Monday Morning Manager...the Return of Mark Teixeira

“Practically everybody in New York has half a mind to write a book -and does” -- Groucho Marx

1. Mark should get nice reception (he shouldn't be booed) - he was an active part of the community while he was with the Rangers and alot more fan friendly that the current face of the franchsie

2. Pretty good - have you seen Neftali Feliz's numbers in Clinton? Even though Laird is the better catcher right now - I think Salty is the future at Catcher. Elvis is fun to watch at Frisco. One more thought: Is Atlanta's record that much better than the Rangers with Tex? Or should I say the Rangers seem to have played better since Tex was traded?

3. Nope - the bullpen is already overused and inconsistent - the starting pitching is a little more solid - but not strong enough to pitch deep into games to give the bullpen a rest (and keep them from coming in giving up leads).

4. I'm sick and tired of it.

5. I've always been concerned about Joaquin - it seems that the 2007 was an outlier - plus if he's hurting - he needs to be on the DL. The bullpen is not performing well lately, and having a pitcher they can't use taking up space on the roster is poor management.

http://emcmlb.blogspot.com/

1. He should hear the fans cheering, but he'll probably hear a mixed response. It is certainly the right of anyone who feels like he was a bad guy to boo him, but it is disappointing to hear people boo every ex player this team has had. I mean, Ron Mahay got booed the first time he came back after the trade, and he was nothing but an all-around great guy during his time here. The trade wasn't his idea!

I don't care for the NY teams, but their fans' actions often show them to be much more knowledgeable about baseball than most teams'.

2. Still think it was the right move at the time. Won't be able to grade it for a couple more years, though the early returns do look good.

3. Nope. I think we probably need two long guys in the bullpen.

4. I'll pass, other than to say that I look forward to two high draft picks as compensation for him after the season. A long term contract would be a mistake.

5. It's a big concern - he had been the heart of the bullpen last season, and the bullpen this season has disappointed. Would have rather seen him put on the DL than to DFA Tejeda, but I suppose we eventually have to cut bait with some of these guys who show promise but can't seem to consistently deliver on it.

1) Mark Texiera is yesterday's news......he's not a Ranger anymore, thus, he should be greeted with mild applause due to his extensive work in the community. Clapping for his baseball prowess with an opponent makes me cringe somewhat, because he basically manufactured his own departure from here. 99% of players I've ever seen (except the idiot Lee Mazilli and Harold Baines), loved Fort Worth-Dallas area and wanted to be here. Mark wanted too much of Tom Hick's Liverpool team money I suppose. Overall, Texiera should be greeted meekly, in my estimation. He's an opponent now.

2) I only wish we would use Salty at a position where we can use another big, switch-hitting, power guy who is young--and use him at First, which solves SO MANY issues at first long-term. Catcher, I still don't believe, is his niche with the big club. . . .BUT, Salty is a keeper! Mark my words on this one. He has a tremendous upside, especially getting to work with Rudy, AND if we'd ever hire another Steve Smith type to teach Salty the rudiments of First base, a la Tex, I think we'd have a Superstar on our hands for years until Hicks went on the cheap again. (P.S...if we also snared Elvis Andrus and someone else I can't recall at this time, then the trade was a great trade)

3) Look at May. They did achieve. Every night, the starter kept us in games. I think they can, but the summer is hot, long. Time will tell. (****SURE WISH WE HAD A RETRACTABLE ROOF in hot weather country, like Arizona...but I guess I'm only dreaming...anyone know if it's possible to retrofit The Ballpark with a retractable roof? Just curious, now after 14 years, I'm not sure there is a big advantage for the Home-town heroes in the blistering heat factor.)

4) If Milton was truly going to approach him, shake his hand, talk with him and assure him that Milton's murky stereotype was unfounded, then it is fine. If Milton instead went up, bounding up the stairs 4 steps at at time, with fire in his eyes, then I'm glad Milton didn't make it to the pressbox and vent or provoke anything--he's been a model citizen and player here. I hate to have any incident which breaks up the good momentum he's produced thus far.

