The value of Gerald Laird

by Adam J. Morris on Nov 14, 2007 12:07 PM CST in News

The Mets are preparing a big offer for Yorvit Torrealba.

The Mets have zeroed in on Torrealba, who played for the National League champion Colorado Rockies, and could offer him a multiyear deal worth as much as $5 million annually, which would be a hefty raise from the $1.075 million he was paid last season. The Rockies remain interested in retaining Torrealba -- the Florida Marlins are suitors, too -- but have reportedly capped their offer at $7 million for two years and would not match what the Mets would give him.

This was Torrealba's first year as a starting catcher. He posted a .236 EQA for the Rockies this year, after posting a .237 EQA for them last year (in a part-time role), and is considered a good game-caller.

Gerald Laird is still three years away from free agency, will probably make a total of $5 million over the next three years, and is considered a quality defensive catcher whose game-calling isn't a strength. He had a .217 EQA last year, after putting up a .263 EQA the year before.

Torrealba is probably about the same quality of catcher Laird is (well, I think Laird is probably better, because I think he's a better hitter than he showed last year, but anyway...).

The amount of interest shown by teams in someone like Torrealba, and the amount of money teams are willing to pay, is a very good indicator for the value Laird has, should the Rangers wish to trade him.

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Catchers

never enough, always valuable to some team. The more I think about Crisp, the more I like the idea of having him here. Neither Boston nor TX has to trade their surplus.

Tomorrow Never Knows

by t ball on Nov 14, 2007 12:00 PM CST reply actions

that's funny

I feel the exact opposite. The more I read about it the more I hate it. I'm not even sure Crisp is worth his contract much less what he get in trade. Oh and 15M for yorbit? ICK!! Viva los Mets!

by bushe on Nov 14, 2007 12:26 PM CST up reply actions

I definitely think

Laird has more value in trade then on the team.

It opens up a spot for Salty to see if he can develop.
Laird may be better than he has shown, but his minor league record seems to argue that he won't be much better.
Catchers get a huge premium in the market.
Catcher is one of our strongest positions in the minors. If Salty develops into a good Catcher, it will give us more trade chips, if we determine he can't make it, we can move him to 1B and see if Teagarden or one of the other prospects can catch in the majors.

"I promise, if elected, I will crush the state of Georgia" - Stephen Colbert www.colbert08.org

by DJCahill on Nov 14, 2007 12:12 PM CST reply actions

+1

"On-base percentage is great if you can score runs and do something with that on-base percentage," Baker said. "Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me."

by jparks77 on Nov 14, 2007 12:25 PM CST up reply actions

Ugh

if we determine he can't make it, we can move him to 1B

I wasn't too impressed with him at 1B.

by rraider9199 on Nov 14, 2007 2:43 PM CST up reply actions

At least

he was unimpressive at 1B at the Major league level at the age of 22 after like 19 games total there in his professional career. He may be a player, he may not be, but I don't think we can judge him just yet.

"I promise, if elected, I will crush the state of Georgia" - Stephen Colbert www.colbert08.org

by DJCahill on Nov 14, 2007 2:51 PM CST up reply actions

Fair Enough

It just sounds to like you are done with Laird. I'm not for just dumping Laird. I agree with those who think he had an off year. I say if we can't get an "impact" (for lack of another word) player, then let's platoon Laird and Salty, see who wins the everyday job using the other as a backup/platoon 1B (if it's Salty). Maybe Walbeck help with the game calling and maybe Laird can get some confidence back with the bat.

by rraider9199 on Nov 14, 2007 3:11 PM CST up reply actions

I'm done with Laird

because I think he more than likely is what he is at his age, and I think we will get a bigger return trading him this year than holding him and trading him in the future.

If we can't get a return for him, than I guess we would keep him, but I'd still rather give Salty most of the catching appearances. I think we know Laird's ceiling based on his age and his minor league career, and I doubt its much higher than he has shown.

"I promise, if elected, I will crush the state of Georgia" - Stephen Colbert www.colbert08.org

by DJCahill on Nov 14, 2007 3:17 PM CST up reply actions

I agree that Laird

had an off year offensively and will probably rebound. I think that Laird's real problem is Ron Washington. Wash did a number on him in the spring and Laird (for some reason) never recovered.

I have my doubts about Salty behind the plate but I think new scenery would help Laird and we may regret it in the short term.

by rldwb on Nov 14, 2007 12:17 PM CST reply actions

Who else would want him?

I know Boston and the Mets are possible trade targets. I have trouble seeing Boston giving us Crisp, since Laird would just be their backup. Seems more likely that a team wanting him for a starter would pony up more for him. I guess from this, both the Marlins and Rockies would be interested if they lose out on Torrealba.

As for other teams, would Cincinnati be a fit? They are low-budget and if I'm not mistaken, have had fits at the catcher position for a while now. Maybe work out a deal for Dunn starting with Laird

by JBImaknee on Nov 14, 2007 12:32 PM CST reply actions

How about

Laird for DeJesus

by badradiorules on Nov 14, 2007 12:42 PM CST up reply actions

Or

Laird for Baldelli with a prospect thrown into the kitty by each side.

by Rangerchick on Nov 14, 2007 1:07 PM CST reply actions

I wouldn't.

I think Baldelli is done due to injuries as a defensive player.

"I promise, if elected, I will crush the state of Georgia" - Stephen Colbert www.colbert08.org

by DJCahill on Nov 14, 2007 1:21 PM CST up reply actions

We have a plethora

of quality catchers in our organization. How can we not trade Laird now, while we are still rebuilding?

by Agreen07 on Nov 14, 2007 2:35 PM CST reply actions

I'm going to be very upset

if Laird is traded for either Crisp or Gathright straight up.

by chief on Nov 14, 2007 5:28 PM CST reply actions

Laird for Crisp

would be a solid trade, maybe even a bit of a steal on the Rangers' part. Gathright would be a bit of a steal the other way I think.

Tomorrow Never Knows

by t ball on Nov 14, 2007 9:16 PM CST up reply actions

Laird = no value as a Ranger

will he bounce back? he better - but he holds no value as a Ranger, as mentioned before. He's blocking an opportunity for Salty to show us during a whole year if he's got what it takes to be our starting catcher for years to come...If we figure he is, all of a sudden we can trade Teagarden for an overwhelming package or bring him up as a DH down the road. Chris Davis becomes our # 1 1B prospect if Salty's catching, and we can focus on either moving Duran to 3B to see if that works, or commit to Blalock for the long haul (if he shows improvement over a whole season).

I say trade Laird for anything you can get - but I expect to be able to get more than just Crisp or just Gathright...we should be able to get a minor league prospect in addition.

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Nov 15, 2007 12:43 PM CST reply actions

if Salty fails...

Teagarden's our catcher of the future, Salty moves to 1B, Chris Davis stays at 3B and we have to find another route for Duran (or trade him...but I'd MUCH rather keep the kid, I think he'll be something special).

either way, a combination of Teagarden, Davis, Salty, Botts, Duran and Kinsler at the IF/C/DH spots for years to come really excites me, and we could focus on the free agent market for OF help (and hopefully develop Boggs and our younger prospects for the longer term future)

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Nov 15, 2007 12:49 PM CST up reply actions