The Red Sox are not discussing Chris Iannetta with the Rockies, though they do like him and did inquire about him earlier in the season. Red Sox officials tell Dan Barbarisi of the Providence Journal that the Red Sox are not currently pursuing the catcher, though Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported earlier today that talks were on again.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the banged-up Red Sox are now looking for catching help, relievers and outfield depth (Twitter link). There aren't a ton of catchers available, but Chris Snyder and John Buck make at least some sense.
Iannetta is under team control through 2013 on an affordable deal, but the Rockies can entertain the idea of trading the 27-year-old, since they hold a $2.5MM option for Miguel Olivo (and his .922 OPS) in 2011.
This is another piece where I firmly believe Rosenthal is off his rocker (which is about 90% of the time). Iannetta represents everything we already have in a catcher and precisely what we are NOT looking for. We already have catchers who hit .220 (or better) with a .330 OBP (or better) and can only throw out 19% of baserunners. We need and want someone like Chris Snyder, who has slightly better all-around offensive numbers (sans some power), but is many miles above Iannetta defensively. But even Snyder is not being sought, because we have no place to put a catcher on our roster for the long-term. Unless we are releasing Tek, I’m relatively certain its not happening right now.
I’d rather have Ianetta that Snyder
But you’ll also have to pay much more in talent if you trade for Iannetta.
the roster long term is completely empty at catcher. After this year tek and Vmart will be gone. Tek may resign for a million to be the backup; but Martinez is not athletic enough for Theo to invest 3 or 4 years 8 to 11 million per. They gave up quite a bit to get him last year and they thought he would be a game changer; but in my opinion that is not the case.
unless they get him on a short deal, the catcher position for the Red Sox will be WIDE open long term. They will and absolutely should be looking to get more athletic at every position possible.
I agree. I see V-mart potentially re-signing as 1B/DH, move Youk to 3B and add a well-rounded catcher. But whoever he is, he MUST be able to throw out more than 25% of basestealers. No excuse for being unable to defend against Carl Crawford.
How many catchers throw out 25% though and aren’t black holes with the bat? I think you people are overrating throwing out baserunners. The Rays will always run on the Sox even with Jose Molina behind the plate because the pitchers are slow to the plate.
The pitching staff needs to work on being quicker to the plate and having
better pick-off moves. That said, having a good gun behind the plate is
priceless. It is a deterrent from trying, in and of itself. Snyder throws
out 25%+ and hits well. I thought you were in favor of athleticism? Being a
strong thrower from behind the plate is really the most substantial form
of athleticism a catcher can demonstrate. In any case, throwing out
baserunners is a key element in who we should want. We face a couple of the
speediest teams in baseball on a regular basis, and if it prevents a single run
from crossing the plate, that’s a big deal in the tough competition for the
AL East title.
In a message dated 7/20/2010 2:05:13 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
writes:
jwredsox wrote, in response to Steve_in_MA:
How many catchers throw out 25% though and aren’t black holes with the
bat? I think you people are overrating throwing out baserunners. The Rays will
always run on the Sox even with Jose Molina behind the plate because the
pitchers are slow to the plate.
Link to comment: disq.us/hmzk2
Olivo is only having a career year.
I’d rather have John Buck rather than Snyder or Ianetta.
…..
Are you for real? I have the unfortunate experience of having to watch John “I can’t frame pitches” Buck nearly every game. I would rather have Ianetta or Snyder any day.
Chris Snyder is like a black hole at catcher.
How?
He has a 106 wRC+ (league average is 100) and that’s pretty damn good for a catcher. And he’s pretty alright defensively, too.
I would like to direct your attention to Kevin Cash…
He’s on pace for a career year in many regards and is not strong defensively at all. His offensive production, while better than the avg MLB catcher, does not out weigh his disastrous defensive performance.
Give me Snyder all day. in fact; give me Pudge next year for a year at 3 to 4 million. by then wagner will be (hopefully) more than ready.
My Mom would be a better catcher for the Red Sox than Kevin Cash. We’ll take anybody..