Trade Michael Barrett and sign Bengie Molina?

[don_kessinger_was_good]

If other teams view Barrett as someone worth acquiring, and I'm not sure they do....but we know some of the Cub pitchers are unhappy pitching to him, at the least.

 

Bengie Molina is looking for a home, and his numbers are positively Barrett-esque. They are equals in offense, while Molina offers better defense.

 

If someone were interested in Barrett in a trade, would you move him and sign Molina? It would probably entail a $2MM or so increment to payroll (Barrett makes 4, Molina is looking for 6), but if Barrett helped you get a player you want elsewhere, maybe it's an option that should be considered.

 

By my count, the following teams might be looking for a starting catcher: Phillies (Lieberthal is finished?), Pirates, Dodgers (Navarro not ready?), Toronto, Detroit (time for I-Rod to DH?) and Texas.

[RockTheIvy]

If other teams view Barrett as someone worth acquiring, and I'm not sure they do....but we know some of the Cub pitchers are unhappy pitching to him, at the least.

 

Bengie Molina is looking for a home, and his numbers are positively Barrett-esque. They are equals in offense, while Molina offers better defense.

 

If someone were interested in Barrett in a trade, would you move him and sign Molina? It would probably entail a $2MM or so increment to payroll (Barrett makes 4, Molina is looking for 6), but if Barrett helped you get a player you want elsewhere, maybe it's an option that should be considered.

 

By my count, the following teams might be looking for a starting catcher: Phillies (Lieberthal is finished?), Pirates, Dodgers (Navarro not ready?), Toronto, Detroit (time for I-Rod to DH?) and Texas.

 

I'd do a deal with Philly for Abreu. Obviously there'd have to be more pieces involved, but it would improve the offense and defense.

[Blueheart05]

If other teams view Barrett as someone worth acquiring, and I'm not sure they do....but we know some of the Cub pitchers are unhappy pitching to him, at the least.

 

Bengie Molina is looking for a home, and his numbers are positively Barrett-esque. They are equals in offense, while Molina offers better defense.

 

If someone were interested in Barrett in a trade, would you move him and sign Molina? It would probably entail a $2MM or so increment to payroll (Barrett makes 4, Molina is looking for 6), but if Barrett helped you get a player you want elsewhere, maybe it's an option that should be considered.

 

By my count, the following teams might be looking for a starting catcher: Phillies (Lieberthal is finished?), Pirates, Dodgers (Navarro not ready?), Toronto, Detroit (time for I-Rod to DH?) and Texas.

 

For Yadier Molina yes. LOL. I like the idea of Bengie Molina but really, if we're going to sign an offensively challenged catcher with great defense and game calling skills why not just let Blanco get the majority of the starts and trade Barrett? Just a thought, I don't seriously think the Cubs would consider it.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

If other teams view Barrett as someone worth acquiring, and I'm not sure they do....but we know some of the Cub pitchers are unhappy pitching to him, at the least.

 

Bengie Molina is looking for a home, and his numbers are positively Barrett-esque. They are equals in offense, while Molina offers better defense.

 

If someone were interested in Barrett in a trade, would you move him and sign Molina? It would probably entail a $2MM or so increment to payroll (Barrett makes 4, Molina is looking for 6), but if Barrett helped you get a player you want elsewhere, maybe it's an option that should be considered.

 

By my count, the following teams might be looking for a starting catcher: Phillies (Lieberthal is finished?), Pirates, Dodgers (Navarro not ready?), Toronto, Detroit (time for I-Rod to DH?) and Texas.

 

For Yadier Molina yes. LOL. I like the idea of Bengie Molina but really, if we're going to sign an offensively challenged catcher with great defense and game calling skills why not just let Blanco get the majority of the starts and trade Barrett? Just a thought, I don't seriously think the Cubs would consider it.

 

How is Bengie Molina offensively challenged? His numbers are almost identical to Barrett's. Or are you saying the NL Silver Slugger at catcher last year is offensively challenged? I'm confused.

[Blueheart05]

If other teams view Barrett as someone worth acquiring, and I'm not sure they do....but we know some of the Cub pitchers are unhappy pitching to him, at the least.

 

Bengie Molina is looking for a home, and his numbers are positively Barrett-esque. They are equals in offense, while Molina offers better defense.

 

If someone were interested in Barrett in a trade, would you move him and sign Molina? It would probably entail a $2MM or so increment to payroll (Barrett makes 4, Molina is looking for 6), but if Barrett helped you get a player you want elsewhere, maybe it's an option that should be considered.

 

By my count, the following teams might be looking for a starting catcher: Phillies (Lieberthal is finished?), Pirates, Dodgers (Navarro not ready?), Toronto, Detroit (time for I-Rod to DH?) and Texas.

