"Emergency" 3rd catcher?

[Flag Man]

I fear there will be no bench space for both Willingham and Dillon.

 

If Willingham doesn't make it, who would be the "emergency" 3rd catcher? The Mordecai position.

 

And if Dillon doesn't make it, who is Easley's back-up (at least at 3rd and 1st)? Please don't tell me Lenny, he's okay just for a few innings.

 

And who is Easley's back-up in the middle infield? 2B and SS

Potentials have already been sent down.

 

Apparently, I am missing something here.

[PBMarlin]

Willingham would fit the role best as he could also take the 5th OF spot. That would likely keep Aguila off the team.

 

Ultimately the FO will have to decide how badly they need an emergency catcher. They can always call one up from AAA if LoDuca or the backup goes on the DL.

[Flag Man]

PBMarlin, Thanks for the response.

 

But, I go back to my original query. If Willingham wasn't there, is there a "Mordecai" who could handle the "emergency" role.

 

And who is Easley's replacement up the middle? 2B and SS

 

And losing Aguila would be a disaster (particularly if we lose Encarnacion, the only other potential CF we have on the Roster.)

[rferry]

An emergency catcher isn't a huge necessity. How often do two catchers get injured in one game? If the problem arises, just forfeit the game by putting anyone behind the plate and instructing the pither to toss 80 mph strikes. The next day, someone from Albuquerque or Carolina can be flown in.

 

 

I don't think it will come to that though. As long as McKeon doesn't carry 12 pitchers (which he shouldn't until after all the off-days of April and May), there's more than enough room for Encarnacion/Conine, Easley, Aguila (LF, CF, RF), Willingham (C, 1B, 3B, LF, RF) and another catcher and infielder.

[Malman]

I fear there will be no bench space for both Willingham and Dillon.

 

If Willingham doesn't make it, who would be the "emergency" 3rd catcher? The Mordecai position.

 

And if Dillon doesn't make it, who is Easley's back-up (at least at 3rd and 1st)? Please don't tell me Lenny, he's okay just for a few innings.

 

And who is Easley's back-up in the middle infield? 2B and SS

Potentials have already been sent down.

 

Apparently, I am missing something here.

715891[/snapback]

 

Don't forget Wilson Delgado as the backup infielder.

 

I bet Easley will learn to catch in case of an emergency.

 

I don't think Dillon will make the squad.

 

Is their room for Aguila, Delgado, Willingham & Harris???

[Accord]

If we needed an emergency catcher after our first two went down, CARLOS DELGADO would get behind the plate.

 

He was brought up as a catcher and played the position his entire life until the Jays moved him to first base.

[Flag Man]

Thanks Accord. I didn't know that.

[afer13]

If we needed an emergency catcher after our first two went down, CARLOS DELGADO would get behind the plate.

 

He was brought up as a catcher and played the position his entire life until the Jays moved him to first base.

716134[/snapback]

 

 

I would bet u everything i owned that if that situation arose, Delgado would not play catcher.

[Ramp]

If we needed an emergency catcher after our first two went down, CARLOS DELGADO would get behind the plate.

 

He was brought up as a catcher and played the position his entire life until the Jays moved him to first base.

716134[/snapback]

:lol :lol

 

Easley would be my guest for emergency catcher

[PhishPhan]

Delgado is a little bigger than when he first came up I am sure. Plus I doubt his knees are what they used to be.

[wanks1212]

Lenny Harris apparently can play the role of emergency catcher if necessary.

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...d26/c951155.jsp

 

JUPITER, Fla. -- At age 40, Lenny Harris is in tip-top shape. But baseball's all-time pinch-hit leader doesn't take conditioning for granted.

"I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life," Harris said. "But as the season goes on, I start to look like the Michelin Man.

 

"I'm just trying to set the tone where I do an hour and a half of cardio a day, to keep myself ready. Right now, I feel great. I hope I'm able to continue to feel this way. "

 

When you make a career out of batting at most once a game, your baseball life is fluid. Harris understands the role of pinch-hitting arguably better than anyone who has ever played the game.

 

Entering his 17th season, the witty and brutally honest Harris isn't sure when he will step aside with one of baseball's overshadowed records. What he does know is when the day comes to finally retire, he will do so as quietly as an infield pop out.

 

"I really don't know," Harris said when asked how many more Spring Trainings he plans on attending. "It all depends on what happens. I'd like to go away quietly. I don't want a big parade, flowers and all this kind of stuff. I want to come in like I left."

 

For now, Harris is sounding like a player with some more swings left inside him. With 193 career pinch-hits, the lefty-hitting Miami native has his mind set on reaching the 200-hit plateau.

