View Full Version : Yanks interested in Pratt as backup catcher
ring403
11-17-05, 07:04 AM
http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/57633.htm
According to Cashman, the Yankees need a backup catcher. That seems surprising; John Flaherty did well when he was entrusted with Randy Johnson's starts last season. Johnson and Jorge Posada didn't mesh.
"We're just looking to put the best team on the field possible," Cashman said. "So is it a factor that Flaherty and Randy worked well together?
"If I feel somebody else that's just as capable if not more, then I'll pursue him."
A major-league source said the Yankees are in the running to sign Todd Pratt, who will be 39 in January. Flaherty turned 38 in October.
Pratt was the Mets' backup from 1997-2001 and played last season for the Phillies.
He'd be a nice upgrade over Flaherty.
Yankee Bulldawg
11-17-05, 07:24 AM
yeah but will he be as good a catcher for RJ as Flaherty was last season?
CaptainThurman
11-17-05, 07:27 AM
The scary part is that it's sounding like Posada will catch the 63 or so games necessary to kick in his 2007 option at $12 million, which would be ridiculous.
I think Johnson has to get over this personal catcher bullsh!t and accept that the everyday frontline catcher of the yankees is Posada.
Seamonk
11-17-05, 07:29 AM
What, was Pat Borders too old?
Johnson does not have the capital with the fans to get a personal catcher. What has he done for the Yankees except for making an exorbitant salary? Oh, he buried us in one of the most important games of the year. He should have no say in who catches him.
jnewmark
11-17-05, 07:44 AM
The scary part is that it's sounding like Posada will catch the 63 or so games necessary to kick in his 2007 option at $12 million, which would be ridiculous.
Actually, I think it's 81 games caught, but I get your point.
yankeebot
11-17-05, 07:47 AM
I think Johnson has to get over this personal catcher bullsh!t and accept that the everyday frontline catcher of the yankees is Posada.I thought the same until I heard Flaherty interviewed on Michael Kay. Turns out that a lot of RJ's problems during the first half of the season were isolated and corrected by Flaherty and not the coaching staff. One of the things Flash picked up on was that he had developed bad follow-thru habits and he attributed it to Randy's reluctance to pitch off the mound between starts. Flaherty pushed and insisted that Randy do more off-day work on the mound as he felt that he was altering his motion with too much flat ground throwing. He was proven to be correct when Randy's consistancy dramatically improved after making the change.
Could Jorge have done the same if he were catching him? Who knows but I am sure that Randy is not going to take advice from a lot of catchers. He has to trust them and he obviously had that trust in Flaherty. Should the team keep Flash to appease RJ? Absolutely not but neither should they discount it.
Why not pass on both Flaherty and Pratt and give the far younger Nieves a chance?
Andy
NYDCYankee
11-17-05, 08:07 AM
Hey whatever keeps that option on Posada from happening I support.
Rocketman
11-17-05, 08:10 AM
Pratt hasn't had a .400 SLG season since 2003, when he was 36 years old. I don't think it would be wise to sign a guy who had only 7 HR in 175 AB for a season when he'll be 39.
We really should sign a younger catcher.
Ghost of Dan Pasqua
11-17-05, 08:13 AM
I thought the same until I heard Flaherty interviewed on Michael Kay. Turns out that a lot of RJ's problems during the first half of the season were isolated and corrected by Flaherty and not the coaching staff. One of the things Flash picked up on was that he had developed bad follow-thru habits and he attributed it to Randy's reluctance to pitch off the mound between starts. Flaherty pushed and insisted that Randy do more off-day work on the mound as he felt that he was altering his motion with too much flat ground throwing. He was proven to be correct when Randy's consistancy dramatically improved after making the change.
I know it's over and done with, but these stories drive me nuts about Mel. It took the backup catcher to pick these things out? The Yankees pitching coaches the past few years, apparently, have been Flaherty and Rivera. Oh well...the Gator will make it all better now.
