Cafardo should take off the pom poms. It's embarrassing.

The market is absolutely perfect for them to get someone to overpay slightly for an average center fielder- so, for me, trading Crisp is a success if you get a serviceable (non-prospect) back-up catcher and a decent bullpen arm. That being said, the ideal situation is convincing someone to give them an above-average catching prospect, but I'm not holding my breath.

He’ll also try to configure his bench, which means making a decision on Bobby Kielty, who can be a decent extra outfielder and someone who can hit lefthanded pitching.

Yes please. I've been yelling for awhile for him to comeback. Ther'es nobody that can be had for free that hits LHP as well as he does, and he also plays good corner OF and can be the emergency CF.

a decent bullpen arm

I wonder if there's an Okajima-type arm in Japan. We should sign at least one, see if he sticks. It'll cost at most 6 mil.

I have a feeling that "serviceable" is an above-average catching prospect.

I don't know where else to post this, but did you know only one catcher has caught more MLB no-hitters than Jason Varitek? IOW, had Curt Schilling not given up that one hit late against Oakland last year, Tek would've tied the record (with Ray Schalk) for no-hitters caught. I don't know if that's a good indicator of his ability to call a game; his only other contemporary with 3 no-hitters caught was Charles Johnson, and I seem to recall his game-calling abilities were highly regarded.

Tek might have caught four but Schilling shook him off before the hit in Oakland.

What do people think of Teagarden (C prospect with Texas). Would Coco + Kotteras be enough?

I don't know if that's a good indicator of his ability to call a game; his only other contemporary with 3 no-hitters caught was Charles Johnson, and I seem to recall his game-calling abilities were highly regarded.

The fact that Jason Varitek has caught three no hitters is prima facie evidence to me that no hitters have relatively little to do with the game calling ability of the catcher.

Why are people so obsessed with Gerald Laird? He's always coming up in trade rumors and I see no discernible reason why that should be the case. His career numbers are terrible, he's not that young, and his minor league track record is unimpressive (at best).

I have a feeling that "serviceable" is an above-average catching prospect.

Fair point. I was actually thinking "non-prospect" (in the first scenario) as in not particuarly young, with "serviceable" and young being the most ideal situation. Not that I can think of a reasonably good back-up. Josh Bard, maybe? Hmm, how does a team get a guy like that?

What do people think of Teagarden (C prospect with Texas). Would Coco + Kotteras be enough?

What use would Kottaras be for Texas? A backup for Satalamachia? They would be better off signing a veteran and trading Teagarden for a similar OF prospect.

I don't understand the desperate need for a catcher this offseason. Varitek was well above average for his position. Play him another year and wait on Kottaras to see if he can handle the position until one of the Still, Wagner, or Weeden pan out.

"Would Coco + Kotteras be enough?"

No way would I take that, if I were Texas. Teagarden is basically the best catching prospect in baseball.

I was thinking Kottares as a backup catcher, and Coco would fill their need in center. I might be underrating Teagarden here, thought he was perhaps a 60-70th ranked prospect on BA's top 100.

No way would I take that, if I were Texas. Teagarden is basically the best catching prospect in baseball.

Is he really? I'm not up on my prospect news, but I was under the impression that at least Clement, Ianetta, and Walker were more highly regarded.

I'd definitely take Clement over Teagarden. Though Boston might now want another Clement around...

Then again, a full year at AAA for Teagarden hitting the way he did this year and he could change my mind.

I don't understand the desperate need for a catcher this offseason.

Without another catcher, they'll bring back Mirabelli.

Clement, Ianetta, and Walker

Neil Walker is a 3B now. If that's who you meant.

If Teagarden is so good, see if the Sox can get Salty. He can back up 1B & C allowing Youk some time at 3B to rest Lowell. I'm not saying it's possible, but if I'm Theo, I'd ask.

Why are people so obsessed with Gerald Laird? He's always coming up in trade rumors and I see no discernible reason why that should be the case. His career numbers are terrible, he's not that young, and his minor league track record is unimpressive (at best).

Why did Torrealba turn down a three-year, $14.4 million contract?

Without another catcher, they'll bring back Mirabelli.

Cash money

Not that I can think of a reasonably good back-up. Josh Bard, maybe? Hmm, how does a team get a guy like that?

You stumble into them. No, most are former decent prospects. Mirabelli certainly was an excellent back-up for a good while. You mentioned Bard. Mike Redmond is very good as is Ramon Castro. Gerald Laird makes for a pretty good backup though more defense oriented. Toby Hall should have been and maybe will be. Javier Valentin ain't too bad. Any random Molina off the street is usually good enough. As to who's available...no idea.

Backup C is a bit more important for the Red Sox given Varitek's age. You'd like to give him more time off (to hopefully keep his bat fresh) and if he goes down for a month (quite possible), you don't want some 220/270/320 guy back there.

Coco's a valuable player to the Red Sox as a 4th OF behind some injury-prone fellows. They shouldn't be trading him for a #2 catcher. They should be willing to deal him for a B-ish catching prospect who's reasonably close. Tek won't last forever.