Saltalamacchia Would Love To Be A Red Sox .

[NateGrey]

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http://www.mlb.com/images/players/action/ph_457454.jpg

 

 

Boston Globe - Rangers' catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia has heard rumors of him being traded to the Red Sox, and he couldn't be happier.

 

Saltalamacchia doesn't have anything against Texas, but he grew up idolizing Jason Varitek.

 

"That would be a dream come true," said Saltalamacchia. "I'd love to go there and either work under Jason for a year or two or just go there and catch full-time.

 

"I love watching Jason. He's like an idol of mine. I watch him, and I learn from him, and I'd love to be able to spend time with him. I saw him this year, and we talked for a while, and I learned so much from him in the short time we had."

 

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> http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/12171/20081109/saltalamacchia_would_love_to_be_a_red_sox/

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[BSN07]

I read the article earlier today, was interesting to say the least. He might have really thrown up a flare to the Sox FO here. The way he talks about Tek, makes me believe that Salty might be the best canidate to apprentice under Tek. Trade for him, sign Tek for 2 years. This kid idolizes Tek it seems, the Sox should take advantage of that. If this kid can really learn what Tek has to offer, and add his bat, he could be a premier Catcher in the league.

[Dojji]

Love to get him if there's a way we can do that without compromising our pitching staff.

[BoSox21]

Interesting to hear him be so candid on the subject, to be honest. Texas gave up Mark friggin' Teixeira for him little more than a year ago, they're gonna demand a king's random for Salty

[BSN07]

That was before Teargarden emerged. Now they have a surplus. I think it will only cost 1 SP prospect and possibly one more player. I think Bowden has enough value to entice Texas who is very SP starved. If they where to deal I would imagine they will ask for Buchholz and Theo will counter with Bowden and someone else. I could easily see a Coco, Bowden being an adequate counter offer. Or Bowden +1 more prospect. Dealing Bowden( I know he has a high upside) will not hurt the Sox SP depth. There are more then enough adequate SP that could fill that spot.

[BSN07]

What's nice is he has already said he wants to learn under Tek for a year or so. With him being so eager, Tek could really shape this kid into a great Catcher.

[Cocos Disciples]

If we get Salty, why would we re-sign Tek? Also, Tek (Boras) wouldn't agree to that.

[BSN07]

I think Tek will take a 2 year 16-20MM deal, and that's not totally out of the realm of possibilites.

[Cocos Disciples]

For a part time catcher?

[Dojji]

For a part time catcher?

 

Bearing in mind that if Salty does flop somehow, Tek becomes the guy.

[BSN07]

I'd rather have Tek at that cost, then some other FA.

 

Tek isn't stupid. If he wants to come back to Boston, it will have to be at the rate the Sox want to pay him, and he will have realize that if he comes back theres a good chance he will be mentoring his eventual replacement and splitting time with said person. It's up to Tek to be able to embrace this or not.

 

If Tek making that much money troubles you, think of it this way, Salty won't be making much. Think of it as having 2 C's making 4-5M each, instead of just one making 8-10MM, LOL.

[Cocos Disciples]

I'm just not really keen on the idea of having a s***** backup catcher making $8-10 mil/year.

[jacksonianmarch]

Salty is a s***** catcher, period. And is Varitek gonna help him hit?

[BSN07]

Salty is a s***** catcher' date=' period. And is Varitek gonna help him hit?[/quote']

 

Salty can already hit. Tek can help his game calling, a coach can help eith his D. This is why most of us have said he's a " Project ", but a high potential one.

[jacksonianmarch]

he's a massive project who will likely end up a 1b. And it will cost a ton to get him.

[BSN07]

he's a massive project who will likely end up a 1b. And it will cost a ton to get him.

 

Teagarden will cost a ton. Salty I bet can be had for 1 top tier pitching prospect, +1 more.

 

 

 

But that's MHO. We will have to wait and see.

 

 

He may be a project, but his upside is worth it. If the Yanks hadn't signed the bank over to Jorge last off season and where looking for a C, you probably be interested in him as well Jacko. Anyone who wouldn't either has an adequate C, or is stuck to a long term deal with one. So the proposition of bringing in a Top Prospect Catcher isn't a reality.

[jacksonianmarch]

Teargarden will cost a ton. Salty I bet can be had for 1 top tier pitching prospect, +1 more.

 

 

 

But that's MHO. We will have to wait and see.

 

 

He may be a project, but his upside is worth it. If the Yanks hadn't signed the bank over to Jorge last off season and where looking for a C, you probably be interested in him as well Jacko. Anyone who wouldn't either has an adequate C, or is stuck to a long term deal with one. So the proposition of bringing in a Top Prospect Catcher isn't a reality.

