There may be a match with the Rangers in the Reds pursuit of a catcher. The Rangers are looking to deal for young starting pitchers, which the Reds are loaded with, for a catcher. Below are some the comments from the article which suggests the Reds as a potential match for a trading partner.
The Rangers have a little something to offer anybody seeking catchers.
Want an experienced big league starter whose contract is still affordable and who would be under a club’s control for more than one year? There is Gerald Laird, who can’t become a free agent until after 2010.
Aren’t too worried about defense, but need some power and plate discipline? The Rangers can discuss Max Ramirez.
Want to gamble on a toolsy top prospect who has struggled at the major league level but has the potential to be a franchise catcher? That would be Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
The Rangers could deal all of them and still hold on to Taylor Teagarden, who hit .319 with a 1.205 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in September.
Other scenarios could have the Rangers holding another catcher and discuss Teagarden – if the pitching return is great enough.
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Boston, Milwaukee and Cincinnati, however, may be the best fits for a catcher-for-pitcher deal.
Here is a little peek at how these catchers did last year.
Age Levels Played AB BA OBP SLG OPS Laird, Gerald 28 MAJ,AAA 356 .267 .322 .385 .707 Saltalamacchia, Jarr 23 MAJ,AAA 253 .261 .361 .391 .752 Teagarden, Taylor 24 AAA,AA,MAJ 293 .229 .331 .444 .775 Ramirez, Max 23 AA,MAJ,AAA,ROK 331 .329 .426 .592 1.018
I still like Saltalamacchia and hope they target him. The Reds have Owings, Bailey, Thompson, Ramirez, and Maloney as the group of young guys vying for the 5th starter role from which to choose to offer up in a deal. Looks like a good matchup.