The GM's Almanac…Laird's backup
Checking up on the Hot Stove League….
The Rangers are probably not done looking for a backup catcher to play behind Gerald Laird. Right now they have Miguel Ojeda and Guillermo Quirez but both have only minimal Major League experience.
Among the free agents still out there is Todd Greene, the 36-year-old right-handed hitter who batted .289 with two home runs and 17 RBI in 159 at-bats for the San Francisco Giants. He has played with the Rangers before, a tough guy with some leadership and clubhouse presence.
Two other former Rangers are out there, Sandy Alomar and Einar Diaz, but they don’t appear to be options.
Matt LeCroy, who just turned 31, could be another interesting guy, a right-handed hitter who hit 43 home runs in 934 at-bats for the Minnesota Twins in 2004-2006. He was with Washington last year, hitting .239 with two home runs and nine RBI in 39 games and 67 at-bats before being let go in July.
He can hit a little bit but not sure if his defense is what the Rangers are looking for behind the plate. He’s been used more than twice as much as a designated hitter than he has as a catcher in his career although he can also play some first base.
Four other guys who have been around for a long time are Sal Fasano, Kelly Stinnett, Todd Pratt and Mike DiFelice. They are what you would call "the usual suspects."
Another guy at least worth mentioning is Eric Munson, a former first round pick by the Detroit Tigers who was the Astros backup catcher last year. It was the first time he ever caught at the big league level. The reason he’s worth mentioning is he is the only left-handed hitting catcher still out there, even if his career average against right-handers is just .209.
Greene is a right-handed hitter but he still hit .301 against righties last year. He seems to be the best of what’s left.
T.R. Sullivan
Toby
Too late now, but if I were GM, I would have kept both Rod Barajas and Gerald Laird. But now is now, and really, does it matter who is number two right now? As long as someone can catch and throw, I’m fine with whoever J.D. brings in. There is no right or wrong choice, although, I would have liked the idea of keeping ol’ Phil Nevin around as a backup to Gerald Laird in case of emergency, AND providing Tex protection in the lineup. But, that is what I would have done. What would you recommend T.R.? I’m out of ideas on this topic.
Oh, I forgot to make the comment that Rod didn’t want to be Gerald’s backup, so J.D. really had no choice but to let him go. I liked Rod’s leadership and game-calling and handling of pitchers. A whim I had: teach Jason Botts how to catch–he sure looks durable and strong to me. Then only in emergency he cold leave the DH spot or outfield and catch. Just a thought.
I like the idea of Greene. More than anything he will give the team some leadership in the clubhouse. You can never have too much of that. He also hits better against righties, which is where Laird is weak. I would like to see Quiroz tear it up in AAA to start the year and then maybe move up to the big squad. Like TR said in his Around the Horn article…you can never have too many catchers.
I think the Rangers are content with having Ojeda/Quiroz be the back-up, but it would be nice to have veteran insurance. None of the above really excite me, except I think that LeCroy and Greene would fit the role of potential platoon DH, 3rd C, backup 1B. LeCroy and Greene are both limited defensively, so if it’s between the two of them, I take LeCroy who has a bigger offensive upside.
Bring Pudge back! Why did we ever let him go anyway? That has always confused me. Anyway, bringing Todd Greene back would be a pretty good deal to me. Sign him to a minor league deal, Im sure he will accept, with an ST invite. If he doesnt make the team he can opt for FA.
I don’t think we want LeCroy. Frank Robinson had to pull him from a game in the middle of an inning last season because the opposing team was stealing left and right and it got embarrassing. If I remember right, Robby was quite broken up about it after the game while talking to reporters, saying he hated pulling the guy in the middle of an inning, but it had to be done.
No, I think I’ll pass on LeCroy as the backup catcher.
Given the (154 point) difference between Laird’s wonderful (league leading?) average vs. lefties and his low average vs. righties (more than 60 points lower than Greene’s) getting Greene already looked like a good option.
Now that we have 2 competing Utility IF’s (in Kata and Hairston) who can ALSO play OF (backing up Lofton), a roster spot opens up.
Getting Greene looks even smarter now, because we can carry a third catcher, thereby subbing Laird & Greene for each other in mid-game, depending on pitching changes, and having Quirez or Ojeda available in case of injury.