No.

now that we've gotten that out of the way, go ahead and compare him to a "defensive" catcher... say Brad Ausmus:

Estrada: .278/.298(really? Wow).404, 104 h, 32 xbh, 155 TB, 57 SB allowed, 11 CS

Ausmus: .231.312(again really?)/.313, 74 h, 19 xbh, 100 TB, 44 SB allowed, 15 CS

The usual caveats apply with pitchers holding runners and the like, but I don't think those extra 4 CS, and 13 not running against are worth sacrificing the 55 TB.

Catchers are certainly hard to come by, but estrada has been a definite disappointment both defensively and offensively.  His approach at the plate is disgraceful... it's not so much that he doesn't walk, but he doesn't even take pitches.

All in all, Melvin's moves have turned out very badly this year: Estrada, Suppan (Marquis has had a better year, is younger, and cost half as much), Dessens, Linebrink -- pretty awful.  I'm still happy to have Melvin over the long haul, but you have to place blame where it belongs.

reason to hate Estrada.

• Poor batting - Check
  
• Poor pitch calling - Check
  
• Poor defense - Check

Why isn't Miller starting?  Or Mike Rivera?  Or Vinny Rottino?

hasn't thrown out a runner in 25 attempts or something absurd like that, it's sad.

Such a lump of lard.