Any interest in Molina?

[Neuby]

The catching market seems to have dried up a little bit hurting his asking price. He's a top notch defender, hits for average and a little pop. We would take a little hit in the OBP department but I think what he brings behind the plate outweighs that. We can then trade Barrett for more another starter or use him as bait for Abreau or Miggy in a larger 3 team deal.

With Patterson, Barett,Williams,Hill ect Hendry should be able to find an impact bat.

[CuseCubFan69]

The catching market seems to have dried up a little bit hurting his asking price. He's a top notch defender, hits for average and a little pop. We would take a little hit in the OBP department but I think what he brings behind the plate outweighs that. We can then trade Barrett for more another starter or use him as bait for Abreau or Miggy in a larger 3 team deal.

With Patterson, Barett,Williams,Hill ect Hendry should be able to find an impact bat.

 

I don't think there is any room at the Inn for another catcher.

[2242005CY]

Let this thread die a fast death,

[CuseCubFan69]

Let this thread die a fast death,

 

You should have just thought that instead of posting that if that's what you wanted. Opps, there's another post about Molina...it's going to be up just a little longer now.

Edited January 5, 2006 by CuseCubFan69

[RynoRules]

Let this thread die a fast death,

 

You should have just thought that instead of posting that if that's what you wanted. Opps, there's another post about Molina...it's going to be up just a little longer now.

 

I say we work to keep this alive. Molina for catcher!!!

 

:wink:

[Blueheart05]

To be honest, I'd much rather have a defensive catcher than an offensive (Barrett) one. I like Michael but I don't think he makes the pitching staff better or that he has good instincts (like throwing to thirdbase when a runner is coming home). Conversely, I think the pitchers are better with Blanco catching. PLus, he throws out a high number of runners attempting to steal. I wish the Cubs would upgrade the starting catcher poswition but I think they view Barrett as an untouchable.

[UK1679666180]

Each off-season, they proven to be able to only do a couple of upgrades per off-season. This year, they've upgraded the bullpen & CF/Leadoff (I excluded Jones).

 

If C is the area they need to upgrade most, then, they have a great team.

 

I have no problem with them putting off improving the C position while trying to address more important areas of need.

[RynoRules]

Each off-season, they proven to be able to only do a couple of upgrades per off-season. This year, they've upgraded the bullpen & CF/Leadoff (I excluded Jones).

 

If C is the area they need to upgrade most, then, they have a great team.

 

I have no problem with them putting off improving the C position while trying to address more important areas of need.

 

Agreed, but if adding Barrett to a package of prospects would net us Tejada, and we could then in turn sign Molina, I would be okay with that. Not a likely scenario, however.

 

Would you do a deal of Barrett and prospects for Tejada and Javy Lopez, w/ Balt. eating some of Javy's contract?

[UK1679666180]

Would you do a deal of Barrett and prospects for Tejada and Javy Lopez, w/ Balt. eating some of Javy's contract?

 

Sure, as a Cubs' fans I would love that deal, anything not including Prior or Z would work as far as acq'g Miggy. As an O's fan, those better be some damn good prospects, b/c they're getting fleeced.

 

Defensively, Lopez is a downgrade compared to Barrett. Similar to Walker, Barrett might not have as much value around MLB as I would hope.

[NCCubFan]

Benji's brother, Jose, played for the Cubs in 1999. If they sign Benji then they only need to get Yadier in order to have had all three catching Molina brothers (albeit at different times).

[RockTheIvy]

The Os already signed Ramon Hernandez and have Javy Lopez and the venerable Geronimo Gil. I doubt Barrett would really interest them. Besides, Molina is ugly.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I thought Benji was a dog.

[Hosak8]

The catching market seems to have dried up a little bit hurting his asking price. He's a top notch defender, hits for average and a little pop. We would take a little hit in the OBP department but I think what he brings behind the plate outweighs that. We can then trade Barrett for more another starter or use him as bait for Abreau or Miggy in a larger 3 team deal.

With Patterson, Barett,Williams,Hill ect Hendry should be able to find an impact bat.

