Rangers make early move in the Winter Meetings, deal Gerald Laird for two pitchers

The names Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo aren't names you're familiar with, but you may in a couple short seasons.  The Rangers and Tigers made the trade as expected would happen with a surplus of catchers to trade at will.  This move is a good move for both clubs.  Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo have strong upside and their bodies were built to be pitchers.  Moscoso has the potential to be a young Pedro Martinez and he may be the first one of the two to make the 40-man roster. Melo, on the other hand, has good upside; his fastball can reach up to 100 MPH, but his control is an issue. 

This move doesn't mean the Rangers are done dealing at the Winter Meetings.  The Meetings end on Thursday and the Rangers may have more catchers to deal.  Taylor Teagarden looks set, but Max Ramirez and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are still valuable assets on the trade market. Boston, Kansas City, and Atlanta (the team Saltalamacchia came from) have expressed interest in trading for him, but are unwilling to deal any starting arms.  Many things can happen in a short time, especially at the Winter Meetings.  

Pitching is going to be focus, but if other players come onto their radar at a good price, Jon Daniels will entertain that idea as well.  Marlon Byrd, Hank Blalock, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Milton Bradley are put up as trade bait, but no teams at this points have vested interest.  

The trade made by the Rangers is graded as a B-.  They could have gone for starting arms, but elected to go with the future.  That's fine, but the Rangers have an abundance of quality pitchers in the minor league system.  Building for a pitching staff that ranked last in most every pitching category is always a good thing, but they already have arms.  Te