Relievers Matt Lindstrom and Renyel Pinto likely are out the door, but the guys they threw to last season appear to be staying put.According to one executive who spoke with the Marlins, they are telling teams they intend to use the same John Baker-Ronny Paulino platoon behind the plate in 2010. No surprise really, considering the left-handed hitting Baker and right-handed hitting Paulino combined to hit .271 with 17 homers, 77 RBI and 83 runs scored.

 

The catching position will cost the Marlins a little more in 2010. Last season Baker and Paulino earned a combined $840,000. Baker won't be eligible for arbitration until after the 2011 season, so he'll earn close to the $400,000 major league minimum again. Paulino is one of 11 arbitration-eligible Marlins and his salary could go north of $1.5 million.

 

Though Baker earning the bulk of the playing time against right-handed pitchers would make considerably less than Paulino, $2 million for a catching tandem that provides that kind of offensive production is more than reasonable.

 

Paulino, who appeared in 80 games and totaled 239 at-bats last season, recently joined Licey of the Dominican winter league to get some additional at-bats.

 

 

 

Sun-Sentinel

 

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_baseball_marlins/2009/12/florida-marlins-catchers-baker-paulino-to-stay-put.html

Good to hear, we have an excellent platoon. I wish they could hold runners better, though.........

Good to hear, we have an excellent platoon. I wish they could hold runners better, though.........

 

While they both could be better at throwing out guys, the SP refusing to check runners contributes significantly to this. You can really see Volstad, West, and Miller's youth here.

This makes me very happy. I liked the tandem and believe it worked out well for us. Hopefully, our pitchers mature a bit and improve holding the runners. Thumbs up here.

Good to hear, we have an excellent platoon. I wish they could hold runners better, though.........

 

 

Paulino was good at stopping the run game (31% CS).

 

To put a better number on how good/bad Paulino and Baker are, this is a nice article that looks at the things we can quantify about catcher defense (SB/CS, passed balls/wild pitches, and errors), assign run values, and compare players to league average. It obviously isn't perfect due to the fact that things that happen are both on the catcher and pitcher, but it at least gives us an estimated quantification.

 

Going by that, Paulino was +2.1 runs in SB/CS compared to league average, so he was actually a plus. He allowed a bit over league average for PB/WP and finished at -0.4 runs there, but was also a bit better in errors, at +0.4 runs throwing and +0.5 runs fielding. That put him at +2.5, or 18th best in the league.

 

Baker, unsurprising, did quite a bit worse. He finished at -2.6 runs from SB/CS, -0.5 runs from PB/WP, -0.9 runs from throwing errors. Not pretty. He did finish at +0.7 runs from fielding errors though, finishing at -3.2 runs, or 16th worst out of 114.

 

But all togeather they came at -0.7 runs, Hard to really fault that too much, especially with the offense they give. But it also doesn't quantify a catchers effect on pitchers, if you believe such a thing exists.

 

Also keep in mind that Baker saw more time behind the plate, 3919 PA v.s. 2609 of Paulino. Giving Paulino the same amount of time as Baker bumps him up to +3.8 runs, assuming he performs at the same rates.

 

BTW, remember our friend Miguel Olivo? He was at -8 runs from passed balls/wild pitches, not surprising in the least lol. I'd be scared to calculate just how many runs he gave up from PB/WP's when he was with us in '07 (He combined for 67 that year lol).

Going by a different method (A method created by the guy who does the CHONE projections), though I'm not sure how it's calculated, the only definition I get is

 

"Catch - Catcher ratings based on stolen bases allowed, caught stealing, errors, wild pitches, passed balls, and pickoffs. Catchers are compared to the yearly league average, with the averages splits catching lefthanded and righthanded pitchers"

 

Has baker at -9 runs this year, after being -4 runs last year in about half the time played.

 

That might end up being closer to the truth haha.

 

Paulino was at +0 runs, so combined they'd be at -9 runs.

 

You can find it on their baseball reference page, or the guys site where the CHONE projections are.

good news. Very pleased with this tandem.

 

When you look at what we've had at the catcher position over the years, it's just about the best bang for the buck.

 

Baker's arm to 2nd probably the biggest weakness.

Good to hear, we have an excellent platoon. I wish they could hold runners better, though.........

 

While they both could be better at throwing out guys, the SP refusing to check runners contributes significantly to this. You can really see Volstad, West, and Miller's youth here.

 

I mostly meant "throwing out guys"; "hold runners" was a poor choice of wording. My bad.

