All I keep hearing is that the trade deadline is over but the Marlins are still looking for a catcher....am I the only one that thinks John Baker has been good since he's been called up and really good lately? I don't think we need to pick up a Paul Lo Duca or someone like that I think the Marlins are just fine. What do you guys think?

His arm is poor and his defense, while better than I thought it would be, isn't all too good.

 

He has also shown unprecedented power and you have to remember the small sample size we're looking out. He had a .144 ISO in 2007 and .176 ISO this year in ALB. Keep in mind that that's just no in AAA, but also in PCL. Even Treanor was putting up .160+ ISOs in ALB. So far this season he has a .222 ISO, not including tonights game. His power will drop off, ergo his SLG and therefore OPS will drop off. However, he'll still hit for a pretty good average, he'll still walk, and so he'll still put up a pretty good OBP, and personally think he'll put up around a .700 OPS

 

This certainly isn't meant as a "Baker Hate Post" or whatever, as I was certainly one of the people who wanted him called up, but let's not go overboard with him. Better than LoDuca? Yeah. Better than Pudge? No. Higher potentail than Teagarden, Salty, Anderson, Ramirez, so forth? No.

He's doing great, but he's still a rookie in a pennant race. And if something happens to him...Paul hoover...

 

*shudders*

John Baker has been decent and has surprised many with his power, but he does have a poor arm and this is just his first year. Imo its much better having a veteran behind the plate that's been around the league for a few years than a rookie.

i would just feel better with a veteran behind the plate. although if we can't get a veteran catcher i'd still be happy with baker i'm just worried if he gets hurt, then all we have is hoover while treanor and rabelo are injured.

Baker is awesome, but we still need a solid #2 catcher.

Is'nt Bakers average still below .200?

Is'nt Bakers average still below .200?

 

 

.246, .385 in his last 8 starts

bengie molina would be great and bake can platoon

John Baker will soon come back to Earth (it's not like he's left Earth altogether, but he's being doing pretty well situationally) soon and then we will feel the need for a catcher. Plus, as mentioned above, dude's defense isn't good.

Baker is nice, but come September and October u will need that veteren catcher that can handle a pitching staff. Baker is too inexperienced to be our starter in a playoff run

Is'nt Bakers average still below .200?

 

 

.246, .385 in his last 8 starts

 

 

Wow, that went up quick.

Is'nt Bakers average still below .200?

 

 

.246, .385 in his last 8 starts

 

 

Wow, that went up quick.

 

 

He only has 65 at bats, doesnt take much to make it go up.

I love Baker's discipline at the plate.

 

Actually He still had a weakness for CS%, but he helping himself for No.8 hitter in Major.

I love his attitude.

I like what he's done. I see no reason why he should slow down ("come back to Earth). What if he keeps going 1-3 and 1-2 with one walk each game? That would be terrific.

If Baker carries us through the playoffs to another WS title, this thread will be bumped.

 

You have all been warned.

I actually like John Baker.

And for those saying platoon...anything but that. Baker seems to hit lefties better than righties, oddly.

 

I would feel more confident knowing Matt Treanor was ready to return, though.

I'd like to see Treanor in the late innings of ballgames for defense, at least. It's not that Baker has a TERRIBLE arm. It's the fact that he has the SLOWEST RELEASE I'VE EVER SEEN combined with an arm, that's average, at best.

Matt Treanor called up.

Baker is awesome, but we still need a solid #2 catcher.

Matt Treanor called up.

Wish granted. Baker definitely needs to remain the starter.

Just out of curiousity, does anyone know the timetable for Gaby to enter the bigs, he's been doing great in the minors, I wonder if they will call him up when they expand the rosters

Just out of curiousity, does anyone know the timetable for Gaby to enter the bigs, he's been doing great in the minors, I wonder if they will call him up when they expand the rosters

They might, but if we're still in the playoff race, I doubt he gets much action.

Baker is awesome, but we still need a solid #2 catcher.

Matt Treanor called up.

Wish granted. Baker definitely needs to remain the starter.

Especially considering Treanor's injury, it'd be best to have him catch every three or four days....but I wouldn't be surprised to see them ride Treanor either.

Baker falls under the "If it Isn't Broke, Don't Fix It" rule.

Many of his hits have been little bloops.

 

 

prior to tonights game, he has hit a line drive 20.5% of the time (very good)

Baker's very good so far. I don't have a big complaint about his defense either. He seems to call good games and can block some wild pitches. Maybe he doesn't have a cannon, but you can't have it all. I'll be very happy to have him be our starting catcher through the end of the season (unless his production takes a big drop).

 

The reason we are talking about picking up another catcher is because Baker can't (or shouldn't be allowed to) catch for the next 50 games. We, like every big league team, need another catcher. I'd rather it not be Paul Hoover or even Matt Treanor if possible. If we can get something better without giving up talent in a trade (like by signing LoDuca), why not try it? It would be hard to imagine that we can't do better than Paul Hoover for a our #2 catcher.