Saltalamacchia to catch

This is definitely a good descision. We needed to commit to this guy at either catcher or 1st base with no flip-flopping.

I'm confident that with more work behind the plate, Salty will develop into a serviceable defensive catcher - wait and see.

Meanwhile, it's time to find a deal for Gerald Laird. The Mets where interested, but we didn't jump on the opportunity to snatch Milledge (which would have been a really good deal, BTW), so now we've got to find another suitor. Are the Cubs still interested?

I don't think we could have landed Lastings Milledge without including a decent outfielder like Ryan Church. I would have to think though that the mets would have prefered Laird over Brian Schnieder.

I am estatic that the Rangers are going to keep Salty at catcher. He showed a lot of promise as a hitter last season and the stats showed he hit better while playing behind the plate. I definitely think his defense, while not horrible, will improve. Besides, I would all be for having an offensive catcher. Victor Martinez sometimes questionable defense doesn't seem to bother or hurt the Indians.

I think Salty would hit fine at first, and definitely later on in his career as he improves as a hitter; but I love him at catcher while hopefully finding another solid 1st base bat.

I hope Boston will come to their senses and taking Laird and a second level pitching prospect for Coco Crisp and stop asking for Miguel Cabrera level prospects.

I think we really lost out on the Milledge deal, because our GM is a little too gunshy this offseason (unlike last year, when he couldn't wait to send Danks off to the CHW for McCarthy). I think we lost out bigtime on this one - while Brian Schneider is a pretty good defender, Laird is younger, with much more upside. I agree with you, ccourtney, it would have taken an OF for use to get Milledge - but what do you think the Mets would have preferred: Laird/Nelson Cruz, or Schneider/Church?

We lost out to the freaking Nationals, folks. Ugh.

I don't get to see too many games played, living in New Jersey and as such, I haven't been able to see Laird play that often. From a statistical standpoint, I wonder if we are not overpricing him. The Met fans I work with think we were.

We didn't lose out to the Nationals because of our GM. We "lost out" because Omar Minaya is not that great of a GM except for a few good ones (Maine and Perez come to mind). His previous big mistake was the "Brian Bannister for Am...whatever his name is" trade.

Also, he knew Ryan Church and Schneider from his days with the Nationals. Minaya was so infatuated with Church that he oversaw the fact that his offensive production won't be enough if he's moved to corner outfield. And Schneider is pretty similar to what they already had in Estrada. Bad trade for the Mets. Bad decision by the overrated Minaya. It's not Daniels fault that Minaya chose players that he already knew and got to see play a lot more.

Good idea. His value is highest at catcher and if Teagarden is ready after a full year of catching then maybe you consider a position change for Salty.

The Mets official site says they were looking to add not only a catcher but a left handed hitting outfielder. We didn't have a player comparable to Ryan Church. That's the end of that story.

Lonestar are you suggesting that Laird/Cruz is a better offer than Schneider/Church? Church is a solid, proven player at the major league level. Can't say the same for Cruz. The biggest difference between Schneider and Laird is salary, which isn't a huge factor for the Mets. We didn't have what the Mets were looking for. I'm not sure how that makes JD gunshy.

Apparently the Rangers have concluded there is a difference between just throwing out runners and being a good defensive catcher. I don't think they're all that hot on Laird defensively, and they think his other weaknesses outweigh his arm. For one thing, he seems like the farthest thing from a leader. And they sure don't think he can hit much on an everday basis. I still think they'd be better off keeping him to begin next year, because he'll hit better playing part time, and his value will rise.

Omar Minyana is to baseball as Isiah Thomas is to basketball.
.. Their best pitcher, Glavine, is gone, Pedro never gets healthy, Maine will remember he isnt that good, and Perez will never live up to his potential, not to mention their best young pitcher, well he pitches for the Devil Rays.. The Mets are gonna be terrible next year, the end of this season was just a prelude. Wouldnt be suprised if Omar is fired by midseason. The Millidge trade is the last straw for him..

Cruz and Laird for Lastings. Ha Ha. Cruz isn't even in the Church league right now. If we would have stuck to our guns on the Soriano deal we could have had Church. He is even better than Wilkerson, who seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. Who wants that guy? How soon we forget, CRUZ is the guy we had to have wherein we lost Mench, Cordero and Nix. Could Nix and Mench play for us right now? Would we have a left, right and possible Center Fielder out of those 2? Did Melvin think Nix is better than Cruz, he obviously did. Mench needs to come back to Texas, i would take him as my right or left fielder right now. Nix could be our Center Fielder. Beavan and Borbon hopefully will pan out. But that was another bad deal. Would we be looking for a bullpen pitcher. As i said before Bobby FREAKING COX, a respected Manager and talent evaluator, said SALT is a Catcher and Major League ready. That is enough for me. Besides Laird and Washington do not get along. I am sure Laird is ready to be dealt and wants out. I think once he is dealt you will see an increase in his numbers.

