Brewers today claimed C George Kottaras off waivers from Red Sox Kottaras, 26, batted .237 w/ 1 HR and 10 RBI in 45 games with the Red Sox

 

Enjoy being Angel's backup in Nashville.

 It's so funny how these things work out.

A few years ago, Kotteras was a big time catching prospect (BA had him #2 in the Pad's system) and me and Brewertron talked a lot about how great it would be to land him as our catcher of the future.

klwillis45:

Enjoy being Angel's backup in Nashville.

It's funny, his OPS+ was better than Kendall's last year (78 to 72) in limited time.

He's heading into his prime (this will be his age 27 season) and don't be shocked if he ends up getting quite a few PA for the Brewers.

I could easily see him having a breakout year and being solid behind the plate giving Lucroy time to adjust.

We have our starting catcher.

I like Kottaras a great deal.

Was once the Sox catcher of the future but got loss behind the Captain.

klwillis45:

Enjoy being Angel's backup in Nashville.

I don't think they brought him in for that, he most likely will be splitting time with LucCroy.

brewhas28:

klwillis45:

Enjoy being Angel's backup in Nashville.

I don't think they brought him in for that, he most likely will be splitting time with LucCroy.

 

Yeah, it's even saving more money by not bringing in a proven vet catcher. I assume they are just hoping he can hold his own (at least do as well as Kendall), while teaching Lucroy some things until Lucroy can take over full time. 

I like this move a lot.  Good work, DM.

How is he defensively?

BrewerFanatic:

How is he defensively?

Not good.

This is from Baseball America's 2007 Prospect Handbook:

The Red Sox are usually trading prospects for veterans, but their plunge out of contention last August led them to deal David Wells to the Padres for Kotteras. Since signing for 375,000 as draft and follow in 2003, he has made steady progress towards the majors. A Canadian who played for the 2004 Greek Olympic team, Kotteras is much more advanced offensively than defensively at this point. He generates solid power with a quiet appraoch and a simple swing, and he controls the strikezone well. He's more athletic and runs better than most catchers. While Kotteras has work to do on his catch and throw skills as well as his game calling, Boston believes he just needs fine tuning rather than an overhaul. He has enough arm strength and hands to get the job done and he spent a lot of time in the instructional and Arizona Fall league working with field coordinator Rob Leary on his defense. Kotteras projects as a left handed catcher who will provide offense and fringey to average defense. In order to become a regular, he'll have to add strength so he can hold up over a full season.

There was some other junk at the end, but it pertained only to the Red Sox and the specific situation at that time.

It would be nice to know how much better his defense is three full seasons removed from this report, but I think it's safe to say that it's probably no better than servicable, if even that. It's a great low risk pickup, and it's easy to see him winning a job and playing some right at the begining of the year. Of course it's also easy to see him not even making the team out of ST and being with another organization on opening day.

It's best not to count on him for much of anything, but don't be surprised if he turns in a fairly valuable performance. He certainly has the talent and his age is right on his side now.

With the Brewers needing as much pitching as they can get this offseason, adding another catcher to the 40-man roster is a bit annoying. Especially if the Brewers are planning on adding Lucroy to the 40-man roster later this winter.

I thought Doug Melvin would be allocating his limited resources differently this early on. I understand the appeal and the potential Kotteras has, but likely five catchers on the 40-man roster is a bit much for my liking.

Jim Breen:

With the Brewers needing as much pitching as they can get this offseason, adding another catcher to the 40-man roster is a bit annoying. Especially if the Brewers are planning on adding Lucroy to the 40-man roster later this winter.

I thought Doug Melvin would be allocating his limited resources differently this early on. I understand the appeal and the potential Kotteras has, but likely five catchers on the 40-man roster is a bit much for my liking.

 

I would assume Kotteras would likely share time with Lucroy, and this might be the end of Rivera?

TheEraser:

Jim Breen:

With the Brewers needing as much pitching as they can get this offseason, adding another catcher to the 40-man roster is a bit annoying. Especially if the Brewers are planning on adding Lucroy to the 40-man roster later this winter.

I thought Doug Melvin would be allocating his limited resources differently this early on. I understand the appeal and the potential Kotteras has, but likely five catchers on the 40-man roster is a bit much for my liking.

 

I would assume Kotteras would likely share time with Lucroy, and this might be the end of Rivera?

Or more likely Salome via trade?

brewhawk:

TheEraser:

Jim Breen:

With the Brewers needing as much pitching as they can get this offseason, adding another catcher to the 40-man roster is a bit annoying. Especially if the Brewers are planning on adding Lucroy to the 40-man roster later this winter.

I thought Doug Melvin would be allocating his limited resources differently this early on. I understand the appeal and the potential Kotteras has, but likely five catchers on the 40-man roster is a bit much for my liking.

 

I would assume Kotteras would likely share time with Lucroy, and this might be the end of Rivera?

Or more likely Salome via trade?

I was wondering that as well, but I cannot imagine his trade value is TOO high.

He is not a bad catcher.

He has very good feet and moves well. He is not going to win any GGs soon, but he is OK if he contributes at the plate.