Gerald Laird

[roarintiger1]

It is reported that he would like more playing time......If he could hit his way out of a wet paper sack, he could have more playing time in Detroit.....just sayin'

[tater6]

It is reported that he would like more playing time......If he could hit his way out of a wet paper sack, he could have more playing time in Detroit.....just sayin'

Addition by subtraction. Another Leyland guy bites the dust. Great news.

[Gehringer_2]

It is reported that he would like more playing time......If he could hit his way out of a wet paper sack, he could have more playing time in Detroit.....just sayin'

This is exactly where we were at the end of 2010 and I'm sure that is why DD is telling him basically: "Buddy, we are not going to hold you down, go make whatever deal you can for more playing time and if you can't we'll be glad to have you back but with no bitching about your role."

[ballmich]

Laird had an okay year with the bat, but it's been four years since he was that proficient, and I doubt it's sustainable -- having watched him three out of the last four years. I think he's pretty much a low .600 OPS guy with average defense. Holaday should be able to replace that.

If some team is willing to give Laird an opportunity to play more, good luck to them. They will need it.

[tiger337]

There are some good alternatives on the market such as Ross, Shoppach. Laird is not going to find what he wants though, so I suspect he might be back. This reminds me of the Ramon Santiago situation before he signed a two-year deal. Hopefully, they don't do the same with Laird.

[Euphdude]

Thus ends Laird's second tour of duty with the Tigers.

[Eric Cioe]

I'm going to say he was pretty professional this year. Never heard him ***** about playing time.

[Nastradamus]

Please get us Shoppach this time. We need someone who hits lefties resonably well from the C spot.

[junkballer]

I am a bit worried about Avila going forward. He may end up being one of those talented catchers who just don't last too many years. Some years, he'll hit well and in a few years... He'll probably be too banged up to get too much done. As much of a step back as he took last year, he was still worth 2.6 WAR. So yeah, let's maximize our value out of him. A right-handed backup with a little power and a passable glove would be great to have - the cheaper the better, but keep in mind that he may end up playing more than we'd like.

[Gehringer_2]

I'm going to say he was pretty professional this year. Never heard him ***** about playing time.

That is true. And I think the way the Tigers have handled situations like Laird is just one reason you generally don't hear players complain about or bad-mouth the Tiger org. They haven't made it difficult for guys like Laird or Kelly to try and get their shot, and they don't make any promises in their offers that they aren't going to honor. In return, the expectation is that since we're honest about the role we see for you, you have zero reason not to be a good soldier.

[Oblong]

I have no problem with Laird or how he was used this year. He contributed early on offensively in a way you can't expect from your backup C. Before he left he should have taught Jackson to bunt.

[Biff Mayhem]

I'm going to say he was pretty professional this year. Never heard him ***** about playing time.

I thought the same thing plus dude got plenty of playing time in the playoffs/WS.

[sabretooth]

Laird did pretty well this year, but frankly he's not a plus defender, and his vLHP split makes him a bad fit.

Paulino, Ross, Shop-Vac....any one of these would be great.

[alwaysthrowheat]

Laird did pretty well this year, but frankly he's not a plus defender, and his vLHP split makes him a bad fit.

Paulino, Ross, Shop-Vac....any one of these would be great.

I like Ross but I think he'll get 3-4 MM and I'd rather spend that on a bullpen arm.

[Biff Mayhem]

Picking up Shoppach would ANGAR the Indians fans. If not for anything else, I like that.

[Oblong]

and we keep our Kelly quota.

[Casimir]

Picking up Shoppach would ANGAR the Indians fans. If not for anything else, I like that.

Tigers pick up Shoppach. Indians sign Young to masquerade in LF. That'd be good fun.

I wouldn't eliminate the possibility of Laird coming back to Detroit. This is simply a numbers game. Lots of options to back up Avila, and the Tigers may wait things out while addressing other needs.

[MotownRandy]

I actually think the backup catcher position should be a priority this offseason. They have other holes, but there are enough good options available at catcher to reasonably fill it without going overboard. It needs to be someone who could play regularly if Avila was hurt. I'm also concerned about him holding up over the years and wonder if a position switch will need to occur.

[Biff Mayhem]

I actually think the backup catcher position should be a priority this offseason. They have other holes, but there are enough good options available at catcher to reasonably fill it without going overboard. It needs to be someone who could play regularly if Avila was hurt. I'm also concerned about him holding up over the years and wonder if a position switch will need to occur.

Where could he go?

They need a backup to catch every third day to avoid Avila getting worn down IMO.

[john doe]

Tigers pick up Shoppach. Indians sign Young to masquerade in LF. That'd be good fun.

I wouldn't eliminate the possibility of Laird coming back to Detroit. This is simply a numbers game. Lots of options to back up Avila, and the Tigers may wait things out while addressing other needs.

