I've felt a beat of excitement each time I've seen news of a transaction between the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers during the offseason, fueled by the hope that Dave Dombrowski has figured out a way to tap into the deep reservoir of catching prospects that Jon Daniels has accumulated. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case, as the Tigers have acquired a center fielder, a reliever, and now a (probable) starting pitcher.
Armando Galarraga moves from the Texas organization to Detroit, in exchange for outfielder Michael Hernandez. Galarraga spent most of last season with the Rangers' Double-A affiliate in Frisco, notching a 9-6 record with a 4.02 ERA in 22 starts. He also tallied 114 strikeouts in 127 2/3 innings. The Rangers designated him for assignment to make room for their signing of Jason Jennings. In Hernandez, the Tigers lose a right-handed hitter who batted .259/.321/.477 between Lakeland and Erie last season (along with 24 HR and 106 RBI), but doesn't have much of a future with the way the big league squad is currently constructed.
Galarraga will likely be ticketed for Toledo, as he has one minor league option remaining. Take 75 North has plenty more about the Tigers' newest pitcher, including his pitching repertoire and minor league career, and compares this trade to the Jeff Frazier-Yorman Bazardo deal made last year.
The Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant has some interesting subtext to the deal: Galarraga was linked to Alex Rodriguez by a few degrees of separation within the Rangers' minor league system. The Rangers traded A-Rod to the Yankees for Alfonso Soriano, who was then dealt to the Nationals, in return for three players that included Galarraga. Hernandez thus becomes the latest strand in that web.
Lone Star Ball has the Texas side of the trade.
Meanwhile, my fingers are still crossed for getting one of those catchers someday...
[Edited at 9:00 p.m.]