Earlier in the month, we discussed the Rangers options at catcher if they decide to keep Bengie Molina and/or Matt Treanor or if they look elsewhere. So far, two of the catchers I listed that might be of interest to Texas have signed.
First, Ramon Hernandez re-signed to back up Ryan Hanigan with the Reds on a $3 million deal.
This morning it was announced that former Toronto catcher John Buck has signed a 3 year, $18 million contract with the Florida Marlins, who just cleared the cash to get him by moving All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla to the Braves. The Red Sox were said to be heavily interested in Buck's services, and now that they still have that hole to fill, they might ramp up efforts to re-sign Victor Martinez, who is high on the Rangers wish list.
Martinez is being considered by at least half a dozen clubs, and now he has the market set for an asking price with Buck's deal done. Look for the Tigers and Red Sox to be the Rangers biggest competition for Martinez.
I have not seen any stories on Bengie Molina and if he has decided to play again in 2011 or just retire. A reunion is still a possibility at this point.
Here's what's left of the free agent pool:
Rod Barajas (35)
Josh Bard (33)
Henry Blanco (39)
Gerald Laird (31)
Victor Martinez (32)
Bengie Molina (36)
Miguel Olivo (32)
A.J. Pierzynski (34)
Yorvit Torrealba (32)
Matt Treanor (35)
Jason Varitek (39)
Gregg Zaun (40)
Remember that the trade route is another option, and it's harder to speculate on those names, just because we don't know who is truly available. If Martinez goes to another team, a trade might seem like a brighter idea than signing a catcher in his 30's.
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