2007 Position Battles: Catcher
Kansas City Royals
Candidates:
John Buck
Jason LaRue
Edge: John Buck--Buck has the edge because he's younger, stronger, and been in the organization longer. However, the 32-year-old LaRue started a lot of games for the Reds over the years and is healthy following a disappointing season.
Los Angeles Angels
Candidates:
Mike Napoli
Jose Molina
Jeff Mathis
Edge: Mike Napoli--The early bets are on Napoli and Molina sticking with the big club and Mathis heading back to Triple-A. Napoli brings good pop and a suspect batting average, Molina doesn't do anything at the plate (but is good defensively), and Mathis has the tools to help out a lineup. We have Napoli as our highest-rated fantasy guy at the moment.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Candidates:
Miguel Montero
Chris Snyder
Edge: None--Montero, 23, is a left-handed hitter and the backstop of the future. Snyder, 26, is a right-handed hitter and has been up with the big club each of the past two years. We're smelling a platoon to open to the season, which is sad because both guys can do a bit of damage with the bat.
Colorado Rockies
Candidates:
Chris Iannetta
Yorvit Torrealba
Javy Lopez
Edge: None--Chris Iannetta is the 23-year-old rookie and the backstop of the future, but the team isn't going to simply hand him the job. Yorvit Torrealba held the starting gig until a shoulder injury sidelined him last year, and Javy Lopez is in camp and trying to revive his fading career. Our feeling is that the Rockies will open April with Iannetta and one of the two veterans, and the duo will split time. We like Iannetta in the long run, but the Rockies aren't going to rush him.
Philadelphia Phillies
Candidates:
Rod Barajas
Carlos Ruiz
Chris Coste
Edge: Rod Barajas--Barajas, 34, signed a one-year deal this winter, and we expect him to share duties with Carlos Ruiz, who made his big league debut last season. Chris Coste is also in the mix, but he's the third catcher and a backup at a few other spots. Barajas appears to be the best bet to start on Opening Day, but Ruiz should see plenty of action and is the long-term answer.
Cincinnati Reds
Candidates:
David Ross
Javier Valentin
Chad Moeller
Edge: David Ross--Ross swatted 21 homers over 247 at-bats. The problem is that Ross also batted only .203 after the All-Star break. A year ago at this time, fantasy owners were talking big about Javier Valentin, who hit .281-14-50 over 221 at-bats in 2005. Valentin is still around, and the Reds could platoon the two backstops throughout the season. Chad Moeller is also in the mix, but we don't envision him climbing the depth chart this spring.
Source: Fanball.com
