Rangers Want Pitcher For Catcher
The Rangers are seeking to deal one of their three catchers – Gerald Laird, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, or Max Ramirez – for pitching, says Evan Grant of the Dallas News. Grant notes that they would still have Taylor Teagarden, who they’re also open to dealing if "the return is great enough."
Grant discusses potential matches in the Giants, Red Sox, Brewers, Reds, and Tigers:
"San Francisco has pitching depth, and the Rangers love the Giants’ arms, but San Francisco has a more pressing need for a corner infielder than a catcher because Bengie Molina is signed for 2009. Getting a pitcher such as Matt Cain might require the Rangers to discuss trading Chris Davis. Boston, Milwaukee and Cincinnati, however, may be the best fits for a catcher-for-pitcher deal. Detroit also needs a catcher, but the Tigers’ system is quite thin at pitcher."
MLBTR discussed this on Friday, including Hank Blalock in the discussion as well as the Rangers’ interest in Scott Olsen.
Indians Trade For Kenny Lofton
According to Dennis Manoloff, the Indians are close to acquiring outfielder Kenny Lofton. The Rangers will receive catcher Max Ramirez, who the Indians got for Bob Wickman last year.
Ramirez, 22, has a nice .923 OPS in 77 High A games. However, Baseball Prospectus’s Nate Silver is skeptical. This acquisition certainly wouldn’t stop the Rangers from getting Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
It’s great to see Lofton back in Cleveland, even if he won’t be in center field. He’s been around forever, but still knows how to get on base and swipe ’em with a high success rate. Probably not someone you want to start against southpaws, but he makes the perfect platoon partner for Jason Michaels.
Interestingly, Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus reports that the Indians and Rangers didn’t just discuss Lofton – Mark Teixeira‘s name came up as well.