for Junior Daniels. One of the reasons given for having minor league depth is the ability to convert it via trades to help at the major league level. We obviously have a lot of options at Catcher, and JD has to trade at least 2 catchers to make up room. So far he was unable to get anything done last offseason or this midseason. I wonder if he can get anything done this offseason.

I’d like to see Laird gone, because its fairly clear he isn’t anything special, just a Rod Barajas starter kit. Except Barajas used to have periods where he still would play fairly well, even when he wasnt competing for the starting catcher gig. Laird seems to only play well when he loses playing time due to competition.

I’m tired of him and his inflated ego, and I’m tired of his presence disrupting the debate between the three young guys. I don’t care if he’s supposed to be “our best catcher for the here and now” Salty, Max and Tea should all turn out to be better players than him long-term. And long-term is what we should be looking at, not here and now.

As far as next year goes, I still don’t think at this point Teagarden will hit enough to justify starting him over Salty and Max (unless somehow both of them wind up tanking, which I just don’t see). I’m very interested to see if Tea can shatter my doubts this September of course, but that’s my current opinion. I think he starts 2009 as an oft-used backup to either Max or Salty.

weak

was amusingly awful and awesome at the same time. Weird.

I voted for Laird to be the one starting because basically what I want, never really materializes. Laird is the most seasoned catcher of the bunch and if the team goes forward I think it will be a Tea-Laird combo with Max doing the OKC-Arlington shuttle and Salty dealt away. Tea will get a start every 5th day, and Laird will struggle for it.

However, JD has one Ace in the hole that might’ve just slipped past the other GM’s out there is that Laird thrives in a platoon situation. Him and Barajas was a good combo (for laird), him and Salty was a good combo as well (That’s when we started winning when Salty was brought up). When he’s the prime option, he flounders a bit. If other GM’s just look at his raw numbers they’ll see a good Catcher option. I HOPE a GM comes to JD with an offer he can’t refuse for Laird because it’s obvious JD needs a LOT to deal Gerry.

For the club, trading Laird is the best option, so as Captain Picard would say…Make it so.

Laird is the best all around catcher, but Teagarden’s bat and Salty’s defense and power could still come around. Laird should be dealt this offseason. Either alone or in a package, he should bring back a starter. The Marlins are going to arb with Nolasco, Olsen, and Johnson, and I like all three of those names (especially Johnson). We have the resources to make that happen, but look at the Marlins trade history: they don’t get screwed, so pray for JD if a deal goes down.

Salty probably should not be traded, unless he can land a solid young pitcher. Despite our sentiments here, I think he still has quite a bit of value because of his age, makeup, and offensive potential.

I am incredibly weary of Teagarden’s bat. The two HRs have come at clutch times, but he Ks way too much. Even if he improves, we are still looking at at least one every 4 ABs, and more likely one every three ABs.

Max is a wild card. The most complete hitter of the four by a mile, he also has the least defensive projection at the position. Even if we keep Bradley, he should be kept around as our future DH.

has hit his upside. i think if we can trade him away this winter while his value is about as high as it will get, we will make out for the best.

salty is intriguing and i love the fact that he walks as much as he does as a catcher. his bat has been inconsistent this year but i still feel like its just a few hundred at-bats from breaking out. i would put him at the front of the list, except for the fact that we already score plenty of runs and give up way too many. so perhaps itd be wiser to go with teagarden, instead of taking a step backwards on an already sketchy defense.

i think all are viable candidates in one way or the other and it should really come down to which one(s) we can use to squeeze out the best pitching in a trade and whomever is left will be our starter.

I think you’ve missed by putting them in full rebuild mode. With Jocketty and Dusty there that team wants to win in 2009, and they’ve got a lot of talent. They will want Laird, not Salty.

I know we’ve all been salivating over the stable of young arms the Dodgers have but we’ve never been a good match with them. According to a note on MLB Trade Rumors Peter Gammons says the Dodgers are seriously considering moving Russel Martin to 3b permanently, I’m assuming to reduce the wear and tear on him and to get his bat in the lineup every day.

This probably won’t come to fruition but it’s pretty to think on it. I know I’m crazy to keep my pipe dream of dumping Franchise Face on them for Andruw Jones, but what if we were to sweeten the pot with a nice defensive catcher like Laird-o? Heck, even without the pipe-dreamy FF angle I’d still love to see us try to pry Scott Elbert away from ’em.

Anyways, just noting what could be a nice development for us if we look to deal a catcher this off season.

Has done better than I thought he would this year.

I’m just so sick and tired of listening to him bitch and complain, even if he’s right about the catching situation.

“CONS - WANTS AN ANSWER NOW!… mysteriously starts to hit better when his playing time is threatened..”

Maybe because he is a part time player.

“according to Kevin Millwood, he calls a good game, but who the hell is Kevin Millwood?”

Milly is a veteran and it’s hard, normally, for a young catcher to garner the type of statement Milly made.

Add Nippert to the list of pitchers who like his game calling skills. And before you even say “well who the hell is Nippert and why should I care about him”, ASK YOURSELF THIS- Did JD find a hidden gem in Nipps? I think he has. Nipps was a former 1st rounder who was highly regarded. A once untouchable prospect in baseball who fell into a roster jam on his previous team and who couldn’t capitalize on his potential when that “roster jam” came about. If he can capitalize on his oppourtunity in Arlington, he is gonna make a very interesting battle this spring training on a SP role.

Haters…

Why would we possibly give up someone who can help our PITCHING?! And he has a decent bat to boost. Injuries aside he’s a no-brainer.

Max can be the DH/Backup.

If no one throws a decent deal for Laird then I’d platoon him and Teagarden.

As for Salty I just don’t see him sticking. I’m starting to be convinced of this.