Salty not moving -- for now

[McCarroll21]

http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/05/04/0505notes.htmlTop catching prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia is stuck behind a 23-year-old all-star (McCann) who recently signed a six-year contract extension. But the Braves say they aren't in any hurry to move "Salty" to a new position.

"He does work out at first base on a daily basis," manager Bobby Cox said. "He's such a good catcher, you hate to move him. But we have a good one, too.

"We're going to keep [Saltalamacchia] where he is right now, and see what happens."So am I wrong to read this as, "he's not making the full blown switch, but they are working with him on possibly making it easier to make the switch later."

Kind of ... Matt Diaz and Craig Wilson need to start hitting because we are working him at first base and if it's deemed necessary we can put him there and move Thorman out to LF.

How do you read this Bobby quote?

[BravesfaninNC]

http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2007/05/04/0505notes.htmlTop catching prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia is stuck behind a 23-year-old all-star (McCann) who recently signed a six-year contract extension. But the Braves say they aren't in any hurry to move "Salty" to a new position.


"He does work out at first base on a daily basis," manager Bobby Cox said. "He's such a good catcher, you hate to move him. But we have a good one, too.


"We're going to keep [Saltalamacchia] where he is right now, and see what happens."So am I wrong to read this as, "he's not making the full blown switch, but they are working with him on possibly making it easier to make the switch later."

Kind of ... Matt Diaz and Craig Wilson need to start hitting because we are working him at first base and if it's deemed necessary we can put him there and move Thorman out to LF.

How do you read this Bobby quote?Maybe it just me but the way i see it is even if Matty and Willson will starting Hitting Salty will be moveing to 1st and he will start at 1st for us.I also get the feeling that Braves Don't want to trade salty and that it will take alt to get him

[vnodnarb]

I agree, I think he moves to first eventually, not sure when, but I expect it before the All Star break. Another good thing is we can keep McCann really fresh for the stretch finish in the hot Atlanta summer with Salty catching 1-2 times a week and for interleague games we can DH McCann or Chipper.

[BravesfaninNC]

Btw is there anyway that McCann could move to 1st ? And we keep Salty at C

[jdu00743]

"He does work out at first base on a daily basis,"


That's good news...I hope Bobby has the balls to try him out at 1st in game situations!

:nod:

[McCarroll21]

Btw is there anyway that McCann could move to 1st ? And we keep Salty at C
There is no way McCann moves positions. Not without injury causing it. He's too good at calling a game to do that, and he's got a 6 year deal for a reason.

[KB 34]

I like the idea of Salty to 1B, Thorman to LF, and Diaz and Harris to much smaller roles/no role on the Braves. Diaz isn't impressing me with his .270ish OBP and Harris has been a AAAA player for years for a reason, he's not good. Replacing Diaz/Harris with a producing Salty makes the lineup sick!

[McCarroll21]

Can you imagine..


Johnson - L
Renteria - R
Jones - S
Jones - R
McCann - L
Francoeur - R
Thorman - L
Saltalamacchia - SMcCann and Francoeur switching vs. lefties, as do Thorman and Salty after a little bit of time.

8 place hitter has 20-25 HR power.

[BravePiKapp]

Salty needs to play full time somewhere, Majors or AAA. I would like to see him at 1B...

[gitrdone48]

Wilson will be out of a job soon because Salty will be at first.

[JCStone7]

Btw is there anyway that McCann could move to 1st ? And we keep Salty at C

Can't do that... Salty has a better 1B build

[lavell12]

I think we have to wait until Pena comes off of the DL to see if Salty will be moved to 1B. If Salty hits while he is up and proves he is ready to be a MLB player he won't be a backup C so Pena will re-gain the role and Salty will be moved to 1B. I don't know who would be released or go down to AAA.

[McCarroll21]

I think we have to wait until Pena comes off of the DL to see if Salty will be moved to 1B. If Salty hits while he is up and proves he is ready to be a MLB player he won't be a backup C so Pena will re-gain the role and Salty will be moved to 1B. I don't know who would be released or go down to AAA.Really? Ingenious idea there Drew.

But to answer the question of who goes to Richmond IF Salty is moved to 1B?

