What to do with catcher surplus?

[Kapono]

We have

JPA
Buck
D'Arnaud
Wilson

What to do?

I

[JoeyBats]

I think one of JPA/Wilson was part of the blockbuster.

[Kapono]

I think one of JPA/Wilson was part of the blockbuster.

Nope. Mathis was.

[spykelee]

Trade JPA and Drabek to the marlins for Giancarlo

[EventHorizon]

I think a trade is very likely. I'm betting on JPA being out for someone good. TD to start with a solid veteran like Buck is more than sufficient.

[evilRyu]

I just hope they don't shift one of JPA or TDA to 1B just to have their bat in the lineup.. someone needs to go

[LBJSeizedMyID]

Arencibia + Jenkins for Morneau

But doubt anymore significant moves will be made

[EventHorizon]

Arencibia + Jenkins for Morneau

But doubt anymore significant moves will be made

Always an aftershock after an earthquake. Morneau is done imo. There are still value signings available in the FA market, and given the "all-in" course of the ship, short contract guys like Melky Cabrera make sense.

[Fenris-77]

If it's just a lefty bat we want I'd take a hard look at Ortiz too. I'm ok playing EE at first to make that work too.

[SharoneWright]

Trade Buck. (for whatever)

We hold JPA and TDA very close to the vest. (young, cheap, better than Buck, can co-exist)

[Michael Bradley]

I think JPA is going to be traded. Buck has negative value due to his salary, and Wilson is basically a Mathis equivalent, so it's not like the Jays can move them and get value in return. Arencibia, on the other hand, has four years of control left and still has power potential at the catching position. If they can move him for a young starter or left-fielder, roll with Buck/Wilson for half the year while TDA is getting ready, and then call-up d'Arnaud mid-season, the team is probably better off.

Wouldn't surprise me if they went with JPA/Buck next season, but for some reason I think JPA might get shipped soon.

[douggood]

Jays still need a LF(stopgap until Gose) and a passable DH. I expect JP + prospects in a trade to fill a hole.
Have buck start for one year and let Darnaud easy into the backup catcher role.

[Fenris-77]

Davis and Bonifacio will be fine in LF. I think a lefty power bat at DH (to replace Lind) is a bigger concern.

[EventHorizon]

Jays still need a LF(stopgap until Gose) and a passable DH. I expect JP + prospects in a trade to fill a hole.
Have buck start for one year and let Darnaud easy into the backup catcher role.

I don't think TD needs to be eased in too much, he's 24 and has AAA experience, if he turns heads at spring training he should get a shot at the big leagues. If he is average, call him up early in the summer and platoon with Buck.

[Fenris-77]

I still think the Jays may platoon TD and JP in the DH role if nothing sexy materializes in a left handed bat. Both guys hit for power, and both probably deserve better than a straight catcher platoon. It makes a certain amount of sense to me anyway.

I'd prefer a legit lefty power hitter of course, but it may not be in the cards. The Jays have spent a small fortune already, and can switch hit Reyes and Bonafacio to even out the lineup if they want to.

[Randle McMurphy]

The Jays need a bat to improve their lineup to the point it can contend. Obvious holes in LF and DH where such a bat could be added.

[flatjacket1]

I still think the Jays may platoon TD and JP in the DH role if nothing sexy materializes in a left handed bat. Both guys hit for power, and both probably deserve better than a straight catcher platoon. It makes a certain amount of sense to me anyway.

I'd prefer a legit lefty power hitter of course, but it may not be in the cards. The Jays have spent a small fortune already, and can switch hit Reyes and Bonafacio to even out the lineup if they want to.

The whole point of a platoon is to get the maximum performance by using players (typically of different handedness) who hit different handed pitching better. Both catchers bat from the right side and both crush lefties. A platoon would be pointless.

I would package JPA with Bonifacio and Rajai/Gose as well as a reliever (depending on the level of player we were getting back) and try and find a great young, controllable OF. Maybe a Ben Revere type player? I don't know but I think we do at least 1 more trade, and I hope it's JPA being traded, not d'Arnaud.

[Randle McMurphy]

With Buck here, there's not really a need for JPA anymore in my mind (as the Jays don't simply have to hand d'Arnaud the job now in ST, Buck can hold it for a while). I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him dealt to fill one of the other holes. But I guess it could be d'Arnaud too, he might get more of a return.

[Fenris-77]

The whole point of a platoon is to get the maximum performance by using players (typically of different handedness) who hit different handed pitching better. Both catchers bat from the right side and both crush lefties. A platoon would be pointless.

I would package JPA with Bonifacio and Rajai/Gose as well as a reliever (depending on the level of player we were getting back) and try and find a great young, controllable OF. Maybe a Ben Revere type player? I don't know but I think we do at least 1 more trade, and I hope it's JPA being traded, not d'Arnaud.

The whole point of a normal platoon is exactly as you describe. That said, platooning the two catchers at DH has an entirely different point - that being to keep two good power hitters in the lineup when their position mitigates for more regular days off. I'm sure you get the difference.

If you'd package JPA with Bonafacio and Gose for Ben f**king Revere you're mental. Davis by himself is worth Revere, never mind Gose, who's worth more, and Bonafacio, who's also about on par. Lets not sell assets down the poop chute without a good reason...

[flatjacket1]

The whole point of a normal platoon is exactly as you describe. That said, platooning the two catchers at DH has an entirely different point - that being to keep two good power hitters in the lineup when their position mitigates for more regular days off. I'm sure you get the difference.

If you'd package JPA with Bonafacio and Gose for Ben f**king Revere you're mental. Davis by himself is worth Revere, never mind Gose, who's worth more, and Bonafacio, who's also about on par. Lets not sell assets down the poop chute without a good reason...

You lose so much value by using the DH slot for your catcher. The difference between a league average catcher and a league average DH is 30 runs. So your DH has to be 30 runs better than your average catcher just to be average. To be good? Your talking 45, 50, 60 runs. Turning a catcher into a DH is a bad idea. Using one in that role shows lack of confidence in their defense and not only that, you can sign somebody for league minimum who would do better. It's not a defensive premium position.

A 24 year old OF who bats almost .300, with team control, plus defense and steals 40 bags? JPA couldn't get us that alone.