Trade Central: Rangers Get Catcher In Holaday

THE DEAL

The end of spring training means teams are playing around the margins of their 25-man rosters, looking for upgrades, even at the most minimal of levels. Backup catchers are typically among the final jobs decided and for the second day in a row, a deal involving out-of-options players was made to shore up catching.

Bryan Holaday was stuck behind James McCann and Jarrod Saltalamacchia in Detroit, so the Tigers moved him to the Rangers for veteran surehanded receiver Bobby Wilson and righthander Myles Jaye, who was acquired from the White Sox in December.

Holaday appears likely to be the backup to Robinson Chirinos, whereas Jaye and Wilson are depth options for the Tigers

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RANGERS ACQUIRE Bryan Holaday, c Age: 28

At Texas Christian, Holaday helped the Horned Frogs make their first College World Series appearance in 2010, when the Tigers drafted him in the sixth round and signed him for $115,000. He made his big league debut two years later, but his lack of offense has limited his role on a big league roster to a backup. Behind the plate, he’s a smart catcher with an average arm and a dependable receiver of the ball with good footwork. As a major leaguer, he’s slashed .251/.283/.340.

Club	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Toledo (AAA)	.224	49	161	18	36	8	0	2	17	10	35	1	.282	.311
Detroit	.281	24	64	3	18	5	0	2	13	1	13	0	.292	.453

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TIGERS ACQUIRE Myles Jaye, rhp Age: 24| BA Grade: 45 Medium

The Blue Jays gave the 2010 17th-rounder $250,000 to pry Jaye from a commitment to Kennesaw State, but this is his third trade since 2012. The 6-foot-3, 170-pound righthander is at his best when his sinker is sinking and he’s throwing his changeup as much as 20 times a game. In 2015, he allowed just eight homers in 148 innings and had a 1.13 groundout-to-air out ratio, and he also lowered his WHIP at Double-A from 1.51 in 2014 to 1.23. A contact pitcher, Jaye mixes a curveball, sinker and slider.

Club (League)	W	L	ERA	G	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Birmingham (SL)	12	9	3.29	26	148	135	64	54	8	47	104	.244

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Bobby Wilson, c Age: 32

Like Holaday, Wilson is a mitt-first catcher, but one with a longer track record. Wilson excels at calling games and running a pitching staff. He spent 2015 with Rays and Rangers and slashed just .189/.255/.250 in 147 plate appearances.

Club (League)	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Durham (IL)	.184	17	49	3	9	1	0	0	0	6	11	0	.273	.204
Tampa Bay (AL)	.145	25	55	3	8	0	0	0	4	4	20	0	.203	.145
Texas (AL)	.221	31	77	5	17	5	0	1	10	7	19	0	.291	.325