|
|
| Gerald Laird went 1-for-3 with a double, and recorded the Tigers' lone RBI in Wednesday's 5-1 loss at Oakland. |
Our View: Laird notched Detroit's only RBI in Tuesday's 7-1 loss to Oakland as well. He should still only be considered for deeper fantasy leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird went 1-for-4 with a single, and recorded the Tigers' lone RBI in tonight's 7-1 loss at Oakland. |
Our View: The Tigers only mustered six hits in the game, and stranded 16 men on base. Laird managed to have a decent outing, but only has five RBI in June, and 19 for the season. He should only be employed in the deepest of fantasy leagues.
|
|
|
|
| According to MLive.com, Gerald Laird is back in the starting lineup for the Tigers on Sunday. |
Our View: Laird was removed from Saturday's game with back spasms, but responded well to treatment and is fit to play Sunday.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird left in the first inning of Detroit's game on Saturday with back spasms, according to Mlive.com. |
Our View: Dusty Ryan replaced Laird and should man up the catcher spot in Detroit until Laird, who's listed as day-to-day, returns. Laird is a fringe fantasy catcher at best, so feel free to drop him in all but the deepest of leagues, even though he should be back soon.
|
|
|
|
| According to the Detroit News, Gerald Laird will get two days off in a row due to his poor performance lately. |
Our View: Laird is mired in a 1-for-35 slump. Manager Jim Leyland recognized the fact that he's pressing and decided to give him a few days to get his head right.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored in the Tigers 9-1 win over the Royals on Saturday. |
Our View: This was Laird's first home run of the season, but he is off to a nice start in Detroit. He is hitting .340/.426/.489 through 14 games. He is the everyday catcher for the Tigers and is certainly worth a No. 2 catching spot on most fantasy rosters.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird scored the lone run for the Tigers on Friday, as his team lost to the Royals 6-1. Laird finished the game 2-for-3 with the run scored. |
Our View: Laird was about the only Tiger who could figure out Royals' starter Zack Greinke, as he had two of the three hits off of the Royals' ace. Impressive performance against the hottest pitcher in baseball, but overall his fantasy value is small.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird is dealing with pain in both of his ankles, but continues to play, according to MLive.com. |
Our View: Laird is hitless over his last two games, but should be fine to consider for fantasy lineups until further notice.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird was scratched from Monday's lineup as he was feeling sick, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Matt Treanor replaced him at catcher against the White Sox. It is uncertain how much time Laird may need to miss.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird had three hits in the Tigers' 4-3 win over the Rangers Saturday. The catcher is now batting .389 on the year. |
Our View: Laird as started five of six games and has given his fantasy owners some nice production thus far.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird was 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Detroit's 10-4 win over Toronto on Saturday. It was the catcher's first home run of the season. |
Our View: Laird is the frontrunner for the starting backstop position in Detroit, but the 29-year-old does not hold much upside. He's better off in a platoon situation, and shouldn't be treated as much more than an AL-only fantasy catcher.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird is nursing a mild left quad strain, according to the Detroit News. |
Our View: The Tigers did not indicate that the ailment is a concern, and should continue to be drafted in AL-only and deeper mixed leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird added another nice day to his spring resume Thursday with a 1-for-2, two RBI day. Laird is currently hitting .400. |
Our View: Laird is getting old, but could be a decent late snag in AL-only leagues and a possible back up in deep mixed leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird fared well in his preseason debut with the Tigers, as he collected a double and a triple Wednesday against the Braves, according to the Detroit News. |
Our View: As stated before, Laird could be a good value pick as a reserve for AL-only rosters.
|
|
|
|
| Tom Gage of the Detroit News believes Gerald Laird could be a "diamond in the rough" as the Tigers' No. 1 catcher in 2009. Laird has gunned down 38 percent of runners attempting to steal over the five years with the Rangers, tying him with Ivan Rodriguez over the span. |
Our View: Laird has a poor track record of slowing down offensively over the final stretch of the season, but that could be attributed to the long and hot summers in Texas, meaning he could benefit from the cooler climate in Detroit. Laird could be a good value pick for AL-only leagues in 2009.
