When the Giants Come to Town, It's Bye-Bye Baby

07.18.2008
All-Star Breather: The Giants Catchers

Before we get to the final installment of this series, a quick note on something I missed early last week. Paul DePodesta, now a consultant for the Padres front office, has a blog, and on July 7 asked readers for comments on what the Padres should do up until the trade deadline? No big surprise that a supermajority of comments were of the “sell now!” variety, but the surprise is that the Padres front office was willing to ask for its fans’ input, and that DePodesta followed up with a lengthy response. Can you imagine Brian Sabean or Dick Tidrow doing something like this?

Now let’s take a look at the Giants catching situation between now and Opening Day 2009:

Bengie Molina is signed through ‘09 at what now seems a reasonable price: $6 million this year, $6 million next year. For all Sabean’s free-agent follies of late, the Molina contract is proving a wise one. (Or if you prefer, a lucky one.) With his reasonable contract, his stellar reputation, and his decent offensive production, it seems Molina would be a nice addition to a team that has some payroll flexibility.

But should the Giants trade him? Unless they get a starting catcher in return, they’ll end up with Eliezer Alfonzo or Guillermo Rodriguez behind the plate the rest of this year. Not a pleasant thought. Both have filled in, Alfonzo in ‘06 when Matheny went down with a concussion, but it would be an unpopular move in the clubhouse, in the stands, and in the lineup. I would advise against it.

Over the winter, when short-term solutions to losing Molina are more plentiful, is a better time to explore a trade. The problem is, if a starting catcher doesn’t come back, the list of free agents doesn’t hold much promise. I could imagine the team ending up with a platoon of Gregg Zaun and Rod Barajas, or something to that effect. Grabbing a power bat for the middle of the lineup would give the Giants more options, however, as they wouldn’t need their catcher to hit cleanup anymore and could opt for a defensive specialist on a one-year contract.

Caveat: Making a trade to “clear space” for Buster Posey — who hasn’t even signed a contract yet — is foolish. The odds of him being ready as a major-league starter in 2009 are ridiculously long. Even if he moves quickly and makes it to Mays Field next year, what better mentor than Molina?

Bottom line: considering all the options and Molina’s popularity, I think he’ll be with the team for the length of his contract.



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[July 18, 2008 5:25 PM]  |  link  |  reply
erikg said

ELM-

We haven't heard much about catcher Pablo Sandoval, who moved up to AA a month or so ago.

His numbers in SJ and CT look totally hott and he'll only turn 22 next month. I wonder if he'll be in the mix for a callup this Sept. or an extended look next March.

Here are the numbers thus far:

SJ (273 ABs): .359/.412/.597

CT (79 ABs):
.342/.373/.544

anyone have a scoop on this guy? i'd like to know more.


[July 18, 2008 6:32 PM]  |  link  |  reply
ELM replied to erikg

His batting numbers look great. If he keeps this up in CT he might be in line for a Sept cup of coffee, especially if there's room on the 40-man. But would be ready to step in and run a major-league pitching staff as the starting catcher next year? I doubt it.

[July 18, 2008 6:53 PM]  |  link  |  reply
erikg said

ELM-

I agree. I don't think he's ready to be the starter in '09.

But backup to Bengie in the last year of his contract might be nice. Soak up some Molina knowledge and knowhow.

It would be cool to break the cycle of older, 4-A, retread backup catchers and let a younger dude get a crack at sticking on the 25-man in '09 -- esp. a younger dude with what looks to be a live bat.

[July 18, 2008 9:37 PM]  |  link  |  reply
PM said

I hope Bochy gives Bowker a regular spot at 1B and shares 3B between Aurilia and Castillo. Bowker certainly deserves more ABs than Castillo; we need to find out what he can do. The other good prospect Burriss should get more ABs sharing with Vizquel. Otherwise, I hope next year is Bochy's last with the Giants.