2011 Position Preview: Catcher

Although he didn't hit at all after joining the Pirates last season, Chris Snyder either showed enough on defense to keep the job, or there was just no one else to take the job. Either way, Snyder returns this year with a chance at a full season as the starter.

He may not be interesting, but I think Snyder is one of the most important hitters in the lineup. It's important for a National League lineup to go seven deep, and I'm not expecting anything from Ronny Cedeno. If Snyder can match the numbers he put up in his better seasons, he'll be a major benefit to the offense.

2008: 115 games, .237/.348/.452, 47 Runs, 16 HR, 64 RBI
2009: 61 games, .200/.333/.352, 20 Runs, 6 HR, 22 RBI
2010: 105 games, .207/.320/.376, 34 Runs, 15 HR, 48 RBI

After compiling numbers of .251/.346/.438 from 2006-08, great for a catcher, Snyder's offense has completely fallen off for the past two seasons. He's set to earn $5.75 million and is only 30, so the Pirates have little choice but to play him and hope he regains his earlier form at the plate. Snyder's defense has always been major league average, which was a revelation in Pittsburgh.

The silver lining offensively is Snyder's walk rate. He's walked in between 14 and 16 percent of his plate appearances since 2008, which is huge for a player who hits for a low average. Snyder is a reliable 15 home run hitter with regular playing time, so he won't hurt the offense much if he continues to be selective at the plate. I'm counting on 400 at bats and a line of .220/.340/.380 with 40 runs, 15 homers, 55 RBI, and an eighth consecutive year of zero steals.

Backup: Ryan Doumit
The Opening Day catcher for the past three years, Ryan Doumit enters 2011 as a backup who is also on the trading block. Despite Doumit's above average offense for his position, the Pirates have yet to find a taker for his $5.1 million contract. So Doumit will open 2011 as the Pirates' backup catcher and top pinch hitter.

2008: 116 games, .318/.357/.501, 71 Runs, 15 HR, 69 RBI, 2 SB
2009: 75 games, .250/.299/.414, 31 Runs, 10 HR, 38 RBI, 4 SB
2010: 124 games, .251/.331/.406, 42 runs, 13 HR, 45 RBI, 1 SB

A lot has been made of the idea that Doumit should be a designated hitter, but he's really not a good enough hitter to do that. He's a good enough hitter to be the best hitting backup catcher in baseball. He's also a defensive liability, but what backup catcher is perfect? I'm fine with keeping him for 2011 if no team wants his contract.

Doumit should get only about 250 at bats in his initial role, catching twice a week and pinch hitting. However, as it did late in 2010, his playing time could increase into a 50/50 timeshare if Snyder doesn't hit. In either event, I think he'll benefit at the plate by not catching every day. I expect Doumit to hit .260/.330/.440 with 30 runs, 10 homers, 40 RBI and three steals.

Catcher Snyder Acquired

As speculated here earlier, the Pirates acquired catcher Chris Snyder from the Diamondbacks. He'll immediately become the starting catcher for the MLB team.

Snyder is hitting .231/.352/.426 this year; .233/.335/.402 career. He's an average defensive catcher at the MLB level which is a lot more than can be said for Ryan Doumit. Doumit is also hitting worse than Snyder at .258/.329/.412 and is perennially on the disabled list including right now. Snyder is signed through next year with a pricey option for 2012 that probably won't be picked up.Going to Pittsburgh are D.J. Carrasco, Bobby Crosby and Ryan Church. As you well know, Carrasco is the only useful piece out of that bunch. He's gone 2-2 with a 3.88 ERA in 45 games. Crosby hit only .224/.301/.295 and was a minor disaster at all four infield positions. Church hit .182/.240/.312 this year and frankly it's shocking that any major league team would want him.

This is a great move which upgrades the Pirates in 2010 and for the upcoming championship season of 2011. Snyder will never hit for a great average but has walked in 16% of his plate appearances over the last two years, meaning he gets on base at an above average rate for any player let alone a catcher. He also has 20 home run power although he's never been a starter for a full season. Starting Snyder over Doumit clearly is a major upgrade to the defense as well. Doumit's lack of prowess at catching balls in the dirt made the late innitngs a real adventure. With a competent backstop, pitchers are able to confidently rely on their full arsenal including low breaking balls with men on base.

The Pirates apparently will convert Doumit into an outfielder/first baseman. Hasn't this been tried before? Expect problems at any position Doumit plays.

The Diamondbacks threw in Pedro Ciriaco, an AAA infielder who plays good defense and can't hit. He's 24 and hitting .259/.278/.392 in the Pacific Coast League. I'm not sure what role he plays in the organization other than minor league filler.

Deadline Day Arrives

Internet sites were atwitter with Paul Maholm trade discussion Friday as multiple teams still want to add a starter before today's 4 p.m. trade deadline.

Maholm's losing effort Thursday dropped his record to 6-9 and raised his ERA to 4.52. Yet NL West contenders, anxious to match Philadelphia's Roy Oswalt acquisition, were apparently nonplussed. If the Oswalt trade lifts the Phillies to the NL wild card, that leaves only one remaining playoff spot among the Padres (60-40), Giants (58-45), Dodgers (54-48) and Rockies (52-50). Maholm is the second best pitcher still available after Ted Lilly.

Pittsburgh's asking price is said to be an MLB-ready starter. Unless the Pirates are blown away, I don't see the wisdom in such a move. I am not interested in a Haren for Saunders-type lateral move which essentially exchanges a superior starting pitcher for an inferior one.

Yahoo's Tim Brown claimed the Padres and Pirates are close to a deal. The Dodgers also covet Maholm and the Mets are in the game as well. I'll believe it when I see it.

A New Catcher?
Meanwhile, there are also rumors that the Diamondbacks are considering a deal which would send catcher Chris Snyder to Pittsburgh. This is more intriguing to me because it seems like a deal to build for - rather than sacrifice - 2011.

Snyder is hitting .231/.352/.426 this year which makes him a plus offensive catcher even without my love of low average/high walk guys. He's throwing out only 20% of runners this year but has the reputation of an average defensive catcher.

Snyder is signed for $5.75 million for 2011 with a $6.75 million option for 2012. If this is another salary dump trade for the Diamondbacks, count me in. He's a better option than Ryan Doumit both at the plate and defensively. Additionally Doumit has been on and off the disabled list to the point where it's questionable that he can be counted on as an everyday catcher going forward.

Still No News On Dotel, Lopez
Conspicuously absent from trade rumors are Octavio Dotel and Javier Lopez. I still wouldn't be surprised if a potential Lopez move flew under the radar. But it seems like Dotel is likely here for the rest of this year and, if his option is picked up, 2011. A big closer move would have probably generated at least some buzz by now.