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Originally Posted by kutulu
Martinez is only 27, is he really breaking down already? Was he even arbitration eligible yet this offseason? His defensive stats are all above average, does he call a good game? IMO, it's such a boost to have a catcher that can put up an 850 OPS that it seems wastefull to convert him to a 1B before he needs to be put there. The tribe's 1Bs don't look good but there has to be something better that they can do.
Catching is a tough position. I don't think it would be all that wise to expect a rookie to be a starting catcher on a contending team. Martinez has caught too many games the last two years, they might be better off keeping Martinez there and letting Shoppach be his backup (let Martinez catch no more than 120 games).
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I agree, he's not going to be broken down for a few years, but I look at Sandy Alomar and have to ask what he could have done had they moved him to 1B or 3B before he broke down. Or moved Piazza to 1B earlier, would that have extended his greatness instead of having him fall apart relatively young?
Victor is a damn good catcher and game caller, everyone has said he handles the pitchers extremely well.
So you have Shoppach back him up for the next year or 2 and then convert him. I just think Victor has great potential and catching could hurt it. I can see Victor being a Manny Ramirez or better, but is catching hindering his potential? I think it will sooner than later.
Or maybe I'm wrong maybe as a catcher Victor is very valuable but in any other spot he would be average.
Look at Ryan Garko the Indians are working hard to convert him. Hopefully he can be converted.