5) Benoit seemed to "figure" it out last year....to me, the reason he was productive last year was not only his command, but his efficiency of pitches coupled with his speed BETWEEN pitches, his pace. He seems to have gone back to the Vicente Padilla school of pitching ineffectiveness whereby he watches the infield grass grow while he peers in for the sign and takes forever, thus ruining any effectiveness he has. Maybe he should watch tapes from last year. (My comments always seems to revolve around hiring Fergie Jenkins for these guys to learn the mental part of the game: To bend but not break; to keep a fast pace; to shake off a solo homer, but not allow the 3-run homer, to not worry about runners on base, but instead get the BATTER out, and to be around the plate. Fergie was the master, and I do believe he could work magic with Robinson Tejeda, Padilla, Benoit, Gabbard, and a host of others.)

1-Unfortunately, like A-Rod and GMJ, he'll get booed and this is actually embarassing because it shows a lack of baseball sense. If I were there, which I won't be, I would applaud and cheer to try to drown out the boos.
2-That trade was like having an extra pick in each of the first five or six rounds of a draft. Salty-eh, Harrison is coming, Andrus- I thought he was a slick fielder. He has 17 errors,WOW, that doesn't match up to the hype. Jones has been hurt. I think Feliz should go from Clinton to Frisco. Probably won't but, promote the guy already.
3-If game time temp was 72 degrees for the rest of the season it wouldn't make much of a difference. They all pitch in the same heat. You would think the Rangers would know how to minimize the affects (they probably do) better than the opposition. The pitching staff is not pitching well, especially the bullpen, and the numbers prove it.
4-No comment.
5-He needs to go on the DL if the shoulder is bothering him. I think he needs to regain some confidence he had last year. Let's see what Madrigal looks like.

1. Polite applause. I don’t think he’ll get the sustained, sincere applause that Pudge did.

2. Right now it looks good and the second he files for free agency it’s going to look even better. It was done at the right time to maximize the return. If Salty keeps working he should become adequate behind the plate and his approach offensively is outstanding for such a young player. He looks like the kind of patient hitter who already works the count well and will get on base at a high rate and hit for power. Time will tell rather Elvis will be a good field/not hit SS or the Edgar Renteria type that some think he’ll become. Harrison looks like a good control lefty who doesn’t have problems with the HR ball and is relatively young to be at AAA. He could develop into a nice 2/3 type starter. Neftali Feliz may have the best arm in the system. He’s dominating at Clinton and should see Frisco by next year if not sooner. Beau Jones is left-handed and throws in the mid 90’s. Not a bad combination.

If 2 of these guys become solid major league regulars then it was a very good trade for 1.3 years of Teixeira. If three of them do, then it was a great trade.

3. I don’t think so. Geriatric outfield or not, the Angels starting pitching seems like too much to overcome.

4. I think Milton still has impulse control and anger issues, but I also think he’s trying to be a better person. He seems to be well liked in the clubhouse, so if he’s keeps producing and keeps these incidents to a minimum that’ll be fine with me.

5. Concern level: Orange (whatever that means.) It should make me feel better that they’re not putting him on the DL, but for some reason, it doesn’t. I just hope he rebounds to have a nice second half. When he’s right, he’s a very good late inning reliever.

1. He should be treated just like any other opposing player....he did some great things for the organization, on and off the field, and he went out of his way to leave the team also......I think it all evened out and the Rangers were smart to trade him when they did. I dont recall him blasting the team on the way out as some others have done. It was just a financial move.

2. They had to trade him and the Rangers got some solid prospects for him. I am not as high on Salty as a lot of other fans are but maybe with more coaching be can become a better defensive catcher......Too early to grade out the other prospects but it was better than losing him as a free agent and getting only one pick in the draft.

3. The heart says yes and the brain thinks maybe not.....Suspect that Angels will pull away with their great pitching......Used so many guys so far (22 or 23 I think) and there is no consistency from the guys that are 9-12 on the pitching depth chart.....Seems like there are 1 or 2 new guys every week from OK City and then those same guys are sent back down via waivers (and not claimed). Dont know how many playoff quality teams are doing that on a consistent basis.

