Henry Blanco's Getting a Physical!!!

I wonder, how valuable is it having 3 backup catchers? And the biggest question I have is, even if we sign Zaun or Navarro (assuming he becomes available), what does that mean for Thole? Thole has to be starting for Buffalo next year, and should we sign a catcher who can actually start for us next year, we'll have 5 catchers, two on the Mets, Thole and one backing him up in Buffalo, and one left over. I think if that poll was posted again, asking under what circumstances should Omar keep his job, right now we'd all vote "under no circumstances."

about 2 years ago Evan_S 30 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

In 2008, we had a bullpen problem which led to acquiring two closers making big money

In 2009, we had a problem with injuries, I fully expect Omar to go and sign 3backup players for every position

by viktor06 on Dec 3, 2009 7:10 AM EST reply actions

to be fair, if all of our starting spots were filled, I'd have no problem with that.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Dec 3, 2009 8:06 AM EST up reply actions

Not if he fills them with AAA players

After the catcher situation is resolved, expect extensions to Misch, Figueroa and a trade for Daniel Cabrera

by viktor06 on Dec 3, 2009 8:14 AM EST up reply actions

very true.

But fwiw, Blanco is a player that would have been a good signing…if we hadn’t wasted a signing on Coste.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Dec 3, 2009 8:17 AM EST up reply actions

Coste got a minor league deal...he only got a guarantee that he'll be on the 40 man.

Thats a pretty solid signing if there are 40 man slots available…he’ll be a nice mentor to thole in AAA.

"We're just as bad as the old Mets, but this time nobody's laughing"
-Dallas Green

by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 3, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

But Thole needs to START in AAA.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Dec 3, 2009 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

I think Omars a moron, but I don't think even he is dumb enough to start Coste over Thole at AAA.

If Coste is in AAA, he’d likely get a callup before Thole, but he’s unlikely to start there.

"We're just as bad as the old Mets, but this time nobody's laughing"
-Dallas Green

by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 3, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions

Tough to trade for a free agent...

"We're just as bad as the old Mets, but this time nobody's laughing"
-Dallas Green

by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 3, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

This is Omar we're talking about: He'll find a way.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Dec 3, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I know

Athletics will sign Cabrera to a minor league contract, then Maine will get injured again and Omar will trade Kirk Nieuwenhuis and PTBNL for Cabrera, who’s first ST start line will be 2IP 4K 3BB, deserving a 3year/24m extension

by viktor06 on Dec 3, 2009 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

BUFOON

NUF SAID

by metaje on Dec 3, 2009 7:45 AM EST reply actions

This can only lead to something like

Thole to the Cubs for Aaron Heilman who would replace JJ Putz.

by fxcarden on Dec 3, 2009 9:48 AM EST reply actions

Don't jump the gun on this one

I have a feeling there is more to this. I will hold off my judgement until Omar has made all his moves.

I have a feeling that Omir Santos gets sent off in a trade, while Coste and Blanco compete for the back-up spot, with the loser going to AAA Buffalo to mentor Thole.

by Coolpapabell on Dec 3, 2009 9:59 AM EST reply actions

Yeah I thinking Omir may get traded also.

Also, catchers always get hurt so its not a bad idea to have three on your major league roster. Of course you need a starting catcher which we do not have, but blanco has a good arm and is a good backup catcher.

I bet we trade Omir and Dan Murphy for Ryan Doumit

by Delgado on Dec 3, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

i wish

but i think its gonna take a lot more than that for doumit

by Rob Castellano on Dec 3, 2009 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

If you trade Murphy

Then who plays first then? That creates a hole at first now, which is more expensive to fill. First base is a harder hole to fill than catcher this year.

by Coolpapabell on Dec 3, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

Delgado baby

by Delgado on Dec 3, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

Or Johnson, Laroche, Branyan, Glaus, or one of the many other available 1st basemen.

1st is not a very hard hole to fill this year, it’s only more expensive because there are better options.

"We're just as bad as the old Mets, but this time nobody's laughing"
-Dallas Green

by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 3, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

I like it as long as it's under a million.

Depth is never a bad thing to have, Coste is a minor league deal and Thole has options, so the only guy that may be S.O.L. is senor short swing. Maybe we sell high on him, or just release him. At least we’ll have some depth there.

"We're just as bad as the old Mets, but this time nobody's laughing"
-Dallas Green

by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 3, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

"Henry Blanco"

Isn’t that the prequel to Donnie Darko?

by Pack Bringley on Dec 3, 2009 11:46 AM EST reply actions

From Carlito's Way

Sadly, in a couple of days our catching tandem will be Bengie Blanco. Not from the Bronx though. From Queens.

by Bieser's Balk on Dec 3, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

Come on guys

we have to believe . . . we have to just believe that Omar will not sign Bengie Molina. Hope, prey, lit a vigil candle. Please no Bengie.

by Delgado on Dec 3, 2009 3:21 PM EST up reply actions

This could be a good thing if Omar is going to let Thole have a shot at the starting gig in spring training.

Blanco backing him up with Coste and Santos in AAA isn’t bad. That certainly leaves more money to spend on pitching, 1st, and left. As long as we spend it…

"We're just as bad as the old Mets, but this time nobody's laughing"
-Dallas Green

by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 3, 2009 4:13 PM EST reply actions

I don't think Thole should be starting

let the kid have some at bats in AAA first.

"We must win and we must know how to win rather than win because we have statistical people."

by Evan_S on Dec 3, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed. We don't want another Danny Murphy situation

(His limited ABs in his rookie season make him look/seem a lot more appealing than his total production thus far has shown)

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"
Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Dec 3, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

And his defense has shown it could still use work

lets make sure he’s ready before we bring him up, so when we do bring him to the big leagues again he can stay there and contribute on a regular basis.

by KeithsMoustache on Dec 3, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

Thole performing poorly out of the catcher position is a lot better than Murphy at 1st or left.

Catchers generally arent the cog to the offense, and Santos and Blanco would be acceptable production if we are getting above average production from left and 1st as well as another solid starter.

"We're just as bad as the old Mets, but this time nobody's laughing"
-Dallas Green

by Stephen Schmidt on Dec 3, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions