Comments on: More third catcher rumblings… http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/ Your Daily Source for Half-Baked Crap Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:56:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Banjo http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54416 Banjo Mon, 23 Apr 2007 21:24:25 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54416 Kind of like Bartlett's leadership in the field.... :) Kind of like Bartlett's leadership in the field.... Smile

]]> By: frightwig http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54400 frightwig Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:01:41 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54400 OK. I wanted to give Rabe some benefit of the doubt, that he might become a standard, bad reserve OF in the majors for a few years if given the chance, but I thought his AAA numbers were better than that. OK. I wanted to give Rabe some benefit of the doubt, that he might become a standard, bad reserve OF in the majors for a few years if given the chance, but I thought his AAA numbers were better than that.

]]> By: brianS http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54399 brianS Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:49:51 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54399 Gardy is just trying to force the return of Corky Heintz Gardy is just trying to force the return of Corky Heintz

]]> By: ubelmann http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54398 ubelmann Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:47:48 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54398 <i>Rabe is a 4-A player who’s only on the team while Ron-DL is out...</i> I agree with all of your points, but I would like to point out that one of the things that irritates me most about this situation is that Rabe isn't even a 4-A player. He's a AAA player. Over the last three years at AAA, he hit .268/.343/.356. League average in the International League is 0.259/0.326/0.390. As a 27-year old corner outfielder with shaky defensive skills, that doesn't even make you a good AAA player. Rabe is a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency player. Rabe is a 4-A player who’s only on the team while Ron-DL is out...

I agree with all of your points, but I would like to point out that one of the things that irritates me most about this situation is that Rabe isn't even a 4-A player. He's a AAA player. Over the last three years at AAA, he hit .268/.343/.356. League average in the International League is 0.259/0.326/0.390. As a 27-year old corner outfielder with shaky defensive skills, that doesn't even make you a good AAA player.

Rabe is a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency player.

]]> By: SBG http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54394 SBG Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:43:21 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54394 <em>Hunter was parading around the clubhouse chanting, “No BP, no BP.”</em> Leadership! Hunter was parading around the clubhouse chanting, “No BP, no BP.”

Leadership!

]]> By: frightwig http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54392 frightwig Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:38:21 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54392 And in that case, Newman was a veteran utility infielder. The manager might understandably use that kind of player to help break in a rookie 2B, and otherwise he might keep such a player fresh by moving him around a few positions throughout the season. And in that case, Newman was a veteran utility infielder. The manager might understandably use that kind of player to help break in a rookie 2B, and otherwise he might keep such a player fresh by moving him around a few positions throughout the season.

]]> By: Jeff A http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54389 Jeff A Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:19:32 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54389 TK certainly did keep his bench fresh, and he would break rookies in slowly, but not Gardy's way. An example that springs to mind is Knoblauch in 1991. He only got 400-some at bats, with Al Newman getting a fair number of starts at second base. Still, there was no question that Knoblauch was the regular second baseman, and as the season progressed, he played more and more. TK certainly did keep his bench fresh, and he would break rookies in slowly, but not Gardy's way. An example that springs to mind is Knoblauch in 1991. He only got 400-some at bats, with Al Newman getting a fair number of starts at second base. Still, there was no question that Knoblauch was the regular second baseman, and as the season progressed, he played more and more.

]]> By: frightwig http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54388 frightwig Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:15:13 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54388 Also, it's one thing to "keep the bench fresh," but there's no reason to make an effort to give semi-regular starts to everyone on the roster. Rabe is a 4-A player who's only on the team while Ron-DL is out, yet he's had 5 starts and one appearance as a pinch-hitter in 12 games since 4/10. Why would any manager do that at the expense of a genuine prospect on the team? It's not even like Rabe is being rewarded for a hot streak; he's 2-for-18 with no XBH and no walks (.111/.111/.111). Pointing to TK is just a dodge. "Oh, you can't question it, because TK did the same thing." Really? TK liked to platoon blue chip prospects with 4-A filler? His idea of "keeping the bench fresh" was to play his 4th or 5th OF every other game? Also, it's one thing to "keep the bench fresh," but there's no reason to make an effort to give semi-regular starts to everyone on the roster. Rabe is a 4-A player who's only on the team while Ron-DL is out, yet he's had 5 starts and one appearance as a pinch-hitter in 12 games since 4/10. Why would any manager do that at the expense of a genuine prospect on the team? It's not even like Rabe is being rewarded for a hot streak; he's 2-for-18 with no XBH and no walks (.111/.111/.111).

