Orioles Searching Outside Organization for Backup C (per Roch)

[canonfaz]

I've heard from scouts outside the organization that the Orioles are searching for a backup catcher. They haven't committed to choosing between Steve Clevenger and Johnny Monell.

Not very thrilled to hear this, but not at all surprised either. I really don't get the need to have a defense first catcher since Buck plays Wieters so much. I would much rather have a decent defensive catcher that can pinch hit when the need arises.

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_roch/2014/03/the-catching-situation-and-johan-santanas-role-as-mentor.html

[tntoriole]

Yes, I am tired of the automatic out, "defensive" catchers that have made our lineup no better than a NL lineup on those days.

[Orioles0615]

Yes, I am tired of the automatic out, "defensive" catchers that have made our lineup no better than a NL lineup on those days.

Wieters should be on the block then also...

...someone had too

[Dipper9]

This bothers me.

[Frobby]

I am not very surprised at this news. I think it is the second time this spring there has been some mention of the O's wanting to find some other backup C candidates. And I'm fine with looking around. Almost every team has some guys who are out of options and won't make their current club. If there is a backup C in that position who is better than Clevenger or Monell, be ready to pick him up.

[canonfaz]

Clevenger has never looked like a complete butcher to me either behind the plate. Although, his arm is pretty weak (he has always been below the league average in MiLB in CS%).

[MrOrange82]

I don't want the O's to extend Wieters, but I don't think very many of us understand how difficult he'll be to replace. Finding a half-decent backup is trouble enough.

[canonfaz]

Clevenger has never looked like a complete butcher to me either behind the plate. Although, his arm is pretty weak (he has always been below the league average in MiLB in CS%).

I take that back. His MiLB CS% is 28%, I guess that's about average.

[canonfaz]

I don't want the O's to extend Wieters, but I don't think very many of us understand how difficult he'll be to replace. Finding a half-decent backup is trouble enough.

Yeah. You gotta hope that Sisco continues to develop.

[isestrex]

I haven't been watching their defense so I've really only seen their box scores, but I'm perfectly happy with either Monell or Clevenger.

[Frobby]

Yeah. You gotta hope that Sisco continues to develop.

I like Sisco, but he is a very long way from the majors. I doubt he'll be ready to be a major league starting catcher by 2016, even if he stays on track and progresses well. And of course, there are a dozen ways he could get off track.

[canonfaz]

I like Sisco, but he is a very long way from the majors. I doubt he'll be ready to be a major league starting catcher by 2016, even if he stays on track and progresses well. And of course, there are a dozen ways he could get off track.

Agreed. But if he continues to develop positively, then even if he is a year+ away when Wieters hits free agency, we can look for a quality stop gap guy instead of having to invest in a catcher long term.

[BohKnowsBmore]

I don't want the O's to extend Wieters, but I don't think very many of us understand how difficult he'll be to replace. Finding a half-decent backup is trouble enough.

Well said. He's certainly not above criticism, but I sometimes think some of his biggest detractors on this board do not pay attention to the opposing teams' starting lineups when we play, particularly at the catcher position.

[mdbdotcom]

If Wieters were to miss 3 weeks or more due to injury or illness, which catcher in the organization right now would you want to fill in for him?

[fearthenoodle]

DD is always looking. Nothing wrong with that. This was reported over the winter, as well.