The Catcher and SS positions

[SoxSport]

The Red Sox asked Salty to be a much better catcher than he has been in the past. It looks like he is trying. It isn't clear if he will be successful. But my bet is they give up on him before he gets the chance.

The mistake of putting all your eggs in one basket, Theo.

[snydersminipretzels]

I'd give Theo a break. There weren't a lot of better options on the market, and some of the solutions, like Bengie Molina are just waste of money. I'd let the kid play, and try to make a better upgrade with a trade.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I'm really curious as to when we are going to start giving Salty some credit for working out of his slump?

 

Since April 17th, pitchers have thrown to him to a 2.14 ERA, he's hitting .280 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI, and the Red Sox are 5-2 in those games.

 

And lets not forget. He gunned down Chone Figgins with Tim Wakefield throwing to him. He threw a couple bullets down to 2nd, his throws are getting much, much better.

 

So why is everyone still throwing him under the bus? He's doing fine, and he's shown big improvements over the last couple of weeks.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

They will continue to throw Salty under the bus until he becomes Joe Mauer.

[Palodios]

They will continue to throw Salty under the bus until he becomes Joe Mauer.

 

And when he does, we'll all say "I told you so"

[Station 13]

....

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Hey, Saltalamacchia caught a 7 inning, 11K, 1 run start today, made some blocks AND drove in a run with a ball off the wall. Dude sucks

[SCM33]

Hey' date=' Saltalamacchia caught a 7 inning, 11K, 1 run start today, made some blocks AND drove in a run with a ball off the wall. Dude sucks[/quote']

 

Even blind squirrels find nuts.

 

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You mean he did what he was supposed to do (catch/return throws back to the mound/block balls) and we are praising it?

 

He went 1-4 with an RBI and did what little leaguers do defensively.

 

I took a nice poop today and showed up to work on time. You dont see me bragging about stuff that I am supposed to do, so why are we bragging about Salty's pedestrian game? Thats like praising a baby for walking for the first time.

 

goo goo ga ga good job Jarrod!!! Your doing so much better!!!

[Emmz]

Who cares, the Red Sox are winning, and Salty's been playing pretty well all around.

 

Let's just enjoy the winning.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Jeez, why so hard on the guy SCM?

[SCM33]

Jeez' date=' why so hard on the guy SCM?[/quote']

 

Eh, its more of playfulness and misguided anger for the way the organization handled the position in the offseason.

 

I dont hate Salty, hes just the fall guy.

 

Id like to see him do well (otherwise I wouldnt really be a fan of the team), but I was just pissed off they dropped the ball at the other options. Russell Martin would look nice right now. Vmart would like nice. I hate the fact that the addition of Crawford meant the subtraction of Vmart. This team would be much better minus Crawford and Salty with the additions of Martin and Dunn or Vmart and Dunn.

 

Its not Saltys fault that the spot was just given to him, but lets not act like its an omen. Did he earn it, nope.....but lets not baby him when he fails and feel bad for him. If he cant do it, he cant do it....no point congratulating the kid for doing the basic things that ALL catchers are supposed to do.......like block balls.

 

He was at the wrong place at the wrong time considering his skillset.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Eh, its more of playfulness and misguided anger for the way the organization handled the position in the offseason.

 

I dont hate Salty, hes just the fall guy.

 

Id like to see him do well (otherwise I wouldnt really be a fan of the team), but I was just pissed off they dropped the ball at the other options. Russell Martin would look nice right now. Vmart would like nice. I hate the fact that the addition of Crawford meant the subtraction of Vmart. This team would be much better minus Crawford and Salty with the additions of Martin and Dunn or Vmart and Dunn.

 

Its not Saltys fault that the spot was just given to him, but lets not act like its an omen. Did he earn it, nope.....but lets not baby him when he fails and feel bad for him. If he cant do it, he cant do it....no point congratulating the kid for doing the basic things that ALL catchers are supposed to do.......like block balls.

