The Rangers are content with the production they're getting from Max Ramirez and Matt Treanor, according to Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com. Manager Ron Washington told Durrett that he's pleased with the game calling and defense his current catchers provide.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported earlier in the week that the Rangers are looking at other catching options. Today's report doesn't necessarily mean Rosenthal's report is off-base, since club executives can eye opposing players even when they're content with their current club.
One catcher the Rangers definitely have their eye on plays at Triple A Oklahoma. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is working on his throwing, but his .343/.400/.552 line stands out, especially on a team that's getting a .193/.302/.266 line from its backstops.
"No one has forgotten about Salty," Washington said. "We know what he brings to the table."
Other clubs do, too, so it wouldn't be a shock if the Rangers were the ones trading from catching depth this summer. Rosenthal suggested the Astros – who could use some offense – and the Red Sox – who could use some defense – could look to acquire catchers. The Rangers could consider dealing with either one of those teams or any other club looking for a catcher.
I hope Salty doesn’t go to Boston, but don’t seem them doing it anyway. If I was in Bostons shoes I would release Ortiz, put Martinez as the DH and start Varitek at catcher.
Varitek will break down is what is wrong. He just cannot hold up and still can’t throw. If Francona will do what he has been.. That is, let him catch a couple of games per week and nothing else? Varitek will be a useful piece, but having him catch for a prolonged stretch and he will turn into the same useless player that he was for the last 2 and a half seasons, horrible arm, unable to catch up with a poor fastball with just game calling to his credit.
Francona is using him as best he can and protecting him well so far.
You think Texas is not kicking themselves for not taking Bard for ANY of their catchers right now?
Weren’t the Red Sox really high on Salty when he first came up with the Braves? I seem to remember that…
I can believe that, it seemed a few years ago half the league was hot about Salty and now it seems interest in him has cooled which I don’t understand because the guy has talent
It’s because his defense always had him rumored to move to first base, and his offense hasn’t shown up even slightly in the majors. He’s not old, but he’s old enough and had enough time in the majors that we should have seen more than this.
The Rangers are content with the production they’ve gotten out of Ramirez so far? Yeah, a 1200 OPS will do that. But it’s a little late to be impressed with Salty’s batting in the minors. He’s 25 and he’s an offense-first catcher. It’s time for him to hit something in the majors.
Where’s Teagarden? On the DL?