Back Up Catcher CRISIS!!??!?!??!!?
Well, if you read the headline at the Merc, maybe a little. It reads “It’s Starting to Look Grim for Hector”. Apparently he’s got pain all over his body and can’t throw or swing now. They’re going to shut him down for a couple of days. If this is as ominous as it looks it’s time to look at alternatives. I can’t imagine that Bochy would go with a guy like Monell or Quiroz, they just don’t have enough experience to handle this staff. Same goes with Jackson Williams.
And we can’t even to turn to El Presidente who is with, I think, the Rangers right now though he may have just switched teams again while I was typing that. Eli has spent the off season getting passed around like the neighborhood bicycle. The Merc writer suggests bringing back Chris Stewart but he must not be paying attention because Stewart is going to be in a platoon with Cervelli for the Yankees. They aren’t going to leave that job to Cervelli full time.
I don’t know about the free agent catchers but it’s probable that someone will get dumped as Opening Day nears
Do you guys have a preference?
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Who was the guy we had for like two minutes, Paulino?
end of the manwaring days it seemed like SF went rent a catcher every year.
Still, back up C to Posey is a job, you get to work with a great staff, play in front of packed yard, and a shot at raking in some big time playoff $$$….not to mention a ring if all goes well.
If you were taking apps, a lot of guys would be interested.
Btw, first time I’ve seen a pop up ad…..
Tyler LaTorre had a total of 4 ABs in the WBC. Lotta good that did. But he caught a bunch of different pitchers and apparently looked good. He might fill the Eli/Stewart slot. His CS% isn’t real high, but he actually pitched a few times in all the last five seasons. You’d think his arm would be good. Can’t say I prefer LaTorre, but he doesn’t look like he’d be a disaster, especially short term.
Well, unless they think Hector is going to be a 60-Day DL, it doesn’t make sense getting anyone outside the system. Looking at the candidates Monell is most likely to provide some offense ( no, I don’t base it on his ST numbers) but his defense is described as “a work in progress”. Translation: he sucks. Williams has always been the best defensive catcher in the system. Quiroz has a plenty of experience – but that’s not factor on who might catch once every 5 days anyway. Quiroz has not had much much success in the bigs but he did have a nice year in AAA last year, he *is* experienced, and he’s respectable defensively. I think Bochy would go with him him and I concur.
Possible alternative:
http://tinyurl.com/asbdavx
Paint some grey hair on that bad boy and you’d have Whitey
Ryan Garko baby!!!
Jackson may be the best defense guy,but he can’t hit worth a lick,and is just a career Grizzly in my book.
All of us who pay attention know that Jackson isn’t much of a hitter, and I doubt he’ll get the call, But this depends on how often they’d play Buster at first base. I don’t think they’re looking for a hitter, just a non-sieve for now.
Ryan Garko, baby? Yeah, he’s the MAN !
BTW, here’s a link to catcher defensive ratings for 2012- it’s pretty comprehensive, it lists 115 guys who caught in the bigs last year. Whether you’re one who puts much stock in this stuff or not, it’s at an interesting read, if nothing else knowing that 115 guys strapped it on last year is somewhat surprising( there arte some duplicates, where guys played for different teams) . Hector was 111th, which is why I call in question his viabilty going foward, unless he improves both defensively and learns at least some discipline at the plate. He’s no Panda, a sub-.300 OBP isn’t going to cut it.
http://tinyurl.com/a9syo2t
As far as I know, Eli is still hanging in in the Texas camp, so for you Jello Salad aficionados, you might have to wait a bit before Bonehead and Whitey renew those vows.
The guy making the AFLAC commercials might be past his milk expiration due date, but I think we find out for certain if he is on hiatus from making commercials and try to sign him. 🙂
By the by, new blog post. . . Good night guys (I know you all have just rolled out of bed, but PaulinAsia and I need to get our beauty sleep). Take care 🙂
Fact that Whitey was picked up 3 times this winter testament to the dearth of decent backstops avail. I have to agree they go with Quiroz for the short term. Could be telling if they start playing Belt in LF.
