Catcher backup plan
March 18, 2008 by Jason Guarente
The Barnstormers made a smart, under-the-radar move when they signed C Manny Mejia last week.
One of the weaknesses of last season’s team was the performance of the backups to C Lance Burkhart, who had the best season of his three-year Atlantic League career. When Burkhart wasn’t in the lineup, the team often struggled.
Mejia is a proven commodity at this level. He spent the past two seasons as the starter for the Road Warriors and put up respectable numbers.
2006 (100 games)
| .289 | 7 HR | 42 RBIs | .378 OBP | .392 SLG |
2007 (88 games)
| .287 | 5 HR | 41 RBIs | .340 OBP | .402 OBP |
Compare that to the production the Barnstormers received from their backups last season.
Russ Cleveland (67 games)
| .230 | 6 HR | 27 RBIs | .282 OBP | .367 OBP |
Jeremy Deitrick (24 games)
| .241 | 1 HR | 14 RBIs | .264 OBP | .325 OBP |
Mejia is a clear upgrade. The Barnstormers gave 336 at-bats to Cleveland and Deitrick — many of them at DH — even though they provided on-base numbers that were dreadful. That was another drain on the offense that went largely unnoticed.
Finding a backup catcher is never easy. A lot of talented backstops aren’t willing to play the No. 2 role and the organization usually isn’t willing to invest much money to fill that spot. That’s why the Barnstormers have employed Cleveland, Deitrick, Juan Castro, John Nathans, Alex Derhak and Manny Santana during their history. There are some hits and misses among that group.
The Barnstormers hope Mejia can match what Santana did for this club in 2006. He was the best backup catcher the team has employed. That would allow Burkhart, 33, to have more days off — which they hope will help keep his offensive stats close to last season’s level.
There are two ways a team can improve from year to year. It can make sweeping changes and look for better output across the board. Or it can look for incremental improvement in certain areas. Since the Barnstormers have displayed a steadfast refusal to significantly alter the position player mix here, despite last season’s subpar results, incremental improvement is their only alternative.
Signing Mejia is a step in the right direction.
(photo courtesy of Mike Ashmore at AtlanticLeagueBaseball.com)
GONZALEZ DEAL FINALIZED: The Barnstormers formally announced that SS Danny Gonzalez will be back in the fold. He turned down an opportunity to play in the Mexican League, presumably for more money, to return to the Atlantic League for a fourth season in hopes of getting an affiliated deal.
“We consider Danny one of the top defensive shortstops in the minor leagues,” head of baseball operations Keith Lupton said. “Since he has come to Lancaster, he has developed into a premier hitter in our league as well.”
While Lupton may be overstating Gonzalez’s defensive skills (he committed 21 errors in 2007), you could make a strong case that he was the best all-around shortstop in the league.
Of course, if Burkhart can not mystery hurt himself badly at the worst possible time again this year, he’ll be a step up from last year. But I am looking forward to see Mejia play. Cleveland and Santana were nice guys but they were mediocre players. My recollection is that Mejia is pretty much first rate.
Gonzalez had his ups and downs last year but overall, I’m glad to see him back. The downside is that he tends to stand around a lot and go through the motions. More than a handful of times last year I heard or yelled “Way to phone it in, Danny!” after yet another dribbler got by him for a base hit…at the worst possible time, of course. The upside is that when he’s on, nothing gets by him and, in fairness, he was worked like a dog last year because who else is going to do it when your team doesn’t even have a decent plan A, let alone a plan B? Offensively he was one of the better ones since 2005 so my bottom line is that I’d rather him here than another AL team.
On the subject of returning Barnstormers with no plan A….early on I expressed my hope of seeing as few of them returning as possible. I expected a few, the league is what it is, but if someone was trying for yet another “reunion team”, it was time for a well placed bullet. Personally, however, Hayes has alleviated quite a bit of that concern. His record is such that I’m cautiously optimistic that he’ll be a very competent manager and that, far and away, was the biggest problem of the year last year.
What do you think,Jason.
Barnstormers need a first baseman with power and work on the bullpen and try to get a good Closer. With signing of Danny Gonzalez we look real strong up the middle. Manny Mejia is a good fit to backup Lance Burkhart.The Barnstormers are looking pretty good.
Von Hayes and Keith Lupton are really doing a good job so far.