Pointing to TK is just a dodge. "Oh, you can't question it, because TK did the same thing." Really? TK liked to platoon blue chip prospects with 4-A filler? His idea of "keeping the bench fresh" was to play his 4th or 5th OF every other game?

]]> By: ubelmann http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54382 ubelmann Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:20:35 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54382 Jacque Jones got 614 pathetic AB against LHP in the four years he was in Minnesota with Gardy in charge. When Kubel starts getting the Jacque Jones treatment, I'll believe that Gardy thinks he should be hitting lefties. How many times did we hear that Jones needed to hit against lefties in order to hit against righties? Which is to say, if Gardy wants to be consistent, then he'll write Kubel's name in the lineup every day if he thinks Kubel can hit lefties. Kubel doesn't even have enough plate appearances to qualify as a regular for the batting title and such. Jacque Jones got 614 pathetic AB against LHP in the four years he was in Minnesota with Gardy in charge. When Kubel starts getting the Jacque Jones treatment, I'll believe that Gardy thinks he should be hitting lefties. How many times did we hear that Jones needed to hit against lefties in order to hit against righties?

Which is to say, if Gardy wants to be consistent, then he'll write Kubel's name in the lineup every day if he thinks Kubel can hit lefties. Kubel doesn't even have enough plate appearances to qualify as a regular for the batting title and such.

]]> By: ubelmann http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54381 ubelmann Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:14:42 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54381 Yeah, I think that's pretty standard practice for Sunday afternoon games. Yeah, I think that's pretty standard practice for Sunday afternoon games.

]]> By: Banjo http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54380 Banjo Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:08:18 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54380 I read in another article that they quite often do not take full-fleged BP on Sundays, so it wasn't quite as out of the oridinary as that sttory made it seem. I read in another article that they quite often do not take full-fleged BP on Sundays, so it wasn't quite as out of the oridinary as that sttory made it seem.

]]> By: Banjo http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54377 Banjo Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:00:33 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54377 Disputed by Gardy in LEN3's blog: LEN3- "<a href="http://www.startribune.com/blogs/neal/?p=100" rel="nofollow">Gardy told me a couple of days ago that he feels that Jason Kubel can hit lefties and will get his shots. But Gardy has used the Tom Kelly approach to not letting the bench get stale and has given Rabe some at-bats against lefties. "</a> There might be more "hunch playing" than you'd be comfortable with, but the part about keeping the bench scrubs fresh does seem to be a fairly consistent approach going back to Kelly's tenure. Disputed by Gardy in LEN3's blog: LEN3- "Gardy told me a couple of days ago that he feels that Jason Kubel can hit lefties and will get his shots. But Gardy has used the Tom Kelly approach to not letting the bench get stale and has given Rabe some at-bats against lefties. "

There might be more "hunch playing" than you'd be comfortable with, but the part about keeping the bench scrubs fresh does seem to be a fairly consistent approach going back to Kelly's tenure.

]]> By: brianS http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54373 brianS Mon, 23 Apr 2007 15:51:01 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54373 And this from the story ubelmann linked: <blockquote>No BP: As Gardenhire was finishing talking to reporters before the game on Sunday, a chant broke out in the Twins clubhouse. Hunter was parading around the clubhouse chanting, "No BP, no BP." The weather before Sunday's game was less than desirable, with a lot of clouds in the sky and rain threatening. Gardenhire was happy to comply and gave in to Hunter's request. The team hit in the indoor batting cages before the game, making Hunter and the rest of the Twins happy. </blockquote> Well, that sure worked out great. I'm glad the Twins were happy <i>before</i> making Jeremy de la Rosa look like Johan de la Rosa. And this from the story ubelmann linked:

No BP: As Gardenhire was finishing talking to reporters before the game on Sunday, a chant broke out in the Twins clubhouse. Hunter was parading around the clubhouse chanting, "No BP, no BP."

The weather before Sunday's game was less than desirable, with a lot of clouds in the sky and rain threatening. Gardenhire was happy to comply and gave in to Hunter's request. The team hit in the indoor batting cages before the game, making Hunter and the rest of the Twins happy.

Well, that sure worked out great. I'm glad the Twins were happy before making Jeremy de la Rosa look like Johan de la Rosa.

]]> By: ubelmann http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54371 ubelmann Mon, 23 Apr 2007 15:39:37 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54371 Also, if you look at Redmond's and Kubel's numbers so far, you can't really say that either one has done much better than the other. That is, if you think Redmond has the hot hand, his hand isn't any hotter than Kubel's. Also, if you look at Redmond's and Kubel's numbers so far, you can't really say that either one has done much better than the other. That is, if you think Redmond has the hot hand, his hand isn't any hotter than Kubel's.

