Paul Lo Duca anyone?

Put up your Ducas

The Colorado Rockies released veteran catcher Paul Lo Duca outright and you have to assume that perked the Texas Rangers' ears a little.

Lo Duca is a victim of age. He's 38, and the Rockies have a collection of guys in the Majors and Triple A already taking those spots.

Of course, it doesn't help that he was hitting .233. Maybe the Rockies reconsider if he was hitting .400.

Lo Duca's had a solid career. He didn't become a full-time catcher in the Majors until he was 29. He hit 25 homers and 90 RBI in 2001, smack in the middle of the steroid era. He'd never approach those numbers again.

Lo Duca spent all of 2009 out of baseball. Still, in 2006 he hit .318 for the New York Mets. It's entirely possible that the game's passed him or by or maybe he has another half of a season left in him.

Needless to say, I don't think the Rangers can keep with Matt Treanor full time. He was a solid fill-in, but his lack of ability at the plate is evident and killing the Rangers.

Two bullet points: Lo Duca was cited in the Mitchell Report. And he was married to a Playboy playmate.