Red Sox, Jarrod Saltalamacchia Avoid Arbitration

by Ben Buchanan on Oct 14, 2010 9:00 PM EDT in News

The Red Sox have started on the business of the offseason, signing Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a one year contract, avoiding arbitration.

According to Sean McAdam, the deal will pay Saltalamacchia $750,000 in the majors, or $250,000 in the minors. Not too bad for a backup catcher considering Jason Varitek came in at $3 million for 2010.

Speaking of Varitek, there's not necessarily any reason to assume this means the end of the Captain in Boston. Clearly Salty was wary of being sent down to the minors again this year, whether for seasoning or possibly because there's no room for him. Since it's doubtful that the Sox will be comfortable with Saltalamacchia as the planned starter for 2011, there could still be room for Tek on the team--even if the team seems to be ready to go in a different direction.

Saltalamacchia managed only a .167/.333/.292 line in 24 major league at bats last year, but showed some of his old promise in Pawtucket at .278/.350/.500.

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Plan C is signed and it gives us depth.

Now we need plan A and B to bear fruit.

Options:

V-Mart (FA) type A
Tek (FA) type B
Chris Iannetta by trade w/ Rockies
Ramon Hernandez (FA) type A
John Buck (FA) type B
Ramon Castro by trade (Wh Sox club option, $1.2m)
Mike Napoli by trade w/ Angels
Gerald Laird (FA) type B
A J Pierzynski (FA) type A
Yorvit Torrealba by trade w/ Padres, ’11 mutual option at $3.5m
Bengie Molina (FA) type B
Russell Martin by trade w/ Dodgers (3rd yr arb player)
Rod Barajas (FA) type B

Anyone else to add or subtract?

by went9 on Oct 14, 2010 10:09 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I know you're just trying to cover all options,

but the only time I want Laird in Boston is in the visiting clubhouse.

"Every night I go to bed thinking about when I’m going to play again. I dream about playing at Fenway."-Ryan Westmoreland
Twitter: @BoldandBrash

by BoldandBrash on Oct 14, 2010 11:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Laird is 31 yrs old, type B w/ a weak bat

but throws out runners at 38% clip.
And he’s a Boras client.

I’d drop him to last on this list.

by went9 on Oct 15, 2010 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions

If someone was industrious and thinking about our future

AND got a cloning chamber together say, 15 years ago, we’d have a fully grown Piazza at his prime. That would be plan A.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Oct 14, 2010 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Clonerizer engaged sir.

by Raj Ghetia on Oct 15, 2010 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions

As long as we're fantasizing.

If I was your math homework I'd be really hard and you'd be doing me on your desk.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.

by TheLoneDavid on Oct 15, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's make it Fisk.

If I was your math homework I'd be really hard and you'd be doing me on your desk.
I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.

by TheLoneDavid on Oct 15, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Long or short view...

Taking what most of us consider “plan A” out of the picture — signing V-Mart and slotting him in as the starter for the majority of the next three years behind the dish before decision to 1B or DH is made — what do you think the front office’s philosophy is here: (a) bridge with a combo of veteran catchers starting with Tek and maybe another on this list that could be had for one year deals and bank of Salty emerging as option A into 2012 + or (b) make a play for someone like they did Scutaro/Cameron last year that is committed for two or more seasons to split time with Salty in ’12 and as insurance in case he never emerges?

Depending on where they view Salty’s progressions over the next few years the options above have different values.

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by tdaloisio on Oct 15, 2010 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not counting on Salt doing anything.

He’ll probably be gone after this contracts. I’m viewing him as a Hermida type move. Maybe some fluke thing happens and he turns into a monster player, but it’s more of a depth move. Anybody is better than Kevin Cash or DFAme Brown.

"Every night I go to bed thinking about when I’m going to play again. I dream about playing at Fenway."-Ryan Westmoreland
Twitter: @BoldandBrash

by BoldandBrash on Oct 15, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

$250,000 isn’t much to pay a minor league depth player. I expect little from Salty.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Oct 15, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

hope we get more than what we are paying for

as opposed to getting what you pay for.

there are a lot of catchers available – hopefully this lowers walmarts market value down to what is smart for the sox.

what a flop this salty guy has turned into. he was the second coming of Carlton Fisk, the center piece of a trade for texiera. by now, one would have thought he would be getting a-roid money.

i hope he gets his sheeeet together.

by Mick Lowe on Oct 15, 2010 11:09 AM EDT reply actions