With Robinson Chirinos being placed on the 60-day disabled list and expected to miss 10-12 weeks after undergoing surgery on his right forearm, some have expected the Texas Rangers to turn to the trade market for a new starting backstop. General manager Jon Daniels doesn't seem ready to go there yet, though.
"Early in the season, [it's] tough to make a trade where both clubs line up," Daniels said in an appearance on 105.3 The Fan's Ben & Skin show (transcription via SportsDay). "It's still so early. We have not really re-engaged in front-line guys. We're more focused on getting depth and getting Chirinos healthy."
Without Chirinos, Bryan Holaday has served as the team's No. 1 catcher. Acquired from the Detroit Tigers last month, Holaday, 28, has a .246 career batting average but has only once played more than 25 games in a season.
The Rangers were linked to the Milwaukee Brewers' Jonathan Lucroy this offseason, who figures to be the top catcher available via trade this summer. However, the Brewers will likely wait until the Aug. 1 deadline is closer before seriously looking to deal the former All-Star.
"Teams really haven't called," Daniels said. "You really don't get a lot of the ambulance chasing stuff -- maybe once in a while, teams that have the impact catching, we've talked to. Over the winter we talked to them in and again in spring training. We didn't line up from what they're looking for, and what we were willing to give up for them."
