Barrett at First?

[biittner77]

With Lee out Barrett becomes an important part of the lineup. Barrett can't catch every single game. Should he get some starts at 1st until Lee gets back?

[sweetpeteman]

that actually could work, however I hope he gets some practice first. He is a converted 3rd baseman.

[Omar]

I'm guessing when Blanco needs to catch, yes.

[radarluv1]

thats not really a day off. maybe every other blanco start could work, or more depending on off days. his bat is really needed, for sure.

[BigSlick]

I'm not sure anyone in the Cubs Organization would do something like that.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I'm not sure anyone in the Cubs Organization would do something like that.

 

 

dusty would, but it would be a result of hendry resigning macias to catch

 

 

:shock:

[Blueheart05]

I'm not sure anyone in the Cubs Organization would do something like that.

 

 

dusty would, but it would be a result of hendry resigning macias to catch

 

 

:shock:

 

Technically, they don't need Macias. Mabry is the emergency third catcher.

[Big Z 38]

I'm not sure anyone in the Cubs Organization would do something like that.

Not with the guys we have calling the shots

[Omar]

I'm not sure anyone in the Cubs Organization would do something like that.

 

 

dusty would, but it would be a result of hendry resigning macias to catch

 

 

:shock:

 

Technically, they don't need Macias. Mabry is the emergency third catcher.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mabryjo01.shtml

 

Hm... Mabry has never caught a game in his life... But why has he pitched?

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/maciajo01.shtml

 

Neither has Macias. Are they emergency "just because" ?

[Roast]

For what its worth, when Barret was on Rome is Burning after that Cards sweep a week or two ago he said he "failed miserably" at third base, which is why he moved to catching. If thats the case, maybe its not worth it.

[soccer10k]

I'm not sure anyone in the Cubs Organization would do something like that.

 

 

dusty would, but it would be a result of hendry resigning macias to catch

 

 

:shock:

 

Technically, they don't need Macias. Mabry is the emergency third catcher.

 

Where did you get that information from?

[Blueheart05]

I'm not sure anyone in the Cubs Organization would do something like that.

 

 

dusty would, but it would be a result of hendry resigning macias to catch

 

 

:shock:

 

Technically, they don't need Macias. Mabry is the emergency third catcher.

 

Where did you get that information from?

 

Len Kasper on the telecast.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

With Lee gone, we really can't afford Blanco catching more than once every 2 times through the rotation or so. Our lineup with those two switched out is laughably awful.

[Blueheart05]

I'm not sure anyone in the Cubs Organization would do something like that.

 

 

dusty would, but it would be a result of hendry resigning macias to catch

 

 

:shock:

 

Technically, they don't need Macias. Mabry is the emergency third catcher.

 

Where did you get that information from?

 

 

In his career, he is batting .271 with 82 home runs and 384 RBI's. He has 792 career hits in 2919 at bats. 2004 marks the third time that Mabry has signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. Working with former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny, he has learned the catchers position and is able to serve as emergency catcher should a situation require it.

 

Wikipedia

 

BTW, I think putting Barrett at 1B is weakening one spot to make another stronger. It doesn't help in the long run.

[EricG]

I think Neifi can be an emergency catcher.

[Warpticon]

I'm not sure anyone in the Cubs Organization would do something like that.

 

 

dusty would, but it would be a result of hendry resigning macias to catch

 

 

:shock:

 

Technically, they don't need Macias. Mabry is the emergency third catcher.

 

Where did you get that information from?

 

 

In his career, he is batting .271 with 82 home runs and 384 RBI's. He has 792 career hits in 2919 at bats. 2004 marks the third time that Mabry has signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. Working with former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny, he has learned the catchers position and is able to serve as emergency catcher should a situation require it.

 

Wikipedia

 

BTW, I think putting Barrett at 1B is weakening one spot to make another stronger. It doesn't help in the long run.

 

Yeah, but the idea isn't for it to be permanent, but just to keep his bat in the game on days when he doesn't catch.

[EricG]

With the offes as it is, Barrett might need to catch every game until Lee comes back. Putting him at 1B once a week is an idea to consider. The idea was brought up when Ramirez got hurt in past years to put Barrett at 3B.

[Blueheart05]

I'm not sure anyone in the Cubs Organization would do something like that.

 

 

dusty would, but it would be a result of hendry resigning macias to catch

 

 

:shock:

 

Technically, they don't need Macias. Mabry is the emergency third catcher.

 

Where did you get that information from?

 

 

In his career, he is batting .271 with 82 home runs and 384 RBI's. He has 792 career hits in 2919 at bats. 2004 marks the third time that Mabry has signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. Working with former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny, he has learned the catchers position and is able to serve as emergency catcher should a situation require it.

