Power Pros Forum

I've gotten a 1 star trade once or twice, no S/Ling.
Usually I'll go for a 3 or high 2.

So I ended up balking and trading them separately. Traded Pavano for Matt Garza, Rivera for Fernando Cabrera. I think I did well with the Pavano trade, probably got screwed a bit with the Rivera deal I guess. I didn't like pitching with Rivera anyway though - I find it's hard to get guys out without any form of off speed pitch. Rivera's cutter is great and all, but after a few at bats I find I really need to throw a change up or two. Plus I've been using Chamberlain for both the 8th and 9th innings most of the time (he has a great curveball AND changeup), I think Mo had only logged 20 innings at the all star break.

Still holding on to Posada...I'm hesitating because there doesn't seem to be any comparable catchers ability wise. I do still want to dump his salary but I'll only do it for a young, talented catcher. Those are exceedingly rare. Torrealba is still the best candidate IMHO.

There is a good catcher from Texas or Astros. Erm J.R.Towles good potential.

Traded Posada + 1000 points for McCann from ATL last night...Seems like a good deal, McCann isn't quite as good ability wise but he only earns 440 per year.

In my opinion, Russel Martin (Dodgers) is better than McCann. He's a also pretty cheap, is much better defensively, and has Gd Catcher ability.

I have Russell Martin and Brian McCann on my created team. I like them both, but for different reasons.

Here's why:

Brian McCann

Pros: Good defensively, fantastic contact hitter, good power.
Cons: Average arm, slow runner.

Russell Martin

Pros: Good arm, good power hitter, good running ability (for a catcher).
Cons: Not as good defensively (more passed balls), not as consistent a hitter as McCann.

Ideally, you'll put both of these guys on your team because A) they're cheap (both make somewhere around 500 points) and B) you'll have lineup flexibility (McCann is L/L and Russell is R/R).

McCann is L/R, but your idea of a platoon with Martin is still valid.

By the way, there hasn't been a left-handed catcher to play regularly at the major-league level since 1900 (Jack Clements). The usual theory is that left-handers would have a hard time throwing to third base on a steal attempt, especially with a right-handed hitter at bat.

I like Bill James's take on it -- that it's absurd. His theory is that catchers need good throwing arms and young left-handers with good arms are converted to pitchers.

McCann has Gd catcher, doesn't he?


I think you are right here, i've been intrested in handiness and it's effect in sports for awhile, and while it would slightly make it more difficult the hard-throwing lefties are pitchers (and OF as well) would make more sense.

Posada can EASILY be mazed after a year in hitting, fully maxed after around 3-4 years. I traded for him and have him NEARLY maxed.

I believe he is but, on average, seems to pass about two balls per game for me. McCann seems to have fewer problems with passed balls, but has the weaker arm of the two. So, really, it's a toss-up.