6/26 The Youk-less Red Sox and Japan's National Treasure will Laffey at the Jays

[BornToRun]

Now that Salty has finally settled in to a level of understandable and reliable performance I think Lavs might be the most expendable of the prospects on that list. He might be the most attractive as well at least for a team that wants a short leash to seeing the player on a ML roster.

Plus there are reasons for Salty being where he is now. It is not like we have to say "well he just finally came around". You can point to specific differences in how he approaches both his hitting and his fielding.

So I would be OK with the Sox building something around Lavs to get a real deal front line pitcher. However giving up prospects for a 1 year rental does nothing for me. So that have to get itself worked out as part of the deal if the guy is on the last year of his deal.

I agree 100%. I think Salty can stick here as the starting catcher. His OBP is a tad less than average for catchers but he's slugging .544 and is one of the top offensive backstops in baseball. His defense is bearable at the least and the pitchers seem to like throwing to him from what I've heard. I think those of us who gave the kid a chance are starting to see some return on our investment of faith into Salty's abilities.

If we can Lavs as the centerpiece in a deal for a starter, I'm on board.

[jacksonianmarch]

I agree 100%. I think Salty can stick here as the starting catcher. His OBP is a tad less than average for catchers but he's slugging .544 and is one of the top offensive backstops in baseball. His defense is bearable at the least and the pitchers seem to like throwing to him from what I've heard. I think those of us who gave the kid a chance are starting to see some return on our investment of faith into Salty's abilities.

If we can Lavs as the centerpiece in a deal for a starter, I'm on board.

Lavs isnt a big upgrade over Salty. I do think an defensive minded backstop would help your staff, but neither of those guys are defensive minded backstops. You go with the one that is producing

[BornToRun]

Lavs isnt a big upgrade over Salty. I do think an defensive minded backstop would help your staff, but neither of those guys are defensive minded backstops. You go with the one that is producing

We do have Kelly though.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I fully expect the Sox to deal Lavarnway in a deal for a high caliber SP (Garza?). A deal of Lavarnway + Bard would definitely start it out.

Buster Olney was on EEI today and said that Theo, Hoyer and the Cubs would be interested in Bard, and wouldn't be swayed by his poor year this year because of his track record.