The Padres leadership brass of Jed Hoyer and Bud Black are confident with Nick Hundley as the "starting catcher" going into 2011. In an interview with Dan Hayes of the North County Times, manager Bud Black said, "I saw strides this year in his overall handling of the pitchers, handling of the game, and keeping the focus throughout the game".

Nick Hundley hit .249 (.308 .418 .726) with 8 homers and 43 RBI. The league average for catchers is exactly .249, so Hundley was exactly an average-hitting catcher. However, 8 homers in only 273 ABs is pretty solid. His average against LHP (.274 .395 .435 .830) vs. RHP (.242 .279 .412 .692) is pronounced, but maybe one of the more encouraging numbers is Hundley had great success hitting at home in Petco (.292 .355 .526 .880) compared to on the road - a meager (.206 .260 .309 .569) which tells me has has a lot of room to improve in more hitting conducive environments moving forward. Another very positive note on Hundley, he had an exceptional line with RISP (.310 .354 .536 .889) RISP with 2 outs, (.355 .412 .613 1.025).

In late May I did a piece on Hundley's progression and why I thought he could be an above avg MLB catcher, you can check it out here.

Last year Yorvit Torrealba (.271, 7HR's 37 RBI overall) was brought in to be the back up, but became more of a platoon/match up situation. Also, because of Yorvit's exceptional play including excelling in situational hitting with RISP (.316 .384 .408 .792) and providing veteran leadership by handling the young pitching core, Hundley did not get as many PA as expected. Yorvit Torrealba declined the Padres 3.5 million dollar option after really receiving the majority of the time behind the dish; however, there is a solid chance Torrealba will end up signing for less than the $3.5 million on the open market considering his competition.

Having said that, there is still a very good chance he could end up back with the Padres going in 2011, but this time he would have to accept a lessor role. "We'll bring someone in to play a fair amount, but we'd like to have (Hundley) back there for about 95 games," Hoyer said. "Just his overall in-game awareness, I saw progress. He really made strides on defensive end. I thought he threw better, much more under control and with accuracy. "Our overall trust in Nick now as a major league catcher is there." 

Here are some attractive Free Agent catching options that could be possible candidates willing to accept back-up type roles such as: Jason Varitek, Gerald Laird, Matt Treanor, and Miguel Olivo. Jed Hoyer said while the Padres will continue to look for a new backstop this off-season, they are not looking for someone to platoon time with Hundley the way Yorvit Torrealba did in 2010. I could also see the Padres looking at potential non-tender candidates if they (Jed Hoyer and Co.) decide to wait for potential bargains, including Russell Martin of the Dodgers.

Catchers

• Rod Barajas (35) - Type B
• Josh Bard (33)
• Henry Blanco (39)
• John Buck (30) - Type B
• Ramon Hernandez (35) - Type A
• Gerald Laird (31) - Type B
• Victor Martinez (32) - Type A
• Bengie Molina (36) - Type B
• Miguel Olivo (32) - Type B
• A.J. Pierzynski (34) - Type A
• Yorvit Torrealba (32) - Type B
• Matt Treanor (35)
• Jason Varitek (39) - Type B
• Gregg Zaun (40)