Elite Catcher Not A Need For Pirates

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By Alan Smodic

Posted on December 18, 2008 at 12:28 AM

Future Pirates draft choice -- clappstar/Flickr.com

As our week-long discussion on catchers has progressed, I've noticed many different takes from our writers and readers on the path the Pirates should take in ensuring that the catcher's position is firmly entrenched when the team becomes a winner.

Some believe it will/can be Ryan Doumit. Others think he should be traded to take advantage of his current peak value years to a team stressing its catching situation.

Through both arguments, I think we can all agree that elite catchers are very hard to come by.

But are they needed to win? I think not.

Quick...who was the Philadelphia Phillies' starting catcher in 2008 -- their World Series season? ... A combination of Carlos Ruiz and Chris Coste -- two average (at best) hitting catchers that helped more on their knowledge of their pitching staff. Their bats were not considered a threat.

For the Phillies, Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and a cast of others took care of that.

If you begin to look back at a lot of the recent World Series champions, you'll notice that their catcher wasn't a huge offensive producer -- '08 Phillies, '06 Cardinals, '02 Angels and to an extent, the '07 Red Sox and '05 White Sox (These two produced a little, but weren't counted on as the main guys, by any means).

Basically, what I'm trying to say is that there is more talent across the board at every other position than there is at catcher in any classification of baseball. So why focus on it?

If the Tampa Bay Rays proved anything in 2008, it's that good pitching and sound defense can win you a lot of games. A smart, trustworthy catcher behind the plate is a key component to that, which Dioner Navarro proved to be. It's certainly something that the Pirates should take note of.

Would I love to have a hard-hitting catcher? Sure. But if I can dump Doumit to a team looking for the help now (like the Boston Red Sox), then I'd do it and bring in as much talent as possible.

If the rest of the team is built correctly and other promising offensive bats can join McCutchen/Tabata/Alvarez, then those bats can take care of offense. I'll take a solid defender that meshes well with our young staff from behind the plate. One that knows how to call a game and command respect. And throw out some runners.

Who knows, maybe one of Diaz, Jaramillo or Walker can turn into that.
Tags: MLB, Pittsburgh Pirates

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6 Comments on "Elite Catcher Not A Need For Pirates"

#1

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Posted by nicolas, December 18, 2008 6:21 AM

see, now to me this simply furthers the argument for moving doumit sooner than later. if teams like tampa and philly (and, to a slightly lesser extent the mets) could have as much success as they did last season without anything more than mediocre offensive production from the catcher position, wouldn't it seem logical to acquire a catcher with some real pop in his bat - as long as his defense isn't a huge liability - and make the team that much better?

also, i would think any team's concerns over having a catcher who is an A offensively and a B at best defensively could be mitigated by an AL team that could also spot start him at RF, 1B, or DH.

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#2

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Posted by Cory Humes in reply to comment from nicolas, December 18, 2008 10:45 AM

Sure. I was talking about potential 2009 Red Sox lineups with Evan Brunell yesterday, and he had Jason Varitek (or whomever they eventually sign to catch) batting ninth.

Doumit in Boston batting ninth? In Pittsburgh, he'd be a cleanup hitter. The Sox lineup would have no holes.

Send him to Oakland, where Billy Beane seems intent on competing this year. A Kurt Suzuki/Doumit platoon behind the plate would be solid -- and then you can give him at-bats at first, LF and DH, too -- because his stick definitely plays at those positions.

Doumit could turn a good batting order into a very good or great one.

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#3

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Posted by Cory Humes, December 18, 2008 10:50 AM

Alan -- I agree completely with your last line.

As far as catching depth goes, the Pirates' crop might not look outstanding at first glance. But compared to the rest of the league, I'm thinking that a foursome including the three catchers you mentioned and Steve Lerud is plenty solid. You might not find a breakout stud like Doumit, but I'd bet on receiving at least league-average contributions at the position at a cheap rate for a long time.

Nothing's stopping Neal Huntington from drafting the next Matt Wieters who comes along, either.

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#4

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Posted by Alan Smodic, December 18, 2008 12:26 PM

Who is this Matt Wieters you speak of? Never heard of him...

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#5

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Posted by Garrett, December 18, 2008 10:24 PM

I say trade Doumit and McLouth. I feel that Doumit for Bucholz, Drabek or even Carrasco would be a great move for the organization. We need a "bonafide ace" and we could get one easily, by trading our young (but too old for our rebuild) studs. McLouth is a must sell for me. I think his numbers are a big fluke, and with the contract extention talks failing, the Pirates should be beating down the door of the Yankees, Braves, A's, and Redsox.

Imagine a package deal of McLouth and Doumit to the BoSox, Bucholz, Lars Anderson, and possibly another great prospect. Pull the trigger Neil!!!!!!!

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#6

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Posted by john holland in reply to comment from Garrett, December 19, 2008 9:01 PM

Garrett,
Why in the freekin world would you trade Mclouth? We lost Nady and Bay last year (good move there Neil !! ) they tried to trade Jack Wilson all off season we only have 3 major league players. Go to Mlb or si.com and read the article by Jack Wilson himself saying that Pittsburgh doesn't have enough players! You have to have talent at the major league level (Pirates don't ) for these young players to come up and mesh around. These young players otherwise struggle with no guidance or support same story there for 16 years now. The Pirates are horrible the whole organization! Why don't you start by hiring a manager that has clout, that will come in and change the attitude, losing culture and make people work. You know like the last time the Pirates had a winning team Leyland, Tanner Murtaugh! Not Russell or McClendon! Hello!

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