Either Pete Orr or Willie Harris. Thorman would move to LF, possibly still platooning with Diaz. There would be no reason to have both Orr and Harris on the bench. They're both left handed hitters, both can play 2nd, 3rd and some outfield, both speed guys.

Harris is better in the outfield, but Orr has the experience as a Braves pinch hitter/bench player and Bobby's heart. Who knows.

[cwg7v]

If Salty gets moved to 1st is there any chance that Wilson is released or sent down?

[Hobbes]

If Salty gets moved to 1st is there any chance that Wilson is released or sent down?
No.

[Zack]

What about Woodward? I wish Salty could play on a regular basis for us as a backup catcher and/or a 1B option, we haven't seen much come from Pena so far this season. Orr is out of options. Willie Harris has been pretty impressive. I don't think Shuerholtz will send down Salty if he keeps producing and showing off his arm as he has in his first two starts.

[vnodnarb]

What about Woodward? I wish Salty could play on a regular basis for us as a backup catcher and/or a 1B option, we haven't seen much come from Pena so far this season. Orr is out of options. Willie Harris has been pretty impressive. I don't think Shuerholtz will send down Salty if he keeps producing and showing off his arm as he has in his first two starts.

you need a backup shortshop, woodward stays

[dogmanx23]

all i know is in 2 games hes been on base 4 times our of 8 at bats. The kid has a good eye and i think should be our starting 1st Baseman for the future with thorman in LF platooning with Diaz.

[jdu00743]

Yea, I REALLY hope we find a spot for this guy on the roster...I am impressed with him and feel like he would certainly be an upgrade at 1b...Particularly if we move Thorman to LF.

[GrandMasterB]

As much as I hate to say it, I think Orr will be the odd man out when Pena returns. Pena will go back to being the backup catcher. First base and left field will be some sort of combination of Diaz, Wilson, Thorman, and Salty. Woodward has to stay because he's the only shortstop of the bunch. So, the last spot would come down to Willie Harris and Pete Orr. I think Harris' play since he came up has pretty much solidified his spot over Orr.

[Nasadega]

Salty will go down, because he needs consistent playing time (aka everyday) which won't happen when Pena returns. Orr is out of options, he's likely to stay

[jdu00743]

I like Orr just because he hustles, but why are people so down about losing the guy?

It's not like he is any good...The only "good" thing about him is that he'll play any position you ask, but that's what Woodward is for as well.

I think it would be foolish to keep Orr over Salty...And if we keep Salty his butt better not be on the bench...Hopefully he will be put into the game.

[GrandMasterB]

I like Orr just because he hustles, but why are people so down about losing the guy?

It's not like he is any good...The only "good" thing about him is that he'll play any position you ask, but that's what Woodward is for as well.

That's exactly why people would be down about losing him. It's refreshing to see a guy that plays all out and hustles like he does in an age of multi-millionaire players that feel like they should be pampered and catered to at all times. He's the kind of player you want coming off your bench...a guy that will do what's asked of him and give 110% on every play.

[jdu00743]

That's exactly why people would be down about losing him. It's refreshing to see a guy that plays all out and hustles like he does in an age of multi-millionaire players that feel like they should be pampered and catered to at all times. He's the kind of player you want coming off your bench...a guy that will do what's asked of him and give 110% on every play.


Ok, well what happens when his 110% is not NEARLY as productive as another player's 100%?

We've already got our utilityman...Salty would be much more valuable to this team.

[GrandMasterB]

Ok, well what happens when his 110% is not NEARLY as productive as another player's 100%?

We've already got our utilityman...Salty would be much more valuable to this team.

I'm not arguing that. If you look at my post earlier in this thread, I also said I'd keep Salty over Orr. I'm simply saying that if/when he goes, he'll be missed because of the way he played.

[McCarroll21]

Orr is not out of options people.

I don't think anyone really knows right now, but after today I bet the Braves are putting their mind into high gear. Maybe not so much over thinking about having him here now, but as far as answering the "is it time?" question.

IF he learns how to play 1B rather quickly and the Braves make the decision to keep him and play him [he'll play every day wherever he is] the question would still be a toss up to me as to who would be going. Orr or Harris.

Right now it looks like Orr because Harris is platooning in the OF, but if Thorman takes that LF job because of Salty, or takes part of the platoon, who is better for the bench? I think that is Orr because he's done it for us for a few years.