Expectations for Saltalamacchia?

[The Boomer]

Back on topic' date=' I don't see Salty being moved midseason. My guess is he'll be the starter through September, Lavs will spend the entire season in Pawtucket hitting bombs and working on his D, in 2013 the starter is Lavs with Shoppach as the backup.[/quote']

 

I agree; if we can get some value for Salty in the off-season, I think he stays until then. Salty has proven that he can be an adequate MLB catcher. Lavarnway has not. He needs to get one more year in AAA and if he can't get his defense in order, then you trade him, not Salty. He could move to 1B in another organization if he can't stick at catcher.

[mvp 78]

I don't get this fascination with moving Salty at all. He's flawed' date=' but he's an average catcher or better by every measurement I've seen. You move him you risk having a hole. Not good logic there.[/quote']

 

Apparently, since this is the Boston Red Sox, if you aren't an All Star, you suck. I think that's the issue.

 

He's fine and should only be moved if a better option arises. I half wonder if catcher becomes the revolving door like SS now that Tek is gone...

[jacksonianmarch]

I think Lavarnway is your DH in 2013

[mvp 78]

I agree; if we can get some value for Salty in the off-season' date=' I think he stays until then. Salty has proven that he can be an adequate MLB catcher. Lavarnway has not. He needs to get one more year in AAA and if he can't get his defense in order, then you trade him, not Salty. He could move to 1B in another organization if he can't stick at catcher.[/quote']

 

Or he could be a Napoli 1b/C/DH. Nothing wrong with a Youk/Lavs DH combo.

[The Boomer]

I think Lavarnway is your DH in 2013

 

I speculate that under Theo, we were headed for a rotating DH. I think while the Ortiz era has been great, it's hard to carry a player solely for his bat.

 

Cherington has followed a lot of Theo's strategies, but on this one he may go a different direction. I do think the Sox and many other teams are questioning the value of a full-time DH.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think Lavs plays more like VMart did last yr. Backup catcher, full time DH. I doubt the sox get in on Napoli, who is effectively a DH. The sox are waiting for Miguel Montero

[Dojji]

I think Lavarnway is your DH in 2013

 

I think Youk is. Middlebrooks at 3B, Youk at DH, Agon at 1B, Lavs at catcher, Salty backing him up.

[Emmz]

I speculate that under Theo, we were headed for a rotating DH. I think while the Ortiz era has been great, it's hard to carry a player solely for his bat.

 

Cherington has followed a lot of Theo's strategies, but on this one he may go a different direction. I do think the Sox and many other teams are questioning the value of a full-time DH.

 

Some bats are just too valuable.

[Bellhorn04]

I think Youk is. Middlebrooks at 3B' date=' Youk at DH, Agon at 1B, Lavs at catcher, Salty backing him up.[/quote']

 

Yeah, I like the idea of Youk at DH in 2013. Of course if Papi puts up another .950 OPS season that could mess things up.

[The Boomer]

Some bats are just too valuable.

 

I don't rank Lavarnway's bat with Papi's at this point. As long as Papi keeps going, he's the full-time DH. But after he stops, there's no rule that we have to have another one.

[Emmz]

I don't rank Lavarnway's bat with Papi's at this point. As long as Papi keeps going' date=' he's the full-time DH. But after he stops, there's no rule that we have to have another one.[/quote']

 

Thats not really good strategy IMO. You use a DH full-time if his bat is good enough. And no one but maybe Fred will debate you over Lavs being at Ortiz's level. Like I said, he hasn't proven anything in the majors yet.

[The Boomer]

Thats not really good strategy IMO. You use a DH full-time if his bat is good enough. And no one but maybe Fred will debate you over Lavs being at Ortiz's level. Like I said' date=' he hasn't proven anything in the majors yet.[/quote']

 

Not necessarily; it depends on what the alternatives are. The NYY have done very well by having a rotating DH and it costs them only the incremental salary of a bench player, as most of the guys DHing would be being paid anyway (e.g., A-Rod).

 

Papi is, at this time, on the very edge of where a team can support a full-time DH that earns his salary. He's probably too expensive in fact, but he has intangibles that will and should support his current salary.

[Emmz]

Rotating DH, full time DH, doesnt matter really. If they earn their pay and are productive, then it works out. The Yankees have had a revolving DH because they have a bunch of aging veterans who suck in the field now, if you got a guy who can put up .900 OPS from the DH, and isn't massively overpaid, then there's no issue in having him in that spot permanently.

 

Would you give up Lavs' bat if he was a 30 HR, .850-900 OPS hitter, to keep Salty just because his defense is adequate and you don't want a full-time DH?

[The Boomer]

Rotating DH, full time DH, doesnt matter really. If they earn their pay and are productive, then it works out. The Yankees have had a revolving DH because they have a bunch of aging veterans who suck in the field now, if you got a guy who can put up .900 OPS from the DH, and isn't massively overpaid, then there's no issue in having him in that spot permanently.

 

Would you give up Lavs' bat if he was a 30 HR, .850-900 OPS hitter, to keep Salty just because his defense is adequate and you don't want a full-time DH?