 

I suggested this weeks ago, but was scoffed at. After all, OBP is the only stat that counts in baseball, remember? Michael Barrett is "significantly" better than Molina (not my words, mind you) offensively... so much so that defense doesn't matter. I was told that Molina would be a HUGE downgrade from Barrett.

 

I agree with you. I'd take Molina over Barrett every day of the week. Better defensively and comparable offensively. Plus, Molina would likely cost less than Barrett, and Michael would net us something in return in a trade. Tejada? No, not with the Orioles needs and asking price. But, a useful player? Certainly.

[Wheelimus]

No thanks, I'm more than happy with Michael. Hopefully he's spending the winter brushing up on his defensive game.

[Magnetic Curses]

The catching market seems to have dried up a little bit hurting his asking price. He's a top notch defender, hits for average and a little pop. We would take a little hit in the OBP department but I think what he brings behind the plate outweighs that. We can then trade Barrett for more another starter or use him as bait for Abreau or Miggy in a larger 3 team deal.

With Patterson, Barett,Williams,Hill ect Hendry should be able to find an impact bat.

 

I suggested this weeks ago, but was scoffed at. After all, OBP is the only stat that counts in baseball, remember? Michael Barrett is "significantly" better than Molina (not my words, mind you) offensively... so much so that defense doesn't matter. I was told that Molina would be a HUGE downgrade from Barrett.

 

I agree with you. I'd take Molina over Barrett every day of the week. Better defensively and comparable offensively. Plus, Molina would likely cost less than Barrett, and Michael would net us something in return in a trade. Tejada? No, not with the Orioles needs and asking price. But, a useful player? Certainly.

 

can the axe-grinding with OBP please freaking cease? what about barrett's clubhouse presence, don't we want to bring that up? he's always willing to lay down a sac bunt, doesn't that count for something? he's adept at the hit and run, that's a plus, right?

 

yes, molina wouldn't be bad and yes he had a pretty good year last year. he's not a significant upgrade, and there are areas where upgrades would be more beneficial.

[katway]

Molina is a very good catcher. I'd rather have his defensive skills and decent offensive numbers than Barretts slightly better offensive numbers and poor defensive skills.

 

If I were creating a team, the first position player I would secure would be a catcher. No everyday player is more important than a catcher. A catcher affects team defense not only by virtue of throwing out base stealers and reducing errors, but by calling a good game. Molina's game calling skills are far superior to Barrett's. The fact that the team's best pitchers would rather have another catcher calling the game speaks volumes about Barrett's ability to call a game and handle the pitching staff.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Molina is a very good catcher. I'd rather have his defensive skills and decent offensive numbers than Barretts slightly better offensive numbers and poor defensive skills.

 

If I were creating a team, the first position player I would secure would be a catcher. No everyday player is more important than a catcher. A catcher affects team defense not only by virtue of throwing out base stealers and reducing errors, but by calling a good game. Molina's game calling skills are far superior to Barrett's. The fact that the team's best pitchers would rather have another catcher calling the game speaks volumes about Barrett's ability to call a game and handle the pitching staff.

 

Doesn't Rothschild call the game? Do we know that Bud Black doesn't call pitches for Anaheim?

[fromthestretch]

Molina is a very good catcher. I'd rather have his defensive skills and decent offensive numbers than Barretts slightly better offensive numbers and poor defensive skills.

 

If I were creating a team, the first position player I would secure would be a catcher. No everyday player is more important than a catcher. A catcher affects team defense not only by virtue of throwing out base stealers and reducing errors, but by calling a good game. Molina's game calling skills are far superior to Barrett's. The fact that the team's best pitchers would rather have another catcher calling the game speaks volumes about Barrett's ability to call a game and handle the pitching staff.

 

There is something to be said for being comfortable with who is behind the plate. Maddux, throughout his career, has been more comfortable throwing to what are typically back-up catchers (Villanueva, Eddie Perez, Blanco, etc.). I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that during his 4-5 days between starts, Maddux has access to the backup catcher during games, while the starter is playing. He can sit there and go over pitch selection and strategy. That certainly adds a level of comfort.

