Caption: Is Ibarra’s signing a signal that Victor Martinez’ days as the Red Sox backstop are numbered?
We were all thrilled when the Red Sox acquired Victor Martinez last summer. We had witnessed the decline of Jason Varitek’s offense and the various struggles of the never-ever-ready-for-prime-time collection of catching ‘prospects’ the organization has assembled in the minor leagues.
Martinez held promise as the franchise’s answer behind the plate for the foreseeable future. We felt content.
But now we have had the opportunity to watch Martinez up close for awhile, and it is becoming very clear he is NOT going to be the team’s catcher in 2011 and beyond. He doesn’t call games especially well, his glove work is questionable and his arm lacks strength and accuracy. While opposing runners get good jumps because the pitching staff is encouraged to focus on the hitter, not the runner, it is indisputable that at least a half-dozen (and probably closer to ten) runners have been safe at second base because his throw was erratic.
It kinda makes you appreciate Jason Varitek to a much greater extent, if that is possible.
As far as the prospects go, we have heard about Mark Wagner and Dusty Brown for a few years now, but it appears their bats will never be big league bats. It’s too bad, too, because Wagner is a helluva guy and someone it would be nice to root for. And while we have recently started to hear nice things from the front office (and their minions in the media) about Luis Exposito, there are lots of scouts who doubt he will ever become a major league backstop. Salem (Hi-A) catcher Tim Fedorowicz is still too far away to project with any semblance of certainty… suffice it to say that he is not in a class with guys like Buster Posey (SF) or Carlos Santana (CLE).
Enter Ibarra.
The young catcher is the third Cuban signed by the balllclub in the last several months (Jose Iglesias, Jorge Padron), and he may soon be followed by highly-touted first base prospect Jose Julio Ruiz. The move must be interpreted as an indication that the Sox no longer view V-Mart as their catcher of the immediate-future, either because of performance or signability issues, or both.
Ibarra received a $4.3 million deal, including a $1.5 million signing bonus, and assignment to the club’s 40-man roster. He will now report to Fort Myers for assessment prior to being assigned to one of the organization’s minor league franchises - expected to be either Portland (AA) or Pawtucket (AAA).
CubanBallplayers.com says he is versatile and has played various positions, a la Martinez. He will play catcher, but may also be asked to play elsewhere. He has only been focused (primarily) as a catcher for the last few years, and this the wear-and-tear on his knees is almost-certainly modest. The site says he has a great arm.
According to published reports, many Cuban baseball authorities consider him to be big league caliber already… the question is how much time he may need in the minor leagues to develop his offense (a la shortstop Iglesias).
Jason Varitek has adapted extremely well (this far) to his part-time role. Freed from the responsibility and physical grind of catching daily, he seems somewhat re-invigorated. A year ago at this time, we were wondering whether the club could find a prospect he could mentor for a year or two… could it be they have found that prospect in Ibarra?
Could Varitek’s willingness to accept a part-time role and his subsequent performance open the door for the team to sign him to a contract for 2011 (as a part-time catcher and mentor to Ibarra)?
A lot will depend on Ibarra’s performance throughout 2010; but, if the Cuban proves to be worthy of the accolades, it seems possible he and Varitek could both be in Boston next spring. If not, it seems likely the front office will have to make a trade for an established catcher - sooner rather than later.
Martinez could still be here too. But if he is, it would almost-certainly be as the team’s DH, as it is becoming increasingly unlikely the Red Sox will choose to retain David Ortiz.
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