Could the Red Sox be desperate enough to want LaRue?

[redbuck]

With Veritek on the shelf for at least a few weeks (knee surgery) the Sox are in some serious trouble behind the plate. Mirabelli is now the starter, which isn't too bad, but the guy they just called up sounds awful. From espn.com:

"Mirabelli started Tuesday and Ken Huckaby was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Varitek's roster spot. Huckaby was hitting .207 with two homers and 16 RBI in 68 games with Pawtucket."

OK, so the kid from AAA with the terrible stats still has better stats than LaRue. LOL. But maybe we can trick the Red Sox into thinking they need a veteran that talks to himself before striking out. And we know he would breeze through waivers since he is paid about 10x his worth.

[goreds2]

I have always been a LaRue fan. I would think the BOSOX would take a look at him.

[IslandRed]

As I understand the waiver rules, because the Sox were leading the division as of yesterday, the Yankees are in front of them in the waiver claim order. They might try to block every breathing catcher on the wire.

Which makes one wonder if Krivsky would say "He's yours. Thanks for taking next year's salary off my hands, guys."

[Newport Red]

I have always been a LaRue fan. I would think the BOSOX would take a look at him.

I don't know. With Abreu going to the Yankees though, thet may feel the need to make a move.

[Col_ IN Reds fan]

If someone would claim LaRue , the Reds let the claiming team have him.

[blumj]

OK, so the kid from AAA with the terrible stats still has better stats than LaRue. LOL. But maybe we can trick the Red Sox into thinking they need a veteran that talks to himself before striking out. And we know he would breeze through waivers since he is paid about 10x his worth.

Huckaby is a veteran, he's the guy who collided with Derek Jeter a few years back and knocked him onto the DL for a while. So, you guys tell me, why didn't the Red Sox call up the other catcher they have in AAA, the one who's hitting .242/.344/.492 with 7 HRs in July, Corky Miller?

Whoa, wow you guys must want to get rid of Larue pretty badly. There are like 6 threads mentioning Varitek's injury on the board! How bad is that contract, anyway?

[jnwohio]

Whoa, wow you guys must want to get rid of Larue pretty badly. There are like 6 threads mentioning Varitek's injury on the board! How bad is that contract, anyway?

It was $9 million and change over two years (this and next) heavily backloaded into the 2nd year. My recollection is at least $5 million for next year and probably something more like $5.25.

Earlier in the year it was rumored the Reds were offering to pay half of this year for anybody to take him but nobody would bite because of the backload. My guess is that any one who puts in a claim on the waiver wire is going to get him for the waiver price. If you were the Yankees, it would just be the ultimate block I suppose.

[Falls City Beer]

I'd rather not add dumping Larue for nothing to the number of stupid moves made at the deadline.

[KalDanielsfan]

not gonna happen. ken huckabay is a solid vet catcher.

larue costs too much for what he produces. nobody wants that stupid contract.

nobody.

[vic715]

At this point You've got to keep Larue. He can't hit but he's still the best defensive catcher on this team.If we're lucky enough to be in this thing down the stretch then this team will need all the depth it can get.

[RedLegSuperStar]

I think the Yanks would block the Redsox trying to obtain a catcher. Even if the catcher made 5+ Mill next season.

[blumj]

I think the Yanks would block the Redsox trying to obtain a catcher. Even if the catcher made 5+ Mill next season.

They can't, if the Red Sox are willing to make a claim. The Yankees moved into 1st place after last night's games. Besides, how many catchers can they risk getting stuck with, are they going to claim Lieberthal, Molina, and Lopez, too? I don't think they really want to risk winding up spending $20+ million dollars for catchers they can't possibly carry on their roster, just to prevent the Red Sox from getting someone who, in some cases, might hit just a little better than Doug Mirabelli.

[bounty37h]

At this point You've got to keep Larue. He can't hit but he's still the best defensive catcher on this team.If we're lucky enough to be in this thing down the stretch then this team will need all the depth it can get.

I dont get to see many Reds games this year, I just read or catch highlights after the fact. That said, if Larue is our best defensive catcher, no wonder our pitching staff has had so many troubles!!!!

[flyer85]

I think the Yanks would block the Redsox trying to obtain a catcher. Even if the catcher made 5+ Mill next season.

then they could have him and the contract. It has really reached the point where Larue is worthless to the Reds because a) he is way too expensive and b) he is unlikely to get enough ABs to turn it around.

[IslandRed]

They can't, if the Red Sox are willing to make a claim. The Yankees moved into 1st place after last night's games. Besides, how many catchers can they risk getting stuck with, are they going to claim Lieberthal, Molina, and Lopez, too? I don't think they really want to risk winding up spending $20+ million dollars for catchers they can't possibly carry on their roster, just to prevent the Red Sox from getting someone who, in some cases, might hit just a little better than Doug Mirabelli.

I guess we'll see.... For what it's worth, I don't believe the waiver claim order changes on a daily basis. From what I'd read somewhere, the order is fixed based on the previous season's record up until July 31, and then the July 31 standings determines the order from August 1 through season's end. I'll see if I can find anything to verify or contradict it.