Great decision on the FO behalf catching is one of our position of strength no need to weaken it

Long time no see, friends! It has come to my attention that there has been some Baker Bashing, and I'd like to express my intense disapproval at such sentiments.

Long time no see, friends! It has come to my attention that there has been some Baker Bashing, and I'd like to express my intense disapproval at such sentiments.

 

 

 

lol

 

well, rest assure that we do not bash Baker. This board loves our catching tandem.

 

 

Should mention, Glad to see both stay, I was surprised early on to hear Paulino was talked about in trade possibilities.

I know there were rumblings after the season that Paulino might be trade bait, but I'm glad to see him staying.

Nolasco made the biggest strides holding runners through the season.

Long time no see, friends! It has come to my attention that there has been some Baker Bashing, and I'd like to express my intense disapproval at such sentiments.

 

 

 

lol

 

well, rest assure that we do not bash Baker. This board loves our catching tandem.

 

 

Should mention, Glad to see both stay, I was surprised early on to hear Paulino was talked about in trade possibilities.

 

"Loves" is a bit over the top. I would go with "acceptable" instead. I would hope Baker is working on blocking those "wild pitches" and "passed balls" this off season. Sometimes it is such a fine line between the two calls from the scorer. At times last season it looked like he was making strides, only to fall back into some bad old habits.

 

And yes I do believe it is part of the catchers job to help hold runners. He has the best view and can signal a throw from the pitcher to the bases if needed. He should also be throwing behind the runners, which was a rarity for this team last year. Either way, it's sending a message to the runners that we haven't forgotten them and are watching. It should cut down on the attempts, no matter which arm is behind the plate.

Long time no see, friends! It has come to my attention that there has been some Baker Bashing, and I'd like to express my intense disapproval at such sentiments.

 

 

 

lol

 

well, rest assure that we do not bash Baker. This board loves our catching tandem.

 

 

Should mention, Glad to see both stay, I was surprised early on to hear Paulino was talked about in trade possibilities.

 

"Loves" is a bit over the top. I would go with "acceptable" instead. I would hope Baker is working on blocking those "wild pitches" and "passed balls" this off season. Sometimes it is such a fine line between the two calls from the scorer. At times last season it looked like he was making strides, only to fall back into some bad old habits.

 

And yes I do believe it is part of the catchers job to help hold runners. He has the best view and can signal a throw from the pitcher to the bases if needed. He should also be throwing behind the runners, which was a rarity for this team last year. Either way, it's sending a message to the runners that we haven't forgotten them and are watching. It should cut down on the attempts, no matter which arm is behind the plate.

 

 

I think love is the perfect word, considering our catching tandem prior to them was Matt Treanor and Miguel Olivo

Maybe I'm not old school enough...but in my opinion, a catcher's defense does not have to be great, if you get the kind of offensive production we get from this duo. It is a rarity to get the kind of offensive production we get from the position, so I consider it a good thing that both are staying.

Long time no see, friends! It has come to my attention that there has been some Baker Bashing, and I'd like to express my intense disapproval at such sentiments.

 

 

 

lol

 

well, rest assure that we do not bash Baker. This board loves our catching tandem.

 

 

Should mention, Glad to see both stay, I was surprised early on to hear Paulino was talked about in trade possibilities.

 

"Loves" is a bit over the top. I would go with "acceptable" instead. I would hope Baker is working on blocking those "wild pitches" and "passed balls" this off season. Sometimes it is such a fine line between the two calls from the scorer. At times last season it looked like he was making strides, only to fall back into some bad old habits.

 

And yes I do believe it is part of the catchers job to help hold runners. He has the best view and can signal a throw from the pitcher to the bases if needed. He should also be throwing behind the runners, which was a rarity for this team last year. Either way, it's sending a message to the runners that we haven't forgotten them and are watching. It should cut down on the attempts, no matter which arm is behind the plate.

 

 

I think love is the perfect word, considering our catching tandem prior to them was Matt Treanor and Miguel Olivo

Point well taken!

I'm not even sure Treanor or Olivo are going to get major league contract offers at this point. Treanor's probably looking at a ST invite and a minor league deal for sure.

Long time no see, friends! It has come to my attention that there has been some Baker Bashing, and I'd like to express my intense disapproval at such sentiments.

 

 

 

lol

 

well, rest assure that we do not bash Baker. This board loves our catching tandem.

 

 

Should mention, Glad to see both stay, I was surprised early on to hear Paulino was talked about in trade possibilities.

