January 6, 20179 yr Bruce Levine @MLBBruceLevine 5m5 minutes ago Source tells me Catcher Geo Soto returning to White Sox on minor league deal . He has great shot once 40 man gets straight
January 6, 20179 yr Decent. He was one of the only free agent catchers who can hit somewhat respectably and not be a framing liability. Sox now have both Giovanni Soto and Geovany Soto. Edited January 6, 20179 yr by Feeky Magee
January 6, 20179 yr Soto has ranged anywhere from excellent pitch framer (when he was with the Cubs), to an average one, with an above average season as recently as 2015 with the White Sox. It seems to be a step in the right direction for handling young pitchers, which is really the only role our 2017 catcher needs to have. Edited January 6, 20179 yr by ChiliIrishHammock24
January 6, 20179 yr Fully expect more names to be brought in. There are two catchers spots up for competition (though I feel like Navarez probably has the inside track on one spot) so its going to draw in more than a few guys looking to cash MLB checks for another year. Soto caught a few games for Rodon in 2015 also, so maybe there's a comfort level there. I expect the front office to be very aware of who they have catching games for Rodon to open the season.
January 6, 20179 yr I don't mind Geo, but his yips are like fingernails on a chalkboard for me. The highlight of this is we now may see Geo Soto squared battery.
January 6, 20179 yr I imagine he'll make the team unless he completely sucks in Spring Training. He could probably opt out if he doesn't. I bet they'll bring in a few of these types of catchers on minor league deals.
January 6, 20179 yr Only problem I have with this is that now I'll have to watch his annoying method of throwing the ball back to the pitcher.
January 6, 20179 yr I'm fine with this. One thing on our catchers pre-this signing, zips projections were so bad that Roberto Pena was our highest projected catcher even with his .600 OPS in minors offense. If we don't care about the black hole on offense he provides he would be my favorite for first one up (above Kevan Smith).
January 6, 20179 yr Meh, I am ok with this, I guess. I would have preferred some new blood - Hanigan, Iannetta or Salty, but ultimately there weren't any good options really. Soto is fine.
January 6, 20179 yr So if hypothetically he's platooned with Narvaez, we actually have one left handed hitting catcher and one right handed hitting catcher on the roster this time, not two righties, right?
January 6, 20179 yr QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 6, 2017 -> 09:29 AM) So if hypothetically he's platooned with Narvaez, we actually have one left handed hitting catcher and one right handed hitting catcher on the roster this time, not two righties, right? Yes, and Soto has not played above 90 games in some time so definitely not going to expect 120+ games out of him.
January 6, 20179 yr QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 6, 2017 -> 09:29 AM) So if hypothetically he's platooned with Narvaez, we actually have one left handed hitting catcher and one right handed hitting catcher on the roster this time, not two righties, right? Yep. Super small sample, but Narvaez actually hit much better against LHP last year. Wasn't he switch hitter, but decided to drop batting from the right side in the majors?
January 6, 20179 yr QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Jan 6, 2017 -> 09:34 AM) Yep. Super small sample, but Narvaez actually hit much better against LHP last year. Wasn't he switch hitter, but decided to drop batting from the right side in the majors? He throws righty, so I'd guess yes. I knew nothing about Narvaez before he was brought up though.
January 6, 20179 yr QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 6, 2017 -> 09:32 AM) Yes, and Soto has not played above 90 games in some time so definitely not going to expect 120+ games out of him. It works out perfect with fewer lefties than righties then I guess.
January 6, 20179 yr QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 6, 2017 -> 09:37 AM) He throws righty, so I'd guess yes. I knew nothing about Narvaez before he was brought up though. Lol, all catchers throw righty....
January 6, 20179 yr QUOTE (ChiSox59 @ Jan 6, 2017 -> 09:44 AM) Lol, all catchers throw righty.... Oh right, handedness not best for catchers, however the google search "narvaez switch hitting" led me to some site called futuresox: http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/omar-narvaez/ which says he abandoned switch hitting in 2014.
January 6, 20179 yr QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 6, 2017 -> 09:53 AM) Oh right, handedness not best for catchers, however the google search "narvaez switch hitting" led me to some site called futuresox: http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/omar-narvaez/ which says he abandoned switch hitting in 2014. Maybe I was thinking of another Sox player who had a cup of coffee last year, or maybe just recall it being mentioned on a telecast. Thanks for looking it up.
January 6, 20179 yr QUOTE (Feeky Magee @ Jan 5, 2017 -> 10:16 PM) Sox now have both Giovanni Soto and Geovany Soto. Fingers crossed that they play in the same game together!
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.