Starting about 13 months ago the Texas Rangers began a massive farm system restocking that has vaulted the talent level of their minor league affiliates to the upper stratosphere of the baseball world. The emphasis has been on building up as much strength up the middle as possible, and pitching. The greatest success thus far has been behind the plate.
Due to injuries and Saltalamacchia’s flu the Rangers have their 3 top catching prospects all on the pro roster. Max Ramirez, Taylor Teagarden, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are all currently active on the 25 man roster. All 3 have a ton to prove, but at this point its hard not to think that Ramirez and Teagarden are much more major league ready than Saltalamacchia.
With Chris Davis entrenched at 1B and Milton Bradley sharing DH duties with Josh Hamilton to keep both bats in the lineup having 3 developing young catchers on the roster would appear to be detrimental to their development. However we’re creeping into late July now. The trade deadline is coming quickly and ferociously. It smells a lot like the Rangers are shopping their depth.
I’ve been of the mind for a while now that Max Ramirez and Taylor Teagarden are the catching duo of the Rangers future. Max can rake, and he isn’t that bad defensively. Teagarden can play the D necessary of a catcher. Salty, while only 22, can’t hit lefties or play adequate D at 1B or C. At 22 he’s still going to have a considerable value. He’s the one id be moving for sure, but for what?
Normally I’m of the mind that you deal for the best players available. This is a different case though. The Rangers pitching is so terrible that I think you have to deal him in a deal for the best young pitcher you can find even if you have to add another reasonable piece. Starter or reliever? Doesn’t matter. The Rangers built up depth at scarce positions to be in a position of strength when it came to trade season. Here they are, and their depth is blossoming. It’s time to improve the pitching FINALLY.
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4 Responses to “The Rangers Catching Conundrum”
Posted: 07/19/08 at 8:11 am
Welcome aboard Josh!
Not a bad year for a young team and as you mentioned, starting pitching being their biggest problem. 3 games above .500 and they should contend for the wildcard into September.
Posted: 07/19/08 at 11:30 am
The starting pitching is bad, but the bullpen drives me crazier. There isn’t a single guy I trust anymore outside of Everyday Eddie. If they do anything at the deadline they need to help that pen.
And thanks for the welcome.
Posted: 07/19/08 at 11:54 am
You can only hope all of this will only help them mature for next year. But again, I say this team can contend big time for a wildcard berth. As you said, a little pitching help at the deadline wont hurt either.
Posted: 07/19/08 at 10:19 pm
Getting swept by the Twins would just about seal their fate though. Not a good way to begin the “stretch run”.