 

He was at the wrong place at the wrong time considering his skillset.

 

 

Oh my god. Is this serious? I can't even

 

 

 

my Salty post earlier was just messing around btw.

 

But woah

[SCM33]

Oh my god. Is this serious? I can't even

 

 

 

my Salty post earlier was just messing around btw.

 

But woah

 

Is it really that breathtaking, or are you just "messing around" again?

 

Martin and Vmart are both 10x better than Salty on all levels.

 

Even if we could compare Dunn to Crawford on any type of metric, the fact that Martin and Vmart are that much better than Salty would suggest that those options are better than Salty and Crawford.

 

Where is the shock? Keep in mind that I like Crawford although I was against the signing. In fact I am pulling that he breaks out of his rut, even if I am unsure whether or not he really fits in the lineup.

 

Dunn has been a bag of crap for the WS thus far, but Crawford has underperformed as well. In the end, Crawford might outperform Dunn......but I am talking about how I was thinking in the off season, not today.

 

Regardless, this thread, and my argument has been about Salty.....not whether or not Dunn should be here instead of Crawford....so lets not confuse the topic.

[Emmz]

Eh, its more of playfulness and misguided anger for the way the organization handled the position in the offseason.

 

I dont hate Salty, hes just the fall guy.

 

Id like to see him do well (otherwise I wouldnt really be a fan of the team), but I was just pissed off they dropped the ball at the other options. Russell Martin would look nice right now. Vmart would like nice. I hate the fact that the addition of Crawford meant the subtraction of Vmart. This team would be much better minus Crawford and Salty with the additions of Martin and Dunn or Vmart and Dunn.

 

Its not Saltys fault that the spot was just given to him, but lets not act like its an omen. Did he earn it, nope.....but lets not baby him when he fails and feel bad for him. If he cant do it, he cant do it....no point congratulating the kid for doing the basic things that ALL catchers are supposed to do.......like block balls.

 

He was at the wrong place at the wrong time considering his skillset.

 

Except you pretty much said that he was completely incompetent, and couldn't do anything from blocking to calling a game, something that by your own logic, he did pretty well last night.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Last 8 games that Salty has caught:

 

Red Sox Pitching: 2.28 ERA

Salty's Hitting: .276/.300/.379, 3 2B, 5 RBI. Not great, but I'll take that from our 9 hole Catcher.

 

And most importantly:

 

Red Sox Record: 6-2

[iortiz]

Is it really that breathtaking, or are you just "messing around" again?

 

Martin and Vmart are both 10x better than Salty on all levels.

 

Even if we could compare Dunn to Crawford on any type of metric, the fact that Martin and Vmart are that much better than Salty would suggest that those options are better than Salty and Crawford.

 

Where is the shock? Keep in mind that I like Crawford although I was against the signing. In fact I am pulling that he breaks out of his rut, even if I am unsure whether or not he really fits in the lineup.

 

Dunn has been a bag of crap for the WS thus far, but Crawford has underperformed as well. In the end, Crawford might outperform Dunn......but I am talking about how I was thinking in the off season, not today.

 

Regardless, this thread, and my argument has been about Salty.....not whether or not Dunn should be here instead of Crawford....so lets not confuse the topic.

 

I prefer 100% of the times read posts that analyses a specific situation like you do (beyond if i'm agree or not), than a ********, worthless or empty one, and that a lot here do (including me, sometimes); surely some out there, appreciate your thoughts contribution, like i do, so... i recommend you, do not hook with some boneheads who don't want to see beyond (nothing personal).

