The Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers made a minor move this afternoon as the Birds acquired backup catcher Taylor Teagarden. In return for Teagarden, the Rangers will receive minor league pitcher Randy Henry and a player to be named later. Teagarden will act as Matt Wieters backup behind the plate in 2012.
The Orioles had been in search of a backup catcher this offseason, and new general manager Dan Duquette was able to find his man on the trade market. The Orioles reportedly had several minor league offers out to free agents and were even rumored to have interest in veteran backstop Jason Varitek.
Instead the O’s were able to bring in the young and affordable Teagarden. The 27-year-old fits the bill as a solid defensive player that has shown the ability to swing the bat in the high minors. Over his six seasons in Texas’s farm system, Teagarden hit at a clip of .262/.374/.488. Last season in 42 games with the Ranger’s Triple-A affiliate Teagarden maintained an OPS of .965 with 19 extra base hits and 22 RBI’s.
Many were expecting these numbers to translate into a successful major league career, as Teagarden was ranked as one of Baseball America’s top 100 prospects entering the 2008-09 seasons. Instead Teagarden has only been able to muster a career line of .220/.286/.417 in 118 games with the Rangers.
Henry was selected by the Orioles in the 4th round of the 2009 draft. Pitching strictly in relief for the Birds, Henry has held an ERA of 3.33 and 1.216 WHIP over his two minor league seasons. Last year pitching at the Low and High-A level, Henry combined to post a 2.22 ERA and 1.063 WHIP over his 52 2/3 innings, with 6.8 SO/9 and 1.4 BB/9.
For more on the Rangers and Orioles, be sure to check out Nolan Writin’ and Birds Watcher.