 

Next closest in league history is Manny Mota's 150 followed by Greg Gross (143), Dave Hansen (131) and John Vander Wal (124).

 

A super sub for much of his career, Harris has made a living doing an art that is so rarely appreciated.

 

"He's a gamer, a pro," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. "He's a good leader in the clubhouse, and he's not a complainer. He gets two hits in a day, he doesn't think he ought to be a regular. He knows his role and he does a good job at it."

 

In a statistically-driven sport like baseball, it's easy to scoff at the overall batting average. A year ago, Harris hit .232 as a pinch-hitter, going 12-for-55 with one home run and nine RBIs.

 

His most memorable moment was a three-run double with two outs in the ninth inning off Eric Gagne at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 18. The extra-base hit resulted in the Marlins' dramatic rally, handing the usually automatic Gagne his second blown save in two seasons.

 

Aside from the heroics of delivering off Gagne, pinch-hitting is a thankless job. But it's not a role just anyone can accept or perfect. There is so much down time during a game, and Harris is all too aware that he can go days between at-bats.

 

"When I look at my pinch-hit department and things like that, I look at how long it is between my last pinch-hit at-bat," he says. "I feel I have to work harder the longer I don't play. It's a mind thing.

 

"If you figure you are not getting enough at-bats, you're going up there with the wrong attitude. I have to go back and feel that I'm hitting every day. I get my mind set every day. It's a mind thing. So when I have my mind set, I think I'm going to be all right."

 

As he has done in recent years, Harris is in Spring Training with no guarantee of winning a roster spot. He signed a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. If he makes the team, he will earn $410,000 for the season.

 

If he doesn't make the squad, he may silently walk away for good.

 

But since McKeon has been with Harris dating back to their days in Cincinnati, the veteran could possibly get the benefit of the doubt over a youngster who isn't accustomed to pinch-hitting in clutch situations.

 

In the past, McKeon has referred to Harris as a secret weapon, one who has a tendency of rallying teams when given the chance. Harris can play third base, first base and a corner outfield spot. If needed, he also could be an emergency catcher.

 

The past few years, backup infielder Mike Mordecai served as an emergency catcher. Mordecai took the role seriously enough that he reported to Spring Training with the pitchers and catchers.

 

"I'm not going to work with the pitchers and catchers," Harris says flatly.

 

Instead, Harris does what he does. He offers experience and support while eagerly awaiting the chance to play.

 

Foremost, he is a fan of the game, and he has numerous friendships, having played for eight different teams. Among his stops, he served two tenures each with the Reds and Mets.

 

Harris joined the Marlins late in the 2003 season, and offered a proven lefty hitter off the bench down the stretch. His experience was welcomed in the postseason.

 

Reaching 200 pinch-hits would be special, but it wasn't the goal Harris set when he broke into the league with the Reds in 1988.

 

"Whatever happens, happens," he said. "It would be a great feeling [reaching 200]. But I didn't sign in to play Major League Baseball to be a pinch-hitter. Things happen in life. This is something I'm dealing with, getting accustomed to it, and things like that. A lot of people ask me a lot of questions about it, and I really don't have any answers for it."

 

Should Harris reach 200 pinch-hits, he isn't sure if he will give the game ball any special tribute in his home. For the most part, he's stopped collecting his memorable hits.

 

"At one time I did [save baseballs]," Harris said. "And my kids started playing with them, and things like that. They started disappearing, so I lost count."

[Flag Man]

Who is Easley's up-the-middle back-up? Is Wilson Delgado still in the running?

Andino is the best but probably would benefit from another year minors experience. (And then he is going to be great.)

 

Sorry Wathan was sent down so soon. Think that was a mistake.

 

Just discovered Dillon played 24 games at 2nd for the 'Topes. But, I fear he is history because Bench space is becoming precious. And, I think his skills are at the corners not up the middle.

 

So who is Easley's back-up at 2B and SS?

[FIUMarlinfan]

I agree with rferry, I mean how many teams carry a 3rd catcher? Besides, I think there wont be enough room for Delgado or Willingham. You got the lineup, rotation, and first 6 bullpen spots set, thats 19 players. Add Conine, Treanor, Easley, and, yes, Lenny Harris. That gives you two open spots.

 

Im pretty sure theyll go to Brian Moehler(deserving) and Aguila.

[Malman]

Who is Easley's up-the-middle back-up? Is Wilson Delgado still in the running?

Andino is the best but probably would benefit from another year minors experience. (And then he is going to be great.)

 

Sorry Wathan was sent down so soon. Think that was a mistake.

