Jeff Mathis: TRADE BAIT?
by Rev Halofan on Oct 17, 2008 12:15 AM PDT
in Angels News
Email
PrintWe are finished with our "What to Do" Series here at Halos Heaven. For the past week we have explored, discussed and debated every Angel who may or may not be here next season based on the end of their contracts.
Now it is time for "TRADE BAIT" ... where we look to players under club control. Who can we trade? What will he bring? Who brings us the most? Who should we absolutely keep?
REMEMBER:
If we do not re-sign Teix, our #1 need in a trade is a power and OBP bat.
If we re-sign Teix but not Frankie, our #1 need is a reliable 6th/7th inning bullpen arm.
Catcher Jeff Mathis plays a premium position. His defense is alright, nothing special, but he is a legend - at least in Mike Scioscia's mind - at handling pitchers. When Mike Napoli was injured, he performed decently as an everyday horse behind the plate. HIs offensive roduction is terrible, but relative to such "stars" (please note the heavy sarcasm) behind the plate as Jose Molina, Josh Paul and Shawn Wooten, Mathis is the best backup catcher the franchise has ever had. Not to be dismissed is his rapport with Ervin Santana with whom he has bonded since the minor leagues. How much of Ervin's turnaround season can be attributed to Jeffo is debatable, but it certainly cannot be a dealbreaker in moving Mathis for something the club needs.
Jeff will turn 26 at the end of Spring Training. He has 2 years and 12 days total major league service time and is not arbitration eligible. He was a 1st round pick in the 2001 draft, the 33rd player taken overall.
We have Bobby Wilson and Ryan Budde appearing to be serviceable backup catchers, although an injury to Mike Napoli in a Post-Mathis era would put the Angels in a deep hole. Hank Conger behind the plate is a pipe dream at the moment as his glove and makeup are years behind his powerful switch-hitting bat.
Trade him? Keep Him? Maybe dangle him for what? Let the Angels know whether or not you consider Jeff Mathis to be TRADE BAIT...
49 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Keep him if Napoli is going to get 75+% at catcher next year......
we know that’s not going to happen because Scioscia has a Man-Crush on his ass for who knows what reason.
I say we trade him in a package for a relief pitcher.
……..random thought……..
Dodgers only have
Hu, Dewitt and Loney in the IF.
Sean Rodriguez is blocked by Aybar/Izturis/Howizle
I say we trade one of the above for the Dodgers McDonald.
Put Kendry Morales at 1B, and move Sean Rodriguez to 3B......NOW LETS GO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well apparently
the Angels view Mathis as trade bait as he was part of the proposed deal for Miguel Cabrera before the Marlins changed their mind at the last second….twice.
I’d prefer to keep Mathis as he is still young and I believe he will become a better hitter in time. He’s never going to be a Mike Piazza or a Johnny Bench but he can at least be an acceptable major league hitter. His defense was stellar in 2007 but had throwing problems in 2008 but clearly he still has a lot of value and I don’t know much about Ryan Budde or Bobby Wilson. I’ve heard that Hank Conger DH’s somewhat regularly for the Quakes which tells me that the organization is already starting to give up on his defense. If Mathis was the deal-maker or breaker for Jake Peavy, then I would trade him as we could find a veteran back up for cheap to buy more time for the development of Ryan Budde and Bobby Wilson.
by Chzburger Jones on Oct 17, 2008 1:32 AM PDT reply actions
I believe Conger spent a lot of time DH-ing because of his injury this past season.
"i got 5ive on it"
Yea, I think he got back to catching about the same time Naps was rehabbing in Rancho
If GA wasn't so Lazy, I'd have something clever here.
by TheTypingFiend on Oct 17, 2008 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Naps is the man
I think Naps needs to play more, close to what acuda asks for at 75%.
Mathis was only good at the plate when he was hitting regularly (and then again, not that great, Naps is way better). With a reduction in time (even just to working with Santana every 5th start), Mathis is going to suffer even more at the plate.
I think that he has more value being traded, plus he is blocking a number of catching options that we can bring up to fill the back-up role. He is too good (compared with the rest of the league’s back up options) to sit there, but not good enough to supplant Naps.
Def trade bait to me. I’d like to see him go, either to get someone to replace Teix or Frankie (via 6-7 inning relief) as Rev suggested, or to pull in a fifth starter to replace Judy.
by matthiasstephan on Oct 17, 2008 5:18 AM PDT reply actions
Suggestion for Rev
It might add some more time to your posts, but I think it’d be interesting to determine what MLB teams need the TRADE BAIT player you’re profiling. For example, the Detroit Tigers need a catcher. So maybe at the bottom of your post, you list the MLB teams in need of catching.
And if you did a shortstop next, for example, you list the Dodgers and any other MLB team that is looking for a shortstop (Cardinals?).
Just a thought.
