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Red Sox notebook: Ryan Lavarnway looks to be odd-man out right now 02.09.13 at 2:01 pm ET
By Rob Bradford

Ryan Lavarnway

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Red Sox general manager said that, as of now, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and David Ross are being viewed as the major league catchers, leaving Ryan Lavarnway as the odd man out.

Lavarnway, who has an option, played in 46 games with the Red Sox last year after totaling 17 appearances in 2011.

“Well, right now, our expectation is Salty and Ross, their the two proven guys and we signed Ross for a reason and Salty has continued to build on each year and has added some things and gotten better and he’s a power threat and capable of being one of the best catchers in the league,” Cherington said. “We’ve seen that. We’ve seen other parts of season where he’s struggled. He’s still a young guy. We expect him to continue to develop and he might be even better this year than he was last year. We think Salty and Ross complement each other well. And we feel pretty good about where we are catching-wise.

“Ryan Lavarnway has come a long way. We think he’s going to be a really good player for us. Sometimes the sort of clock doesn’t start exactly w hen the player wants to. He’s proven at the triple a level that he’s capable of helping a major league team. That’s going to happen. We just don’t know exactly when.”

- Cherington said the team hasn’t started extension talks with any players. It is expected, however, that the Red Sox will open conversations with Dustin Pedroia at some point this spring.

“I can’t rule it out, but I can’t rule it in, either,” the GM said regarding extensions. “It’s something that, I think in those cases, certainly the closer a player is to free agency, the more likely those conversations take place. For the team, there’s obviously a benefit to having players on a good contract and having control left. So, there’s a fair amount of incentive for the team to just let that play out. When you have players who have done a lot for the team and mean a lot to the team, I think you always have to have an open door to a conversation, but that doesn’t mean that it goes anywhere. And there’s nothing going on right now as I sit here today.”

The Red Sox general manager took the blame for a lack of depth in the starting rotation in 2012, explaining he feels more confident about the team’s pitching positioning this time around.

Besides the projected rotation of Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, Ryan Dempster and Felix Doubront, the Red Sox will also be stretching out Alfredo Aceves and Franklin Morales as starters in spring training.

“Yeah, I didn’t do a good enough job last year in that area,” Cherington said. “I don’t think it’s something that happens in one offseason. You can do some things in the offseason, but it really has to happen over time. Starting pitching depth can’t just come from free agency or one area; it has to come from every avenue. We have to develop pitchers, we have to sign the right guys. We have to trade for the right guys. I feel better going into this spring training than we did last year as far as health.”

Daniel Nava and Mitch Maier both worked out at first base under the watchful eyes of coaches Gary DiSarcina, and Brian Butterfield. Ryan Sweeney, who arrived in town after driving from Iowa, said the team hasn’t asked him to play first base but is having his first base glove shipped to camp just in case.

- Principal owner John Henry was in attendance and will speak with the media Monday. Henry did pass on two interesting items: 1. He is the father to a newborn son; 2. Ticket sales for spring training are up by seven percent over last year.

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  • Brian

    Salty is so bad defensively.  He literally makes borderline strikes look like balls, his pitchers see it, and they freak out.  Sure, they could handle it better, but ever since he’s been the primary catcher the staff has fallen apart.  He’s not entirely responsible, but he’s as big a part as a catcher can be, and he should be dealt.  I’d like to see Ross play 90-100 games.

  • Mike

    Salty is brutal behind the plate and his obp is awful too.  Trade him stupid front office. 

  • http://twitter.com/theHooHaagroove HooHaa

    You want to see Ross play 90-100 games? You will; he’s on a 2 year deal and might reach that number at the end of 2014 just before his 38th birthday. Best thing when looking at Ross is to look at what the Sox got for Shoppach.

  • Saltynuts

    Trade Salty….

    Great at knocking teachers up and striking out at the plate.

    Terrible at calling games. His ERA was a full run higher than Lavarnway last year.

  • Doug

    Salty has to rank high on the list of the worst front line catchers, this guy has to instantly demoralize a pitching staff, he cannot throw out baserunners, his power is nice but so inconsistent, he’s gotta go if you want to improve at all!

  • No good ones avaiable

    Tuck was listed as the best catching coach in the ML. He could not make Salty better. Since his Texas day he was billed as great prospect. Yhe proof is what has been stated.

    1 Cannot call a game
    2 Poor glove position
    3 Poor at throwing out runners
    4 Strike out king
    5 OBP terrible

    Home Runs do not make up for the negatives.

