The Rangers need catching help, and this team has more than they need

In what was a down year for the Ranger offense in 2025, the catcher production was particularly inept.

Jonah Heim and Kyle Higashioka combined to hit .225 with 22 homers and 90 RBIs. It was Higashioka who carried most of the load with a respectable .241 average and .403 slugging percentage. Heim had the worst year of his career with a .213 average and an anemic .332 slugging.

The team needs to move on from Heim and the St. Louis Cardinals might be looking to deal from their overabundance of backstops.

St. Louis Cardinals have a good fit for the Rangers at catcher

The Cardinals have managed to stockpile talent between their major league roster and farm system. It creates a position of strength and leverage from which they will likely look to fill holes elsewhere.

The most appealing option that St. Louis could be willing to trade is Ivan Herrera. The 25-year-old from Panama had a breakout season hitting .284 with 19 dingers and 66 RBIs in just 388 at-bats. It would take a handsome package to pry him away as he looks to be the answer for them right now.

Ranger fans love catchers named Ivan, but snagging Herrera in a trade might be a bridge too far after his stellar 2025 campaign.

The Rangers should look into the Cardinals other catchers and prospects

Don't be surprised if it is former Ranger draft pick Yohel Pozo who draws the most attention from Chris Young and other suitors. Texas drafted Pozo in the 2014 draft and he made it all the way to Triple-A Round Rock before landing in the Cardinals' system in 2022.

At 28 years old, Pozo might not be enough of an upgrade, as he has similar numbers to Heim and only made his way onto the major league roster in 2025.

He figures to be the odd man out with top prospects Leonardo Bernal and Jimmy Crooks likely untouchable, and Herrera claiming the starting job. They also have young, homegrown up-and-comer Pedro Pages holding down the backup role.

It will be a question of who the Cards make available and how much the Rangers are willing to swap to get better production from the catching spot next season.