What should the Red Sox do with AJ Pierzynski's roster spot for the rest of 2014?

[Snodgrass'Muff]

Because polls are fun!  If you select "Other" please explain in a post below.
 
I'd find the best offer I can get for Pierzynski and then promote Vazquez.  I think there's a reasonable chance that Vazquez could best Pierzynski's .285 OBP and I'm willing to take the power hit to improve the defense behind the dish by a significant amount.  Getting Vazquez's feet wet now may also pay dividends next season.

 

[DanoooME]

Really, AJ should be put in stocks outside of Fenway and fans could pay to cane him.
 
But realistically your suggested approach sounds like a good one.  At this point, they have little to lose by promoting Vazquez and seeing what he can do the rest of the year.  Butler is a future backup, so plugging him in really doesn't help.  With Swihart doing fairly well at Portland, he could be in Boston by 2016, so there isn't really a whole lot of time.

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

Well, the reason to plug in Butler is to give Vazquez more time to develop.  Obviously, I think Vazquez is the better option for a call up in that scenario, but I figure there is room enough for people to disagree.

 

[JGray38]

Yeah, fans should be able to cane him. But in keeping with AJ, they have to stand 6' away when swinging, and pray for contact.

 

[MakMan44]

Well, the reason to plug in Butler is to give Vazquez more time to develop.  Obviously, I think Vazquez is the better option for a call up in that scenario, but I figure there is room enough for people to disagree.

This is where I'm at as well. If Ross and Butler can handle the position on the defensive end, I think giving Vazquez a couple more months is probably smart. Promote him in August at some point, if he's handling AAA pitching okay. 
 
EDIT: Although BbNF makes a good point to bringing him up now. Regardless, moving AJP as soon as you can is the right play. 

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

I like the idea of getting Vazquez in the same clubhouse as Ross.  Ross seems like a pro's pro when it comes to catching and I'm sure he'd be an excellent mentor to Vazquez over the next three months.  The sooner they bring him up, the sooner the two can work together.  

 

[Sprowl]

Burn him, because he's a witch.

 

[normstalls]

He has to be considered one of the worst (short term) free agent signings in recent Red Sox history right? It was a bad idea from day 1.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

Vazquez is better. Period.

 

[E5 Yaz]

GordonEdes Gordon Edes
AJ has come to plate with 9 runners on base. None of them have scored

 

[soxhop411]

GordonEdes Gordon Edes
AJ has come to plate with 9 runners on base. None of them have scored

If he left 3 more men on base he would have tied an AL LOB record shared by Ortiz (2009) and Trot Nixon (2003)
 
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/left_on_base_records.shtml
 
 
Edit it would have been 12 LOB in only 9 innings... Both Trot Nixon and Ortiz had 12 LOB in an EXTRA INNINGS game.

 

[StuckOnYouk]

Burn him, because he's a witch.

 
I feel bad for people who dont know what you are referencing

 

[Darnell's Son]

 
I feel bad for people who dont know what you are referencing

Straw man?

 

[soxhop411]

Just trade him

 

[StuckOnYouk]

Straw man?

 
Holy Grail (Monty Python)
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp_l5ntikaU&feature=kp

 

[HriniakPosterChild]

Really, AJ should be put in stocks outside of Fenway and fans could pay to cane him.
 
But realistically your suggested approach sounds like a good one.  At this point, they have little to lose by promoting Vazquez and seeing what he can do the rest of the year.  Butler is a future backup, so plugging him in really doesn't help.  With Swihart doing fairly well at Portland, he could be in Boston by 2016, so there isn't really a whole lot of time.

 
No, no, no! Not outside!
 
Do it on the field. Day game after a night game. Have an auction to benefit the Jimmy Fund.

 

[HriniakPosterChild]

He has to be considered one of the worst (short term) free agent signings in recent Red Sox history right? It was a bad idea from day 1.

 
So we've already repressed Grady Sizemore, huh?

 

[Koufax]

Get a gun, kill A.J. and call up Blake Swihart.  AJ is supposed to be an offensive catcher.  Well he's offensive all right, but not in a good way.   Swihart is a better hitter than Vazquez and that's what the Sox need. 

 

[Steve Dillard]

 
 
So we've already repressed Grady Sizemore, huh?
 

Or Stephen Drew 2?

 

[moondog80]

No, just most of us are able to see the distinction between the two - that Sizemore was a flier, while AJP was signed for a helluva lot more money to be a major piece on a suspected contender.

