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Considering Pudge Rodriguez’s Return to Rangers

Posted on August 18th, 2009 3:12pm by Evan Grant
Filed under Baseball, Breaking News, Talkin' baseball, Texas Rangers

According to multiple reports on the web, the Rangers are about to reacquire C Ivan Rodriguez as a backup to C Taylor Teagarden. You can read the sourced reports here and here.

Rangers officials said the club had no comment on the report, but a club source has also confirmed to me that its all but a foregone conclusion the 14-time All-Star is on his way back to Arlington to serve as a backup and perhaps as an occasional right-handed DH in September. According to one report, the Rangers are sending Houston RHP Matt Nevarez and a player to be named later to complete the deal. The player to be named will be INF Jose Vallejo, according to a source.

Here are some thoughts:

1. I’m not even certain if Rodriguez was the best backup catcher on the market, but there could be no better fit for the Rangers at this point. Rodriguez still remains hugely popular in this market and the deal is likely to energize the fan base, the club and Rodriguez himself. The Rangers don’t need Pudge to be the Pudge of old. They just need an occasional start from him to keep Teagarden fresh down the stretch. Rodriguez, who has become something of a vagabond over the past two years (he’s now with his fourth club since the start of 2008), will be welcomed extremely warmly in Arlington. This is an emotional player who has always responded to fans. If there is anything left in that bat and arm, the ovation he’s going to get is going to extract it.

2. Rodriguez could serve dual purposes come September. Triple-A Oklahoma City C Max Ramirez should be back to full strength by then after missing six weeks with a wrist problem. If Andruw Jones’ production continues to tail off, Rodriguez or Ramirez could serve as the right-handed DH with the other offering backup support to Taylor Teagarden.

3. This team has made one low-cost acquistion after another this year (Darren O’Day, Jason Grilli and now Rodriguez). Testament to the work of the pro-scouting department. Just because you don’t have much payroll to work with doesn’t necessarily mean your hands are tied.

4. Remember: Don’t expect a bunch of those inside-out hits to right field. Rodriguez is hitting .238 against right-handed pitching this season and .303 (but with a paltry .313 on-base percentage) against lefties. He’s a part-time player at best.  But at this point he’s a low risk investment with potential short-term upside that didn’t cost the Rangers any top-tier prospects. It’s a smart move.

5. Not sure how the money will be worked out. Rodriguez is owed about $300,000 in salary, but he’s on the brink of a number of incentive thresholds. He has 344 plate appearances at this time and will get $200,000 when he reached 350. He gets another $200,000 at 375. Other incentives for 400, 425 and 450 seem unreachable. If he plays in seven more games, he’s also due another incentive bonus for reaching 100 games. So there could be up to close to $1 million remaining in payment.

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40 Comments to “Considering Pudge Rodriguez’s Return to Rangers”
  • TD @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:18 pm

    LOVE IT! Welcome home pudge.

  • TD @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:18 pm

    LOVE IT! Welcome home pudge.

  • Kevin @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    I don’t think we want IRod anywhere near the DH spot. An occasional spot start a catcher is probably all we will want to see of his bat.

  • Mavs Man @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:25 pm

    I know he’s not the same player he was in his prime, but as a Rangers fan how could you not be excited to have him back for this stretch run?

  • Tom B @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    So glad they could reach you out there plowing the South 40 for Winter Wheat. You returned in time to scare something up. If ESPN and DMN are reporting it, It is going down. Now, I can replace the metal trash can lid and remove the Rumble Shoes. All is quiet on the Western Front. Pudge Lives!!

  • Rockwall Tim @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

    Any chance he’s here for tonight’s game?

  • Evan Grant @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

    @Kevin: Lest you forget, a bunch of the Cornerians have been decrying Andruw Jones lack of batting average (.222 at this moment). Jones offers more plate discipline and more power potential, but he is batting just .200 since the All-Star break. If it keeps slipping, another right-handed option for September might not be a bad idea. The Rangers could potentially use Max Ramirez as that right-handed DH option and keep Pudge as the backup. But it does give you potential options. Options are good.