The nearer we get to the regular season the more exciting it gets. I haven’t been this excited since the end of the 2006 Season. Maybe we could make good teams like the Red Roses had in the 50’s.
GO STORMERS!
From an accused pessimist:
I don’t see how the Barnstormers have improved much at all to this point. The lineup is the same. They’ve replaced Stevens, Martinez and Henkel with Nannini, McClaskey and Ackerman in the rotation. That could be an upgrade or a wash depending how things unfold. The bullpen has three guys who could be described as unknowns and Peeples.
There is a long way to go and there’s plenty of time to make additions. That’s good because the Barnstormers need — by my count — five high-impact players to be a contender. Two big bats. A top-notch starting pitcher. A closer and another short reliever.
Jose Mesa is still available for relief (only kidding). Maybe Von can use his Phillies connections to get Adam Eaton and Wes Helms off their hands. This would be an upgrade for both of my teams!
Hey Mark,
The Nats are on ESPN today. Did you see the bomb Lastings Milledge hit? The ball just jumps off his bat.
Barney,
I’m not sure Eaton could get outs in the Atlantic League. By the way, do you remember Boots Day?
When I see the Names other Teams are signing, well, we are behind the eightball right now. York has how many ex-major League Pitchers under ink?? Four?? Wow!!
Yeah, there is still time and I realize Teams have not broken camp yet but the same old same old isn’t gonna win squadoosh.
Keep in mind, in 2006 the Barnstormers didn’t sign Reggie Taylor and Jason Bowers until April. They’re two of the best position players the team has ever employed. Waiting has its benefits if you can get those guys cut from affiliated ball to come here.
I just don’t get it. Last years game plan of keeping the same dudes was a major bomb! Why the hell are we doing it again?? Von is new blood, where are all his doners? Where is the mass overhaul everyone said was needed? Where is the “clean this team up” attitude?
Yes I remember #8 Boots Day (early 70’s I think). They had some pretty decent players from what I remember: Ron Hunt (the Hit By Pitch machine), Larry Parrish, Warren Cromartie.
For some “Almost A Barnstormer Trivia”…..
The catcher on this team was Barry Foote (later became a Phillie). They had a rookie catcher who turned out to have a decent career. He started wearing the number 8 in 1975. To be a featured “Cotton Eyed Joe” dancer during the 7th inning stretch at a game to be neamed later, name that catcher?
Sorry, I forgot to mention he was on the Expos. I think Steve Rogers pitched for them also.
Do you remember Coco Laboy? He was their 3rd baseman before Boots.
I only know this useless Montreal Expo trivia because Rusty Staub (my all time favorite non Phillie) played for them back then.
Jason - sure did see it! I was kind of bummed to see Brian Schneider go but if this is a taste of what the Nats got in exchange, yee ha! I think the Nats will do better this year than they did last year (which wasn’t bad considering all the nay-saying) but their pitching is still lacking so I’m not counting on a lot this year. But NEXT year….if Acta can put together a pitching staff to match the rest of the team, they may well go places. In the mean time, the signed Ryan Zimmerman game bat I bought last year for $90 is now up to $525.
Per the ‘Stormers, I’d still rather have seen a complete shake-up with maybe 3 or 4 players returning, but if this is what we get, then I’m hoping the management makes all the difference. I did say I’m cautiously optimistic.
And the other thing is that none of this matters when the second half rolls around and it’s 0-0 again. Nor does it matter much when other league seasons end and various sluggers land in the AL in August. Maybe Hayes is slow out of the gate and Lancaster blows in the first half, but if he gets it together and lands some ringers for the second half, Lancaster could clean up and all is forgiven.
I think I found our 1st baseman …..
This was on msn.foxsport.com today
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - The lack of offers to Barry Bonds will be examined by the baseball players’ association as part of its annual review of the free-agent market.
Less than two weeks before opening day, the 43-year-old home run king remains unsigned.
“He’s in playing shape right now. He just hasn’t hit off live pitching,” Bonds’ agent, Jeff Borris, said Tuesday. “I’ve had conversations with Barry. It would probably take him about two weeks to get ready.”
Schneider for Milledge was a good deal for the Nats. Schneider’s a good defensive catcher, but he’s replaceable. Milledge has rare talent. When you’re a team like the Nationals, you should gamble on a guy with a questionable attitude if he hits 450-foot homers.
