With the Rangers likely out of the race thanks to the Mark Teixeira trade, plus the spectacular implosion of the Rangers rotation, it’s time to discuss the possible trades to be had, in particular the Rangers’ quartet of young catchers.  Here’s how things stand with each of them.

Gerald Laird

• Strongest Suitors - Marlins, Yankees, Brewers
• The Skinny:  Right now, the Marlins are the most aggressive suitor for Laird, who appears to be back on track this season.  However, New York is lurking and seems to have finally recognized the need for a long term replacement for Jorge Posada, hence their interest.  Finally, it also appears the fucking BREWERS are also in now, making this a three team race.
• Potential Deal:  Again, Texas is looking for a major league ready or near ready starter, which means to qualify for Laird, the Yankees would have to sacrifice Ian Kennedy, the Brewers maybe Manny Parra or someone along those lines and Florida Gaby Hernandez.  Texas would likely try to expand the deal for more pieces, likely tossing in a reliever, though which one is under question right now.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia

• Strongest Suitors - Many
• The Skinny:  Salty also still has his suitors, and it’s also thought that the Rangers are a little more eager to shop him around since he’s struggled.  I still believe in Salty, who has been battling injuries since he returned to the majors but is now healthy and has hit well in July.  Still, his value is still high as a trade chip, and it remains to be seen what he’ll earn in a trade.
• Potential Deal: 

Taylor Teagarden

• Strongest Suitors - Boston
• The Skinny:  Boston covets Teagarden, both for his game calling abilities and his bat, which has quite a bit of thunder in it.  Teagarden is also the catcher that Texas is most reluctant to trade away.  Overall, Texas has said it will deal it’s catching prospects only for near major league ready pitching, which means Boston has to part with one of it’s prized starting pitchers, be it Justin Masterson (who may be best off in the pen), or Michael Bowden (who, despite the Red Sox hype, may only be a Number Three or Four starter.)  I’m not expecting an ace, but I am expecting something of value for Teagarden, who merits at least a blue chip pitcher in return. 
• Potential Deal - If Texas makes the deal, it’s likely for one of Bowden or Masterson Plus a second prospect, which won’t be a pitcher.  It’s possible that Texas could expand a trade to include Eddie Guardado to give the Sox some relief help, all the while increasing the potential return for another highly regarded prospect.

Max Ramirez

• Strongest Suitors - Unknown
• The Skinny:  Ramirez is another Ranger catcher that looked quite good during his limited time up in the majors.  Ramirez showed he can hit and his glove wasn’t as bad as people thought it was.  Most importantly, Ramirez showed a catchers mentality, getting plowed twice and continuing to tick.
• Potential Deal:  Ramirez would merit a prospect of some caliber, but what type is unknown right now, because there isn’t much known interest right now.  Of the four, Ramirez is the one most likely to remain a Ranger, and is quite possibly destined for some backup catcher/DH/1B quasi role, which would enable him to reduce the wear and tear of catching while remaining in the lineup.

Other Potential Ranger Trades

Vicente Padilla

• Potential Suitors - Unknown RIght Now, But There Is Interest
• The Skinny:  Padilla is arguably the best pitcher available right now, and that’s not saying a whole lot.  He can still dominate, but also has gotten torched a few times, making it a bit of a roll of the dice when he takes the mound.  His contract isn’t unreasonable and could be partially paid by Texas depending on the quality of prospects.  Arizona could be worth talking to, depending on what they’d trade.  Chad Tracy would likely be a start.  Another option worth exploring, the Dodgers, could result in possibly Andy LaRoche being offered as bait, which would be a solid return.  Two other options that are out there, but not as attractive, are the Mets and Cardinals, but neither team is willing to sacrifice any major prospects and would want to treat such a deal as a salary dump and as a gift.

Frank Catalonotto

• Potential Suitors - Mets, Giants,
• THe Skinny:  Cat is kinda rendered useless thanks to the promotion of Chris Davis and the emergence of the Murphy/Hamilton/Byrd outfield, with Bradley at DH and Brandon Boggs serving as a fourth outfielder.  Cat still has the ability to be a decent DH and the Rangers would likely eat a lot of the contract to move him.  It just remains to be seen if someone would give him a shot.  Cat would be a solid fit on the Mets in left field, and wouldn’t be too bad for the Giants if they decided to find a bit of a stopgap before they can get a legitimate prospect at first base.  If I were Texas, I would offer Cat as a part of a larger deal that would net Jonathan Sanchez in return for an exchange of contracts and talent.  I’ll have to come up with one soon.

Ramon Vasquez

• Potential Suitors - Dodgers, Cardinals
• The Skinny:  Vasquez has been a surprise this season, and has been one of the Rangers’ better hitters.  He’s also pissy that he’s now riding the pine thanks to Hank Blalock and potentially Michael Young in a couple of years.  So, Vasquez is an intriuging piece of trade bait, which I would explore in terms of value.  The Cardinals could use Vasquez at second base or shortstop and could offer up a decent arm in Jess Todd, currently doing well in Double A.  THe Dodgers are another team that could use Vasquez, and they have begun looking at assorted utility men in an attempt to improve the situation.  I’d offer them Vasquez, again, in an attempt to pry away Andy LaRoche from them.

Coming On Friday - Draft Update, Plus Team Needs For 2009