Mailbag

December 30, 2007 – 2:34 pm

With only a couple days left to enter to win the Brian McCann autographed baseball, there’s a lot of commenting on. Get your chance now - simply comment on one of the articles or pages with a valid email address. With each valid comment, you are entered once. Contest ends December 31!

Now, let’s dig into the mailbag. Katrina Taylor writes:

With the recent signing of Javy Lopez, given he meets or exceeds expectations in Spring Training, how much rest is Brian McCann expected to receive with an experienced backup catcher in the lineup?

Well Katrina, I have a few thoughts here. Firstly, even if Javy is in good physical condition, he’s going to have to compete for the backup job with Corky Miller, Clint Sammons, and maybe a couple other minor leaguers. Corky was our backup catcher last year at the end of the season, but he only played in 12 games. Clint Sammons is a rookie and will be putting his best foot forward, but I think if Javy is in good physical condition we could see him compete for the job.

Once he gets the job, a lot depends on how well he’s playing. If the Braves have a backup catcher that is hitting really well, McCann will likely receive more rest than if the backup catcher is only moderately good. That said, I think Bobby Cox will likely follow nearly the same plan he has the past few years (even when Javy was the regular) - rest the catcher once during the rotation. You may see the backup become the designated catcher of Tom Glavine or another one of the more experienced starters. That way the experienced started can help train the catcher (if it’s not Javy, of course) in calling a game.

I don’t think it’ll differ much from what we’re used to seeing here. McCann is a great catcher and it only makes sense to sit him if he needs the rest and we have a capable backup. That said, I know many of the ladies want to see Javy back. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like Javy. I think if he’s in good condition he’ll make a decent backup catcher. But he’s had some serious offensive struggles after leaving Atlanta and it’ll be difficult for him to overcome those. I hope he can do it - here’s hoping we see Javy in Atlanta once more.

Some fun stuff is coming around the corner - keep checking back for a new autographed item up for grabs in the month of January, as well as some great new content!

Colin

Posted in Mailbag, Speculation |