RockieBill
01-21-2002, 07:10 AM
The Rockies are now loaded with catchers after adding Carlos Hernandez to a group that already includes Tony Eusebio, Ben Petrick and Gary Bennett.
Eusebio has only 25 percent of his $550,000 salary guaranteed until he makes the opening-day roster. Hernandez has a greater major-league base -- $650,000 -- but none of it is guaranteed until he makes the 25-man roster.
There is a chance manager Buddy Bell could decided Eusebio, who spent the past eight years as the Houston Astros' backup catcher, and Hernandez, a 10-year veteran who missed two of the past three seasons with back problems, will be his two catchers.
Eusebio concerned the Rockies during his physical last week when he weighed in at 270-plus pounds!! He then took off his leather jacket, jeans and tennis shoes and came in at 265. He promised to check in between 245 and 250 by opening day.
While Eusebio, who turns 35 in April, is considered to have the more consistent bat, Hernandez, who turns 35 in May, is regarded as the superior defensive catcher. He had back surgery last winter in Los Angeles, but it didn't take and he missed the entire 2001 season.
He had surgery again in November in St. Louis, and this time he had two herniated disks removed. He spent much of this offseason catching regularly in the Venezuela winter league.
There is also a chance Eusebio and Hernandez will compete for one catcher spot and Petrick and Bennett will go for the other...I know, it's waaaay too early for this stuff...
Eusebio has only 25 percent of his $550,000 salary guaranteed until he makes the opening-day roster. Hernandez has a greater major-league base -- $650,000 -- but none of it is guaranteed until he makes the 25-man roster.
There is a chance manager Buddy Bell could decided Eusebio, who spent the past eight years as the Houston Astros' backup catcher, and Hernandez, a 10-year veteran who missed two of the past three seasons with back problems, will be his two catchers.
Eusebio concerned the Rockies during his physical last week when he weighed in at 270-plus pounds!! He then took off his leather jacket, jeans and tennis shoes and came in at 265. He promised to check in between 245 and 250 by opening day.
While Eusebio, who turns 35 in April, is considered to have the more consistent bat, Hernandez, who turns 35 in May, is regarded as the superior defensive catcher. He had back surgery last winter in Los Angeles, but it didn't take and he missed the entire 2001 season.
He had surgery again in November in St. Louis, and this time he had two herniated disks removed. He spent much of this offseason catching regularly in the Venezuela winter league.
There is also a chance Eusebio and Hernandez will compete for one catcher spot and Petrick and Bennett will go for the other...I know, it's waaaay too early for this stuff...