4. I think that unless the announcer really knows the person he is talking about, he should comment on things that happen on the baseball field and not get into character issues, especially old ones. i dont know Milton but all of his teammates speak highly of him, Wash speaks highly of him, the front office speaks highly of him......If they are ready to move on from it, then why shouldnt everyone else.

5. Very concerned......he is supposed to be the 8th inning guy and if he is not healthy, then there needs to be a replacement on the roster until he is healthy. Quality set-up guys dont seem to be in abundance around MLB and Benoit has a great chance to be just that........Unfourtunately, there don't seem to be a lot of answers in OK City, just more questions.

Just a side note up to Rick Rhodes, it's not uncommon for minor league SS to have high error totals. At the same age (19) and level (AA) Edgar Renteria made 33 errors. He went on to win a couple of gold gloves. Jimmy Rollins is widely regarged as a great defensive SS and he made 26 errors at AAA. Jeter made 29 at AAA. With players that young the "slick fielder" label usually comes from scouting rather than fielding percentage. Our own Joaquin Arias, before his shoulder trouble, was regarded as a top flight defensive prospect and he made 40 errors at age 19.

You're right hefe. When I saw that double digit number in the error column next to his name, it surprised me. I know the SS usually has the most errors on a team just because of the high number of fielding opps. We'll have to trust the scouts.

1. Tex did nothing wrong. He was a great player for us and always went out there and gave all that he had. He was involved with the community and a fan favorite. I hope that he doesn't get booed. Give him an nice ovation and lets move on.

2. It was a great trade for both parties. Salty hasn't reached his full potential yet but with the promise of Andrus and Harrison will alone make the deal worth it. Daniels went to a team and got 3 top prospects. Great trade for the Rangers

3. The Rangers WILL stay in the race. They may not win it but they will stay in the race. Right now we are a .500 ball club. Nothing better... nothing worse.

4. I have no problem with Milton Bradley's reaction. He has been great for the Rangers and from the look of it he seems to be a good teammate and the guys seem to like him. He plays with passion and fire. It has to get frustrating for the guy to be put in this black light like he is this bad guy. He gets scrutinized way to much. I do hope to see Milton in a Rangers uniform for a long time because he plays the game the right way. He hustles, gets fired up, hates to lose, cool with the teammates, makes the pitcher throw strikes, not afraid to walk, and has a strong arm that we got to see displayed in New York.

5. Benoit should be on the DL. If he isn't confident enough to pitch then I think we are making a HUGE mistake by putting him out there. Wasted roster spot right now.

1) Tex told the truth, manufactured his way out of here, so you have to applaud the guy. He is going to get his money, but he probably will go to N.Y., Boston or maybe Baltimore if they continue the upswing. Tex got a good offer to stay but i believe it was just Hicks saving face, trying to say hey we tried, this guy didn't want to be here. Tex wants to win, those two things aren't mutually exclusive, money won't keep him out of Atlanta. I find it comical, that the Rangers drafted a firstbaseman with their first pick and then compared him to Tex. If that is so, does that mean he will play elsewhere during the prime of his career? Is Washington going to throw at TEX? Will Tex be swinging for the fences or taking pitches?
2) At least we got something for him. But Salt needs to play DH or 1B, we need his bat, Laird is the catcher on this team and Salty needs to play, so play Salt somewhere else. Andrus is a stud, Harrison may be. The jury is still out probably 2 to 3 years before we know. I know this, there is a huge hole at first base and this team is suffering for it.
3). No, our best pitchers pitch on other teams, Volquez, Danks, Young, Harang, Gallaragga, Davis, Demptser, Duchererer. On and on must i go? Has this organization ever been in a position to deal any pitchers?
4). Milton, i love you brother, glad you are on this team, but, you need psychological counseling or anger management. Lefevber was wrong for attacking you personally, but he got some good publicity out of it. That is what he is trying to do, make a name for himself.
5). If uncle benny is hurt he should be on the disabled list. Why risk further injury when we are 2 to 3 years away? Besides where is the Japanese Bullpen pitcher?

1. I don't think Tex should get booed or cheered. He was a great player while he was here, but this franchise has moved on for the better - just treat him like any other visiting player.