And he hits a bottom of the 9th inning Grand Slam in a game 163 Division Playoff, wiping out a three run Detroit lead with 2 outs off Benoit.

[roarintiger1]

I really can't see it happening, but does anyone think that Victor might actually catch a few games next year?

[Yoda]

I really can't see it happening, but does anyone think that Victor might actually catch a few games next year?

Absolutely no chance. They'll for sure carry another catcher. Maybe in an emergency situation but he won't be any sort of backup catcher.

[sabretooth]

I like Ross but I think he'll get 3-4 MM and I'd rather spend that on a bullpen arm.

Disagree with the presmise completely. I can't imagine that Illitch has tied down the budget to the extent that he would deny an extra couple of million for a critical need.

Make no mistake that the hitting ability of the backup catcher position now becomes a critical need, especially with Avila's problem hitting LHP and his injury/stamina issues, and especially in the postseason where L/R substitutions can be game-changers.

[alwaysthrowheat]

Disagree with the presmise completely. I can't imagine that Illitch has tied down the budget to the extent that he would deny an extra couple of million for a critical need.

Make no mistake that the hitting ability of the backup catcher position now becomes a critical need, especially with Avila's problem hitting LHP and his injury/stamina issues, and especially in the postseason where L/R substitutions can be game-changers.

Of course there's the possibility that there's an extra 3-4MM to spend. In a vacuum, of course I'd love to have a backup catcher for that much money.

The point I was making is that I'd rather have a Kelly Shoppach type and a good bullpen arm for 3-4MM vs. David Ross and a cheap bullpen option.

[DET Mr Malefic]

And he hits a bottom of the 9th inning Grand Slam in a game 163 Division Playoff, wiping out a three run Detroit lead with 2 outs off Benoit.

If the Tigers end up playing a Game 163, particularly if the opposing team is Cleveland, something has gone very wrong well before we reach this point.

[roarintiger1]

Absolutely no chance. They'll for sure carry another catcher. Maybe in an emergency situation but he won't be any sort of backup catcher.

I just saw that DD is expecting to use him at DH with maybe a few games at first base.....no surprise there.

[will the thrill]

Laird will be back, DD said he told him to see what's out there and they were open to bringing him back in the same capacity as 2012. Nobody will pay Laird starter money and nobody will let him start, he's proven he can hit in a full time role. So he'll ask around, see there's zero interest and resign in Detroit, where he knows Leyland will play him and he has a shot at another championship

[sabretooth]

Of course there's the possibility that there's an extra 3-4MM to spend. In a vacuum, of course I'd love to have a backup catcher for that much money.

The point I was making is that I'd rather have a Kelly Shoppach type and a good bullpen arm for 3-4MM vs. David Ross and a cheap bullpen option.

My only point is that I don't think that we're talking about a typical backup role of 150 at-bats, strong defense and weak bat. I think we're talking about a guy who may get 250 at-bats and may be a key part of the offensive attack against LHP if say VMart has problems making a full recovery and/or Fielder has a down year against LHP, either of which are fairly reasonable possibilities.

I think if the Tigers are short-sighted enough to short-change the bench again with Laird/Kelly/puke they are courting trouble for pennies on the dollar.

[Motor City Sonics]

I have no problem with Laird or how he was used this year. He contributed early on offensively in a way you can't expect from your backup C. Before he left he should have taught Jackson to bunt.

I agree. I thought he had a pretty darn good season for what his role is. I don't think he should complain about playing time, though.

[BFK]

Didn't see this anywhere-

Braves sign catcher Laird to back up McCann - Yahoo! Sports

[1776]

Saw that this orning but didn't post...figured everyone knew. Good sign for Atlanta. They must think he'll get'em to the WS.

[sabretooth]

I for one am anxious to see them spend $3 - 4 million on a quality RH catcher whose primary purpose would be to hit lefties fairly well for a catcher. Defense is secondary.

In my estimation this is as high a priority as finding a RH OF bat. Both positions will probably get 200+ at-bats and be critical in post-season game situations against LHP.

[alwaysthrowheat]

I for one am anxious to see them spend $3 - 4 million on a quality RH catcher whose primary purpose would be to hit lefties fairly well for a catcher. Defense is secondary.

In my estimation this is as high a priority as finding a RH OF bat. Both positions will probably get 200+ at-bats and be critical in post-season game situations against LHP.

So what you're saying is that Ryan Doumit would work perfectly.

[sabretooth]

So what you're saying is that Ryan Doumit would work perfectly.

Why yes! Although he's not the plus hitter against LHP that I'd prefer (like Ross or Shoppach), Doumit is a pretty good overall hitter and can flex defensively in a way that we need.