I think you're overstating it a bit. He was a one year stopgap who was supposed to provide at least passable offense, and up until June that's exactly what he was doing. 288/318/417 through May 31. Would you rather have the return the Yankees are getting on Brian McCann? Or even Salty -- he's cooled quite a bit from his early season power surge.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

Would you rather have the return the Yankees are getting on Brian McCann? Or even Salty -- he's cooled quite a bit from his early season power surge.

 
Money aside, as bad as McCann's been, AJP's been worse. Salty has been much better than either, even after the cooloff.
 
With much reluctance I voted "stick with AJP". If Vazquez was tearing up the IL it would be a different story, but I think he needs to spend a full year in Pawtucket. I'm looking at this season as a semi-lost cause at this point; I still haven't written off an outside chance of making the playoffs, but it's such an outside chance that there's no point in making moves specifically to help their 2014 chances. If it happens, it happens. But at this point their strategic moves should be aimed at 2015 and beyond.
 
Butler I see strictly as a backup; you don't bring him up to finish the year as the #1 guy. And I don't think they want to make Ross the #1 guy or I assume they would have done it by now.

 

[Reggie's Racquet]

Other... I want to see Brock catch.

 

[richgedman'sghost]

 
 
So we've already repressed Grady Sizemore, huh?
 

 Apples and oranges comparison.  Grady Sizemore was a NRI who was expected to be a bench player. It was not his fault that Victorino and Carp got injured and that Bradley and Nava  have sucked to various degrees.  AJ was expected to be a starter and a leader in the clubhouse. Actually I do not think the AJP signing was "THE WORST SIGNING EVA....." like some posters here. Vasquez needed at least some time with the PawSox and none of the other FA options such as Salty or Navarro  were taking a one year deal. However I do agree that it is now time to gently tell AJ that the gig is up and to go back to TNA wreslting (wasn't he involved in an angle back in 2005 or 6?) Ross would be the perfect mentor for Vasquez. 

 

[moondog80]

 
Money aside, as bad as McCann's been, AJP's been worse. Salty has been much better than either, even after the cooloff.
 

 
I think money is a big part of the equation here.  But even if we do dismiss it, McCann is 223/284/360, AJ is 250/280/357.    And while Salty is a much better 246/348/409, WAR doesn't like his defense so he's only 0.2, compared to 0.1 for both McCann and AJ.
 
AJ is fine.  He's probably at a low point in his cycle right now so it looks bad but I'll bet he's at least league average the rest of the way.  Until they think they have no shot, the only sensible option is to keep him since he's much better than the alternative and he probably doesn't generate much on the trade market.

 

[EricFeczko]

 
Money aside, as bad as McCann's been, AJP's been worse. Salty has been much better than either, even after the cooloff.
 
With much reluctance I voted "stick with AJP". If Vazquez was tearing up the IL it would be a different story, but I think he needs to spend a full year in Pawtucket. I'm looking at this season as a semi-lost cause at this point; I still haven't written off an outside chance of making the playoffs, but it's such an outside chance that there's no point in making moves specifically to help their 2014 chances. If it happens, it happens. But at this point their strategic moves should be aimed at 2015 and beyond.
 
Butler I see strictly as a backup; you don't bring him up to finish the year as the #1 guy. And I don't think they want to make Ross the #1 guy or I assume they would have done it by now.

This somewhat tangential, but McCann (.223/.284/.360; wRC+ 76) has been nearly as bad as AJP (.250/.280/.357); wRC+ 70). The six percent difference in wRC+ isn't very meaningful. Of course, once you bring in AJP's seeming inability to receive pitches, and McCann's excellent framing abilities. AJP's been much worse.

In any case, I voted to trade AJP, but I was reluctant for similar reasons. Ross can't be the #1 guy due to concussion problems, Butler is a backup, and there's no guarantee that Vasquez would play better than AJP. However, because this may be a lost year, the sox might as well try to get something for a one year rental and bring up Vasquez.
 

 

[JimD]

If the FO thinks there's any value at all to exposing Vasquez to the majors this year, they should trade AJP at the deadline for whatever they can get and eat the remaining $$$.  Bring up Butler as a short-term solution if needed to share the workload with Ross.

 

[ALiveH]

Vasquez is hitting better than Butler and his defense is supposedly Iglesias-good.  Vasquez will probably be just as terrible a hitter as AJP, but can at least break him in and his defense should be ++.

