The Tools of Ignorance?
We're inching that much closer to Spring Training, ladies and gentlemen. H-Town is about to host my Atlanta Falcons as they take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51. I could not be more excited for that as well. Double your pleasure, double your fun! Am I right?!
Once that's over, it will be nearly a week until the Houston Astros report to their new facility in West Palm Beach, FL to get themselves set for the 2017 season. Pitchers and catchers will report first by Valentine's Day. That includes your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis.
And on that front, El Oso Blanco has been coming up in yet more trade banter. More on that later.
But first, I have been seeing a phrase that analysts have used in their talk of catchers that has me a bit baffled. It's a metaphor known as "donning the tools of ignorance." And as I tend to do with overthinking at times, I can't help but feel that this is an unfair figure of speech phrase to call the backstops. And I have some very important reasons for that.
1. The catchers are a perennial part in pitch selection. Though it is true that the pitcher always has the final say it what gets thrown to the hitter, the catcher helps said pitcher create a game plan to help get the opposing hitter out. This takes meticulous and careful planning on the part backstop to get it right the first time.
2. They are the "field generals" for the defense. This was a term coined so eloquently by none other than Astros GM, Jeff Lunhow. And that's very true. Not only do they call the pitch selection, they also let the infield know when to be ready in case a runner tries to steal a base. Nothing ignorant about that.
3. They have the hardest job on the team. This is the obvious reason why they, along with the pitchers, always report to Spring Training first. Not only do they discuss game plans, but also execute them. Catchers also have to endure the rigors of squatting, blocking pitches in the dirt, chasing after wild ones, and being ready to throw out potential base thieves. This is not an easy feat for anyone to have to do. But they do it, and most do it very well.
So that's where both Brian McCann and Evan Gattis come in. These both not only have above average skills behind the plate, but can also mash some balls over the fence. The Astros could have them as a top 5 catching core for at least the next two seasons, and possibly a third if they pick up McCann's 2019 option and offer Gattis a QO or multi-year extension as a free agent.
That would be the smart thing to do. Unfortunately, recent rumors have surfaced that the team is trying to sign Matt Wieters, formerly of the Baltimore Orioles, as a free agent. Which would, once again, put the Big White Bear's future in jeopardy. You can read about the rumors in the following articles:
Matt Wieters' Career Numbers (8 seasons)
Offense : .256/.318/.739, 117 HR, 437 RBI, 97 wRC+, wOBA .321, ISO - .165, WAR - 17.0 (2.13 per season.)
Defense: oStr% -7.0, RAA: (-2.5), +calls/game - 0.02, CERA - 4.34, CS Ratio - 32.7%
Evan Gattis' Career Numbers (4 seasons)
Offense: .250/.302/.786, 102 HR, 277 RBI, 113 wRC+, wOBA .334, ISO - .234, WAR - 6.0 (1.5 per season.)
Defense (3 seasons at catcher): oStr% - 7.57, RAA - 3.27, +calls/game - 0.66, CERA - 3.29, CS Ratio - 28.8%
**wOBA = weighted on-base average, another advanced stat.
So as you can see, in only 3 seasons behind the plate, and minus a couple of categories, Evan Gattis is far better a catcher than Wieters. This includes BOTH sides of the ball. Plus, El Oso Blanco has elite power, where as Wieters has next to none. The writing is literally here on the wall!
Mr. Lunhow, I am BEGGING YOU! Let Wieters go somewhere else, like Tampa Bay who needs him more, and focus on getting the starting pitcher. Sorry to have to tell you this, but that means parting way with more of the prospects in the farm system. And after you just got awarded higher draft picks in the midst of the Cardinals' hacking scandal, you can use that to restock.
Believe me, I want to trust you and the process. But Mr. Lunhow, PLEASE be smart about this. Don't sacrifice what good you already have in a potential top 5 catching core with McCann and Gattis for someone that is going to cost you more and produce for you a lot less. And don't just take my word for it, ask McCann himself:
Once that's over, it will be nearly a week until the Houston Astros report to their new facility in West Palm Beach, FL to get themselves set for the 2017 season. Pitchers and catchers will report first by Valentine's Day. That includes your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis.
And on that front, El Oso Blanco has been coming up in yet more trade banter. More on that later.
But first, I have been seeing a phrase that analysts have used in their talk of catchers that has me a bit baffled. It's a metaphor known as "donning the tools of ignorance." And as I tend to do with overthinking at times, I can't help but feel that this is an unfair figure of speech phrase to call the backstops. And I have some very important reasons for that.
