Salty/Ross expected to be the catching tandem

[RedSoxtober]

If there were any question about whom the Red Sox would use as their primary catcher this season, that vanished on Saturday morning.

Saltalamacchia was the primary catcher last season, but lost playing time to Lavarnway once the Red Sox fell hopelessly out of contention. Ross, a free agent, was signed to a two-year contract in November. The Sox see him contributing more than an average backup.

“For right now, I think our expectations [are] Salty and Ross, they’re the two proven guys,” Cherington said. “We signed Ross for a reason and Salty has continued to build on each year and added some things and gotten better. He’s a power threat, capable of being one of the best catchers in the league. We’ve seen that.”

[..]

“Lavarnway has come a long way,” said Cherington. “We think he’s going to be a really good player for us. Sometimes the clock doesn’t start exactly when the player wants to. But he’s proven at the Triple A level that he’s capable of helping a major league team. That’s going to happen; we just don’t know exactly when.”

Notice that Cherington said “a major league team,” and not necessarily the Red Sox. Could a trade be in the works?

“I’m not sure about the odds. We’ll see,” the GM said. “We’ve talked to teams all winter. We kind of know where other teams are, and some teams have done most of what they need to do and some teams are still working on things and may have some questions this spring training.

“We’ll continue the conversations and see if anything comes to us that makes sense. But we’re not motivated to make a deal.”

Boston Globe

[bagwell368]

I read that as: We couldn't get dick for Salty, so we are playing him until we get an offer we like OR his OBP goes over .300 and his ERA with the staff isn't garbage like it's been since he's been here. If Salty actually improves - and shows signs of being decent mentor, then Ross could be out of here at the deadline.

Lavarnway is still short of games caught as a pro, so it won't kill him to go back to AAA.

Oh yeah - if Napoli is out for a long time, the Salty to 1B and Lavarnway to Fenway would be likely since the official back up 1B is questionable.

[RedSoxtober]

I agree with you Bags. I think the truth behind the situation is that they'd have dealt Salty this offseason if the Napoli deal didn't leave things in limbo for so long. Playing on "a major league team" re: Lavarnway seemed like word spliting.

[Nomar]

So pretty much nobody in baseball likes salty

[-Lavigne43-]

I read that as: We couldn't get dick for Salty, so we are playing him until we get an offer we like OR his OBP goes over .300 and his ERA with the staff isn't garbage like it's been since he's been here. If Salty actually improves - and shows signs of being decent mentor, then Ross could be out of here at the deadline.

Lavarnway is still short of games caught as a pro, so it won't kill him to go back to AAA.

Oh yeah - if Napoli is out for a long time, the Salty to 1B and Lavarnway to Fenway would be likely since the official back up 1B is questionable.

I don't think Ross leaves with Salty becoming a free agent at the end of the season. I think he's mostly a stabilizing force for 2014. Salty gets traded if we get a decent offer. Maybe in Spring Training if someone gets hurt.

[Nomar]

God I hate Salty

[bagwell368]

I don't think Ross leaves with Salty becoming a free agent at the end of the season. I think he's mostly a stabilizing force for 2014. Salty gets traded if we get a decent offer. Maybe in Spring Training if someone gets hurt.

Yeah I left that part out of what I wrote - if Salty plays well like he may, then Salty is signed to a 3 year deal, and they move Ross.

More likely someone gets hurt like you say. If Napoli gets hurt Salty might get the reps. Then of course there are catcher injuries on other teams which are very likely during the season.

[todu82]

Yeah, I still expect Lavarnaway to get a call up before the seson's over especially if we struggle.

[JPBoston]

I read that as: We couldn't get dick for Salty, so we are playing him until we get an offer....

Same here... I almost started 'this' thread back a few days when the article popped up on the site, then figured 'why bother'.

[Seguin]

Seems like some people don't want to admit they're wrong... So much for salty being all but gone huh? It's not because he was no value, its because he's better than Lavarnway, now, and probably forever.

[bagwell368]

Seems like some people don't want to admit they're wrong... So much for salty being all but gone huh? It's not because he was no value, its because he's better than Lavarnway, now, and probably forever.

It's not over til it's over Billy Bob. If you turn out to be right, it'll be the first time - congrats in advance!

Salty is an inferior defensive catcher - check out the ERA's he's had with the pitchers here since he got here vs the other catcher - INCLUDING LAVARNWAY - but I guess you didn't notice that even though it was posted in threads you appeared in.

Salty is an average hitting catcher with a below average OBP and decent SLG, and slumps every year in the 2nd half (> .040 OPS).

OBP since '09:

'09: .290
'10: .333 (in 30 PA's)
'11: .288
'12: .288

I can't understand anyone being pleased that Salty is the named starter. I can only imagine that the basics of the game would elude such a person or that they are trolling - or perhaps in a rare case both.

[Nomar]

Seems like some people don't want to admit they're wrong... So much for salty being all but gone huh? It's not because he was no value, its because he's better than Lavarnway, now, and probably forever.

Erroneous

[mooz]

Seems like some people don't want to admit they're wrong... So much for salty being all but gone huh? It's not because he was no value, its because he's better than Lavarnway, now, and probably forever.

And you base this on what? Your experience in the Red Sox front office working trade offers for Salty? Your experience as a coach? A personal habit of talking out of your rectum? Elaborate please.

[bagwell368]

And you base this on what? Your experience in the Red Sox front office working trade offers for Salty? Your experience as a coach? A personal habit of talking out of your rectum? Elaborate please.

Yeah, he just can't help it. I must have wronged him a few years ago and ever since he's stalked me (just do a search of his posts aimed at me vs his total posts here - spooky!). I guess he has nothing else but personal enmity driving his scooter.

[Nomar]

On one hand Salty hit a walk off homer vs TB, on the other hand he's terrible in every other facet of the game.