Discussion: Next Year's Catchers

First off Josh Thole is the Mets future at catcher but that future can't me next year because he needs time at AAA to work on his blocking ability and calling a game. Playing at AAA will help because he will work with some veteran pitchers who know how to game plan and work a game. His arm is pretty good and has a fairly quick release but he doesn't look comfortable moving on breaking balls in the dirt. He is a ML hitter, but he needs to work on going the other way more and laying off the high fastball.

Now Omir Santos who I believe should be the Mets backup catcher next year because he has some pop, goes the other way, and is average defensively. He also runs well for a catcher, has a .284 avg at Citi Field, .400 avg with a runner on third with less than 2 outs, and has a .299 avg with runners on.

The free agent catching class is mediocre with some potential starters like Miguel Olivo, Bengie Molina, Rod Barajas, Pudge, and Jason Varitek. And some veteran backups Jason Kendall, Jose Molina, Henry Blanco, Brad Ausmus, and Josh Bard.

I've been weighing the realistic options like Bengie Molina(to slow, only thrown out 23% of runners, and lowest BA since 2002), Olivo(doesn't walk at all, 120k's, 28% thrown out, and .237 avg with runners on including 0-14 with bases loaded and Pudge(18/87 walk to K's, grounded into 19 DP's, and a obp under .300.

So my choice for catcher is Rod Barajas of the Toronto Blue Jays. He has a line of 18 HR's, 66 RBI's with a .231 avg, and a .672 ops. He has thrown out 35% of base runners and has only grounded into 4 DP's. He also hit .270 with RISP, .308 avg with runners on 3rd and less than 2 outs, and a .275 hitter against ground ball pitchers which the Mets have been terrible against the last couple of years.

To sum it up I would sign Barajas to a one-year deal to platoon with Santos and let Thole spend the whole year at AAA to learn how to play the catching position better.