Brewers need a shakeup behind the plate

I understand the reason Jason Kendall is the starting catcher for the Brewers is because he does a good job handling the pitching staff.  Kendall’s offense has always been viewed as a bonus.  However Kendall is a 35 year old catcher with a .232 batting average.  Before play on Tuesday, July 7th, Kendall has played in 72 out of 81 games, while backup catcher Mike Rivera has appeared in just 17.  I’m tired of hearing about Kendall’s credentials from the Brewers television broadcasters.  It’s annoying to listen to them talk up a .232 hitter like he’s Johnny Bench.  I respect what Kendall brings to the table, but I would like to see Rivera get some more playing time.  More time from Rivera would help keep the 35 year old Kendall fresh for the end of the season and would give the Brewers another bat with some pop in the lineup. 

Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly interviewed for the Brewers job this offseason and said on the Saturday July 4th broadcast, that there are people around baseball that believe Rivera is good enough to be an everyday catcher.  For Brenly to make a statement like that, really caught my attention and it sparked me to write this piece.  It’s something I looked into and makes me wonder why Jason Kendall gets to play almost all game every game.     

The game Sunday July 5th is a perfect example of what my biggest complaint is with the whole catching situation.  Down 8-2 in the 7th inning and Kendall is batting against Ted Lilly.  Kendall picks up a double and gets stranded. I can understand not wanting to pull Kendall in the 7th inning, but then in the 9th inning, Kendall grounds out third to first.  Why not put Rivera in as a pinch hitter in the 9th to get him an at-bat in a 6 run game?    

Entering play Tuesday July 7th, Jason Kendall has caught 619.2 innings this season good for second in the game behind Yadier Molina of the Cardinals with 622. Last season, Kendall threw out 43 % of would be base stealers.  This year his caught stealing percentage is down to 22%.  Some of the reason for the drop off could be due to pitchers not holding on runners as well.  At any rate the defensive value of Kendall doesn’t merit his presence in the lineup every game, if the pitching staff isn’t holding teams down.  The Brewers need to squeeze out as much production as they possibly can with an offense that struggles to score runs.

Only 7 catchers have more at bats this season than Kendall, but all of them are batting well above .250.  Taking Kendall out of the lineup for the Brewers doesn’t hurt as much as if Joe Mauer, Victor Martinez, or Bengie Molina takes a day off.  Looking at the batting averages, on base percentage, and power numbers of all the catchers in baseball, I would put Kendall in bottom third offensively among starting catchers.  Dioner Navarro of the Rays, Carlos Ruiz of the Phillies, the Mets Brian Schneider, and Gerald Laird of the Tigers are in that tier with Kendall. 

Mike Rivera could serve as a personal catcher for Dave Bush or Manny Parra when he returns. Other teams around baseball use their backup catcher to keep the starter fresh.  Catcher is the most physically demanding position in baseball and guys can get worn out by September.  Resting a catcher in the American league is easier with the designated hitter.  Late in blow out games there’s no reason for Jason Kendall to stay in the game. I also take into account that there’s a shortage of right handed bats available on the bench.  Rivera spent some time on the DL earlier in the season, but 46 at bats aren’t enough.

There are ways for Ken Macha to get both players involved with 6 games a week. Day game after a night game would be an automatic option.  Or using Rivera in the middle of a series and then after an off day is another option.  Another idea is splitting Bush and Parra out in the rotation so you could set it up where Rivera serves as their personal catcher.        

I hope that with the season heading into the dog days of summer, the Brewers skipper starts to rest Jason Kendall a little bit more.  Kendall has a tremendous amount of respect from the players in the locker room and is a good guy to have as part of the team.  But for a team that struggles to score runs, I believe its time to get Mike Rivera more involved in the regular lineup.  I think Jason Kendall is still a valuable player to the Brewers but, not in an all game every game capacity.  I believe Mike Rivera should get two starts a week to lessen some of the burden on Kendall.  Or if there are teams out there that are interested in Rivera, trade him for a piece that can help you now.

Tags: Bob Brenly, Jason Kendall, Ken Macha, Mike Rivera