The Potential Injury Dilemma

Joe Mauer is injured, hopefully not badly, but they’re still checking him out. He has the precursor to a stress fracture, and right now they’re predicting that he’ll be sidelined for just “a few days.”

Hearing about any catcher’s injury always makes me wince, particularly when he’s Heap’s American League twin. I have been traumatized by injuries to catchers over the years, from Todd Hundley’s elbow to Greg Olson getting flipped upside-down and carried off the field on a stretcher. Last year was right up there, even though Heap wasn’t out for too long. It was still pretty sad to see him taken out when he was doing so well, and he of course lost his chance at a batting title because of the injury. Also, losing Heap was either a terrible omen for the June that immediately followed, or the others were just too depressed to play well without him. Hey, it’s possible, look at him:

Over in the comments on Chop-N-Change there have been a couple of recent discussions about moving Heap to first. Even though I always end up respecting catchers more than any other players, and really appreciated the mentions of Heap’s brilliance in handling a pitching staff in the articles about his new contract, it’s a tempting idea. We wouldn’t lose him in the lineup every fifth day, and wouldn’t risk the possibility of losing him for a whole season after a collision at the plate. Also, catching typically shortens your career in general, just from the everyday wear and tear.

I don’t know that you could ever completely sell me on this, though. I think Heap makes a difference as a catcher even for pitchers like Smoltz. Sticking him on first would be a considerable waste of his talents. Then there’s the problem of replacing him as a starting catcher: Salty? I’d rather see him at first. Based on what I’ve heard about his attitude (from Eddie Perez, even!), I’m not sure how well he would really handle a pitching staff. But I’d prefer Thor at first, depending on how he does this year. I’m pretty firmly in the “trade Salty” camp, which of course translates to keeping Heap at catcher. But if Salty had an amazing year in the minors and we had to go through another Heap injury this season, I might be more inclined to consider moving Heap to first. Until then, I’ll just be biting my nails every time Frenchy makes the dreaded throw home from right.

Of course, with Frenchy around, playing first can be pretty dangerous, too. I guess Heap wouldn’t have to worry about that, since they’re on the same team — I don’t think there is anyone else in the league with Frenchy’s first-baseman-killing potential.