As the 2009 season slowly reaches its end, a lot has been said that this team lacks something. While im sure this will get debated with many theories, I would like to include mine. The Mets have had stretches of being successful in certain periods of almost every decade since their beginning. In each of those stretches, they have had Allstar and HOF players but what I would like to say they all had in common was an anchor at the catcher position. The position of catcher is arguably the most important one on the field as he controls everything from the pitches thrown to the positioning of the defense. My theory on what the Mets have been lacking is a true presence at the catcher position. Dont believe me…Here are a few examples
Duca
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Paul Loduca was a Met catcher from 2006-2007. In that time the Mets won the NL east division championship in 2006(their first in 18 years) and finished 97-65 that year. The Mets only spent 1 day out of first place that year and had the best record in the National League. Paul finished that year hitting .318 and an obp of .358. Next year the Mets started off very strong in 2007 and spent most of the year in 1st place but faltered in September.
Piazza
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Mike Piazza was a Met catcher from 1998-2005. In that time, the Mets missed the playoffs by one game in 1998 but Piazza helped the Mets to two consecutive playoff appearances for the only time in Mets history in 1999 and 2000(The latter resulting in their first pennant since 1986). Mike “The Monster†Piazza lead the team in almost every offensive category in 2000.
Carter
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Gary Carter was a Met catcher from 1985-1989. In that time, Carter helped the Mets have two playoff appearances and a World Series Championship in 1986. With the Mets, Carter enjoyed consistent production with 32 home runs and 100 RBI in 1985; and 24 home runs and 105 RBI in 1986.
Grote
Jerry Grote was a Met catcher from 1966 to 1976. Jerry was part of the Mets 2 World Series appearances during that time, of those the Mets won one in 1969..
The Mets have had not had a presence from the catcher position for quite some time now. Whether it is the fiery attitude or the clutch bat, the Mets have not had “that guy†behind the plate. Brian Schneider has been serviceable but does not have the offensive ability or the personality to compare with all the catchers of the Mets past that have made them successful. There was a trade proposal during the trade deadline for Victor Martinez. While I applaud Omar for holding off and not trading our only two real pitching prospects for him, a guy like Victor Maritnez would give the Mets an identity that they have been lacking the last two years from the catcher position. The Mets will go into 2010 with an opening for a catcher position as we can all most likely agree that Omir Santos will be backup. Who will it be and do you think it will be the missing piece?
35 comments
JoeR
8/6/2009-10:04am at 10:04 am (UTC -4)
I disagree…for what Boston gave up I am confidant we could have came up with a package similar if not better for VMart. I already posted about this today and the the fact that he brings power would have helped us in that OH SO ELUSIVE power bat we have been looking for 3 years in a row. Even if we somehow we replace Delgado’s production next year we are still in the same boat with one big bat missing to put us over the top imo. VMart was the move to make imo and Omar needed to get that done. He didnt.
wannybackstra
8/6/2009-10:22am at 10:22 am (UTC -4)
The difference is that Boston can give up guys like Masterson and Hagadone and still have some bullets left in their chamber. If the Mets gave up Parnell and Mejia, they’d be left with nothing but gun powder and some 19 year olds at Single A.
fongy2
8/6/2009-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
Stole my thunder!
Great post.
GravediggerHebner
8/6/2009-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
Alright you two, break it up.
Wanny, give Fongy back his thunder.
JoeR
8/6/2009-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
Oh and Santos will be our starting catcher next year just wait and see…We need pitching, 1B, power outfielder, etc next year is going to be tough and ,KNOCK ON WOOD, if Beltran or any starts are missing next year GOD HELP US!
fongy2
8/6/2009-10:12am at 10:12 am (UTC -4)
A couple things,wasn’t as of about a
month ago our Catchers leading the
league in RBIs for the position?
And Joe,I know you like Vic Martinez
alot AND he IS a terrific hitter BUT
the guy is a below average defensive
Catcher who the Indians were trying
to move to First the past couple yrs.
