The GM meetings kicked off this week, which is usually the GM’s getting a feel for what is out there in the trade market. No trades were made, but the Rangers have a lot of interest in their catchers. Even with Laird having the most experience it is actually Teagarden that reported has the most interest among teams. The front runners are Florida, Kansas City, Boston, and San Francisco. Florida has mentioned Andrew Miller, Scott Olsen and Kevin Gregg. I am most intrigued by the possibility of Andrew Miller, who was the centerpiece in the Dontrelle Willis trade last winter with Detroit. Kansas City is interested in trade Zach Greinke if he does not take them up an offer for a long-term deal. Boston’s Clay Bucholtz, Brian Bowden, and Justin Masterson are all on the table, Bucholtz is who I am most excited about. San Francisco is shopping Matt Cain and left-hander Jonathan Sanchez. With Texas picking up the option on Blaylock, I think there is an opportunity to shop him and/or one of its catchers for one of these pitchers. All four catchers are on teams’ radar, its just a matter of which team values which catcher the most.

The hiring of Mike Maddux is sensational. The more this thing dragged on I thought there was less of a chance Texas would get him. He has a relationship with Nolan Ryan, who hired him as the pitching coach for the Round Rock Express, the team Ryan owned. He is also the older brother of Hall of Fame bound pitcher Greg Maddux. He did remarkable work with Milwaukee’s staff taking them from one of the worst staffs in the National League to one of the best last year. This is a time when we need someone at the pitching coach post that can get through to young pitchers. It is such a crucial time because Texas has more young pitching talent in the minors right now than it has in 20 years. Maddux is regarded as someone who can get the most of his pitchers and has a calm demeanor who is patient yet confident. How will he help develop Feliz, Holland, Main, Hunter, Harrison, McCarthy, Hurley? Pitching coach for the Rangers has been a revolving door, and my hope for this team is that Maddux is for their pitching as Jaramillo has been for their hitting.

A final thought, and I know I am going to get some heat for this, is that I think another trade piece the Rangers could have in mind is Ian Kinsler. I would say move him to the outfield, but since it is crowded I think he is a player that could bring in tremendous pitching talent in return. Defense was a problem for the Rangers just as pitching was last year. While Kinsler shows great range on balls going up the middle, he is one of the worst defending second baseman in baseball. There is not a long-term future for him at second base. I think the Joaquin Arias, depending on how his arm strength is progressing, could play second. He has great speed, hit very well after being called up last year and is great with the glove. Please feel free to give me your thoughts on this because I know to some this is a very radical idea.