 

There's no way to answer that question. If I also have Youk and A-Gonz who can DH part-time and good replacements for them, you might shop Lavarnway because he would pull in a Pineda-like haul. Too many variables for there to be one answer.

[seabeachfred]

You say you're sorry for bragging only to continue bragging. You're just another old relic who puts his knowledge above all others'. I'd say my knowledge of baseball' date=' as well as human relations beyond the mid-20th century, are a great deal better than yours gramps.[/quote']

 

You know Emmzie, when I come on the board, this or any other, I am anxious to see what other people have to say and whether I can leave knowing more than I did when signed on. Bragging hell!!!! It is sharing what experiences I have gained in my lifetime. When I hear 700, Sox Sport, Iortiz, SCM, MVP or any of the posters, I tune in to see what I can learn that would make me more knowledgeable and give me more insight. You're just a nasty and sarcastic woman who acts like a total fool, and since I suffer fools very badly, let's just do what your friend and I have done.....You put me on ignore and I will counter by not communicating with you again----and I would would take that advice. You have no respect for me and I have grown to dislike you. We have nothing more to say to each other.

 

As far as me being an "old relic" I'd rather be that than a filthy mouthed young @#%&. As for Gramps, that's for my grandkids to call me, not you.

[seabeachfred]

So if he flops' date=' it was because he was misused, not that you were be wrong. OK.[/quote']

 

First of all, in my opinion he is not going to flop and I believe the Red Sox will handle him well, and speaking of wrong I'm still waiting for you and some of your friends on that new board of yours to finally admit that you were terribly wrong at what finally happened to the Red Sox last September while Pumpsie, Muggah, IPOT, Brennan and I called it absolutely right. I won't hold my breath Boomer until you do. Your answer came when your group fled the board to a new one when you couldn't face the music.

[Bellhorn04]

First of all' date=' in my opinion he is not going to flop and I believe the Red Sox will handle him well, and speaking of wrong I'm still waiting for you and some of your friends on that new board of yours to finally admit that you were terribly wrong at what finally happened to the Red Sox last September while Pumpsie, Muggah, IPOT, Brennan and I called it absolutely right. I won't hold my breath Boomer until you do. Your answer came when your group fled the board to a new one when you couldn't face the music.[/quote']

 

Fred, have you not gotten the message yet that the posters here don't want to hear about stuff carried over from another board?

[seabeachfred]

Well' date=' saying someone who is playing at AAA has talent and will be good if they stay healthy and develop applies to, oh, about 70% of MiLB.[/quote']

 

No it doesn't Boomer and you should be smart enough to know that. Most of the Triple A players at Pawtucket never make it to the Red Sox and many of them flop, including former "standouts" like Lars Anderson. Remember him? Let's me honest about it....You know damn well that I have talked up Ryan Lavarnway for the past two plus years. You read the posts on Sawxheads before you fled. If Ryan flops there will be egg on my face, but I believe he has the goods to become a solid RH power hitter for us and I will stand on that prediction. Notice I don't say the same f or Will Middlebrooks even though he is now rated our No. 1 prospect. I don't know that much about him and from the film I've seen on him it looks like he might have a hole in his swing, and boy there is one example of which I hope I'm all wet on. We may need him sooner than we think.

[seabeachfred]

Back on topic' date=' I don't see Salty being moved midseason. My guess is he'll be the starter through September, Lavs will spend the entire season in Pawtucket hitting bombs and working on his D, in 2013 the starter is Lavs with Shoppach as the backup.[/quote']

 

Or Lavarnway could become the DH if we let Papi walk after this season. We certainly are not going to pay a lot of money for a DH who can't play any defense when there will be more inter-league games in 2013. Suppose Salty has a big year, say 25 homers and 80 RBI's, what then? Hard to get rid of a catcher who put up those kind of numbers. The ideal thing in my opinion would be to hope Salty does well, stays at catcher, Ryan gets the DH job, Youk finishes his final year at third base and it gives Middlebrooks one extra year to really hone in his talent to be totally ready to take over t hird in 2014. Well that's one scenario.

[seabeachfred]

Fred' date=' have you not gotten the message yet that the posters here don't want to hear about stuff carried over from another board?[/quote']

 

Perhaps not, but I was brought up to admit that when I am wrong I am wrong instead of running away from the truth. But it will be the last time that is brought up because it is a good point you raised. It shouldn't be brought up here, especially since we have so much other Red Sox stuff to discuss.

[seabeachfred]

I don't get this fascination with moving Salty at all. He's flawed' date=' but he's an average catcher or better by every measurement I've seen. You move him you risk having a hole. Not good logic there.[/quote']

 

With me it's not so much fascination Dojji as it is my deep enthusiasm for Ryan Lavarnway. I've put my ass on the line by predicting big things from him. I love his swing and the way the ball explodes off his bat. Salty can stop all this talk by going out there and having a big y ear. If he catches well and hits 20-25 homers that kind of talk will stop I think. If Papi is not resigned next season Ryan can take over at DH, Youk can finish off at third, Salty can stay behind the plate and the only crimp might be that Middlebroks might have to spend an extra season in Triple A unless the Red Sox can find enough at-bats for the team to carry him. I'm just glad with all the negative things said recently about our farm system that we have some young talented players knocking at the door.

