tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494675973354073448.post4198418692992435930..comments2023-09-22T02:47:30.552-05:00Comments on k-bro's baseball blog: Breaking Down Carl Pavanok-brohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11767485845479339809noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494675973354073448.post-56667723074149600362010-08-09T23:40:02.376-05:002010-08-09T23:40:02.376-05:00I think you're absolutely right about Butera b...I think you're absolutely right about Butera being better at helping Pavano keep runners from stealing at will. Maybe if/when Mauer's shoulder gets healthy again, it won't be an issue, but this season it is.<br /><br />As for Pavano's worth next year as a Free Agent, he'll certainly get good offers. However, it's not a coincidence that the Free Agents that get the largest contracts are generally those that find a way to get the Yankees in on the bidding. If you don't have to worry about bidding against the Yankees, it's no longer such a long shot that you could make a reasonable deal. <br /><br />That said, I think Pavano is going to want a 3 year deal and I'm not sure the Twins will do that with him.JimCrikkethttp://www.knuckleballsblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494675973354073448.post-32141601961575776512010-08-09T23:36:09.276-05:002010-08-09T23:36:09.276-05:00I think that the "stealing" factor with ...I think that the "stealing" factor with Butera/Pavano is very insightful and might very definitely play into it. For whatever reason, Pavano has clicked with Butera and trusts him. Why really doesn't matter much to Carl, Drew or even Joe! As Crash Davis would say, "a player on a streak has to respect the streak. If you believe you're playing well because you're getting laid, or because you're not getting laid, or because you wear women's underwear, then you ARE! And you should know that!"<br /><br />And for all those commenters out there who think it says Mauer is a lesser catcher if a pitcher clicks with a different one a) aren't paying attention that at least one (I think two) of those complete games were with Mauer and b) personalities are personalities - sometimes some combine better than others. *shrug* <br /><br />I honestly don't think Mauer is saying it's ok is Minnesota Nice either. I know that he respects Pavano's professionalism and will pitch to him if he's the catcher. That's the game. He LIKES Butera and I think that should be just fine with everybody because they are both doing a pretty good job of kicking ass. *GRIN*CapitalBabshttp://www.knuckleballsblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494675973354073448.post-36436500908665604532010-08-09T23:16:45.263-05:002010-08-09T23:16:45.263-05:00It's entirely possible that more base-runners ...It's entirely possible that more base-runners are deciding that it isn't worth the risk of getting picked off by a guy like Mauer. Only the most brazen of runners seem to be attempting it, maybe explaining why Mauer's pick-off percentage isn't as high as it was last year. Meanwhile, runners have underestimated Butera's defensive skills, which truly do rival those of Mauer. The fact that Butera is also much smaller than the man he backs up could be helping him out in his ability to placate the runners.shannonnoreply@blogger.com