Getty Images UPDATE: No word yet on the money, but Laird’s deal with the Braves is for two seasons after Ross got a two-year, $6.2 million deal from the Red Sox.
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After losing David Ross to the Red Sox the Braves are close to signing Gerald Laird as his replacement, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
Laird, like Ross, is a longtime backup catcher, but he also represents a huge dropoff behind starter Brian McCann.
During the past three seasons Ross hit .267 with a .795 OPS in 173 games while throwing out 37 percent of steal attempts. During that same time Laird hit .236 with a .630 OPS in 189 games while throwing out 28 percent of steal attempts.
Atlanta is losing something in the Ross-for-Laird swap both offensively and defensively, and considering McCann’s uncertain health status coming back from shoulder surgery that could become a pretty big deal. They’ll save some money, though.
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- darthicarus - Nov 15, 2012 at 10:20 AM
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Sort of odd that Laird went to Atlanta as his reason for leaving Detroit was he wanted more playing time possibly as a starter…though I guess with McCann’s recent history that might be what triggered Laird to head to Atlanta.
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- historiophiliac - Nov 15, 2012 at 10:26 AM
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Oh, God, this off-season is turning out to be fun for this Tiger fan.
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- tigers182 - Nov 15, 2012 at 10:31 AM
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Lame. Laird is a valuable #2 catcher. Idk what he’s signing for, but I’m sure the Tigers could have offered it.
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- historiophiliac - Nov 15, 2012 at 10:40 AM
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Dude, he said he wanted more playing time, so they told him to look elsewhere.
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- drkincaid - Nov 15, 2012 at 10:47 AM
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Gerbil Laird
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- greymares - Nov 15, 2012 at 11:28 AM
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I understand the necessary Marlin talk, but enough of this Brave stuff lets get back to the Philly banter.
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- xjokerz - Nov 15, 2012 at 2:02 PM
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good
get him off my Tigers team
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- denny65 - Nov 15, 2012 at 3:11 PM
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Something tells me we’re going to soon be reading a press release that Ms cast-off catcher Miggy Olivio has been signed somewhere.
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- cltjump - Nov 15, 2012 at 9:48 PM
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Ehh.