As for the personal catcher stuff, I think it will be a non issue. Remember in 1996, Pettitte would only (and inexplicably) pitch to Leyritz, not Girardi. By the next season, Pettitte was beyond that because Leyritz was shipped out of town. Pratt seems to be a pretty harmless backup type, he can hit for good power in spots, has NY experience and big game experience, will come cheap, it makes sense.
Ghost of Dan Pasqua
11-17-05, 08:17 AM
Why not pass on both Flaherty and Pratt and give the far younger Nieves a chance?
Andy
Is it more beneficial to Nieves to stay in the minors and get at bats and game experience, or sit on the bench with the big club and catch one day a week? It's a tough call, but if the Yankees history under Torre is indicative of anything, Torre likes veteran catchers to be the #2 (Girardi, Widger, Castillo, Greene, and Flaherty), I'd say that Pratt has the edge if Flaherty does retire.
yankeebot
11-17-05, 08:21 AM
I know it's over and done with, but these stories drive me nuts about Mel. It took the backup catcher to pick these things out? My intention was not to slam Mel but simply to point out something Flaherty himself said about his catching RJ. Personnally, I think good catchers are all capable of helping to straighten out pitching problems. It is only natural because of their job that they would pick up on subtle changes. That by no means lessens or belittles the pitching coaches. As a matter of fact, I would expect good pitching coaches to want this type of input from the catchers.
silverdsl
11-17-05, 08:29 AM
I can understand looking for a back-up who hits more than Flaherty but a 39-year old Pratt? If he were a few years younger I'd be all for it but I can't imagine Pratt being much more of an offensive force than Flaherty at this point and I don't know Pratt to be that much of a better catcher than Flaherty is.
Given how well he works with RJ I'd like to see them re-sign Flaherty. I have no problem with RJ having a personal catcher if it helps him pitch better.
-Deborah
gamesix1977
11-17-05, 08:34 AM
If Pratt were younger, maybe, but this doesn't make sense given his age.
I would be more interested in seeing what it would take to get Jason LaRue from the Reds or Mike Redmond from the Twins. They are both younger and can hit pretty well. Furthermore, they don't have a shot at starting for their respective teams and would have an opportunity to catch 40-50 games with the Yankees.
gamesix1977
11-17-05, 09:03 AM
I think LaRue is a FA.
Yanks Lifer
11-17-05, 09:17 AM
I think LaRue is a FA.
I don't believe he is, and he isn't listed on the ESPN free agent list.
apolansk
11-17-05, 09:24 AM
Maybe Girardi will come back from the Marlins if we let him catch once a week. Torre loves his vets.
Pratt hasn't had a .400 SLG season since 2003, when he was 36 years old. I don't think it would be wise to sign a guy who had only 7 HR in 175 AB for a season when he'll be 39.
We really should sign a younger catcher.
The backup catcher market doesn't have anyone with a .400 SLG, so it's all kind of relative.
JeffWeaverFan
11-17-05, 11:45 AM
Pratt is a good backup catcher. I wanted to sign him last year. We can no longer play a guy with a .207 OBP (and an amazing 20 OPS+) every 5th day.
I know it's over and done with, but these stories drive me nuts about Mel. It took the backup catcher to pick these things out? The Yankees pitching coaches the past few years, apparently, have been Flaherty and Rivera. Oh well...the Gator will make it all better now.
At the time he started throwing off a mound between starts, the localmedia was crediting Mel as the one who pushed him. So maybe Flaherty does not deserve all the credit.
And maybe Mel was not that bad.
ryanthe13th
11-17-05, 02:47 PM
Pratt is a good backup catcher. I wanted to sign him last year. We can no longer play a guy with a .207 OBP (and an amazing 20 OPS+) every 5th day.
So we resort to signing a 39 year old catcher that hits even worse?
SINCE77 2
11-17-05, 02:49 PM
Is Parrish so bad that he can't be our backup catcher for next season? He couldn't possibly be worse than Flash.
ryanthe13th
11-17-05, 02:51 PM
I don't know why we're looking to veterans. We need to develope a long term catcher. This 'sign a guy for a year' stuff isn't going to cut it, especially with Posada's days winding down.
So we resort to signing a 39 year old catcher that hits even worse?
