Agent: Torrealba to sign with Mets/ Edit: Nope

[splitterpfj]

story

 

One less free agent catcher, I guess LoDuca is in play now.

[dadofandrew]

As I said on Ramblings last night, I like LoDuca more than his numbers, as he's played in pitcher's parks his whole career. Even last year he was very good on the road.

[sheetswannabe]

I agree DOA, he had a .240 higher OPS, on the road, wowzahs.

[jwill535]

but can he stay healthy?

[brewmann04]

Good Riddance hope the mets like his no hit bat and i am not sure but thought he had shoulder issues to.

I also like LoDuca who has proven he can be a hitter.

[Tbadder]

Doesn't it seem weird--the Mets throwing in the towel.

 

Very good news I suppose.

 

Oh yeah, he's Johnny Estrada Jr., I forgot.

[Ennder]

i don't see how Lo Duca would be much more valuable than Estrada, just comes down to which of them is healthier any given year.

[brettac1]

Sounds good to me. Now someone needs to come out and sign LoDuca before the Brewers can make the mistake.

 

Who's a team that overvalues grittiness, etc.? That's where he'll be. The Angels (though I love Napoli and so should they)?

[Fatter than Joey]

Who's a team that overvalues grittiness, etc.?

 

A Ned Yosted team.

[MelGroceryStocker]

The Brewers won't sign a big catcher. I think they will roll the dice on Estrada.

[Tbadder]

Good point brettac1--someone quick sign the other catchers. The Crew needs to go after the best available catcher in the minors who is blocked at the major league level.

[Brian the Automator]

This has just fallen apart....

[dpapo]

I have a feeling Torrealba might be someone the Brewers have an interest in. In his interview, Melvin stated that they were looking at a couple catchers. One, we know is Kendall, but we never heard who the other one was. Maybe the reason we didn't was because Torrealba was the other catcher who I believe reportely signed after Melvin gave that interview. Now that the deal with the Mets has broken down, we'll probably find out soon.

We've seen with all of this talk about getting another catcher that as bad as Estrada played, there really isn't much better out there right now. I feel the same about Torrealba as I do Kendall. If they want to sign one of them to form a platoon of sorts with Estrada, fine. But, I'd rather just go with Estrada if the choice is between one of the three.

[Brian the Automator]

.618 OPS away from Coors. bleah.

[crewcrazy]

This kind of reminds me of last offseason when Rod Barajas was set to sign with Toronto, but backed out at the last second. It didn't end well for Barajas, and I don't see this ending well for Torrealba.

 

Of course, he could be the defensive catcher that the Brewers are looking for... *shudder*

[clancyphile]

.618 OPS away from Coors. bleah.

Ick.

Use Rottino as the #2 in that case.

 

[jackalope02ca]

Torrealba isn't going to be a back up anywhere so we don't have anything to worry about him. Although I wouldn't have a problem with him being the full time catcher. We don't need 9 offensive players. A catcher's main job is to call a great game and make the pitchers comfortable out there. If he can hit his own weight that's just a bonus. The other 7 or 8 if Gallardo is pitching can make up the offense.

[PeaveyFury]

Per the Mets re-signing Castillo article, the Mets broke off talks because they think something's wrong with his throwing shoulder.

 

Hopefully the Brewers stay very, very far away.

[dpapo]

I'm happy to say that it appears I was wrong in thinking Torrealba might be that second catcher that Melvin was looking at. The following is from the Denver Post,

 

"Brewers general manager Doug Melvin explained Sunday that his team was never in on Torrealba and is not pursuing the catcher."

 

Also mentions that the Rockies and Marlins have made offers.

 

http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_7500724

[dadofandrew]

Yorvit is serviceable enough, but he does not seem to be an upgrade from Estrada, and no cheaper either.