 

For Yadier Molina yes. LOL. I like the idea of Bengie Molina but really, if we're going to sign an offensively challenged catcher with great defense and game calling skills why not just let Blanco get the majority of the starts and trade Barrett? Just a thought, I don't seriously think the Cubs would consider it.

 

How is Bengie Molina offensively challenged? His numbers are almost identical to Barrett's. Or are you saying the NL Silver Slugger at catcher last year is offensively challenged? I'm confused.

 

Brain cramp. I was thinking about Jose Molina. I still wouldn't go for Bengie at 6M. He's going to be 32 while Barrett is turning 30 in October. If we could get him cheaper it would be a deal.

[Wheelimus]

If you could swap Barrett and filler for Abreu, i'd do it, else, no thanks.

[Andy]

Between NSBB and the Cubs we want to get rid of just about every good hitter on the team I guess.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Barrett and Molina are not offensive equals. Molina had a career year offensively and he still wasn't within 40 OPS points of Barrett.

[WrigleyField 22]

I don't like continual changes with guys who have proved themselves. I think a little bit of continuity is good, unless you decide to continue with the Perez's of the world.

[E.J.]

Barrett and Molina are not offensive equals. Molina had a career year offensively and he still wasn't within 40 OPS points of Barrett.

 

Plus isn't Bengie Molina 33 or something around there? For a catcher that's pretty old. There has to be a reason he's not getting any love on the free agent market.

[Blueheart05]

Barrett and Molina are not offensive equals. Molina had a career year offensively and he still wasn't within 40 OPS points of Barrett.

 

Plus isn't Bengie Molina 33 or something around there? For a catcher that's pretty old. There has to be a reason he's not getting any love on the free agent market.

 

He's demanding 6M a year and threatening to sit out a year if he can't find a suitable offer.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Barrett and Molina are not offensive equals. Molina had a career year offensively and he still wasn't within 40 OPS points of Barrett.

 

Plus isn't Bengie Molina 33 or something around there? For a catcher that's pretty old. There has to be a reason he's not getting any love on the free agent market.

 

Molina's not a bad player at all, but saying he's even close to Barrett's level offensively is incorrect.

[E.J.]

Barrett and Molina are not offensive equals. Molina had a career year offensively and he still wasn't within 40 OPS points of Barrett.

 

Plus isn't Bengie Molina 33 or something around there? For a catcher that's pretty old. There has to be a reason he's not getting any love on the free agent market.

 

He's demanding 6M a year and threatening to sit out a year if he can't find a suitable offer.

 

That's an dumb move on his part. Does he really think his value will go up after sitting out a year and being a year older? You gotta take what you can get.

[Blueheart05]

Barrett and Molina are not offensive equals. Molina had a career year offensively and he still wasn't within 40 OPS points of Barrett.

 

Plus isn't Bengie Molina 33 or something around there? For a catcher that's pretty old. There has to be a reason he's not getting any love on the free agent market.

 

He's demanding 6M a year and threatening to sit out a year if he can't find a suitable offer.

 

That's an dumb move on his part. Does he really think his value will go up after sitting out a year and being a year older? You gotta take what you can get.

 

Exactly! It's crazy.

 

Molina told the Yuma (Ariz.) Sun over the weekend that he will sit out the upcoming season if he doesn't receive the salary he is seeking, which is believed to be in the $6-million range.

 

Los Angeles Daily News

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Exactly! It's crazy.

 

Molina told the Yuma (Ariz.) Sun over the weekend that he will sit out the upcoming season if he doesn't receive the salary he is seeking, which is believed to be in the $6-million range.

 

Los Angeles Daily News

 

If he sits out '06, he'll be sitting out '07, '08, '09...

[Neuby]

If a catcher gets a long term injury in the WBC his vaule will go up. I would replace Molina with Barrett in heartbeat of we could package him with others.

 

Barrett, Hill,Wuertz, Welly

for

Abreu

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Molina's not a bad player at all, but saying he's even close to Barrett's level offensively is incorrect.

 

Bengie Molina: 295/336/446, 15 HR, 69 RBI, 41/27 K/BB, IsoP 110

Michael Barrett: 276/345/479, 16 HR, 61 RBI, 61/40 K/BB, IsoP 134

 

A bit bigger difference than I expected, but not much, and entirely in IsoP. Wouldn't Molina's better defense cancel out Barrett's slightly better slugging?

 

I'm not anti-Barrett, I'm just thinking of trade currency and ways to improve the OVERALL team here.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

We're not getting a big bat for RF. Jones is it. :(

 

Oh, and I wouldn't take Molina over Barrett at this stage of the game. We're going to need some offensive production with slappy and Jones tooling around the OF and some combo of Neifi/Cedeno/Hairston in the MIF. Offensive powerhouse.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Molina's not a bad player at all, but saying he's even close to Barrett's level offensively is incorrect.

