Rangers just signed an ex-Mariners catcher who might not stay in Triple-A for long

While the most recent Texas Rangers free agent signing isn't likely to help their struggling offense, it does show just how desperate the franchise is for catching help. And with Jonah Heim struggling the way he is, it's certainly not a guarantee that Omar Narvaez is simply a Minor League roster filler.

Narvaez was signed by the Rangers on Sunday afternoon to a minor league contract, keeping a career going that looked like it might be coming to an end earlier this month when he was released by the Houston Astros. It might be worth pointing out that the veteran catcher has an understanding of both teams Texas is chasing in the standings, as his best Major League season came with the Seattle Mariners. Granted, that stint with the M's was now quite a while ago.

Omar Narvaez joins Texas Rangers organization as much needed reinforcement

Before joining the Texas Rangers, Narváez, 33, had a career .252/.335/.373 slash line in 681 Major League games spread across 10 seasons. He was a National League All-Star with the Milwaukee Brewers four years ago and has also played for the Chicago White Sox, the Mariners as mentioned earlier, and the New York Mets. He never actually got to the Majors with the Astros.

At the very least The signing helps shore up a lack of catcher depth in the Texas system. The Rangers have only two, Heim and Kyle Higashioka on their 40-man roster. Cooper Johnson, a 27-year-old former sixth-round draft pick, is the only catcher on Round Rock's roster and has slashed just .229/.340/.392 in the minor leagues this season.

Tucker Barnhart, a former Gold Glove winner whom the Rangers signed to a minor league deal, served as the club’s third-string catcher this year before he was released (and, later, retired) in June.

While it's been a long time since Narvaez has been considered an offensive weapon, he did hit 22 home runs for the Mariners in 2019. With Jonah Heim not living up to the breakout player the Texas Rangers hoped he would be, this signing gives them flexibility if they feel it's time for a change.