Was hopeful my Astros could land him, but guess not. Also read that Detroit is signing SS Adam Everett as well. Always liked Everett when he was in Houston, hope he does well.
NEW YORK -- The Detroit Tigers made the first move of the winter meetings Monday by trading for catcher Gerald Laird from the Texas Rangers in exchange for two minor league pitchers.
Detroit sent right-handed pitchers Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo to Texas for Laird, who batted .276 in 344 at-bats last season with 24 doubles, six homers and 41 RBIs.
"I'm excited," Laird, 29, told MLB.com. "I get to play every day."
Baseball's annual winter meetings, held this week in Las Vegas, often kick off the free-agent signing season and trading between the 30 major league teams.
The Tigers, who struggled last season despite adding slugger Miguel Cabrera in a deal at last year's winter meetings with the Florida Marlins, had an opening behind the plate after trading veteran Ivan Rodriguez to the Yankees in July.
Texas, who have a promising group of catchers to vie for the starting role, were in need of pitching help.
Moscoso, 25, went 5-4 with a 2.70 earned run average as a starter and reliever between Class A Lakeland and Double-A Erie and struck out 122 batters in 86 2/3 innings.
Melo, 17, went 3-3 with a 5.14 ERA over 14 games in the Dominican Summer League.
Detroit sent right-handed pitchers Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo to Texas for Laird, who batted .276 in 344 at-bats last season with 24 doubles, six homers and 41 RBIs.
"I'm excited," Laird, 29, told MLB.com. "I get to play every day."
Baseball's annual winter meetings, held this week in Las Vegas, often kick off the free-agent signing season and trading between the 30 major league teams.
The Tigers, who struggled last season despite adding slugger Miguel Cabrera in a deal at last year's winter meetings with the Florida Marlins, had an opening behind the plate after trading veteran Ivan Rodriguez to the Yankees in July.
Texas, who have a promising group of catchers to vie for the starting role, were in need of pitching help.
Moscoso, 25, went 5-4 with a 2.70 earned run average as a starter and reliever between Class A Lakeland and Double-A Erie and struck out 122 batters in 86 2/3 innings.
Melo, 17, went 3-3 with a 5.14 ERA over 14 games in the Dominican Summer League.