Would you consider making Josh Phelps the backup catcher?

[longtimeyankeefan]

I have been thinking about this question since the game that Phelps was forced into duty as the emergency catcher. After the game, Torre was very complementary about Phelps' performance behind the plate. If I recall correctly, Torre made comments along the lines of "he surprised me" and "he looked very comfortable back there" or something along those lines.

Nieves has proven to be a dismal failure with the bat - the man, after 103 ML ABs is batting .126 - he is 0 for this season (21 ABs). At best, he will never be more than a singles hitter, and likely will have trouble even hitting his weight - such an offensive performance, no matter his defensive prowess, is unacceptable.

I am not suggesting that we make this change without knowing more about Phelps' abilities behind the plate, but it seems to me that playing Phelps instead of Nieves for several games would give us a better idea of his capabilities - if he proves capable, then we can consider cutting Nieves and adding another bench player (Thompson, most likely).

IMO, this situation is a no-lose situation. Granted, one would have preferred doing this during spring training, but the Nieves situation warrants out-of-the-box thinking.

Your thoughts?

[diehardyankeefan]

If Phelps is not that good of a defensive catcher, then I say keep Nieves as catcher. You don't really expect a backup catcher to hit well. I mean not many teams expect to have a good hitting backup catcher, as long as he can help defensively.

[In Mo I Trust]

I don't think his defense is good enough.

[b_joseph]

Originally Posted by diehardyankeefan

If Phelps is not that good of a defensive catcher, then I say keep Nieves as catcher. You don't really expect a backup catcher to hit well. I mean not many teams expect to have a good hitting backup catcher, as long as he can help defensively.

I'll agree with that..I mean, Nieves will hit eventually. Wont he??

[diehardyankeefan]

Originally Posted by b_joseph

I'll agree with that..I mean, Nieves will hit eventually. Wont he??

I mean I don't expect the guy to hit .300, but maybe .200 eventually.

[dont_ya_know24]

i like nieves, but it would be cool to see phelps behind the plate every now and then.

remember when nieves dislocated his thumb, and stayed in the game against the red sox two weeks ago? i love to see that from a player.

[longtimeyankeefan]

Originally Posted by diehardyankeefan

I mean I don't expect the guy to hit .300, but maybe .200 eventually.

Nieves only weighs 190 and I have stated that I doubt he will be able to hit his weight, so no, I do not believe that he can surmount the Mendoza line.

As I stated, I am not suggesting making this move without at least testing Phelps out for a few games. He was a catcher early in his career, so it is not totally without merit.

We really have no concept of Phelps defense, but I do know that we have one of the best catching coaches in Tony Pena - lets see what he can do with Phelps.

[diehardyankeefan]

Originally Posted by longtimeyankeefan

Nieves only weighs 190 and I have stated that I doubt he will be able to hit his weight, so no, I do not believe that he can surmount the Mendoza line.

As I stated, I am not suggesting making this move without at least testing Phelps out for a few games. He was a catcher early in his career, so it is not totally without merit.

We really have no concept of Phelps defense, but I do know that we have one of the best catching coaches in Tony Pena - lets see what he can do with Phelps.

I don't really expect Phelps to be a very good defensive catcher, if he isn't one anymore, but you do make a good point with Pena.

[Yankees13]

Would give us a stronger bench, since Phelps is a better hitter, and he could fill 2 roles instead of 1, but I can't see it happening.

[Rice14]

But then you'd only have two first basemen.

[yanksphan]

Originally Posted by longtimeyankeefan

Nieves only weighs 190 and I have stated that I doubt he will be able to hit his weight, so no, I do not believe that he can surmount the Mendoza line.

As I stated, I am not suggesting making this move without at least testing Phelps out for a few games. He was a catcher early in his career, so it is not totally without merit.

We really have no concept of Phelps defense, but I do know that we have one of the best catching coaches in Tony Pena - lets see what he can do with Phelps.

The fact that the Yankees keep Nieves around should tell you all you need to know about Phelps' catching abilities.

[kan_t]

Worth a try. It doesn't hurt.

[longtimeyankeefan]

Originally Posted by kan_t

Worth a try. It doesn't hurt.

My thoughts exactly.

[smckdwn989]

wouldn't even consider it... the point of a backup catcher is primarily defense and calling a good game... nieves isn't hitting, but whatever, he's not losing the games for the yankees

[Shaun4013]

I would be okay with it, but I doubt they would try it.

[aeromac76]

Originally Posted by diehardyankeefan

I mean I don't expect the guy to hit .300, but maybe .200 eventually.

At this rate he'd need to hit .300 the rest of the way just to hit .200.

I am all for defense over offense at backup C, but the guy has got to hit a little.
I mean, we'd improve if we let our starting pitcher hit instead of him, at least they can drop a bunt..

[TheBamTino24]

Would I consider making Josh Phelps the backup catcher? Definitely.

Can he actually do it? No idea.

[-tz]

I think one reason Nieves won the job is because he'd caught several of our young pitchers in the minors, and he's worked well with them as they've taken their turns in our rotation so far.

[primetime714]

No Phelps hasn't worked with the pitching staff and hasn't played much at the position in years. Relax people yea Nieves sucks at the plate but he has done a good job working with the pitching staff particularly Rasner. You rarely if ever get both good defense and offense from the backup C spot and the ones that can give you that usually end up in a starting role soon thereafter. Nieves has also hit some balls pretty hard they just happened to go right to the defenders. He'll do alright probably end up a little bit below .200 for the season. Not good but manageable especially when you consider the rest of our lineup.

In games where Nieves catchs I'd be ok with pinch hitting for him with Phelps late in games when we're down and give Posada the day off but Phelps shouldn't be catching full games.

[Breyean]

If Phelps becomes the backup catcher and Nieves is released/sent down, the only time he would ever play w/b once a week or so when Posada gets rested. Probably not even as a pinch hitter either since you always need a catcher on the bench in case something happens to Posada.