Gerald Laird Part 2 ??

[pr0tege]

Its not like in 2009/2010 in which he was a regular. If nothing else I see it as a decent backup role and a plus considering he is familiar with our current pitching staff and players. I would much rather have a cheap backup like Laird if it allows the Tigers to fill other pressing needs with the money considering it will cost the Tigers probably right around 1 million for Laird give or take and would of possibly cost them 3-3.5 million for Shoppach.

Not the price you would want to pay considering they might only see 20-30 games all year. The off-season moves are far from over as this is clearly just the start and a nice signing considering all the details.

 

[kingofdetroit57]

The uproar over signing Laird as a BACKUP catcher is baffling. Avila caught 141 games last year. Assuminng he's close to that again with a few more off days mixed in, we might see Laird for about 25-30 games. Hardly even worth caring about IMHO.

 

[tycobb420]

Laird as a backup is a good thing. He's a good glove and knows the staff and Leyland. If he hits .200, who cares? He's a BACKUP.

 

[sggatecl]

a team will never win the World Series with Laird as the back up

It's been mentioned, but this was brilliant. +1

 

[mhughes0021]

Theres that speed on the base paths I was looking for bwahahahaha. Get it? Its funny cause hes slow and never on base. Get it!?!?

 

[biggunsbob]

The move is cheap.. I am ok with it... He has a ring... Maybe he can help the right team get one this time. The Tigers have already come out and said Martinez cannot catch anymore and when was the last time Inge really donned the gear. His legs are not very good either..

Now go get Pujols and move Miguel back to third base...

 

[stonecold2136]

As long as it was on the cheap

 

[hellifino]

lets think this over... if Avilla gets hurt, do you want Laird as a everyday catcher? the guy just brings the batting lineup down, not in just batting average, everything, he's slow and hits into too many DPs. besides he's ugly too! lol

 

[Rebbiv]

lets think this over... if Avilla gets hurt, do you want Laird as a everyday catcher? the guy just brings the batting lineup down, not in just batting average, everything, he's slow and hits into too many DPs. besides he's ugly too! lol

If Avila does get hurt, then you probably see V-Mart as the starting catcher or the Tigers acquiring someone else. I do not think they see Laird as anything other than a backup.

Every position has a backup. What happens if Cabrera gets hurt (V-Mart?)....what about Peralta? Who is the CFer is Jackson goes down?

You can not have a "starter" as a backup at every position. It does not happen that way.

I would rather had someone else at C backup (i.e. D. Ross), but I can live with Laird, as long as he isn't made to play for long stretches.

Let's face it....if any of the "key" position players get hurt for a long period of time, this team does not have any backups or high level minor league players to fill in. So they are pretty much screwed anyways.

 

[hellifino]

lets think this over... if Avilla gets hurt, do you want Laird as a everyday catcher? the guy just brings the batting lineup down, not in just batting average, everything, he's slow and hits into too many DPs. besides he's ugly too! lol

If Avila does get hurt, then you probably see V-Mart as the starting catcher or the Tigers acquiring someone else. I do not think they see Laird as anything other than a backup.

Every position has a backup. What happens if Cabrera gets hurt (V-Mart?)....what about Peralta? Who is the CFer is Jackson goes down?

You can not have a "starter" as a backup at every position. It does not happen that way.

I would rather had someone else at C backup (i.e. D. Ross), but I can live with Laird, as long as he isn't made to play for long stretches.

Let's face it....if any of the "key" position players get hurt for a long period of time, this team does not have any backups or high level minor league players to fill in. So they are pretty much screwed anyways.

we don't have to think of Peralta going down, with the number of games that Leyland gives him the day off, it's almost as if he's a fill in player. I just don't want to see a lineup that looks like this at the bottom..


6. Kelly/ Raburn
7.Inge
8.Laird
9. Santiago



1. Jackson

and for those who think Laird won't play that many games, think twice...Leyland won't be having Avilla catch nearly as many games next year as he did this year.

 

[hellifino]

The uproar over signing Laird as a BACKUP catcher is baffling. Avila caught 141 games last year. Assuminng he's close to that again with a few more off days mixed in, we might see Laird for about 25-30 games. Hardly even worth caring about IMHO.

Hardly worth caring about. hmm 1 more win and we'd of had home field advantage against Texas, all it takes is 1 game.

 

[tycobb420]

Laird played in 37 games last year and 89 the year before. He will probably play between 70-90 games. He will probably start 50 with a healthy V-Mart and Avila on the roster. I can't believe there are two threads on this and that people are complaining.

 

[Thumb]

lets think this over... if Avilla gets hurt, do you want Laird as a everyday catcher? the guy just brings the batting lineup down, not in just batting average, everything, he's slow and hits into too many DPs. besides he's ugly too! lol

But you would be ok with Inge as an everyday catcher.

Inge can't hit any better than Laird, and sure as hell is not close to being as good behind the plate.

Laird will do just fine in a backup role.

 

[biggunsbob]

BTW Santiago is not going to be the everyday second baseman.. He just canot stand up over 162 game schedule...

 

[deathroh]

lets think this over... if Avilla gets hurt, do you want Laird as a everyday catcher? the guy just brings the batting lineup down, not in just batting average, everything, he's slow and hits into too many DPs. besides he's ugly too! lol

But you would be ok with Inge as an everyday catcher.

Inge can't hit any better than Laird, and sure as hell is not close to being as good behind the plate.

Laird will do just fine in a backup role.

But you're forgetting, Inge had power a few years ago. That means.......something?

 

[kingofdetroit57]

1yr @ $1m is the deal. Talk about a no brainer for us.

 

[Thumb]

But you would be ok with Inge as an everyday catcher.

Inge can't hit any better than Laird, and sure as hell is not close to being as good behind the plate.

Laird will do just fine in a backup role.

But you're forgetting, Inge had power a few years ago. That means.......something?

Yea, a few years ago when he went 0'fer in the HR derby off bp pitches.

One can only hope Brandon brings that kind of power back.

Rooting for the Buckeyes rots your brain apparently.

 

[hellifino]

But you're forgetting, Inge had power a few years ago. That means.......something?

Yea, a few years ago when he went 0'fer in the HR derby off bp pitches.

One can only hope Brandon brings that kind of power back.

Rooting for the Buckeyes rots your brain apparently.

this years team, makes me want to take root.

 

[sggatecl]

Wow. A division title sure brings out some fairweather, baseball ignorant fans doesn't it??

1 yr, $1 million contract for a BACKUP catcher and people are against it, instead suggesting Inge, V Mart, etc.

Go away. Please.

 

[tonyballs]

Wow. A division title sure brings out some fairweather, baseball ignorant fans doesn't it??

1 yr, $1 million contract for a BACKUP catcher and people are against it, instead suggesting Inge, V Mart, etc.

Go away. Please.

Nah, i'll stick around...

Yeah, we all fucking know Laird is a BACKUP. Nobody with half a brain thinks otherwise. The problem is, why bring back trash? For what? Because he knows the pitching staff? Get the fuck outta here with that bullshit...lol.

Go back to the ESPN boards when Laird was a Tiger. Yeah, he was full-time catcher at the time and he was beyond brutal. But the members on that board wanted him dead, including his children. Pray to God that Avila stays healthy because if he misses any significant time whatsoever, this board will be suicidal and wish death upon Laird once again. Dumb signing IMO. Who cares if he's on "the cheap". He's a bag of garbage....