It didn’t occur to me until now that Gary Carter and Boots Day wore the same number.
I read an interview with Acta a few days ago and Milledge’s attitude was discussed. According to Acta, the “attitude” was more myth than any real problem he ever saw at the Mets and that Milledge has said he’s totally about the Nats as a team. I figure if anyone is going to know how to keep Milledge focused and reigned in, it’s going to be Acta so full steam ahead. I think it’ll be interesting to see how Bret Boone does this year if there’s still some tread left on those tires. It’s kind of a big if at this point, but he was an all-star for what….4 years? 5?
One last addition to my comments above…the Lancaster line-up is all fine and well with me, more or less, to this point given the new management. But if Lancaster can’t find someone for 1st who can swing a bat and re-signs Todd, I’m done. End of story. That’s my “last straw” with player procurement this year.
I’m told the team is finished as far as returning players.
Speaking of old Expo’s,don’t forget John Bocabella. Probably not spelled right,but the old Expo’s P.A. Man would draw out the last name,it was very cool. Alway’s loved the games at Jarry Park.
Jeremy aint coming back.
I’ve only seen pictures of Jarry Park. It was an unusually small stadium for a big-league club with an odd, giant scoreboard in right field. I was surprised to read that it’s still standing. Come to think of it, the Expos should have gone back there when Olympic Stadium started to fall apart.
Don’t confuse me with an Expos fan. I like the Nats and there’s a difference. Like Zimmerman, Acta, no Canada…
WGAL had mention of Gonzalez this evening and showed a short clip of him fielding a ball and firing it off to 1b. It went a long way toward reminding me that when he’s on, he’s really on.
Manheim Schrute …. Remember this one from Jarry Park?
Now batting, the right fielder, #4, Le Grande Orange!
That’s how he intoduced Rusty Staub -The Big Redhead
I forgot about their PA announcer and how much fun he had with the names. Didn’t they have a pool behind the right field fence?
As far as Danny coming back, I’m sure the Turkey Hill Ice Cream girls behind home plate are happy. You can hear them screaming for Danny when he comes up even when you are sitting in the outfield! I also hope we are done signing from the past and start moving forward. That’s why the front windshield on your car is bigger then your rear view mirror …. you are supposed to look forward, not back.
GO ‘STORMERS!!!!!!!!
Follow up on our possible 1st baseman. This was in todays Phila Inquirer (philly.com) …
Morning Report: Why teams don’t want Bonds
By Don McKee
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Don Fehr, the head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, said the union plans to investigate the lack of offers to Barry Bonds as part of its annual review of the free-agent market.
OK Don, let me save you some time and money.
A. He’s under federal indictment for perjury, which could lead to jail time.
B. He’s widely assumed to be a former steroid user, which might lead to a suspension and will lead to a public relations problem.
C. He’s 43 and has had injury problems for a few years.
D. He made $19.3 million last season.
E. Having already passed Hank Aaron to claim the all-time home run crown, a player so vastly unpopular outside San Francisco would not be a major box office draw.
Got all that?
Barney,
You forgot F…..he is a clubhouse cancer and all around selfish self-absorbed prima donna.
We were joking about Bonds playing at the Clip. It would actually be dangerous to the fans. You’d have to put a screen in front of the picnic area in right field.
Pack must have been partying with Jeff Spicoli. I think that explains the memory lapse …..
Hey Barney,That P.A. Dude was great. And there was a pool out in right. And,yes,it was a small stadium,I guess they always figured they had a new stadium coming.
Well, Bonds playing in the AL is one way to put a positive spin on John Rocker’s short lived AL career. And I’m 110% sure that’s where Bonds would play, too. Any price, whatever it takes, Long Island isn’t constrained by “rules” and “price caps”. On the positive side, we’d have the advantage of having all the unpopular stuff in Long Island making it easy to throw up a fence and do the “Escape from New York” thing. So we’d have that going for us. Which is nice.
On a more serious note, in addition to items A-E above, everyone I’ve talked to about Bonds wants his record buried as quickly as possible. Therefore, they don’t want Bonds to ever hit another MLB home run and his apparent inability to even get signed this year is a very good thing. He can run his mouth all he wants, he still sits next to OJ at the bar.