 

"Loves" is a bit over the top. I would go with "acceptable" instead. I would hope Baker is working on blocking those "wild pitches" and "passed balls" this off season. Sometimes it is such a fine line between the two calls from the scorer. At times last season it looked like he was making strides, only to fall back into some bad old habits.

 

And yes I do believe it is part of the catchers job to help hold runners. He has the best view and can signal a throw from the pitcher to the bases if needed. He should also be throwing behind the runners, which was a rarity for this team last year. Either way, it's sending a message to the runners that we haven't forgotten them and are watching. It should cut down on the attempts, no matter which arm is behind the plate.

 

 

I think love is the perfect word, considering our catching tandem prior to them was Matt Treanor and Miguel Olivo

 

Then you have very low expectations for the catchers position. Just because they may be better than what we had just prior to them dosen't mean I have to be in love with the combination. "Acceptable" is the correct word. For now.

Long time no see, friends! It has come to my attention that there has been some Baker Bashing, and I'd like to express my intense disapproval at such sentiments.

 

 

 

lol

 

well, rest assure that we do not bash Baker. This board loves our catching tandem.

 

 

Should mention, Glad to see both stay, I was surprised early on to hear Paulino was talked about in trade possibilities.

 

"Loves" is a bit over the top. I would go with "acceptable" instead. I would hope Baker is working on blocking those "wild pitches" and "passed balls" this off season. Sometimes it is such a fine line between the two calls from the scorer. At times last season it looked like he was making strides, only to fall back into some bad old habits.

 

And yes I do believe it is part of the catchers job to help hold runners. He has the best view and can signal a throw from the pitcher to the bases if needed. He should also be throwing behind the runners, which was a rarity for this team last year. Either way, it's sending a message to the runners that we haven't forgotten them and are watching. It should cut down on the attempts, no matter which arm is behind the plate.

 

It's funny, 'cause to hear Baker talk, he spends so much time working on his defense. Last year there were articles about him going to some coach and Cali and waking up early to go through all these drills to improve. He works really hard to be mediocre... or downright sub-par defensively.

 

 

P.S. this is not bashing on my bakey-poo, merely observations.

Long time no see, friends! It has come to my attention that there has been some Baker Bashing, and I'd like to express my intense disapproval at such sentiments.

 

 

 

lol

 

well, rest assure that we do not bash Baker. This board loves our catching tandem.

 

 

Should mention, Glad to see both stay, I was surprised early on to hear Paulino was talked about in trade possibilities.

 

"Loves" is a bit over the top. I would go with "acceptable" instead. I would hope Baker is working on blocking those "wild pitches" and "passed balls" this off season. Sometimes it is such a fine line between the two calls from the scorer. At times last season it looked like he was making strides, only to fall back into some bad old habits.

 

And yes I do believe it is part of the catchers job to help hold runners. He has the best view and can signal a throw from the pitcher to the bases if needed. He should also be throwing behind the runners, which was a rarity for this team last year. Either way, it's sending a message to the runners that we haven't forgotten them and are watching. It should cut down on the attempts, no matter which arm is behind the plate.

 

It's funny, 'cause to hear Baker talk, he spends so much time working on his defense. Last year there were articles about him going to some coach and Cali and waking up early to go through all these drills to improve. He works really hard to be mediocre... or downright sub-par defensively.

 

 

P.S. this is not bashing on my bakey-poo, merely observations.

Yeah, I always found that slightly amusing. Not to mention that he himself coaches high schoolers.

 

Also, I removed the bolding, italics, and color because they were driving me crazy.

Long time no see, friends! It has come to my attention that there has been some Baker Bashing, and I'd like to express my intense disapproval at such sentiments.

 

 

 

lol

 

well, rest assure that we do not bash Baker. This board loves our catching tandem.

 

 

Should mention, Glad to see both stay, I was surprised early on to hear Paulino was talked about in trade possibilities.

 

"Loves" is a bit over the top. I would go with "acceptable" instead. I would hope Baker is working on blocking those "wild pitches" and "passed balls" this off season. Sometimes it is such a fine line between the two calls from the scorer. At times last season it looked like he was making strides, only to fall back into some bad old habits.

 

And yes I do believe it is part of the catchers job to help hold runners. He has the best view and can signal a throw from the pitcher to the bases if needed. He should also be throwing behind the runners, which was a rarity for this team last year. Either way, it's sending a message to the runners that we haven't forgotten them and are watching. It should cut down on the attempts, no matter which arm is behind the plate.

