The acquisition of Carlos Asuaje didn’t stop any presses Monday at the MLB winter meetings, but the Texas Rangers might have found their utility infielder for 2019 on a waiver claim from the San Diego Padres.
The Rangers want to use Isiah Kiner-Falefa primarily at catcher this season to continue his development at a position that he has played for only a few seasons after being drafted as an infielder. Adding a utility man helps them pull that off.
General manager Jon Daniels said that Kiner-Falefa could still find himself at third base, shortstop or second base, but the extra energy he spent preparing for those positions last season took away from his development as a catcher.