Interesting opportunity

[Dalyn]

I would trade Laird and promote Bethancourt. The guy can't hit (like Laird), but he can certainly play defense (unlike Laird). If we can do it while strengthening a weakness (bullpen), all the better. Getting Patton would allow Wood to return to the rotation when it is time without hurting the bullpen. Also protects the team against the inevitable Avilan injury.

 

[thethe]

I would trade Laird and promote Bethancourt. The guy can't hit (like Laird), but he can certainly play defense (unlike Laird). If we can do it while strengthening a weakness (bullpen), all the better. Getting Patton would allow Wood to return to the rotation when it is time without hurting the bullpen. Also protects the team against the inevitable Avilan injury.

I think that would be a solid plan actually. Maybe being around major leaguers will up CB's game.

 

[nsacpi]

I'm always surprised to see calls for players like La Stella and Bethancourt who are clearly trying to figure out a few things about hitting AAA pitching and would benefit from continuing that learning experience. Sometimes there is a desperate need at the major league level and you rush a player. But why do it when it isn't necessary. These players will let us know through their performances when they are ready. I'd like to see something better than a .625 OPS from Bethancourt before calling him up. And I'd like to see a few more extra base hits from La Stella.

 

[JohnAdcox]

I am not on the "call up Bethancourt" bandwagon. Not because he isn't improving, but because he is. He seems to be adjusting and finding his stroke at Gwinnett over the past few weeks (I know, I know: small sample size). I'd hate to interrupt that process. It genuinely seems promising to me. Give me a few months at least. Better, try him in September.

 

[Dalyn]

I'm always surprised to see calls for players like La Stella and Bethancourt who are clearly trying to figure out a few things about hitting AAA pitching and would benefit from continuing that learning experience. Sometimes there is a desperate need at the major league level and you rush a player. But why do it when it isn't necessary. These players will let us know through their performances when they are ready. I'd like to see something better than a .625 OPS from Bethancourt before calling him up. And I'd like to see a few more extra base hits from La Stella.

This is similar to what people said about Simmons. Bethancourt could be a huge plus on defense, and he could spark some offense for a week or three until pitchers figure him out. And don't you take your sudden Uggla love so far you insult Stella!

 

[Dalyn]

I am not on the "call up Bethancourt" bandwagon. Not because he isn't improving, but because he is. He seems to be adjusting and finding his stroke at Gwinnett over the past few weeks (I know, I know: small sample size). I'd hate to interrupt that process. It genuinely seems promising to me. Give me a few months at least. Better, try him in September.

I agree...unless a situation arises (like this one) where you can shed a little payroll while improving the defense and bullpen. I think it is worth it.

 

[nsacpi]

This is similar to what people said about Simmons. Bethancourt could be a huge plus on defense, and he could spark some offense for a week or three until pitchers figure him out. And don't you take your sudden Uggla love so far you insult Stella!

There was a desperate need for a SS when Simmons was called up.

 

[yeezus]

I'm always surprised to see calls for players like La Stella and Bethancourt who are clearly trying to figure out a few things about hitting AAA pitching and would benefit from continuing that learning experience. Sometimes there is a desperate need at the major league level and you rush a player. But why do it when it isn't necessary. These players will let us know through their performances when they are ready. I'd like to see something better than a .625 OPS from Bethancourt before calling him up. And I'd like to see a few more extra base hits from La Stella.

IMO Bethancourt is never going to hit. He's just not a good hitter. I would deal Laird if possible and bring him up for his defense alone. Patton/Bethancourt with Wood back to the roto is better than Laird/Wood in the pen.

 

[Millwood1Hitter]

It aint gonna happen as it seems like Wren, the FO, and Fredi all have a huge mancrush on Laird, but the guy brings nothing to the table. Terrible all around catcher, terrible pitch framer, not that great defensively, and brings nothing offensively with the exception of a occassional blooper. He's horrible IMO.

Patton is a guy with some upside, and probably would be Eric O'Flarety 2.0 in the pen, with Venters coming back along with Avilan it would give us a great trio of lefties late in the game to bridge the game to Kimbrel.

As far as the backup C spot if we traded Laird, it wouldn't be that hard to find a replacement. I'd look at Betancourt to see what he can bring, if nothing else he is leaps and bounds better defensively that Laird. His offense is a question, and I question whether or not he will ever get there, but a little call-up can't hurt anything at this point in time. Hell, I'd look at a Henry Blanco type that would be easy to get as a backup, in fact, with his defense, he would already be an upgrade over Laird.

At this point in time, Patton is measureably better than Laird or anyone else that could be acquired.

