Altho I admit I dont like Jeff Clement(and am very high on Torre Langley), I bet the Mariners might not be that hard pressed to trade him for an arm ready right now(Petit maybe).

 

Then my pipe dream of trading something to get Kotsay back and let him patrol CF until one of our guys is ready when his contract runs out. But that probably wont happen.

 

That said, good teams dont have scrubs like Olivo as their starting catcher, or a 4th OF like Abercrombie as their starting CF(or a scrub like Borchard getting any playing time whatsoever). We need replacements by the time it comes for us to contend.

The most likely situation for a long term answer is through trade. Trading either Dontrelle, for several prospects, or prospect for prospect.

 

The Diamondbacks are one team with enough position player talent to trade for some of the Marlins pitching. However what is the likelihood that they'd be able to afford Dontrelle? The D'backs do have a nearly ready AA catcher in Miguel Montero. With Chris Snyder and Johnny Estrada both young catchers in the bigs. They can't use all 3, and toss in their HUGE surplus of premium hitting prospects, they become a very realistic suitor.

 

The Dodgers are in a similar situation with a plethora of position prospects, and only 8 spots in the major league lineup. The dodgers have young Russ Martin already getting his feet wet in the bigs, with Dioner Navarro on the DL. It only makes sense for the dodgers to trade a catcher to the Marlins, who will then move him on to the Mets, and eventually end up in San Diego. Thus continuing the Piazza/Loducca Overground Railroad.

 

Dontrelle wins the West for either team, and they both know it. Hopefully the Mets swoop Zito for Milledge, and the Giants don't want to deal Schmidt in division. You'd have an awesome bidding war for Dontrelle.

 

DBacks can easily afford Dontrelle also. That's not an issue. They have a lot of expiring contracts in the next 1-3 seasons (or before the jackson, quentin, drew, j. upton, nippert, gonzalez class reaches arbitration), and have already bought out Webb and Tracy - their only 2 young players that aren't club controlled right now. Dontrelle's arbitration and contract figures would be pretty Johanish (4/$40), but that's a bargain compared to free agency, and gives Arizona one of the better 1-2s in the league. It's a no brainer for Arizona. They can afford Chris Young, Montero, and Garret Mock, and the Marlins would be stupid not to take it.

I support skimping payroll on a largely narrow range of talent that's available at the catcher spot. Better to pay the minimum or close to it for average to below-average stock than pay a premium for average to above-average stock. Spend the savings on less talent-scarce positions which can provide a greater and direct impact during a game and over a season.

Chris Snyder will probably get traded eventually. He can't be happy as a backup. Montero might also get traded.

 

Navarro is a good candidate for a trade, with Russ Martin already making the big leagues.

 

As far as the Braves, it looks like McCann will become their new franchise catcher for awhile. That means that Salty will end up on the trading block at some point.

 

Chris Snyder is a backup catcher because he deserves to be a backup catcher. Whether he's happy or not irrelevant. He's certainly not better than what we have right now in Olivo and Treanor.

 

Navarro is a player of interest if for o ther reason six his six years of professional experience ans his work ethic appeal to me. That saud, he's had a number of injuries along the way and catchers who can't stay (reasonably) healthy are problematic.

 

As for Saltalamacchia I don't see him traded when he'd be a good platoon with McCann. Today's catchers don't play 150 games a year, there's plenty of playing time for both. Todd Pratt occupies a roster spot because no one else is ready.

Plus from what I have read, Salty is not that great of a defensive catcher and may be moved to first base.

Salty is NOT a platoon player and neither is McCann.

 

Salty has the look of a front line championship level player.

 

Also the latest word is that he's improved his defense considerably, to the point where moving him no longer is neccessary.

 

There's even an article about that on MILB.com today.

Salty is NOT a platoon player and neither is McCann.

 

Salty has the look of a front line championship level player.

 

Also the latest word is that he's improved his defense considerably, to the point where moving him no longer is neccessary.

 

There's even an article about that on MILB.com today.

 

 

 

I think you may have taken my "platoon" comment as insulting or demeaning of the player's talents. On the contrary I was suggesting with a long, grueling 162 game season the two may form a formidable pairing at the position.

Meh, besides the arm Olivo doesnt do anything overly well, and is slightly below average defensivey.

 

I'd say one of the kids we drafted to day is more likely to bust on the scene next season than for Olivo to be a long term answer at C for any team.

 

 

 

Here we go again with the Olivo is below average defensively!

 

:banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :cussing

 

:lol

 

His arm is good. The rest of his skills are so-so.

 

If the Marlins get 2 good OF prospects, Willingham may get to catch.

Salty is NOT a platoon player and neither is McCann.

 

Salty has the look of a front line championship level player.

 

Also the latest word is that he's improved his defense considerably, to the point where moving him no longer is neccessary.

 

There's even an article about that on MILB.com today.

 

 

 

I think you may have taken my "platoon" comment as insulting or demeaning of the player's talents. On the contrary I was suggesting with a long, grueling 162 game season the two may form a formidable pairing at the position.

 

except that both fo them will be needing to play a good 120-130 games per year at least based upon their talents offensively.

 

one will be moved either to a different position or organization.

Altho I admit I dont like Jeff Clement(and am very high on Torre Langley), I bet the Mariners might not be that hard pressed to trade him for an arm ready right now(Petit maybe).

 

Then my pipe dream of trading something to get Kotsay back and let him patrol CF until one of our guys is ready when his contract runs out. But that probably wont happen.

 

That said, good teams dont have scrubs like Olivo as their starting catcher, or a 4th OF like Abercrombie as their starting CF(or a scrub like Borchard getting any playing time whatsoever). We need replacements by the time it comes for us to contend.

 

 

 

 

Guy goes 4-4 and you cant go without bashing him for more than 24 hours.

 

 

Unreal.

 

:thumbdown

Olivo has always had the potential and would have been the starting catcher for the White Sox if he had hit the ball on a consistent basis.

 

His defense has always been there by and large, it looks like he has finally learned how to hit the ball on a level that doesnt totally hurt you.

 

If somoene had told me that I could get a .250 season out of Olivo along wtih his usual defense, I would take that deal 10 times out of 10.

 

 

Sure Miguel isnt the best defender in the league, definitely not on the elite level of backstops, but he isnt going to hurt you and has a really good arm behind the plate. Some of his 'defensive' troubles also I think can be attributed to a young staff as well and expect to see him improve also behind the dish as the year continues and him and his staff get more and more comfortable together.

I doubt I've made 200 posts regarding Olivo. Mitre most definantly. But not Olivo.

 

Is the fact that me, and I'd guess alot of others, think that we can do alot better than Olivo a bad thing?

 

 

 

 

You are without a doubt the CEO of the Olivo Haters of America. This is without question.

 

ANYTIME the word Olivo is mentioned you begin your little "below average defensively" speech.

 

If I had the time or desire to go back and find them I would but 200 Olivo bashes on your part is a very fair estimate.