The Rangers have reportedly been in the market for a catcher in recent weeks, but that search has apparently been put on the back burner. On Sunday, Texas GM Jon Daniels indicated that he will not be adding another catcher between now and Opening Day, as T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com writes.
“At this point I anticipate both our catchers are in camp,” Daniels said. “We are open if there is a true improvement to the team, but we’re not going to change for change’s sake.”
Daniels admitted that he has talked “a little bit” with rival teams about acquiring a catcher, but Sullivan gleans that the asking prices for Derek Norris and Jonathan Lucroy have simply been too high. Ultimately then, the Rangers will head into April with Robinson Chirinos behind the dish and a handful of veteran catchers jostling for the No. 2 job.
But, aside from Bobby Wilson, Chris Gimenez, and Michael McKenry, Sullivan notes that 2010 sixth-round pick Brett Nicholas has looked strong in camp and could also find his way on to the roster. Daniels says that the team wasn’t sure what they had in Nicholas but his performance as of late has the club viewing him as “a big league-capable catcher.” On the other hand, Nicholas can be stashed in the minors whereas the team’s trio of veterans probably can’t. Gimenez is out-of-options and Wilson and McKenry have opt-out opportunities if they’re not on the big league roster.
In a perfect world, the Rangers would probably prefer to have Lucroy or Norris to shore things up behind the plate, but they are not presently willing to meet the demands of the Brewers or Padres in order to make a trade happen. The salaries of both players ($4MM and $2.9MM), respectively, are also factors. Even though those are relatively modest sums, the team is already said to be well over their projected payroll thanks to the Ian Desmond signing.
Alrighty then. Have fun not making the playoffs this year. You aren’t going to get an above average player at a position of need for spare parts and fringe prospects.
You think Derek Norris is the difference maker here? LOL!
This will be the same dude that goes on and on about how the Padres just robbed the Rangers if this trade were to happen….
This will be the same dude that says “I can’t believe the Rangers gave up so much or Norris. We robbed them!”.
Lol ^. They got it done last year with the same guys.
They also outplayed their run differential and the Astros will be even better in 2016.
In the end, no matter how you cut it, slice it, or dice it, Norris is a huge upgrade over anything else the Rangers have at the catcher position and they would have a much better chance at winning the division in 2016 if they trade for Norris.
The Rangers roster is just fine despite what the bitter Padres fanboy thinks. Sorry we wouldn’t trade you Ruth and Mantle for a bag of skittles.
West coast huh?? The last I checked, the only thing that matters is that one position (catcher) that means everything to winning a World Series!!! Forget the fact that Darvish is back (May) or Perez and Holland have a full season… Or the fact they got Desmond… You have a great grasp on the AL West!
You are hoping that Darvish comes back in mid-late May. He had Tommy John surgery so that is far from a certainty. The recovery time if everything goes right is 12-18 months. When was his surgery again? March 17th? So maybe May, maybe not in 2016.
You are hoping that Holland can go all year after the shoulder injury that cost him most of 2015. Shoulder injuries are even trickier than Tommy John now days. I wish him luck. He is a really good guy. Donate to 60 feet 6 if you have a chance. Its an amazing charity.
You are hoping that Perez can overcome the injuries and bad performance that have plagued him for 4 straight years. I don’t think I would make that bet based on his history. Kind of like betting on Brett Anderson or Brandon Beachy to pitch a full season. Probably not going to happen.
Well, keep the faith. One of 3 might come to pass.
Norris is good, but the Rangers will be fine without Norris. The Rangers also have the Astros number down better than other teams do.
I wonder if the Padres will still try to dangle Norris later on in the season, perhaps at the trade deadline?
I would bet that as soon as the All Star game in San Diego is over, that Shields, Norris, Kemp, Cashner and maybe even Ross and Jay will be on the move. If they have a good first half then Ramirez and Rodney could be moved too. Padres need to save face for the All Star festivities and hope that a few of their recognizable names play well enough in the first half to be included in the game and then they will jettison all the contracts and start the full on rebuild. The team is bad. The worst defense in the league didn’t get any better. The offense was not improved. A bad bullpen is significantly worse. Even if Kemp plays all year like he did in the 2nd half and Myers can play a full season, the team will struggle to win more than 40 of the 88 games leading up to the ASG.
I disagree. Yes Norris would be an upgrade, but I wouldn’t call it a huge one. Their numbers last season were not worlds apart. Having a solid hitting catcher is just a bonus. Their main purpose is to call a winning game, and play heads up defense. To trade away a top prospect that is going to fill a huge position of need within the next 2-3 years (which more than likely was the asking price) for ~15 more RBIs and runs is ludicrous.
The Cubs should be trying to move Miguel Montero with all their depth behind the plate and the Ranger should try and grab him.
I had similar thoughts as well. Although the Cubs would likely still have a 3rd catcher. Neither Schwarber or Ross can catch everyday. Sounds like Ross will catch Lester, and Scwarber may catch Hendricks. Need a guy for the other 3.
Very true. Valid points, Ray.
After making this statement you can bet they make a move before the season opens seems it always follows after this type of statement.. Look for something with Lucroy involved.
For all the Rangers fans that thought you could get a catcher of Norris’ or Lucroy’s caliber for spare parts and B prospects, go listen to the interview with Daniels where he says that the Rangers were willing to give up top prospects for an upgrade to this level of catcher, but not what both teams were asking for. He goes on to say that to trade away two of the Rangers top prospect for an upgrade at catcher would not strengthen the team long term. The Padres and Brewers feel that their catcher is worth not just a Gallo or Brinson but another top prospect on top of that. 87 wins won’t bring home an AL West crown this year or a WC. I don’t think either catcher is the difference maker, but they would help. You won’t get lucky this year and have other teams play well below what their WAR and Pythagorean record would suggest. The Mariners, Astros, Angels and even the A’s are better while the Rangers pretty much are treading water and hoping beyond hope that Darvish returns and others can stay healthy.