Mike Lieberthal - The Worst Catcher in the MLB
Tonight should mark the return of catcher Mike Lieberthal to the starting lineup with Brett Myers taking the mound for the Phillies. One would think that Phillies fans and myself should be happy with the return of a starter from injury, but that’s simply not the case with Lieby. In the past few years, Phillies love nothing more than seeing backup catchers behind the plate rather than Lieberthal. Exhibit A: Todd Pratt and Exhibit B: Sal Fasano. Lieberthal is not well liked among the fans due to his usual pop ups to left field or the grounder to short which is routinely turned into a double play.
Lieberthal isn’t even popular among the pitching staff which is evidenced by the fact only 3 of the 5 starters are willing to pitch to Lieby (Myers, Lidle, Floyd). The number 1 (supposed) ace of the staff, Jon Lieber, can’t stand throwing to Lieberthal and is visably distressed when Lieberthal is the catcher. The reason why Lieber has Fasano catch him is because Sal actually understands the basics of pleasing a pitcher by framing a pitch in the zone for an umpire to call a strike. Lieberthal catches the ball and immediately drops the glove down out of the zone and throws it back to the pitcher which costs pitchers to lose potential strikes that the umpire might have called if the catcher made the pitch look good.
Despite the headline of this column, I don’t firmly believe he is the worst catcher in the league but there is no doubt in my mind he is one of the most overpaid players in the league since he never lives up to the expectations of his contract. This year, he will make 7.5 million dollars, which is completely ridiculous considering the contribution he makes to the team. The biggest problem with his contract is that he is almost untradable. Lieberthal is very similar to Chris Webber in that no other team would pay their current contract and they have injury problems that make them a huge liability. As for his batting performance, Lieberthal currently bats a surprising .292 (which will certainly drop once he starts more often and gets more at bats - sort of the blind squirrel finds a nut theory).
This is one problem that needs to be fixed by GM Pat Gillick in the very near future. Whether it’s trading a prospect for a high-profile catcher or signing one in free agency. This team simply can’t have Lieberthal behind the plate next year or temporary stop-gaps like Pratt or Fasano holding the team together. Some possible future replacements include former Braves catcher (current Oriole) Javy Lopez or Brewers catcher Damian Miller.
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Posted on May 30, 2006 by Kyle Garis | Filed Under Phillies, Philadelphia
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Of course, the main problem with Lieberthal is that he’s terrible for pitchers. That alone should be reason to bench him permanently even if you are paying him 7 million too much.
Youre an idiot… Fasano sucks.
Ryan sounds like he’s been listening to a little too much Eskin.
I agree. Fasano isn’t very good. But that doesn’t make Lieberthal any good either.