2. Lets see: Salty, Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz, Beau Jones are now property of the Texas Rangers.

- Salty is our future catcher - Laird is 28, folks. You need to get over him.
- Andrus is our future shortstop
- Harrison should be in the rotation by years end
- Neftali Feliz has been amazing this year in Low A Clinton - 5-2 with a 2.24 ERA and a WHIP of 1.00 in 14 games... he has struck out 83 to just 24 walks. If his secondary pitches develop as planned, he could be a future #1 starter.
- Beau Jones is about the only prospect here whose performance has been "meh", but he's holding his own in high A Bakersfield.

To conclude: I feel very good about the Mark Teixeira trade, no matter what he goes on to do. And he's only hitting .276/.367/.488 for the Braves this year so far.

3. Okay: WE ARE NOT IN THE RACE. No, I don't care how many games back we are, but organizationally, we are not in the race or ready to contend yet. Therefore, it doesn't matter what the pitching staff does, be it good or bad, just so long as Eric Hurley and Matt Harrison get their chances to come up, make mistakes and get better on the Major League level.

4. Bradley was in the right. Lefebvre's comments wher uncalled for and baseless.

5. Well, I remember Briant77 and I having several discussions on whether or not we should have traded Joaquin in the offseason, and it looks like he was right - we should have traded him.

Benoit did himself in by not throwing for three months in the offseason, and I guess he's never really recovered from the problems trying to get back into shape too quickly have caused him. He needs to be on the DL if he can't pitch effectively.

http://lonestarincalifornia.wordpress.com/

1. I think it will be - as someone earlier mentioned - polite applause. I will be at the game tomorrow and I am curious about the reaction also. I don't think he'll be booed.

2. I loved it then and I love it now. Salty is definately a keeper and everything I hear about the others is positive. It was definately a move that needed to be made. I'm just glad we got something for him. I agree with those above who say to put him at first.

3. I wish I felt more confident. Still too many 11-8 games for my liking. Anytime you score 8 runs, you should win. I think Millwood and Padilla are pitching well. After that...UGH!

As a couple of others have mentioned also, the bullpen scares me. It seems like they have been kind of shaky all along, even during the first couple of weeks when the starters were going really well.

4. I think it was overblown. This is going to happen more often down the line because of his reputation. I hate to see it. I was really concerned - because of his rep - when he signed here. So far, he has been great.

5. Extremely concerned. I've been watching Benoit for years now, and waiting for him to pitch up to his ability. Last year, it seemed that he "got it". Now he's back to his old inconsistent self. If he is hurt, DL him and get him healthy. Sometimes it seems like he has no idea how great of a pitcher he can be. That's the shame of it.

Jon, "Laird is 28, folks". What's your point?

Re: Laird: point is, he's not the future. Salty, Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez are all in line behind him at the catcher's position, and Salty and MaxRam, at least, are both ready for the majors.

That doesn't mean Laird's not a decent catcher - he's having a good year (better than I thought he'd have), and should fetch us a good bounty at the trade deadline, but he's got too many younger, better players behind him to be an asset to this team much longer.

1. No booing. He gave us a lot of joy watching him and if it were up to the fans he would still be here.

2. We did the best we could in getting something for a guy who wasn't going to be with us. Saltalamachia is not the key though. I predict he'll be traded.

3. Which of our 10 starters do you want me to evaluate. We were short of good starters at the beginning of the season and now we're short both of starters , relievers ( and I might add closers)

4. Milton was wrong. I don't buy the Ranger spin. Read my comments from last week as to what I recommend.

5. Benoit is hurt...now the team admits it. He's been hurt for more than a month...We're really screwed in terms of releivers...see comment above.

Gerald Laird says to these young whippersnappers (as his dentures are falling out) "Come on young fella, see if you're better than I am, I dare ya!"