Actually look at their numbers
The issue I have with FLaherty is that he is neither a good defensive catcher nor a good offensive one.
He doesn't hit for average, and has little pop. He doesn't throw well at all, and is only a mediocre receiver.
To keep him because of his comfort level with one pitcher is foolish.
The backup catcher market is not going to yield a solid offensive player. Find someone who can catch and throw at a high level- he is still likely to outhit Flaherty.
gamesix1977
11-17-05, 03:02 PM
What, was Pat Borders too old?
He's a FA! So is Alberto Castillo!
YankeePride1967
11-17-05, 04:44 PM
yeah but will he be as good a catcher for RJ as Flaherty was last season?
RJ will have to adjust.
ChrisV82
11-17-05, 04:45 PM
Is it more beneficial to Nieves to stay in the minors and get at bats and game experience, or sit on the bench with the big club and catch one day a week? It's a tough call
Does anyone who follows the minor league teams have an opinion on this? Does the kid look ready or does he need more polish? Will he be a Cano or a Henn?
Does anyone who follows the minor league teams have an opinion on this? Does the kid look ready or does he need more polish? Will he be a Cano or a Henn?
Nieves is 28. There isn't really any long term benefit to him playing every day, as he's not going to get any better. The only thing playing every day would do is keep him from getting rusty if Posada got hurt, but if Posada got hurt, Nieves isn't good enough to catch evey day at the ML level, so that's kind of moot.
Yanks Lifer
11-17-05, 06:16 PM
RJ will have to adjust.
Here here! :clap:
For God's sake, he's a 42 year old man making what, $15 million per year!!! Just suck it up and throw the ball to who or whatever is behind the plate!!! The backup catcher should be the best fit for the TEAM not RJ!! :enraged:
What about Benito Santiago?
highheat2014
11-17-05, 06:35 PM
What about Benito Santiago?
I'm not trying to sound like an ass, but with two players indicted in the BALCO scandal, the Yankees would probably want to stay away from a 3rd.
Hey, if they're looking for an old guy to be backup catcher, what about Yogi? I hear he might be available! :D
He's better than Flaherty, but their interest is a few years too late.
ring403
11-17-05, 06:48 PM
So we resort to signing a 39 year old catcher that hits even worse?
Apparently you are making that statement without having looked at the numbers:
Pratt (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlbpa/players/4904)
Flaherty (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlbpa/players/4820)
Pratt is a significantly better hitter than Flaherty.
The Navarro mistake becomes more and more glaring.
DeputyFife
11-17-05, 07:35 PM
The Navarro mistake becomes more and more glaring.
This one still kills me, how could they not understand this? And what do we have to show for it? We have a crowded starting rotation and RJ another year older with that all that money invested. It just kills me.
This one still kills me, how could they not understand this? And what do we have to show for it? We have a crowded starting rotation and RJ another year older with that all that money invested. It just kills me.
Reportedly, George wanted RJ no matter what. Remember, they were willing to give up Duncan too.
DeputyFife
11-17-05, 07:40 PM
Reportedly, George wanted RJ no matter what. Remember, they were willing to give up Duncan too.
I know, I just think it was dumb. It just amazes me that they didn't see that Bernie was done and now it's almost like they are doing the same with Posada. I'd much rather have our pitching staff -RJ and Beltran, and I have been hoping all along we could get the back up catcher from the Dogers? or Molina.
SI Baseballman
11-17-05, 08:34 PM
God no. I hope the Yanks don't sign Tank.
Then again, Georgie does have a fetish for ex-Met heroes.
ryanthe13th
11-17-05, 10:46 PM
Apparently you are making that statement without having looked at the numbers:
Pratt (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlbpa/players/4904)
Flaherty (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlbpa/players/4820)
Pratt is a significantly better hitter than Flaherty.
I was speaking of Posada, not Flaherty. With the numbers that Pratt has, we could easily get somene within the organization to put those up for us. Losing Navarro was a blow to the organization, but I still would've made the trade anyway. Johnson started coming out of his shell during the end of the 2005 season, and in 2006 I think he's going to put all the nay sayers to rest.
ring403
11-17-05, 10:49 PM
With the numbers that Pratt has, we could easily get somene within the organization to put those up for us.
