Will Salty Be Missed Throughout 2014? Yes, But You Should Continue Reading

Coming to conclusions based on a one week sample size is foolish, trolling, and short-sighted. Having established that, I would now like to jump to a major conclusion (HOT SPORTS TAKE ALERT):

The 2014 (and possibly 2015) Red Sox will miss the bat of Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Through six games, Sox catchers are 4-21, with one walk and ZERO extra-base hits.

Salty is hitting .300 with three doubles.

Ugh. Again, this is a small sample - about 4% of the total season -  but the early numbers could be a prelude to a fairly miserable offensive season for Sox backstops. And I still believe it did not have to be this way.

As you know, Salty signed with the Marlins for three years, $30 million after not receiving a serious offer from the Sox. I was shocked by how many people were quick to dismiss his contribution to the 2013 team. I covered Salty's excellent 2013 in great nauseating detail, but he was one of the five best catchers in the AL by most any statistical measure. He posted a .802 OPS, with 15 home runs and 40 doubles. He turns 29 next month. Young, affordable, and productive.

However, a few poor performances in the ALCS and World Series, after a great ALDS vs. Tampa, got Salty relegated to the bench for the final three games of the World Series. In 2014, the Sox have decided to go with a pair of 37 year olds: Pierzynski, who posted a .297 OBP in 2013, and Ross, who I love having on the team, but hit .216 in the regular season. I did not like it in December, and I really do not like it now. Even with Baseball Prospectus predicting a slight regression for Salty in 2014 - .227, 16 home runs, 60 RBI - he still remains a better option for a contending team, in my opinion. At the very least, he sports the greatest Jew-Fro of the bunch.

What are you smirking about, AJ? Too much pie, that's your problem.

Seriously, having to root for AJ Pierzynski, even for just a week, has been of the least enjoyable experiences of my Sox fandom. I know it is a one season bridge to the future catching prospects, and he could still hit 15-20 home runs, but he seems like a dick. I can put up with assholes playing for my favorite team, but when you continue to swing at the first pitch and ground weakly to the right side, well, sir, you are left with no redeeming qualities in which to root for.

I know it is too early to panic over Sox catchers in 2014, but I remain wary of the situation. I can hold off on the panic until late April.