I didn’t attrib that…that was from Seamheads…er, DMN Ranger blog.

When you put it like that it seems very !!!!!! my bad. Phew glad you got me up to speed.

…he wants to be “the guy” behind the plate. He doesn’t want to share the duties.

Trouble is, he’s proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that, if he isn’t splitting time with another catcher, his offense goes away. Not just suffers – it goes away. And, he’s never been known as a first-rate game caller.

Trouble is, Taylor Teagarden has 10x the power offensively and seems better suited to MLB with a bat in his hand. And, he IS known as a first-rate game caller, top-notch gunner and a wizard around the dish with his glove. He’s ready now and we need to put him in the lineup… now.

Trouble is, Jarrod Saltalamacchia also has 10x the power offensively and bats from either side of the plate. He also has some glove issues behind the plate similar to Gerald’s and hasn’t yet discovered the art of calling a game (also similar to Gerald). But, he’s younger, as said bats from both sides of the plate and can also play some 1B. He makes an excellent complement to TT.

Trouble is, Max Ramirez has 15x the power offensively and is renowned for his offense. He is fearless (if still raw) behind the plate and fans love him. He’s still learning how to manage a game but appears flexible and can move behind the plate. Throwing out runners may be a challenge for him, but Micky Piazzer couldn’t throw out water in a bucket. He still had a pretty good major league career and will have considerations when the HoF balloting comes around when he’s eligible.

So, dump Gerald – keeping him would only cause trouble – get SOMEthing (Bailey would be a great experiment to undertake for many reasons already posted here) for him and move on. TT becomes the regular catcher, Salty backs him up (say 20% of the games) and plays some 1B and DHs. He’s still young so his potential is still way up there.

Bailey for Laird.

However, as AJM says, I’m not sure the Reds would make/accept that offer.

but I’m not sure that he could be a legit starter in Arlington. I do think he can be an asset to a staff in some role, though.

Like TR pointed out… “Laird hit .276 with six home runs and 41 RBIs in 95 games and 344 at-bats in 2008. Over the past three years, he has the fourth-best percentage (36.3) of throwing out basestealers among Major League catchers.”

I don’t think that is SUCK as you seem to think it is.

I work hard and when I come home I relax and have a few drinks. This has nothing to do with me defending Laird. I think trading Laird is a mistake.

well maybe a little ….. Laird can run, Laird can throw out base runners, Laird is good defensively, the pitchers seem to like him, he is an adequate hitter, maybe a little more for a defensive catcher.

I do not understand, when we have a player who is worth something, so many sell him short.

completely. Max DH’s except for nights that he catches.

.871 OPS final 22 games before the injury.

very often, I like that.

I must say, he’s playing very well. There were a few instances when he went to the basket and looked very nash-esque with those high arching layups. He’s extremely quick and attacks the basket, which is a plus…

Defensively? Well, he tries.

Mavs are playing well. They are 8-1 in their last 9 and really, should be 9-0, they just had a horrible stretch in that Laker game. They have a chance of sweeping this homestand.

And, not sure if people realize the type of impact Kidd is having, but, pretty good numbers so far this year:

45% from the field, 42% from 3’s, and averaging nearly 10 PTS, 9 AST, 7 RB, 2.5 steals per game. Although, he’s not doing too well from the free throw line right now.

he was my favourite basketball player, period, Northeastern, led the country in assists. Loved the little guy. I really love that he’s having this kind of success, he’s gotta be my favorite player again

I do still think he sucks as an overall player, but he has played well offensively for them here. I wish that someone like Green were accomplishing what Barea is, but it’s a credit to the little guy.

even if the hitter is a 20 year old alex rodriguez

I don’t get the stance some take that Laird is some centerpiece…he’s a good guy to have on your team, but if I’m not mistaken, he’s shined in p/t duty…..yeah he had a few moments last year but he’s never rose to the top when given the reigns….maybe I’m wrong.

I am going out of town and won’t have computer access. Murphy’s law.

With a strong arm and a track record of solid defensive play, Laird fits the profile of what the Tigers could use behind the plate. He threw out 21 out of 74 would-be basestealers while recording a .986 fielding percentage and allowing six passed balls. He batted .276 over 344 at-bats this past season, with 24 doubles, six home runs and 41 RBIs, including a .299 batting average away from the hot, humid weather in Texas.

What makes me mad is that it appreantly all boils down to $3 million? And Nolan Ryan is going to let JD get rid of our only experinced catcher because of this. Well, I would think Nolan Ryan would at least have some better judgement on this being a pitcher and knowing that getting rid of your only proven and expercinced catcher is a bad idea. I’m getting to the point where I’m about sick of the way this team decides how it spends it’s money. I’ve forked out a lot of money over the years as a full season ticket holder. I’m going to start thinking twice about how how spend my money on the Texas Rangers.

the more I read about him this offseason the more I think someone is going to get a real nice bargain rate mid-rotation cog in him.

that they think that they can win the West this year. I will root for whatever burns long term assets at the expense of this attempted run (though the Holliday deal might be the only way they’re even going to approach that).

what did I miss there…?

He was fine in Cinncy, but he now has 110 innings in the Majors and still sports an ERA over 5 for his career. He’s just not that good