Catching

[NorrisHopper30]

Originally Posted by Hondo

why not just trade for Jarrod Saltalamacchia of the Rangers if Laird is starting over him anyway??? I think he would be the best option...

Thanks

Again.

To get Salty we'd need to trade Bailey + Freel + another high end prospect. Keep in mind what the Rangers gave up for Salty (Yeah, some dude name Teixiara)

[laxtonto]

I dont think Freel would be included in any deal with Texas, including a deal for Laird. They have no place to put him, same thing with relievers.

Salt for Bailey+ would probably where it starts...Truthfully if i was the Texas GM i would ask for Salt+ for Bruce but......

[Hondo]

Salty for a deal starting with Bruce is just plain crazy

[laxtonto]

I agree crazy, but considering he was the centerpeice for a multi time allstar, shoot high...Start with Bruce settle for less, just like any other negotiation.

The problem is its very very hard to really make a deal that equals true value for either player. What is Bruce really worth? What is Salty really worth? Premier prospects are hard to gauge what their overall value is.

[GoReds33]

Salty doesn't have to start at catcher. It's possible he'll play first to save his legs. Just because Laird will start over him at catcher doesn't mean he can't start somewhere else.

[NDReds9]

The Reds already have 2 Cubs throw aways in Patterson and Hairston.

If we pickup Barrett, who is an ******* by the way, I'm going to shoot myself.


It is inexcusable to go into the season with Ross, Valentin, and Bako as your catching options.

Javy can hit RHP, but is a liability defensively.
Ross had one good season at the plate, but has regressed to his true .210 form.
Paul Bako just frickin sucks.

Our Minor League C talent is piss poor, as well.

[jnwohio]

One of the biggest problems with the catching situation right now is that no one has a clue when Ross might be available or how solid or durable he will be when is supposedly ready to play. That is nature of these back issues.

Let me offer an example from another area team, the Columbus BlueJackets. Back in October one of their top forwards, Fredrik Modin, went out with the ubiquitous "back spasms". For a couple of weeks he was day to day. Then it became a "week to 10 days" for the next several weeks. Several times he started working his way into shape only to have to stop after a flare up then subsequently start over a week or more later. Finally after 2 months, the umpteenth or so MRI uncovered a cracked vertabra which was by that point "nearly healed". Yet, it was still almost another month before he was game ready.

Can the Reds sit by like this and wait and hope and wonder about Ross (particularly when they were rumored to be looking for an upgrade at catcher anyway?)