Potential Target: Russell Martin

In an ongoing series, we'll take a look at possible free-agent and trade targets for the Texas Rangers this winter.

Target: Russell Martin, C

2014 stats: .290 batting average, .402 on-base percentage, 20 doubles, 11 home runs, 67 RBIs, .994 fielding percentage

Give Robinson Chirinos credit for stepping into a bad situation having to replace both an injured Geovany Soto and a horrible J.P. Arencibia, and doing very well for himself, especially behind the plate. The Rangers could do worse than Chirinos as their starting catcher in 2015, but they could also do better, and that's where Martin comes in.

He's a Gold Glove caliber catcher and also has a nice bat for the position. He's a seasoned veteran and by all accounts is a great clubhouse guy. Oh, and he has a nice history with new Rangers manager Jeff Banister, who was his bench coach in Pittsburgh the past two seasons.

The Rangers have courted Martin before and have fallen short in landing him, but having Banister in place now could only help their chances if they choose to go after him in free agency, and they should.

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