Why Ivan Rodriguez Doesn't Make Sense
by Jesse on Mar 15, 2009 6:36 PM EDT
in News
9 comments
As a member of the Minnesota Twins, I mean. It's not like he makes no sense when he speaks.
On Friday afternoon, John Heyman of SI.com posted a piece on Pudge Rodriguez, stating that a couple of news clubs were showing interest in the veteran catcher. By now you understand that the Minnesota Twins were labelled as one of those teams.
Pudge has had trouble finding work this spring, just like a whole lineup of aging former superstars that can't find their preferred balance between salary in a bottomed-out free agent market and playing time with a team they actually wouldn't mind playing for. With limited options, what's a guy to do?
An unnamed source from a National League club included the Twins in this conversation. The problem is that even with Joe Mauer out of the lineup on an indefinite basis, signing Ivan Rodriguez makes absolutely no sense.
I-Rod, 37 in 2009, hasn't had a decent offensive year since 2004. He wants a job where he's the lead catcher in the battery. He used to take steroids. He's obviously in decline. All of those are reasons to avoid signing him, because no matter what scenario we play out it's still not a good idea.
If Joe Mauer is back on the field in a few weeks and is able to play 110-120 games, Mike Redmond will already be doing a lot of the catching. He's familiar with the pitching staff, and over the last four years has generally been a better hitter than Pudge, albeit with less playing time.
If we play out a worst-case scenario where Mauer isn't available at all this season, where's the logic in keeping two catchers in their late 30's on the roster? If Joe loses 2009 to this SI Inflammation chances are the problem is worse than what's been currently revealed, which would mean it's time to start grooming a replacement. There's no reason to block a young catcher with a second catcher who could be hanging up his cleats by the time the Twins open Target Field.
Redmond is already a short-term stop-gap, and a very capable one at that. There's no reason to add another.
Reusse and LEN III have already put the hammer down on this rumor, but I needed to put in my two cents. Things that make no sense bother me.
0 recs |
9 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
I agree
Bad chemistry, in more ways than one.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Mar 15, 2009 8:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yep
I started to write about how marginal an upgrade Rodriguez would be, then I did a little digging and found the projected impact would be less than I originally thought.
Pudge’s wOBA and win values the past five years:
2004: .381, 5.4
2005: .312, 2.2
2006: .330, 2.5
2007: .306, 1.6
2008: .317, 1.9
Most of the projection systems (PECOTA, CHONE, ZiPS, etc.) have Pudge in the .296 – .308 wOBA range, or just a (small) shade above where they put Redmond or Morales. Perhaps if I thought Pudge could get back up to around a .330 wOBA like in 2006, he’d be about a 12 run / 1+ win upgrade, but his recent past doesn’t suggest an improvement.
Regardless of how long Mauer is out, I’d go with Morales and Redmond over Pudge. Let Ramos start in AA, but move him quickly if he plays well. If Mauer is out longer term, consider bringing Ramos up near the end of the year. Chances are, if Mauer’s out that long, we’d be out of the race anyway.
by Adam Peterson on Mar 15, 2009 9:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rumors
Agents float more rumors than any other source. They want the appearance of competition for their clients’ services. I suspect this rumor has its origins with Pudge’s agent. That’s fortunate, because Adam’s numbers indicate that we can project further decline from him. Morales, on the other hand, has some upside. I just wish Gardy would start playing him in spring training games. He has yet to start a single game.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Mar 15, 2009 9:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He hasn't started...
but has he been getting regular at bats? If not, we may be seeing Ramos (or Butera?) sooner than expected.
by Adam Peterson on Mar 16, 2009 6:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He gets about an at bat every other day
Butera started two days ago. Ramos has started most of the games Redmond has not. Redmond has 20 at bats. Ramos has 14, Morales 8 and Butera 7. All of Morales’ at bats have come against guys who likely will not make their respective major league teams.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
by cmathewson on Mar 16, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pudge
I think i read somewhere that Pudge is okay with playing 1st or 3rd base if it would help a team.
by ianmader on Mar 15, 2009 11:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Two positions where he would not help us
by Adam Peterson on Mar 16, 2009 6:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you're right on the nose there,
and I forgot to even mention it. I’ve read that he’s willing to move around a bit to be more versatile and help out the team by playing the corners. But if his bat sucks for a catcher, it’s still going to suck when he hits as a first or third baseman.
I’d rather have Cuddyer fill in at first to spell Justin, and there are any number of options already in-house to spell Crede at third…including the Buscher/Harris platoon.
Of course he’s already signed with the Astros today, so it’s all a moo point.
It’s like a cow’s opinion. It doesn’t matter.
It’s moo.
by Jesse on Mar 16, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