1. The catchers are a perennial part in pitch selection. Though it is true that the pitcher always has the final say it what gets thrown to the hitter, the catcher helps said pitcher create a game plan to help get the opposing hitter out. This takes meticulous and careful planning on the part backstop to get it right the first time.
2. They are the "field generals" for the defense. This was a term coined so eloquently by none other than Astros GM, Jeff Lunhow. And that's very true. Not only do they call the pitch selection, they also let the infield know when to be ready in case a runner tries to steal a base. Nothing ignorant about that.
3. They have the hardest job on the team. This is the obvious reason why they, along with the pitchers, always report to Spring Training first. Not only do they discuss game plans, but also execute them. Catchers also have to endure the rigors of squatting, blocking pitches in the dirt, chasing after wild ones, and being ready to throw out potential base thieves. This is not an easy feat for anyone to have to do. But they do it, and most do it very well.
So that's where both Brian McCann and Evan Gattis come in. These both not only have above average skills behind the plate, but can also mash some balls over the fence. The Astros could have them as a top 5 catching core for at least the next two seasons, and possibly a third if they pick up McCann's 2019 option and offer Gattis a QO or multi-year extension as a free agent.
That would be the smart thing to do. Unfortunately, recent rumors have surfaced that the team is trying to sign Matt Wieters, formerly of the Baltimore Orioles, as a free agent. Which would, once again, put the Big White Bear's future in jeopardy. You can read about the rumors in the following articles:
Astros, Rays in the mix for Matt Wieters https://t.co/RV4FHpwXFT— Rotoworld Baseball (@Rotoworld_BB) January 29, 2017
Astros Rumor: Could the Stros add catcher Matt Wieters? #Astros https://t.co/ZhFWsohBz8 pic.twitter.com/daLAZFG6mV— Astros Report (@astros_fanly) January 29, 2017
It seems that these will never go away until the season gets underway. So let me show a comparison to help explain exactly why this is a bad idea.Wieters is quite a free-agent catch in 2017 https://t.co/3BI2cGrcv8 via @mlb— Richard Justice (@richardjustice) January 30, 2017
Matt Wieters' Career Numbers (8 seasons)
Offense : .256/.318/.739, 117 HR, 437 RBI, 97 wRC+, wOBA .321, ISO - .165, WAR - 17.0 (2.13 per season.)
Defense: oStr% -7.0, RAA: (-2.5), +calls/game - 0.02, CERA - 4.34, CS Ratio - 32.7%
Evan Gattis' Career Numbers (4 seasons)
Offense: .250/.302/.786, 102 HR, 277 RBI, 113 wRC+, wOBA .334, ISO - .234, WAR - 6.0 (1.5 per season.)
Defense (3 seasons at catcher): oStr% - 7.57, RAA - 3.27, +calls/game - 0.66, CERA - 3.29, CS Ratio - 28.8%
**wOBA = weighted on-base average, another advanced stat.
So as you can see, in only 3 seasons behind the plate, and minus a couple of categories, Evan Gattis is far better a catcher than Wieters. This includes BOTH sides of the ball. Plus, El Oso Blanco has elite power, where as Wieters has next to none. The writing is literally here on the wall!
Mr. Lunhow, I am BEGGING YOU! Let Wieters go somewhere else, like Tampa Bay who needs him more, and focus on getting the starting pitcher. Sorry to have to tell you this, but that means parting way with more of the prospects in the farm system. And after you just got awarded higher draft picks in the midst of the Cardinals' hacking scandal, you can use that to restock.
Believe me, I want to trust you and the process. But Mr. Lunhow, PLEASE be smart about this. Don't sacrifice what good you already have in a potential top 5 catching core with McCann and Gattis for someone that is going to cost you more and produce for you a lot less. And don't just take my word for it, ask McCann himself:
Don't break this duo up, sir. You now have two catchers that know how to call games, defends the field well, and puts the ball in play and over the fence. Both have elite power and drive numerous runs in. They win games! There is no need in signing Wieters and trading Gattis. That, with all due respect to you Mr. Lunhow, would be the real tool of ignorance here.McCann on being confused with Gattis pic.twitter.com/GKzdOn1U8a— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) January 21, 2017
THIS tandem behind the plate, for what could be the next 3 seasons with the Houston Astros, sounds pretty good to me!!!!
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