The Rangers could be without catcher Robinson Chirinos for nearly three months, but while there’s been some talk about searching outside the organization for an upgrade, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick hears that Texas is more likely to stay in house than make a splashy acquisition (Twitter link). That would mean entrusting catching duties to recently acquired Bryan Holaday and rookie Brett Nicholas, though Crasnick does note that the Rangers could make a minor trade to acquire some depth at the position.
Though Crasnick downplays the possibility of a significant trade taking place, it’s still worth noting that his colleague, Buster Olney, reported this morning that the Rangers did at least engage in talks for a significant trade this winter (Twitter link). Per Olney, the Rangers spoke to the Padres about a trade involving Derek Norris, Andrew Cashner and Jurickson Profar, though clearly nothing ever came to fruition. Texas was connected to Norris right up through the end of Spring Training, with Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News calling him a likelier trade candidate than the Brewers’ Jonathan Lucroy (to whom the Rangers were also frequently linked).
Holaday was naturally able to be acquired for a much lower return than it would’ve cost Texas to land either Lucroy or Norris this offseason, and the price tags on those two bigger-name catchers may have gotten even larger given how the Rangers now have an even more pressing need behind the plate. It’s also somewhat rare to see significant trades for catching take place during the season, as most teams prefer to give their backstops and pitchers time to learn to work with each other.
Cashner and Norris have been mentioned in trade rumors for much of the winter, as there was speculation the Padres could unload some of their top trade chips to rebuild after their disappointing 2015 season. While notables like Craig Kimbrel, Yonder Alonso and Jedd Gyorko were dealt, San Diego stopped short of a full-fledged fire sale. Profar has also been cited as a trade candidate, as the former top-ranked prospect in all of baseball has missed almost all of the last two seasons with shoulder injuries and doesn’t have a place in the Rangers’ middle infield with Elvis Andrus and Rougned Odor in starting roles. Padres GM A.J. Preller, of course, was formerly a longtime assistant general manager in the Rangers organization.
Carlos Ruiz would be a nice stopgap
#freegimenez
Whatever the Rangers do, unless it is a tremendous upgrade for this year and the future, I don’t like the idea of giving up on Profar. If he is healthy, I would like to see him kept as an option for SS. I still don’t see Elvis as the long term solution there.
I completely agree. Seeing Mazara, Gallo, Brinson, and Profar playing together this spring made me very excited about the potential future core of this team.
The only problem is obviously Elvis’ contract but he is off to a good start this year so maybe he will eventually be tradable
Hopefully Holaday plays well and we don’t have to worry about giving up the big four. Did you guys see those throws the other day? Defense is not a problem.
If we do give up one of those guys I would rather it be Profar. Elvis is playing well this year and Odor has earned his place. The only thought would be maybe Profar moving to 3B?
I think regardless this is Moreland’s last year as a Ranger. It is Gallo time gentlemen.
Bryan Holiday may be the steal of the season.
Ryan Hanigan?
The most likely situation is looking at the rebuilding teams. Someone like Meseraco, or Carlos Ruiz. Two veterans that might be able to get those teams midtier prospect
I liked what they said on Baseball Tonight about a possible trade for Norris and Cashner. They said the Rangers offered a 5-2 deal in March headed by Profar and a top pitching prospect they didn’t name and the Padres asked for more.
The Rangers are in a worse situation than they were then and I doubt it costs them less if they pull the trigger now.
The Rangers will not be trading Profar, Gallo, Mazara, Brinson, or Tate for a terrible defensive catcher hitting .167. Not gonna happen. Keep him if that’s the asking price.
Where’s your proof that he’s a “terrible defensive catcher?” Also, it’s early in the season. One or two good games will cause his BA to skyrocket.
free gimenez
Man, as a Padres fan I would love a Norris/Cashner for Profar deal. Straight up, even, although SD might have to kick in some cash. Profar would almost certainly become San Diego’s best prospect, or could just slide onto the major league team at second or short.