Jim H:

I checked and saw that Blanco caught Russ Ortiz and Jaret Wright in 2003. Kevin Millwood in 2002. FWIW

Interesting, thanks.

 

One thing I'd bet on, there will be lots of interest in Blanco. By all accounts, he was happy in Minnesota and a great fit in the clubhouse ... there had to be a real good reason why he elected free agency ... $$.

 

It wouldn't surprise me a bit if some lower echelon team threw a bunch of coin at him to be their #1 guy, especially if they had a young pitching staff.

 

I guess in addition to the almighty buck, it'll come down to how much Blanco wants to play for a team that has a good chance to contend for a division title.

Blanco - career .288 OBP. Matheny - career .293 OBP.

 

They'd have to throw out a hell of a lot of baserunners to make it worth carrying their sorry bats. And Blanco threw out 30 of 61? That compares to 20 of 51 for Burke/Davis. Assuming the same 50% caught stealing rate, that means 5 extra CS per year with Blanco...hardly worthy paying $1.25 million per year.

 

Blanco's anemic stick vastly outweighs any defensive benefit he brings. Want veteran leadership? Sign Todd Pratt, of the career .350 OBP and "pitcher handling" ability. 3.95 Catcher's ERA for a team with an overall 4.45 ERA. (Of course, he only threw out 4 of 32 base stealers....)

 

Over 300 AB, Pratt would get on base 20 times more than Blanco...

Yikes, I was just reading another story on Blanco ... guess who one of his best friends is? Ugueth Urbina. One of Ozzie's closest friends.

 

He was Greg Maddux's personal catcher while in Atlanta. For what it's worth.

Interesting, thanks.

 

One thing I'd bet on, there will be lots of interest in Blanco.  By all accounts, he was happy in Minnesota and a great fit in the clubhouse ... there had to be a real good reason why he elected free agency ... $$.

 

It wouldn't surprise me a bit if some lower echelon team threw a bunch of coin at him to be their #1 guy, especially if they had a young pitching staff.

 

I guess in addition to the almighty buck, it'll come down to how much Blanco wants to play for a team that has a good chance to contend for a division title.

Nationals?

 

They are overpaying everyone else...why not Blanco.

All the sox would really have a chance at pursuing now would be mediocre catchers, therefore I believe they will stick with Davis. I really like Mirabelli however.

Phil Rogers mentioned in the BA chat today that Blanco was a possibility.

 

Phil, do you know something we don't know or are you reading SoxTalk?

Phil Rogers mentioned in the BA chat today that Blanco was a possibility.

 

Phil, do you know something we don't know or are you reading SoxTalk?

Now that a few of you have been mentioning that, I have been on the lookout as well. Seems like we have ourself a lurker

Phil Rogers mentioned in the BA chat today that Blanco was a possibility.

 

Phil, do you know something we don't know or are you reading SoxTalk?

I'm sure he got the info from one of the 400 emails you sent him.

 

I'm sure he got the info from one of the 400 emails you sent him. 

 

Heck, I don't even know his email address.

 

Actually, I have never emailed him but have met him, he lives near me. Very nice guy.

No matter what happens, this was another step forward and 1/2 step back losing Olivo. Seems like we can never just take one step forward. I would like to see a veteran catcher in the mix. It may be a luxury we cannot afford,

Tony, Ozzie likes having 3 catchers on the roster so he can do more managing.  Obviously, the guy who's the #3 catcher would have to play other positions, and Burke certainly can (1B, 3B, even OF).

 

I like Burke and think he has a role for 2005.  Ozzie clearly likes him too.  I'm not sure they want to count on Burke as the #2 catcher with Davis being largely unproven.  I could be wrong but something tells me the Sox want to add a veteran catcher at reasonable cost.

 

This is clearly not the Sox #1 need but it's something they could do without breaking the bank or trading a player.

This.

All of this.

Nicely stated.

I like Burke's versatility, as well as the surprising offense he provided last year.

He may not be an everyday guy, but his ability to fill in definitely is an asset.

Also, I wouldn't mind Blanco at all if the price was right.

Let's all REALLY REALLY hope that Ben comes out of the gate hot next year, so we don't have a rotation situation behind the plate. I'd really like to have a defined #1 catcher and just give him a rest a couple times a week.

No matter what happens, this was another step forward and 1/2 step back losing Olivo. Seems like we can never just take one step forward. I would like to see a veteran catcher in the mix. It may be a luxury we cannot afford,

I read where Sea. has sent Olivo to a "catching guru" to improve in the offseason. I think Varitek went to the guy during one offseason, where he went from avg. into somewhat like he is now. Whatever people think they lost in Olivo, Sea. isn't sure he's their answer going into 2005. And for a last place team, that's saying something

I think a ST invite for Jake Taylor is not out of the question for the C position.

It needs to be addressed, but I dont think there are alot of options out there at the time.  Blanco does need a look, but does that mean we carry 3 Catchers, or does Burke go down to AAA again? Burke hit the cover off the ball when he played, and deserves to be up here.

IMO, if we aint getting a top notch catcher, we shouldnt get one because davis is mediocre with POTENTIAL. Blanco is mediocre and his career will only go down.

I think a ST invite for Jake Taylor is not out of the question for the C position.

Why not sign Jack Parkman?

Why not sign Jack Parkman?

His shimmy in Chicago *did* make the women drool.....

 

I'd prefer someone from the original though, not the sequel. Got enough Playboys for Rube?

IMO, if we aint getting a top notch catcher, we shouldnt get one because davis is mediocre with POTENTIAL.  Blanco is mediocre and his career will only go down.

Can blanco really get any worse?

Why do I have a sick feeling that KW is going to overpay for a washed up Dan Wilson?

Why do I have a sick feeling that KW is going to overpay for a washed up Dan Wilson?

Becuase that is the MO of the Sox we overpay for hacks..

 

I can wait till we get Wilson in here, wow that a huge upgrade

Becuase that is the MO of the Sox we overpay for hacks..

 

I can wait till we get Wilson in here, wow that a huge upgrade

Please read my post to you in "The Plan" thread.

 

You really should consider calming down a bit.

 

Honest, friendly advice.