Hey, I’m still amazed at the Yankee interest in Stewart. I guess they figured with the dh, they could keep his weak bat in the line-up, but the Yankee line-up is ravaged with injuries now, so Stew is harder to hide in their line-up now.
Quiroz is a perfect name for a San Francisco player.
It’s pronounced KEE-ROZE Loo..;)
Did Hector play winter ball? If yes, maybe he’s played too much, but he’s only 23, supposedly.
I read the Merc article. The injuries are vague as listed; maybe that’s just the writer.
Have they been detailed elsewhere?
Just read Baggs’ article on this today. He indicates Hector did play winter ball. No doubt to help improve his D. Maybe he’s overworked that throwing shoulder already after constant play over the past year+. When you think of it, a catcher throws as many pitches as a starter does when catching a game (throwing back to the pitcher). Though not with as much exertion, that throwing motion 100+ times every day, plus practice, and practice throwing to the bases, could definitely take a toll on the shoulder, especially if there’s no significant rest over a year+…
I remember before they traded Joseph, and that was last summer, there were a bunch of articles on how extraordinarily deep the Giants org was with catchers. Now, if Hector is down for whatever reason, suddenly they’re so catching poor they’re looking for El Presidente’s last known address. Sounds like there was/is some hype on those polar ends of the issue…
Well, they did trade Joseph, as you mention, to help their championship season. Obviously, the other team valued him. I thought they were pretty high on Susac. He’s not high up in the organization yet.
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It was cool to see that firstbaseman Oropesa hit an HR this week in ST. Good for him.
I wonder what their feeling is about Susac now. A 2nd rd pick out of Ore St signed a 1m bonus. Hit .244 at SJ last yr, his first in pro ball. Some power (9hrs) but 15 errors. Maybe a couple of years…??
How about the hamate-less Panda?
Yeah I was gonna mention the him Loo for atleast an emergency gig,but I knew Twin would rip that.And yes Ryan Garko was a joke Twin.Lighten up Francis.
I knew it was a joke (or hoped). No one could possibly have been serious,( I hoped)….and why would I rip catching Panda in an emergency?
He kinda would be the emergency catcher,dude.
Can the lighten up crapola. You have a serious misperception of how seriously I take your comments, Kat.
Probably about as seriously as you take mine…Alas, I’m “CY Young-less” 🙂
Pablo used to catch the way Posey used to play SS.
LaTorre just got reassigned to minor league camp. No big-time ST for him. 21st guy cut today.
Quiroz hit 20 hrs in AA back in 03. He was Toronto’s top catching prospect and the 35th best prospect in all of baseball. You just never know.
Somtimes a journeyman minor leaguer can surprise for awhile, they’re not all duds from day one like Whitey. Hell, Eliezer Alfonzo was about the most exiting thing about ’06. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Quiroz got the job and kept it for the year..
Yeah, but that’s how Whitey came into our lives– unknown dude from AA.
No Whitey (or those like him) allowed on our team this year (I hope)
I have to think we’ll see Whitey back here after his “playing” days are over.
Ratings will take a dump if the Americans don’t advance to AT&T.
Atleast they have a gamer in Vogy on the hill tonight.
I’m gonna make sure I get back to my house in time to watch that game. It should very exciting with it being an elimination game and Voggy on hill.
My Jonathan Sanchez update for the day ( I update his shitty outings, too ):
3 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K. Best outing in a long time. Love to see him make it back.
LIVE from Scottsdale – Cainer with 5 SO innings. Looked great. Pence is dialed-in….3 RBI! Weather is awesome. Will email Flav some photos. Romo in for the 7th…1 run.overall, he looked good!
Right on Chi! Thanks for checking in. Looking forward to the pics!
I envy you!!!
Puerto Rico – USA later. Vogey on the bump for an elimination game. Pagan inCF for PR.
Giants had the starters in thru 6 today. They look ready! I say 3 in 4! Boo Yah!
Orange and Black Forever – GO GIANTS!!!!
