Pudge to return to Rangers as back-up

Taydeezy · #1 (**permalink**) 08-18-2009, 04:53 PM

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According to Noah Coslov of MLB.com the Rangers have acquired Ivan Rodriguez from the Astros for a player to be named later. This must mean that the Rangers don't expect Jarrod Saltalamacchia to return any time soon. Rodriguez, 37, will re-join the team he started his career with. He is batting .251/.280/.382 with eight homers and 34 RBI this season. He has agreed to a backup role with the club. The Rangers are expected to pick up a pro-rated amount of his $1.5 million incentive-laden contract. Source: Noah Coslov on Twitter Related: Rangers

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According to AOL Fanhouse, the Astros are expected to acquire prospect RHP Matt Nevarez and a player to be named later in exchange for Ivan Rodriguez. The 22-year-old reliever has been excellent with Single-A Hickory this season, compiling a 2.83 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 12.9 K/9 in 34 games (35 innings). There's little doubt he has a huge arm, but the Rangers likely would have left him exposed in the upcoming Rule 5 draft, so at least they got something in return. Source: AOL Fanhouse Related: Ivan Rodriguez, Astros

This tells me that whatever is wrong with Salty might be pretty bad and it might have ended his season. Taylor Teagarden is expected to see a bulk of the starts but Pudge is an upgrade on Kevin Richardson behind Taylor and should provide ledership and direction for the young backstop Teagarden.

Ride the Pine · #2 (**permalink**) 08-18-2009, 08:20 PM

Yeah, the issue with Salty sounds like one of those that may linger through his career. Arm soreness that doesn't go away after a few days is never a good sign, and while they're saying he may not need surgery, I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up needing just that.

On the other hand, I was mildly surprised when I found out Pudge was coming back. I'm semi-torn on the acquisition since I adored him growing up and then he left for more money. I didn't understand such matters at the time, so I've been torn on the guy since.

Taydeezy · #3 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 10:59 AM

I don't know a lot of what is going on with Salty, but I hope its something that can be fixed to get him back to where he was. He is an excellent talent, a switch hitter and he really came along way in his game calling and throwing out runners this year. I would have liked to see more production from his bat but his work with the pitching staff was really remarkable this year and he should be given a lot of credit along with Mike Maddox and Nolan Ryan for the turn around on the mound as he was catching most of the starts.

Pudge brings a link to the last Rangers team to make the playoffs in 1999. He brings a veteran presence to pennant races and will be a great mentor for a guy like Taylor Teagarden. Clearly Pudge was here during with guys like Juan Gone and Raffy amidst all the steroid stuff and his numbers have never really reached those marks since but he continues to throw base runners out at a good clip and still calls a very good game. Pudge brought the line-up card to the umps last night and received a standing ovation from the Ranger fans who I am sure have not forgotten what the man meant to the Rangers during his time here. Pudge is expected to get his first start tonight with Kevin Millwood on the mound.

Dacy · #4 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 03:02 PM

I thought Pudge looked very good last night as the Ranger's backstop...good enough to even be considered for the starting catching job. If not for Millwood getting wild in the 5th and 6th innings, the Rangers would have won that game and Pudge would have been a big reason why.

This reminds me a lot of the Jeff Conine pickup the Marlins made in 2003 when they won the World Series. Pudge echoed that in interviews. He may not be the same dominant force that he was in his prime with the Rangers, but a Hall-of-Fame prescence is still a Hall-of-Fame prescence. This short-term investment will actually go to benefit the Rangers long-term with the knowledge he can share with the team. All around, this was a great pickup for a team who didn't make a trade at the deadline.

Taydeezy · #5 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 05:28 PM

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I thought Pudge looked very good last night as the Ranger's backstop...good enough to even be considered for the starting catching job. If not for Millwood getting wild in the 5th and 6th innings, the Rangers would have won that game and Pudge would have been a big reason why.

This reminds me a lot of the Jeff Conine pickup the Marlins made in 2003 when they won the World Series. Pudge echoed that in interviews. He may not be the same dominant force that he was in his prime with the Rangers, but a Hall-of-Fame prescence is still a Hall-of-Fame prescence. This short-term investment will actually go to benefit the Rangers long-term with the knowledge he can share with the team. All around, this was a great pickup for a team who didn't make a trade at the deadline.

I think the plan is for Pudge to play 2-3 times a week and for Taylor to catch the rest. They showed at one point last night Pudge talking to Salty. This is such a great opportunity for Taylor and Jarrod to learn from one of the best catchers of all time. No matter what you think of how he got his offensive stats, the man when it comes to the craft of playing catching is one of the best EVER. Watching him last night took Ranger fans back at at least 10 yrs. Pudge was a Ranger in 1999 when ironically the last time the Rangers saw the playoffs.

Blowing 4-0 and 5-0 leads the last two nights with the two veterans on the mound in Feldman and ace Millwood was pretty disappointing and basically ended their hopes of the AL West but they are still firmly in the AL Wild Card race.

Ride the Pine · #6 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 06:14 PM

Yeah, the Rangers should do well if they get to the playoffs... their problem is an inability to really finish off sub-.500 teams. From the Twins to teams like the Padres and the A's, they just don't seem to play with much intensity when it isn't considered a "big" game.

Taydeezy · #7 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 10:52 AM

Yeah, they have like a 15-3 record, or something crazy like that, against Boston and the Angels...BUT, your's right, they struggle against the average teams.

They finished the weekend ahead of Boston, and are now a game back thanks to 2 choke jobs.

I mean, when you think about it, the Boston Game last Friday(when Texas was up 4-2 in the 9th, and lost 8-4), and both Twins Losses(where the Rangers lead by a big number in the 5th inning or so in both games) really hurt them. They'd be at least 2 games or so up on Boston right now, instead of behind them.