Yorvit Torrealba fills the Catcher’s position in the Rangers club
Major League Baseball is swinging into groove as the month of December kicks off. The off season is thriving with a high frequency of movement along the free agency. Ball clubs in the American League and the National League are looking to sign in as many
players as possible before the winter meetings start on the 6th of December. Some of the best stars in the game are up for grabs and many teams are looking to up their offers when the deadlines hit the agenda.
One of recent movements in the free agency has resulted in the Texas Rangers acquiring a much needed catcher for the future campaign. Bengie Molina wasn’t offered arbitration recently, and the recruitment of former San Diego Padres star, Yorvit Torrealba,
indicates that the team has moved on to bring experience to the position. Assistant General Manager of the club, Thad Levine, recently made a comment on the new Rangers man.
He went on to say, “We feel like we have accomplished our goal of acquiring a catcher who is a winner and has had success with quality young pitchers in San Diego and Colorado. Ron Washington added a statement to that by saying, "I feel like we've acquired
a solid front-line catcher. He certainly fills our needs. He's a strong defensive catcher. He doesn't throw as well as he has in the past, but he's good defensively and can certainly swing the bat.”
Yorvit, now 32 years old, was good with the bat, last season and he made a few contributions in to get the Padres to the 2nd rank in the National League West. His batting average went up to .271 in the regular season and he smashed 7 home runs
in 95 games. He led in 37 runs and he posted a modest slugging rate of .378. The catcher has signed on a 2-year $6.25 million contract.
Torrealba was ecstatic with the news on his move and he issued a statement, saying, "I'm really excited about it. I was looking for a team that can compete and make it to the playoffs. I'm really excited with the young pitchers that they have here. I've
been known for being able to call a game, and I feel like I can help this pitching staff. I try to take charge out there in the game."
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