Detroit trades away two right handed pitchers
DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has acquired catcher Gerald Laird from the Texas Rangers in exchange for righthanded pitchers Carlos Melo and Guillermo Moscoso.
Laird saw action in 95 games for the Rangers in 2008, batting .276 (95x344) with 24 doubles, six home runs and 41 RBI.
He hit .305 (25x82) with seven doubles, two home runs and 14 RBI in 21 games against clubs from the American League Central Division this past season.
“The Tigers organization is pleased to acquire Gerald Laird from the Texas Rangers,” Tigers President, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David Dombrowski said.
“He is a solid addition to our club offensively, defensively and with his ability to handle a pitching staff at the major league level.”
In six seasons at the major league level with Texas, Laird hit .255 (312x1225) with 72 doubles, 25 home runs and 134 RBI in 374 games.
During his major league career, he has compiled a .984 fielding percentage behind the plate, while he has thrown out 36.6 percent of baserunners attempting to steal (96x262).
Melo appeared in 14 games (13 starts) with the Dominican Summer League Tigers in 2008, posting a 3-3 record and 5.14 ERA (49.0IP/28ER).
Melo’s contract will be assigned to the Dominican Summer League Rangers by Texas.
Moscoso split the past season between Single A Lakeland and Double A Erie. He posted a 2-3 record and 2.42 ERA (52.0IP/14ER) in 15 appearances (six starts) with Lakeland.
In six starts with Erie, Moscoso finished 3-1 with a 3.12 ERA (34.2IP/12ER).