 

Mentioned that, and back to the thread, i would preferred keep Vmart and Beltre and go for Braun (just signed and made 100 MUSD/10 years contract with the brewers, 50MUSD less than Crawford did with BRS) , and please, do not take me wrong, i'm happy as surely everyone is with Adrian (besides he's Mexican) and Carl, but here is why and the numbers.:

 

Adrian Beltre, 32, (14 MUSD with TEX) 0.274 lifetime 3B

VMart, 32, (12 MUSD with DET) 0.300 lifetime C, 1B

Braun, 27, (10 MUSD with MIL) 0.307 lifetime LF

 

With them, you have a elite, proved and golden glovers players, with 36 MUSD of payroll. Besides, on VMart and Beltre cases, they would signed for 4-5-years contract. You just had to focus in get Braun.

 

In the other hand, you have:

 

Adrian Gonzalez, 28, (22 MUSD) 0.285 lifetime 1B

Carl Crawford, 29, (14.8MUSD), 0.294 lifetime LF

Salty, 26, (.75 MUSD), 0.246 lifetime, C

 

With them, you have a 37 MUSD of payroll, and yes, more youth; but in the middle-term (3-4 years) you definitely wouldn't have that improvement than you would, keeping VMart and Beltre, and hiring Braun AB or in defense.

 

Inclusive, covered 2 of the requested positions (1B,LF), you will have some (or a lot) uncertainty in the C position with the actual call.

 

Looking forward, the Red Sox will have room for another aprox. 50 MUSD of payroll when they let go Drew, Cameron, Wake, Varitek and maybe Papi and Dice-K so, besides Braun they should gone for another SS (of course unknowing the JL and Scutaro performance) and a elite start pitcher.

 

Anyway, what is done is done, and again, I'm happy for having Crawford and Adrian in this lineup and hoping that Salty could make it, but if not... do not forget the payroll that will be available next year, and maybe thats why the RS are making this bet on Salty.

 

S2

[Cocos Disciples]

In no way was Ryan Braun available this offseason. He was signed through 2015, and just signed an extension to bring that to 2020.

[iortiz]

In no way was Ryan Braun available this offseason. He was signed through 2015' date=' and just signed an extension to bring that to 2020.[/quote']

 

mmm... he was making 4.5 MUSD, and with the deficit (6.5 MUSD* 5 years left) surely RS could negotiate with the brewers.

 

But as i just said, i like the actual lineup, and if Salty doesn't make the numbers, there will be money available considering some retirements and possible player releases.

[Palodios]

mmm... he was making 4.5 MUSD' date=' and with the deficit (6.5 MUSD* 5 years left) surely RS could negotiate with the brewers. [/quote']

 

I don't think you understand how money works in the MLB. 6.5 milion is not much for elite players.

 

Elite players making below average money for several years are not going anywhere, especially in the case of a team like the Brewers that went ALL-OUT to try to make a run at the playoffs this year. They had an elite offense, and added a #1 and #2 starter. Getting rid of Braun would hurt their team significantly, and to trade him away, they would have needed to add significant major league caliber pieces that help their team more than his absence will hurt them.

[WhiskeyBreath]

Yup, and you have to remember than Fielder is going to be a free agent and will most likely be outta there so there was never any realistic chance of Braun ever being moved.

[iortiz]

I don't think you understand how money works in the MLB. 6.5 milion is not much for elite players.

 

Elite players making below average money for several years are not going anywhere, especially in the case of a team like the Brewers that went ALL-OUT to try to make a run at the playoffs this year. They had an elite offense, and added a #1 and #2 starter. Getting rid of Braun would hurt their team significantly, and to trade him away, they would have needed to add significant major league caliber pieces that help their team more than his absence will hurt them.

 

If the maths are right, you have 6.5*5= 32.5 MUSD plus part of the payroll of Carl Crawford , plus the imminent payroll available for 2012, i don't know... if the money would be the issue i don't see it. Of course, all this, before the Braun extension.

[Dojji]

It's not a question of whether we could afford him. More why the heck would the Brewers even make him available, as they can afford him..

[Palodios]

If the maths are right' date=' you have 6.5*5= 32.5 MUSD plus part of the payroll of Carl Crawford , plus the imminent payroll available for 2012, i don't know... if the money would be the issue i don't see it. Of course, all this, before the Braun extension.[/quote']

 

I don't think you understand how money works in the MLB. 6.5 milion is not much for elite players.