|
|
|
|
| The Tigers have avoided salary arbitration with Gerald Laird by signing the catcher to a one-year deal for $2.8 million, according to Sports Illustrated. |
Our View: Laird could hold some fantasy value in AL-only leagues as the Tigers' No. 1 catcher until Dusty Ryan is ready.
|
|
|
|
| Updating a previous report, Gerald Laird has been dealt from the Rangers to the Tigers in exchange for minor league hurlers Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo, according to Scout.com. |
Our View: Melo has been revealed to be the second prospect that completes the deal. Laird will serve as a solid mentor for Dusty Ryan.
|
|
|
|
| FOX Sports reports that the Detroit Tigers have acquired catcher Gerald Laird from the Rangers for Double-A right-hander Guillermo Moscoso and a second prospect.
|
Our View: Laird, a strong defensive catcher, is a .255 career hitter with a .306 on-base percentage. He earned $1.6 million last season in his first year of arbitration, and is two years from free agency.
|
|
|
|
| The Detroit Free Press reports that the Tigers and Texas Rangers have made significant progress toward a trade that would send catcher Gerald Laird to Detroit and pitching prospect Guillermo Moscoso to the Rangers.
|
Our View: Laird, 29, would likely become the Tigers’ starting catcher if a deal is completed. He is regarded as a good defender and batted .276 this season.
|
|
|
|
| The Reds and Tigers have displayed the most interest in Rangers' catcher Gerald Laird, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: The Rangers are reportedly moving closer to dealing one of their four talented catchers, and it is believed to be Laird. The Reds are in need of catching help, especially with Paul Bako a free agent. The Rangers are looking for pitching help in return.
|
|
|
|
| The Detroit Tigers have a need for a catcher, and they are interested in acquiring the services of current Rangers backstop Gerald Laird, according to the Detroit Free Press. |
Our View: The Rangers have a plethora of young catching talent, so Laird is likely available for the right price. His offense can fluctuate, but for his career he has thrown out 38 percent of runners attempting to steal.
|
|
|
|
| The Mets inquired about Rangers' catcher Gerald Laird, according to Newsday. |
Our View: They contacted him earlier in the off-season and believe they need an upgrade at catcher, but are now focusing on adding to their pitching staff, namely a top closer.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird's sore back is feeling better, and he is in Friday's lineup, according to the Dallas Morning News. He didn't need a cortisone shot like he thought he might. |
Our View: Laird has been scuffling of late, and the back likely has something to do with it.
|
|
|
|
| The Rangers have received multiple offers for Gerald Laird, but none of them are strong enough to make a deal work, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. |
Our View: With Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Max Ramirez and Taylor Teagarden in the system, it would behoove the Rangers to deal Laird, who is eligible for salary arbitration.
|
|
|
|
| The Marlins have been the most aggressive suitor for Gerald Laird, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The Yankees, Reds and Brewers are also interested. |
Our View: Florida is also eying the Orioles' Ramon Hernandez, the Giants' Bengie Molina, and the Pirates' Ryan Doumit, though there's no indication that the latter two are even available.
|
|
|
|
| The Reds sent a scout to watch Gerald Laird's final rehab start at Salt Lake City, as well as his first game back with the Rangers Sunday, according to the Dallas Morning News. |
Our View: The Yankees are also interested in Laird, who is hitting .316 over 187 at-bats with Texas this season. Laird would provide strong depth to the Reds and would be an upgrade over starter David Ross, who is currently hitting .250.
