Perrotto: Ryan Doumit Could Be Out As Pirates' Starting Catcher
by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 31, 2010 1:09 AM EDT
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Here's a bit of a bombshell from John Perrotto, who says that the Pirates are leaning toward removing Ryan Doumit as their everyday catcher:
Even if they are unable to acquire [Chris] Snyder, the Pirates are said to be planning to have Doumit split time behind the plate for the remainder of the season with Erik Kratz...
If the Bucs do acquire Snyder, he would take over as the primary catcher and Doumit would catch a couple of days a week, while also picking up time at the corners.
So if you were wondering what the Chris Snyder rumors - discussed below - were about, there you go. Unfortunately, I think acquiring a competent catcher makes a lot of sense. Snyder, in particular, would be a good idea if the Diamondbacks want to get his salary off the books, because then he would probably cost very little in a trade. Doumit's bat is fine for a catcher, but it hasn't been great since back in 2008, and he needs to hit a lot more than he has this year to make up for the wretched defense he's been playing. Doumit has never been a good defensive catcher, but this year he's been no better than Ronny Paulino was.
What I'm less sure about is how much sense it makes to play Doumit at the corners. If this year's brief experiment is any indication, he can't play first base at all yet, and many of his problems as a defensive catcher have to do with catching the ball when it's thrown to him. That's something a first baseman has to do, too. Right field would make more sense, but then again the Pirates don't really need an extra outfielder right now. Doumit isn't without talent, but right now it isn't really clear where he fits in.
By the way, I'm packing it in for the night right now, but Adam Bittner and I have been going nuts keeping track of the trading deadline over at SB Nation Pittsburgh. I'll be back here early tomorrow afternoon (eastern time).
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Kratz was dead-on tonight
I don’t care if he hits .130, at least he’s good at something. Doumit lost his hitting ability, and can’t catch.
It’s really a Paulino situation all over again.
one was a pitchout
the other was clearly safe, and the 3rd was close enough that the manager came out to argue the call. Let’s not anoint him the next Pudge just yet.
Let's see...
Doumit has played in 74 games behind the plate. He’s thrown out 5 all season.
Kratz has played in 8 games behind the plate. He’s thrown out 4.
Same pitching staff. Same ability or lack thereof to hold on baserunners.
Kratz may not be Pudge…but it’s a lot better than what’s been back there for 90+ games. If he can hit .200 and put a significant dent in the other team’s running game, it’s worth the offensive downgrade.
331 games, all told...
with a CS% of 24.8 (77 / 233). To be fair, our pitchers, especially of late, are horrible at holding runners on, but still… And, if he catches 4 more games this season, it’ll be his 2nd highest total for GP (84).
We cannot rely on a guy who plays half a season (or less) on average. His bat just does not justify his paycheck, nor his presence. Especially when his offense is his only calling card.
I was as high on Doumit as anyone originally, but that ship has sailed.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 31, 2010 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Sure, but let’s be honest, everyone raise their hands who think that would actually work.
There are two theories on hitting a knuckleball - unfortunately, neither of them work.
Doumit ...
would not be very good in the outfield.
But he could make some routine plays.
And he will hit more than Church.
I don’t think he’ll play there much either with Lastings hitting. But he does less harm there.
Ryan Doumit Could be Out as Pirate’s Starting Catcher
This implies that Doumit actually is a catcher, which of course, he’s not. He’s a designated hitter. If there’s any position on the diamond that I’d be willing to sacrifice offense for defense, it’s catcher. If you can’t catch, and you’re a catcher, than what good is that to anyone?
There are two theories on hitting a knuckleball - unfortunately, neither of them work.
Snyder is also a poor defensive catcher, and is also owed more than $5 million next year. If the team can dump Doumit’s salary, then Snyder is a modest upgrade. But two overpaid, average bat/poor defense catchers isn’t the best situation for 2011.
It’s not my money. But adding Snyder while keeping Doumit probably isn’t the best way to add that payroll.
As I pointed out in an earlier thread...
defensively, according to fangraphs.com, there are only 2 catchers rated worse than Snyder in the majors this season. Doumit is one of the two. Modest upgrade on defense, modest downgrade on offense, slightly more expensive.
If Doumit gets traded, it’s a push. If he stays here, we spend about $11M on catchers next year, and provide little if any real improvement to the position.
SATURDAY, 12:37am: The only thing standing in the way of a Snyder-to-Pittsburgh deal is the commissioner’s approval for cash changing hands, tweets Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. It is still not clear as to what Arizona will receive in return, he adds (via Twitter).
The Pirates are adding payroll, which is good. Doumit has also been awful, which makes a replacement nice. This just isn’t the most exciting pickup. Hopefully players of consequence aren’t headed from Pittsburgh to Arizona.
a month ago the rumor was for charlie morton
i certainly hope not
John Perrotto pointing to Dee Gordon
Black Shoe Diaries, SB Nation Pittsburgh
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
i been saying Elbert and McDonald all along but
if we get both dont expect Dee Gordon still could happen but look for De Jesus instead
Man i hope the bucs get a deal done with LA and move Maholm
before they get a deal done for Ted Lilly instead
no relievers?
It is hard to believe that none of our relievers are being talked about very much. I would think that a package, including a reliever, could really sweeten the pot on any of these proposals.
I would expect Doumit to be dealt after the waiver deadline...
"It WILL happen."
Bill Mazeroski
June 19th, 2010
Drew and Cedeno are a wash
Drew is the better hitter. But he hasn’t become the superstar as everyone expected when he was drafted. He’s also more expensive than Cedeno.
Cedeno is a far better fielder than Drew.
Steve Z
Aki ...
would have looked great in a D-back uniform. But getting rid o Church and Crosby is a start.
The sad part is that they have to call up Diaz. He may make Bixler look like an all-star hitter.
Does anyone else wonder why the D’Backs made this trade?
…ah, well. I’ll just revel in the awesomeness of a Church-less Pirates.
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
Eh.
Fair enough, but it’s a weird salary dump, in that they’re taking on a little dead salary, as well as sending money to us.
Again, though, I don’t mind.
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
Salary Dump.
Oh wait, they can’t do a salary dump. Only the Pirates can do that. :-P
by IAPiratesFan on Jul 31, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Via MLBTR
D’Backs getting Carrasco too.
Now it makes slightly more sense.
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
Yeah.
It’s not like Carrasco is Dotel, so no big loss.
by IAPiratesFan on Jul 31, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
So they do
Yeah, that makes a bit more sense. I suppose the Bucs had to trade someone with at least some value. Will Carrasco get a chance to start there?
Arizona keeps dumping away
Qualls to Tampa for PTBNL.
It's like Jerry Dipoto is trying to get fired from the D-Backs.
by IAPiratesFan on Jul 31, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, DiPoto has been unusually terrible for an interim GM.
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
Yeah.
He makes Brian Graham and Roy Smith look like HOF Interim GMs by comparison.
by IAPiratesFan on Jul 31, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Dotel Not Going To New York
Black Shoe Diaries, SB Nation Pittsburgh
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
Pirates get AAA SS in Snyder deal per Rotoworld
The Pirates are expected to land shortstop prospect Pedro Ciriaco as part of the Chris Snyder deal
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