 

[johnnywayback]

One of the big questions for the team going forward is whether Vazquez, Swihart, both, or neither are legit options to be our catcher of the future.  Might as well start answering it.

 

[KillerBs]

I voted to dump AJP asap last night after observing his woeful performance, but in the cold hard light of day, I reconsider. I think Vazquez is likely a better player than Pierz. now but who is the number 2 catcher for the rest of 2014 and 2015, if Swihart's arrival is deemed not quite ready?
 
Ross looks like he is even more cooked than AJP and the latter fits as a type of a platoon mate for Vazquez until Swihart arrives. Doesn't it make more sense to dump Ross, call up Vazquez, give CV all the ABs vs LHPers and 1/2 of the ABs v RHPers and keep AJP around as a more realistic short term fall back than Ross is.  
 
My only reservation with this option is that I worry that Vazquez's development in the majors might be compromised by AJP's presence in the same clubhouse, but I am not in a position to know if there is anything to that notion.  

 

[smastroyin]

Farrell was here with Tito and has shown himself that he is not going to platoon a catcher based on batting splits.  It is going to be on a schedule and battery basis.  You can argue whether that is right or wrong, but you can't argue that by bringing up Vazquez Farrell is going to change his philosophy.
 
There is a chance Farrell falls in love with Vazquez's defense and makes him the primary catcher.  But unless the FO is going to strongarm the manager in his daily lineup decisions (and we all know how well that works) you can't really rely on anything but the status quo with Vaz replacing Ross.

 

[DJnVa]

I like the idea of getting Vazquez in the same clubhouse as Ross.  Ross seems like a pro's pro when it comes to catching and I'm sure he'd be an excellent mentor to Vazquez over the next three months.  The sooner they bring him up, the sooner the two can work together.  

 
So our new starting catcher would be Ross, who's offensive numbers are even worse than AJP?
 
But he's a pro's pro.

 

[Plympton91]

As frustrating as AJP's approach is, and as bad as his production has been, you've got to be extremely confident in Vazquez or Swihart being ready to catch 100 games next season or willing to trade from organizational depth to bring in another competent veteran stopgap in order to jettison him. As I posted in a different thread, when you look at the available free agent options for 2015, there really isn't anyone available who's better than what AJP offers.

So, I'd look to trade Ross at the deadline for the proverbial cash considerations and then let Vazquez and AJP split time in August and September. That lets you see how Vazquez does against major league pitching, whether his OBP can stay respectable mostly without basically precluding the only decent catcher (I can't believe I just wrote that) on the free agent market for 2015.

This is why it was stupid to draw a line in the sand over Saltalammachia's demand for a 3 year contract.

 

[InsideTheParker]

GordonEdes Gordon Edes
AJ has come to plate with 9 runners on base. None of them have scored

How can you trust a man who doesn't realize that "none" is a contraction for "no one" and requires the singular verb? As for this "stat," how do other players on the Sox compare in the "stranding runners on base category?"
But I vote for getting rid of AJP anyway. He confused me earlier in the season by getting runs in, but lately not so much, and now his bad approach at and behind the plate has tipped the scale against him.

 

[Super Nomario]

One of the big questions for the team going forward is whether Vazquez, Swihart, both, or neither are legit options to be our catcher of the future.  Might as well start answering it.

How are you going to answer it, though? If Vazquez comes up and hits like garbage, or hits mediocre, or hits well over his first 200 major league AB or so, are you comfortable basing the offseason plan around that?

 

[foulkehampshire]

How are you going to answer it, though? If Vazquez comes up and hits like garbage, or hits mediocre, or hits well over his first 200 major league AB or so, are you comfortable basing the offseason plan around that?

 
I can't imagine Vazquez hitting much worse than AJP. At least he'll bring above average defense to the table. And take the occasional walk.

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

 
So our new starting catcher would be Ross, who's offensive numbers are even worse than AJP?
 
But he's a pro's pro.

First off, I think this year is pretty sunk, so you could catch and it wouldn't affect their playoff chances. Secondly, where did I say Ross should be the starter? Why can't Vazquez catch 60% of the games? He's about to turn 24 and has caught over 250 games in AA or above. I'd say he's ready. And getting his feet wet while sharing duties with a well respected veteran who is known for an ability to work with staffs can only help the transition. But if you want to stick with AJP, knock yourself out, its been so wonderful thus far.

