A couple items of note with respect to two Rangers players who could be on the trade block…
- The Rangers, well-stocked at catcher, may have been showcasing backstop Taylor Teagarden for a potential trade partner in the Padres in their Cactus League game on Thursday, writes T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. Texas has Yorvit Torrealba, Matt Treanor and Mike Napoli (who will also DH and play first base) on the catching depth chart, so Teagarden will not likely make the big league team out of camp, writes Sullivan. Earlier this spring, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports pegged the Royals as a potential landing spot for Teagarden.
- David Golebiewski of Fangraphs had a look at the five potential destinations for Chris Davis recently put forth by Ben Nicholson-Smith, and the takeaway looks to be that Davis' best shot may be to take over third base or DH duties for a team that is especially weak offensively at either of those positions and can stomach Davis' low OBP and bad glovework. The best fits could be for Davis to take over third from the old platoon of Melvin Mora and Geoff Blum in Arizona, or as a third-base stop gap for Matt Dominguez or Lonnie Chisenhall of the Marlins and Indians, respectively. With Davis' skills limiting him to such a narrow profile, Golebiewski thinks he could probably fetch a modest return, like a decent reliever, in a trade.
Out of all ML catchers with 400 or more ABs and an OPS of .700 or higher last year, none were on the Rangers. One of those was Mike Napoli, who is now a Ranger. So yes, it would be nice for the Rangers to have a .700 OPS catcher.
What I don’t get is why Chris Davis thinks he can make trade demands. News flash, Chris. You may think you’ve done “everything the Rangers have asked” you to do, but you’re forgetting one crucial thing. They’ve asked you to consistently produce at the major league level. You haven’t. In fact, you’ve gotten worse each of the last three years.
Produce in the majors, stay in the majors.
Agreed about Davis. They gave him every opportunity in 09 and 10 to prove he could hit at the major league level and he failed miserably. As far as I’m concerned, he’s the best AAAA ballplayer out there ;).
Teagarden, no thanks.
I wouldn’t take Teagarden either. The guy is absolutely horrid with the bat. Glove work is ok and arm is average. This guy watched one spring training game and thinks he is Ivan Rodriguez!
I don’t agree with the comment, “bad glovework”, concerning Chris Davis. He is certainly capable (and has shown it at the Major League Level) of handling 1B. Reports out of spring training (from scouts in camp) have suggested that his performance at 3B has been strong.
I really believe the Rangers are high on his potential value, and they won’t be giving him away. Don’t be surprised to see a much larger package for Davis (if he’s traded) than most people on here are suggesting.
Bad glove work? Are we talking about the same Chris Davis? This guy is a vacuum at first and third! His glove is the only thing that kept him around half of the 2009 season! Wow…don’t comment unless you actually observe these guys!
I agree, I saw “bad glove work” and immediately was like really? Davis is one of the most underrated when it comes to his defense. Davis is good really good with a glove.
I agree. Bad glove? Get real guys. This is another example of reporters who never really follow guys talents; just their names. Why not ask a scout before you post hack work?
Bad glove? GFY.
Bad Glove from Chris Davis? Who is this guy kidding? OK why quibble, so he’s only in the Top 10 or so in all of MLB… he’s got room to improve. Typical East Coast writer… knows nothing of the Rangers and even less about CD.
**DAVIS will be UP the first injury of Josh Hamilton.
couldnt agree more… complete moron..
J. Soria-to Texas FOR T. Teagarden-to KC? Mmm, maybe?
Daniels won’t overpay for a closer.
Not gonna happen, but I’m all for it!
Funny joke.
I didn’t know Davis could play 3B, I thought he was just a 1B/DH. Now that I do I am wondering how much interest the Blue Jays will have in him. He could take over 3B this year and move Bautista to RF and then next year he could move over to 1B/DH with Lind and let Lawrie in. Just a thought now that I know he can play 3B.
anyone that says Chris davis has a bad glove has never watched him play a single inning anywhere! he is a defensive beast! the dude who wrote this article is an idiot!
i dont know who Dan Mennella is but anyone who says Chris Davis has a bad glove is simply retarded! Chris Davis is a great defensive player, he isnt in big leagues because of his poor obp and avg…. not his glove…. your an idiot Dan, watch a game or two
need i remind you Nellie Cruz was best AAAA player ever before he finally hung around after his 4th big league shot
Remember when Teagarden and Salty were the future for Texas? Strange how things like that change.
I love Chris Davis! Look at his strikeout rate! In about half a season in 2009 he mowed down 150…
Oh, wait, he’s not a pitcher.
Mr. Mennella, if your going to post on a topic – make sure you know the topic. Bad glove work? There went your credibility. While Davis has failed miserably at the plate, his glove work is all star caliber – elite level. If he ever locks in at the plate – look out.
Davis is an emergency 3b at best. The glove isn’t the problem. Its his footwork and his throws. Plenty of arm strength but he airmailed a ton of throws. That is why he was moved off 3rd originally in the minors. His defense at 1b is excellent.
I would like to see a reliever traded to the rangers from Cleveland for chris davis! Chris Perez is our closer so he isnt available. Josh Judy is considered to be the closer to the future, he may not be available. So who is available? Raffy Perez is mean with it, so is Tony Sipp, Vinny Pestano, Joe Smith, Jensen Lewis, Frank Hermann. Texas also might be interested in recently signed Chad Durbin. What if Davis hits 17 home runs by all-star break what do you do? You can’t bench him? Lonnie Chisenhall is the future, I mean his the best prospect in the organization. This is quite the enigma.
I keep wondering if Boston is going to trade Papelbon or Jenks (hopefully not Jenks) to Texas for one of those catchers so the Rangers can move Feliz to the rotation.
Boston has plenty of depth now with middle to late game relievers and Epstein has always liked Teagarden.. Only saving grace is Boston probably wouldn’t pick up Papelbon’s salary.
Bad glove work? Chris Davis is a Gold Glove-caliber defender.
Not at third base, which is what the writer is assuming – that Davis will need to play third in order to get a starting job.