Jaso is not Gerald Laird, who was brought in to help Detroit's defense with a shaky Avila back there. Laird consistently throws out 40% of base-stealers, but can't hit his way out of a paper bag.
There's a place for that guy - backuing up an offensive stud who struggles behind the plate a little more.
We don't have that guy. Why would I need Jaso as a late-innings replacement? He's not faster than Montero or Olivo. I don't understand the point of carrying three slow, inept defensive catchers. You steal ABs from Jaso that he might need to improve both offensively and defensively. Olivo's a proud guy and he's gonna have trouble getting less than 50% of the catching games, so he might not...but either way Jaso is then stealing games from Olivo or Montero, but not enough to stay in a groove.
If Jaso played great D, I'd get it. He doesn't. Yes, he's a lefty which is nice, but Montero hits righties slightly better than lefties, IIRC. He doesn't need a platoon mate.
I'd rather Jaso catches 120 games in AAA prepping for his backup role in 2012 than that he catches 30 for the Mariners and is available to pinch-run.
I don't want to pinch-hit for Montero. If we pinch-hit for Olivo, then Montero can move from DH to catch and we can go through the bench.
I just don't think Jaso provides us with a ton of flexibility for taking up that 3rd spot, I guess.
~G
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