I don't have a problem sending Salty down. I expect him to light Triple-A pitching up and force the Rangers to bring him up very soon.
I like Gerald Laird and I think his offensive numbers from last year were a fluke. In previous years he showed he was a much better hitter than that.
If Laird and Salty both get hot starts, Laird's trade value goes way up and maybe then the Rangers will pull the trigger on a trade to bring in some immediate pitching help. I would already be willing to give up on Brandon McCarthy and deal him along with Laird.
Good point Key. I also think it is OK the more I think about it. Salty will see a lot of the Rangers future staff down in Triple-A to start the season. It could help him understand the pitchers better than Laird does once those guys come up too. I am happy for Adam Melhuse that he made the Rangers starting day roster this year. It was the right choice while we have all 3 of those catchers.
Sending Salty down is a good thing. He will play everyday and that is what he needs most right now. If Laird can improve on his horrid year at the plate he is the best choice to start the year. Laird rated above average as a defensive catcher and will keep runners honest on the base paths. Salty gets to catch and call games in the minors and improve in the area's that he lacks. If the spring is any indication Laird will rebound and we will have trade value at mid year. i can't help but wonder if this job is not Taylor Teagardens in a few years anyway. If Laird and Salty can have good years they will be good trade options over the next 2 years for immediate help.
Garbage? He did not hit well last year, but he has hit decent in the past; besides Catcher is a defense position, Not Offensive. Laird has a top 5 arm and is in the top 1/3rd of all catchers with the glove as well. I think Laird could easily start for 1/2 of baseball, and would play significantly for all but a few teams.
Should Salty have gone down? I don't know. I wouldn't have brought in Broussard, and let him split time like last year, but I understand that having a good hitting Catcher is a luxury you like to keep. This setup allows for either one to do well enough to up the ante' on a trade for either one. Salty might be a better trade as teagarden might be more complete than either one, and should be ready in '09 or '10.
Garbage? He did not hit well last year, but he has hit decent in the past; besides Catcher is a defense position, Not Offensive. Laird has a top 5 arm and is in the top 1/3rd of all catchers with the glove as well. I think Laird could easily start for 1/2 of baseball, and would play significantly for all but a few teams.
You're right, it is first a defensive postion. But why did it take a public confrontation with Ron Washington to have him start calling pitches the way the coaching staff wanted? His best hitting was when he was backup to Barajas. He is a descent armed catcher with little baseball knowledge upstairs. The pitching staff is one part of the battery and the catcher is the other. Ours is subpar, partly due to the catcher. He has yet to live up to his potential. When he got the reins he dropped the ball. He is not our future. Max Ramiez and Teagarden will fill that role. He is at best trade bait.
Laird is a stuck up little child who is completely full of himself. He gave himself the nicknam " 1 Man 5 Tools " I mean come on, that tells you everything you need to know about Laird. If he and Salty are both on the roster then sending Salty down is the right decsion. He needs the everyday work behind the dish. So as things are now, everyone is where they need to be. The thing is that Laird shouldnt still be around. He should have been out the door the second he made the comment about not thinking he should have to earn a job this spring. He should have been traded for the first decent player we could get in return. He has no future with this team and the only thing thats going to happen by letting him play is to hurt his trade value.
I think sending him down to triple A, will only make him better playing every day. I think next year he will be starting for the Rangers if not later this year are he kicks some butt in triple A.
Wow, I'm really surprised by all the Laird hate on this thread. If he struggles at the plate again this year...then yeah, he is probably showing himself as a platoon/backup guy; but even at that he is a pretty nice player to have. Baseball snobs always fall back on the "he can't call a good game", and I just don't by it. Wash seems to think he works well with the pitchers and calls a good game now that he knows how Wash likes to pitch guys. We heard that Pudge couldn't call a game for years, then all the Marlins pitchers gave him all the credit when they won the series. I just think its one of those things people say because you can't really deny it. As far as the 1 man 5 tools nickname, that was given to him by his teammates as a joke that thats what his uniform # (15) stood for...I've never seen or heard anything to make me think he's a jerk. He may be, but I've never heard it.
Now if he doesn't have that damn tooth fixed this year, then I'm through defending him, trade his butt!! (Makes 400k a year and walks around with a broken tooth?)
I've never seen or heard anything to make me think he's a jerk.
"For me to have to earn a job, it's kind of ridiculous but I'll do whatever I have to do." That was Laird talking about having to compete with Salty for the C job. And about the nickname, I had heard that he started that name for himself. Personally I tweak it a bit to 1 Man .5 Tools. I like that alot better.
I voted no but for a different reason. Salty was a major leaguer last year. He felt he was ready to continue at that level. Although being a team player with tact he doesn't express it outloud, inside he has got to be thinking he should still be at the major league level. So this move has to be effecting his psyche.
As for trading Laird, it is kinda pointless at this point as the Rangers would get little to no value for him. If he starts out the season with a strong bat the first 2 months, get whatever you can for him while he is hot.
As for trading Laird, it is kinda pointless at this point as the Rangers would get little to no value for him. Something is better than nothing. Which is what Gerald Laird will produce. Nothing. Starting Adam Melhuse is a better option if we want the Rangers to win.