  • Tom @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    Didn’t Pudge play some first base in Detroit? I’m all for him getting time at catcher, 1B and DH. He’s an upgrade from what the team’s currently getting out of Jones and Blalock.

  • dj @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    A random thought on Pudge’s homecoming: By my count, the Rangers will now have 35 gold gloves among them! Admittedly, most of them are “old gold”, but old gold is not without value (re: MY & Omar mentoring Elvis and hopefully Pudge w/TT). @evan: Any idea if any other team even comes close to 35GGs?

  • Evan Grant @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:30 pm

    @Tom B: Like Lloyd Bridges in Airplane saying: “Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue,” …. I’m currently saying “I picked the wrong week to take a couple days off.”

  • smz @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:31 pm

    @Kevin, Would you really rather have Andrew Jones DHing? You must not have seen many games this year.

  • fluaggie @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:31 pm

    Welcome home Pudge…great move by the Rangers!

  • Rangers Fan @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    @Evan: Any chance he plays the homestand finale thursday? I want to be at his first game!

  • Bill G @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:38 pm

    The value Pudge bring to the Rangers is like the commercial “priceless.” The energy he will bring to the fan base can not be measured. As the back-up catcher his knowledge and skill will be great for TT.

  • Evan Grant @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:38 pm

    @Rangers Fan: I kind of doubt it. I would think his first shot might be Friday against LHP Scott Kazmir. But the Rangers might want to get him in front of the home crowd as quickly as possible to get that boost of energy from the ovation he will get.

  • Rangers Fan @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    @Evan: That’s what I was thinking. Starting him on the road will not boost tickets as much. Sure they will increase the rest of the way. But if it’s announced he’s starting Thursday people are going to come out in force. Then again…letting Pudge go the way they did wasn’t brillant PR or marketing.

    Also, why is German going on the DL and Moscoso coming up? Sholdn’t we use that spot for Cruz. Or will Moscoso be optioned for Cruz tomorrow?

  • Ralphie @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:48 pm

    Pudge is a 660 OPS guy. SIX-SIXTY! That is putrid. LOL @ you guys thinking he is a better option than Blalock or A.Jones. L-O-L! He is simply a good #2 catcher, and a great feel good story.

  • Josh @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    I dunno, I think giving up an arm and Vallejo is steep for a backup catcher, even one named Pudge. Vallejo’s stock has taken a big hit this yr, but he is still a solid prospect I think. Oh well, not a big deal, but not one I will trumpet either.

  • becca @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:50 pm

    i think in general this is just great news for rangers fans. although pudge version 2.0 isn’t as pudgy. it’s ok. i’ll still love him.

  • Dennis A. Lokey @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:55 pm

    $1 million? Sounds like a lot to some people, but in the big scheme of things, it’s nothing. I remember in 1993 the Dallas Cowboys plunked down $1 million for Bernie Kosar’s services for only 4 games and it paid off big-time. This time of year, with the playoffs in the balance, it’s a small price to pay for veteran depth.

  • Nolan'sSnowMonkey @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:56 pm

    Great news!

  • Evan Grant @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    @Rangers fan: Yes, Moscoso simply holds a spot for Cruz and gives the Rangers an extra arm in the bullpen for tonight. Pudge will replace Kevin Richardson.

  • SkyMasterson @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    Won’t he have to clear waivers since the trade deadline has passed?

  • Ralphie @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    Pudge .251/.280/.382

    Andruw .222/.337/.498

  • mike @ August 18th, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    Pudge’s addition provides a “metric” the stat freaks seem unable to get their arms around. He’s a true hero to many in this region as well as the regions far south of here. His value to this team is qualitative, not quantitative.

    He has succeded in that crucible that is a pennant race and that alone bumps his metric quotient.

  • scooper @ August 18th, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    @Josh: I hadn’t heard Vallejo, but I still think it is good. With Vallejo, they tried to make him a utility guy but he didn’t play well anywhere but at second. we have a second baseman. not a huge loss (if he is in the deal).

