Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Rangers and free agent catcher Robinson Chirinos are “inching closer to completing a deal.”
Chirinos, 35, spent last season with the Astros, helping them reach the World Series where they lost in seven games to the Nationals. During the regular season, Chirinos hit .238/.347/.443 with 17 home runs and 58 RBI over 437 trips to the plate. He earned high grades for his defense, playing a big part in his career-best 3.8 WAR, per Baseball Reference.
Chirinos would be the full-time catcher for the Rangers, backed up by either Jeff Mathis or Jose Trevino. They will handle a rotation that includes newcomers Corey Kluber, Kyle Gibson, and Jordan Lyles as well as returning hurlers Mike Minor and Lance Lynn.
The Rangers and Chirinos are no strangers to each other as the backstop spent his 2013-18 seasons in Arlington.