The true reason we made that deal was for the draft picks..
We had a plan, that was to re-stock the farm system. IT WORKED. I know Cruz is a AAAA player, but Beavan gets me excited along with all the other young studs we have in the lower minors right now.. we have quantity and quality. We only need one or two of them to pan out, and then hope one pans out of the group that includes Volquez, Mendoza, Galarraga, Hurley. I gotta feeling were gonna get more then 2 or 3 though from all these pitchers. From next year on, no more running out Sam Narrons, Mike Basciks, Nick Regilios, and so on.. WE GOT SOME STUDS.

We don't need Mench or Nix back here. We have enough back up outfielders. I'd rather have Wilkerson back than either of or even both those guys. He had a much better season last year than either of them.

Yeah everything is always out in the future for the Rangers.
In 2 years Santana will be a free-agent. Wait til 2009. Well Santana is about to be traded and will sign long-term with his new team, probably the Red Sox or Angels. In 2 or 3 years, Beavan will be 20 to 21 years old, probably not ready for the big leagues. How many players under 21 years old have the Rangers ever played besides David Clyde? In 2 or 3 years the Rangers will do this and all of these players will either have performed or be busts. I am all for building the minor leagues. I think we have some good players most notably, Duran and Teagarden. The others are evidently organizational fillers according to my other brethren. Andrus isn't going to be up here for awhile. He is only 18. I don't think Hurley is a stud. Volquez maybe if the Rangers throw him out there. If it were me, i would put Menoza, Hurley, Diamond if healthy, Volquez and Tejada out there and get them some experience. When those guys turn the corner, take the next step mature whatever you want to call it, then our fortunes will change. However we have to start making some shrewd trades also. It appears to me that Daniels works best when he is trading a veteran player for prospects. Other than the Padilla and Tejada, trades and the trades at the all-star break, his deals have been horrendous. Here is betting that within 2 or 3 years we have an new GM and a new Manager. I wish it would be a new owner, but Hicks ego wont let him ever do that. It is never Hicks fault. Hire a freaking President of Baseball Operations and stay out of it Mr. Financial Flexibility. In order to really build your minor leagues, you would have to stop pulling players up for 2 to 3 years. At this point, our AAA Team literally has no one that we can call up to the Majors. Teagarden, Duran, Davis, Webster, Metcalf, Volquez all were mainly AA Frisco. So in essence our AAA team is called the Texas Rangers. AAA Oklahoma has nothing but fillers according to my fellow bloggers.

Can anyone name the last starting pitcher that we developed other than Kenny Rogers? Someone that was worthy of keeping? This goes along way back? History dictates that we haven't done this. I remember when Colby Lewis was supposed to be the answer, Ryan Demptster, Bobby Witt, Edwin Correa, Jose Blues Bar Guzman. So until we do it i will sit here. I really think Volquez may be a staff ace, if we don't mess him up. I wish we would at least deal, Laird, Millwood and Padilla. Is anyone against that? Forget fantasy, now to reality. Here is my lineup:
LF Murphy

2B Kinsler

3B Blalock

SS Young

1B Catman

RF Cruz

C Salty

CF Byrd

DH Botts

This is not a bad starting lineup. It is a lineup that is only as good as its starting pitching.

I want Salty to catch, but i don't understand why you would tell the world that Laird is now the backup and totally devalue him. Most teams now will probably think that they can get Laird on the cheap side. It boggles the mind. I would tell these other teams nothing. I would let Laird rot on the bench or AAA before i would give him away. Why??? Why? Why? Laird is a good major league catcher and will make the Rangers look like idiots once he is dealt.

lol.. He is good but not that good, he won't be better than salty. Every team in the majors know the situation here, it was a foregone conclusion Salty was gonna catch here full time next year, the announcement was just trivial.. im guessing the Cubs and Rangers make a deal at the winter meetings. Maine, Beavan, and Kiker are the first pitchers we have had that have the chance to zip through the minors in one and a half or two years. For me Rangers history started with Ron Washington.. i think we are in good hands. He finally got his message through to the players after the horrible start, and they actually played good ball. Im a Ranger optimist i know, but i think there are two teams trending upward in Dallas and one trending down.. and that one isnt the Rangers but rather the Mavs.

