Fansided

Should the Texas Rangers try to acquire catcher Blake Swihart from Boston?

By Travis Koch |
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 11: Blake Swihart #23 of the Boston Red Sox runs to the dugout during the sixth inning of the Red Sox home opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 11, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 11: Blake Swihart #23 of the Boston Red Sox runs to the dugout during the sixth inning of the Red Sox home opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 11, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2 of 4
Next
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 11: Blake Swihart #23 of the Boston Red Sox runs to the dugout during the sixth inning of the Red Sox home opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 11, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 11: Blake Swihart #23 of the Boston Red Sox runs to the dugout during the sixth inning of the Red Sox home opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 11, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The Texas Rangers need to address  their catching situation. Would a trade for Boston Red Sox Blake Swihart give the club what it needs at catcher?

Per ESPN.com, Blake Swihart’s agent has requested the Boston Red Sox’s former #2 prospect be traded. Swihart is currently a part of Boston’s 25-man roster; however, he’s expected to be the odd man out once 2B Dustin Pedroia returns from injury in a couple of weeks. What’s the catch? Swihart is out of options; thus, he’ll either have to remain with the Red Sox in the big leagues or be moved to another MLB team. The situation has caught the interest of a few teams. Should the Texas Rangers be one of them?

HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 15: Robinson Chirinos #61 of the Texas Rangers doubles in two runs in the tenth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on April 15, 2018 in Houston, Texas. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 15: Robinson Chirinos #61 of the Texas Rangers doubles in two runs in the tenth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on April 15, 2018 in Houston, Texas. All players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Why the Texas Rangers need a new catcher

As part of the worst statistical defense in MLB, the Texas Rangers catchers have been far from special in 2018. Through combined efforts, Texas backstops rank 29th in baseball with a .120 caught stealing percentage. Specifically, only 3 of 25 base runners have been thrown out on stolen base attempts this season. Pitching certainly contributes to the poor statistic, but the onus is primarily on the catchers.

From an offensive standpoint, it doesn’t get much better. Robinson Chirinos is hitting .175 with a .246 OBP in 29 games played. He has also struck out 49 times in 103 at-bats. Carlos Perez is the team’s current backup catcher. He’s played in just six games with Texas, though, his numbers aren’t exactly raising any eyebrows either. Perez is hitting .143 with a .395 OPS.

Point being, the Texas Rangers are getting very little production from their catchers. That’s a problem. Catchers are customarily coveted more so for their defense, but it’s about time the Rangers get an offensive threat behind the plate. In fact, it’s been since Mike Napoli in 2011 that Texas has had a good offensive season from a catcher (not counting a few good months from Jonathan Lucroy in 2016).

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 29: Blake Swihart #23 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two run home run in the eighth inning as Brian McCann #34 of the New York Yankees defends on September 29, 2015 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 29: Blake Swihart #23 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two run home run in the eighth inning as Brian McCann #34 of the New York Yankees defends on September 29, 2015 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Why Blake Swihart is a fit

Blake Swihart has always been praised for his hitting ability. A player doesn’t find himself in the top 25 of MLB’s top 100 prospect list without tremendous offensive potential. Swihart ranked 24th on the list in 2014.

He hast struggled in recent years. To say the least, Swihart did not see a batting average over .200 between three teams in 2017, including the Red Sox (6 games). Regardless, he is a switch hitter that hits for good contact and produces relative power. Turning 26 years old this past April, Blake Swihart is eyeing a stay in the major leagues. His agent obviously is as well.

More from Texas Rangers News

A struggling Texas Rangers team could provide him plenty of playing time. He’s a young player that fits in well with the rebuilding concept. Texas would have time to work with him to straighten things out at the plate, as well as improve behind the plate.

Who knows? Perhaps a change of scenery would do Blake Swihart a ton of good. Being sick of getting kicked around within the Red Sox organization is actually a valid excuse at this point in his career. A career that has not been allowed to get off the ground.

By no means are his numbers off the charts; however, it’s not like the Rangers would have to give up the kitchen sink for him.

TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 9: Jake Diekman (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 9: Jake Diekman (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

What would the Rangers give up?

The 29-14 Boston Red Sox don’t have many weaknesses. They have depth everywhere, making trade proposals very difficult. Though, one void that stands out is within the bullpen. Boston’s relief weapons all throw right-handed. The two lefties they currently have in the pen are Brian Johnson and Bobby Poyner. Johnson has pitched poorly and Poyner has pitched well, but in a short sample.

What am I getting at? The Rangers have an experienced left-handed pitcher in their bullpen. Jake Diekman’s contract is up with Texas after this season. Therefore, a trade to Boston would result in five months of work (depending on if/when he was traded).

Blake Swihart is under team control through 2022. From a contractual standpoint, the Texas Rangers would better benefit. The contract discrepancy might even require an additional Ranger to be added to the deal.

With that said, the Red Sox have their backs against the wall. A decision will have to be made with Swihart in a matter of weeks. Again, he can’t be sent to the minors and there is no sense keeping three catchers on a 25-man roster. Swihart would be wasting a roster spot.

Plus, the Boston Red Sox are in the race. Their expectations are to win the World Series. For this reason, they will do whatever they can to strengthen their current bunch. Jake Diekman would give Boston a  left-handed weapon out of the pen—something the team absolutely needs.

Next: Rangers’ Prospect Radar: Bubba Thompson

The stories of the Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox could not be any more contrasting. But a trade involving Swihart and Diekman would be on path for each team. Texas gets a young, under control player to fill a desperate need at catcher. Boston fills a void with a power lefty reliever.

Next
Home / Texas Rangers News

Schedule