I lump Texas (sorry Nolan) in with the teams that do not get it...Mets, Nats, Pirates, Astros. I see where they traded Laird for one close-to-ready prospect and a 17 year old who last played in DR. THe former projects at best as a third rounder and has had a history of injuries and a surgery.
Now I know Laird is not Johnny Bench, but I think unlike the corner outfielder and closer market, there is more demand then there is supply for good backstops who do not kill your hitting lineup (Brian Schneider please take a bow). Given 500 ABs, Laird seems like a 280 12 75 kind of guy...which makes hime pretty darn attractive. Plus he is under control for 2 years at 3 mill per.
With a ton of teams looking for catchers, why not get more?
Laird Trade
Laird Trade
schwanks.blogspot.com
Little Bits mostly non-related to fantasy sports...alright maybe a little
Little Bits mostly non-related to fantasy sports...alright maybe a little
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Captain Hook
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Laird Trade
Schwks - first a few quotes on the trade:
LAS VEGAS -- The Rangers have acquired Minor League pitchers Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo from the Tigers for catcher Gerald Laird
Moscoso is a 25-year-old right-hander from Venezuela who was 5-4 with a 2.70 ERA in 21 games, including 12 starts, between Class A Lakeland and Double-A Erie this past season. Moscoso, who can both start and pitch in relief, is 2-1 with an 8.36 ERA in eight games in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Melo, 17, is a 6-foot-3 right-hander from the Dominican Republic who has yet to pitch in the United States. He was 3-3 with a 5.14 ERA in 14 games in the Dominican Summer League with 61 strikeouts and 20 walks in 49 innings. The report on him is that he has an "electric" fastball.
So the Rangers whose biggest need is pitching (although they do have some very good pitching prospects at A or AA this year) got what they consider two pretty good arms for Laird.....and the reality was they couldn't get much more. They have been fielding offers for Saltalamacchia (which is whom the Red Sox wanted, but as soon as Texas said "Buchholz" the talks ended), Laird and Teagarden for several weeks (actually longer).
They got exactly what the market would support for Laird....they can get more for Salty...and may...or may keep him for another year and see what happens. The club was probably the deepest at ML ready or top prospect catchers in MLB and couldn't play all four (Laird, Salty, Teagarden, Max Ramirez) so they have to get the most they can for one or two while the demand is there.
LAS VEGAS -- The Rangers have acquired Minor League pitchers Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo from the Tigers for catcher Gerald Laird
Moscoso is a 25-year-old right-hander from Venezuela who was 5-4 with a 2.70 ERA in 21 games, including 12 starts, between Class A Lakeland and Double-A Erie this past season. Moscoso, who can both start and pitch in relief, is 2-1 with an 8.36 ERA in eight games in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Melo, 17, is a 6-foot-3 right-hander from the Dominican Republic who has yet to pitch in the United States. He was 3-3 with a 5.14 ERA in 14 games in the Dominican Summer League with 61 strikeouts and 20 walks in 49 innings. The report on him is that he has an "electric" fastball.
So the Rangers whose biggest need is pitching (although they do have some very good pitching prospects at A or AA this year) got what they consider two pretty good arms for Laird.....and the reality was they couldn't get much more. They have been fielding offers for Saltalamacchia (which is whom the Red Sox wanted, but as soon as Texas said "Buchholz" the talks ended), Laird and Teagarden for several weeks (actually longer).
They got exactly what the market would support for Laird....they can get more for Salty...and may...or may keep him for another year and see what happens. The club was probably the deepest at ML ready or top prospect catchers in MLB and couldn't play all four (Laird, Salty, Teagarden, Max Ramirez) so they have to get the most they can for one or two while the demand is there.
Laird Trade
Capt,
I respectfully disagree. I think that as a contending team like Boston or Detroit gets closer to the season and the prospect of starting the year with a questionmark at arguably the most important spot on the field, the value of a good field/ good game mnger/decent hit catcher skyrockets. Thier return was to me, organizational filler in the "young live arms" category, rather then a guy who can help.
I respectfully disagree. I think that as a contending team like Boston or Detroit gets closer to the season and the prospect of starting the year with a questionmark at arguably the most important spot on the field, the value of a good field/ good game mnger/decent hit catcher skyrockets. Thier return was to me, organizational filler in the "young live arms" category, rather then a guy who can help.
schwanks.blogspot.com
Little Bits mostly non-related to fantasy sports...alright maybe a little
Little Bits mostly non-related to fantasy sports...alright maybe a little
Laird Trade
Schwks, I lump you in with the teams that get it. Okay, the team that gets it. The Giants. Bunch of old guys. One or two studs. No prospects. Never make a trade. Sometimes overspend.
Chance favors the prepared mind.