Vungo just hit a MONSTER 2 run shot! 5-1 Gigantes! FUCK YEAH!!!
Ryan is one of my favorite Giants. Classy guy, good character and a fine pitcher. I hope we can identify a great prospect like Heston to replace Timmy next year.
Is Treanor signed with anyone?
His .175 BA last year might have discouraged heavy bidding..
Optioned Players
Fresno Grizzlies:
Nick Noonan
Ehire Adrianza
Chris Heston
Jake Dunning
Dan Otero
Sandy Rosario
Roger Kieschnick
Juan Perez
San Jose:
Edwin Escobar
Reassigned Players
Gary Brown
Brock Bond
Adam Duvall
Ricky Oropesa
Tyler LaTorre
Brett Bochy
Boof Bonser
Steve Edlefsen
Heath Hembree
Mitch Lively
Shane Loux
Michael Kickham
Thanks, Michael.
Puerto Rico up 1-0. Vogey 4 hits and a run thru 5. US needs to find their hitting shoes. 1 hit so far. Let’s go USA!
Is he on a pitch count?
Yes. There are increasing WBC pitch limits for each round.
I really wouldn’t mind Pablo catching now and then. Then I’d see more of Arias out there. I like him.
I really don’t think squatting and getting up 200+ times a game is what Pablo’s knees need right now– even once a week. Shit by the time he gets down there’s no assuarance that he’d be able to get up. 🙂
The U.S. is going bye-bye in this tourney.
Overall, the Giants players on the various teams did well, and Pagan will advance to the next round.
Oh, I guess Puerto Rico has to defeat the D.R. tomorrow to advance, I think.
The TV station’s video link is not working right now, but I got to TESTIFY about the Giants today on a local station. I was talking about my book about my Tipp Hill neighborhood and the Giants’ book. The interviewer caught me off guard when he asked me how the Irish (and Ukrainian) heritage was similar to my rooting for the Giants. It was live TV. I had to think fast. “Underdogs,” I replied. “I like going for underdogs.” And I threw in a jab against the Yankees that made the co-host groan. I didn’t know what else to answer.
Pawlie, will the Tipp Hill book be available on Kindle? I’m happy to get the paper version if need be, but I was just wondering about a possible Kindle version.
[not wanting to use this as a venue for me to shill my stuff] Zumie, eventually, yes; having some problems my book designer is trying to iron out. [I’ll decline further comments here; email me separately if you like: firstnamelastname at mac dot com]
Pawlie, I’ve been shilling the Popeil Tuna Squeezers that Kramden and I obtained despite Alice and Merna’s warning that we’d never off them at 19.95… so I’d say that shiliing a fine book should be OK.
BTW, we’ve already sold three in 6 years- only 997 left…
I did try to get it to work. Bummed to not see it. How’d ya do?
Awesome. That link is up now. The tuna squeezer has a certain je ne sais quoi about it. I’d say I’ll take five but I don’t want to upside the international markets.
Bill James would roll over in his grave if he were dead, regarding that steal attempt by Rollins.
This SU-Georgetown game is cuhrazy.
It looks like Bochy does intend to give Quiroz, Wlliams, and Monell a chance ( if Hector opens up on the DL).. They kept all three for now.
None of the cuts are terribly surprising.
Pagan gave a *Hunter Pence* speech before the game. It looked underwhelming.
But it’s cool to see him moving on and Hensley, too. Gotta think all the add-ons by HM is gonna disrupt the cool thing they have going, though
Oh well. PR advances. We get Vogey and Affeldt back. Get to see MadBum on the hill for our early game in Scottsdale tomorrow. Not sure who is pitching the night game in Goodyear against the Tribe. Scottsdale is Effing shaking on a Friday night! Get down here if you’ve never been! Let’s go Giants!
Yeah there’s nothing like ST in the desert Chi. Great weather, Great food,Great golf if your into that,a double dip,Golf early and A Giants game after,followed by a night on the town.Paradise!!!
Hanging at the pool with Margaritas or Cold Beers ain’t to bad an option either.