Article: Looking Forward at Twins Catching

[Cody Christie]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2340-Looking-Forward-at-Twins-Catching

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

How would you rate Herrmann and Pinto as far as pitch calling and the pitcher-catcher relationship?

[Twins Fan From Afar]

I'm no scout, but watched both a bunch in New Britain.

I'd give Herrmann the nod defensively.

[Wookiee of the Year]

How much value do you think Doumit has on the trading market? Would teams have interest in him as a back-up catcher?

[diehardtwinsfan]

How much value do you think Doumit has on the trading market? Would teams have interest in him as a back-up catcher?

 

Not the way he hit this season. He's going to need to have a bounce back season to get some interest next year.

[snepp]

I don't think Doumit needs to have any part of this team's plan for next season. Cut bait with him during the offseason, get whatever you can. If it's nothing, so be it.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

How much value do you think Doumit has on the trading market? Would teams have interest in him as a back-up catcher?

 

No trade value, but at this stage he would be a very good bench/utility guy for a contending NL team - pinch hitter, fourth or fifth outfielder, emergency catcher only, and the guy has baseball sense if nothing else.

 

But Terry Ryan must know something we don't, because last summer he signed Doumit through 2014.

 

Your guess is as good as anyone's what we are going to do with him next year.

[jorgenswest]

I am not sure anyone else would put him behind the plate other than in an emergency role. His framing deficit is so much worse than any other catcher.

[jimbo92107]

Pinto looks like the real deal to me. The way he keeps his balance poised and his hands back, he's able to make serious adjustments, and he appears to keep his hands steady, with a light grip on the bat. Frankly his approach reminds me of the new and improved Brian Dozier, except Pinto is a lot younger.

 

Behind the plate he appears fundamentally sound, but inexperienced. He moves his body laterally to block balls in the dirt and wide of the plate, rather than merely reaching sideways with his glove. He's not as sharp back there as Herrmann, but there's no reason he won't improve with experience and mentoring from Mauer and the coaches.

 

Eager, coachable player with a bright future.

[Madre Dos]

On the personable side: Pinto is friendly, gracious and easy going. He is welcome in my home again anytime. Truly a gentleman and will become a fan favorite in the majors.

[Marta Shearing]

I don't think Doumit needs to have any part of this team's plan for next season. Cut bait with him during the offseason, get whatever you can. If it's nothing, so be it.

If gardenhire and doumit are back next year, gardy'll find a way to have him in the lineup everyday.

[Shane Wahl]

I'm no scout, but watched both a bunch in New Britain.

I'd give Herrmann the nod defensively.

 

It's more objectively true too, though Pinto is definitely an adequate defender at the least. And it appears that he wants to learn how to be better. I do find it odd how he ends up stretching a leg out while the pitch is being delivered. Perhaps more catchers should do that, however, to help their poor knees.

[Shane Wahl]

On the personable side: Pinto is friendly, gracious and easy going. He is welcome in my home again anytime. Truly a gentleman and will become a fan favorite in the majors.

 

Please say more about this! Your input is so good and important around here.

[Shane Wahl]

I think the Twins are fine with Pinto and Herrmann sharing the majority of catching duties. Not a true platoon, of course, since Pinto's offensive upside is big. Cathing 100 games between the two of them, with offensive performance, makes Mauer shifting the majority of his time to first base quite palatable.

[PseudoSABR]

I don't think Doumit needs to have any part of this team's plan for next season. Cut bait with him during the offseason, get whatever you can. If it's nothing, so be it.

There's no pressing need to deal him as we're not exactly going to be over budget. I'm not sure why you wouldn't give the guy the chance to reestablish some value.

[Shane Wahl]

There's no pressing need to deal him as we're not exactly going to be over budget. I'm not sure why you wouldn't give the guy the chance to reestablish some value.

 

Fair enough. This entails keeping Pinto and/or Herrmann down OR keeping Arcia in the OF which has ramifications for Parmelee, Presley, and/or Hicks. I am not sure that the value POTENTIALLY gained is worth it.