Really? Who might that be?
27IsNext
11-17-05, 10:51 PM
The Navarro mistake becomes more and more glaring.
I'm still pissed about that. :mad:
Dooley Womack
11-17-05, 11:36 PM
Here here! :clap:
For God's sake, he's a 42 year old man making what, $15 million per year!!! Just suck it up and throw the ball to who or whatever is behind the plate!!! The backup catcher should be the best fit for the TEAM not RJ!! :enraged:
RJ is not the first HOF to prefer a particular catcher and he won't be the last.
yankees76
11-17-05, 11:45 PM
Piazza.
hellonewman
11-17-05, 11:51 PM
Piazza.He'll likely want to go somewhere where he can get some heavy DH time when not catching, and he's no longer a good enough hitter to make it worth the Yankees' while.
StatenIslandYankee
11-18-05, 12:09 AM
The Navarro mistake becomes more and more glaring.
How did he do last season?
hellonewman
11-18-05, 12:21 AM
How did he do last season?Already far better than Flaherty offensively, and 15 years younger:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/n/navardi01.shtml
:(
Dooley Womack
11-18-05, 12:33 AM
How did he do last season?
I believe he broke most of Johnny Bench's records. ;)
Oh, Dioner had a .214 CS% last year. Posada, no Pudge, had a .302 in 2005. Flaherty? .299......... Piazza, one of the worst ever? .239 for his career
Pudge, .515 in 2005.
JeffWeaverFan
11-18-05, 01:59 AM
With the numbers that Pratt has, we could easily get somene within the organization to put those up for us.
No, we cannot.
ryanthe13th
11-18-05, 02:41 AM
No, we cannot.
The Yankees Farm System cannot be so bad that we cannot get a backup catcher to hit above .250 and have more than 7 HR's.
JeffWeaverFan
11-18-05, 03:12 AM
The Yankees Farm System cannot be so bad that we cannot get a backup catcher to hit above .250 and have more than 7 HR's.
He hit 7 HR's while only getting 175 AB's. That's not bad - especially for a backup catcher. His numbers last year aren't great, but they are fine. .251/.332/.394/.726. That is a huge improvement over Flaherty and no, we do not have a catcher in the system that can put up those numbers. Wil Nieves is the AAA catcher and in AAA last season he hit .289/.313/.395. He had 4 HR's in his 380 AB's.
He hit 7 HR's while only getting 175 AB's. That's not bad - especially for a backup catcher. His numbers last year aren't great, but they are fine. .251/.332/.394/.726. That is a huge improvement over Flaherty and no, we do not have a catcher in the system that can put up those numbers. Wil Nieves is the AAA catcher and in AAA last season he hit .289/.313/.395. He had 4 HR's in his 380 AB's.
Nieves hit .289, with 4 HRs. But he did hit .289, which is fine for a backup catcher. We do not need a power bat back there, as Sheff, A-Rod, Matsui and Giambi, as well as the DH will supply more than enough power. Nieves also struck out about 10% of the time, which is excellent.
Omar Santos has a bit more power, with some 10 HRs in 400 ABs. He hit around .250 or a bit higher though.
Either one could do the job as a backup. I do not see the need for a 39 year old.
YankeePride1967
11-18-05, 07:15 PM
RJ is not the first HOF to prefer a particular catcher and he won't be the last.
Just so my point is clear, I have no problem with RJ picking from the catchers on the roster, my point is we should not re-sign Flaherty because RJ wants him. If we choose to sign Pratt and RJ prefers him, then that's fine.
Kulish29
11-22-05, 11:39 PM
I had an idea and just wanted to bump this thread.
With the Mariners getting Jojima as their catcher, they're looking to get rid of Yorvit Torrealba. Should the Yankees look into trading for him as Posada's caddy?
He's not a terrific offensive player, but according to the Sporting News Ultimate Baseball Scouting Guide (a book I bought at the start of the season) says he's a good defensive catcher with a strong arm.
May be something to take a look at.
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