Five Key Holes the Rangers Need to Fill This Winter, and How They Should Fill Them

By Sam Merten Tue., Nov. 6 2012 at 8:00 AM

4. Who will be the backstops?

Free agents: Gerald Laird, Russell Martin, Mike Napoli, A.J. Pierzynski, David Ross

Trade target: J.P. Arencibia

This presents the biggest challenge for JD this offseason given the limited options available. I'd like to see Texas re-sign Napoli, but his price might be difficult to meet, and he's not a full-time catcher. I'd also like to see the Rangers non-tender Geovany Soto, who's likely to fetch around $4.6 million in arbitration, which is too pricey for a backup. (A decision on Soto needs to be made by Dec. 2.)

Pierzynski had a career year this season but turns 36 next month, is unlikely to repeat his performance and has a reputation as somewhat of a clubhouse cancer.

There's a lot of discussion about a possible deal between the Rangers and Blue Jays for J.P. Arencibia, since Toronto has top prospect Travis d'Arnaud ready to take over behind the plate. However, the price for Arencibia will be significant. Although he's just a .222 career hitter, he hits for power (41 total home runs in the last two seasons), is solid defensively and won't be a free agent until after the 2016 season.

It might take Derek Holland to convince the Blue Jays to pull the trigger. Depending on who else is involved in the deal, it's something worth considering, but I'm guessing Daniels won't meet Toronto's demands.

No matter what the Rangers decide, they need to move quickly and aggressively, or risk heading into spring training with the undesirable duo of Soto and someone like Laird.

Next: What should be done to solve the logjam at second base and shortstop?

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kergo1spaceship

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Baseball in the observer! Is it X-mas?

ScottsMerkin topcommenter

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Oh and Thanks Joe for letting Merten sling us a little baseball writing, its always a good read

ScottsMerkin topcommenter

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On trading SS, would you rather have the known of Elvis who could leave in 2 years or Profar under long term control? Couldnt you hope to fleece someone ala the Texiera trade with Elvis?

With Hambone, could you see this team changing over from a power hitting HR machine to a more speedy slap the ball around and run the hell out of teams? Wouldnt that be wasting the advantage we have as a power team in our park

I say give Soria a shot in the pen. You got Nathan to close but he is on his last year and if Soria fully recovers from his surgery and is anywhere near where he was last year, he slides right into the closer role in 2014.

Id rather pay Napoli more to hit .220 here than Arencibia, at least we know Nap works well with the staff

JustSaying

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@ScottsMerkin

Nobody is going to pull a robbery like the Rangers did with the Braves ever again. That was like the Herchel Walker trade. But even if someone was dumb enough to do that, it wouldnt be for a player like Elvis. Tex had muuuch more value at the time. The guy was a .300 hitter with power and also just happened to be the best defensive first baseman in the league. And yes, I did say was.

I agree about Soria but expect him to sign with the Yankees. They will need him if they dont resign Soriano. His agent said that going to New York to set up Mo is the only place that he would be willing to go if he wasnt going to be the 9th inning guy.

ScottsMerkin topcommenter

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@JustSaying true on the trade but Elvis is the next Jeter, but Im sure if we traded him to NY we'd choose Arias over Cano.

JustSaying

@Mervis I agree that Elvis is not the next Jeter. But its not like Jeter is known for his power. I think the main difference is, as much as I like Andrus, he always seems to make one bone-headed play per game. It might be baserunning, it might be fielding. He just always seems to pull one head scratcher out of his ass. Jeter never did that.