 

Wikipedia

 

BTW, I think putting Barrett at 1B is weakening one spot to make another stronger. It doesn't help in the long run.

 

Yeah, but the idea isn't for it to be permanent, but just to keep his bat in the game on days when he doesn't catch.

 

 

I don't think that's productive in the long run. Catching is a physically demanding position so on days that Barrett isn't the starting catcher I think it's best that he rest (except for the occasional PH) His offense will begin to suffer from overuse. Plus, there is an injury concern by having both experienced catchers playing in the same game. If one goes down, the team is forced to use an emergency fill-in and the bench is minus a hitter.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't think that's productive in the long run. Catching is a physically demanding position so on days that Barrett isn't the starting catcher I think it's best that he rest (except for the occasional PH) His offense will begin to suffer from overuse. Plus, there is an injury concern by having both experienced catchers playing in the same game. If one goes down, the team is forced to use an emergency fill-in and the bench is minus a hitter.

 

You don't need to use the emergency catcher if both are playing. Assuming Barrett is at first and Blanco gets hurt, you just move Barrett behind the plate and put someone else at 1B(Mabry/Restovich/Walker).

[Blueheart05]

I'm not sure anyone in the Cubs Organization would do something like that.

 

 

dusty would, but it would be a result of hendry resigning macias to catch

 

 

:shock:

 

Technically, they don't need Macias. Mabry is the emergency third catcher.

 

Where did you get that information from?

 

 

In his career, he is batting .271 with 82 home runs and 384 RBI's. He has 792 career hits in 2919 at bats. 2004 marks the third time that Mabry has signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. Working with former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny, he has learned the catchers position and is able to serve as emergency catcher should a situation require it.

 

Wikipedia

 

BTW, I think putting Barrett at 1B is weakening one spot to make another stronger. It doesn't help in the long run.

 

Yeah, but the idea isn't for it to be permanent, but just to keep his bat in the game on days when he doesn't catch.

 

 

I don't think that's productive in the long run. Catching is a physically demanding position so on days that Barrett isn't the starting catcher I think it's best that he rest (except for the occasional PH) His offense will begin to suffer from overuse. Plus, there is an injury concern by having both experienced catchers playing in the same game. If one goes down, the team is forced to use an emergency fill-in and the bench is minus a hitter.

 

You don't need to use the emergency catcher if both are playing. Assuming Barrett is at first and Blanco gets hurt, you just move Barrett behind the plate and put someone else at 1B(Mabry/Restovich/Walker).

 

You're right, I guess I was thinking that something would happen to both. In either case, what is being suggested sounds like Barrett essentially playing everyday (either as a 1B or catcher). Which potentially also means Blanco will have a lot more starts than he's had in a couple of years. I don't think it's smart and I don't think it's something the Cubs would consider.

[FadeToBolivia]

Why not just start using Hairston instead of Perez?

[NorthsideAvenger]

I think Neifi can be an emergency catcher.

 

You are correct.

 

Instead of moving Barrett to 1st, and having Blanco catch....which would NOT be an improvement--considering Perez is the emergency catch--how about the Cubs go out and get a legit backup 1st base. (I like Mabry in the lefty pinch hitting specialist role) It's bad enough the Cubs have Walker GROSSLY playing out of position at first, do we NEED another player playing out of position. I rather see if Wil Cordero (power RH bat off the bench, perfect platoon with Mabry) could be had. Or Shea Hillenbrand, or somebody of that nature.

 

Cordero/Mabry would be a nice righty/lefty off the bench once Lee returns.

[biittner77]

I think Neifi can be an emergency catcher.

 

You are correct.

 

Instead of moving Barrett to 1st, and having Blanco catch....which would NOT be an improvement--considering Perez is the emergency catch--how about the Cubs go out and get a legit backup 1st base. (I like Mabry in the lefty pinch hitting specialist role) It's bad enough the Cubs have Walker GROSSLY playing out of position at first, do we NEED another player playing out of position. I rather see if Wil Cordero (power RH bat off the bench, perfect platoon with Mabry) could be had. Or Shea Hillenbrand, or somebody of that nature.

 

Cordero/Mabry would be a nice righty/lefty off the bench once Lee returns.

 

The idea is to put Barrett at 1st and Walker at 2nd so as to not wear down Barrett by having him catch every day until Lee comes back.

 

I don't see how Walker is that much out of position at 1st. He may not know all the subtle nuances but he should have good range and hands at 1st.

[AlwaysaCub]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/perezne01.shtml

 

Neifi has played at least part of 1 game at catcher.

[Slugger_16]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/perezne01.shtml

 

Neifi has played at least part of 1 game at catcher.

 

Haha, Neifi's middle name is Neftali.