Backup Catcherz Z-ve Morzing Thread

by DanUpBaby on Dec 8, 2010 4:12 AM EST

MLB Winter Meetings, Day Three-ish: Derrick Goold reports that the St. Louis Cardinals could be blocking Bryan Anderson again as soon as today, if they play their cards right. I kid because—okay, because it's a little depressing, but I'm glad the Cardinals are moving, as Mozeliak mentioned yesterday, from the "catch and throw [and not hit]" model of backup catching. Bengie Molina is probably done but he's at least a nod in the right direction; Gregg Zaun is so ideal that he's been the Practically Perfect Backup Catcher since Baseball Prospectus could actually make nicknames like that stick.

Making a move at backup catcher is one of those personnel shifts that doesn't do much unless something goes terribly wrong. But if the Cardinals can insure themselves against a Yadier Molina injury, gain a little offense at 100 at-bats that are usually written off, and maybe even give Molina more time to rest his weary knees, I'm fine with the move.

The other thing it's important to know about Gregg Zaun—and if it can't be Bryan Anderson that's who I'll be rooting for, family ties aside—is that he has the best website in the world. (WARNING: Not safe for workplaces that don't appreciate Rush, or bringin' your Z GAME!!)

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Likely...

To post a better OBP than Yadi. I’ll take that out of the backup roll. Looks like his power has dried up though. So, Z-game stands for solid back up catcher. You learn something new every day.

by Kannonm on Dec 8, 2010 4:22 AM EST reply actions 3 recs

he's so good it's weird that he's spent so much time as a backup catcher

by DanUpBaby on Dec 8, 2010 4:29 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Holy shit, look at those strikeout to walk numbers

i like herion - prophetjohn

by vivaelpujols on Dec 8, 2010 4:30 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

No kidding...

One would think that he would have been a starter for more than Toronto. The first paragraph here puts it pretty succinctly.

by Kannonm on Dec 8, 2010 7:34 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

morning thread cancelled!!!!!

the red baron clearly brought his z-game today

by DanUpBaby on Dec 8, 2010 4:54 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

Oy.

If I had seen this I would have waited another ten hours or so before I bothered writing something. My ambition, she is a-wasted.

Semper fidelis tyrannosaurus!

by the red baron on Dec 8, 2010 5:20 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

I thought all the Zs in the headline were because of all the comments lately.

Also, I was at work ‘til 1am, so I’m not really thinking straight right now.

In addendum- Zaunbie Nation Fan Club!

Too stupid and sissy-like to say that you want out.
You make the eyes of a million girls and think you'll make them shout.

by The Continental on Dec 8, 2010 9:53 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

before i was greg zaun apathetic

now i’m greg zaun enthusiast!

what could he have possibly done to earn such a well done flash intro? aside from being awesome?

i was waiting for him to don his zorro mask and save the inhabitants of a burning kitten orphanage

Goodnight, Sweet Prince. Austin Wilson ~ 1992-2010

by YesWeOquendo on Dec 8, 2010 11:35 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

Well, I came in here all expecting to see a tranche of anti-Zaun propaganda

but it turns out a lot of folks seem to like this possible move?

I’ve been a huge fan of Zaun for a while – he really is surprisingly good, a switch-hitter with some pop and a fantastic walk-rate (for a back-stop) who seems to attract pretty good reviews for his catching as well. As I said the other day, if he’s still capable of catching a thousand innings a year he should probably be starting somewhere (or at least sharing catching duties with a youngster on a non-contending team), but as a backup for a relatively low price he makes a ton of sense; he cost 2.5m last year, and I can’t see him getting much more than half that this year, after being injured for much of 2010. I’m pretty sure he’s a $1m upgrade over Bryan Anderson.

Still bitching to contact.

by Felonius_Monk on Dec 8, 2010 1:41 PM EST reply actions 2 recs