1. If I were there, I'd boo him his first at bat. He is the puppet of the baseball anti-christ. Of course that assumes I'm willing to pay for a ticket to actually go to a game and those days are long gone.
2. I still like it. It involved very young players and it hasn't even been a year. Also it didn't involve Adam Eaton or Brad Wilkerson so it can't be that bad.
3. Let's tap the brakes a little bit here, who besides people paid by the Rangers are saying "in the race?"
4. Bradley has something big and nasty hidden in a deep dark place and I believe there is plenty more where that came from. As long as it is directed at people outside the clubhouse I don't care how he vents.
5. Everything would be fine if they would just let Murph pitch

Thanks for the plug, lonestar. Folks usually remember when we're wrong, don't they? I would much rather have seen Benoit prove me wrong than to be right on trading him like we did with Gagne, though.

I am starting to believe, as fred mentioned above, that Salty's future involves another trade. It looks like baseball man is getting his wish to play Laird, and Salty is going to continue to see action about twice a week. I look for Salty to be part of a package for a starting pitcher during the off season, and believe we'll see Max Ram or Teagarden in 2009.

What is odd to me, are those bloggers who see a player ACTUALLY producing at the Major League level, and then say, "He isn't in our future, because there are others waiting to take his place." Goodness gracious, can't someone producing continue producing without saying to him that his days are numbered?

Gerald Laird is who I'm referencing. By the way, there are ALWAYS players waiting to replace every player at every position at every level in baseball. And by the way, Laird can throw runners out amongst the best in the league, he can hit for average (until Washington told him to not worry about his offense last year--STUPIDLY!), Laird keeps runners close, he has occasional power, he steals bases, bunts runners successfully to second, he takes the extra base due to his speed---other than that, the man is 28 and can't play.....(I hope some recognize this as tongue in cheek). So Teagarden or Ramirez are good prospects--WONDERFUL! But, here on the major league club, Laird is the one producing.

Salty is a Steve Smith-tutoring away from being just the player Tex is at first, learning the rudiments of the position, a power-hitting, switch-hitting first basemen would fill a void at first for many years to come, plus, if he got the fielding tutelage from a Steve Smith-type who taught Tex when Tex moved from third to first, then Salty would be the answer at first (until Liverpool Tom got cheap and refused to pay him). Blalock, bless his wounded and worn-down self, is not the answer at first! Salty is. And, for heaven's sakes, keep a competent catcher, one who can hit, bunt, field and throw. Let's not keep a dual situation at catcher. Ramirez and Teagarden MIGHT play and MIGHT succeed at the major league level SOMEDAY, but Laird, at a key position up the middle, IS producing at the major league level and should be the starter. Period.

Salty should be the long-term answer at first. Period.

Laird as no.1 catcher? Yes. Salty as long-term answer at first? Really? When he hasn't yet learned the position? When Davis has tripleA pitchers crying "uncle"? I'm not one of those impatient folk who is forever crying "We want him NOW!!!", but I would be very surprised if Davis wasn't given a shot by September at the latest. Heaven knows what Blalock was thinking when he put up his hand to play at first. He may well have painted himself into a corner. The "surplus to requirements" corner, that is. Salty just might find himself there also......

All i was saying is that Laird is the better catcher now. I am also saying Salt is wasting away and playing once a week up here. We have a huge hole at first base and i would rather see Salt over there than riding the pine. He did ok out there last year. What i don't understand is an "organization" that lets it's players decide hey i want to play catcher, or i want to play first. Salt with his bat could help us at first base now and Davis could come next year or later in the fall, whichever. I personally and most teams do want more power and run production from its firstbaseman. Cat can hit, but not enough home runs or run production for me. Max Ramirez may get a chance at first before Davis does. Hail to Daniels on those deals, he has done great trading veteran talent for prospects, Salt, Ramirez and our other prospects are good to great deals. The one that is tearing me apart is Gonzalez and Young for nothing! Soriano was a forced deal, and we would have had something for him if we would have kept Gallaragga. Nevertheless, we are on the right track, Nolan or whomever was right to be patient with Ron, so be patient at the all-star break and don't trade our prospects. If you want to deal Laird, Cat, Millwood and Blalock i have no problem with that. IF you start including our vaunted prospects then i have a huge problem. I think Bradley is the heart and soul of this team so keep him also.