 

we need a catcher. Posada has a good chance of not being ready to catch for the yr, and may be done as a catcher. But Salty is not the guy I want to empty the farm for. I'd take Laird over him anyday of the week. The reason being? Salty hasnt proven he can hit consistently above the A+ level, and he is an awful defender.

[TheKilo]

we need a catcher. Posada has a good chance of not being ready to catch for the yr' date=' and may be done as a catcher. But Salty is not the guy I want to empty the farm for. I'd take Laird over him anyday of the week. The reason being? Salty hasnt proven he can hit consistently above the A+ level, and he is an awful defender.[/quote']

 

lolok

[BSN07]

Ya thats why I read recently an article where Cashman says the Yanks expect Jorge behind the dish next year. He could go to 1B but I thought eventually Jeter would end up there. DH is seemingly occupied with Matsui and Damon needing time to rest. Your stuck with Jorge, and if the Yanks don't make other moves, he is stuck at C.

 

Yes If the Sox system was as thin as the Yanks, I wouldn't want to trade it away either. Nice thing about the Sox is they have depth, and can afford to take a chance on a plater like Salty. The Yanks are not in such a position. Your smart enough to know this, just to stubborn to admit it to a Sox fan. Which I can not fault you for:D

[BoSox21]

I've never really understood the hype with Salty. Granted, I haven't seen him play a whole lot but looking at his career stats, they aren't anything special, minors included aside from a nice OBP. And if there's a growing feeling that he's so bad as a catcher that he projects as a first baseman, the that concerns me even more.

[BSN07]

Well if not Salty, I wouldn't mind if they over payed for Teagarden.

 

Salty needs work, so that means it be nice to have Tek for 2 years or so while Salty is polished/tweaked.

 

Teagarden is also young, but I think closer to stepping into a full time role.

 

I'd be for either one to be honest.

[example1]

we need a catcher. Posada has a good chance of not being ready to catch for the yr' date=' and may be done as a catcher. But Salty is not the guy I want to empty the farm for. I'd take Laird over him anyday of the week. The reason being? Salty hasnt proven he can hit consistently above the A+ level, and he is an awful defender.[/quote']

 

I think the Sox can do a lot with a guy like Saltamacchia, who is heading into his age 24 season. It sounds like he would be fine as a backup for a season or two. I would be fine with the Sox resigning Tek. I know he sucks at the plate but he's a great (not just good, but great) leader on a young-ish team, and from what I can tell (looking at RAR and RAA) Tek had his second best season defensively in 2008. None of the pitchers will mind Tek being resigned.

 

Salty has some room to grow, but that's okay. I'd be willing to trade a guy like Bowden for someone the Sox see as their catcher for the next 10 years, particularly if the Sox feel like his patience at the plate will fit their system eventually. If that's Salty then great, if it is someone else that's fine too. This is a major need as I think catcher is the foundation of any good team.

[BSN07]

we need a catcher. Posada has a good chance of not being ready to catch for the yr' date=' and may be done as a catcher. But Salty is not the guy I want to empty the farm for. I'd take Laird over him anyday of the week. The reason being? Salty hasnt proven he can hit consistently above the A+ level, and he is an awful defender.[/quote']

 

Well if thats how you feel about Salty, then I would expect you would like to see the Sox send the farm away for him....

 

I actually think you may not like the Sox of polishing him up and him becoming a premier talent in the league:lol:

[example1]

The Sox might be able to say "Bowden is too much" and still land a catcher like Salty. I think that would be an ideal outcome. I have liked Bowden since he was drafted and I think that as he matures he may become a very durable, strong starting pitcher in the mold of John Lackey.

[Cocos Disciples]

Jacko, you would take Laird (.689 career OPS) over Salty? Really?

[TheKilo]

Lackey doesn't/didn't have the injury concerns of Bowden.

[John Handa]

we need a catcher. Posada has a good chance of not being ready to catch for the yr' date=' and may be done as a catcher. But Salty is not the guy I want to empty the farm for. I'd take Laird over him anyday of the week. The reason being? Salty hasnt proven he can hit consistently above the A+ level, and he is an awful defender.[/quote']

 

 

I agree the guy has been a huge bust. Can't even hit in Texas give it two years he will be teammates with Jose Offerman in the Indy league. Laird owns him look else where Theo.

[Cocos Disciples]

I agree the guy has been a huge bust. Can't even hit in Texas give it two years he will be teammates with Jose Offerman in the Indy league. Laird owns him look else where Theo.

 

Salty, in his s***** offensive career thus far, has a higher OPS than Laird (.726 to .689)

[TheKilo]

I agree the guy has been a huge bust. Can't even hit in Texas give it two years he will be teammates with Jose Offerman in the Indy league. Laird owns him look else where Theo.

 

What's your opinion of Carlos Beltran?

[example1]

Lackey doesn't/didn't have the injury concerns of Bowden.

 

What injury concerns are you talking about Kilo? He pitched 150 IP this year, and 142 IP last year.