  • Pip

    Wish the media would stop overinterpreting. Cherington did not say Lavernway is trade material or that they were giving up on him. He did say Salty and Ross were the Red Sox catchers, and that Lav would start the season in Pawtucket. OK, but why not wait until spring training for these kinds of judgements? Plus Ben does not exactly have an exemplary track record judging talent.

  • Pip

    Could be Ben is just building up Salty to trade him. He does have problems setting targets for pitchers–setting up in the middle of the plate instead of the corners.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/ZVFM2HRNC5CTO2OUXD4XTX65O4 Dennis

     Salty may be bad, but Lavarnway is worse. 

  • Donalmcl27

    He might be right, but isn’t that the manager’s call ?

  • Bruinman86

    Perhaps he’s the odd man out in the beginning, but one or two of these old farts is likely to break down.  My guess is that he’s in Boston by June at the latest.  Besides, gives him time to hopefully get back on track and work on some stuff.

  • Xander Bogaerts

    Is this team really in a position to be giving spots to guys like Saltalamacchia? I would of thought if Lavarnway would of at least been given a chance to beat out Salty. At least give him a chance. More strange stuff from this organization.

  • Williamstroup Stroup

    bring back fisk

  • Scottall

    Bingo

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    He has been the primary catcher for 1 year,you don’t do it in 1 year give the guy a break.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    Shoppach isn’t Ross.Ross is one of the best at what he doe’s.He’s better then Veritek and can catch and throw them out with the best.He also isn’t an automatic out.He has a good at bat as well as plenty of pop.His throwing out runners is off the charts.I wish people would do some research before they make comments,you sound foolish.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    Lavarnway isn’t ready period.Salty will improve and he has,its true his striking out is worrisom but i’m sure they are doing everything they can to correct his swinging at everything.If Salty can improve his OBP he has the potential to be one of the best in the league along with his homerun power.If he can improve on last year in those area’s then they will try their best to resign him.This is a very important year for Salty,he no doubt has the tools its up to him now.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    Like you really care who he kocks up.Only a woman would come out with that nonsense.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    Old fart? Yea maybe from a ten year old,they think 30 is ancient.Salt is i think 27 or not quite 27,old fart?Thats funny lol.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    So true Dennis.Fans should be cautious on what they hope for.If Cherington thought along with the coaches that Larvanway was the man he would’nt be going to triple A.What are these fans talking about its hillarious.

  • Xander Bogaerts

    My point is why is the GM deciding which catchers are on the roster before Spring Training even starts? Can Lavarnway also improve? Lavarnway should be at least given an opportunity to compete for the job especially with Salty coming off a season with many holes in his swing and holes in his defensive game.

    A team guarenteeing jobs on a 69 win team does not make sense. If Lavarnway deserves to be on the roster he should be on the roster and Farrell should decide that.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    That will be improved on.The Sox are not shopping Salty they want him to improve so they can sign him themselves.Its true his OBP sucks,but his catching will be better this year wait and see.He’s young and wants to improve behind the plate.2012 was his first year as primary catcher and he had to be a bit overwhelming.Most catches lack his power and any team would settle for an average catcher with plenty of power.I’m betting that there will be an improvement behind the plate,next year he will be a free agent.One thing is certain him and Jacoby will be busting their butts.Thats good news for us.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    Actually Cherington doe’s have an eye for young talent according to his resume.Cherington is no rookie per se.He has been around for quite awhile.Were there mistakes along the way? Of course,but i think Cherington is a learner from mistakes. 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    Lets face it no one makes anyone better.His knack also included the way he went about dealing with his pupils.All the big contenders have catching coaches and none of them are named Tuck.Its up to the player they either have it or they don’t.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WW4SUGV5J6Y7R5MVPAWVIWAJFU Dennis

    Catching is very hard to come by when it comes to production with the bat as well.Be careful what you wish for.Anything i can’t stand is an automatic out and Salty can only improve he’s young.I have been watching for 50 years and the Red Sox haven’t had alot of productive catchers outside of Fisk.Lets see if Salty can improve his weaknesses,

  • Bruinman86

     The Old Fart reference was to the older guys they have signed in the offseason like David Ross (who will be 36 next month), Mike Napoli (who at 31 has the body of an old fart).  You could even look at Ortiz as well since he is coming off an injury filled year at 37. Lavarnway can catch and DH.

  • Ooo

    at least till week 2.

  • wipeout

    “Salty” obviously has some dirt on little Benny C.

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