MLB.com: Rangers are interested in Arencibia and d'Arnaud

[polo007]

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/artic ... x&c_id=tex

ARLINGTON -- The Toronto Blue Jays have claimed catcher Bobby Wilson off waivers from the Angels, a move that could have implications for the Rangers.

Acquiring Wilson gives the Blue Jays even more depth at an already strong position. The Rangers are looking hard for catching help and the two teams are expected to engage in trade discussions at some point this offseason.

Texas could have interest in J.P. Arencibia, who was the Toronto starter the past two seasons. Arencibia hit .233 with 18 home runs, 56 RBIs, a .275 on-base percentage and a .435 slugging percentage over 102 games.

The 26-year-old has two-plus years of Major League experience and is not yet eligible for arbitration. He missed six weeks in the second half with a broken right hand and only threw out 18.5 percent of attempted basestealers.

The Blue Jays have one of the top catching prospects in baseball in Travis d'Arnaud, who spent last season at Triple-A Las Vegas. He could be ready to take over as the Blue Jays' No. 1 catcher, but they also have veteran Jeff Mathis in reserve. Toronto has Mathis signed for two more years, and Wilson gives them more depth.

The Blue Jays are expected to use their catching depth to upgrade some other spots of need. Starting pitching is a primary need, although they are also looking for a second baseman and outfield help.

Toronto would likely have interest in Derek Holland, who was 12-7 with a 4.67 ERA in 27 starts and two relief appearances in 2012. But the Rangers signed Holland to a five-year contract extension in Spring Training and would be unlikely to trade him straight up for Arencibia. The Rangers also have Alexi Ogando, who won 14 games as a starter in 2011 before moving back to the bullpen.

The Rangers' top Minor League prospect is second baseman Jurickson Profar. There might be a possibility the Rangers and the Blue Jays could discuss a straight swap of their top Minor League prospects, with D'Arnaud coming to Texas. One baseball official compared D'Arnaud to Giants catcher Buster Posey.

The Rangers' other two top prospects are pitcher Martin Perez and infielder Mike Olt. Their pitching depth also includes right-handers Tanner Scheppers and Justin Grimm, and left-hander Robbie Ross.

[Randle McMurphy]

I wouldn't have a problem trading d'Arnaud for Profar straight up at all. In fact, I'd be very surprised if the Rangers did that. That kid is going to be a stud.

[Ado05]

Unless we get Profar or Andrus or any of their starters, no deal!

[Randle McMurphy]

I'm definitely starting to think that a d'Arnaud trade this offseason is a very real possibility, especially with the increased urgency on the part of the Jays to win soon.

[Ado05]

I wouldn't have a problem trading d'Arnaud for Profar straight up at all. In fact, I'd be very surprised if the Rangers did that. That kid is going to be a stud.

same, but I would try to get them to Take JPA++ for Profar.

[Ado05]

And that fact that the Jays added Wilson......hmmm.

[Ado05]

I'm definitely starting to think that a d'Arnaud trade this offseason is a very real possibility, especially with the increased urgency on the part of the Jays to win soon.

I wouldnt trade him if I was AA. I think he is going to better than JPA. He only needs one more year, IMO. So we can wait. Plus, the Jays could sign Napoli and he just holds the place until D'Arnaud is ready.

[satyr9]

If TEX would do it straight I'd be shocked. I'd be more inclined to believe Andrus for Arencibia to open up the spots for the respective prospects, but I wouldn't bank on that either.

[Yosemite Dan]

I cant imagine any scenario where the Jays are considering trading D'Arnaud instead of JPA. Why they are so enamoured of JPA I do not know unless they don't want to ruin the delicate balance of having an entire roster of batters hitting under.250.

The deal would have to be tremendous to part with D'Arnoud, anything less and we decide to trade him just to keep JPA as the full time guy would be a decision we would regret for years.

[LBJSeizedMyID]

Just like the Escobar/Hechavarria situation, you trade whoever returns the most value. While D'Arnaud will most probably be the better player, if you could land Profar or Andrus and nothing less, I wouldn't mind this deal.

Ultimately I could see an Arencibia for Leonys Martin offer going down.