 

[geoduck no quahog]

I get the totally unfounded impression that AJP is not a great team mate, despite the pr that accompanies him.
 
The fact that Lester won't pitch to him raises some concern.
 
At times his hacking seems to have a "fuck you all" air about it.
 
His laziness behind the plate - is it something that's always been there? Is it a function of age?
 
The Sox seemed to genuinely like having Salty and Ross around. It's stupid of me, but I don't get that same impression about AJP.
 
The team was spoiled by Varitek's work ethic. Ross seems to be similar. Salty appeared to be a guy who tried really hard to learn the way of the Tek - that calling and catching were more important than hitting. AJP comes off as more selfish.
 
Notice I use the words "seems", "impression", "appeared" a lot - which means this post is based totally in non fact.

 

[BosRedSox5]

How are you going to answer it, though? If Vazquez comes up and hits like garbage, or hits mediocre, or hits well over his first 200 major league AB or so, are you comfortable basing the offseason plan around that?

 
The renewed emphasis on statistics that came about after Moneyball is great. Execs tend to rely more and more on a player's production and sabermetrics than they ever did, and that's a good thing. Still, there's a lot more that goes into it than that and there's a lot more that goes into statistical analysis than 200-250ish at bats in a player's first taste of the big leagues. Behind the scenes there's coaches and scouts analyzing and identifying positives and negatives of his game and determining if they're fixable or how he might project in 2015. 
 
In 2006 the team punted and replaced Mark Loretta (who was hitting .306/.362 at the time, albeit with no power) with Pedroia who was lighting it up in Pawtucket. Despite the fact Pedroia was awful to end the season, there was no question that he was the 2B to start 2007. The only real competition the Sox had for him was Alex Cora... I really don't think Vazquez's production for 200 AB is really going to change people's minds that much, especially since catcher is primarily a defensive position. 
 
The decision making regarding the catching position will be based around his minor league career and the opinions of coaches and scouts.

 

[glennhoffmania]

I hated this signing and I hate that he's catching 80% of the innings.  I think the better question is, why shouldn't they get rid of him?  His hitting?  Defense?  Clubhouse presence?  Mentoring a young catcher?  This team isn't going anywhere this year so let the kids get some experience.  I'd think that would make the offseason evaluation and decision making easier than basing it only off of minor league performances.

 

[EricFeczko]

As frustrating as AJP's approach is, and as bad as his production has been, you've got to be extremely confident in Vazquez or Swihart being ready to catch 100 games next season or willing to trade from organizational depth to bring in another competent veteran stopgap in order to jettison him. As I posted in a different thread, when you look at the available free agent options for 2015, there really isn't anyone available who's better than what AJP offers.

So, I'd look to trade Ross at the deadline for the proverbial cash considerations and then let Vazquez and AJP split time in August and September. That lets you see how Vazquez does against major league pitching, whether his OBP can stay respectable mostly without basically precluding the only decent catcher (I can't believe I just wrote that) on the free agent market for 2015.

This is why it was stupid to draw a line in the sand over Saltalammachia's demand for a 3 year contract.

I agree with your last sentence, and your evaluation of AJP. Not sure I agree with parts of the rest.

Vazquez caught 93 games in 2013, 96 games in 2012, and 97 games in 2011. He has already shown the ability to be defensively above average, the only question is whether he can hit. If by "ready" you mean have a .650-.700 OPS, then it is reasonable to assume that Vazquez will be ready.

Trading Ross makes little sense unless you plan on trading Lester as well. Ross may not be able to hit, but he is valuable in that he is an excellent pitch framer that seems to work well with Lester. On top of that, two months of split-time would insufficient to evaluate Vazquez' ability to hit MLB pitching. If Vazquez is "ready", then just bring him up and trade AJP. If he's not "ready" then he needs regular at-bats, in which case having him and AJP split time at catcher would limit those opportunities; keeping AJP and Ross makes the most sense.
You are right about the terrible catcher's market next season, and that we should have signed Salty to a discounted 3-year deal; even if Vazquez/Swihart would've been ready by year 3 of the deal, Salty could still be packaged into a trade.

EDIT: corrected the spelling and clarified what I meant by "proabable".

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

As frustrating as AJP's approach is, and as bad as his production has been, you've got to be extremely confident in Vazquez or Swihart being ready to catch 100 games next season or willing to trade from organizational depth to bring in another competent veteran stopgap in order to jettison him.