|
|
|
|
| The Yankees are said to be tracking Gerald Laird as they look to upgrade their catching unit, according to the Star-Ledger. |
Our View: The Yankees have concerns that Jose Molina may not be able to hold up as the everyday catcher over the remainder of the season. Paul Lo Duca, Miguel Olivo, and Rod Barajas are said to be other options on the Yankees' radar as well. Laird is currently recovering from a hamstring injury, but would provide solid depth to the Yankees if healthy, as he holds a .306 average over 51 games.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird, who is recovering from a strained left hamstring, is reportedly running at 85 percent at the club's extended spring training facility in Surprise, Arizona, according to the Star-Telegram. |
Our View: He might not be ready for a rehab assignment until late next week. Jarrod Saltalamacchia could land on the DL due to his groin ailment as well, hence leaving Max Ramirez as the only healthy catcher on the Rangers' current roster.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird, who is currently on the DL with a hamstring injury, will spend the next week at the teams training facility in Surprise with an eye to rejoining his teammates next Thursday or Friday, according to MLB.com. "It's obvious we miss Gerald," manager Ron Washington said. "We miss his experience." |
Our View: Laird was hitting well before being struck by injury with a .306 average and 25 RBI in 183 AB. Jarrod Saltalamacchia hasn't established himself as he is still struggling along with a .217 batting average, so a platoon situation could still be in play when Laird returns.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird, who is recovering from a strained left hamstring, took some swings in the batting cage on Monday, according to the Dallas Morning News. |
Our View: Laird hopes he can get a few rehab games in and be ready to return by the time the Rangers start a series against the White Sox in Chicago on July 21.
|
|
|
|
| An MRI has confirmed that Gerald Laird has a pulled hamstring, which will keep the catcher out 4-6 weeks, according to the Star-Telegram. |
Our View: Jarrod Saltalamacchia will handle the bulk of the workload behind the plate, with Max Ramirez getting the occasional start.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird has landed on the 15-day DL due to a strained right hamstring, according to the AP. Catcher Max Ramirez was recalled from Double-A Frisco to cover his spot on the roster. |
Our View: Jarrod Saltalamacchia should handle the every day catching duties while Laird is on the shelf, and his fantasy owners could be in store for strong production from the rising star.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird beat out a bunt attempt but in the process he strained his right hamstring, according to the Star Telgram. He was replaced by Jarrod Saltalamacchia. |
Our View: If Laird is placed on the DL, Salty could finally be given the chance to run out there every day for a couple of weeks which could lead to some big time production from the youngster.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird got his first career start at third base Friday. |
Our View: Laird is a pretty good athlete, as he's played the outfield a few times in his career. It remains to be seen how he'll handle the hot corner, but we're betting manager Ron Washington wasn't thrilled to pencil his name in at the position.
|
|
|
|
| The Texas Rangers pulled the 5-2 victory over Seattle this evening, using a strong outing from catcher Gerald Laird as the guiding light for victory. Laird went 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk, adding three runs scored and one RBI. |
Our View: Check out Laird's numbers from May and it's hard not to be impressed: 10-for-30, three doubles, raising his average from .278 to .296.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird was a late scratch on Friday, according to the Star Telegram. Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia had each caught consecutive days starting Sunday, and Laird caught Thursday, but Manager Ron Washington said he wanted Laird to catch Millwood on Saturday.
|
Our View: Laird will be in action tonight against Oakland. He is hitting well, by his standards, as he holds a .268 average over 27 games, with three homers and 13 RBI.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird will not play on Thursday and will get the day off, according to MLB.com. He is sitting because the Rangers are playing a day game after a night game against the Tigers. Adam Melhuse should handle the catching role. |
Our View: He could benefit from a day off, as he has not been hitting well as of late. He still maintains a .261 average over 69 at-bats, which is actually good for him.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird snapped out of a mini-slump by going 2-for-4 with a double, one RBI, and one run on Monday. He was 0-for-11 over the weekend. |
Our View: Every time Laird goes a short while without a hit, people start calling for Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The Rangers backstop is only batting .226, but he only hit just .224 last year and still won the job the spring.
|
|
|
|
| The Rangers are set to battle the Blue Jays in Toronto tonight, which is good for Gerald Laird, according to MLB.com. Laird is hitting 11-for-26 over his career in Toronto at the Rogers Centre. |
Our View: He is hitting 8-for-36 so far this season, but ranks as a favorable sleeper option at the position for tonight.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird had four hits, homered twice and drove in six runs Sunday in the Texas Rangers victory over the Los Angeles Angels, 10-4.
The Rangers starting catcher hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning off Jon Garland for his first RBI this season, then added an RBI single in the seventh against Darren O'Day. He later sent a two-run homer to the left field seats in the ninth off Angels reliever, Jason Bulger.