 

[yeezus]

Let me know when you come across an available quad-A catcher who would represent an improvement over Laird. I'd be interested in knowing his name.

Really? What makes Laird even remotely good? There's nothing he's good at.

 

[nsacpi]

Really? What makes Laird even remotely good? There's nothing he's good at.

There is a small but not insignificant difference between a replacement level catcher and a decent second string catcher. For example, from 2011 to 2013 Laird has put up OPS of .660, .711 and .739. If you can find an available quad-A catcher who would represent an improvement over that please provide the name.

 

[Braves1976]

I would trade Laird and promote Bethancourt. The guy can't hit (like Laird), but he can certainly play defense (unlike Laird). If we can do it while strengthening a weakness (bullpen), all the better. Getting Patton would allow Wood to return to the rotation when it is time without hurting the bullpen. Also protects the team against the inevitable Avilan injury.

I'd trade Laird for Patton too if that offer is available. I like Patton from what I've seen, good lefty reliever.

 

[Braves1976]

I am not on the "call up Bethancourt" bandwagon. Not because he isn't improving, but because he is. He seems to be adjusting and finding his stroke at Gwinnett over the past few weeks (I know, I know: small sample size). I'd hate to interrupt that process. It genuinely seems promising to me. Give me a few months at least. Better, try him in September.

I agree with Dalyn on trading Laird for Patton if that deal is available to us. But I agree with Nsacpi and you on holding off calling up Bethancourt unless just for a cup of coffee till we find a cheap vet to replace Laird. Which might be needed if such a trade is available and we accept.

 

[NinersSBChamps]

Unless Laird's replacement does something to help the team win each game he plays...if not keep Laird.

 

[Braves1976]

For example, from 2011 to 2013 Laird has put up OPS of .660, .711 and .739. If you can find an available quad-A catcher who would represent an improvement over that please provide the name.

I don't see Laird coming close to a .711 or .739 OPS this year. He's currently at .550 and at best I see him having more a .600-.660 OPS season this year. He just doesn't have the pop to put up a good OPS unless getting favorable calls (errors called hits) and a lot of bloops to fall. The two over .700 OPS years you cite he had a lot of fluke hits, IMO.

 

[clvclv]

I'm still trying to figure out where we stashed Yenier Bello. He certainly profiles as the AAAA type/backup Catcher most everyone seems to be talking about as a potential stopgap to replace Laird. Can't seem to find him anywhere.

Assuming Laird would net you someone with Patton's upside and you could buy time with a AAAA guy, it wouldn't be an awful move in my book - considering our offensive struggles, Gattis needs to be in the lineup as often as he's physically capable, meaning you're only looking at day games following night games for whomever's behind him for a while.

 

[Tapate50]

There is a small but not insignificant difference between a replacement level catcher and a decent second string catcher. For example, from 2011 to 2013 Laird has put up OPS of .660, .711 and .739. If you can find an available quad-A catcher who would represent an improvement over that please provide the name.

You are hung up on improvement. Having a backup C is a luxury to have a hitter (loose term for Laird). On the contrary to your question, how many AAAA catchers couldn't be more than a notch worse (550 ops)? While upgrading the BP pretty significantly? I could argue a nice BP arm would have more effect than the ABs of a guy playing every 5th day getting 3-4 Abs that we don't expect much out of in the first place. Especially the way Fredi uses Bp arms.

 

[Hawk]

I think the team would be insane not to jump on Laird for Patton -- but I don't think the Orioles would do that, nor does it appear likely (for the time being) that the Braves would tamper with the 'chemistry' that Lard apparently brings to the table. When it comes to backup catchers offensive production should truly be a secondary consideration and for that reason alone I would advocate for Bethancourt in Atlanta now. At this point, his bat is highly unlikely to morph into much worth writing home about, but the team could immediately benefit from his defensive prowess.

As others have mentioned, Laird is essentially a black hole -- he might call an acceptable game, but his skills behind the plate seem to be eroding by the game and his bat is essentially worthless.

 

[Braves1976]

I'm still trying to figure out where we stashed Yenier Bello. He certainly profiles as the AAAA type/backup Catcher most everyone seems to be talking about as a potential stopgap to replace Laird. Can't seem to find him anywhere.

The last I heard Bello was sent to extended spring training. I was hoping to see him play in some minor league games by now too. I thought he'd be headed for AA given his age but not sure now.

 

[Hawk]

Major League FA catchers: Yorvit Torrealba, Miguel Olivo, Humberto Quintero

Minor League catchers who might be available: Eliezer Alfonso, John Baker, Jesus Flores, Ronny Paulino

Mexican League options: Francisco Cordoba, Jesus Espinoza, Geronimo Gil