Redmond determined to keep playing

by montanatwinsfan on Oct 24, 2009 9:13 PM EDT

According to MLB.com, Mike Redmond is determined to try his hand in the free agent market this winter in hopes of continuing to play somewhere in major league baseball. I am not in any position to analyze his worth over Morales or Butera or Ramos so I'll leave that to the heavy lifters here on this site.

Apparently Redmond brought a lot of good energy to the clubhouse, and every team needs some veteran leadership. In addition, it sounds like Redmond is interested in coaching and might be an effective coach for the organization, so it might be beneficial to keep him around. Nonetheless, I find it hard to believe he is worth keeping after a season where he "batted a career-low .237 with two doubles, seven RBIs and a .588 OPS in 135 at-bats. He also threw out only five of 40 runners while behind the plate."

No matter how raw Morales is, its hard to imagine he wouldn't be a significant upgrade over that.

Poll

so who should be the backup catcher next year?

Redmond (NBP and veteran leadership make up for declining skills)

5 votes

Morales (last season proved he's capable)

86 votes

Butera (when Mauer is down, defense is the highest priority)

2 votes

93 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Montana, you needed another choice...

…that would be either (other) or (Wilson Ramos). Ramos is the second best catcher in the organization and most other teams in baseball would have him with the parent club next season. I see the Twins having Morales as the back up with Ramos playing every day in Rochester until he is needed with the Twins. But don’t be surprised if he is on the opening day roster next spring.

by roger13 on Oct 25, 2009 8:00 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed. I tried to add two choices, but the interface wouldn't let me.

My other two choices would have been:

4) Wilson Ramos (He’s young, but he might be ready)
5) Meatwad (yes he’s a cartoon, but he can transform himself into a giant catcher’s mitt)

by montanatwinsfan on Oct 25, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not going to be one bit surprised

when the Twins trade Morales this off season and sign Redmond, holding the place for Ramos for one year.

by ajmargarine on Oct 25, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

sadly this is my guess too

that, or trade Ramos and keep Morales.

by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Oct 25, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

The Twins could get more in return for Ramos than Morales.

by benhertz on Oct 26, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I would

not be against this. I think Morales is overvalued right now. With his poor defense (estimated to be 5 runs below average there, that puts him at replacement level. I don’t expect him to get much better either.

Also at replacement level? Redmond. So when it comes down to it, if you can get something of value by trading Morales that you value more than the 600K in cost savings, why not do it?

by Milt on Tilt on Oct 26, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

"Redmond determined to keep playing"

Sort of like “Rasputin determined to keep living”

by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Oct 25, 2009 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

Aww, Redmond isn't that bad.

I mean, his defense leaves something to be desired. And well, his offense is touch and go. But erm…where was I going with this?

by fischean on Oct 26, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Gosh, Mike, this is awkward. Um, do you mind catching in the bullpen?

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Oct 25, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

Keep playing.......

If someone offers you a half million to be a backup for another season, is that better than taking a job coaching in the minors?

Until you can’t get a job offer, I say go-fer-it!

Hey, Chad Moeller, Henry Blanco, Corky Miller, Javier Valentin were just some of the former Twins backstops still finding major elague playing time last season!

Visit www.TwinsCards.com and check out "rosters" to see my collection!

by rosterman on Oct 25, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions

No doubt

Hey, if you can get a job playing, play. It just shouldn’t be for the Twins, because Morales is ready to be the backup catcher.

by Eric in Madison on Oct 25, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Morales can't throw a guy out stealing 2nd either.

How about AJ Pierzynski? They’re not booing, they’re saying, “Pier-BOOO-zynski!”

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett  
—Hasta la victoria siempre ¡Patria o Muerte! –Ernesto "Che" Guevara

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Oct 25, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, unless Mauer's behind the plate, I fear a lot of SBs next year.

Sad. :\

by fischean on Oct 25, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Mauer threw out 26% (19-73) of baserunners in 2009,

compared to Morales’ 31% (8-26), and Redmond’s 13% (5-40).

I blame the pitching staff.

by benhertz on Oct 25, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Mauer had a lot more chances

though his percentage seems really low (since he’s just so awesome at everything else, you know). Huh.

I’m sure it does have a lot to do with the pitchers, though.

by fischean on Oct 25, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Pavano

Is one of the slowest to home plate in all of baseball. Mauer’s % was a lot better before we acquired him (close to 40% if I recall correctly).

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Oct 25, 2009 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

FYI

I checked out the validity of this claim. Results, baserunners had 13 SB with 0 CS against him. 10 of those were vs Mauer. His CS% without Pavano is 30%, right about average. His career CS% is still 38% Not too shabby.

by Milt on Tilt on Oct 26, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

The numbers have changed a bit from late July to late October.

2010 Backup Catcher poll (July 29, 2009)

by benhertz on Oct 25, 2009 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

I dunno.

Those numbers look pretty close. If I was smart enough to figure out how to add the other two choices I wanted, so that I would have had five options like you had, it would probably be closer.

by montanatwinsfan on Oct 25, 2009 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions

A 3rd way

Dump Redmond, trade Morales (higher value as a starter than as a backup) and sign a different FA backup catcher (Toby Hall, Rod Barajas). Backup catchers aren’t too difficult to find and they might be able to sell “high” on Morales.

by DJL44 on Oct 26, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions

Not a bad plan

There are some clubs out there looking for a young starter in waiting. And veteran back-ups are not that hard to come by. If they could package him with a pitcher for a good middle infielder, it would be good for both teams.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Oct 26, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Hell

You can always keep Butera as the backup for a year. Assuming you would rather have Butera than Morales coming off the bench. Morales slowed a bit in the hitting department. So, yes, it would be a good time to trade high.

The only kicker is if something happens to Mauer. Than you better hope Ramos is ready.

Visit www.TwinsCards.com and check out "rosters" to see my collection!

by rosterman on Oct 26, 2009 3:15 PM EDT reply actions