Guys I never said Laird was a number 1 catcher. It's just that right now he's our number 1 catcher. He's good with base runners, has experience...not bad with a bad and even with the baserunning blunders he sure gives you a kick with baserunning and the occassional bunt. Salty looks kind of good but as I think Briant said we've got Ramierez and Teagarden who are more in our future than Saltalamachia. I know some of you guys like him but I think the Rangers have made up their mind.

We may see Davis soon guys but have a little patience...we're getting by without him and from what I saw from Hank maybe he can bridge Davis (who still may need a little AAA)

D'god you may faint but I really don't object to your current trade list but frankly they won't get us much in return and surely not a front line pitcher. (YOu know if you keep your post short and limit to once or twice a day and get off the "rant" I really do believe you know baseball...but the "rant" is tiring fellow.

Here is the core to my "rant". Let me get it over and i will stop saying it. Stop trading our young pitchers! I will give you Hamilton, a Triple Crown Threat and seemingly good guy. But all of the others have been and are disasters. So learn from it and stop doing it. I am bored Fredr. I like Salty, but don't believe he is the future catcher here and if he won't play first or can't or whatever, then what good is he to us? If Davis is the future at first and Teagarden and or Ramirez at catcher then where does that leave Salty? It is beginning to look like their isn't a spot for Blalock once Davis is ready, especially if he can't play third. I believe Blalock has more value as a third baseman for us. I think once he re-establishes himself he may be traded? I do love baseball and the Rangers, i just hope Nolan has brought some type of leadership to this franchise. I also hope we don't deal our prospects. I like watching these young players develop, and i believe i told you guys that you would too. Stick to the plan, Bloodbath...... And it sure looked like Padilla threw at Tex last night, any thoughts?

Heck of a long "core", D'god...

Besides, why havn't you told us this before?

I hear what you're saying, bingo, and I appreciate your position on Larid. I also appreciate your consistent position on players who are producing for the team. You make a good case.

In the case of Laird, he has performed much better than I expected this season (and I am glad to be proven wrong in my expectation for him). His overall performance this season has been better than replacement level, and that can be nothing but a good thing. It has made the argument tougher for those of us who would like to see Salty starting and developing. The problem for Salty today is that he can't move forward (with Laird starting in Arlington) and he can't move back (Teagarden is in OKC and Max Ram is in Frisco). To have a guy who's only 23 with the potential to be a very good ML C, and him not getting much opportunity to play (sitting 4-5 days/week) is very disappointing. It looks like Salty is getting squeezed, and he may be getting squeezed out of the Ranger's plans.

Bingo is exactly right in saying that every player in the majors has someone in the minors that wants to take his job. It's just that some guys are closer than others in actually accomplishing it. In the case of catchers, the Rangers will have several decisions to make within the next year. Laird is the guy today - but it will be interesting to see how long he is able to hang on. Based on what several scouts say about the guys behind Laird, Laird won't be safe in his position for as long as he is here.

Ever since Salty was called up, Laird has out-hustled and out-played beyond everyones expectations. It's just too bad that it seems to have taken a little competition to get Laird to play up to his capabilities. But, so be it. There are some fans who get enamored with certain players for whatever reason, in Salty's case I think it is because he was the main guy that we got in exchange for Tex, and their expectations are too unrealistic. Many fans are now having to come to grips with the fact that Laird is better and Salt is not living up to what they thought he would be. Does that make me someone who is against Salt and for Laird? No! What I am for is this team putting the best players on the field and Laird is, by far, the best catcher right now. If Salt is better, let him prove it. When he proves that he is better, then let him take over as the #1 catcher. He had a great chance to prove he is better during the platoon experiment but, he didn't and there are some fans who still think he should be starting and right now our pitchers need all the help they can get. They need the best defensive weapon behind the plate. No one will really know how many runs the opposition will not score because the opposing catcher was a deterent to them stealing bases. Laird will save the Rangers a lot of runs because these pitchers put a lot of runners on base and Laird is the guy who is the best weapon against the oppositions running game. If Salt is the starting catcher then, this makes winning more difficult because the opposing team can steal bases almost bat will.

Not "bat will" but, "at will".