 

I do feel that all catchers should have some grasp on how to call a game. A lot of this has to do with their preparation and the coaching they receive.

 

However, in my opinion, no pitcher should ever blame his catcher if he throws a pitch he didn't want to throw. Unless the pitches are being called from the dugout by a coach or the pitcher was instructed to not shake off his catcher, the pitcher is in control of what is being thrown. He's in control of hitting his spots with that pitch, as well. No catcher is going to call for a fastball down the middle with Pujols up and a runner on second. No catcher is going to tell Maddux to throw Bonds a hanging curveball. Obviously, you don't want to be shaking off your catcher the entire game, but that can be prevented simply by communication between pitcher and catcher off the field.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Molina is a very good catcher. I'd rather have his defensive skills and decent offensive numbers than Barretts slightly better offensive numbers and poor defensive skills.

 

If I were creating a team, the first position player I would secure would be a catcher. No everyday player is more important than a catcher. A catcher affects team defense not only by virtue of throwing out base stealers and reducing errors, but by calling a good game. Molina's game calling skills are far superior to Barrett's. The fact that the team's best pitchers would rather have another catcher calling the game speaks volumes about Barrett's ability to call a game and handle the pitching staff.

 

Doesn't Rothschild call the game? Do we know that Bud Black doesn't call pitches for Anaheim?

 

I'd be willing to bet that would also be the case in LA (as well as just about everywhere else). Molina's defense is not that much of a difference maker to offset the increased offense Barrett provides.

[wolf stansson]

To be honest, I'd much rather have a defensive catcher than an offensive (Barrett) one. I like Michael but I don't think he makes the pitching staff better or that he has good instincts (like throwing to thirdbase when a runner is coming home). Conversely, I think the pitchers are better with Blanco catching. PLus, he throws out a high number of runners attempting to steal. I wish the Cubs would upgrade the starting catcher poswition but I think they view Barrett as an untouchable.

Yadier for Barrett and Pie. DO IT!

[goonys evil twin]

I'm not a big Barrett guy myself. He's put up some solid numbers at the plate, but I could easily see him reverting with that swing at everything approach he takes. So if the Cubs could trade him for help elsewhere, and sign a guy like Molina to a reasonable contract, I'd have no problem. I just don't see it as a possibility. And simply replacing Barrett with Molina does nothing to help the team on its own.

[Neuby]

I don't think molina is an upgrade but this late in the offseason and hendrys sucess and at upgrading the roster in doubt thus far giving him the ability to trade Barrett with other for an impact bat seems like a great idea. I think Barrett brings a lot to the Cubs. Aaron Rowans brought a lot to the White Sox but Williams traded him and the Sox are looking like favorites to repeat.

[UK1679666180]

Bengie Molina isn't one of the best defensive Catchers out there, having a strong arm is only a fraction of it. His younger brother is a much better defensive catcher than Bengie. As Bengie gets into his 30s, he's going to cont. to decline as will Barrett, Molina isn't as tsrong as he was a couple of years ago. Everyday catchers have a short span of peak productivity defensively.

 

Like any position, you have to weigh offense and defense.

[jtownie]

I'm not a big Barrett guy myself. He's put up some solid numbers at the plate, but I could easily see him reverting with that swing at everything approach he takes. So if the Cubs could trade him for help elsewhere, and sign a guy like Molina to a reasonable contract, I'd have no problem. I just don't see it as a possibility. And simply replacing Barrett with Molina does nothing to help the team on its own.

 

This is a perfect opportunity to sell-high. As much as I like barrett and his offensive skills I just don't know that he currently is a difference maker in the lineup. Especially considering his game-calling and defensive skills seem to be called into question through-out the season.

 

it makes me wonder if a team like Philly would be interested. They have an aging catcher and with barrett's history at being able to play 3rd base he could conceivably make a lot of sense for that team. But that's besides the point of the current discussion.

[UK1679666180]

Oddly, Barrett's contract expires when Schnieder's does, if you want defensive improvement, he's the one to look at.