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December 21, 2012
Transaction Analysis
Transaction Jackson Settles In
by R.J. Anderson
| American League | National League |
Signed C-L A.J. Pierzynski to a one-year deal worth $7.5 million. [12/20]
Here’s a thought. Will the Rangers, with Pierzynski and Geovany Soto in tow, pair the former Chicago backstops in a platoon? Even in 2012, the finest offensive season of Pierzynski’s career, he failed to hit left-handed pitching. Yet Pierzynski did manage to hit 27 home runs after hitting 30 in the previous three seasons combined. Convincing any player—even a soon-to-be 36-year-old backstop—to accept a smaller role after his banner season is a tough task. Still, it’s hard to look at the strengths and weaknesses of Pierzynski and Soto and ignore how they align perfectly: Pierzynski hits righties; Soto hits lefties; Soto is a better defender; Pierzynski the better instigator; both play with vigor.
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Overthinking It: The M... (12/21)
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Transaction Analysis: ... (12/20)
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Transaction Analysis: ... (12/26)
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5 comments have been left for this article. 
The Keeper Reaper: Outfielders for 12/21/12
Surprise Me!
Obviously Pierzynski will be the #1 receiver, and play the majority of games. First, Soto doesn't hit anybody well; he had an OBP of .270 last year, with 11 HRs. His OBP was .302 against lefties, with 3 HR in 88 AB. For sure in 2011 he was better at .410, but much of his OBP stat is inflated due to batting 8th in the NL. AJ did have a better time with righties, and will start every game against a rightie.
Also the 2 are pretty even defensively. They both throw out runners at about a 27% clip. Neither is good at stopping wild pitches. AJ seldom gets hurt, unlike Soto. I see AJ starting at least 100 games for Texas.
As far as the White Sox go, it is again obvious that Tyler Flowers will finally get a chance to be the #1 receiver. Plus the Sox do have a couple of catching prospects, though not sure how good they will turn out.
So obviously what you are saying is that it is obvious that two catchers who posted roughly the same OPS against left-handed pitchers (despite Soto's superior career numbers) with similar defensive profiles would obviously lead to one catcher getting all of the starts, obviously, even though catchers require plenty of rest and that, all things being equal, it would obviously make sense to platoon them if only to allow Pierzynski some rest against obviously left-handed starters.