Question Mark #3 - C

One day left till pitchers and catchers report! We're taking a look at the team's main question marks heading into the 2009 season. Last but not least, the catcher position.

Look in the mirror. Now ask yourself, could you really go through 2009 without the sheer wit of a Brian Schneider Toyota of Manhattan commercial? I think not.

Schneider had a rough go of it in the off-season as rumors circulated that one of the teams top priorities was to upgrade at the catcher position. Articles were being written about how he, and not the bullpen, was the sole force behind the Mets collapse down the stretch. It was all speculation, and rumors are now going around that the Mets are trying to unload the bigger offensive weapon of our two options behind the dish.

Regardless of the validity of those musings about Castro, Brian Schneider will be our #1 catcher this season. Offensively last season, Schneider was pretty much in line with his career numbers, despite a drop in XBH (19 in 08 v.s. 28 in '07). His numbers were actually quite comparable to LoDuca's in 2007, with fewer RBI's (which can be attributed to hitting spot in the order) and a slightly lower average. We actually got exactly what we expected offensively from Schneider. So what's the problem?

Oh the defense. Right. Mets fans were sold on Schneider because of his history of superb defense and game calling. He was injured in Spring training, and seemed to have a rough go of it behind the plate to start the year. Despite how it may have looked, he only committed 5 errors last season, one less from the year before, and his range factor was almost a half a point higher than the league average. His CS percentage increased from the prior years as well to 33%. He was ranked 6th defensively amongst all major league catchers. Guess what? We got what sold us in the first place.

It's nearly impossible to assemble a team that hits .300 down the line. I think fans were a little hard on Schneider for his production as it was all in line with his career norms. Perhaps a second year in New York will do Brian some good, as it does most players adjusting to the difficult market. He'll have the same rotation to work with as he did in 2008, which will bode well for his game calling. Hopefully with a healthy spring training his bat may wake up a little bit too.