It is unfortunate that Salty's callup was required for Laird to find that next leve in his game, rick. But you're right, it is what it is. I don't dislike Laird, either - I'm glad to see him doing well.

We all do get enamored with certain players - it's part of what makes us fans. Maybe they remind us of ourselves from a few (or more) years ago, maybe they play our old position, or maybe we have met the player at a promotional event and found some connection. I certainly am a bigger fan of Josh Hamilton than I am of Hank Blalock, for example. Nothing wrong with doing that.

My position on playing Salty over Laird has had much to do with three things: (1) Laird was playing below replacement-level for a C, (2) Salty's projected ability to exceed replacement level, and (3) that the Rangers are a team which should be rebuilding. My position is now weakened on one front by the fact that Laird has stepped up his play, but I guess I'm hard-headed enough to not be willing to give up on the other two things at this point. Today Laird may indeed be the better catcher in that he is further along in his development and producing more at this point in time. However, I am in no way am backpeddalling in my opinion of Salty's talent, based on what scouts have to say about him and his 'ceiling'. He is living up to what I think we should have expected - a guy who is seeing the majors at 23 who shows streaks of strong play, and streaks where he struggles. Yes, he also has one area of his game which needs to get bettter, but it wasn't very long ago that Laird was RW's whipping boy for his inability to call a game. All these guys have areas to work on.

It's not just Salty love, either. I'd take the same position with Chris Davis today, too (and I look forward to talking about that in another thread soon). He should be starting at 1B IMO and Shelton should be on the waiver wire, with Cat backing Davis up. I support rebuilding, and rebuilding by definition requires us taking a step back in order to move further ahead than we were.

Ultimately the reason that the Laird-Salty discussion is more polarizing than most is the circumstance under which Salty was brought up - that being because Melhuse broke his hand and the Rangers were absolutely bereft of roster flexibility, forcing them to bring up Salty before he should have been brought up. He should have been kept down until he had the momentum to move Laird out (or he shouldn't have been brought up in the first place), but that didn't happen. So now we'll be stuck debating this until one or the other is traded, most likely.

In addition to my previous comments it should be noted that, just being able to keep runners from stealing bases is one part of being a good defensive catcher. Another part is being able to keep certain pitches from getting by you. This takes quickness and agility.
I did not watch the game today and was only able to listen to a small part of it on the radio. I happened to be listening when Salt let a pitch get by him that they (Nadel and Buzz) said should have been caught. Quickness and agility is something that you have or you don't and takes a lot of practice to develop. My thoughts are that Salt is too big and too slow of foot to be a backstop.

i went to the game this afternoon and noticed something i don't like. every time i watch a game in which Salty catches there is at least one past ball. Laird is a much better defensive catcher and has come around on offense. However, remove Salty and put in a backup who doesn't play much like Melhuse and I'm afraid Laird will look more like he did last year. Laird seems to be at his best when he's in some sort of platoon position. As far as Salty playing 1B, with Blalock coming back and Davis getting ready for a promotion within the seasons end and Smoak being drafted (hopefully signed), 1B doesn't seem like it's a good spot to throw Salty. DH could work but I beleive the Rangers will end up signing Bradley to a 2 or 3 yr deal where he will be the primary DH and play RF on occasion. Trading Salty only makes sense if they can package him for a good starting pitcher whom we can keep for a while, otherwise, Laird looks to be the guy who is traded at the deadline for whatever they can get. His value is higher than it's been in a while. I agree with you all though, this team in reality is just a .500 team and should try and put the best possible player at each position. They're in the right direction and as long as they don't trade away our better pitching prospects (yes d'god you are right, no more of that, Diamond and the crew behind him should be given a chance to be Rangers, not another team's pride and joy) thye will contend for some time and if we are lucky, win something. Nolan is calling the shots and I predict within the next 2- 3 years, we'll all be debating what piece we need to aquire to be legitimate world series contenders instead of who should be starting and what not. On a side note, Wilson is a closer but he's still learning, we just need to find a setup guy and Benoit isn't the answer and every day Eddie won't be here past this season, so something got to give. I value eveyones opinion, this season has been better then I expected.