who will Ausmus catch?

[pravata]

Footer says,

The last time I spoke with Cooper, he indicated he's leaning toward an Ausmus-Wandy Rodriguez pairing. That makes the most sense, considering Ausmus' steady hand behind the plate can act as a security blanket for pitchers, and Rodriguez is one who can become rattled when things get hairy (although he made great strides in overcoming that last year).

Oswalt pretty much calls his own games and doesn't necessarily need an experienced catcher behind the plate. Plus, he's here for the long term, and if J.R. Towles truly is the catcher of the future, those two need to work together.
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She also clears up some misinformation spewed by the radio yakkers concerning Valverde.  We tackled the question here   
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[Limey]

Footer says,

The last time I spoke with Cooper, he indicated he's leaning toward an Ausmus-Wandy Rodriguez pairing. That makes the most sense, considering Ausmus' steady hand behind the plate can act as a security blanket for pitchers, and Rodriguez is one who can become rattled when things get hairy (although he made great strides in overcoming that last year).

Wandy gained some intestinal fortitude when Ausmus became his catcher.  I don't think there's any hint of a coincidence there.  If he loses Ausmus, I have a strong concern that he'll go back to the headcase I once watched, from close up in the Diamond Club seats, give up 8 runs in the top of the first.

[accougars]

Wandy is very likely, but I also think that Backe could be someone Ausmus could really help. Both of those guys seem to be a little high strung at times.

If Paulino is somehow the fifth starter out of spring training it is likely that the club could opt to place Ausmus with its least experienced starter.

[Amy]

Well, I guess this question has been answered.  See today's AP article about Towles getting the starting job and being tutored by Ausmus.  The article includes this interesting tidbit:

On Thursday, Ausmus was catching Houston ace Roy Oswalt in the bullpen next to where Towles was catching Chris Sampson. Oswalt cracked a smile after trying a knuckleball.

"I hope 'Junior' Towles has fun catching that," Ausmus said.

"Is he going to throw that during games?" Towles asked.

"Yeah, if we've got a seven-run lead and two strikes [on the batter]," Ausmus answered.

Ausmus will catch Oswalt this season, but the rookie will be expected to counsel the rest of the Astros pitchers and not be afraid to tell them if he sees something wrong with their mechanics or notices that one of their pitches isn't working.

[Froback]

Well, I guess this question has been answered.  See today's AP article about Towles getting the starting job and being tutored by Ausmus.  The article includes this interesting tidbit:

You know that part you quoted seems to re-enforce something I was thinking.  Supposedly one of Towles strength's is calling a game and working with pitchers (ok, two things).  While I know that is where Ausmus is strongest and has more experience, but Towles needs to learn to do this and you really only get better through doing, so....  Also since Towles is supposed to be the long term solution, better that he earns that trust/respect from the pitchers he will be catching, sooner rather than later.  With Oswalt since he doesn't rely on the catcher as much, he can wait longer to develop that relationship with Towles.  Plus, all indications were, Roy wanted to throw to Ausmus, and what Roy wants Roy gets.  One of the perks of being the Ace of the staff.

[pravata]

Well, I guess this question has been answered.  See today's AP article about Towles getting the starting job and being tutored by Ausmus.  The article includes this interesting tidbit:

Doubtful that this answers the question.  It contradicts what Footer tells us about Cooper's thinking.   This appears to be Duncan's conclusion.  Footer vs Duncan?  I'll take Footer.  Footer vs The World?  Footer.

[BUWebguy]

Ah... But Footer vs. Ditka?

[MRaup]

Ah... But Footer vs. Ditka?

Regular Ditka or Mini-Ditka?

[Froback]

Ah... But Footer vs. Ditka?

Chicago Player Ditka
-or-
Chicago Coach Ditka
-or-
New Orleans Coach Ditka

[Ty in Tampa]

Regular Ditka or Mini-Ditka?

Chicago Player Ditka
-or-
Chicago Coach Ditka
-or-
New Orleans Coach Ditka

Does any of this really matter?

FOOTER!!!

[ValpoCory]

Footer vs. a hurricane?