 

Just discovered Dillon played 24 games at 2nd for the 'Topes. But, I fear he is history because Bench space is becoming precious. And, I think his skills are at the corners not up the middle.

 

So who is Easley's back-up at 2B and SS?

716665[/snapback]

 

I think it has to be Dlegado by default. Who else is there???

[MarlinsContinueTo ShowDomi]

emergency catcher isn't a big priority...there also probably is someone on the roster that has caught before, and he can be emergency catcher. You can basically BS your way through the remainder of the game until the next day when you bring in someone from the minors.

[FIUMarlinfan]

But there is no roster spot for Delgado.

[Flag Man]

emergency catcher isn't a big priority...there also probably is someone on the roster that has caught before, and he can be emergency catcher. You can basically BS your way through the remainder of the game until the next day when you bring in someone from the minors.

716708[/snapback]

Might have helped you if you had read previous postings above.

Credible suggestions ranged from Delgado to Harris to Easely.

You don't even know you missed the train.

 

Issue now is Easley's mid-field back-up.

[rferry]

I don't know to laugh or cry at the thought of Lenny Harris earning landing another roster spot for the .00000001% chance the team needs an emergency catcher.

[Malman]

I don't know to laugh or cry at the thought of Lenny Harris earning landing another roster spot for the .00000001% chance the team needs an emergency catcher.

716739[/snapback]

 

Ouch...man, you have a real hard-on for the guy. Harris is what he is, in your mind an automatic out...in Jack's mind and some others on this board a savy veteran who just happens to be the all-time pinch hit leader in MLB history. Serving as an emergency third string catcher is just another piece to the puzzle. Why don't you just get over it and accept the fact that Harris will be making the team? It's not like Dillon or Willingham are proving anything this Spring.

 

If it turns out Harris doesn't make the team, so be it - I won't lose any sleep over it. It is what it is.

 

:thumbup

[Flag Man]

I can see Harris crouching back there.

It's his getting up that concerns me.

( I mentioned him as one of the possible "emergencies" only out of respect for a previous poster who bothered to make a suggestion.)

 

Wish we'd get back to the virtually ignored other half of this posted thread.

To Wit: Who is Easley's back-up for 2B and SS?

Wilson Delgado "by default?"

[Malman]

I can see Harris crouching back there.

It's his getting up that concerns me.

( I mentioned him as one of the possible "emergencies" only out of respect for a previous poster who bothered to make a suggestion.)

716743[/snapback]

 

It seemed like a bit more than just a suggestion...as it was documented in Frisaro's recent article.

[Flag Man]

Malman, I referenced the Harris suggestion as "credible" because it was, indeed, documented.

 

Think I'll start a new post. No one wants to talk about an Easley mid-field back-up and we've exhausted this "emergency" catcher strain. Maybe Willingham will make it and the discussion becomes moot.

[geemoney]

I think either Delgado OR Dillon will make it, which will make 2 backup IF's (Easley and either Delgado or Dillon).

[rferry]

Wish we'd get back to the virtually ignored other half of this posted thread.

To Wit: Who is Easley's back-up for 2B and SS?

Wilson Delgado "by default?"

716743[/snapback]

Yeah, Wilson. That's why I think he'll make the squad over Dillon. Easley has poor range and a below-average arm. He's adequate at 2B, but the Marlins need a infielder with better defensive abilities. Only wish they'd keep the switch-hitting speedy good-hitting Wathan.

 

FWIW, Dillon played some 2B (not SS) last year in the minors. Willingham has volunteered to play any infield position this spring, but he hasn't played SS since college and 3B only sparily the past 2 years.

[wanks1212]

I can see Harris crouching back there.

It's his getting up that concerns me.

( I mentioned him as one of the possible "emergencies" only out of respect for a previous poster who bothered to make a suggestion.)

716743[/snapback]

 

It seemed like a bit more than just a suggestion...as it was documented in Frisaro's recent article.

716744[/snapback]

 

 

The only reason I mentioned Harris is because it was, in fact, mentioned in an article. I don't honestly believe that Harris will make the team because of his prowess as an emergency catcher, or that he would even do a great job at it. But if another situation like last year's emerges, where an emergency guy is needed, he seems to be the Mordecai-type guy who would squat back there for a few innings while the other team ran at will on him. Of course, that is assuming he makes the team and Willingham doesn't.

 

I'd also have to agree that Wilson Delgado would be Easley's backup. The organization doesn't seem to be all that high on Wathan or Josh Wilson as being major league ready, so I'd have to say W. Delgado by default, since Dillon and Willingham aren't really options at shortstop.