Mike Rivera bounced between three organizations this year, but he appeared in just seven big league games and didn't collect a single hit. After unsuccessful stints with the Yankees, Dodgers and Marlins organizations, the catcher is returning to the team he knows best. The Brewers recently signed Rivera, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America.
The 34-year-old posted a .756 OPS in Milwaukee from 2006-09 as the Brewers' backup catcher. Rivera went hitless in 17 plate appearances for the Marlins this year, but the Brewers are no doubt hoping to see him hit well enough to provide insurance for Jonathan Lucroy and George Kottaras.
Oh, cool. I still don’t understand why we cut him in the first place. Although, it would not surprise me one bit if Rivera is here to serve as insurance at 1B with the impending trade of Prince Fielder. Rivera has played 1B before, and has shown that he can hit well enough to play the position. I’m sure having him as a veteran presence behind whomever players 1B next year (Gamel) will be good.
Brewer fans have a serious blindspot for this guy.
For some reason they act like he’s a 25 year old with upside while he’s just a replacement level body.
Ok AAA depth signing.
No, we acted like Jason Kendall was a black hole in the lineup and Mike Rivera was a better hitter than Kendall was when we had them both… which, by the way, was entirely true.
And then the Brewers “upgraded” to Kottaras.
Rivera’s going to look really good this time around.
As I said in my first comment, I think he’ll be used more as a veteran presence behind Mat Gamel at 1B after our likely trade of Fielder. I really wouldn’t expect him to play a big role at all, other than giving someone a day off, or just acting as depth in case someone gets injured. (In other words, I agree with your statement that he isn’t much, but I disagree on how you think Brewer fans view him)
As I said in my first comment, I think he’ll be used more as a veteran presence behind Mat Gamel at 1B after our likely trade of Fielder. I really wouldn’t expect him to play a big role at all, other than giving someone a day off, or just acting as depth in case someone gets injured. (In other words, I agree with your statement that he isn’t much, but I disagree on how you think Brewer fans view him)
Screw pitching Mike Rivera is the missing piece.
Screw pitching Mike Rivera is the missing piece.
Since Angel Salome is no longer playing catcher in the minors, the Brewers made this signing to have a third string guy in the minors that can play catcher in case either the backup (Kottaras) or the starter (Lucroy) gets hurt.