I dont get it.

That was my guess when I saw this last night.  They may not have sufficient organizational depth to fill the catcher spot at Memphis.

APRTW wrote:

forsberg_us wrote:

That was my guess when I saw this last night.  They may not have sufficient organizational depth to fill the catcher spot at Memphis.

I thought they still had that Steven Hill guy that we saw in the majors in 2010.  He played in double and triple a in 2011.  Combined he hit 14hr/32rbi/.284ba.  His fielding % is good, throws out 32% of runners and plays 1b and the outfield as well. 

Whoever loses the spot on the major league roster should get most the playing time in the minors.  They got two young guys at double A that got most the playing time last year.  Unless there is a position change coming for Anderson or Cruz I still dont get it.

Hill only caught 10 games last season (he only played in 37 total).  Best I could find was that he had knee surgery in April, went back on the DL in July and finished the season there.  Maybe he suffered a serious injury, I don't know.  But if he only caught 10 of 37 games, his future may not be as a catcher.

Perhaps they thought it wise to have someone in the organization who has actually caught more than a handful of games in the majors.

Maybe Hill (Koy, not Steven) projects long term as the new bullpen catcher.  I think they might still be looking to fill that spot.

APRTW wrote:

forsberg_us wrote:

Maybe Hill (Koy, not Steven) projects long term as the new bullpen catcher.  I think they might still be looking to fill that spot.

It is interesting tat they made a move in that position.  It really is out with the old and in with the new.  Oquendo is luck to be drawing a pay check.

I like the idea a role that could be filled by anyone who played above the American Legion level is being filled by a guy who managed to play 200 games for the Cubs in the last three years.

From Joe Strauss chat:

"Hill is considered a solid, veteran receiver. Anderson has yet to show himself able to handle a major-league staff. Tony Cruz is likely the frontrunner to back up Molina. Anderson is primarily a line drive bat.  Veterans such as Lohse and Carpenter have visibly chafed when paired with him in the past.   This spring will offer an important look."


Also, Strauss fielded many questions about Molina missing the WW and trip to DC.  Strauss refused to address the questions.  That leads me to believe he thinks there is tensions there.  I one questioned in the chat was from a fan stating that Mo's explaination as to why Molina was not at WW was because he really didnt like to sign alot of autographs.  To which Joe replied that the explaination was better then saying we was upset about Pujols.  I wonder if Molina's hurt feelings is part of the reason Hill was signed.  If Anderson is favored my the staff and they have to do something with Molina now or at the trade deadline they would need a backstop.


The Cardinals make a big deal about being at WW and Mo has been offing anyone who is against him one by one.  Just something to think about.

Last edited by APRTW (1/19/2012 5:19 pm)

artie_fufkin wrote:

"Veterans such as Lohse and Carpenter have visibly chafed when paired with him in the past."

Carpenter needs to get over himself. And Lohse isn't good enough to be chafed over who's catching him.

I'm kinda surprised Carpenter hasn't randomly started yelling at someone in the stands. He's certainly crazy enough to.

Oh yeah, I don't think it's a good sign with regards to Molina.

Pissa. The catcher is pouting. Just what the Cardinals' need.

Borowsky seems to offer the best and most likely path.  Of course he could be considered an interent blogger.


LARRY BOROWSKY (Founder of Viva El Birdos and editor of “Maple Street Press Cardinals Annual�� )

Not really. Albert’s experience might affect Yadi’s decision at the margins, but it will likely come down to the money – as it did with Pujols, and just about every other player. If the Cards feel comfortable offering the years/dollars that Yadi and his agent are seeking, then I imagine he’ll stay – why wouldn’t he? If there’s a significant gap (as there surely was with Albert), then Yadi will leave if he finds what he’s looking for out on the free agent market.

I anticipate the latter scenario. Yadi might command an annual salary upwards of $10 million on the free agent market, and I’m not sure the Cards can afford to pay that to a guy who has slugged above .400 only once in an eight-year career. He’ll be 30 when his next contract begins, which is not young for a catcher; how many more seasons will he be able to start 130 games a year? In my opinion, his value his peaked. Whoever signs him to his next deal will likely end up overpaying. A reasonable deal would be 3 years, $25 million; I wouldn’t go beyond 4 years, $32 million.

Last edited by APRTW (1/25/2012 12:10 pm)

I have long said I would trade Molina and I still would.  Id dump him and sign Pudge.  Roll with the combo of Pudge and Cruz.

It will be interesting to see what Molina can command in terms of a contract.  I sort of knew that catchers weren't the highest paid guys on most teams, but I found this list on Cot's Contracts. 

The 10 highest AAV for catchers in baseball history:
1. Joe Mauer, $23,000,000 (2011-18)
2. Jorge Posada, $13,100,000 (2008-11)
3. Joe Mauer, $8,250,000 (2007-10)
4. Kenji Johjima, $8,000,000 (2009-11)
5. Ramon Hernandez, $6,875,000 (2006-09)
6. A.J. Pierzynski, $6,250,000 (2009-10)
7. Benji Molina, $5,333,333 (2007-09)
8. Jason Varitek, $5,000,000 (2009)
9. Chris Snyder, $4,750,000 (2009-11)
10. Brian McCann, $4,666,667 (2007-12)
11. A.J. Pierzynski, $4,000,000 (2011-12)
12. Ryan Doumit, $3,833,333 (2009-11)


Only 3 catchers in the history of baseball (Mauer twice) have ever received a contract with a higher AAV than the $7M Molina is scheduled to make this season.  And looking at the length of those contracts, it would seem that Molina is looking at probably nothing more than a 2-3 year contract.  4 yr/$32M might be on the high side.

forsberg_us wrote:

Only 3 catchers in the history of baseball (Mauer twice) have ever received a contract with a higher AAV than the $7M Molina is scheduled to make this season.  And looking at the length of those contracts, it would seem that Molina is looking at probably nothing more than a 2-3 year contract.  4 yr/$32M might be on the high side.

Maybe I am over valueing Molina on the market.  If he listens to Pujols like everyone says he does he is going to think he is worth 10 million AAV.