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

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?

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).

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.

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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.