 

Elite players making below average money for several years are not going anywhere, especially in the case of a team like the Brewers that went ALL-OUT to try to make a run at the playoffs this year. They had an elite offense, and added a #1 and #2 starter. Getting rid of Braun would hurt their team significantly, and to trade him away, they would have needed to add significant major league caliber pieces that help their team more than his absence will hurt them.

[Dojji]

I don't think you understand how money works in the MLB. 6.5 milion is not much for elite players.

 

Elite players making below average money for several years are not going anywhere, especially in the case of a team like the Brewers that went ALL-OUT to try to make a run at the playoffs this year. They had an elite offense, and added a #1 and #2 starter. Getting rid of Braun would hurt their team significantly, and to trade him away, they would have needed to add significant major league caliber pieces that help their team more than his absence will hurt them.

 

Translation:

 

You sillyhead. In order to trade Braun, the Brewers need a reason to do so. He isn't expensive, so getting rid of the contract is not that reason. THe Brewers are also trying to run for the playoffs, so they aren't going to "rebuiild" by trading Braun for a boatload of prospects. That leaves Boston making the kind of offer that knocks them off their feet. And for a guy like Braun, it isn't wonderfully likely that the Sox even have the pieces to meet Milwaukee's price, extension or no, because we'd have to put them over the top with a no doubt trade for them. I don't see how the Sox do that.

[Cocos Disciples]

I don't think you understand how money works in the MLB. 6.5 milion is not much for elite players.

 

Elite players making below average money for several years are not going anywhere, especially in the case of a team like the Brewers that went ALL-OUT to try to make a run at the playoffs this year. They had an elite offense, and added a #1 and #2 starter. Getting rid of Braun would hurt their team significantly, and to trade him away, they would have needed to add significant major league caliber pieces that help their team more than his absence will hurt them.

 

Yeah. He was signed for the next 5 years. There was absolutely no way he was getting moved. He should not be included in any discussion about what the Red Sox should have done differently this winter.

[iortiz]

end of discussion, i didn't noticed that he had a 5 years contract already.

[Palodios]

mmm... he was making 4.5 MUSD' date=' and with the deficit (6.5 MUSD*[b'] 5 years left[/b]) surely RS could negotiate with the brewers.

 

But as i just said, i like the actual lineup, and if Salty doesn't make the numbers, there will be money available considering some retirements and possible player releases.

 

 

end of discussion' date=' i didn't noticed that he had a 5 years contract already.[/quote']

 

Your posts make my brain hurt.

[iortiz]

Your posts make my brain hurt.

 

Leaving the Braun thing behind, i would kept V-Mart and Beltre and signed just Crawford.

 

But again, what is done is done, and if Salty doesn't make the numbers, there's gonna be available payroll in 2012.

[SCM33]

Last 8 games that Salty has caught:

 

Red Sox Pitching: 2.28 ERA

Salty's Hitting: .276/.300/.379, 3 2B, 5 RBI. Not great, but I'll take that from our 9 hole Catcher.

 

And most importantly:

 

Red Sox Record: 6-2

 

Saltys last 10 games......

 

.188 Batting average with zero power, and zero plate discipline.

 

Defense is still craptastic.

 

Also, you cant give him credit for the pitching staff pitching so well if you are not willing to blame him for how s***** theyve looked as well.

 

Obviously not the reason they have been garbage the last 2 nights, just following the lack of progress.

[boston22407]

Red Sox shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias is on his way to Boston.

The Red Sox will decide whether to officially add Iglesias to their 25-man roster after evaluating injured shortstop Marco Scutaro on Sunday morning. The Sox did not want to have to bring up the 21-year-old this early, but a series of injuries may force the move. Known mostly for his glove, Iglesias has hit just .229 with a .485 OPS in 23 games at Triple-A Pawtucket.