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Catching beyond 2009?

Invader3K

By Invader3K,
in Transaction Rumors & Proposals

Invader3K Nashville Sounds

Invader3K

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Posted
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I was just thinking about this a bit the other day. Kendall is in a contract year, and will be 35 years old this season. Assuming he performs similarly to what he did in 2008, do you think the Brewers will re-sign him to another one or two year deal, or look elsewhere? It sounds like Salome is far from a sure thing, and could still be a ways off from being MLB ready. I don't see any other internal options that sound that exciting for the catcher's job, either. Rivera is OK, but I don't think has ever been pegged as a potential starting catcher by the Brewers.

 

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Melvin swing a trade for a young catcher right now (maybe like a Saltalamacchia, even though the Rangers just traded Laird), who would mainly ride the bench in '09 and then take over in '10. What do you all think?

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kramnoj First Round Pick

kramnoj

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I don't know that it makes sense to give up prospects for a young catcher, when that has to be the deepest position for talent for the Brewers. If Salome isn't ready defensively by 2010, there should be some veteran catchers that the Brewers can sign for a year and hope that Salome or Lucroy is ready for 2011.

 

This is more of a general comment, but I believe the Brewers have to count on paying minimum salary (or close to it) at C in 2010 and for a few years. As the current players get deeper into their arby years their portion of payroll used will go up, meaning money has to come from somewhere. $4M saved at C isn't a huge amount, but it should cover the arby raises for a player or two in 2010.

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CheezWizHed Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

CheezWizHed

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Lucroy could likely play in Milwaukee this year so I don't see much happening
That would have to be emergency only... I can see a scenario where he is up in 2010, but next year would be a bit early. He needs to prove himself at AA at least. I have no doubt that will happen, but I don't think he is ready for the show quite yet.
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JohnBriggs12 Biloxi Shuckers

JohnBriggs12

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Lucroy was a 3rd round pick out of college. He's stayed at each of his levels approximately 65 games with no noticeable dropoff in production. It's not unrealistic to envision him ready for the major leagues after 140 games at AA and or AAA in 2009. He'll be within 3 months of his 24th birthday when the 2010 season. That's just about right for a guy you envision as a starter in the major leagues.

 

Sure they could bring back Kendall at age 36 for another year, but I wouldn't want him for anything other than a backup at that point and he'll command too much salary to fill that role.

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Fatter than Joey ACL Brewers

Fatter than Joey

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Sure they could bring back Kendall at age 36 for another year, but I wouldn't want him for anything other than a backup at that point and he'll command too much salary to fill that role.

 

I agree here -- I think Kendall would be a super-backup, but there would have to be a Molina we could find for less money.

 

A year of Vinnie and Rivera is fine with me. I expect they would outproduce the 2008 version of Kendall on offense.

 

I really don't think Vinny+Rivera is a suitable solution -- unless you are waving the white flag. I don't think either Rivera or Vinny could catch 100 games.

 

I don't think any 22 year old who has never played above A ball is ready to play the most demanding position in baseball.

 

I think endaround was saying that after 100 or so games in the minors this year, Lucroy would be up, maybe in the fall ... I would assume that endaround anticipates this to be a best case scenario. If LuCroy stumbles this year in AA, then we probably have to find a stop-gap for 2010 -- someone like a Brad Ausmus.

 

I think the Brewers are crossing their fingers that Kendall makes it through 2009 and then passes the torch to LuCroy for 2010

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southpaw121505 Draft Eligible

southpaw121505

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Feels nice to say this, but I think catcher is one of the last spots we need to trade for a young player. It's surprising to me how many people are just writing off Salome, if the Brewers didnt expect him to make it at catcher Im guessing they would trade him this off season after the year he just had.
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And That Nashville Sounds

And That

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If Salome and Lucroy show they aren't ready by the beginning of next season, Brian Schneider will be a free agent. He's not a world beater, but he's not terrible and has a good reputation defensively. If they could get him on a 1 or 2 year deal, that would buy a little extra time for one of the catching prospects.

 

I guess I have to reserve final judgment until I see how Kendall does in '09, but right now I think he'd have to put up an OBP of at least .350 and an OPS on the sunny side of .675 to prove he'd be worth it and isn't regressing into Paul Bako territory. Not to mention repeat his defensive performance.

@YouKnowAndThat | Almost, Tim Dell
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