    Pudge will be great to have around (he can still play defense!).

    @RangersFan: I’m still hoping they DL (or release) Andruw when Cruz comes back. With Pudge here, they might be more likely to do something with him.

    They didn’t sign Purke, so they should have money to pay Pudge.

  • Auditor @ August 18th, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    @Ralphie, think Evans point is to look at the stats SINCE the all star break. AJ is not looking so hot.

    @Rangers Fan.. Totally agree about a horrible PR fiasco when Pudge left. I was so mad that I never went to a game the following season. Glad to see him win the WS with the marlins. We now have someone with true playoff experience.

    @Pudge, Welcome home!

  • Tom B @ August 18th, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    So, Richardson gets to tell the grand kids someday, “I was a.500 hitter in the Bigs.” That’s impressive if he just leaves it there.

  • A. Stephens, Raleigh NC @ August 18th, 2009 at 4:19 pm

    Exactly the kind of move that historically helps a team in a stretch run. Sure he’s not the same Pudge we all watched grow up to become a Hall of Fame player but he should be a good fit for the role he’ll fill now. Great move.

  • Ryans Dad @ August 18th, 2009 at 4:37 pm

    This will not hurt the Rangers this season, so they will either remain the same or get a little better. Either way I can live with that. Go Rangers!

  • Ryans Dad @ August 18th, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    This will not hurt the Rangers this season, so they will either remain the same or get a little better. Either way I can live with that. Go Rangers!

  • ARod @ August 18th, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    It’s a good day Evan…

  • Jack Daddy @ August 18th, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    @evan – I started to agree with your first point. Then agreed with your second, etc. You nailed. Dead on.

    I must say I’ve been predicting this trade since Salty went down (though that is nothing – a ton of people did and as you said, it makes so much sense).

    I also started to say last night that Moscoso would get called up and changed my mind to eyre instead. should have trusted my gut.

    this “injury” to German also allows them to keep up Borbon when Cruz gets back, does it not?

    Finally – i was right about the post-season roster (though players can be added to replace an injured player). BUT, it has to be a 60 day DL move and it has to be of the same position. Moot about Feliz now (which is was i was asking), but relevant to Davis, Grilli and McCarty, no?

  • Jack Daddy @ August 18th, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    To me, in addition to the rest he can give TT, the biggest thing Pudge can bring is that of a late inning Pinch Hitter. Or, if Max gets going, Max can PH and then Pudge can come in a catch. This is a really smart move. Even if Salty comes back.

    Kudos to Murphy for his statement about the #. Awesome. This season is beginning to feel magical.

    Evan – I assume Feliz and FF are unavailable tonight and probably CJ. Does Mathis bump to late inning and Moscoso fill long man role? We can’t seem to catch up on our bullpen. We REALLY need a complete game or a day off.

  • TylerJ @ August 18th, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    Sorry, I can’t get that excited about an old over the hill catcher, I don’t care who he is. he can back up, Ok but forget the hitting, he’s past it, last gasp. your right , I am not a Pudge fan. Ive followed this team since it inseption and he not what he once was and won’t be again. GO Teagarden!

  • southwick @ August 18th, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    TylerJ

    Don’t forget to mention how horrible our old over-the-hill shortstop has played, and how little its helped our rookie shortstop.

    …

  • Fai Mao @ August 18th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

    Has he learned how to call a game?

  • JustSaying @ August 18th, 2009 at 8:36 pm

    my 82 year old mother will be dancing a jig over this move……….

  • JustSaying @ August 18th, 2009 at 8:38 pm

    3 players go out as a result seems expensive but poor jd needs some love so this appears to be his attempt to make us forget he couldn’t sign his draft pick………..can’t believe hicks had enough money left to pay his incentives………..

  • Juboon @ August 19th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    @Southwick: Preach it! I had never seen Omar play before this season and am now sitting here in my Vizquel t-shirt. There is something valuable about “old and wise” when it’s paired with “young and hungry.”