Only logical. Mejia's bat might be ready but they certainly want him to get more work behind the plate. Allen doesn't need any defensive refinement but it certainly won't hurt to see AAA pitching before he returns for a permanent role in the majors. With the comparative state of our major league catching and outfielding, Allen fits a more urgent need for the big league club but it's awfully rare for anyone to skip AAA.

Oh, don't think there was ever any doubt they would both start at AAA. Only question is how long they stay there.

If Gomes or Perez get any kind of consistency at the plate Mejia will stay there till September. Actually, they are both so good defensively and calling games that even if they suck at the plate you probably still won't see Mejia till September. He didn't come up till September 1st last year so clock still hasn't started running on him. If he is going to be as special as they hope they'll want that extra year of control.

Same thing for Allen. He didn't come up till September 1st last year either so clock still hasn't started running on him either. You won't see him till September either. Injuries bit us last year but with Zimmer, Davis, Naquin, & Upton we have enough guys this year that can play CF that it would take something unusual.

Greg turns 25 this week. Rather old for a AAA debut; I would think he could find himself in Cleveland much sooner than Mejia who's 2 1/2 years younger.

Indians manager Terry Francona said Monday that prospect catcher Francisco Mejia will see some time in the outfield in minor league camp and early in the season in Triple-A.

An interesting development out of Indians' camp. Mejia has seen some time at third base, but Jordan Bastian of MLB.com writes that the experiment is "over." Francona said the club still views him as a catcher, but they want to test his versatility for a potential role with the big club.

if Kyle Schwarber did it Mejia certainly can do left field.

As for Gomes and Perez, I am beyond convinced that the Indians value their defense way, way, way more than any offense.

They aren't budging.

Yet Chiz's contract up after this season and Brantley only signed 1 year. Hmmm...Mejia

Mejia's value to this team as currently constructed is trade bait.

If his best defensive position is catcher, he's in the wrong organization. They would like to keep his bat so they're looking for some other place he can play.

Best bet...traded at deadline.

Certainly a possibility but that's what people thought about Schwarber and the Cubs.

He's back and back in the outfield.

If we had a young staff I could understand your points. But we have a veteran staff. They don't need a Crash Davis holding their hand.

For the life of me I don't know why the Tribe keeps trying to move this kid from catcher. Great hitting catchers are such a luxury. Heck, it was just a year and a half ago they were prepared to ship some good prospects to Milwaukee for one.

From everything I've read Mejia does a fine job behind the plate and has an awesome arm. Just needs experience game calling and communicating his second language. That comes with putting him out there and letting the pitchers tell him how they want to attack certain guys. Wouldn't take much time to get on the same page. Might see some extra trips to the mound after some shake offs first couple games but then they'd be fine.

I certainly wouldn't let a couple guys like Gomes and Perez stand in his way. You can go out any offseason and grab a good defensive catcher who calls a good game. You rarely can find a catcher who can hit like Mejia's potential.

Hillbilly wrote:If we had a young staff I could understand your points. But we have a veteran staff. They don't need a Crash Davis holding their hand.

For the life of me I don't know why the Tribe keeps trying to move this kid from catcher. Great hitting catchers are such a luxury. Heck, it was just a year and a half ago they were prepared to ship some good prospects to Milwaukee for one.

From everything I've read Mejia does a fine job behind the plate and has an awesome arm. Just needs experience game calling and communicating his second language. That comes with putting him out there and letting the pitchers tell him how they want to attack certain guys. Wouldn't take much time to get on the same page. Might see some extra trips to the mound after some shake offs first couple games but then they'd be fine.

I certainly wouldn't let a couple guys like Gomes and Perez stand in his way. You can go out any offseason and grab a good defensive catcher who calls a good game. You rarely can find a catcher who can hit like Mejia's potential.

Hey, I get ya though I don't necessarily agree. Actually without knowing exactly the chemistry issues with those guys and the pitchers I can't really say what's best. It's not like it can be easily quantified besides the obvious base stealing % and that kind of thing.

I can say this though. Clearly Terry Francona likes it the way it is or it wouldn't be and stay that way.

Well if we hadn't blown 3-1 and 2-0 leads last two postseasons I wouldn't be so quick to question Tito, but he obviously needs a little boost over the top.

Maybe a 300 hitter at catcher instead of usual outs there is just the thing.

And I have a hard time believing the throwing out of runners would suffer. Mejia has great "pop time" release and graded as 70 arm strength, on a scale that tops out at 70.

I've seen Mejia's arm rated an 80. There remain questions about his development as a receiver, but his future behind the plate seems pretty solid. If they really view him as a catcher I'd think they'd want him to get in as much work there as possible in Columbus; I could well be wrong but I'd assumed that Hannigan was acquired in part to be a personal coach for Mejia.

Right, Civ, he tops out whatever the scale is. 10, 70, 80, 100, whatever scale the guy might be using. He is tops.

Watching Tribe vs Angels today, I am reminded just how good defensively Roberto Perez is.

Batter is up, Kluber throws a breaking ball in the dirt so Kole Calhoun takes off. Perez fields the ball cleanly (out of the dirt!) and throws Calhoun out like he was 90 years old.

Takes me back to very late last year when the Tribe pretty much handed it over to Perez.

So I think that this whole catching thing is really about Perez. Not Gomes so much. They have him signed to a great contract and his defense is crazy good. I'm guessing the pitchers like working with him.

They don't want Mejia backing him up so try to get that bat in elsewhere in the meantime.

civ ollilavad wrote: I could well be wrong but I'd assumed that Hannigan was acquired in part to be a personal coach for Mejia.

Wouldn't surprise there civ. Look in a perfect world he develops defensively enough so that Perez can be the backup.

The Indians are a team with a top 3 rotation in the league and great bullpen. Pitching first.