Truth & Rumors > MLB

Why Rangers demoted Salty

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Gerald Laird said he knew he would show the Rangers enough this spring to make him the starting catcher. His chief competition, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, said he knew it, too. Both got the news they expected Wednesday, as the Rangers settled the catching competition. Laird is the starter, veteran Adam Melhuse is the backup and the 22-year-old Saltalamacchia will start the season at Triple-A Oklahoma. Saltalamacchia's numbers weren't bad -- a .250 average with eight RBIs -- but in the end, it was a case of the incumbent never allowing the challenger to take his spot.

Dallas Morning News

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, AP Jarrod Saltalamacchia, AP
March 27, 2008  09:51 AM ET

I'm sorry, but Laird really isn't that good. Give Salty more time and he'll be amazing, plain and simple. But in the Rangers infinite wisdom, they demote him, where his skills will wither away and he'll get to the point where he'll want to be traded. Boo Rangers, agian.

March 27, 2008  09:55 AM ET

Laird, Salty and Melhouse all on board?

God. Can the Sox PLEASE make a trade for Taylor Teagarden!?!

March 27, 2008  11:53 AM ET

Damn. I drafted Salty to be the starting catcher on my fantasy team...

March 27, 2008  12:21 PM ET

Don't feel bad Salty I see a trade in the near future for you. Crisp for you. You'll love it in Red Sox Nation !!!

March 27, 2008  12:32 PM ET

You could be onto something there kaycee. Makes sense in a way. & That's why it won't happen, why would the Rangers do something of their benefit?

March 27, 2008  12:41 PM ET

Salty is the Rangers catcher of the future. Laird is being give time to up his value so that they Rangers can trade him for something decent (like say to Milwaukee, Boston, or Cincinnati). After that Salty will be promoted to starter straight from AAA. Starting him in AAA (which he skipped when he was with the Braves) will get him some valuable playing time to improve his defensive skills and get his bat going. Salty will finish the season as the Ranger's starting catcher.

March 27, 2008  01:11 PM ET

Good cathching prospects are hard to come by. You don't trade them for dime-a-dozen left fielders like Crisp. Throw in Bucholtz and maybe your on to something

March 27, 2008  01:25 PM ET

No way the Rangers trade Salty. Like I said, Teagarden is the guy I'd target if I were the Sox. He's great defensively, really blossoming offensively and very expendable for the Rangers.

March 27, 2008  01:29 PM ET

Salty for Coco

Sounds great if you're a keebler elf or a red sox fan. For everyone else in the world its ridiculous.

March 27, 2008  01:31 PM ET

Also, it's not going to be Coco. The Rangers have don't need a CF anymore. While the Sox were waiting for the Twins to make up their minds, the Rangers traded for Josh Hamilton.

March 27, 2008  02:13 PM ET

Also, it's not going to be Coco. The Rangers have don't need a CF anymore. While the Sox were waiting for the Twins to make up their minds, the Rangers traded for Josh Hamilton.

hyperRevue | 03/27/08, 01:31 PM
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Coco can play any OF position he just wants to play everyday. Salty - do you like lobsta ???

March 27, 2008  03:01 PM ET

True. But the Rangers also have Dave Murphy (sigh) who's had a good spring, Milton Bradley, Marlon Byrd and Frank Catalanotto.

I don't see the Rangers making a trade for an OF.

Kaycee - google around and read up on Taylor Teagarden.

March 27, 2008  03:06 PM ET

In unrelated news, I guess Kason Gabbard has been horrible this spring for the Rangers. Good to know.

March 27, 2008  04:07 PM ET

This shows that the Mark Texieria trade by Atlanta was a good move

March 27, 2008  04:17 PM ET

Salty=Greatest nickname I've seen today. Not ever. That would be a hyperbole.

March 27, 2008  04:30 PM ET

the braves should have never gotten rid of saltalamacchia. that was a big mistake on the braves org.

March 27, 2008  09:48 PM ET

'While the Sox were waiting for the Twins to make up their minds, the Rangers traded for Josh Hamilton.'

I think you mean, while the Twins waited for the Red Sox to make a decent offer, the Rangers traded for Josh Hamilton...

March 27, 2008  09:50 PM ET

'the braves should have never gotten rid of saltalamacchia. that was a big mistake on the braves org.'

They have McCann, why do they need Salty...and they got a year plus of Texeira. If the lose him as a free agent, they'll get a first rounder and a sandwich pick between round 1 and 2...

Rangers did the right thing

March 27, 2008  10:11 PM ET

I think you mean, while the Twins waited for the Red Sox to make a decent offer, the Rangers traded for Josh Hamilton...

Jimmer69 (I WAS Jim L) | 03/27/08, 09:48 PM

Yeah, yeah.... ;)

 
March 28, 2008  12:44 AM ET

Maybe George W. Bush should buy the Rangers back. He may not know what he's doing, but it will at least be entertaining to listen to him try and explain away his mistakes.

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