Javy Lopez Still Has Gas In The Tank
Listed in:Javy Lopez had a solid run as the Atlanta Braves catcher, but a disappointing foray into the AL East, and his career will probably end up categorized in the Sal Bando section of MLB history. Despite his ignominious release from the Colorado Rockies camp the other day, though, Lopez could still be a great scrap heap pickup for some team.
Consider:
Throughout his career, Lopez hit righties equally well as lefties. In the past few years, though his numbers against righties have nosedived, his production against lefties hasn't dropped off nearly as dramatically. Though last season was by far the worst of his career, and he was unable to hit anything, in 2005, after he'd already started declining, he hit lefties to the tune of 284/362/431. For a team like the Phillies, who are stuck with Rod Barajas (233/276/436 vs. lefties the past three seasons) and two minor league journeymen behind the plate, or the Yankees, who only have Wil Nieves and, perhaps, Josh Phelps to back up Jorge Posada, Lopez makes a ton of sense, especially since he can't possibly command much more than the MLB minimum. Throw in Lopez's ability to hold down first base adequately enough, and the Yankees might actually be an ideal fit.
He won't hit thirty home runs again, but I find it hard to believe there's no longer a place for Javy Lopez on a Major League roster.
Comments
i'd love for him to be the mariners backup catcher instead of rene rivera. it shouldn't be hard for bavasi to justify - after all, lopez is a proven veteran :)
Posted by: jason | March 14, 2007 1:37 PM
I wouldn't call ruiz a journeyman at all. He started catching late and has improved every year in the minors...he also started to come on at the end of last year for the Phils.
Posted by: chris | March 15, 2007 10:24 AM