The Rangers signed Yorvit Torrealba to a two-year contract on Monday and promptly named him the starting catcher. But that doesn't mean Torrealba will be expected to start 120 games.

Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said he figures Torrealba would start between 95 and 110 games. The club remains in the market for another catcher to help spell Torrealba and that list includes 2010 backup Matt Treanor.

The number of games that most major league teams expect catchers to start has dwindled some recently. But that's especially true in the heat of Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

"We want that person to be sharp and fresh," Levine said. "We still have a relatively inexperienced pitching staff, so we’re asking for that position to be the captain on the field. There are a lot of physical and mental demands to the position and add the summers in Texas. If we set the criteria for guys that could catch 130 games, it would be a short list. We want a group of catchers rather than one guy."

Torrealba talked at length about his experience in catching a young pitching staff and it's clear that was a major reason the club agreed to a two-year deal worth $6.25 million with him ($3 million in 2011, $3.25 million in 2012). The 32-year-old hit .271 with seven homers and 37 RBIs in 95 games with San Diego in 2010, but also played for the Rockies while Clint Hurdle was with the club.

Hurdle, who is now the manager in Pittsburgh, took part in the Rangers' postseason meetings before accepting his new post and spoke highly of Torrealba's ability to make young pitchers better. The Rangers also looked at Torrealba last season before figuring out alternatives at catcher. So they had an eye on him recently.

"I was looking for a team that could compete and hopefully make it to the playoffs," Torrealba said Monday. "I’m really excited with this bunch of talented young pitchers here. I want to help them out as much as I can by the way I call the game and take charge."

Torrealba, who said he might play some in Venezuela this winter, has played most of his career in the National League and said he'll have to learn about the American League hitters. He's also played more than 95 games just once in his career (113 in 2007), but feels he can handle the starting load in Texas. He played in a World Series for Colorado and knows what it takes to get there.

San Diego was 53-36 in his 89 starts behind the plate and his catcher ERA was 3.14, the lowest in the majors since 2003 (minimum 81 games). So the Rangers get an experienced catcher who can call games and also has improved with his bat the last few years.