41.1 Checking the Locks: Catcher

[crobillard]

This is a series where I will evaluate the options in each position leading into Spring Training. This is the first of eleven parts. I will be taking a look into the catcher position in this post.

Sure fire locks: Eric Fabre, David Katzenbogen
Trying to get in the door: Leon Romo

I definitely wanted to move on from Fabre at the start of last year. I tried to make moves to secure a replacement, but when it didn't happen I resigned Fabre with confidence. After spending six years with Edmonton amassing 15.1 WAR during his time, Fabre will spend three more years with the team. The 27 year old catcher hit .258/.323/.470 through 485 at bats last season. Defensively he made 12 errors and threw out 29.5% of runners trying to steal. OOTP rates him at the top of the league of catchers, but with so many catchers emerging from the recent drafts and a few lumps he's taken, Fabre might have a tough road over the next few years.

Katzenbogen is the team's defensive specialist at catcher. He was just signed for another two years after this year. He's the best rated catcher in the league at 14. He might be the best defensive catcher ever, but I don't know how to confirm it. He also has a god awful bat though which is why he's never really started. Madison tried in 2036 and 110 games where he threw out a whopping 33.8% of batters, but that was with an abysmal .201/.285/.301 batting line in 359 at bats. He will continue to be Fabre's backup through 2043 just like Fabre, but eventually we need to start thinking about a replacement.

The backup to the backup was acquired last season in Leon Romo. He doesn't do anything particularly well, but he's solid. He can hit a little bit and he's good defensively. If he ever starts a game for Edmonton, we're in bad shape.

[jleddy]

Love this series, one of my regular favorites.

[crobillard]

Love this series, one of my regular favorites.

Thanks bud. I'm hoping I can get it all done today as I have some limited time this weekend.

[usnspecialist]

katzenbogen is the perfect backup catcher with his defense and leadership. If this were MLB he would probably be retired and in a managerial job already.

[crobillard]

katzenbogen is the perfect backup catcher with his defense and leadership. If this were MLB he would probably be retired and in a managerial job already.

lol very true. I love the dude. He's very affordable on top of everything. I flirted with the idea around starting him and not signing Fabre and if I thought my team was no longer in contention I probably would try him out for a full season, but as long as I have a team that can possibly make the playoffs I need to have Bazooka as my backup.