Rosenthal: Tigers finalize deal for Laird; eye Punto, Everett
Posted by Scott Warheit December 08, 2008 06:43AM
Categories: Breaking News, Top Sports
The Detroit Tigers have found their new catcher. According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, the Tigers and Texas Rangers have finalized terms on a deal which will send catcher Gerald Laird to the Tigers for two minor league prospects.

December 8, FoxSports.com: The Detroit Tigers have filled one of their prime offseason needs, acquiring catcher Gerald Laird from the Rangers for Double-A right-hander Guillermo Moscoso and a second prospect, according to a major-league source.

Laird, a strong defensive catcher, is a .255 career hitter with a .306 on-base percentage. He earned $1.6 million last season in his first year of arbitration, and is two years from free agency.

The Tigers also are seeking an inexpensive solution at shortstop, a position in which they are considering free agents Adam Everett and Nick Punto, with Everett the apparent preference.

Don't cry MoTown.

I hope he enjoys being the backup catcher.

Nice trade for the Tigers. Laird is an above average hitter compared to most catchers, if he can hit .270-.280 it will be well worth it. At least Laird will be able to keep the seat warm for a couple years before Dusty gets the full-time jig.

He's fat, isn't he?

He'll fit right in.

He's fat, isn't he?

He'll fit right in.


Yeah, he's a bit on the 'chunky' side. Kind of like Rod Barajas.

Inge has to be loving this trade, he gets his 3B job back despite hitting .180

He's fat, isn't he?

He'll fit right in.

http://www.cantstopthebleeding.com/img/laird0317.jpg

Naw. He looks like he'll be competing with Granderson for the highest number of stolen bases for the team...

He hit .299 away from Texas, .258 at home. What can we expect in Comerica?

He hit .571 here last year (7 at bats though).

He hit .299 away from Texas, .258 at home. What can we expect in Comerica?

He hit .571 here last year (7 at bats though).

I think we can safely assume fat.

He'll be spending a lot of time on the Pepsi Porch? (eating pizza, not hitting home runs there)

Split the difference between .299 and .571, call it around .430...easily.

Split the difference between .299 and .571, call it around .430...easily.

That's a pretty terrible shooting percentage for a center.

Laird is probably the best they could hope for at C, and while the prospects have potential neither is a name I've been hearing for a while.

In other words, I'm as happy as I could be at catcher. I suppose if they traded Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson to the Cubs for Soto and Harden I would be happier, so technically I'm not as happy as I could be at catcher. Sorry for being a liar.

So who will get more starts at catcher: Ryan or Laird. It sounds like they're going to split the season almost 50-50.

I got excited when I saw that :we: actually drafted Melo, but then :we: just traded him away.

I got excited when I saw that :we: actually drafted Melo, but then :we: just traded him away.

Glenn, I have no idea what the hell you're actually talking about right there.

My geniousity is often misunderstood.

^ I know that happens with me a lot too.

Glenn, I have no idea what the hell you're actually talking about right there.

Zekyl, who did we give up for Laird?

A couple prospects I've never heard of. I read we just signed them (from wherever) so we didn't use any picks on them.

Argh.

Pirate fan?

You are losing me on your posts in this thread too.

WHAT ARE THE TWO GUYS NAMES THAT WE GAVE UP?

Then read post #15.

Why do I always have trouble with "How did we get" baseball questions?

Are you trying to make sense Glenn?

Fuck it.

Out.

I got it from the get go, but sorry, it was kind of lame.

And it only got more lame with each failed attempt to clue others in.

That's the way it always goes, though.

And yet you still don't just tell us.

It would make a bad joke even worse, it's best to just let it go at this point.

But I think you probably know that already.

And it only got more lame with each failed attempt to clue others in.

That's the way it always goes, though.

Been there, done that.

WHAT ARE THE TWO GUYS NAMES THAT WE GAVE UP?

Then read post #15.

Carlos Melo and Guillermo Moscoso per Wikipedia (which is becoming very handy)

Ahh, didn't know who the second guy in the trade was, it wasn't listed in the thread and I hadn't seen it in any reports, it just kept saying "and another player"

Arrested at a Suns game. Seems like a pretty good story, too.