Rangers Acquire Catcher J. P. Arencibia

Sep 24, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia (9) throws down to first base to get out Baltimore Orioles left fielder Nate McLouth (not shown) in the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Blue Jays defeated the Orioles 3-2 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers have signed former Toronto Blue Jay catcher J.P. Arencibia to a one year deal reportedly worth around $2 million. Arencibia has played an average of 123 games per season over the past three seasons, but the Texas Rangers have already announced that Geovany Soto will be the starter so Arencibia will be the back up to him. The 27-year-old has a career line of .212/.258/.408 with 64 home runs and 193 RBI. He averages roughly 16 home runs and 48 RBI a season, of course that was also while averaging 348 plate appearances a season since 2010.

J.P. seems to be a good choice as backup to Soto to me, and I think he will fit in to the Rangers system pretty well. His WAR is 0.73 for his career, while Soto’s WAR is 1.0. The Texas Rangers are expecting Geovany Soto to be a true number one guy going into the season. They know that there is a chance that he will not turn out to be the player they want him to be, and if that is the case, they did good in picking up a guy who has been an everyday catcher in the majors. Geo did average a home run every 20.44 at bats last season, may be the Rangers are hoping he can keep that pace up now that he is a full-time starter.

So the Texas Rangers team is really starting to come together for the 2014 season, and another piece of the puzzle has fallen into place. The Texas Rangers still need a left fielder and another starting pitcher, not to mention a designated hitter, unless you think Moreland is going to stick around in Texas, which I do not believe to be the case. They were showing some interest in Kurt Suzuki, but reports said he wanted to be an everyday starter and the Rangers are committed to having Geo be that for them. Let the hot stove roll on!