Could Rays be interested in Geovany Soto?

This could be pure speculation, but CSNChicago.com is reporting that the Rays could have interest in Geovany Soto. The deal would seem to make sense for both sides, as the Rays need a catcher with experience and the Cubs could use a Major League-ready catcher. Soto would certainly fit the bill for the Rays and Wade Davis or Jeff Niemann would fit with the Cubs.

As it stands now, the Rays will enter Spring Training with Jose Molina and either Robinson Chirinos or Jose Lobaton at catcher. Many Rays fans would like to see the Rays go after another catcher to go with Molina. I would tend to agree, as, barring an amazing spring, Loboton or Chirinos do not deserve a spot on a big league roster. Either could be good in the future, but I don’t think they are ready yet, as shown by their hitting last season.

Soto would be the experienced, good hitting catcher the Rays need. Soto has been bitten by the injury bug in recent seasons, but the former Rookie of the Year is a good hitter. He has shown good power over the years, hitting 17 homers each of the last two seasons and 23 in 2008, the year he won Rookie of the Year.

His average last season was not up to snuff, hitting .223. But he has also shown good average before, hitting .280 2010 with a .393 OBP and hitting .285 in 2008 with a .364 OBP.

He has shown some streaks of good hitting and could be a good catching partner for Jose Molina. Molina is meant to be a backup anyway, so it could work out well if he is only expected to make 50 or so starts.

We will see if anything comes of this rumor, but many have been saying the Rays could be interested in Geo all offseason. The Rays would like to deal one of their starters, so this could be a way to get rid of one before the season.