They're there for color, mostly.

Anybody could get hurt. Wright goes down and it's Flores, Lutz, and Satin. Not much big league experience there.

Can't solve all the problems at once. There are shortstops to be had.

[Frayed Knot]

Ashie62 wrote: I'm sweating the idea that if D'Arnaud goes down we might need a C for 300 PA or some sick number.... I miss John Buck..

Buck hit .213 w/5 HRs after April last year so don't go missing him too much.

[Lefty Specialist]

When I think of the problems facing this club, back-up catcher is about 47th. So this is a move of no concern and little import.

And yes, Buck was worthless after April, except for Jordany-crushing.