 
This would make some sense if AJP were under contract for 2015. But he's not. We're going to need to either promote or sign or trade for a catcher for 2015 regardless of what we do with AJP now.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

 
I can't imagine Vazquez hitting much worse than AJP.

 
I can't imagine Jackie Bradley Junior hitting worse than AJP either, but it's happening. And JBJ was a much better hitter as a 23-year-old in AAA than Vazquez has been.
 
I mean, hell, Vazquez isn't hitting that much better than AJP right now, in Pawtucket. I bet his MLE is worse than AJP's line. Right now he's got the lowest OBP and the worst K:BB ratio that he's had since he was a 19-year-old in Greenville. He needs more time.

 

[Plympton91]

 
This would make some sense if AJP were under contract for 2015. But he's not. We're going to need to either promote or sign or trade for a catcher for 2015 regardless of what we do with AJP now.

I suppose it's possible to trade him, and then decide he's the best option for 2015 and pay more than anyone else is willing to bid in order to bring him back for round 2, but that's not usually the way it works. And, if they end up next offseason making the same assesssment they did this year -- Vazquez not ready and AJP on a 1-year deal the least bad option, then I'd rather have him stay for the 2nd half and keep learning the pitching staff.

If they've discovered he's a bad teammate or not willing to get with the program defensively (though pitching certainly hasn't been the problem this year at all, despite the fact that he seems to give away strikes regularly by catching the ball into the ground) then trade away.

As for "Vazquez being ready" my standard is that I want an MLE projection of an OPS of at least 700 comprised of a minimum 325 OBP, no matter how good the defense is. So, it's possible he'll get to that point over the next 2 months, but we'll see.

 

[yecul]

Salty was not retained due to his defense -- pitch framing in particular. He is ranked last this year I believe.
 
AJP was brought on board to be a stop-gap for 2014 where the options could be reevaluated for 2015, presumably to give time for the prospects to develop sufficiently. 
 
Given their place in the standing I do not think dumping AJP makes sense at this point unless they feel Vazquez no longer needs development time. Is there any indication that this is the case? If so, then make the move.
 
My assumption is that AJP does not go anywhere, but departs this offseason. 2015 will see Vazquez catching 30% of the games behind a vet -- Ross or another C (to clarify, I don't think it will or should be Ross unless they will be making Vazquez the primary C). It is possible they make Vazquez the starter right away, but might be seen as a bold move. I am not sure if they make that call or not.

 

[KillerBs]

I don't think Ross is at all a plausible option for catching 80-90-100 games in 2015.  I kinda doubt he is a viable option to catch 40 games next year.
 
I wonder what it would take to get Vogt or Jaso off the A's?  

 

[Stitch01]

A real prospect.

 

[DJnVa]

First off, I think this year is pretty sunk, so you could catch and it wouldn't affect their playoff chances. Secondly, where did I say Ross should be the starter? Why can't Vazquez catch 60% of the games? He's about to turn 24 and has caught over 250 games in AA or above. I'd say he's ready. And getting his feet wet while sharing duties with a well respected veteran who is known for an ability to work with staffs can only help the transition. But if you want to stick with AJP, knock yourself out, its been so wonderful thus far.

 
 
I guess my issue is that I just don't think the Sox are going to consider this season sunk yet. So, I don't think they'll dump AJP for a tandem of Vazquez and his sub-.700 AAA OPS and Ross.
 
A month from now if they're still 9+ out, different story.

 

[Just a bit outside]

The problem with signing AJP for one year is that there is very little available next year for free agent catchers.  They must be confident that Vasquez can step in next year because unless you get Martin, or maybe Suzuki, there is not much else.
 
Here is the list from mlbtraderumors
Catchers
John Buck (34)
Ryan Doumit (34)
Nick Hundley (31) – $5MM club option
Gerald Laird (35)
Russell Martin (32)
Jeff Mathis (32) – $1.5MM club option
Wil Nieves (36)
Miguel Olivo (36)
A.J. Pierzynski (38)
David Ross (38)
Geovany Soto (32)
Kurt Suzuki (31)

 

[Just a bit outside]

I voted to trade AJP for anything and call up Butler.  I would be good with Vasquez if they think he is ready but his development looks most important right now.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

Citing Vazquezs offense as a reason to keep him down seems silly. If no one else on the team is hitting his production isn't going to matter. If everyone on the team starts to hit his production isn't going to matter. He's Iglesian behind the plate. He adds an element to the defense that Sox haven't had since early years Tek.