Thats a good idea
While I do view Mathis as a candidate most Angels fans wouldnt mind trading, he’s almost at reggie willits “throw in” trade value right now. He had a lot of throwing errors, wasn’t effective throwing runners out, and hit below the mendoza line.
So yes, he should be a trade candidate but is it worth it if we’re just adding him to a package already involving bigger and better players?
by ihearhowie2.0 on Oct 17, 2008 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions
mathis is a piece of crap.....on offense
on defense, not bad
"Halos Heaven All Time Saves Record Holder Genius Prognasticator."
A cardboard cutout of Bengie Molina behind the dish
would still stand a better chance of hitting above the Mendoza Line than that hack Mathis. Get rid of him, at the very least because I’m sick of hearing that shitty country tune whenever he’s up to bat.
You ever feel as if your mind had started to erode?
Trade Bait
I am so glad to see this topic. i have been saying that by trading Mathis, or at least making him part of a package we can get a great player in return.
How many homeruns would Naps have hit playing 135 games? 30-40 ?
We keep saying we need power production and we do but I think it is an inhouse solution. By keeping Tex, Trading a combo of Mathis, Weaver, and some decent Minor League guys we could almost get just about anyone.
teams are ALWAYS looking for a good Catcher, especially one that plays good defense, and can call a great game which Mathis is. Plus he has shown improvement at the plate (not average wise but has shown some pop is there)
There is no reason to think that with a full time gig he couldn’t hit 15 HR’s and bat .250 along with good defense he would be quite in demand.
we can sign a veteran backup catcher behind Naps to play 4-5 games a month and would be serviceable if he goes down, for cheap. Maybe a 1 year contract with an option year, giving Hank time to mature and work his way up.
Terrorist plot to blow up Fenway? I'm okay with that
by Sinatrasratpack on Oct 17, 2008 8:54 AM PDT reply actions
agreed
mathis has “varitek” like potential. everybody raves about how great varitek works with the pitchers and calls games, but thats about all he can do. maybe jeff is the next red sox captain in waiting…
i would definitely consider him trade bait, but to who and for what? and what else would we have to include?
the padres aren’t all that strong at the catcher position, i wouldn’t mind seeing him included for a deal for peavy.
If the Red Sox and Dodgers play for the World Series, I will not watch a single minute of a single game.
New catcher altogether
I’m not completely sold on any of our catchers that we have available to us currently. I think they got rid of Jose Molina too soon because these guys still needed him to help mold their future. I mean seriously, if I were an opposing manager, I would run on our catchers all day because they can’t get anybody out on a steal for second base. I think if we could get a good veteran in their that satisfies our need for a big bat (not exactly sure who that would be), that would be a great improvement on our defense and offense.
a great catcher has three tools:
1. The ability to work well with his pitchers.
2. The ability to throw out runners.
3. The ability to be a positive force in a lineup.
I can’t think of one catcher in the league that has all three of those qualities right now. Naps has two of the three, and he’s is among the best in both of those two categories. He’s definitely proven himself and is someone I want to keep around for a long time.
If the Red Sox and Dodgers play for the World Series, I will not watch a single minute of a single game.
Joe Mauer
is the best catcher in baseball at this moment and probably mccann a close second. I think if Napoli gets the appearances he puts up the offensive numbers as those two. Mathis on the other hand, PILE! He wouldn’t be a starter for any other team except for maybe the Nats and Marlins. I do not think anybody would want him, only us. I guess try to trade him and see what we can get.
"Throw some CHED!"
by angelskid2210 on Oct 17, 2008 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Or Buck Martinez
The Angels may have beat them 8 times in a row, but winning three before they do is all that matters.
YES
trade Mathis. that would guarantee Napoli getting at least 80% of the starts, thereby adding a serious power threat to our lineup.
we could probably get something really good if we package up him and Aybar/Izturis
Kotch would've had that.
Wilson
I think Wilson would put up better offensive numbers than Mathis next year if Naps was to go down to an injury. I also don’t think Conger is a pipe dream. No I don’t think we’ll see him next year in the bigs, but I wouldn’t be suprised at all to see him get a cup of coffee in 2010 and be our starter in 2011. The scout I know raves about him as a person and as a player.
Trade him...
Hell… give him away for a prospect or something. I’m ready for him to move on so Soth will stop putting him in the lineup.
Keep Him
First I’m not at all convinced Napoli will hold up for 140 games behind the dish, plus I would like to see Side Salad DH sometimes.
I can’t imagine Mathis has THAT much value right now. Keep him another year to work with Santana, and maybe Mathis can hit like .270 for the year, then trade him while his value is at it’s peak, if Nipples holds up.
Trade him. We need more Naps.
Only keep him if Sosh takes his head out of his ass long enough to recognize that Naps deserves consistent playing time either at C or DH.
NAPS Needs to Play EveryDay!
We’ve got a good power bat In Napoli, but he needs to play everyday.
