The Rangers Report – Offseason Edition

My Take On The Bradley Signing

Well apparently, the Rangers have signed Milton Bradley to a one year, $5 million contract, with some incentives.  The deal is pending a physical, and because the Padres declined to offer him arbitration, the Rangers don’t cede a pick to the Padres.

The deal is a risk, both because Bradley is both injury prone and batshit crazy, but Bradley, to be honest, is actually now the best outfielder on the squad and will likely slide over to centerfield once the leg heals up.

Are you gambling that Wash, who Bradley wanted to reunite with, and whom is a Washington favorite, can keep him in line?  Yes.  Could it work?  We’ll see.  Bradley will likely miss time in the beginning of the season and will stay at DH until June or so.

What will this do to Jason Botts?

What we’ll likely see is a rotation of Botts, Cat, and Shelton at Left Field and Third Base until Bradley is completely healthy.  It’s a workable compromise and will keep everyone healthy until things are sorted out.

Will the Rangers do any other improvements to the outfield?  That remains to be seen.  Bradley isn’t blocking anyone long term and his salary isn’t prohibitive.  With Fukudome now a Cub, the only real free agent option available is off the table.  That means that the Rangers will likely have to look at the non-tender market later today or the trade market.  More on that in a bit…

Going To War With The Rotation You Have

The meme in Texas is that the Rangers need pitching.

My answer to that?

Where is it?

I’ve checked the free agent market.  Unless you’re willing to roll the dice on Bartolo Colon or Freddy Garcia, there is no potential Number One or Two starters.  When the best options are Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva, back of the rotation dudes at best, that goes to show you that the market is just awful.

Now, if you want to do some trading on the market, you could find some pitchers that could be had for prospects, especially those on teams that may be looking to rebuild.

The Rangers have the ammunition to go after Johan Santana, and Tom Hicks has the funds to do it.

They could also go after Dan Haren, though I think they prefer not to trade within the division.

However, all of these deals come with a price.  You lose valuable young players who can keep you competitive while spending little in these trades.  You also lack that valuable pipeline of young talent to replace aging players.  Michael Young won’t last forever and will likely be the Rangers’ third baseman by 2011, by which time either Elvis Andrus or Marcus Lemon will be taking over the position.  Also, who will replace Padilla, who will book after 2009, and Kevin Millwood, who will book after 2010?  Are you going to want to have to turn to the Jamey Wright’s and Carlos Silva’s to give you innings?

This season is a lost cause anyway, but it will serve as a way to give the kids innings while keeping the team cost effective FOR NOW.  The Rangers are hoarding their dollars for the next superstar that may hit the market, by which time, there will be enough of a team for that future star to push the Rangers over the top.

Plus, the Rangers may have their own homegrown rotation sooner than you think. 

Eric Hurley is nearly ready.  So is Matt Harrison.  The Rangers have a plethora of young arms in the lower minors, with some of them beginning to rise to the top.

Give things time.  Frivolously throwing money away on mediocre starters is a poor way to build a ball club.

Ask the Cubs.

Off season Deals That I Thank God Didn’t Work Out

• Mark Mulder (2006) – This was a buy low opportunity, but oh man was this bullet one I’m glad misfired.  Mulder looks toast right now, something that no one thought back in the day, when he was arguably the best of the Big Three.
• Barry Zito (2006) – This was a deal I actually campgained hard for, but am glad it didn't work out.  Zito has been an out and out disaster for San Fran.  He eats innings and...doesn't do much else.
• Matt Morris (2005) – The Rangers actually went pretty hard after Morris, who was coming off of a very good year with the Cardinals and had long since had a reputation for being a good clubhouse guy and a outdated rep for being a great starting pitcher.  Two years later and this deal is easily one of the biggest busts we’ve seen this decade.
• Carlos Delgado (2004) – Yes, the Rangers did try to make a run at Delgado, with the idea of making him the starting first baseman and Mark Teixiera the everyday left fielder.  Fortunately, he signed with Florida, who blew Texas’ offer away, and then would trade him after a single season. 

Rangers Close To Signing Reliever

The Rangers are close to signing Japanese Reliever Kazo Fukumori to a two year deal, whcih would add another veteren reliever to the pen at a cheap price.  Fukumori was injured in Japan last year, but could pay big dividends if he's ready.

More Trade Speculation

• Noah Lowry (RHP – Giants) – On paper, this looks like a decent acquisition, as any time you can add a young starter is a good deal.  Look closer, however, and I’d stay clear away from Lowry.  His control is rather bad, he’s not much of an innings eater and he’s always been much more mortal away from A####mp;T Park.  I heard one rumor stating that trading Ian Kinsler for him would get it done.  I say nay.
• Andre Ethier (RF – Dodgers) – Etheir is the odd man out in Los Angeles with Pierre moving to left field, Kemp likely in right and Jones in center and is reportedly being targeted by the Rangers.  I’d totally do this if the Dodgers were willing, but a trade package might be hard to come up with.  The Dodgers would likely ask for Eric Hurley or Edinson Volquez, with the Rangers offering Armando Galaragga and a few other prospects in return.  It just remains to be seen if a deal can be reached that will be amicable to all parties.
• Austin Kearns (RF – Nationals) – Kearns looks like he’s due for a bounce back season and playing in RFK probably didn’t help his numbers much.  He’s signed to a very affordable long term deal and with the Nationals carrying four outfielders (five if they move Dmitri Young), Kearns is the odd man out.  I’d be okay with signing him, especially since Kearns can reasonably play center, it’s just that the Nationals ask for the sun, moon, and stars for their players.
• Matt Murton (OF – Cubs) – Murton hasn’t been given a fair shake by the Cubs to prove himself, as they’ve preferred to go after sexier names in the free agent market. 
• Mark DeRosa (2B – Cubs) – If the Cubs do acquire another player, I’d strongly ask them for Rosie if they won’t trade Murton.  Rosie would have a chance to play everyday in Texas, likely in Right Field.