Jeff Wilson on Gerald Laird

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 31, 2008 3:14 PM CDT Comment 27 comments

An interesting comment from Jeff Wilson vis-a-vis Gerald Laird, in a blog post at the S-T website talking about why the Rangers might want to try to move him now rather than hold onto him:

But consider this about Laird, who is a super guy, great teammate, great base runner and above-average catcher.

I mention this primarily because there have been comments in the past on this board (and others) from fans who suggest that Laird is a cancer, a problem, someone who (it is assumed) teammates dislike...

I've not heard those things -- I've heard the opposite, in fact -- and Wilson's description of him is probably one of many reasons why, I think, Jon Daniels isn't inclined to just give Laird (and some others) away right now...I think there is probably some concern about how just dumping someone like Laird, or Eddie Guardado or Marlon Byrd (to mention a couple of other well respected guys in the clubhouse), would be perceived within the clubhouse.

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hmm

guess it means nobody likes Salty.

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 31, 2008 3:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Salty

It is imperative that he be sent to AAA now. He cannot sit around and back up Laird for the rest of the season if they actually expect him to improve next year.

A Lonestar in California

by lonestarJon on Jul 31, 2008 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Question

What does Max Ramirez do? Go back to Frisco?

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 31, 2008 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He and Salty can rotate between DH and catcher

It’s not the ideal situation, but it’s a helluva lot better than Salty sitting on the pine for 5-6 days a week.

A Lonestar in California

by lonestarJon on Jul 31, 2008 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know

That you sound like a whinny child, right?

by 1man5tools on Jul 31, 2008 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you're okay

With a 23 year-old, who is still regarded as a good catching prospect sitting on the bench for the next 2 months?

A Lonestar in California

by lonestarJon on Jul 31, 2008 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

If he goes to AAA, he’ll only be playing the next 4 weeks anyway, it would seem. Then the AAA season is over.

If he plays 3 days a week in AAA the next 4 weeks, rather than 2 days a week in the majors the next 4 weeks, that means he’ll get an extra 1 day a week behind the plate down there, plus an extra 2-3 days a week at DH.

He’ll get 4 more starts at catcher, and 8-12 more starts at DH, than he would in the majors (assuming that he only plays twice a week in the majors).

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 31, 2008 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The logic!

It burns us, hobbitses!

by philkid3 on Jul 31, 2008 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're 11 games up...

We are likely going to playoffs which extends the season at least another week. Of course Taylor will probably be back by then.

http://www.mvn.com/milb-rangers

For old times sake...C'mon Kelly! :-)

by Beverly23 on Jul 31, 2008 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What position do you play?

Let me have a diablo sandwich, a Dr. Pepper, and make it fast I'm in a God damned hurry!

by DaheelzCM on Jul 31, 2008 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's hurt...

During his first AB last night. Nick Trzesniak was sent back to the RedHawks. I assume he’s out a while, unless someone has heard otherwise?

http://www.mvn.com/milb-rangers

For old times sake...C'mon Kelly! :-)

by Beverly23 on Jul 31, 2008 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Salty

He’s someone who a deadline deal never really made sense for.

I see him going to Boston or New York in the offseason…but he’s not someone either of those teams are likely to use trade chips on right now.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 31, 2008 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keep Laird

Trade Salty and Teagarden. Laird is the starting catcher, MaxRam is the DH/backup catcher.

by Jeff Lebowski on Jul 31, 2008 3:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't

think Maximus Ramirez is a major league ready player. Because of their age and experience Teagarden and Salty are guys that you trade when you are putting it all on this year (buyers) and you are trading for an expensive veteran rental from a team that is building for the future (sellers). The Rangers on the other are neither, in my opinion. The may make the playoffs, but 4.5 games out of a Wild Card could prove to be too great of a distance for one rental player (ala 2006 Carlos Lee deal) make up. You are better off running with what you got.

Ephesians 1:3-10

by kwellborn on Jul 31, 2008 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't mean now

I’m not saying trade those guys right now or even this offseason. I’m just saying that’s my long term vision to have Laird starting and Max DHing/backup catching. Trade Salty and Teagarden when you feel the right trade presents itself. If you don’t feel Max is ready, you can always bring in some scrub veteran to be your backup catcher for a while.

This works on several levels. It gives you a solid, known quantity in Laird. It keeps you from having to waste a roster spot on a backup catcher who can’t fill any other role. And it keeps you from having a Melhuse-ian gaping hole in your lineup when you decide you give your starting catcher the day off. But Salty doesn’t hit well enough to fill that DH/backup catcher role. As for Teagarden he needs to be catching every day to fulfill his value, and I think he projects to be what Laird is now. So I’d rather just keep Laird and turn Teagarden’s potential into something else.

by Jeff Lebowski on Jul 31, 2008 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

by Anonymous New Guy on Jul 31, 2008 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have

never heard anything but good things from people on the inside in regards to Laird’s clubhouse presence. Also, I remember CJ Wilson saying in a post-game interview in New York that Eddie G was a really good mentor and influence in the bullpen and he specifically said “much like Gagne was for me last year.” You may be losing a lot more from your bullpen than just your set-up man in trading Eddie.

Ephesians 1:3-10

by kwellborn on Jul 31, 2008 3:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

“a mentor a influence in the bullpen.” You do realize our bullpen is horrible, right? Whatever he’s doing along those lines does not seem to be working.

by Anonymous New Guy on Jul 31, 2008 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Our

bullpen has been streaky. They had a really bad couple of weeks before the All Star due to starters being hurt and pitchers getting bounced early. There was a fairly long scoreless streak early on in our turn around. Recently, there are have been some games that our bullpen has pitched in 6+ innings in order to give the hitters a chance to get back in it. I don’t think a team can be seen as being relentless or be able build a reputation for having comebacks with a decent bullpen. You can’t just look at the overall ERA and say that a bullpen is good or bad. A bullpen can post a deceivingly low ERA when the majority of the starters go 7 or 8 innings all the time. Look at the ChiSox. Their starters tend to be inning eaters, but when the Rangers knocked one out early they blew up.

Ephesians 1:3-10

by kwellborn on Jul 31, 2008 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Streaky

That’s like when a girl says she has a “pretty” friend you should meet.

by Anonymous New Guy on Jul 31, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dumping players

I never understood why the Rangers would want to “dump” any of their players this year. None are salary albatross types, all the guys you list here are contributing in some way or another. Why simply dump Laird when the guy is hitting over .300, is still relatively young and a good defender? Why dump Gaurdado when he has been the best reliever? Why dump Byrd when he plays solid defense and is a good clubhouse guy? If you get something of real value in return then I would be for moving any or all of those guys, but why move them for spares? That would make no sense.

Fire Ron Washington

by pblack on Jul 31, 2008 3:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Really?

I mention this primarily because there have been comments in the past on this board (and others) from fans who suggest that Laird is a cancer, a problem, someone who (it is assumed) teammates dislike…

I just joined LSB at the beginning of this season, but elsewhere I had never heard that. Ever.

by philkid3 on Jul 31, 2008 4:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs