From MLBTradeRumors (it's Sunday morning and I'm lazy):
Now, it's not like we have pitching laying around, but Salty is someone I still think is going to live up to his potential and PECOTA confirms my confidence, expecting Salty to posts a .270/.800 OPS next year and for many years after that improving steadily. That's a solid performance for someone who really has no place in the organization right now, nor foreseeably in the future. Salty would then represent either the future of the organization at back stop, or trade bait should Castro pan out.
The question, of course, is who we would trade and would the ends justify the means?But this is about the only way to obtain a solid catcher this off-season. A one for one swap of Wandy for Salty evens out in projected WARP and only get better in 2010 and 2011.
0 recs | 18 comments
I'm not doing it
Pitching > catching and there’s nothing to make me believe that Saltalamacchia is going to be anything more than an average catcher. He’s also not near the catcher defensively as Q. I’d rather use Q for now and see if one of the 20 catchers we’ve drafted in the last 3 years turns out to be anything and hold on to my pitching. Wandy isn’t Roy Oswalt by any means… but he’s still a solid pitcher and definitely has a position on the Astros team…
Stros Bro - November 2, 2008
This is one of the dilemmas of the off-season for the Astros...
You need more than one catcher on the 25-man roster. I’m comfortable (not excited, but I’m OK with it) using Q for now, too, I just can’t figure out where we’re getting our backup C from. Castro’s not likely to see time on the big club in 2009. Do you put Towles in and only let him get in the game once or twice a week? Or do you let him put in some more time at AAA and find a backup on the free agent market?
Personally, I don’t think Wade will trade for a catcher. It seems like getting rid of pitching is one of the last things this team needs to do. My guess is that we’ll pick up a cheaper free agent (maybe even a minor league FA) at least to create some competition in Spring Training.
AstroAndy - November 2, 2008
I came down on no
But it’s tempting because we have that huge need. I feel like we’d have more success employing your strategy for pitchers than we would a serviceable catcher, but it’s a huge risk. I say we give Towles the start every so often (maybe Roy only or something) and then hope figures it out.
If Drayton were willing to shell out the cash for a FA pitcher though, I think i’d try to make the trade.
Stephen Higdon - November 2, 2008
I meant to add
If there’s one thing that is standard for this team, it’s having an offensive VOID at the backstop.
Stephen Higdon - November 2, 2008
I'm not bullish on Salty as a catcher....
I’m afraid his true future will be as a DH, 1b, or platoon type between DH and catcher. When the Braves were shopping him, I was very intrigued. But, having seen him at the catcher position, I am not impressed with him defensively. Also, I am a little biased by that horrible game he had in his rookie year where he allowed 7 or 8 guys (or whatever it was) to steal on him. Would I trade Wandy for him? No. Now, obviously the answer to your question depends on the pitcher. Would I trade Backe for him? Yes. But is that likely to happen? No. Nolan Ryan is very familiar with the Astros’ pitchers. I don’t know if there is a young pitcher in the Astros’ organization he particularly likes, but if there were to be a trade, I would think that would be a starting point.
clack - November 2, 2008
Doubt Texas would do the Wandy deal because of Wandy's age
That leaves a deal like Valverde for Salty. Who does that deal? I am not sure Texas does. They seem to be looking for bigger fish.
laxtonto - November 2, 2008
I think you overrate the value of some of those guys to Texas
And undervalue Wandy’s perceived value. This is a team with ZERO starting pitching and a great offense. Salty is one of four catchers that the Rangers have. 30 years old or not, they’d love to have a lefty who can put up great numbers over a bench warmer or extra AAA catcher.
Stephen Higdon - November 2, 2008
I have heard
Adam Morris, writer for lonestarball, make the point that Rangers need left-handed pitching at RBIA.
Triple347 - November 2, 2008
Personally...
…I doubt the Rangers would part with either of the three young catchers (Salty, Teagarden, or Ramirez) for Wandy Rodriguez.
They were supposedly offered Scott Olsen for Salty, and turned that deal down. Wandy was better than Olsen last year, but it was also his first year to be an effective pitcher, and Wandy is 5-6 years older than Olsen, with less impressive stuff.
Also, the Rangers aren’t exactly a team with ZERO starting pitching. Aside from Millwood and Padilla (who, while not great, are at least serviceable and under contract for 2009), they’ve got an awful lot of young pitchers vying for rotation jobs to sift through.
Adam J. Morris - November 2, 2008
At some point
Holding a surplus of catcher’s will drive down their price and I imagine Nolan Ryan might be a little partial to Wandy or someone in our dismal farm system possibly (as clack alluded too). However, I’m not expert on the Rangers, this are just my outsider looking in perspective. I appreciate you giving your insider looking out take.
Stephen Higdon - November 2, 2008
I watch
almost as many Rangers games as I do Astros games, considering I went to college in Dallas and live in East Texas. Since the season ended, I have been very favorable on the Astros possibly acquiring Laird. As far as the Rangers’ young catching, I am least high on Saltalamachia and most high on Teagarden. Teagarden should be untouchable, imho. He is very good defensively, and just might make a decent offensive player.
The young catcher I would look at if I were the Astros would be Max Ramirez. He is not the defensive backstop that Teagarden is, but he brings the wood. He had a good OPS at Frisco, IIRC. He is also developing defensively, and he is the Rangers catcher that I most desire. I thought I’d add that, since he hasn’t been mentioned on here yet.
Triple347 - November 2, 2008
Looks like the Rangers might agree with me, too.....
http://www.lonestarball.com/2008/11/2/652080/perrotto-says-teagarden-is
Triple347 - November 2, 2008
I wanted Saltalamacchia last year
Before the Braves traded him to Texas. If the others mentioned are better than Salty, then I favor trading a pitcher even more. I say go for it. My assumption here is JR Towles will notbe majopr league calbier next sesasn . If he is, it changes my analysis and vote.
Joe in Birmingham - November 2, 2008
You're probably correct
In assuming that Towles fairs no better this year. I wasn’t overly impressed with Ramirez’ stats and would rather go with the more proven option of Salty over him. If the front office is going to try and find guys of the scrap heap to invite to Spring Training, my gut says go for the trade. Next year is either a success or failure, but it’d be nice to hedge our bets with a young nucleus in the process. Wandy’s tenure with the ’Stros is coming to a close anyway, but would fit perfectly into the Rangers attempts at being the Rays.
There’s also a part of me that thinks that Wandy can pitch well everywhere next year and Towles might be above average in all aspects of his game. The person I really want us to find a hedge against is Bourn — Erstad is not a hedge.
Stephen Higdon - November 2, 2008
Max Ramirez
I’m not sure about his defensive ability at catcher. He definitely has the bat though: LSB’ers have him at DH in the future over anywhere else.
jonthefon - November 2, 2008
Wrong guy
The guy you want is Taylor Teagarden.
Caradoc - November 4, 2008
I just don't think he'd be available
But if he were, he’s for sure the guy to get.
Stephen Higdon - November 4, 2008
I have heard that he is the one catcher who the Rangers will not trade.
clack - November 4, 2008
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