When Bengie Molina began saying that he was probably going to retire after the 2010 MLB season but definitely going on the free agent market, the Texas Rangers had to step up their game to fill that void.  They wasted no time into the offseason by signing a new catcher to take Molina’s spot – Yorvit Torrealba.

The Rangers inked 32-year-old Torrealba to a two-year contract worth a total of $6.25 million on Monday to be the team’s starting catcher.  In 2011, the catcher will receive $3 million and then $3.25 million in 2012.

Torrealba was with the San Diego Padres last season and the four seasons prior to that with the Colorado Rockies.  He helped the Rockies make their way to the World Series in 2007 and the playoffs in 2009.  Prior to the Rockies, he was with the San Francisco Giants from 2001 to 2005 with a small stint with the Seattle Mariners in 2005.

The Rangers are happy with their decision as they feel like have found a starting catcher that is worthy and will be able to add quality to the team as a whole.  He is definitely good at-bat and has great defensive qualities.  His problem lies in his throwing – it’s not the greatest.  He has had several problems with his shoulders in the past, leading up to the reason why he doesn’t have exceptional throwing skills today.

However, the Rangers also aren’t looking for a “traditional” starting catcher who is going to play so many games – they are simply looking for a catcher that can play the majority of the games throughout the season.

While they’ve filled part of their catching needs, they still need a hell of a back up – will Matt Treanor be a possibility?  He was with the Rangers this year and the Rangers plan to keep in contact with him so I’m guessing that he is going to be a large possibility.

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