The Detroit Tigers have filled one of their prime offseason needs, acquiring catcher Gerald Laird from the Rangers for Double-A right-hander Guillermo Moscoso and a second prospect, according to a major-league source. The deal, to be announced Monday, figures to end any chance of the Tigers signing free-agent catcher Jason Varitek, who declined salary arbitration from the Red Sox on Sunday night.
Laird, a strong defensive catcher, is a .255 career hitter with a .306 on-base percentage. He earned $1.6 million last season in his first year of arbitration, and is two years from free agency.
The Tigers also are seeking an inexpensive solution at shortstop, a position in which they are considering free agents Adam Everett and Nick Punto, with Everett the apparent preference.
Moscoso, 25, was 2-3 with a 2.42 ERA at Single-A Lakeland last season and 3-1 with a 3.12 ERA at Double-A Erie, striking out 122 and walking only 21 in 86 2/3 innings.
The second prospect in the deal is a 17-year-old pitcher who spent last season in the Dominican Summer League, the source said.
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