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Post by RJPinstripes on Jan 30, 2006 9:43:44 GMT -5
; How are we fixed for catching prospects? We definitely need some, and we will (soon) have an opening in the bigs! An excellent opportunity will be available!
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Post by dg on Jan 30, 2006 20:28:59 GMT -5
unfortunately, Catcher is our worst position in the minors.......[glow=red,2,300]here's D23's take[/glow]:
"Catchers we have:
Wil Neives - Columbus but Cash liked this guy and believes he may get a shot. Explains why he's the only guy on the 40 man roster along with Posada. David Parrish - As we know, drafted him first round, didn't exactly panned out to be many thought would be. Was sent to AFL and is still a decent catcher. Never had a break out year.
Omar Santos - Trenton. Perhaps our best shot. Nice catcher, though his arm was over-rated imo. Solid hitter. On the small side but so was Pudge Rodriquez. Probably ready for Columbus but will he be the Clipper's main catcher over Nieves and Parrish? Not worth a backup, needs to catch often...
PJ Piliterre - I believe he was the first catcher drafted last year. Solid season at Staten Island and probably will begin at Tampa. Remains to be seen if he can make it up to higher levels.
Jose Gil - If you're looking for a guy that could be a Dioner Navarro caliber type prospect, perhaps we have to look at see what Jose Gil turns out to be. 18 years old switch hitter who had pretty good offensive stats at GCL. Probably will begin at Charleston and finish the season at Staten Island. "
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Post by RJPinstripes on Jan 30, 2006 20:59:48 GMT -5
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Post by dg on Jan 30, 2006 21:06:34 GMT -5
RJ--check out this link for stats, etc. www.yankeesprospects.com/index.phpI'm keeping an eye on 2 2005 draft picks , 10th rd. pick Kyle Anson (supposedly switching permanently from 3B to C) and 12th rd. pick Joseph Muich, from Wichita State University (50 miles from my home). Gil, Santos, and Pilitterre need to make major strides this year. It doesn't look like anyone will be ready to back up Posada in 2007....or, for that matter, be able to start in 2008. We're owed a successful draft pick at Catcher after David Parrish has been a 1st rd. bust .
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Post by RJPinstripes on Jan 30, 2006 21:15:35 GMT -5
Ben Davis is a very intriguing possibility. Too bad, he's 28 years old. At one time, this guy was some prospect! Let's hope, he's a "late-bloomer" !!! Could be a steal if we get lucky!
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Post by dg on Jan 30, 2006 21:18:13 GMT -5
I'm glad Ben Davis is aboard for some experience if Stinnett gets hurt...... I can't even contemplate how bad off we would be if Posada were hurt. Davis was injured last year, and should be motivated to try to win a backup Catching job in 2007.....might as well be with the Yankees .
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Post by RJPinstripes on Jan 30, 2006 21:28:56 GMT -5
Also, it seems from the list that (as a group) our prospects are kind of old. The old theory that a catcher starts to fade at approx. 30, and our group is older as we speak. Hey, if we can't get an older (21-22) stud college prospect in the draft, we have got to try to get 3-4 high school (young guys) in the draft. All this being said, we sign a stud free agent and away we go! But, we do have to act soon to replace Posada.
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Post by dg on Jan 30, 2006 21:33:09 GMT -5
Next Year's free agents are Bengie Molina, Gregg Zaun and Javy Lopez (for starting candidates). Posada will luckily still be with us then. I'll try to find out some candidates for free agency in 2008.......
Here's the complete list for 2007: Damian Miller (Team + Player option) Henry Blanco Doug Mirabelli Javier Valentin Vance Wilson Chris Widger Paul Bako Kelly Stinnett Gregg Zaun Gary Bennett Ken Huckaby Todd Greene Einar Diaz Raul Casanova John Flaherty Mike DiFelice Alberto Castillo Todd Pratt Sandy Alomar Jr. Eddie Perez Ivan Rodriguez (Poss. Void Option) Rod Barajas Javy Lopez Mike Redmond
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Post by dg on Jan 30, 2006 21:38:27 GMT -5
Here is the list of FA Catchers for 2008: Jason Kendall Jose Molina Josh Paul Sal Fasano Chad Moeller Jason LaRue Yorvit Torrealba Brad Ausmus Ivan Rodriguez (Team Option) Mike Matheny (Team Option) Paul LoDuca Michael Barrett Toby Hall
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Post by RJPinstripes on Jan 30, 2006 22:03:54 GMT -5
Good stuff. Thanks! You're right on about if we should lose Posada. Hey, Posada and Stinnett are both definitely way over the 30 and down-hill-with-catchers theory! Whoops, I didn't mean to say that. Can Aaron Small catch? Andy Phillips ever try? Hey, even in little league today, kids don't want to catch!!! Easiest route (one of) to the Bigs is catching (real nice when a switc h hitter). What happened with Dioner ? Obviously he had some weaknesses, because he would be ready to step in at the present time.
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Post by RJPinstripes on Jan 30, 2006 22:08:38 GMT -5
DG Not many FA's on the lists for 07 or 08 that "knock my socks off" ! Probably have to draft and develop our own unless we get a Cuban Runaway or something like that! Good Japanese guy signed with Mariners. For sure, we'll do something!
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Post by dg on Jan 30, 2006 22:10:57 GMT -5
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Post by dg on Jan 30, 2006 22:15:01 GMT -5
DG Not many FA's on the lists for 07 or 08 that "knock my socks off" ! Probably have to draft and develop our own unless we get a Cuban Runaway or something like that! Good Japanese guy signed with Mariners. For sure, we'll do something! True....less than stellar FA lists. Maybe someone from the list will play better the next couple of years. Posada has really spoiled us...... he's still one of the best Catchers, even though he isn't what he used to be........
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Post by RJPinstripes on Jan 30, 2006 22:20:10 GMT -5
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Post by dg on Jan 30, 2006 22:26:24 GMT -5
He looked pretty good with the Dodgers last year.....hit .273 in 50 games. It seems like he got the "over-rated" prior to being traded, though I'm not sure why, other than the fact he isn't a power hitter. He could develop into a decent batting avg/doubles hitter....and there's nothing wrong with that.
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Post by RJPinstripes on Jan 31, 2006 9:29:32 GMT -5
Hey dg it's just too bad (with our catching prospects ...so far) that we traded Dodger Dioner, we move on. Thanks again for all the info. ;D
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Post by DavidL on Jan 31, 2006 11:47:42 GMT -5
I've heard that Navarro didn't have the best work ethic and had gotten overweight, so that was why he was expendable.
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Post by dg on Jan 31, 2006 17:56:25 GMT -5
I've heard that Navarro didn't have the best work ethic and had gotten overweight, so that was why he was expendable. Thanks for the info, DavidL. Combine that with the fact that beggars can't be choosers whe it comes to getting someone like RJ....... and the move was understandable...... I know we all just wish we had a capable young C ready to back up Posada.
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