What to do with Kelly Shoppach when Victor Returns?
To be honest, this is my first post on this site. I just want to get the general opinion of everyone about how Shoppach will come into play when Victor returns.
First off, last year Shoppach was mainly Byrd's personal catcher. Obviously, this was a test just to get Shoppach adjusted to the game and to get a good feel for the majors by sticking with one pitcher for the majority of the time.
With that said, by far Shoppach has been a great power bat to have this year considering the circumstances and not to mention he has become an everyday threat to opposing pitchers.
Now, with not even thinking about the remainder of this year, let's jump to 2009. Victor and Pronk are back healthy, where does Shoppach fit in? Position change when not filling in for Victor? DH and Pronk play first? Thoughts?
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IMO he’ll either become the full time catcher with vic moving to first or he’ll be traded for pitching help.
he’s clearly too good and too valuable an asset to keep him on as a backup.
by Cap'n Snegiryov on Aug 20, 2008 10:15 PM EDT reply actions
Okay, thread is reopened after 72 hours probation. Anybody who wants to talk about this, please go right ahead. It’s a worthwhile subject.
We welcome all new users, but we do STRONGLY ENCOURAGE folks to join in with Comments in other discussions before posting your own FanPost. (Hat-tip to Dix.)
When do Pronk and VMart return
I know they have been playing in AAA, but does anyone know when they are expected back on the big league club?
I commend you for making your first post a comment. That being said, don’t use the subject line.
Oh, and you had a question. Ummmmm, maybe a week?
Steel Nick
Pronk will be later, if at all. Soreness in his shoulder reported in today’s newspaper. They may decide to just let him “recover” some more. Victor may be back before Sept 1, but I’ll bet he DH’s when he plays.
I caught that this morning as well. Wedge also seemed to hint that Barfield may spend the most time rehabbing.
“I want Barfield to keep playing to make sure he’s beyond everything,” Wedge said. “He won’t get that kind of playing time when he does come up.”
Link, by the way.
Steel Nick
So for 2009, you have the Shoppach at catcher, Victor at 1B argument for 2009 with the Garko/Aubrey/Brown death match for the 1B caddy. And hopefully sign somebody like Orlando Hudson.
Or you trade Shoppach for (I guess in the previous thread anyway) a Markakis type to upgrade an outfield position or a third base position or a 3rd starter type. Victor’s your starter and Torregas is your backup.
It takes two to tango, but if they don’t sell high on the “good guy” in this case… whether it’s Victor or Shoppach, they’ll never do it.
As far as 2008 goes, I pr
Sorry, meant to say as far as 2008 goes, I try to keep Shoppach’s value as sky high as possible by spotting him… not saying I know how to do that of course.
For the remainder of the season, I’d be happy to see Kelly catching about 2/3 of the game and Victor rotation between catcher, 1B and DH for his time (no point in rushing Victor into lots of innings at catcher if we don’t need to).
As Ryan memorably put it, it’s no help having a catcher who hits like a corner outfielder if your corner outfielders hit like catchers. Seems to me that goes for first base this season, and possibly next — Victor could simply be our best-hitting option at first base, and Shoppach may well be hitting better than all of them himself.
by fleerdon on Aug 26, 2008 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

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