Dave explains Wieters decision
Manager Dave Trembley outlined his plans for the September roster expansion and explained why Matt Wieters will not be getting a promotion during this morning's pregame news conference:
"A catcher, an infielder, an outfielder. We haven’t determined yet how many pitchers. [The catcher] will not be Matt Wieters. Matt Wieters will not be coming up here in September. We've hopefully put that situation to rest.
"It's nothing about Matt. He's had a great year. He'll play in the Arizona Fall League if that's where we send him. It's his first year as a pro baseball player, above and beyond everything. There's no reason for him to come up here this September. There is no reason at this particular point in time to put him on the roster. He’s going to play in the fall league, get ready for spring training and then we’ll go from there.
"He gets six weeks off before that. Plus from my perspective, him going to the fall league is not so much for him to do anything other than to catch and maybe to catch some pitchers that are a little more advanced. He doesn't need to show me anything as far as hitting, catching or throwing. The reports I've gotten on him have been outstanding."
Comments
Why give Wieters six weeks off, go into an inferior league cold, then get another short break before going into spring training?
Give him a month in the majors, catching every-other day plus DHing once a week or so, and let him know what he has to prepare for going into spring training (after a nice LONG break).
Why isn't that a better idea? Running a lame-duck (and not just because he's running out of time as starter) catcher every day in September is just a waste of everyone's time.
Rebuilding doesn't happen overnight, but it also doesn't have to take artificially longer, either.
Posted by: DJ | August 24, 2008 6:18 PM
This is stupid. Bring the kid up and let him catch once a week. It'd do him good to get his feet wet in the big leagues and be a nice reward for the season he's put together.
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Pete's reply: Unless he comes up after the longest season of his life and ends up with a over-use injury.
Posted by: Joe Dalhart | August 25, 2008 1:02 AM
I think waiting on Wieters is the right thing. Let the kid build his confidence through each level as he develops from a good player to a great player.
Posted by: Charlie | August 25, 2008 5:52 AM
I have said in the past I have no problem with Wieters not coming up this year but I can see the other side of the argument.
He has had a great season and deserves it. I don't buy the over use thing. He's a baseball player, not a day laborer. It's not like he's been building the Great Wall of China all year. Baseball history is full of players that tore up the Minors and got called up quick.
Posted by: Satyr3206 | August 25, 2008 10:40 AM
Wieters will not be joining the team for one reason- it starts the clock towards arbitration and free agency. What you get from him is not worth that loss.
Posted by: Bob | August 25, 2008 1:52 PM