Harry Ford: our new catcher of the future

[varoadking]

Ford has the ability to play the OF.

Do we really need another slap-hitting corner outfielder?  I assume we got him to be a catcher...so develop him as a catcher...

[Slateman]

Do we really need another slap-hitting corner outfielder?  I assume we got him to be a catcher...so develop him as a catcher...

He was 78th percentile in slugging in Triple A. He also walks way too much to be a slap hitter.

He'd be comparable to Adam Eaton before Eaton's injury.

[Slateman]

How quickly we forget Lomavita as we rush to the next big thing.

Lomavita played just 9 games at AA last year and hit well there, as well as at A+. Assuming another good year in 2026 he could be ready for the majors at some point in 2027. Ford has the ability to play the OF and so you can still bring up Lomavita if he's earned the call.

Catching and pitching is costly to acquire. Never hurts to have an ample supply of both.

[hotshot]

Seattle Times on the Ford-Ferrer Deal

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/harry-ford-jose-ferrer-trade-could-be-big-win-for-mariners-analysis/

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Seattle Times on the Ford-Ferrer Deal

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/harry-ford-jose-ferrer-trade-could-be-big-win-for-mariners-analysis/

thanks. Nice read. I would guess the Mariners shopped Ford a bit before this deal. He was certainly the guy they could afford to trade among their top prospects because Cal. I  guess when they shopped him, there's enough questions that his trade value is less than some fans thought. Finnegan is a little evidence that the Nats don't necessarily get the most out of the relievers they develop, and Ferrer's slider might end up as the key. I do find it interesting that the Nats got the extra piece in Lyon here.

[Slateman]

https://districtondeck.com/will-this-new-nationals-catcher-seek-an-extension-after-switching-agents-01kgegxv1k9r

Nationals fans have long been frustrated watching Scott Boras clients like Juan Soto and MacKenzie Gore be traded due to not being able to get a long-term extension done, and it was an underlying footnote to the Ford deal when it happened. However, Ford recently switched agencies from the Boras Corporation to Roc Nation Sports, which also represents fellow National CJ Abrams.

Young catcher switches away from Boras and signs a team friendly extension? I've heard this play before . . .

[varoadking]

Nationals fans have long been frustrated watching Scott Boras clients like Juan Soto and MacKenzie Gore be traded due to not being able to get a long-term extension done...

Because LAC...

[Slateman]

Sure, but neither of those guys were going to sign an extension. We offered Soto the richest contract in baseball history and he said no.

And to be honest, I think Soto is overrated at this point. Pretty obvious he is just a Scottie Pippen type. He can't anchor a championship lineup.

[Smithian]

Sure, but neither of those guys were going to sign an extension. We offered Soto the richest contract in baseball history and he said no.

And to be honest, I think Soto is overrated at this point. Pretty obvious he is just a Scottie Pippen type. He can't anchor a championship lineup.

[IanRubbish]

Because LAC...

Not just the Boras clients.  They dumped Trea Turners salary with a year and a half left before FA.  The Lerners are beyond cheap, they’re miserable misers.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

from Jay Jaffe's latest chat:

1:36    
Natsfan26: How high are you on Harry Ford? Do you think he’ll be the opening day starter at catcher?

1:38    
Avatar Jay Jaffe: I like him but i think it’s dicey that he starts the season as the #1 catcher as he’s so new to the organization and has so little major league experience. I’d guess he’s up early season. Brendan Gawlowski’s writeup of the trade that sent him to Washington is worth a read https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mariners-swap-a-ford-for-a-ferreri/

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/jay-jaffe-fangraphs-chat-2-10-26/

[imref]

from Jay Jaffe's latest chat:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/jay-jaffe-fangraphs-chat-2-10-26/

I think the plan is Ruiz/Millas with Ford starting at Rochester, but that will depend on Ruiz having a strong spring and Ford not outright winning the job.

[IanRubbish]

I think the plan is Ruiz/Millas with Ford starting at Rochester, but that will depend on Ruiz having a strong spring and Ford not outright winning the job.

I think there's too much incentive to manage Ford's service time and keep him in Rochester for 7 weeks or so, and too much desire to play the contract with Ruiz, even with a bad spring.  I don't think Toboni or Butera will have the power to override Lerner decisions about this.

[tomterp]

I think there's too much incentive to manage Ford's service time and keep him in Rochester for 7 weeks or so, and too much desire to play the contract with Ruiz, even with a bad spring.  I don't think Toboni or Butera will have the power to override Lerner decisions about this.

Of course they should hold Ford out a couple of months to gain the additional year, that's a no-brainer.  As for Ruiz, I think they'll give him plenty of leash and the best coaching they've got to see if he can contribute, but I have little doubt they'll cut him loose if he flops yet again. 

[Smithian]

Of course they should hold Ford out a couple of months to gain the additional year, that's a no-brainer.  As for Ruiz, I think they'll give him plenty of leash and the best coaching they've got to see if he can contribute, but I have little doubt they'll cut him loose if he flops yet again. 

Agreed.

Easier to give up on a guy when you're not the person who wrote the contract.