Mike Rabelo as the catcher
Boy, you write something in a Chum Bucket post and the next thing you know a professional sports writer covers the same topic. Now I'm not dumb enough to believe that one as anything to do with the other, but it is a nice coincidence .
Before sitting out Sunday afternoon's win against San Diego -- he hasn't started a day game this season -- Rabelo had served as Florida's starting backstop in 15 of 21 games since coming off the disabled list. Naturally, this has some believing Rabelo has displaced Matt Treanor as the team's everyday catcher, despite their near-identical numbers. ''[It] kind of seems like he is the everyday guy now, if you ask me,'' starting pitcher Mark Hendrickson said. ``I mean, just because of the amount of time he's playing.'' Manager Fredi Gonzalez won't declare it, though. Rabelo won't even admit to aiming for that No. 1 spot.
Follow up questions to yesterday: I agree that Rabelo seeing most of the time behind the plate is trade justification, but exactly who is the front office justifying it to? It can't be the fans, while I don't think they are totally oblivious to what the fans think, they don't seem to concern themselves very much with the opinions of the loyal Fish followers. And it surely isn't the local press, they seem to be on the same roller coaster as the fans trying to figure out what the heck is going on much of the time. Their peers in baseball? Doubtful. Then who?
I'm not saying Treanor should catch everyday or even get most of the starts, but I'm just saying that I don't see why he sits on the bench and Rabelo plays when I can't see a definitive reason for the decision.
Your thoughts on this are more than welcomed. Oh, and please come up with something other than Treanor is a backup catcher since that is all Rabelo has been before now.
I'm just curious. And I promise the rest of the week won't contain quizzes.
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I think
the answer to the Rabelo situation may be age/experience.
Obviously the organization has very little faith in Treanor, as they’ve never really seen him as a starting catcher. Treanor has been kicking around baseball since 1994, and it took him a decade to get to the show. I think they may see Treanor as at the end of the road, with no chance for improvement.
Rabelo, on the other hand, was drafted in 2001, and the team may believe he has a better opportunity to get better. Whether this is true or not is debatable, but the front office believes what they believe. Both guys have similar minor league numbers, with Treanor’s being a little bit better in OBP.
To be honest, I couldn’t care less who they put back there. I don’t see enough of a difference to matter one way or another. I’ve always liked Treanor and his intensity, but you’ve gotta face facts. Would either of these guys be starting on any other team in the majors? Doubt it.
by Matt Wilson on
May 6, 2008 1:07 PM EDT
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I agree
And I do think the logic for the front office is that Rabelo has potential. Though he’s not exactly a spring chicken either. Being drafted in 2001 means he’s spent 6/7 years (!) in the minors. If he’s not showing anything now, he’s not going to show anything soon or later on.
My roommate is a Dodgers fan, I’m soooo jealous of his catcher situation.
I don’t think we can be a legitimate contender without a good catcher (CJ/Pudge)
by GMFB on
May 6, 2008 1:18 PM EDT
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