Texas Rangers: Who are the best free agent catcher options remaining?

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: Robinson Chirinos #28 of the Houston Astros fields a bunt by Adam Eaton (not pictured) of the Washington Nationals during the first inning in Game Six of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: Robinson Chirinos #28 of the Houston Astros fields a bunt by Adam Eaton (not pictured) of the Washington Nationals during the first inning in Game Six of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 25: Francisco Mejia #27 of the San Diego Padres scores ahead of the throw to Russell Martin #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the the first inning of a baseball game at Petco Park September 25, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 25: Francisco Mejia #27 of the San Diego Padres scores ahead of the throw to Russell Martin #55 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the the first inning of a baseball game at Petco Park September 25, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Russell Martin

Russell Martin, like Chirinos, represents a more veteran option who could be effective on a short term deal. Like Castro, he’d be a massive upgrade defensively while putting up respectable offensive numbers. He spent 2019 with the Dodgers, playing 83 games, 60 of which were behind the plate. He hit .220 with a  .667 OPS meaning he wouldn’t quite be the influence at the plate that Chirinos or Castro would be. However, defensively he was superb last season, helping him to a 1.2 fWAR, the 14th straight season he’s posted fWAR of 1.0 or better.

Martin finished 17th among catchers in FRAA in 2019 at 6.2, edging out the aforementioned Jason Castro. He’s a right-handed hitter which adds a little value for the Rangers and would be a good candidate on a one-year deal to help give the club more time to find a long-term solution. The question for a guy like Martin is whether he’d come to a team like Texas that could compete, but isn’t really a contender at this point when he’s in this stage of his career. He’s likely to draw interest from legit contenders and whereas Chirinos could forego contending to come back to a club where he’s loved, there is no such connection for Martin.

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