Comments on: Twins’ lack of catching depth makes replacing Joe Mauer even tougher

By: diego2thebay

diego2thebay — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 21:40:26 +0000

Objection! Leading!

That’s completely unfair. First, 2005 was McCann’s first year at 21 years old. Start in 2006, when he wasn’t splitting time with Johnny Estrada

Then do the right thing and go by games played at catcher. You recall Mauer DHs A LOT. That gives you this breakdown:

McCann – 727
Mauer – 696

And that is INCLUDED the 50 extra games Mauer got in 2005 while McCann played behind Estrada.

And, McCann kills him in HRs, has fewer GDPs, and is within 9 TB. The fewer GDP & way more HBP gives him a TB+ higher than Mauer’s.

By: Reflex

Reflex — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:55:26 +0000

I guess thats one of those cases where perception trumped reality. It always *seems* like Mauer is hurt, thus the perception is that McCann is on the field more often. Apparantly not.

By: Aaron Gleeman

Aaron Gleeman — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:39:55 +0000

Since 2005, when McCann debuted:

Games:
Mauer – 810
McCann – 767

Plate Appearances:
Mauer – 3,944
McCann – 2,988

OPS:
Mauer – .883
McCann – .849

Caught Stealing %:
Mauer – 34%
McCann – 24%

Wins Above Replacement:
Mauer – 37.2
McCann – 18.1

McCann is a really, really good player. He’s just not as good as Mauer.

By: Reflex

Reflex — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:33:49 +0000

I’ve never felt that Mauer is the best catcher in baseball. He’s the best catcher for given stretches of time. But he is hurt a lot, and the power he showed two seasons ago was a mirage. He’s a very good catcher, future DH, and has truly MVP caliber stretches. But he just dosen’t play enough.

In my opinion, Brian McCann is the best catcher in the game and has been for several years now. Hits for power, average, plays decent defense, and is durable. No, his peaks aren’t quite as high as Mauer’s, but he’s actually there every day, all season.

By: browns1968

browns1968 — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:40:15 +0000

I knew they over paid this guy ..he stays hurt …

By: visnovsky

visnovsky — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:47:18 +0000

And he shouldn’t be.

By: cur68

cur68 — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:46:56 +0000

Hey, don’t forget, there’s a spare Molina out there. He could out hit those guys with a beer in one hand and out catch them with his eyes closed. Maybe if I walked on, claiming to be a bastard Molina 4th brother? I mean I’d have to stick a pillow up my shirt and run a whole lot slower but I bet I could at least be as good as those dudes.

By: ThatGuy

ThatGuy — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:43:11 +0000

There had to be a Molina out there somewhere right? Those guys grow on trees…

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:14:14 +0000

I used to watch Butera play for the AA New Britain Rock Cats when they would swing through Portland, and I never once suspected he would be in the big leagues one day.

By: trevorb06

trevorb06 — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:58:23 +0000

They should try to trade for Bryan Anderson of the Cardinals. He’s an MLB ready catch who’s been sitting in the minors because of the catching ‘depth’ the Cards have. He’d probably hold the starting gig well until Mauer’s return.

By: sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo

sabathiawouldbegoodattheeighthtoo — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:39:35 +0000

Yankees could send them a catcher for Liriano…