Laird entered Sunday's game with one hit in 11 at-bats. |
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird has won the starting gig at catcher, but failed to hold his own on opening day as he went 0-for-3 against Seattle. Do you think the team is second guessing their decision to send Jarrod Saltalamacchia down to the minors yet? |
|
|
|
| The Rangers have officially crowned Gerald Laird as their starting catcher, the AP reports. Adam Melhuse will be the primary backup, as Jarrod Saltalamacchia is headed to Triple-A. Laird isn't an exciting option for fantasy leagues, but we know he has a little pop and should hit better than the .224 he posted in 2007. |
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are still battling for the starting job at catcher according to USA Today. Manager Ron Washington mentioned that Adam Melhuse is in the mix as well. |
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird had a pair of solo home runs Wednesday. He has three bombs this spring and is batting .286 with five RBI. Meanwhile, Laird's competition for the catching job, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, is batting just .188. It's looking more and more likely that the Rangers will go with the veteran on opening day and send Salty to the minors. |
|
|
|
| Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News thinks that Gerald Laird has the inside track in the competition for the starting job at catcher in Texas. Laird is battling young Jarrod Saltalamacchia for playing time, and if Salty loses out, he'll begin the year at Triple-A. That's not what his fantasy owners want to hear, because Salty definitely has much more upside than Laird. |
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game on Friday with flu-like symptoms. Manager Ron Washington said Laird would start Saturday and Sunday against Seattle left-handed starters Horacio Ramirez and Jarrod Washburn. |
Our View: It's not like he was tearing the cover off the ball this year anyway, but at least he'll only miss a couple of games.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird, who left Sunday night's game after being hit on the left hand by a pitch while batting, expects to play in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader, according to the AP. Laird wasn't in the lineup Monday, but said he's just "dealing with a bruise" and waiting for the swelling to go down. |
Our View: It's a minor injury and he should be back to playing full-time in a day or two.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird was knocked out of Sunday's game after being hit on his left hand by a pitch in the second inning. He'll sit out Monday's game to rest up and hopes to return to the mix Tuesday, according to the Dallas Morning News. X-rays were negative, and he was diagnosed with only a bruised hand, so it doesn't appear to be anything serious. |
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird left Sunday's game against the Indians after getting hit on the left hand by a pitch. X-ray's on his hand came back negative, and he's considered day-to-day, according to the AP. It's unclear if he'll be forced to miss any time with the injury. |
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird is expected to play Thursday, even though it's a day game after a night game, the AP reports. Saturday is another day game after a night game, and that's when Washington said Adam Melhuse likely will start instead of Laird. |
|
|
|
| Although Gerald Laird was held out of Wednesday's game due to a bruised left buttocks muscle, he was available to pinch hit and Ron Washington plans to use him Thursday, the AP reports.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird left Tuesday's game in the seventh inning with a sore left side. He was 0-for-2 with a walk before departing. |
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird was held out of the lineup Thursday because Ron Washington wanted to use a different catcher with Vicente Padilla, the Rangers official site reports. Chris Stewart got the call Thursday, while Laird (and his .132 average) sat on the bench. Washington said Laird would probably be back in the lineup Friday. |
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird threw out two of three attempted basestealers in Monday's opener and has now thrown out 41.5 percent in his career, the Rangers official site reports. That's the third-best rate among active catchers with at least 100 starts in the Major Leagues; Laird trails only Yadier Molina (45.9) and Ivan Rodriguez (44.2). Most fantasy leagues don't incorporate defense into the game, but throwing this well could help keep Laird in the lineup even if his bat hits a dry spell. For what it's worth, he's 1-for-8 with three strikeouts to start the year.
|
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird homered twice Wednesday and raised his spring average to .423. Laird can still be had as a fairly-reasonable late-round catcher in a lot of leagues. |
|
|
|
| Gerald Laird was 2-for-3 with a three-run homer Thursday. Laird, who could be a sleeper this year in Texas, it batting .400 with two homers and seven RBI this spring. |
|
