The Rangers Report - Offseason Edition

A Ranger Fan's Perspective On A-Rod's Opt Out

When I heard that Alex Rodriguez was going to opt out of his contract, I felt two ways about it.

The first was annoyance, wondering why couldn't he have waited the four more hours to announce it.

The second was elation, and joy that the poorly constructed deal was finally over, and that the Rangers were free of that albatross.

The Rodriguez deal is one of the biggest mistakes in the Rangers' tenure and the subsequent deal that sent him to New York is one of the bigger screwings the Rangers got.

Not only did the Rangers get shafted by having to pay off part of the contract, but they also got little in return, with a Arbitration Eligible Alfonso Soriano and only one Player To Be Named Later (which was even worse considering that John Hart passed up on Robinson Cano to get Joaquin Arias.  How does that one look?)

With A-Rod's obligation finally over, the Rangers will now have $21 million to go and bid on a player that acutally plays for the #### team!

Time to call Aaron Rowand's agent...

Ohyo Victor Diaz-san!!

The Rangers have talked with some Japanese teams about outfielder Victor Diaz playing over there next year.  This is significant for two reasons.  One, it says that the Rangers’ aren’t completely confident in whether or not Diaz will make the roster, as I believe he used up his last option this past year, and two, that the Rangers have some interest in finding a place for him to play full time, as they still believe he can be a everyday player.  What isn’t clear, however, is if the Rangers will retain control over Diaz if he does indeed go over to Japan.  I’m not sure that they can, as I believe he would have to be sold to the Japanese leagues, subsequently relinquishing any control over him.  I’ll have to research this some more when I got time.

The Return Of Gagne?!?

The former Rangers closer, Gagne was an out and out disaster in Boston and isn’t likely to return.  He cost himself millions of dollars on the free agent market and is going to be looked at as damaged goods once again. 

However, Gagne may have been hurt, could have been inconsistent due to his not being in the closer role, or maybe just wasn’t cut out for Boston.  It’s happened before.  However, Gagne is still fond of the Rangers and has said that he wouldn’t mind a return.  If he could be had for roughly the same contract as last season, I wouldn’t hesitate on bringing him back.

Keeping An Eye On Adan Dunn

I've been keeping an eye on the Adam Dunn situation over in Cincinatti in hopes that the Reds will decline his options and the Rangers will try to swoop in and get a hold of him.

Dunn would be a solid addition and would give the Rangers a young power hitter that would fit in well in the middle of the order.  The only thing that would really hurt would be the strikeouts.

One More Thing...

The Farm System Previews will begin on Monday, in alphabetical order.  Mark it on your calendars...

See you all tomorrow!