Jarrod Saltalamacchia

[statman0007]

? In Atlanta, multitalented rookie catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia has started taking ground balls at first base as the Braves try to figure out his future with the trading deadline approaching. "We have our franchise catcher [brian McCann]," GM John Schuerholz said. "So who knows what will happen? We could find another place for Salty to play. Or somebody else could want him and make us an offer where we say to ourselves, 'This is a deal that makes sense for us and for him and for everybody.'"

 

This is from Jayson Stark's most recent rumblings and grumblings. I know that Saltalamcchia has been a favorite on brewerfan for quite a while, and I'm curious to hear what people think it would take to get him. He would definitely be a nice addition to the team, although I don't really see the Brewers pursuing him at this time.

[gordofieldo]

They would have to get a couple more prospects in return, but if I am the Braves GM and the Brewers come sniffing around Saltamacchia, I ask for Ben Sheets. Hes the only legitimate asset the Brewers hold that could garner Salty in return. (not one for one though, the Braves would need to throw in at least one top notch prospect as well as another 2nd or 3rd tier guy).

[qrk10000]

Sheets, a top prospect (i.e. Yo, Braun, or Iman), and a second tier prospect (i.e. Garrison, Braddock, Salome)? I know he is a catcher and catchers are valuable but his minor league numbers have not been earth shattering. I don't think it would take that much to get him and if it did, I would certainly not want him.

[gordofieldo]

you misunderstood me:

 

Braves get Sheets

 

Brewers get Salty, plus 2 other prospects....

 

Minor league numbers dont mean anything really, its all about development. Salty is a future all-star catcher.

[hauser42]

Salty is a fine catcher, but I think the Braves will keep him an move him over to 1B or possibly LF. He is like six foot 5 inches, that is huge for a catcher.

 

Breweres would have to deal a couple of prospects to get him unless they do a Yo for Salty move.

[Tedaldtada]

Braves get:

 

Inman

Graffy

 

Brewers get:

 

Salty

unimpressive bullpen arm

[pogokat]

i'm not a fan of salty at all and would strongly prefer not trade for him...theres a lot of unjustified hype surrounding the guy and i don't think he'll be a star player...

 

no way i trade inman for him...or sheets, holy cow...

[gordofieldo]

Even though they would never do it....are you kidding me? Inman for Salty??? The Brewers would be getting a steal in that one. Inman will be a nice pitcher, possibly even a very good one, but Salty is a top notch prospect, one of the 10 best in baseball IMO. Beside that, why would you trade one prospect for another? Until the Indians/Padres trade this past winter of Barfield/Kouz, the prospect for prospect deal I think is pretty rare (although the Sox and Rangers did Danks/McCarthy).

[hauser42]

i'm not a fan of salty at all and would strongly prefer not trade for him...theres a lot of unjustified hype surrounding the guy and i don't think he'll be a star player

 

He gets a lot of press because he is a power hitting catcher. Its about as justified as all the hype that Corey Hart gets on this site.

 

Your right that he may not be a star player, but all he has to do is play catcher and he will be a huge addition for any team.

[sbrylski]

He gets a lot of press because he is a power hitting catcher. Its about as justified as all the hype that Corey Hart gets on this site.

 

What does this mean?

[Brian the Automator]

[ Its about as justified as all the hype that Corey Hart gets on this site. ]

 

So, it's very justified?

[pogokat]

i don't like salty because i know people who hung out with him when he was in the minors...and he's a big time party guy...

 

he's also one of those guys that had a steroid air around him for quite a bit early in his career...

 

i just don't buy the hype...not for a second...inman is the kind of guy i want on my team...just a great player and a great guy...salty is not...

 

edit: and other than one year in the carolina league, he hasn't beeen a top prospect...he was not good at all last year in the southern league...brendan katin has an ops a 100 points higher than salty did last year...for that manner palmisano wasn't far behind, and is killing those numbers this time through...

 

some people just drool over other teams prospects because of the press...i'm not buying it on this guy..

 

 

oh yeah, and thanks for bringing up corey hart again...i forgot who he was...

[hauser42]

some people just drool over other teams prospects because of the press...i'm not buying it on this guy..

 

I would agree with you on this one. There seems to be a lot of press out there that pump up prospects left and right.

 

 

Salty did not hit last year but the potential he would have as hitting catcher is what people are looking at. Personally I feel he will be moving to 1B soon, to big for a catcher.

[mothershipconnection]

Its about as justified as all the hype that Corey Hart gets on this site.

 

Yeah, that whole ".900+ OPS in AAA at age 23 and 24, Southern League MVP, never really struggled at any level" stuff just gets way overblown.

 

Edit: really ironic that Hart doubled just as I posted this.

[DHonks]

I'm with you Brad. I wouldn't trade Inman for Salty. I've known Salty, and he's just a punk (or an ass...you choose). It told me a lot that his Braves teammates in the AFL told him they never wanted to hear him say another word. They put up with his attitude for a season, and by mid-Fall they were sick and tired of him. Why is this important? Because the other players the Braves sent to the AFL were some of the nicest players I've met. They were real humble, caring guys.

 

Maybe Salty has changed. But based on past experiences, I wouldn't touch him. He's rather high-maintainence, and a pain to be around.

[Never Outhustled]

Thats great info Dhonks and Pogocat. I hadn't heard that about him, but now that I heard it from you 2, I don't want him either. The Brewers have too much going right for them to mess around with a guy like that.

 

As for where Salty could be dealt, I think Jim Callis had it right when he suggested Salty for Milledge. Milledge to replace FA to be Andrew Jones, and Salty replaces aging Paul La Duca. Also, it makes sense to deal a punk for a punk.

[recte44]

I think the Braves will probably keep him, and move one of the two catchers to 1B. Not sold on Thorman.

 

About him being a jag, there's a lot of players in the majors like that. Gotta deal with it. That being said, wouldn't want him on the Brewers. We only have a couple guys like that right now....oddly enough they are both among the most talked about "likely to be moved" guys (you figure it out).

[TooLiveBrew]

Well, one's a C, so his value is too high to give up. Can't guess the other one, though....

 

 

EDIT: Nevermind, gotta be Shrek

[recte44]

One for two. Estrada can be a jerk but he's more in an AJ Pierszynski kinda way. The other one is Graffy. He can grate on guys from time to time. I'm sure he's being pretty quiet now but remember when he first came here there was something with him and Fielder.

[UWRyan428]

I still say that we should make a run at McCann. Yo for McCann would be a solid deal, as McCann just signed an extention this past offseason that keeps him the team's property for 5 years, I believe. Much like when Estrada was traded to make way for McCann, McCann could be traded to make way for the Salty One.

[trwi7]

The Braves aren't going to trade McCann. There's no need to, McCann is better than Salty and only a year older.

[Tbadder]

I wouldn't want him, just like I hope the brewers don't draft Weiters. They're just both so damn big. I don't remember too many giants wearing the tools. Am I wrong? What's the track record for tall catchers?

[gordofieldo]

Its a whole new ball game these days. Players are drafted because of their size, baseball ability is secondary. Who would have thought 10-15 years ago that a big bulky player at almost every position would be the norm. Used to be if you threw 90 you got a contract, now you have to throw 90 but also be 6-5", same goes for position players. Look at A-Rod, hes a pretty big guy, and he plays a position that you would think needs a quick, lightning bug type of player. Size is the first priority.

[Brian the Automator]

It would be interesting to do a study on the size/OPS relationship.

[recte44]

Quote:

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It would be interesting to do a study on the size/OPS relationship.

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Good call. Ping: free time.