Make Jeff the everyday catcher for a year and see how his offense improves.
Our pitching shouldn’t suffer with Jeff calling games and giving us some continuity there.
Put Napoli at one of the corner infield spots depending upon if we sign Tex,
or perhaps move Figgy to LF. Our offensive production will improve with Nap’s bat in the line up everyday. Plus he’ll probably last longer w/o catching all the time.
Keep Mathis and trade Reggie.
Mathis has value...
He’s not an offensive wonder, but from what I hear he can handle a pitching staff quite well and his defensive is actually pretty good. There has to be a need for good catching in the Majors. We just need to find the right team. I agree that we should try our best to package up some players. Our surplus of middle infield is no longer beneficial. I say we move Aybar and Izturis this off season. That’ll allow us to use Wood at either 3rd or SS and give S-Rod a chance to work as back up. Plus if I’m not mistaken the cost of Wood and S-Rod will be a lot more affordable than Izturis and Aybar.
Why not make a trade to San Diego for Aybar, Izturis, Mathis, and Weaver for Peavy?
because they want 2 young pitchers and a center fielder
Kotch would've had that.
by howiestheman on Oct 17, 2008 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions
I am not sure what his value is.
If you can’t get a useful piece for him might as well let be the back up until arbitration when he gets expensive.
The Angels may have beat them 8 times in a row, but winning three before they do is all that matters.
I am OK
with trading Mathis, as long as we are getting something of value in return. I would not trade him just to trade him. I believe he has a low salary, which will fit in nicely if we resign Teixeira, and either sign Sabathia or trade for Peavy.
Pain heals, Chicks dig scars, Glory lasts Forever!
i would do it
in a package if there’s an important piece coming back. Otherwise, he’s an above-average backup and Mikey does have those amorous feelings toward him. If Jeffy weren’t behind Napoli Mikey would have three catchers on the roster.
by Chris Knapp's Sac on Oct 17, 2008 11:55 AM PDT reply actions
Jose Molina was a good defensive catcher
He was a guy that actually could gun down runners trying to get on 2nd. It was a a bit of a premature departure for him, as at the time, neither catcher was ready for primetime. However, thanks to Mathis’ offensive outburst in the final month of the season and the playoffs, its settled who should get the most playing time on the team. If anything, he can eventually become a poor man’s Mike Piazza.
As for mathis, he is a good backup with a very reasonable salary. Obviously if it can land us bigger fish, then by all means, but right now, its good to have a decent backup at a low cost. Jose Molina isn’t coming back anytime soon, so its good to not have 3 catchers on the roster.
I love LAC.
I heard a stat
a while ago during the season that said that the team ERA was a full run lower with Mathis catching than with Napoli catching.
by Chzburger Jones on Oct 17, 2008 2:29 PM PDT reply actions
biased stat
catch all of Moseley’s starts while the other guy catches all of ervin’s starts and you too will lose the CERA roulette game…
it's a stupid stat anyway
for the reasons you mentioned
Kotch would've had that.
by howiestheman on Oct 17, 2008 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn't realize the difference between Napoli and Mathis
at least when hitting, until I was looking at this post. Fun facts:
Napoli had the highest OBP among all catchers with at least 250 PA.
Mathis was second to last (just ahead of former Angel Jose Molina)
Napoli had the highest SLG among all catchers with at least 250 PA
Mathis was fourth from the bottom.
Napoli had the most runs created/27 among all catchers with at least 250 PA
Mathis was fourth from the bottom again.
But if players like Gregg Zaun, Brad Ausmus and John Buck can get plenty of playing time, Mathis has a future. I wouldn’t turn doen any trade offers just because he was in them…he’s not a deal breaker.
I was uncool before uncool was cool.
What is he worth anyway? Look what we got for Jose, A crappy minor league pitcher!
What’s the Point? He has limited value. At least he can back up Naps. If Naps got hurt we’d be screwed.
by Big Bad , "VLAD"! on Oct 17, 2008 10:31 PM PDT reply actions
As long as Mathis becomes a 25% or less time player
I have no problem with him sticking around. He’d be a relatively decent backup and fairly cheap. If we can address some hitting issues with a possible trade, then by all means deal him.
Cya Mathis
We’ll take a hand full of beans or a prospect or two.
When I'm not at the stadium, I'd rather be watching my Halos back in Costa Rica!
by Dono Romantico on Oct 18, 2008 12:56 PM PDT reply actions
How about we trade Mathis
for better food at the Big “A”.
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Oct 18, 2008 9:53 PM PDT reply actions
Mathis
He has no business playing everyday and should just be there when Naps needs to rest.
I think he can be a good backup catcher and don’t see many good, cheap alternatives out there so I think we should keep him. I just worry that the Soth will play him way more than he should although Napoli started to get the bulk of the playing time towards the end of the year which makes me think that the man crush on Mathis is wearing thin.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