 

It's funny, 'cause to hear Baker talk, he spends so much time working on his defense. Last year there were articles about him going to some coach and Cali and waking up early to go through all these drills to improve. He works really hard to be mediocre... or downright sub-par defensively.

 

 

P.S. this is not bashing on my bakey-poo, merely observations.

Yeah, I always found that slightly amusing. Not to mention that he himself coaches high schoolers.

 

Also, I removed the bolding, italics, and color because they were driving me crazy.

 

Lol, why? I think they add a little something extra to my posts!

He teaches kids? Well, I mean he seems eloquent enough to teach... I remember watching inside the marlins, our hitting coach (Presley) was talking about how the best hitting coaches are those who have struggled at least once in their career. He believes since they've struggled, they know what it is they have to do fix any hitting errors (mechanics, mentality, discipline and whatnot). People with natural talent don't know how to teach since for them it's natural and they just do it. So maybe this is what makes our defensively deficient Baker a superb teacher!

No color is a bit better?

Lol, why? I think they add a little something extra to my posts!

He teaches kids? Well, I mean he seems eloquent enough to teach... I remember watching inside the marlins, our hitting coach (Presley) was talking about how the best hitting coaches are those who have struggled at least once in their career. He believes since they've struggled, they know what it is they have to do fix any hitting errors (mechanics, mentality, discipline and whatnot). People with natural talent don't know how to teach since for them it's natural and they just do it. So maybe this is what makes our defensively deficient Baker a superb teacher!

No color is a bit better? [/b][/i]

 

 

I did say there were times he looked like he was starting to get it, then he would slip back to old ways. Like not sliding to his right to block a pitch, instead trying to back hand it. Or putting his glove down and standing at the same time (lifts the glove off the ground). Just to name a couple things. IOW, mechanics behind the plate. You were right in a previous post, it was made a pretty big deal that last off season he worked on his mechanics. Which is why I was surprised watching him "struggle" there last ST. It's just little things, IMO. But he seems to have been doing certain things for so long it just comes a bit natural for him to resort back to them. Practice, practice, practice. Working with someone in the off season is fine and starts to get some things being automatic, but nothing replaces real game time practice. It's not like he's a big deficit back there. Adequet for now.

Lol, why? I think they add a little something extra to my posts!

He teaches kids? Well, I mean he seems eloquent enough to teach... I remember watching inside the marlins, our hitting coach (Presley) was talking about how the best hitting coaches are those who have struggled at least once in their career. He believes since they've struggled, they know what it is they have to do fix any hitting errors (mechanics, mentality, discipline and whatnot). People with natural talent don't know how to teach since for them it's natural and they just do it. So maybe this is what makes our defensively deficient Baker a superb teacher!

No color is a bit better?

 

Yeah, they add madness! I don't think it really adds anything, if anything it just distracts me from your point, plus makes it a little harder to read. It's just personal preference I guess. Though the no color is way better.

 

Haha, I love your reasoning for Baker though. I think catcher's coach and hitting coach is a bit different. And yeah, I remember hearing the same thing from Press, as well as many other people. And he's just about right, the best hitting coaches were sh*tty players.

Lol, why? I think they add a little something extra to my posts!

He teaches kids? Well, I mean he seems eloquent enough to teach... I remember watching inside the marlins, our hitting coach (Presley) was talking about how the best hitting coaches are those who have struggled at least once in their career. He believes since they've struggled, they know what it is they have to do fix any hitting errors (mechanics, mentality, discipline and whatnot). People with natural talent don't know how to teach since for them it's natural and they just do it. So maybe this is what makes our defensively deficient Baker a superb teacher!

No color is a bit better?

 

Yeah, they add madness! I don't think it really adds anything, if anything it just distracts me from your point, plus makes it a little harder to read. It's just personal preference I guess. Though the no color is way better.

 

Haha, I love your reasoning for Baker though. I think catcher's coach and hitting coach is a bit different. And yeah, I remember hearing the same thing from Press, as well as many other people. And he's just about right, the best hitting coaches were sh*tty players.

 

I think it's the same with any coach/manager. Knowing what to do and having the talent to do it can be totally different. I believe Baker has the talent, just that bad habits are so ingrained he slips back to them without even realizing what he is doing. Don't forget or gloss over....In '08 because of injuries he was the last choice for a call up. It wasn't because of his bat, it was his deficiencies in his glove-work.