A look at the latest on the Mets as they take on the Reds in Cincinnati..
- The Mets view the recently-acquired Kelly Shoppach as a player that they might want to bring back for 2013, tweets Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger (via Twitter). The catcher is hitting .250/.327/.471 in 158 plate appearances this year with a career .270/.364/.530 against lefties.
- The Mets will audition Shoppach for the rest of the year to see if he might be a worthy platoon mate for Josh Thole next season, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The former Boston catcher was the club's third or fourth choice at catcher as they favored both Ramon Hernandez and Kurt Suzuki, Sherman tweets. Shoppach could make sense for the Mets in 2013 as they will look to steer their payroll space elsewhere with a focus on the outfield and bullpen, tweets Sherman.
- When asked about the team payroll for 2013, General Manager Sandy Alderson said to check back in a few weeks as the club has yet to talk it over, McCullough tweets. Alderson went on to add that the organization is focused on the season at hand.
Alderson went on to add that the organization is focused on the season at hand.
With the way the team has performed during this 2nd half, there doesn’t seem to be much to concentrate on. Thinking about 2013 now just makes sense.
The Shoppach pick up is a good move only if they re-sign him. Pairing him with Thole next year will be a benefit for Thole’s development as well as stabilizing the catching position. He won’t hit much but he calls a good game, controls the running game somewhat, and provides plenty of experience to a young team that needs someone to take charge on the field.
Shop can play defense as good as any backup and has some good power, but his playing time really needs to be limited. 40% k rate isn’t something one wants to see on the field day in and out, but you are right on that he can throw very well and for a pitcher who has lapses with controling runners? shop could be the right catcher to pair up with that guy on a routine basis.
Hopefully he will be better than Ronny Paulino.
I’d dance in the street in the buff if the PTBNL was Jason Bay, but in all fairness, I think it should be Chris Carter.