Jonah Heim

Texas is already set with Jonah Heim and Kyle Higashioka behind the plate, but the light-hitting Barnhart could step in if anyone gets hurt. The Rangers might need that insurance, since usual third catcher Sam Huff is out of options and might not clear waivers in the spring. Barnhart, a former Gold Glover in Cincinnati, has seen decreasing opportunities of late, largely because he's hit .208/.286/.255 the last three years.

The deal is now official. Higashioka is coming off the finest offensive campaign of his career last season when he launched 17 round-trippers in 263 plate appearances for the Padres. The 34-year-old veteran backstop provides the Rangers with an excellent complement for starter Jonah Heim, who has started at least 127 games in each of the past three seasons. It's a nice landing spot in a hitter-friendly ballpark, but he's unlikely to play enough to make an impact for fantasy purposes outside of extremely deep two-catcher formats.

The deal is now official. Higashioka is coming off the finest offensive campaign of his career last season when he launched 17 round-trippers in 263 plate appearances for the Padres. The 34-year-old veteran backstop provides the Rangers with an excellent complement for starter Jonah Heim, who has started at least 127 games in each of the past three seasons. It's a nice landing spot in a hitter-friendly ballpark, but he's unlikely to play enough to make an impact for fantasy purposes outside of extremely deep two-catcher formats.

No word yet on the financial terms or length of the deal. The update comes shortly after MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported the two sides were making progress towards an agreement. Higashioka provides the Rangers with a capable complement for Jonah Heim, who has started at least 127 contests in each of the last three seasons. The 34-year-old backstop slugged a career-high 17 round-trippers in 263 plate appearances last year for the Padres. He's a non-factor for fantasy purposes outside of extremely deep two-catcher formats.

Higashioka would provide the Rangers with a capable complement for Jonah Heim, who has started at least 127 contests in each of the last three seasons, if the deal gets across the finish line. The 34-year-old backstop slugged a career-high 17 round-trippers in 263 plate appearances last year for the Padres. He's a non-factor for fantasy purposes outside of extremely deep two-catcher formats.