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3 ripple effects from the Texas Rangers’ acquisition of Mitch Garver

By Seth Carlson

May 24, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Mitch Garver (8) hits a two run double in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Mitch Garver (8) hits a two run double in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 23, 2020; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Sam Huff against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2020; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Sam Huff against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

3 ripple effects of the Texas Rangers’ acquisition of Mitch Garver

2. Sam Huff is not the long-term answer at catcher

I’ve had a hunch about this one for a while.

Trading for a two-way catcher like Mitch Garver is damning for Huff’s prospects at being the Texas Rangers’ long-term catcher. At 31, Garver is in his prime, yet young enough to still be effective for years to come. Clearly, Texas wants Garver to be their backstop leader as they attempt to vault back to contender status starting in 2023. And with two strong backups in Jonah Heim and Jose Trevino, that doesn’t leave much room for Huff to be involved legitimately in any catcher plans going forward.

Huff consistently gets hurt, and his bigger frame is not ideal for handling the rigors of the catcher position. He does still have a potent bat, however, which could make him a good DH or first baseman at some point. Right now and going forward, though, Mitch Garver is the man behind the plate for the Rangers.

That leaves Sam Huff as kind of an odd man out.

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