 

Bengie Molina: 295/336/446, 15 HR, 69 RBI, 41/27 K/BB, IsoP 110

Michael Barrett: 276/345/479, 16 HR, 61 RBI, 61/40 K/BB, IsoP 134

 

A bit bigger difference than I expected, but not much, and entirely in IsoP. Wouldn't Molina's better defense cancel out Barrett's slightly better slugging?

 

I'm not anti-Barrett, I'm just thinking of trade currency and ways to improve the OVERALL team here.

 

Like I said before, that was a career year for Molina. Aside from this past year, he's never had an OBP over .320, and for his career he barely cracks a .700 OPS(84 career OPS+, yikes). He'll be 32 this summer and age normally isn't too kind to catchers. If he were several years younger I'd like it alot more, and I could understand the shift to a defense oriented catcher philosophically, but I don't think switching Molina for Barrett is the way to go, unless you can get a LOT in trade for Barrett.

[treebird]

Molina's not a bad player at all, but saying he's even close to Barrett's level offensively is incorrect.

 

Bengie Molina: 295/336/446, 15 HR, 69 RBI, 41/27 K/BB, IsoP 110

Michael Barrett: 276/345/479, 16 HR, 61 RBI, 61/40 K/BB, IsoP 134

 

A bit bigger difference than I expected, but not much, and entirely in IsoP. Wouldn't Molina's better defense cancel out Barrett's slightly better slugging?

 

I'm not anti-Barrett, I'm just thinking of trade currency and ways to improve the OVERALL team here.

 

Like I said before, that was a career year for Molina. Aside from this past year, he's never had an OBP over .320, and for his career he barely cracks a .700 OPS(84 career OPS+, yikes). He'll be 32 this summer and age normally isn't too kind to catchers. If he were several years younger I'd like it alot more, and I could understand the shift to a defense oriented catcher philosophically, but I don't think switching Molina for Barrett is the way to go, unless you can get a LOT in trade for Barrett.

 

Exactly. Molina's only had one year where he's be in the same conversation as Barrett, so unless you discover that some team hugely overvalues Michael and you can get something crazy for him, there's little chance of this improving the team.

[Backtobanks]

Exactly! It's crazy.

 

Molina told the Yuma (Ariz.) Sun over the weekend that he will sit out the upcoming season if he doesn't receive the salary he is seeking, which is believed to be in the $6-million range.

 

Los Angeles Daily News

 

If he sits out '06, he'll be sitting out '07, '08, '09...

 

But you never know, he might get $10 million as a 37-year-old catcher in 2010. Bengie's not thinking too good.

[baseball7897]

If Jim wants to get better on the defense side why is Barrett still on the team? Bengie Molina is a terrific defensive catcher who can call a game as well, Molina is also one of the better contact hitters in the AL. I think when Barrett was behind the plate the team had a 4.40 era, while when Blanco was behind the dish the team had a 3.76 team era. The one problem with Bengie is he cannot run. Another thing about Barrett is he cannot throw out runners who steal. I think he is at 20% or 18% at throwing runners out.

[treebird]

If Jim wants to get better on the defense side why is Barrett still on the team? Bengie Molina is a terrific defensive catcher who can call a game as well, Molina is also one of the better contact hitters in the AL. I think when Barrett was behind the plate the team had a 4.40 era, while when Blanco was behind the dish the team had a 3.76 team era. The one problem with Bengie is he cannot run. Another thing about Barrett is he cannot throw out runners who steal. I think he is at 20% or 18% at throwing runners out.

 

was jim bowden in college from 1978-1997? can anybody else figure out what those numbers mean?

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

If Jim wants to get better on the defense side why is Barrett still on the team? Bengie Molina is a terrific defensive catcher who can call a game as well, Molina is also one of the better contact hitters in the AL. I think when Barrett was behind the plate the team had a 4.40 era, while when Blanco was behind the dish the team had a 3.76 team era. The one problem with Bengie is he cannot run. Another thing about Barrett is he cannot throw out runners who steal. I think he is at 20% or 18% at throwing runners out.

 

all the stats you listed are largely dependent on the pitchers the catcher works with. look at who barrett, blanco, and molina caught for. look at those pitchers' deliveries. barrett isn't a great threat to throw a runner out, but having guys like maddux getting you the ball pretty much assures you you're not going to nab a runner.

[BigbadB]

Barrett and Molina are not offensive equals. Molina had a career year offensively and he still wasn't within 40 OPS points of Barrett.

 

Plus isn't Bengie Molina 33 or something around there? For a catcher that's pretty old. There has to be a reason he's not getting any love on the free agent market.

 

He's demanding 6M a year and threatening to sit out a year if he can't find a suitable offer.

 

He should be careful what he wishes for.