Now in his 30s,hes not gonna get any
better behind the plate.
AND THAT is BY FAR the most important
place a Catcher helps his team.
Give me a big time defensive/below
average hitter over the opposite any
day.
JoeR
8/6/2009-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
I can roll that way as well…I cant roll with Santos as our starter next year…I just feel we arent going to probably replace Delgado’s production and even if we do I am not confident we will get that extra outfield power bat. Vmart imo would have helped us in many ways,
wannybackstra
8/6/2009-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
Fong is right. VMart’s future is not behind the plate. He’ll be a 1B/DH for the rest of his career.
JoeR
8/6/2009-10:33am at 10:33 am (UTC -4)
I disagree. I would rather have him starting behind the plate next year than Santos. I say this because i dont think we would have had to give up our best prospects to get him.
JoeR
8/6/2009-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
Watching Yankee rewind, dont ask me why, in my office at work. They are down by 1 last night in the top of the 7th and Swisher hits a game tying homerun. We have missed that guy the last three years!! We almost had it with Alou and Floyd was OK. You know….the guy that isnt part of the core but on random nights during the dog days of summer will hit a HR to tie a game or win a game. Ugh we need so much to get back to what we almost had in 2006…wow 2006 so long ago already!
fongy2
8/6/2009-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
You are right on with this
post EXCEPT that with the
Alou signing AND re-signing,
Omar was depending on a guy
who in his prime couldn’t
stay healthy let alone be
healthy in his 40s.
Folly that Omar continued
to engage in.
B/T/W, Ask the Dodgers just
how important Brad Ausmus
has been to the Dodger Pitching since the day he walked into camp.
Stats are great BUT Catchers
are like O-Lineman in football
…stats don’t tell the tale of what they really mean to
a teams success.
JoeR
8/6/2009-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
I agree but look at Jorge. He hasnt been known to call a great game and some pitchers dont like throwing to him. Need I explain how valuable he has been to that Yankee team mostly with his bat. Im not saying we should go out and target a big bat at the catcher position. It just so happens one was available and imo should have been snagged without any if, ands, or buts about it!
fongy2
8/6/2009-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
MY problem and surprise with Scheider
is that seeing him everyday as opposed to 15,20 times a yr IS THAT
he just isn’t a real good defensive
Catcher. OK,yes BUT above average
which was what we were lead to believe, no.
udontmesswthejohan
8/6/2009-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
100% agree. This guy is as you say, average at best. It’s not uncommon for him to have balls just bound of his glove that don’t even hit the dirt. WTF? Maybe he needs glasses.
GravediggerHebner
8/6/2009-10:45am at 10:45 am (UTC -4)
I barely remember Jerry Grote (I turned 11 late in his last season with the Mets) so I’m not going to comment one way or the other on him.
Carter was a legit HOF All-Star 2 way catcher, and it is because of other people and problems, not him, that during his stay the team only won one championship. As much as I wish he would just shut up today, I admire what he brought to the mid 80′s Mets. Heck, many of his teammates wish he would’ve shut up even then.
Piazza, and to a significantly lesser degree, Lo Duca, were primarily offensive catchers. Piazza overcame his obvious defensive shortcomings with superb offense.
Lo Duca did not have Piazza’s talents with the bat. He had his moment as leader/sparkplug/bulldog but was quickly overwhelmed by the NY media following his every move and became a distraction and detriment to the team in short order.
With both Piazza and Lo Duca, the teams were very good but did not ultimately win. I in no way am blaming that on them, but I have to believe their defensive shortcomings contributed at least in part to their teams not going all the way.
The Mets do need an improvement at the catcher position. I don’t believe that person needs to be a monster with the bat. I believe that person needs to know how to call a game, how to block the plate, how to discourage opposing baserunners and how to handle the media well.
