Tigers Nearing Deal For Catcher

[Big Bid'Ness]

From:MLBTR

10:23am: The Tigers aren't close to a deal with Shoppach, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck (on Twitter).

10:04am: The Tigers are close to signing a catcher, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Free agent Kelly Shoppach is one of the team's targets and Morosi reported earlier in the week that the Tigers are considering Jose Molina, Matt Treanor, Ramon Castro and former Tiger Gerald Laird as possible backups.

Alex Avila will start for the Tigers, who want Victor Martinez's bat in the lineup every day. GM Dave Dombrowski has said the Tigers view Martinez as the team's regular DH and third catcher, which means the team is on the hunt for someone who can spell Avila regularly.

 

[RipCity32]

It's Gerald Laird.
Lmao.

 

[Pugz]

laird... wow. world series here we come!

 

[RipCity32]

Got rid of the dude cause he couldn't hit for shit, so we decide to bring him back.
Logical much?

 

[Teagz]

Got rid of the dude cause he couldn't hit for shit, so we decide to bring him back.
Logical much?

I agree, this is still mind boggling to me. I would have preferred Doumit most but I also would have been happy with Kelly Shoppach or Jose Molina. Laird would have been my last choice.

 

[RipCity32]

I agree, this is still mind boggling to me. I would have preferred Doumit most but I also would have been happy with Kelly Shoppach or Jose Molina. Laird would have been my last choice.

I was really, really hoping for Molina.
Laird just makes me angry.

 

[snipezo]

Molina's old and can't block pitches for shit. At least Laird is actually pretty good defensively.

 

[RipCity32]

IMO Laird was kinda of overrated in terms of his defense.

 

[snipezo]

Only thing that I liked about Molina was his cannon arm lol.

 

[RipCity32]

Plus he is a much better hitter. I'd of taken him over Laird without hesitation lol.

 

[Teagz]

Offensively Laird was a huge letdown for the Tigers in the past. The only thing I can remember him doing well is laying down sacrifice bunts. Defensively his percentage of runners thrown out is steadily declining.

 

[snipezo]

Molina had a .363 BAPIP last season. He was incredibly lucky lol.

 

[Lake Louise]

Yay, I was just thinking boy I wish we still had Laird <_<

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

Gerald..........

Laird...........

?????

I know it's just for backup position, but really? You'd want to rest Avila and let someone start like that? Ummm no thanks, lets pass. I'd prefer using Don Kelly at catcher.