[Emmz]

You know Emmzie, when I come on the board, this or any other, I am anxious to see what other people have to say and whether I can leave knowing more than I did when signed on. Bragging hell!!!! It is sharing what experiences I have gained in my lifetime. When I hear 700, Sox Sport, Iortiz, SCM, MVP or any of the posters, I tune in to see what I can learn that would make me more knowledgeable and give me more insight. You're just a nasty and sarcastic woman who acts like a total fool, and since I suffer fools very badly, let's just do what your friend and I have done.....You put me on ignore and I will counter by not communicating with you again----and I would would take that advice. You have no respect for me and I have grown to dislike you. We have nothing more to say to each other.

 

As far as me being an "old relic" I'd rather be that than a filthy mouthed young @#%&. As for Gramps, that's for my grandkids to call me, not you.

 

You just feel like you're entitled, thats it pops, let it all out. You don't deserve respect, but you've never once given anyone but your core of friends any respect.

 

I contribute in the eyes of most, and whether or not some 75 year old crusty fossil doesn't like me or not, it doesn't change a thing. I tried to discuss this rationally, but you went directly for the elitist route. If you make unsubstantial comments about my personality, you're going to get it back in return. Call it a learning experience that you need to start showing respect towards others before you get it back in return.

 

You're not special, you're the same as anyone else. And don't refer to any poster as "my friend". Unlike you, I don't attack others just for the purpose of defending buddies. I have disagreed with most of my "friends" on here on about half of the issues. Get it straight, and stop generalizing people based on minimal encounters.

 

You want respect? Earn it, pops.

[seabeachfred]

I think Youk is. Middlebrooks at 3B' date=' Youk at DH, Agon at 1B, Lavs at catcher, Salty backing him up.[/quote']

 

That's what I'd like it to be but if Salty has a big year that rotation could change. Needless to say, I'm pulling for Lavs to be in that lineup.

[seabeachfred]

You just feel like you're entitled, thats it pops, let it all out. You don't deserve respect, but you've never once given anyone but your core of friends any respect.

 

I contribute in the eyes of most, and whether or not some 75 year old crusty fossil doesn't like me or not, it doesn't change a thing. I tried to discuss this rationally, but you went directly for the elitist route. If you make unsubstantial comments about my personality, you're going to get it back in return. Call it a learning experience that you need to start showing respect towards others before you get it back in return.

 

You're not special, you're the same as anyone else. And don't refer to any poster as "my friend". Unlike you, I don't attack others just for the purpose of defending buddies. I have disagreed with most of my "friends" on here on about half of the issues. Get it straight, and stop generalizing people based on minimal encounters.

 

You want respect? Earn it, pops.

 

You get the last word on that. Now let's move on from here.

[SCM33]

I don't get this fascination with moving Salty at all. He's flawed' date=' but he's an average catcher or better by every measurement I've seen. You move him you risk having a hole. Not good logic there.[/quote']

 

I don't necessarily want to get rid of him, I just don't want him as the everyday catcher for various reasons which I am not going to get in to again.

 

Hed be an EXCELLENT backup catcher if his defense continues to improve.

[Emmz]

I don't necessarily want to get rid of him, I just don't want him as the everyday catcher for various reasons which I am not going to get in to again.

 

Hed be an EXCELLENT backup catcher if his defense continues to improve.

 

Yeah, he's adequate right now, but adequate from catcher can be pretty hard to watch at times. I think everyone's over the whole Salty Fever thing that we experienced in the middle of last season.

[jacksonianmarch]

He is not an adequate defensive catcher. Never has been. He isnt the complete butcher he was billed as, but he is not a big league average defensive catcher. He is below average, let's not pretend his defense is anything other than that. His offense is in the above average category. That isnt saying much, since most catchers nowadays hit about as good as a pitcher in the NL

[Emmz]

He is not an adequate defensive catcher. Never has been. He isnt the complete butcher he was billed as' date=' but he is not a big league average defensive catcher. He is below average, let's not pretend his defense is anything other than that. His offense is in the above average category. That isnt saying much, since most catchers nowadays hit about as good as a pitcher in the NL[/quote']

 

He's adequate overall, and I hate to rain on your "lets rain on the Red Sox's parade" parade, but most catchers certainly hit better than NL pitchers. If that were the case, Salty would have to be considered well above average as an offensive catcher.

[User Name]

Yeah, that's a piece of hyperbole that falls flat on its face.

[The Boomer]

First of all' date=' in my opinion he is not going to flop and I believe the Red Sox will handle him well, and speaking of wrong I'm still waiting for you and some of your friends on that new board of yours to finally admit that you were terribly wrong at what finally happened to the Red Sox last September while Pumpsie, Muggah, IPOT, Brennan and I called it absolutely right. I won't hold my breath Boomer until you do. Your answer came when your group fled the board to a new one when you couldn't face the music.[/quote']

 

I am not going to get into it, but suffice to say your behavior has been deplorable.