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Texas Rangers looking to make upgrades at catcher and starting pitcher

By Jake Mastroianni

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The Texas Rangers are actively trying to acquire a starting pitcher to add depth to the rotation as well as another catcher. Multiple reports have them looking to the Red Sox for both of these additions.

Before the Red Sox traded Wade Miley to the Seattle Mariners it was rumored that the Rangers were interested in trading for Joe Kelly. It’s unclear whether or not the Red Sox are still interested in moving Kelly, but it’s definitely a possibility that the two teams could get together for a trade.

The Red Sox have three solid catchers and could be looking to part ways with one of them in the right deal. Blake Swihart appears to be the catcher of the future and is unlikely to get moved, so the Rangers could be focusing on acquiring Christian Vazquez or Ryan Hanigan.

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    • Right now the Rangers have Robinson Chirinos and Chris Gimenez in place, both of whom are right-handed bats. Swihart is a switch-hitter and is probably the catcher the Rangers would like to get, but the price tag on him will be high. The more likely scenario is that they make a deal for Vazquez.

    Vazquez is still just 25 years old and would be under team control for at least five more seasons. He missed all of 2015 after having Tommy John surgery. In 2014 he hit .240 in 175 at bats. In seven minor league seasons he posted a .265 batting average and .344 on-base percentage. He also threw out 37 percent of base stealers in his minor league career.

    It wouldn’t make much sense for the Rangers to pursue Hanigan as that would be a parallel move with the catchers they already have in place.

    It’s not clear what the Red Sox would be looking for in return, but most likely they would want young starting pitching. I could see the Rangers giving up Luke Jackson for Vazquez, or it would be a heftier price for Swihart.

    If the Rangers hope to get Kelly and Vazquez they would likely have to part with a couple of top prospects, but none at the level of Joey Gallo or Dillon Tate.

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    The Rangers are also interested in bringing back Colby Lewis, which would take care of their rotation depth.

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