BY: Richard W. Humphrey
The Rangers announced today that they have traded catcher Taylor Teagarden to the Baltimore Orioles for relief pitcher Randy Henry and a player to be named later. Teagarden was on the Rangers’ 40-man roster, which now totals 37 players with his exit, and was out of options. With Mike Napoli and Yorvit Torrealba as the front line catchers, it was not likely that Teagarden would have been on the 2012 Opening Day 25-man active roster, unless there was an injury to one of the two. As such, Teagardent would thus have to clear waivers prior to being sent to the minor leagues. Henry and the player to be named represent a better return than the waiver price.
Henry is from Oklahoma and was a fourth round draft choice in 2009. Last season, he pitched 52.2 innings in relief at low A Delmarva and high A Frederick with a combined ERA of 2.22.
In Baltimore, Teagarden will back up starting catcher Matt Wieters. Undoubtedly, the Orioles were interested since they are managed by former Ranger manager Buck Showalter and because Teagarden has worked in the past with a number of Orioles’ pitchers including Tommy Hunter, Darren O’Day and Pedro Strop.
In other matters, Thad Levine withdrew from consideration for the Astros’ vacant general manager position. There is speculation that he will be named to the farm director position vacated earlier this fall by Scott Servais. The Rangers want to fill the position prior to baseball’s winter meetings next week at the Hilton Anatole Hotel.
The Rangers also announced that first baseman Mitch Moreland underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist Wednesday. The anticipated recovery time is eight to twelve weeks, so it is possible that he will not be 100% recovered when Spring Training opens in mid-February.