I was just wondering how strongly people felt about the importance of an A+ arm catcher. I always go for an A+++ catcher with at least a 50% cs rate. I know the new thrend is to go with high range and high + play guys, but isnt a good cathcer more important then that? The team I have in an an open league is at the 34 game mark. At this point my team has allowed 60 fewer stolen bases then the league average. At this rate, that would be a full 300 fewer stolen bases allowed over the year. I am guessing 300 fewer bases advanced has to worth at least 100+ plays or so. With the fact that one player can have that much impact, shouldnt owners be more concerned with cathers? Anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

A+ isn't enough, as all A+ arms are not created equal. Like you, I've always gone with catchers with very high cs%. What I like about it is that some guys build their team around speed, and an A++++ arm can shut down their entire offense.

In general, I think that owners are very concerned with A+++ armed catchers. My very first piece of advice to a newbie would be to draft one. If I figure to be in a league with a lot of those unoriginal, cookie cutter, copy and paste, switch hitting, speedy, high average, singles hitting teams in pitcher parks, I'd definitely draft one. So yeah, I feel strongly on the importance of such a catcher. But I would also suggest to not pigeonhole oneself as there are many ways to win at sim baseball and several of those ways are more cost effective. There aren't many good deals on catchers with the A+ arms except for the ones whose secondary position is catcher.

Quote: Originally Posted By nonenone00 on 4/24/2010A+ isn't enough, as all A+ arms are not created equal. Like you, I've always gone with catchers with very high cs%. What I like about it is that some guys build their team around speed, and an A++++ arm can shut down their entire offense

Not true, speed guys with high obp can do well in pitchers park, (astrodome for example) whoever is catching. Speed also helps with infield hits and xtra base hits.

A++ catcher arms are definitely useful against high sb teams but sometimes that's not exactly the best way to go. The guys with super high cs% will cause less sb attempts which is great, but the guys hovering around 40-45% tend to cause these same teams to run almost the same as normal and in turn, get alot of outs that way.

It's all about what you prefer really. Do you want to completely eliminate most teams from even trying to steal or do you want to gamble and hope they make a few attempts? Chances are you'll throw them out around 50% of the time with a lower % A+ catcher. Either way A arm is as low as I'd even think of going.

I was fortunate to be able to draft Ivan Rodriguez in a progressive and he has thrown out 42.4% 282 out of 665 attempts from 1992 through 2004. I think he has been a big part of my teams success.

What you guysareoverlooking is that there are more bargainsat catcher than ony other position. To me the value of many of these bargains outweighs their less than A++ arms. '91 Duke Farrell and '92 Tom Daly are two examples. If you really want tosplit the difference tho just take '75 Carter. For the record, I have never taken a catcher with less than an A- arm in OLs.

I too usually take great-armed catchers, but for those of you who say you 'never' use below A or A-arms, have you never been tempted by Piazza? I've used him in some random leagues, and I have to say his offense is vvveeerrryyy tempting...

Quote: Originally posted by pinotfan on 4/24/2010I too usually take great-armed catchers, but for those of you who say you 'never' use below A or A-arms, have you never been tempted by Piazza?  I've used him in some random leagues, and I have to say his offense is vvveeerrryyy tempting...

and then when u face a sb heavy team in the playoffs and they steal 10+ bases vs you, you will be cursing piazza for his arm. I think A+++ arm is very important in lower caps leagues. Higher cap, not so much, because high avg and xtra base hits are more efficient than sb in higher caps.

Quote: Originally Posted By clackumus on 4/24/2010

Quote: Originally Posted By nonenone00 on 4/24/2010
A+ isn't enough, as all A+ arms are not created equal. Like you, I've always gone with catchers with very high cs%. What I like about it is that some guys build their team around speed, and an A++++ arm can shut down their entire offense.

Not true, speed guys with high obp can do well in pitchers park, (astrodome for example) whoever is catching. Speed also helps with infield hits and xtra base hits.

I'm not minimzing the importance of a strong armed catcher. I always draft a catcher with an A+ arm. I'm just saying I've had some speed teams and their offensive output isnt (completely shutdown) because they are up against an A+ armed catcher.

Clearly I overstated by saying their offense is completely shutdown. I should have stated that their base stealing is completely shutdown. I'm using the 2007 Yadier Molina (real-life 54% cs) in an OL right now, and he's allowed only 8 SB in 46 games...

I also started Eric Wedge in just one game. He gave up 6 steals (0 cs), even though he has an A arm.

Butch Wynegar is one of my favorites, have him in a league right now 20 sb, 31 cs.

Bob Boone 51 games in 6-SB/ 4-CS.Even the fast guys are scared to run on him.

Quote: Originally Posted By tianyi7886 on 4/24/2010

and then when u face a sb heavy team in the playoffs and they steal 10+ bases vs you, you will be cursing piazza for his arm. I think A+++ arm is very important in lower caps leagues. Higher cap, not so much, because high avg and xtra base hits are more efficient than sb in higher caps.

I guess you are right, I mostly play $80 million and progs, so I see the imporatnce of speed. I would think it is fair to say that in higher cap leagues the need for an A+ arm would go down some.

Quote: Originally posted by profcake on 4/24/2010

Quote: Originally Posted By tianyi7886 on 4/24/2010
and then when u face a sb heavy team in the playoffs and they steal 10+ bases vs you, you will be cursing piazza for his arm. I think A+++ arm is very important in lower caps leagues. Higher cap, not so much, because high avg and xtra base hits are more efficient than sb in higher caps.

 I guess you are right, I mostly play $80 million and progs, so I see the imporatnce of speed.  I would think it is fair to say that in higher cap leagues the need for an A+ arm would go down some. 

Ya, I play my fair share of 80M leagues and have been using Thurman Munson (50% CS or something) alot. You really handicap yourself with a poor catcher. I recently saw a team go 110/118 to start the season because his division had all poor catcher arms, and the entire AL had few A+++ arms. It's hard to win when every runner gets on base is essentially in scoring position if you have a poor arm like Piazza. I think a poor arm in lower cap is worse than a poor fielder at SS.