Braves sign Gerald Laird to a two year deal

[MrJones]

Eh, good enough considering the market and our needs. As long as he's making around 1 million, I've got no problem with it.

[beldugo]

Two year deal for Laird, i hope is for less than 4 millions.

[ATLKoos16]

Ross was a great backup but he got way more money than we needed to spend on a backup. Laird will do fine filling in for Mac.

[TigerRulz66]

Laird will be fine defensively for you guys. You'll have to get use to his double clutch throw back to the pitcher if you watch a lot of games. Just hope your not planning on him being the starter for a long stretch to start the season. We tried that a couple years ago in Detroit and it was hard to watch game in and game out. I believed we paid him 1 mil last season to be the backup to Avila. He did fine in that role. Calls an alright game to. He will get in the pitchers ear once in a while if he has to.

[robdizzle3]

I like it.. I thought thats who wed pick up with who was on the market.

[ATL#22]

I need to see the price

[ATL#22]

Even 2 - 4 seems like a bad idea because we passed on 2 - 6 for Ross.

[wcg]

this is a bad signing just wait until you see how teams run wild on the bases against the braves with the way the braves pitchers hold runners along with laird 19% throwing out runners he had last year

[beldugo]

Laird was paid 1M by the tigers last year, if we are paying him that amount it will be a good sign.

[iamaj]

Can't see him getting much of a raise, if any.

[rtgthree]

Given that Ross is gone, this is as good as the Braves were going to do. Laird was the best available catcher who will end up signing for "backup money", in my opinion. He isn't an ideal fit for the Braves as a backup, since he doesn't hit lefties well, but I think his more important role will be the 4-6 weeks he'll have to be a starter. And he should hold his own for the start of the season, at least.

The problem is that this move has to be evaluated in light of the fact that the Braves chose to let Ross leave. It's likely we end up talking about a difference of about $1.5 million per season, and for that price, why not just re-sign Ross? Laird is an obvious downgrade, and in a winter when the Braves are supposed to have some resources to spend, they're splitting hairs over a million bucks?

Obviously we have to see how that money ends up being spent, and if they do make big upgrades elsewhere that end up maxing out the payroll, then I can stomach the transition from a very good option in Ross to a merely solid option in Laird.

[wcg]

laird better bring his bat because because whoever is his backup to start the season will have a great shot to take over that job before the start of the season especially if it is bethancourt

[Getting UGGLA]

Another turd.

So far, here's what we've done this offseason:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1REbA...eature=related

[chipurmunki]

you are one classless little kid...

[RevHokALugie]

Broke my ankle once like that but it was in school, not fun.