I don’t know who that person is, but whoever he is he would help the Mets tremendously on the road back to respectability and contention.
fongy2
8/6/2009-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
Agreed!
fongy2
8/6/2009-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
B/T/W, as a real fan
of the position,
Carter is w/o question
one of the top ten Catchers in history.
GravediggerHebner
8/6/2009-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, but he was no Spanky Lavalliere
saltygary
8/6/2009-10:46am at 10:46 am (UTC -4)
I can’t believe I’m going to argue against this seeing 2 of my favorite all time Mets are Carter and Piazza but lets take a look at some catchers that have been in the WS:
2008:
Phi – Coste
TB – Navarro
2007:
Bos – Varetek
Col – Torrealba
2006:
Stl – Molina
Det – Inge
2005:
Chi: Pierzenski
Hou: Ausmus
Looking at these guys maybe Varatek and Molina had some impact but I think other positions have such a greater impact on the field especially offensively. Schnieder was supposed to be that great game caller and I am still waiting for that miracle to happen. When a catcher gets to the MLB level they should have enough knowledge on how to call a game. Plus I imagine the manager and Pitcher also have a big say on the pitcher approach of a batter. I’m fine with keeping Omir or getting a veteran scrub. There are other positions that this team needs to focus on.
fongy2
8/6/2009-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
Nice post and understood.
The diff is though that all
the Catchers you named had
better supporting casts and
thus they weren’t really needed for their bats first.
saltygary
8/6/2009-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
Nail on the head with supporting cast. That’s how the teams win. The players support each other with their skills and approach, and it is not based on specific numbers at specific positions. Not much of that going on the Met land these days.
JoeR
8/6/2009-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
Yes in the perfect world everyone compliments each other. Yes everyone knows their respective roles and dont try to do what they cant or too much. What made LoDuca so great was he never tried to do too much. He was perfect. He would on cue move Reyes over to 2nd or 3rd. He on cue, would drive the ball to the opposite field to drive in a run. He would get a sac fly. He, imo, was a huge instrumental part of 06′
Mr North Jersey
8/6/2009-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
OFF TOPIC – Has there been a Fox sighting?
%]
GravediggerHebner
8/6/2009-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Don’t you see her underneath that missing puzzle piece above?
Mr North Jersey
8/6/2009-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
Darn is that her? I thought that was Sophia Vergara. http://putaindenom.free.fr/dredi/sofia_vergara_01.jpg
GravediggerHebner
8/6/2009-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
Puta in denom? Really?
Mr North Jersey
8/6/2009-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
it is Hindi meaning Hot a$$.
GravediggerHebner
8/6/2009-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
Whoops, I thought it was spanish for “whore in jeans” my bad.
Mr North Jersey
8/6/2009-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
LoL just kiddin i have no clue if that is hindi but the image was posted on some asian website. Puta In Denom does mean “whore in jeans†though that is true.
steveo
8/6/2009-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
We just got anderson henandez back yipee!
CaseStreet
8/6/2009-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
Answer is Bengie Molina. He’s still got a couple of good years behind the plate. All of these guys on the list were in their 30s as well, when the Mets made it to the playoffs.
wannybackstra
8/6/2009-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
If I were him, I’d stick around with Cain and Lincecum.
Besides, he’s only a couple of Shake Shack milkshakes from not being able to fit into his chest protector.
CaseStreet
8/6/2009-4:58pm at 4:58 pm (UTC -4)
Can’t be that much bigger than Ramon “I caught a perfect game” Castro.
trs86
8/6/2009-5:06pm at 5:06 pm (UTC -4)
It was rumored that Russell Martin was available last year, I wonder if he will be this offseason and what it would take? Otherwise I would try and get Jose Morales from the Twins and go with him and Santos. Unless of course that Molina would come in for 5 million and a one year contract with an option.
CaseStreet
8/6/2009-5:13pm at 5:13 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe we can try to get Bengie, Yadier and Jose. Unprecedented!