The Texas Rangers weren’t comfortable with Geovany Soto and Eli Whiteside as their catchers for 2013. They made as much clear on Thursday evening when they signed A.J. Pierzynski, the long time Chicago White Sox catcher, to a one-year $7.5 million deal.
More than likely, it makes him the full-time starter with Soto playing the backup role and Whiteside on the outside looking in.
Reports surfaced a few days ago that the Rangers met with Pierzynski, and it seemed like only a matter of time before the two sides reached a deal. He’s a better option than what they had, and it seemed like the White Sox were ready to move on without him. Texas needed a left-handed bat, especially after Josh Hamilton decided his days in Arlington were over. Sure, Pierzynski doesn’t match the power swing Hamilton brought to the park, but he’ll do.
At least for now.
While Pierzynski is a done deal, Texas apparently isn’t done looking at free agents. Cody Ross, who spent the 2012 season with the Boston Red Sox, is also on the Rangers’ radar. According to Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas, the Rangers met with Ross on Tuesday night, the same night they also met with their newest signee.
Pierzynski was a better option than Soto or Whiteside; could the Rangers see Ross as a better option than the likes of David Murphy or Craig Gentry?