An argument could be made for the Salty announcement devaluing Laird, but ulitmately his value on the trade market will be dicated the the teams interested in him and how they percieve him within their own team dynamic.

dwidregod...Do you really think Cruz is worse than Nix who split time between AA and AAA this year? Why are you hating so much on the Rangers? If you hate pretty much everything about the Rangers, find a new team. The Rangers don't want or need you as a fan.

Yes we do.

dwidregod, Daniels' announcement was that Salty was going to be A full-time catcher next year. Meaning he won't be playing 1B next year. It could be that he will split catching duties with Laird evenly. Kind of how it was towards the end of last year. It could also mean that he could be the one that gets traded instead of Laird, which is not out of the realm of possibility.
Also, I heard Anthony Webster has left as a minor league free agent. Who's a better prospect? Mayberry Jr or Boggs?

One last thing, I'm not so high on Kiker. I wouldn't be surprised if he struggles mightily next year in Bakersfield.

I'd prefer Laird catching and Salty at first base. Laird is a really fine backstop, callers of games, and does so many little things so well.

Salty has a bright future....somewhere, but catching is not in need of a major overhaul given Laird's competence.

It's JD's responsibility, not mine, but I don't think "Catcher" is an area we needed to change this winter. Seems we never let an established person stay at his position. I'd much rather have a team of veterans and plug in a couple of rookies to an established team. Just my opinion, but if we don't let some veterans stay at their positions, and keep overturning the roster, then we are always destined to be in "rebuild" mode. We did NOT need to be in this position, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a team where ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is expected, can slip up and surprise some people in our division. As Texas Ranger fans, Lord knows that teams do NOT win on paper...Thank goodness! It is our only hope, that we can somehow overachieve, like Buck's first year, and give some ounce of hope to rudderless team. I, for one, do not appreciate having to "look for bright tomorrows"...due to incompetence of management today.

Let's see...we trade Laird and develope Salty. In 2 years, Salty says he wants to play for a winner and he leaves...seeing as how we'll always be in 3rd or last place. Now, we're "developing" ANOTHER player for another team, TBN in the future. Same story, different player...Tex, G.M. Jr, Chris Young, and on.

Sorry NDL, forgive me, it is just where i am from. The United States of America, where i was taught back in the day, that i may not agree with what you are saying, but i will defend your right to say it. If you don't like what i am writing, then you can leave and go to some Communistic Country where people aren't allowed to speak out against the government. The bottom line is i want this team to do better. IT is my team. I am not going to turn a blind eye to our historical truths of what has taken and continues to take place here. If you are looking for someone who backs down when i am ostracized, you should go somewhere else. I am a police officer and don't cowtow in the face of adversity. I just keep coming at you with Truth, Justice and the American way. And no i don't believe that Nix is better than Cruz, i think Cruz has a huge upside. I just think that it is ridiculous to trade Soriano because he was an impending free-agent and then turn around and deal for Lee within a 6 month time frame. What was the philosophy? Which was it? What changed within 6 months? This has to stop. We should have kept Soriano at least until the all-star break. I don't care who the draft picks were for Soriano: Wilkerson, Galaragga and Sledge for Soriano, was a ridiculous deal. I said it then, i was right and i was criticized. The reality is the truth is not often popular, but it is the truth. So don't let your fanatisim blind you to the truth. What is the organizational plan? As during the Vietnam War, Clark Clifford asked, what is the plan to win the war? When Clifford found out their wasn't a plan to win it, he worked to stop the war. We don't have to be that drastic, we just have to get a plan, it isn't life or death, but we need to stick to a philosophy, once we get one. Believe you me, i am sure it is going to have to be one that lasts longer than 6 months. And by the way, I tried to quit, because i was tired of the whining by some fellow bloggers, but the almighty conservative MR. TR refused to allow me. So there.

Those who fail to study history are doomed to repeat it or something like that. What has happened to this country where everyone is afraid to speak what is on their minds or express what they believe. If our founding fathers had been like this we would still be speaking English, instead of Spanish. Ha Ha. Those men, put their signatures on a document and risked their lives for what they believed. If the Revolution would have failed they would have been shot or hanged. What has gone wrong here? Are we so politically correct we have forgotten about American Values. I suggest that some of you critics go read the Declaration of Indepence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Jefferson, i do believe. Alot of men have spilled their blood to maintain this. So stand up and exercise your rights, speak up for the oppressed Rangers fan. We shall have no taxation without representation, a personal favorite of mine. It is very taxing to watch a Rangers game!