Has the last month proven one thing once and for all?

Burke can hit big league pitching and has a future

with our Sox.

Ben cannot and should be let go.

Poor Ben Davis cannot hit.

Has the last month proven one thing once and for all?

Burke can hit big league pitching and has a future

with our Sox.

Ben cannot and should be let go.

Poor Ben Davis cannot hit.

If burke hits .250 next year you should be happy. Just letting you know.

Ozzie has said he would like Ben back as a defensive catcher and he shouldn't be depended on for offensive production. Still I think it's probably worth signing someone else who can at least hit .250 and drive in some RBI's. Paul Lo Duca and Jason Varitek are the best catchers on the market, although Lo Duca is only arbitration eligible. Lo Duca could be had for 3 years $21 million.

one problem with burke

 

 

32 years old.

Ozzie has said he would like Ben back as a defensive catcher and he shouldn't be depended on for offensive production. Still I think it's probably worth signing someone else who can at least hit .250 and drive in some RBI's. Paul Lo Duca and Jason Varitek are the best catchers on the market, although Lo Duca is only arbitration eligible. Lo Duca could be had for 3 years $21 million.

That is a fair offer for what he will bring to the table. I would surely look into it.

That is a fair offer for what he will bring to the table. I would surely look into it.

Don't know if he'd sign for an AL team though. He could actually go back to the Dodgers, but that's unlikely considering they have to resign Beltre and possibly sign Delgado or Sexson.

Don't know if he'd sign for an AL team though. He could actually go back to the Dodgers, but that's unlikely considering they have to resign Beltre and possibly sign Delgado or Sexson.

There is no reason to believe that he won't go to the a.l I never understand why any position player would care what league they are in. Honestly won't change there offensive production much if at all.

There is no reason to believe that he won't go to the a.l I never understand why any position player would care what league they are in. Honestly won't change there offensive production much if at all.

Really. People throw that switching leagues issue around all the time. Players switch leagues all the time. I don't understand why that should ever be brought into the equation, unless a player states it's part of the equation.

BD 1 for last 28.

I didn't think that Ben Davis is considered a good defensive catcher. There's a severe lack of available options behind the plate.

one problem with burke

 

 

32 years old.

Why is that a problem? He's not ancient, infact this should be considered his prime. I dont think anyone is saying he is a long term solution at the catcher position, but could be a nice stop gap until we do figure out who is going to be there for the next 3-4 years.

 

Im a big Jamie Burke fan, he's versitile as well - can also play a nice first base when needed.

 

I think to expect him to bat anywhere near 300 is crazy. I think a nice .270-.275 average is not to lofty to expect, I mean this guy can swing the stick, not an easy out imo.

Ozzie has said he would like Ben back as a defensive catcher and he shouldn't be depended on for offensive production.

Fine can we pay him half as much then...

 

Ben Davis is not a good defensive catcher. Anyone who's actually watched him since he's put on a white sox uniform should be able to tell you that... I don't know who ozzie has been watching.

Why is that a problem? He's not ancient, infact this should be considered his prime. I dont think anyone is saying he is a long term solution at the catcher position, but could be a nice stop gap until we do figure out who is going to be there for the next 3-4 years.

 

Im a big Jamie Burke fan, he's versitile as well - can also play a nice first base when needed.

 

I think to expect him to bat anywhere near 300 is crazy. I think a nice .270-.275 average is not to lofty to expect, I mean this guy can swing the stick, not an easy out imo.

I just hope someone teaches Burke how to catch a throw from a position other than the pitcher, followed by a tag. Otherwise, I agree.

I just hope someone teaches Burke how to catch a throw from a position other than the pitcher, followed by a tag.  Otherwise, I agree.

I had a count going before I left for vacation in july he had dropped 5 balls on throws home.

 

I called home one night and heard about the Burke/Hunter collision, I didn't even ask if he held onto the ball. I already knew. I stopped the count then... but it was 6 near the end of July, so you can guess where it is now.

 

glad I wasn't the only one to notice. Other than that I can't complain about Burke's catching. I haven't noticed runners stealing much, (though that could be because he mostly catches Buehrle)and he seems to keep almost everything in front of him.

Ben has lost a ton of weight this season and seems pretty fatigued. He said he is gonna put it back on and more this offseason to prepare himself for the long haul next year. I expect him to show up strong in Spring Training.

Ben has lost a ton of weight this season and seems pretty fatigued.  He said he is gonna put it back on and more this offseason to prepare himself for the long haul next year. I expect him to show up strong in Spring Training.

that loss of weight is the only thing that could save him. The sox need a LH hitting catcher, as Burke has proven he's a solid backup [hitting, throwing out runners, etc]. There aren't many options at C in free agency. [Varitek will stay in Bos]

 

If he's not healthy, then his poor offense may be explained by that. But the Ben Davis we're seeing now shouldn't be back.

I think over a full year that Ben could hit above .250 and drive in at least 40 runs. 10-15 HR's wouldn't be out of the question either.

I think the only thing Ben needs is to work alot with Greg Walker.

It looked like for a few months that he had found out his game and lately it seems like he's just lost it.

I don't know who you've been watching if you say he's a bad defensive catcher. I know he has gunned down more baserunners then he has allowed since putting on that uniform.

Cheat, in the Hunter collision, Burke didn't have a chance to drop the ball. Hunter nailed him before the ball even got there.

I don't know who you've been watching if you say he's a bad defensive catcher. I know he has gunned down more baserunners then he has allowed since putting on that uniform.

There is a whole lot more to defensive catching than throwing out baserunners.

 

Throwing out 28% of baserunners isn't exactly shutting down the running game.

Edited October 2, 200421 yr by The Cheat

There is a whole lot more to defensive catching than throwing out baserunners.

 

Throwing out 28% of baserunners isn't exactly shutting down the running game.

Is that 28% with the Sox.

I've only seen him not throw a guy out twice that tried to run on him not counting the perfect throws that Valentin dropped.

Is that 28% with the Sox.

I've only seen him not throw a guy out twice that tried to run on him not counting the perfect throws that Valentin dropped.

Jose Valentin does not drop 72% if the balls thrown his way.

Jose Valentin does not drop 72% if the balls thrown his way.

Naw.. its more like 50%.

Is that 28% with the Sox.

I've only seen him not throw a guy out twice that tried to run on him not counting the perfect throws that Valentin dropped.

How many games have you watched this year that he played in? 2-3 maybe?

Let's just sign Metheny and fotget about all this.

Let's just sign Metheny and fotget about all this.

Most likely won't leave st. louis i have heard he is really liked there. If he does he will be around 2-2.5 million because of his excellent defense.