Preparations for 2013-Part One: Catcher

[Bahama O's Fan]

This will be the first in a series of threads of our team for 2013. First of all, let's look at the catcher position-Weiters, Teagarden. Despite being subpar what we expected offensively, there is no doubt that Weiters might be the most important player on our team. His ability to call a game, block pitches and cut down runners has been exceptional. He also has the ability to hit for power on occasion with a respectable, not great, OBP. While he may not be the switch-hitting Jesus, as long as he doesn't become Judas and gives us Peter/Paul offensive numbers, we MUST sign him to a new long term deal soon. In Teagarden, we an interesting backup. I would prefer to have a better option, but he does seem clutch. I would be okay going into 2013 with this position set without an upgrade.

[tntoriole]

This will be the first in a series of threads of our team for 2013. First of all, let's look at the catcher position-Weiters, Teagarden. Despite being subpar what we expected offensively, there is no doubt that Weiters might be the most important player on our team. His ability to call a game, block pitches and cut down runners has been exceptional. He also has the ability to hit for power on occasion with a respectable, not great, OBP. While he may not be the switch-hitting Jesus, as long as he doesn't become Judas and gives us Peter/Paul offensive numbers, we MUST sign him to a new long term deal soon. In Teagarden, we an interesting backup. I would prefer to have a better option, but he does seem clutch. I would be okay going into 2013 with this position set without an upgrade.

Agreed. Sign Matt. Teagarden is fine as backup.

[skanar]

Also, Luis Exposito in AAA in case of injury.

[isestrex]

I would not re-sign Matt to anything lengthy/expensive. The Twins are stuck with Mauer as their "First Baseman of the future" because he can't stay healthy. Pudge Rodriguez and Yadier Molina are ridiculous outliers. Most catchers can't both hit and stay healthy for 10 years. I would not expect Wieters to fall into the same category as those two and would not sign him to anything that would reinforce that expectation.

DD needs to tread very carefully with Wieters' future or it could serious come back to haunt this organization down the road.

[Brendan25]

I think we are pretty set at catcher this offseason. The only thing that may be tackled would be an extension for Matt. But with Matt, Teagarden, and Exposito, we should be pretty set.

I like the idea of having these threads though. Should have a poll for positions like 1B, 2b, and LF

[centralpaosfan]

I would give serious consideration to drafting a catcher fairly high in the draft this year. Assuming it takes a player 3-4 years minimum to get MLB ready that puts that player MLB ready when Matt will need more rest on a weekly basis.

[Brendan25]

I would give serious consideration to drafting a catcher fairly high in the draft this year. Assuming it takes a player 3-4 years minimum to get MLB ready that puts that player MLB ready when Matt will need more rest on a weekly basis.

Don't necessarily disagree with this.

[Morgan423]

"I do not get a hit very often, but when I do, I hit with RISP." --- Taylor Teagarden

[zxlkho]

Sign the **** out of Wieters.

[sevastras]

I would give serious consideration to drafting a catcher fairly high in the draft this year. Assuming it takes a player 3-4 years minimum to get MLB ready that puts that player MLB ready when Matt will need more rest on a weekly basis.

Not a terrible idea, but I think you just go with best available for the draft. If we went with best available, we very well could have had Buster Posey even though we drafted Wieters the year before.

[wildcard]

I hope the O's sign Wieters to a five year deal this off season. He is a major reason why the pitchers have improved. The pitchers trust him so much that they hardly ever do not accept the pitches he calls. He will be 27 next year and entering his prime.

[Bahama O's Fan]

I think we are pretty set at catcher this offseason. The only thing that may be tackled would be an extension for Matt. But with Matt, Teagarden, and Exposito, we should be pretty set.

I like the idea of having these threads though. Should have a poll for positions like 1B, 2b, and LF

I plan to do one for each position every couple of days

[isestrex]

I hope the O's sign Wieters to a five year deal this off season. He is a major reason why the pitchers have improved. The pitchers trust him so much that they hardly ever do not accept the pitches he calls. He will be 27 next year and entering his prime.

Do you think he is behind the plate for 120+ games in years 4 and 5 of that contract? I don't.

Unless the O's extension is short term (3 years or less), I'm against it.

[Slappy]

I'd wait until after next year to try and extend Wieters. It's a gamble, but I just don't see him busting out offensively.

[wildcard]

Do you think he is behind the plate for 120+ games in years 4 and 5 of that contract? I don't.

Unless the O's extension is short term (3 years or less), I'm against it.

5 years? 27-31 years old. I think the odds are with him to be able to handle 120 games at catcher at 31.