We traded Milledge for Who?

Brian Schnieder is his name and defensive mastery is his game. Many of you faithful may remember his 3 hit, 3 RBI game on Sept 25, of last season in a 10-9 Nats win at Shea. Well I guess Omar so something there and decided that Paulie needed to go. It has been rumored that the Mets had no interest in resigning Lo Duca after posting a sub par year after being in the 2 hole all of 2006. Many insiders believed that Lo Duca and Wright had forged a friendship, and were concerned of his influence on the cornerstone of the Mets. They thought about the gambling, the young girls, any other inequities which the team wanted no part of thier Golden Boy involved in. So Goodbye Paulie, Hello Brian Schnieder / Ramon Castro.

So Maybe Omar remembered him from his Expo days, where he was played throughout his whole career from 2000-2007(obviously as a Nat). Schnieder has contended for several Gold gloves throughout his career. He has always been known for his rocket arm, and runners will surely be afraid when he is behind the plate. Something the Mets have been missing since the days before Mike Piazza. Schnieder's staffs have also been known to post lower ERA's when he is behind the plate. This may have been another reason, Omar brought Brian in, as the Met executives never really got over Lo Duca's apparent poor pitch calling in Game 7 against the Cards in 2006. The past two years, his numbers have improved offensively. Last season he was one of two catchers (Mauer,the other) to have had as many walks and strikeouts. Additionally, he hit .357 with the bases loaded in 2007. Not to shabby for our 8 projected 8 hitter.

Ramon Castro, should see starts in at least 50 games this season. Last year, he set a career high in homeruns, and should be a great right handed poer bat off the bench, and add a nice punch when Schnieders is not playing. With more at bats, Castro will only improve, and his progress should be fun to watch.

Predictions 2008 Stats: .250 8 HRs, 60 RBIs, 60 BB

NL East Catchers Rankings:

1) Brian McCann - The only real offensive catcher threat in the NL east
2-5) Paul Lo Duca - No reason to rank these guys there all pretty bad.
Brian Schneider - The best defensively of the bunch
Carlos Ruiz - Worst position player on the Phillies
Matt Traener - Maybe he'll start?