The Catcher Market Revisited

It seems like a bad year for catchers on a lot of teams. Really makes me appreciate Geovanny Soto after the Cubs have been in the same boat for so many years.

I think you have to consider Saltalamacchia as an option as well. Teagarden is really the Rangers heir apparent catcher.

Once again Halo Neglect. The ANgels have 2 VERY capable catchers in Napoli and Mathis, with a top prospect (Hank Conger) in the wings. They have to be considered potential trade partners if your talking backstops.

"Once again Halo Neglect. The ANgels have 2 VERY capable catchers in Napoli and Mathis, with a top prospect (Hank Conger) in the wings. They have to be considered potential trade partners if your talking backstops."

I don't see the Angels trading to the Red Sox, as they are always a likely speed bump in the playoffs. As for Conger, he has played all but 1 game this year as the DH at Rancho Cucamonga, which suggests that they are suspect about his ability to be an everyday catcher. Further, they really have to get Napoli's feast or famine swing straightened out and/or get Mathis to start really producing offensively before they move one.

The Most Overlooked, underated, inexpensive option is...

J.R House - AAA for Houston Astros.

At 29, House has just 57 major league at bats, but in AAA he has been one of the most consistent hitters each year and has done it with decent pop.

House started his career blocked by Jason Kendall when Kendall was an All-Star. He then moved to Baltimore, where he was blocked by Ramon Hernandez when he was an All-Star.

He isn't a starter at this point of his career, but tough to argue he wouldn't be worth a shot for a team in need of a decent backup catcher with a little bit of a bat.

He would cost less then guys like LoDuca and the potential upside is certainly better.

"House started his career blocked by Jason Kendall when Kendall was an All-Star. He then moved to Baltimore, where he was blocked by Ramon Hernandez when he was an All-Star"

That's about 30% half true.

1st, when House was with the Pirates, he wasn't actually blocked by Kendall, but more he was injured and never fully recovered. Also, Kendall's last All Star appearance as a Pirate was in 2000, the same season House played A ball....so he wasn't ever blocked.

2nd, after stepping away from baseball in '05, he signed with the Astros in '06 and raked between AA and AAA, but was mainly 1b in AAA, because he's not good defensively as a catcher. The Astros had terrible catchers at the MLB level (Ausmus and Eric Munson), so again not actually blocked there either.

3rd, He left the Astros and signed with the Orioles who split his time between Catching and as a 1b/DH in AAA. Also Ramon Hernandez has not made the All Stars as an Oriole. Paul Bako was the back up and Hernandez only played part of the season...so, no he wasn't blocked.

JR House isn't an everyday catcher, and probably can't even catch at the MLB level. He might be an option as a DH/1b/PH and 3rd catcher (ala Robert Fick) if that's what you're looking for. The guy's 28 and will mostly likely be organizational filler from here on out.

"Don't forget:

If Teixeira doesn't sign with the Braves, Atlanta gets Salty and all those other guys back."

Say WHAT?!?!?!?!?

I don't think so...

The Giants should trade every veteran on that team that gets interest from other clubs because they are not in the club's long term plans. In addition to solid defense, Bengie has been solid with the bat. Also has a reasonable contract. Trade bait?

You rock Land-Man. I even pictured the scared look on Billy Dee Williams when I read your comment.

Robinson Diaz was going to get the call to the majors back when Zaun went to the DL but he had a DL stint of his own, so Thigpen got the call-up. Diaz has been back now healthy and hitting in the GCL for 9 games with a 1.135 OPS. The weird thing is that they have a AAA, their most major league ready, toiling in the GCL. Perhaps JP is shopping Barajas or Zaun and is close to a deal, and doesn't want to disrupt the current catching hierarchy in the minors so he's leaving Diaz in the GCL until he can call him after a trade.

"No way the Sox trade their elite SS prospect for a C prospect...that gets them nowhere"

I like to overvalue Sox prospects as much as the next guy, but if they can fetch a decent-hitting catching prospect with a serviceable glove in exchange for an average-fielding .820-.830 OPS shortstop prospect currently blocked by the Human Suck and His Immovable Contract, I think they'd pick up the phone.

"If Teixeira doesn't sign with the Braves, Atlanta gets Salty and all those other guys back."

I don't remember a takebacksies clause in that deal.

Although those would be kinda fun....this is MLB, not Elementary School Pokemon card trading time. The rules are far more set in stone. No nap time and the juice boxes have HGH.

I think the Rangers can get better than an inferior version of Jose Lopez for one of their elite catching prospects.

Bengie is by far the best option, bringing Gold Gloves & clutch hitting. His value has never been higher, especially on a bad team. He would be great for the Yankees

But I agree w/ Sabaen - Molina means too much to the pitching staff to be traded. It's a shame, because you could get a decent amount for him. Cashman will definetley place a call to his former employee

(shouldN't be that high)