[mnfanforlife]

Let's not believe that Herrmann is an equal to Pinto offensively...and both can handle the game just fine defensively

[TheLeviathan]

Let's not believe that Herrmann is an equal to Pinto offensively...and both can handle the game just fine defensively

 

Well, for one - destroying September pitching is hardly proof positive. Parmelee and hundreds of others have done that and fell on their face in a full season. He's got a better track record and projects better, but so does Hermann defensively.

 

As for Doumit, I'd love to let him play just to regain value, but the Twins seem incapable or unwilling to let those players leave via trade. They seem more inclined to extend their deals or let them ride out the season. I just have zero confidence in the Twins ability to utilize that option - so I'd rather he just be gone.

[CGNikolic]

Doumit should be off the team sometime this winter, so that will solve that dilemma. In regard to Mauer, I really would prefer if he was done catching, for good. Save his head and lower body and put him at first base. He doesn't have the power you would like out of the position and lowers his true value but doing this will allow him to hit and keep on hitting, and add (solid) years on to his playing career. It just makes to much sense. I say start Herrmann there next year (bring in a backup catcher, start Pinto at AAA to prove himself) and let him play until Pinto is ready, who is likely our future at the position.

[snepp]

There's no pressing need to deal him as we're not exactly going to be over budget. I'm not sure why you wouldn't give the guy the chance to reestablish some value.

 

I just don't think the possible increase in value is worth wasting another four months of plate appearances (assuming he gets dealt near the deadline) that could be much better served elsewhere.

 

I think it's just as likely that his value goes nowhere, which would make any plate appearances he's given an even bigger waste moving forward.

[ashbury]

Correia, Willingham and Doumit were guys intended to bridge to the good players in the pipeline. If we can cut ties early with Doumit, then 2013 succeeded in at least this one way. Probably the same can be said about Willingham. Correia, unfortunately, looks like he has a bridging role to play for the 2014 squad.

[PseudoSABR]

I just don't think the possible increase in value is worth wasting another four months of plate appearances (assuming he gets dealt near the deadline) that could be much better served elsewhere.

 

I think it's just as likely that his value goes nowhere, which would make any plate appearances he's given an even bigger waste moving forward.

While I don't disagree, any potential for Doumit to regain value seems prudent to me, no matter how remote. I just don't think Doumit would take that many meaningful at bats from any one worth while.

[snepp]

I just don't think Doumit would take that many meaningful at bats from any one worth while.

 

That's certainly a distinct possibility. Those PA's could very well just end up going to next year's version of a AAAA'er.

[Shane Wahl]

While I don't disagree, any potential for Doumit to regain value seems prudent to me, no matter how remote. I just don't think Doumit would take that many meaningful at bats from any one worth while.

 

Like Pinto or Herrmann or Arcia or Hicks or Parmelee or Colabello? Right. Even aging Colabello is younger than Doumit and way less money would be spent on him. Money that could, you know, go towards starting pitching.

[Guest USAFChief]

Like Pinto or Herrmann or Arcia or Hicks or Parmelee or Colabello? Right. Even aging Colabello is younger than Doumit and way less money would be spent on him. Money that could, you know, go towards starting pitching.

Money isn't an issue.

 

I'd wager a tidy sum Colabello doesn't ever come close to matching Doumit's major league career.

[howieramone1406390264]

While I don't disagree, any potential for Doumit to regain value seems prudent to me, no matter how remote. I just don't think Doumit would take that many meaningful at bats from any one worth while.

 

I agree with you. I think one poster listed 6 players he felt Doumits continued presence was impacting and/or blocking. Does anyone really believe the rebuilding process is being impaired in any way, shape, or form? As another poster stated, he is merely a bridge until the position player cavalry arrives and will be traded for a Butera type return to continue to restock the farm system.

[Shane Wahl]

Money isn't an issue.

 

I'd wager a tidy sum Colabello doesn't ever come close to matching Doumit's major league career.

 

Three million bucks isn't an issue for this team?

[Shane Wahl]

And yes, Doumit needs to go away. It amazes me that this is in dispute. Oh well.

[Mike Sixel]

I'd cut Doumit, and put Pinto as the starter, with whomever as the backup and Mauer at 1B or maybe RF with Arcia at 1B.

[Madre Dos]

Pinto hit another HR today - the only offense the Twins had