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Rumor has it the Rangers would move Salty for a Pitcher.

I say we go snatch this dude up right away, Trade away IPK+1 for Him.

what do you guys think?

I don't know if Salty is long term answer to catcher. He is pretty big so he might outgrow the position. Plus, his catching and game calling skills aren't very good. He also can't hit lefties as of yet. However, he is like 23. If you can get him for Kennedy + someone not very important, it would probably be a good move. See if Pena can help him out like he did Posada.

One other concern is that Posada refuses, at least publicly, to play anything but catcher. Jose Molina, who was fantastic this year, can only play catcher. That really doesn't leave enough time for Salty at catcher. So you play him at 1B where his defense leaves a bit to be desired and he is subpar in terms of offense at 1B.

Again its a gamble the Yanks should take but it isn't ideal. -Jitpal

I'd take a flyer on him if the Rangers were selling that low on him (a Kennedy deal). I don't buy that they would though. Young catchers are such a rare commodity that it's stupid to deal them for cheap just because they're redundant on the team. If i'm the Rangers and I want to stick with Teagarden as my catcher of the future, I put Salty on the market this winter. Remember, there's a few teams with assets (the Red Sox) looking for a catcher, so a bidding war could score them a nice bounty for Salty.

The Yankees' catching need probably isn't long-term, anyway. Odds are good that at least one of the farm catchers will develop into something decent, it's just a matter of getting through a few seasons until then.

jesus montero and if he doesn't stick behind the plate there is Austin Romine, Francisco Cerevelli and Kyle Hishigoska sp?. Yankees have a lot of depth in thier farm season, no reason to look outside the organization.

NY The Truth wrote:jesus montero and if he doesn't stick behind the plate there is Austin Romine, Francisco Cerevelli and Kyle Hishigoska sp?. Yankees have a lot of depth in thier farm season, no reason to look outside the organization.

Only problem is that outside of Cervelli, neither of those guys will be ready before 2011. I'd be shocked if Posada lasted beyond 2009 behind the plate. We may not have to look outside the organization for a long-term option, but there will have to be some sort of stop gap or platoon for a couple of seasons.

you think this will be Posadas last season?

We can deffinitely find a good stop gap for a year or two while these guys develop, catching is not a need right now unless Posada really is a no go.

well figuring with this season included posoda has 3 more years on his contract.. soo no it wont be his last year... but who knows what we can expect from him as he gets older

Scalabrine wrote:you think this will be Posadas last season?

We can deffinitely find a good stop gap for a year or two while these guys develop, catching is not a need right now unless Posada really is a no go.

Well with Matsui and Damon both coming off the books this season, it will open up many more ABs for Posada at DH. I'd be surprised if he is able to remain a full-time catcher after next season. If we hold onto Molina for another year or two, they can split the catching duties. But I still think we will have to find a stop-gap at some point.

There are some free agents that could be good stopgaps. After the 2009 season guys like Josh Bard, Bengie Molina, Miguel Olivo, and Yorvit Torrealba are available. Then after 2010 there are some more guys like John Buck, Gerald Laird, Joe Mauer, A.J. Pierzynski, and Chris Snyder available. I think we would be fine in terms of a stopgap FA for a short 2 year deal. -Jitpal