RedSox wrote: JP called him an Elite catcher. We both agree that Elite is top 3 at the position. IMO, that's V-Mart, Mauer and Martin. JP argued McCann instead of V-Mart based on 2006. McCann's 2007 (.772 OPS) was still one of the 5 best among catchers and I think it's close to what he'll typically do. 2006 (.961 OPS) is not something he'll be doing on a regular basis or even close.
Royals wrote:Man I hate backing up Bren, but VMart is only 5 years older, and his level of consistency is much better then McCann's. I really hate to rail on McCann because I think he's a great player - but it's clear that VMart is better right now.
Royals wrote:You're right - I'm sure the Indians were PISSED they had VMart this year instead of McCann.
Face it, McCann is nice, but to say he's better then VMart right now is just flat out incorrect. Could he be better? Sure. Is he better? H-to-the-ELL no.
Royals wrote:JP, it just seems like you have some misplaced faith in McCann - that's all. I like him, he's good, he's just not in the same league as V-Mart, Mauer, or Martin - his career minor league OPS is .796, topping out at .835. The only anomaly in his entire professional baseball career seems to be that .960. He had NEVER hit over .300 in the minors, and has never hit above .290 in any full professional season besides 2006.
JP, I like you, but the numbers are solidly against you on this one. VMart's minor league career saw him post numbers incredibly similar to what he's accomplished in the MLB (.301/.373/.473 at MLB vs. .319/.391/.488 at MILB) - and that's OPS # doesn't reflect the 5 year upswing he's on.
Astros wrote: I think the REAL McCann is the one we saw in 2007, which is very good, but not elite. I would consider him at the very top of the second tier catchers.
And I also think he will be surpassed by my Navarro/Montero combo......or at least that's my hope. I'm sure a bunch of you would step up to take that wager....lol.
Royals wrote:JP - I will bet you $50 that McCann's 2008 OPS is not above the .879 that Victor Martinez had this year.
I'll be in CT this weekend and willing to shake on it...
Rays wrote:If Victor's projection bumps his D a little, I'd have to take him. Otherwise Martin.
RedSox wrote:Martin, IMO, is the top guy.
Marlins wrote:If this is a list of the best catchers in the game, you can't leave Posada off after the season he just had (his OPS was almost .100 pts better than Victor's - .970 - .879).
1. Martinez
2. Mauer
3. Martin
4. McCann
5. Posada
If this list was about who I'd want for the next 5 years....
1. Mauer
2. Martinez
3. Martin
4. McCann
5. Saltalamacchia
VMart .278/.337/.365, 2 HR 266 AB 701 OPS
Martin .279/.384/.395 13 HR 552 AB 779 OPS
Mauer .330/.415/.451 9 HR 528 AB 866 OPS
McCann .301/.374/.524 23 HR 508 AB 898 OPS
so the 3 Elite C's had a combined 24 HR to McCann's 23. Also McCann had the top OPS and 57 BB/ 64 SO BB/K Rate. And for what it's worth he stole 5 bases as well and wasn't caught.
Justice.