[Amy]

Doubtful that this answers the question.  It contradicts what Footer tells us about Cooper's thinking.   This appears to be Duncan's conclusion.  Footer vs Duncan?  I'll take Footer.  Footer vs The World?  Footer.

Well, I agree with you in that I certainly take Footer's word on the Astros vs. just about anyone else, certainly any other reporter.  I'll just say that Footer wrote that about two weeks ago and at that time Cooper only said he was "leaning towards" Ausmus catching Wandy.  Perhaps the situation has changed since then.  I would imagine if, say during the meeting he had with Oswalt when they arrived in Kissimmee, Oswalt was dead set on pitching to Ausmus, then that would likely have changed Cooper's mind.  Evidently Roy is tired of breaking in new catchers.  Ever since 2005 when they started playing musical catchers on him, due to Chavez being released then Q having an appendectomy, it seems Roy decided to quit being Mr. Nice Guy and demanded Ausmus.

But you are correct, it's better to wait to hear it from Footer before considering it a done deal.

[JimR]

"I would imagine if, say during the meeting he had with Oswalt when they arrived in Kissimmee, Oswalt was dead set on pitching to Ausmus, then that would likely have changed Cooper's mind.  Evidently Roy is tired of breaking in new catchers.  Ever since 2005 when they started playing musical catchers on him, due to Chavez being released then Q having an appendectomy, it seems Roy decided to quit being Mr. Nice Guy and demanded Ausmus."

so, where did all of this speculation come from? is it speculation?

[Amy]

so, where did all of this speculation come from? is it speculation?

You mean about the supposed meeting between Cooper and Oswalt?  Yes, it's speculation.  Cooper said he planned to have a meeting with every single player as soon as camp started, so I guessed that since the pitchers and catchers arrive first, he has probably already met with them.  I further speculated that it's not unreasonable to think that the subject of catchers would come up during such a meeting and that Oswalt might "request" that Ausmus catch him, as he has done in the past.

I may very well be completely wrong.  Take it as you will.

[Amy]

I have Alyson Footer's permission to pass on this info:

I did see that AP story and panicked, thinking I had it wrong…  I asked Coop and he said he was still leaning toward pairing Ausmus and Wandy but nothing has been decided. He’s still mulling it over. The general feeling is that Oswalt is signed long-term and if JR truly is the catcher of the future, the two need to work together. Wandy is more unstable and needs Ausmus’ sure hand. This all can change over the course of the next month. Just want to clear that up.
 
I am sure all of the pitchers want Ausmus at this point but it’s not happening. Oswalt calls his own games anyway so who catches him isn’t so important. He liked pitching to Chavez and I believe he logged at least one of his 20-win seasons with Chavez behind the plate (I could be wrong on that, I’d have to look at my scorebooks).

So apparently the word about the Ausmus/Oswalt pairing was indeed only the AP reporter's speculation.  Alyson rules, as usual.

[pravata]

I have Alyson Footer's permission to pass on this info:

So apparently the word about the Ausmus/Oswalt pairing was indeed only the AP reporter's speculation.  Alyson rules, as usual.

Oswalt's preference for Ausmus when he lost "Chamo" was mostly because he didn't want Quintero as his catcher.  Williams also had a problem with Quintero.

[Reuben]

Oswalt's preference for Ausmus when he lost "Chamo" was mostly because he didn't want Quintero as his catcher.  Williams also had a problem with Quintero.

I'd say Quintero can't be feeling too good about his chances to make this team right now, despite Cooper insisting it is an open competition.
edited to correct my tense

[pravata]

The latest on personal catchers, "I think the days have gone by when we have that luxury any more," Cooper said. ... At some point you've got to get past that, you really have to."

"That [having Ausmus catch the youngsters] is the ideal situation," Cooper said. "[If] J.R. Towles is our catcher of the future, then he needs to catch everybody. ...

"If Brad's not here next year, [Towles] has got to catch them. So at some point, we have to start moving it that way....Wandy might benefit from having a veteran guy. We'll just have to see how this plays out, see who's in the rotation."
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