Remember1969: A New Relief Medicine?

 

We have all been talking about the Mets big requirement for adding another proven relief pitcher.    Now, with most of them, including the recent signings of Justin Wilson and Trevor Rosenthal, off the board, perhaps it is time to take a different path and try something a little more revolutionary. 

There have been a lot of changes to the game in recent years.   In one of the more recent ones, Tampa started the 'Opener' craze by throwing a bullpen guy out there to start the game and throw to the first few batters.     That is one way.

Another idea is to create the 'relief catcher'.  

While there have always been backup catchers, they have been just that - backups.  Many were defensive specialists, even though that is not the way they were used.  Many did not get a ton of playing time, and if they did, the fans cringed.    

The new concept is to use a catcher exclusively for the relief pitchers and to come into the game around the same time - the seventh or eighth inning, perhaps earlier if necessary.

James McCann, in one of his first interviews declared the importance of the pitcher-catcher relationship and getting to really know each other.   That can make a big difference in the way a game goes.    The pre-game role of the starting catcher is primarily to work with the starting pitcher of the day to review how they want to attack the opposing line-up and set a general game plan.  

How much better might the relief pitchers be if they had their own dedicated catcher to build that relationship with and who knew them inside and out and could work with them in the pen as the game progressed.   When the starter comes out, let the 'relief catcher' who has a better working knowledge of each relief pitcher also come into the game to guide the late inning guys through their work.  

  

The Relief Catcher would be able to spend the time with the eight guys in the bullpen to develop those relationships, really understand the pitches they throw and how they like to throw them.   While he would still need to understand the daily opposition, he would not learn the intricacies of the starters, but really get to know the relievers.   He would be like an extra bullpen coach with continuity into games.    With this, they would be on the same page more often and may even make everybody a half WAR better. 

He would then spell the starter as a double switch when the relief pitcher comes in or at the beginning of the next inning (or wherever it makes sense).

A few things arise from this new approach:

(1)  This would cut down on the total innings of the starting catchers - they all need days off , but perhaps they would be able to start more games if they played only two thirds of each one.   This might balance out the argument that might arise:  do you want to sacrifice your starting catcher's bat in the late game at-bats?   He would be available for more early game at bats in more games.   Hard to tell. 

(2)  The relief catcher would need to have a decent bat, as he would be the one getting the at-bats at the end of the game.  Obviously this wouldn't work very well if your starter was Johnny Bench and your reliever was Josh Thole.

(3)  There would need to be a third player on the roster that could catch.  Ideally, there would be a utility guy on the roster who could be used in an emergency situation only.   It seems like these types of guys used to be more popular than they are today, but there may be some around.    It would be difficult for a club to have to carry three full-time catchers. 

(4)  There would need to be flexibility built into this without creating hard and fast rules.  Perhaps the catcher's spot is up first or second in the next half inning and a pitching change is required.   Letting the starter stay in there for the last out or two so they don't lose that at-bat may be warranted.   While in general, the relief catcher would probably not come into the game until the 7th inning or so, perhaps a game has gotten out of hand early one way or another (2-11 or 11-2 after 3 innings); this may be a spot to get your starter a few extra innings off.  

A little different, but could the Mets work this and insert Tomas Nido into the 'relief catcher' role, spelling McCann?  

Wilson Ramos got a lot of wrong-side press for his handling of the pitchers; perhaps the relievers of 2020 might have thrown a few more strikes and better pitches has they known their catcher a little better?