Salty still a Ranger, for now

Salty

All winter we've heard rumblings that the Boston Red Sox coveted Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia like a dog does sleep.

Well, any thought of Salty or any other Rangers catcher going north is unlikely.

The BoSox announced they re-signed catcher Jason Varitek to a one-year deal with a team option for 2010. 'Tek will make $5 million.

Also, the Sox signed Daniel Bard a month or so ago.

So it's very doubtful they'll still want to deal for a catcher ... for now.

Come midseason, talks could continue as Varitek will probably struggle and the Red Sox will have a better idea about their young pitchers (who the Rangers want) and, more importantly, they're aging pitchers.

Should John Smoltz go down or Josh Beckett struggle with injuries, the BoSox might need to depend on the young arms they were going to send to Texas for Salty.

This is no problem. Good for GM Jon Daniels for staying though and not giving guys away. Salty can be used in this line-up and if everyone is right about the guy, he's due for a break out. Barring injury, his value can only increase.