Pudge? Still a Tiger.
As much as I hate to say it, the more time passes the more I'm resigned to the fact that Pudge Rodriguez will never be a Texas Ranger again - until he's enshrined in Cooperstown. There had been talk a couple of seasons ago about bringing Pudge back after he finishes his stint with Detroit and having him be a DH and backup catcher. Well, the way the Rangers team looks to be forming, there won't be room for another veteran to play part-time, even if he did help make the Rangers into what they are today. At least he's still wanted. Detroit picked up the option on his 2008 contract for $13 million and decided not to pay him the $3 million to get out of the contract. The Tigers value him as one of the best catchers in the league, which he still is, but it's obvious his skills are deteriorating. I still think the Rangers should bring him back, not just because he's my favorite player of all time, but because he knows how to play the catcher position. And gee whiz who are we looking at as our catcher next year? Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Pudge could be the perfect mentor for Salty because Pudge came up
through the system and has been a multi-time All-Star and won multiple gold gloves. If the Rangers really want Salty to develop into a solid catcher, they should definitely have Pudge showing him the ropes. And when Pudge isn't playing backup catcher he could play first base or DH. Hell, he even played second base for the Tigers one game. I think it'd be best for all parties involved. The Rangers get a future Hall-of-Famer as a mentor for their prized prospect and Pudge gets to keep playing (more than just catcher because he is getting old). Not only that but Pudge will retire in the same uniform he broke into the bigs in - the one with "Rangers" across the chest.
As much as I hate to say it, the more time passes the more I'm resigned to the fact that Pudge Rodriguez will never be a Texas Ranger again - until he's enshrined in Cooperstown. There had been talk a couple of seasons ago about bringing Pudge back after he finishes his stint with Detroit and having him be a DH and backup catcher. Well, the way the Rangers team looks to be forming, there won't be room for another veteran to play part-time, even if he did help make the Rangers into what they are today. At least he's still wanted. Detroit picked up the option on his 2008 contract for $13 million and decided not to pay him the $3 million to get out of the contract. The Tigers value him as one of the best catchers in the league, which he still is, but it's obvious his skills are deteriorating. I still think the Rangers should bring him back, not just because he's my favorite player of all time, but because he knows how to play the catcher position. And gee whiz who are we looking at as our catcher next year? Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Pudge could be the perfect mentor for Salty because Pudge came up
through the system and has been a multi-time All-Star and won multiple gold gloves. If the Rangers really want Salty to develop into a solid catcher, they should definitely have Pudge showing him the ropes. And when Pudge isn't playing backup catcher he could play first base or DH. Hell, he even played second base for the Tigers one game. I think it'd be best for all parties involved. The Rangers get a future Hall-of-Famer as a mentor for their prized prospect and Pudge gets to keep playing (more than just catcher because he is getting old). Not only that but Pudge will retire in the same uniform he broke into the bigs in - the one with "Rangers" across the chest.
1 comment:
Why do you insult me further? I was hoping I could say I saw Pudge's last game in Detroit.
Now my only claim to fame is I interviewed George H.W. Bush.
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