Scott Olsen for a catcher

While, unlike many, I don't think the Marlins have a major catcher problem.  Of course that is assuming, Matt Treanor recovers from surgery and is good to go at the start of the season.

The Marlins front office, which always explores all possibilities, are weighing what is available in the catcher market.

The Marlins have spoken to the Texas Rangers about catcher Max Ramirez but are also content to stick with their current group of catchers if they can't work out a trade.

The Rangers are stockpiled with catchers and are searching for young pitching, something the Marlins are able and willing to offer. The Marlins are trying to trade left-hander Scott Olsen.

Ramirez, 24, is coveted for his bat. He has hit .312 over his minor-league career with 64 home runs. At Double A Frisco (Texas) last season, he hit .354 with 17 home runs in only 243 at bats,

But the reviews on his defense are not good.

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Discussions with the Rangers have been mostly informal so far, and if the Marlins don't work out a deal, they're prepared to start the season with a cast of catchers that includes John Baker, Matt Treanor and Mike Rabelo.

I have no idea what Rabelo is suppose to add, should the Marlins keep their last year's catchers.

I'm not going to spend a lot of time talking about this today, because frankly, I don't have it, but there is a whole lot more to being a major league catcher than just hitting.

This is not your fantasy team.

 If a catcher is any good he is first and foremost a part of the pitching staff.  He along with the pitchers studies the opposing hitter's tendencies, calls the game, and is expected to block pitches which are trying to induce strikeouts that end up in the dirt.  It is extremely important that a pitcher have confidence in the defensive skills of his catcher.  If he doesn't then the whole repertoire of pitches aren't available to him in crucial situations.

There is more to say, but it will have to wait.