Who backs up Adley in 2023?

[ChipTait]

Do they re-sign Chirinos for his "veteran presence," or bring up someone already in the system?

Nottingham seems to handle the bat fairly well.  No idea how well he does the "catching" part of the job.

Or, will it be someone from outside the system?

Enlighten me, friends!

[Sports Guy]

Should be Handley from day 1 but I’m guessing they go with someone else to start the year and eventually go to Handley after more MiL time.

[clapdiddy]

I would really like someone who is not an instant out and still play decent defense.

[Hank Scorpio]

Hopefully it's somebody who's primary role isn't "mentor." 

 

[forphase1]

No to Chirinos.  I appreciate what he's brought to the team this year,  but I think we can find similar results behind the plate and a better bat either internally or through a signing.

[Can_of_corn]

4 minutes ago, clapdiddy said:

I would really like someone who is not an instant out and still play decent defense.

I'll take a hole in the offense for plus defense.

[Ripken]

I'd be happy to sign an actual good catcher and have time split behind the plate.  AR's bat is so valuable I'd like to lessen the beating he takes back there.  He can do some catching, DHing, and 1B.  

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, Ripken said:

I'd be happy to sign an actual good catcher and have time split behind the plate.  AR's bat is so valuable I'd like to lessen the beating he takes back there.  He can do some catching, DHing, and 1B.  

There isn't really any reason to put him at first. 

It's nice that he can do it if he has to but I'd rather not put that on his plate.

[Sports Guy]

3 minutes ago, Ripken said:

I'd be happy to sign an actual good catcher and have time split behind the plate.  AR's bat is so valuable I'd like to lessen the beating he takes back there.  He can do some catching, DHing, and 1B.  

This is a thought by some in the fan base but I don’t get it.

He needs to catch and he should be catching 130ish games a year.

[Aristotelian]

I'd be cool with giving Handley a shot. 

[interloper]

Remember when Chirinos was actually a breath of fresh air defensively for awhile? That didn't last long. 

[interloper]

5 minutes ago, Ripken said:

I'd be happy to sign an actual good catcher and have time split behind the plate.  AR's bat is so valuable I'd like to lessen the beating he takes back there.  He can do some catching, DHing, and 1B.  

I want him catching. When he doesn't, we basically don't win games. The difference is stark. 

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, interloper said:

Remember when Chirinos was actually a breath of fresh air defensively for awhile? That didn't last long. 

Chirinos at least tries.

But when you compare him to someone that is actually skilled back there, the flaws are obvious.

[interloper]

Free agent catchers according to MLBTR:

Tucker Barnhart (32)
Curt Casali (34)
Jason Castro (36)
Robinson Chirinos (38)
Willson Contreras (31)
Austin Hedges (30)
Andrew Knapp (31)
Sandy Leon (34)
Martin Maldonado (36) – $5MM vesting option
Omar Narvaez (31)
Roberto Perez (34)
Kevin Plawecki (32)
Austin Romine (34)
Gary Sanchez (30)
Kurt Suzuki (39)
Christian Vazquez (32)
Stephen Vogt (38)
Mike Zunino (32)

[DrungoHazewood]

15 minutes ago, Aristotelian said:

I'd be cool with giving Handley a shot. 

I suppose.  He is 24 and has hit .215 with a .677 OPS in the minors. Never played above AA. He's probably going a Paul Bako, Jeff Tackett, Ronny Paulino, Caleb Joseph, Taylor Teagarden kind of player.  Solid defense, .600ish OPS.  Might struggle to hit .200 most years.

Edited August 25, 2022 by DrungoHazewood