Feeling good about the future of Catcher

[HollywoodLeo]

Mirabelli said going back to Boston "was like being called up from the minor leagues"

what a ****

[padrefanforever]

Yeah and I was pretty high on having him here until he opened his mouth and didn't produce.....he's weak....we're far better off with Bard / Bowen.....two guys that are hungry to play

[FmrFresnan]

I would much rather have Josh Bard or Rob Bowen than Mirabelli. Bard and Bowen at least want to be here and have contributed thus far. Good riddens fat boy....

[Rufio181]

Bard and Piazza are good enough to get the job done. Yes, this offense will miss Bowen's bat, but they'll hold down the fort until he comes back.

Not for Piazza, has a really hard time throwing people out.

[FmrFresnan]

Piazza having a hard time throwing anyone out is pretty well known, but his power more than makes up for it.

[HollywoodLeo]

Piazza's bat is heating up. We can absorb the extra stolen bases if he produces runs with his bat.

[padrefanforever]

Bards is mashing the ball and plays good defense.....so why go with a guy supplying only one weapon, when we have a guy that gives you a complete position ? I say let Bard prove otherwise, since he's going to get a shot starting here next year in all likelyhood.....Piazza sure wont

[HollywoodLeo]

We don't want Piazza's bat to cool down just because Bard's doing a bit better.

I say keep going with the platoon and watch both (or all 3 if Bowen picks up where he left off) keep producing.

if it aint broke, don't fix it.

[padrefanforever]

I'm thinking the same way about Bard.......don't fix what isn't broke......he's far hotter, and better overall at this point...... so why not play him daily ??

[HollywoodLeo]

catcher is a funny position in that you are pretty much required to have a good back up, because you're starter is going to need more rest than anyone else.

Keeping that in mind, do you really want to cool off Piazza's bat in some feined attempt to "keep the hottest bat in the line up at all times"?

now if you were to argue that we should start Bard more often than Piazza right now, i'm with you.
But I still expect to see, and want to see, Piazza in every third game or so.

[padrefanforever]

Hottest bat in the line up at all times..........you should know better......when Bellhorn was hot, I still said release him..........I say start Bard because I believe he's a better overall catcher PERIOD......the fact that he's hotter right now is only a small part of this.....but goes to what you said.......if it ain't broke.....don't fix it..... Bard is far from broke, so don't try to fix it....IMO

[padrefanforever]

Further.....I'm afraid what you're proposing might be exactly what cools off Bard.....that is playing Piazza......play the best guy at all times......not just the hot guy......but when the hot guy is also the best overall guy.....it should be a nobrainer IMO

[HollywoodLeo]

you forget, though, that Bard has been hot playing in that platoon.

Who's to say he won't tire down and therby cool down should he play everyday?

My main point is catchers need more rest.

Even Ramon Hernandez was rested every third or fourth game.

[padrefanforever]

I agree.......I'd also like to know that before next season when that becomes a hole to fill......no time like the present to take care of the future