[Yosemite Dan]

Just like the Escobar/Hechavarria situation, you trade whoever returns the most value. While D'Arnaud will most probably be the better player, if you could land Profar or Andrus and nothing less, I wouldn't mind this deal.

Ultimately I could see an Arencibia for Leonys Martin offer going down.

That's really short term thinking. Scouts drool over D'Arnaud and the consensus is he will be a markedly better major league than JPA who's average defensively and with game calling, is a below average batter thus far while being handed the starting job with no pressure of losing it and only real strength is having some pop in his bat when he gets streaky.

I sure wouldn't trade D'Arnaud if it all it meant was one extra decent prospect over what JPA would net you. It would have to be a much better deal for D'Arnaud for me to part with him.

[LBJSeizedMyID]

JPA has grown defensively. While I do prefer D'Arnaud as he has better skills across the board, if you can get someone like Profar, you have to accept that deal. Profar's tools at SS far outweigh D'Arnaud's at catcher and don't think you realize Profar is the #1 prospect currently in all of baseball?

[BigLeagueChew]

D'arnaud for Nathan

Texas would call us for catchers after the joke of a deal we made with them last time.

[Yosemite Dan]

JPA has grown defensively. While I do prefer D'Arnaud as he has better skills across the board, if you can get someone like Profar, you have to accept that deal. Profar's tools at SS far outweigh D'Arnaud's at catcher and don't think you realize Profar is the #1 prospect currently in all of baseball?

I think you are underestimating D'Arnaud. To be honest I would take a top flight young catcher over a top flight young SS any day of the week. Just by the nature of the position a catcher has a stronger influence on a game. From what I've read, we have a can't miss prospect in D'Arnaud.

[UN-Owen]

I'd look to package JPA and Escobar for a high end pitching prospect

[Avenger]

JPA hasn't improved defensively, that's an absurd statement. Who you trade should be a no brainer, you trade the bum, you know the one that is terrible behind the plate and the one that can't draw walk to save his life while striking out 30% of the time.

[Wally West]

BlueJays would conceivably have to give up more then Travis d'Arnaud for the top prospect in baseball in Jurickson Profar. I definitely wouldn't mind acquiring him at all but at what price?

[TheMainEvent]

Although it may be "smarter" to stick with the guy in the majors (Arencibia) and not the one who's only been in the minors (D'Arnaud) -- just because even with higher upside, D'Arnaud could very well be a bust in the majors -- I'd still much rather stick it out with D'Arnaud and ship Arencibia off. Arencibia isn't good enough as a hitter or a defensive catcher to warrant trading away a top prospect that plays the same position.

If you could do a D'Arnaud for Jurickson Profar, straight up, I would take that. But for anybody else on the Rangers, meh, I'd rather the Jays stick with D'Arnaud and try to get the most out of Arencibia.

[Michael Bradley]

The Rangers are not going to trade Profar for D'Arnaud. If they would, then do it and run, even if you have to add a piece or two. Profar at age 19 already has better plate discipline than D'Arnaud at age 23, and I'm sure the power will come for Profar as he gets older. At 2B or SS he looks very, very good. It would be a no brainer. However, Andrus is a free agent after two years (a Boras client to boot) and Kinsler is locked up until 2017-18, so if the Rangers move an infielder it will likely be Andrus so that Profar can replace him. I wouldn't be against bringing Andrus in either, but he will definitely test the market and wouldn't even consider the team friendly extension that AA will surely offer him if they did acquire him, so it's two years and done or two years and then massive overpayment. Can't see AA going for that.

It wouldn't surprise me if the Jays moved JPA. It may be time to seperate JPA/Lawrie from each other and TDA is a top 10-20 prospect in baseball. I don't think JPA will fetch Martin, as the Rangers will lose Hamilton and Martin will probably replace him, but maybe one of their excess starters. I have read Derek Holland's name mentioned. I doubt JPA alone will get that done.

[number15]

alright i have a deal for you....

Arencibia, Nicolini, Gose for Profar



.................... Jays replace JPA with TDA, Gose with Jake Mirisnid, and Nicolini is extra. Texas gets its young catcher, a top pitching prospects an Gose maybe replaces Hamilton.