Wash has stated something to the effect that "we want our catchers to play defense and handle the pitchers. Any offense they provide is gravy." Our catching this year didn't control the running game much, handled the pitchers fairly well, and didn't provide much gravy. But I haven't read anything saying that a reason the Rangers fell short this year was inadequate catching.
My question is this: Could any of the four catchers that did most of the work at Frisco and Round Rock, Jose Felix, Zach Zaneski, Robinzon Diaz, and Luis Martinez come up, share the position, and do another adequate job for a lot less money than this year's group did? I only ask because I want to know.

Running game problems were just as much on the pitching staff as the catchers.

I always suspected you were a baseball fan.

No. None of the Frisco catchers, to my knowledge at least, are even really backup MLB quality at this point. We have a little catching depth but it is low minors.

Sign przynski. Yeah he's a DB and it will be fun w the whole Wash all star issue, but he can call a game. He's called two perfect games and won a WS.... A AJ Soto catching tandem would be tempting and beneficial to our younger pitchers. AJ could be our new Bengie

AJ could be our new Bengie

... Except AJ is a shitty defensive catcher. Pass on him all day.

In my opinion, either go break the prospect bank and overpay for a guy like d'Arnand, sign a defense-oriented guy like Schoppach, or re-sign Mike Napoli. My instincts tell me the Rangers let Napoli walk and get someone on the cheap.

Eric, I find myself wanted D'Arnaud as well. I also find that it is an unusual situation. It is rare to see teams move many prospects for one "uber" prospect such as TDA. What do you think it takes to get him?

It's sad how once we thought had a surplus of catchers (Salty, Max Ramirez, Teagarden), but now we're empty at the upper levels. Are there any teams that have a surplus of near-ready quality catching prospects? Alfaro is years away. I was envious that NYY was able to deal Montero for a decent young starter like Pineda because they had Gary Sanchez or Austin Romine in the pipeline.

Maybe there's a near-ready C prospect who's expendable because the team is set at C for the near future. Not sure if DET still likes Avila, but if they do maybe they'd be willing to dangle Rob Brantley who'll prob start next season at AAA-level.

On the flip side, maybe there's a decent vet C who's expendable because the team has a good young C ready to assume a big role. Ryan Hanigan is a decent hitter for a C, and maybe Mesoraco makes him expendable as CIN could easily find a cheap backup C on the market. They could definitely get something decent for Hanigan. Maybe SD makes Nick Hundley available with Grandal around. Hundley didn't hit that well last year but he did the year before, and he's solid defensively.

The name I have been hearing a lot is Arencibia. He fits the profile and is decent with the bat. He would be cheaper than Nap. I would like to see Arencibia and Romero from the Jays with the Rangers next season. Of course that would probably cost us a pretty penny in prospects maybe Olt headlining the package would help.

Am I the only one that thinks that Arencibia is extremely overrated? .233/.275/.435 triple slash isn't spectacular. He struck out 29% of his ABs while walking only 5%. Nothing special defensively, and its not like he is young either. Already 27 years old.

I would try and see if NYY would be willing to trade Francisco Cervelli and put him in a platoon with another guy. Probably wouldn't cost much and I've always thought he was solid defensively.

The Nats have Sandy Leon, who could be gotten, and he's supposed to be a really good defensive catcher.

I wouldn't mind taking a flyer on Kurt Suzuki in a platoon. The SF Giants also have some catchers in the pipeline, so maybe Hector Sanchez might be available. I also wouldn't mind trading Alfaro if the catcher we get back is young enough (i.e. controllable) and good enough to be here a while.

@ arnrob

Jose Felix is a pretty solid catcher. I've seen him play a dozen or so times. I'd say defensively he's probably right in between Nap and Soto...he has a better arm than both guys (35% CS for his career) but not as good at calling the game as Soto is. Offensively I'd say he's closer to Soto than Nap, but he's a little more consistent at the plate than Soto. Of all your choices, he's the one that is closest to being and everyday MLB catcher.

Zach Zaneski is more of an offensive catcher, but he's terrible behind the plate. I doubt that he even stays behind the plate going forward.

Robinzon Diaz is probably a solid back up type MLB catcher. He can handle the bat ok and he has a decent arm...but he's nothing special.

Luis Martinez is not capable of being a starter. He's barely an average back up right now.

Thanks, JV and all. I thought I remembered hearing good things about Jose Felix a couple of years ago. This is going to be an interesting winter. What I want us to avoid is overpaying, particularly in prospects, for a minimal upgrade at catcher when those same prospects could obtain a major upgrade elsewhere.

Or we could tell Michael Young that we are moving him to catcher.

Jp is 26, under team control for some more years, and isnt even arb eligible till 2014. There is a lot to like about the guy.

What about Carlos Santana? Might the Indians make him available?

I wouldn't mind trading for Bobby Wilson with Toronto. He is a good defensive catcher and calls a decent game. Plus I don't think he would be overly expensive. I would do a trade for him and resign Soto. It would be a point to find offense elsewhere in the lineup like the outfield.

@arnrob: I like your idea.