Pirates Sign Catcher Steve Baron

[fjk090852-7]

According to Pirates Prospects the Pirates signed Steve Baron to a minor league contract. Baron appears to be a good defensive catcher. There has been talk about the Pirates possibly carrying 3 catchers in 2019 since Jacob Stallings is out of options. If Baron is that good of a defensive catcher the Pirates may be more inclined to waive Stallings at the end of spring training since they have Baron in their minor league system. Now if they end up trading Cervelli then Stallings comes North as the backup to Diaz.

[mouse]

I don't see them waiving Stallings if they can avoid it. They are pretty thin at the catcher position in the minors at this point and would want someone to step in should an injury occur.

[Bobster21]

Baron (age 28) is a 10-year minor league veteran with 2 cups 'o coffee in the majors totaling 6 games. This looks like strictly a minor league move in case they lose Stallings. IMHO, Stallings is nothing more than minor league insurance against an injury to Cervelli or Diaz. I doubt he makes the Pirates. If Cervelli is dealt I expect they would acquire a veteran backup for Diaz. Stallings is out of options but could slip thru waivers and return to Indy. But if they lost him, Baron could be #1 at Indy.

[fjk090852-7]

73716B6D7B1E0 wrote: I don't see them waiving Stallings if they can avoid it. They are pretty thin at the catcher position in the minors at this point and would want someone to step in should an injury occur.
Your point is well taken, but I cannot see the Bucs bringing 3 catchers north to open the season. If they carry 3 catchers the 5 man bench would include Diaz, Stallings, Kang and Gonzalez and one additional player.

[BucsFaninGA]

I heard and read somewhere that Stallings has one more option left. Regardless, I too don't think the Pirates will carry 3 catchers.

Then again old Manny Sanguillen still might be able to swing that heavy bat and knock a couple hits into RF....Beat'em Bucs

[SyrBucco]

4B7C6A7A4F686760674E48090 wrote: I heard and read somewhere that Stallings has one more option left. Regardless, I too don't think the Pirates will carry 3 catchers.

Then again old Manny Sanguillen still might be able to swing that heavy bat and knock a couple hits into RF....Beat'em Bucs
Georgia, I first heard that from Wilbur Miller at Bucs Dugout but I believe that he has since recanted, and Pirates Prospects says he's out of options.



I honestly don't believe that the five man bench will be determined until ST is over. Stallings must be considered since he allows Diaz and Cervelli to be used as pinch hitters or 1B backup. But Jose Osuna doesn't need any more AAA seasoning and provides power and positional versatility off the bench. If we do sign a SS, then Gonzalez and Newman enter the bench picture.



I can usually predict the Pirates' bench by this time but ST is just too far away, and there are too many potential trades to consider. Disquieting rumors about a Cervelli trade still trouble me, as I fear another Nova-llike salary dump.



Regardless, I have Steve Baron sharing catching duties with Chris Kelley at Indy.

[SammyKhalifa]

012B20102731313D520 wrote: I heard and read somewhere that Stallings has one more option left. Regardless, I too don't think the Pirates will carry 3 catchers.

Then again old Manny Sanguillen still might be able to swing that heavy bat and knock a couple hits into RF....Beat'em Bucs
Georgia, I first heard that from Wilbur Miller at Bucs Dugout but I believe that he has since recanted, and Pirates Prospects says he's out of options.



I honestly don't believe that the five man bench will be determined until ST is over. Stallings must be considered since he allows Diaz and Cervelli to be used as pinch hitters or 1B backup. But Jose Osuna doesn't need any more AAA seasoning and provides power and positional versatility off the bench. If we do sign a SS, then Gonzalez and Newman enter the bench picture.



I can usually predict the Pirates' bench by this time but ST is just too far away, and there are too many potential trades to consider. Disquieting rumors about a Cervelli trade still trouble me, as I fear another Nova-llike salary dump.



Regardless, I have Steve Baron sharing catching duties with Chris Kelley at Indy.


Yeah, we seem to have pretty shallow catching in the minors.

[BenM]

586F79695C7B7473745D5B1A0 wrote: I heard and read somewhere that Stallings has one more option left. Regardless, I too don't think the Pirates will carry 3 catchers.

Then again old Manny Sanguillen still might be able to swing that heavy bat and knock a couple hits into RF....Beat'em Bucs


Two things I remember about Manny. The gap in his teeth and the fact that his bat looked HUGE.

[BucsFaninGA]

Sangy also attempted to play RF after Roberto's death. He made a valiant effort, but boy he had challenges on getting to the ball. He remarked once on a telecast with Bob Prince, I run into wall, running very hard, wall knocked me down. Sangy is a hilarious character! Looks every bite a pirate stirring the BBQ at his stand at PNC! Sangy,The RoadRunner, #35 one heck of a catcher, one heck of a hitter, and a super nice guy! Beat'em Bucs

[DemDog]

4F786E7E4B6C6364634A4C0D0 wrote: Sangy also attempted to play RF after Roberto's death. He made a valiant effort, but boy he had challenges on getting to the ball. He remarked once on a telecast with Bob Prince, I run into wall, running very hard, wall knocked me down. Sangy is a hilarious character! Looks every bite a pirate stirring the BBQ at his stand at PNC! Sangy,The RoadRunner, #35 one heck of a catcher, one heck of a hitter, and a super nice guy! Beat'em Bucs


I was at that game. April 6, 1973. Bucs won 7-5 and Sangy was 2-4 and had 4 putouts. Despite the win and Sangy playing his heart out the game was a somber moment not just for Sangy and the team but the fans as well. For Roberto "The Great One" Clemente was not there to enjoy the win. :'( :'( :'( :'(