Phillies Nation

20 Responses to “It’s Ruiz Now, Marson Later At Backstop”

1. Manny Says:
   November 6th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

   I completely agree with you on this one. Marson is our catcher of the future.

2. Wilson Says:
   November 6th, 2008 at 12:39 pm

   Agreed…..already got my Marson tshirt jersey

3. Gavin Says:
   November 6th, 2008 at 12:39 pm

   Ruiz won me over during the post-season. Timely hits, but way more importantly he was unbelievable defensivley behind the plate. As good as I’ve seen. He calls a great game, an the pitchers love throwing to him. For my $ the most underrtaed player on the team……..during the postseason.

   I know no one wants to do this, but let marson play part-time as Ruiz’ backup this year. He can learn from a good one and he can slowly break into playing the the bigs on an everyday basis. Its not like having a 5th OF that will get 4 AB’s aweek. He could easily play 2-3 times a week and learn the staff.

4. Chris.I Says:
   November 6th, 2008 at 1:01 pm

   I wouldn’t be surprised to see Manuel platoon both Marson and Ruiz, like he did with Burrell, and Bruntlett. I can see Manuel catching Marson the first 6 or 7 innings, and going with Ruiz in the 8th, and 9th.

5. Manny Says:
   November 6th, 2008 at 1:07 pm

   There will be points in the season where Ruiz will struggle a lot at the plate… that’s when Marson should come in. Similar to what happened this year with Coste.

6. NJ Says:
   November 6th, 2008 at 1:11 pm

   Ruiz has re-asserted himself as the guy behind the plate going into next year but it’s a case of when Marson’s ready he’s the guy and fortunately he’s still very young but guys like Towles and Salty are cautionary tales or rushing a backstop. Bringing up Marson is a bad idea which is why you say Houston send Towles down last year to play everyday and raise his game rather than have him backing up.

   Right now we feel good because Ruiz is an excellent defensive catcher who’s shown he can hit and Coste is a loved and useful back-up, when the time is right Marson comes up as the everyday catcher for the next decade wirh Ruiz becoming one of the best available defensive specialist back-ups in the game. Considering we have very promising recievers in A-ball you have to feel good for the future at the position and remember offensive catchers that lack the defensive skills or long-term health can be moved over to third.

7. TwoTonsOfIrony Says:
   November 6th, 2008 at 1:17 pm

   I agree with you Gavin. I thought about that towards the end of the season. Have Marson back up Ruiz and pick up as much (defensively) as he can from him until he becomes the full-time starter. You can keep Coste as a bench part and pinch hitter, and I’m sure there are quite a few things that Marson could learn from him. Then when it’s time for Ruiz to go on one of the two other prospects will hopefully be ready at least as a backup.

8. From Section 113 Says:
   November 6th, 2008 at 1:26 pm

   Ruiz is a lock to be here next yr. He’s cheap and the pitchers LOVE him.

   Marson and Coste should compete for the back up spot. Jaramillo needs to become trade fodder.

   What could we get for Coste?? Alot of teams seem to need back up catchers. Maybe Ed Eade can help us out again or the Padres they both need catchers.

   I believe d’Arnaud will be better than all of them as a hitter.

9. EverybodyHits Says:
   November 6th, 2008 at 1:37 pm

   Saw Jaramillo this season up at the iron pigs, nothing to write home about. His production at the plate was definitely not worth the price of admission (but then again look at Ruuuuuuuiz coming through!).

   He was the main catcher, defensively he looked good, no complaints about the catching, dunno about his arm I don’t remember him throwing anyone out.

10. KM Says:
    November 6th, 2008 at 2:25 pm

    Totally agree – Ruiz now, Marson later.

    I think Coste will be gone, and they will bring up Marson to back up Ruiz next season.

11. OZ Says:
    November 6th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

    disagree. at least on trading Marson. u wouldn’t throw him in for Sabatha, Burentt, Holliday? That is absurd.

    that’s not to say i don’t like Marson, I do. however, he is a prospect, not a proven major league player.

    Ruiz is so strong w/ pitchers & defensively. whatever he gives at the 8 spot is gravy.

12. Chuck Says:
    November 6th, 2008 at 3:17 pm

    Agree with OZ. Marson looks good…….. but……….what has he really proven?? Ruiz should start the season and so what if he hits 220…….the guy is an absolute STUD behind the plate. He reminds me a little of Pudge in that regard (unfortunately, he doesn’t have his bat). Move Coste if possible….I hate to say that cause I really like the guy, but he’s expendable at this point.

13. Tim Malcolm Says:
    November 6th, 2008 at 3:40 pm

    “disagree. at least on trading Marson. u wouldn’t throw him in for Sabatha, Burentt, Holliday? That is absurd.”

    I wrote the Phillies wouldn’t throw him in for those guys. And at this point they should backtrack. I wrote back in July that I’d trade him for Sabathia. Not Burnett. Maybe Holliday. But that was then.

    I’m not trading Marson NOW for one year of Holliday.

14. Amanda Says:
    November 6th, 2008 at 3:52 pm

    I am a huge fan of Marson. From what I saw on fan appreciation day, he handled the pitching staff well, had a pretty good arm, blocked balls well, and obviously had a very good offensive preformance. I like him a lot.

15. MP Says:
    November 6th, 2008 at 4:27 pm

    I am a huge fan of Marson too. And of Ruiz. Ruiz should def start, but Marson should be phased in as well.

    Completely agree with you Tim. If they were going to trade Marson, it should have been this season. It would be absurd to trade him now.

16. Matt Kwasiborski Says:
    November 6th, 2008 at 4:50 pm

    I agree in that we need to keep Marson and not trade him at all unless it is an offer we can’t refuse. However, you need to send him to AAA for one year just so he wil get the experience. You can’t sit him behind Ruiz for one year because he is too young and you basically lose a year developing him. The only way you have him with the big league club is a loss of Ruiz or he is guaranteed to catch 2-3 games a week.

    You either keep Coste or look for another career backup catcher. The other option is to let Coste go and give Jamarillo some time backing up Ruiz since he isn’t the catcher of the future anymore. And there is the possibility to trade Ruiz and make Marson the full time starter in the show.

17. Cobob22 Says:
    November 6th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    After the little tease at the end of the year, want to see more of Marson before deciding.

18. Chris L Says:
    November 6th, 2008 at 11:49 pm

    Anyone think that they may have Coste become more of a utility guys like he was when he first came up. Spell Howard at first during slumps and maybe even as a late inning defensive replacement.

    Assuming neither pat nor another LF is signed, bruntlett and jenkins and Dobbs would platoon and Coste would back up 2nd, 3rd, 1st and maybe even OF. He would be the 3rd catcher with Marson the actual backup.

    Otherwise, do you think he could coach 3rd and mentor marson?

19. Chris L Says:
    November 6th, 2008 at 11:52 pm

    Also, Donald could take pat’s roster spot and be the middle infield sub. Having Donald and Marson replace So and Pat on the roster would also counter act the cost of resigning all the arbitration guys.

20. Tim Says:
    November 8th, 2008 at 2:03 am

    Living in central Pa, I saw Marson at Reading a few times…love the kid. Gotta give him a chance to show what he’s got. I wouldn’t trade him for a year of Holliday because who knows what you are going to get there. Marson could be a stud, not worth trading that for a year of anyone.

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