]]> By: ubelmann http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54370 ubelmann Mon, 23 Apr 2007 15:32:40 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54370 <i>The obvious solution would seem to be to DH Kubel. I know he hasn’t hit a lot yet, but he hasn’t been in the lineup more than two or three days in a row.</i> Yeah. Gardy refuses to hit Kubel against lefties, but no, he really believes Kubel can hit lefties, it's just a big coincidence that he never gets any playing time. Riiiight. The obvious solution would seem to be to DH Kubel. I know he hasn’t hit a lot yet, but he hasn’t been in the lineup more than two or three days in a row.

Yeah. Gardy refuses to hit Kubel against lefties, but no, he really believes Kubel can hit lefties, it's just a big coincidence that he never gets any playing time. Riiiight.

]]> By: ubelmann http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54369 ubelmann Mon, 23 Apr 2007 15:30:01 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54369 <i>No, Redmond should (almost) never DH. Yesterday, it should have been Tyner. And hey, what about a bat somewhere? Anyone? Buehler?</i> I just can't wait for Rabe to stop getting playing time. His PECOTA forecast calls for -11 VORP in 400 PA, and he's already at -3 VORP in a mere 18 PA. Apparently he's in a hurry to get his full VORP before RonDL comes back. It's one thing to keep Kubel from starting against Scott Kazmir. Jorge De La Rosa, though? And we had trouble scoring runs? Big surprise there. No, Redmond should (almost) never DH. Yesterday, it should have been Tyner. And hey, what about a bat somewhere? Anyone? Buehler?

I just can't wait for Rabe to stop getting playing time. His PECOTA forecast calls for -11 VORP in 400 PA, and he's already at -3 VORP in a mere 18 PA. Apparently he's in a hurry to get his full VORP before RonDL comes back.

It's one thing to keep Kubel from starting against Scott Kazmir. Jorge De La Rosa, though? And we had trouble scoring runs? Big surprise there.

]]> By: Jeff A http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54364 Jeff A Mon, 23 Apr 2007 13:55:43 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54364 The obvious solution would seem to be to DH Kubel. I know he hasn't hit a lot yet, but he hasn't been in the lineup more than two or three days in a row. Almost everyone says he'll hit if given a chance, but he's never really been given one. It has to be harder for anyone to do his job when he knows he'll be replaced the first time he's less than perfect. Given the alternatives, I don't understand the reluctance to give him a shot. The obvious solution would seem to be to DH Kubel. I know he hasn't hit a lot yet, but he hasn't been in the lineup more than two or three days in a row. Almost everyone says he'll hit if given a chance, but he's never really been given one. It has to be harder for anyone to do his job when he knows he'll be replaced the first time he's less than perfect. Given the alternatives, I don't understand the reluctance to give him a shot.

]]> By: New Britain Bo http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54357 New Britain Bo Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:34:37 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54357 Catchers-in-th'-wings update: Korey Feiner (New Britain) logged four BB's yesterday against Conn. Defenders. His stats as of 4/22: Player AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO K Feiner .474 7 19 5 9 2 0 0 3 11 5 5 Catchers-in-th'-wings update: Korey Feiner (New Britain) logged four BB's yesterday against Conn. Defenders.

His stats as of 4/22:

Player AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO
K Feiner .474 7 19 5 9 2 0 0 3 11 5 5

]]> By: SBG http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54348 SBG Mon, 23 Apr 2007 09:09:46 +0000 http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2007/04/22/more-third-catcher-rumblings/#comment-54348 The big problem is DHing Redmond. I'm okay with catching Redmond and DHing Mauer once in a while. But, this DHing Redmond every day is a new kind of torture. Because, the Twins can't pinch hit for him, because then, what if Mauer gets hurt -- who will catch? This is a valid concern. No, Redmond should (almost) never DH. Yesterday, it should have been Tyner. And hey, what about a bat somewhere? Anyone? Buehler? The big problem is DHing Redmond. I'm okay with catching Redmond and DHing Mauer once in a while. But, this DHing Redmond every day is a new kind of torture. Because, the Twins can't pinch hit for him, because then, what if Mauer gets hurt -- who will catch? This is a valid concern.

No, Redmond should (almost) never DH. Yesterday, it should have been Tyner. And hey, what about a bat somewhere? Anyone? Buehler?

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