Cubs' backup catcher competition

The link is to the recent Cubs.com article on the competition. There Lou says, "It's almost to the point that whoever can get a base hit once in a while [will get the job]." Let me throw this option out there to see if you think the Cubs might go this route. The Red Sox have a lefty C they may try to outright; do you think the Cubs might try to grab George Kottaras, bypassing all the guys they have in camp?

about 3 years ago DGU 23 comments 0 recs |

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Don't know much about Kottaras.

He’s lefthanded; that should automatically make Lou like him.

But in reality, we’re talking about someone who might start 20 games this year. I think we can live with Bako or Hill.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 8, 2009 3:09 PM CDT reply actions

I agree.

so many have made a bigger deal about back up C than it truly should be.

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 8, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions

It's not a big deal.

But it is spring and it does interest me.

The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.

by DGU on Mar 8, 2009 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions

There's not a whole lot of other competition for roster spots this year, is there?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 8, 2009 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Exactly.

There’s the 5th starter job which isn’t so crucial to me, because I figure they’ll all get a shot by season’s end. Maybe Hoffpaiur and Fox are battling Koskie and Rivas for a spot, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Lou’s already made his decision there. In a sense the OFs are playing for their place on the depth chart, in which case Gathright and Snyder are making their cases while Robbnett and Taguchi and Dubois aren’t – but, yeah, not much at stake here.

by DGU on Mar 8, 2009 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions

You forgot Koskie.

If Canada winds up eliminated — a possibility — Koskie could be back in camp by the end of the week.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 8, 2009 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I've said all along, Paul Bako doesn't not make the opening day roster.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Mar 8, 2009 3:30 PM CDT reply actions

pudge rodriguez

did a nice job early in the wbc.

where will he end up?

by tim815 on Mar 8, 2009 4:19 PM CDT reply actions

I'm going to guess

New York Mets.

by DGU on Mar 8, 2009 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Good lord

If you want a backup catcher that can get a hit once in while bring Barrett back, if you want one that can really field
KEEP HILL.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 8, 2009 4:45 PM CDT reply actions

I'm liking Hill much more

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Mar 8, 2009 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Paul Bako will be the backup

by BLou on Mar 8, 2009 7:39 PM CDT reply actions

Because Lou prefers crappy vets ?

Over guys who can throw runners out an block the plate ?

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 8, 2009 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm not a Bako fan

but I think he’s back up. Solid d is all we need out of him and calling the game.

I wonder why Pudge wasn’t even an option since he’s probably a bargain and not to mention Soto’s idol. Is it cause he’s not left handed? or have his skills eluded him where he’s worse than Bako? Price tag? I don’t get it. I think Henry shoulda been all over it for like 1.5/ 1 year deal if nothing else just to mentor Soto.

by Steve Sax on Mar 9, 2009 7:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Pudge

probably wants more $$$ and a shot at starting over Soto. Pudge may have become a problem in the clubhouse, demanding more playing time or wanting to be traded, usual drama of an once All Star in decline.

Bako is a career back up who happened to start some games in the past, and is content as a back up.

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 9, 2009 7:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Gotcha

I thought he’d be a good option but not worth the problems for the team. It’s easy to be a fan and say I want this player or that player but as you put it all moves ultimately affect the clubhouse.

by Steve Sax on Mar 9, 2009 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Hmmm talent costs seem to be de-escalating

Rodriguez made $13 million last year; he’ll be very lucky to make 1/10th of that in 2009, now that eEvery day that goes by makes unlikely Pudge will be a starter for anyone this April.

What appears his developing “best option” ris taking a backup job.

I think he is actually a positive clubhouse influence and I think he would actually be a possible stick off the bench where he might be able to play 1B occasionally.

If he is offered $1M and takes it…well that is a bargain.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Mar 9, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions

If he goes to an AL team, he could also DH some of the time.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 9, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Pudge Rodriquez has gained reputation for being prima donna

And it is widely viewed that he was on steroids for years. Those factors combined with his advancing age and that fact that he has already squatted behind the plate for more games than anybody outside of Carlton Fisk makes him good candidate to hang up the spikes.

by BLou on Mar 9, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I'll bet you............

a Dick Bertel rookie card he doesn’t

If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.

by Clutche on Mar 9, 2009 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions

I think

Pudge’s best days are long gone but given the lack of quality catchers in the league he’s better than most even past his roiding prime.

I read today that the reason he hasn’t sighed yet isn’t related to money (yeah right) it’s because he wants a position as a starter. Hence, why the Cubs never turned that leaf.

Life is a crazy game of poker

by Steve Sax on Mar 10, 2009 7:31 AM CDT up reply actions