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.

The Rangers Report – Offseason Edition

Rangers Acquire Chris Shelton

First base seems to have been filled, for now.

The Rangers have acquired Chris Shelton from the Tigers, in exchange for Fast Freddy Guzman.

Shelton likely will figure into the first base/dh equation, though I think he'll more than likely be the Opening Day first baseman.  It makes no sense to sign Sean Casey for $3 million when you can instead pay Shelton more or less the major league minimum for better production.

All in all, it's a solid pickup, and Shelton will be much more useful than whatever Guzman would have provided.

Rule 5 Shennanigans

I'm a little disappointed that Texas didn't participate in the Major League Phase of the Rule 5 draft, especially considering that Brian Barton was there to be had.  On the bright side, the Rangers didn't lose anyone, so there's some good news.  Texas was active in the minor league phases of the draft, nabbing several pitchers  

Overall, here's who Texas acquired:

• Levi Romero (RHP) - Not a damn thing can be found right now.
• Dustin Majewski (OF) - A former Longhorn and I believe one of Oakland's moneyball draft guys, Majewski likely is just organizational filler at this point.
• Clayton Hamilton (RHP) - Hamilton has good size and could be a solid bullpen arm in the future.  A lot of his stats from this past year must be taken with a grain of salt, as he was pitching for most of the year with a broken rib, thanks to a misdiagnosis from the Pirates.
• Jaime Trejo (3B) - Potential backup.
• Francisco Cordova.(RHP) - Ick.  Next...

Quick Hits

• Kevin Mench is likely going to be non-tendered by the Brewers.  If the Rangers are interested, they could try and bring back him back.  Mench still has fans here and for the most part would be happy to come back, but salary concerns may get in the way.  Another thing, who would he replace on the 40?

• Texas actually was in on the Andruw Jones deal, but was thwarted when Scott Boras gave Texas the runaround.  Specifically, he told Texas that it would take a longer term deal, seeing as how Jones would be switching leagues and all.  You remember, that kind of ####

• Texas has a one year contract offer with a club option out to LaTroy Hawkins, who is still looking for a two year deal from the Rockies.  Hopefully, something can get resolved soon, though I would prefer to go itnernal on the pen.  Usually, that ends up being a lot more cost effective and allows you to protect yourself in terms of being #### over in terms of long term deals.

• Eric Gagné is still out there and apparently wouldn't mind coming back to Texas.  I'd do it, as he was a lot of fun to watch and he has his fans here.  He would also be flipped again at the deadline for more prospects, which is always nice.  Knowing the Rangers' luck, Boras will push for a full no-trade clause this time. 

• The acqustion of Andruw Jones means that Andre Ethier and potentially Juan Pierre are available.  Ethier I'm all about, as I think he'd be an above average option in left field.  Pierre is interesting, but the Dodgers would have to eat a lot of the salary for me to consider it.  Pierre isn't a great outfielder and is one of the most overrated players in the sport. 

• Apparently, the Rangers are hot and heavy after...Mark Prior?  Okay, I know that when Prior is healthy, he can easily be one of the best pitchers in baseball.  The problem is, when was the last time we could say that?

• There are some other trade options I'd be looking at, with the Astros being one of the teams I'd look at.  The Rangers need a legitiamate utilityman and Chris Burke is there for the taking.  He's a better option that Ramon Vasquez and can play any position except for catcher.  I'd ask if they'd be interested in a straight up swap for Scott Feldman.

• And, on a side note, the Rangers are debating about moving Chris Davis to right field, where his bat would not only be a good fit, but he has a strong enough arm to handle the change.  My only question about that is whether or not Davis is athletic enough to handle right field.

Top 15 Mariners Prospects up tomorrow!!!

The Red Sox Top 15 will be up later, right now I have something that just set me off that I saw on Sportscenter (had no choice, was at the Gym and it was either that or reruns of ER.  And I hate ER.)

Steve Phillips was asked for his recommandations to the Dodgers on how he would make their team a World Series contender.  After hearing him talk, I quickly wondered what reality he was talking about. 

Here are Phillips' takes, more or less, and my own, in full unedited glory.

Step 1 – Trade for Miguel Cabrera or Sign Alex Rodriguez

First off, I will credit Phillips with correctly identifying the Dodgers' need for power in the lineup.  However, this is the wrong way to go with it.  If you take Phillips’ later assumptions into account, it’s going to have to be Rodriguez or nothing, as the Marlins currently are assembling a list of players that they are targeting from different organizations that they would want in return for the potential Hall of Fame hopeful.  One of those is almost certainly going to be Clayton Kershaw, a young lefty that is going to be as good as Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz. 

Kershaw would have to be sent back in any deal that for Cabrera, that's a given.  It was Kershaw that was a sticking point in the Dodgers' failed negotiations this past summer for Mark Teixeira.  

As for A-Rod, he'll cost nothing but money, but it'll be a WHOLE LOT of money. 

My Solution - Why Not Settle With What you have in house?  The Dodgers have a perfectly good third base prospect in Andy LaRoche, who has hit the batting line of .295/.525/.901 in the minors and has averaged 18 Homers and 61 RBIs in an average of 90 games per season.  Why not give him a full season to prove that he can hit?  He's a lot cheaper than Rodriguez or Cabrera and would give a power boost to the lineup as well.

And if you must get rid of LaRoche, go after a cheaper first baseman to save some money for what is about to come next.  The Rangers would be happ to give up Hank Blalock straight up for LaRoche.  The Pirates would be willing to give up Freddy Sanchez if it meant getting LaRoche. 

The only possible way of getting Cabrera might be asking the Marlins if they'd be receptive to a deal of a paid for Juan Pierre (solving their centerfield issue), LaRoche (solving third while improving the infield defense) and including Andre Ethier and Jonathan Broxton.  That woudl be the only way I could see a deal for Cabrera working, though I would prefer to just use LaRoche.

Step 2 – Sign Andruw Jones, Aaron Rowand, or Torii Hunter to play centerfield and move Juan Pierre to left

Yikes.  Here's another bad idea.

Pierre is a terrible outfielder and has a weak arm as well.  He's probably one of the worst contracts signed in the Ned Colletti era. 

Philips said that acquriing one of the three centerfielders mentioned above would not only improve the offense, but also improve the defense as well.

Here's an idea, which would work with Philips' plan and would still have the desired effect.

Trade Pierre for whoever you can get, preferrably a reliever or a swingman to help the pen and the rotation if necessary.  Second, play Etheir (provided he's not traded, of course) in left, and play Matt Kemp, a blossoming young monster, in right.  If you get Andruw Jones, which would work, in center, congradulations.  You just improved the outfield defense and upgraded the offense to boot.

Step 3 – Trade For Johan Santana

Ooookay, where to start.

Provided you haven't already traded Kershaw, going after Santana creates more problems than it does solve any.

First off, you would immediately open a hole in right field, as it would likely require a package of Kershaw, Kemp and LaRoche to get Santana, even if you do get him to agree to a contract extension. 

Guess what, you just opened a hole in right and third base.

You could play Ethier at right, but I like his bat better in left field.  And it would make the necessary the addition of a Rodriguez and a Andruw Jones in order to fill those holes, leaving you with a much more expensive roster which wasn't necessary in the first place.

The Dodgers could enter next season by making only one foray into the free agent market and that would be it:

Starting Lineup

• Furcal (SS)

• Martin (C)

• Kent (2B)

• Loney (1B)

• Kemp (RF)

• Jones (CF) - Brought In Via Free Agency

• LaRoche (3B)

• Ethier (LF)

Rotation

• Penny (RHP)

• Lowe (RHP)

• Billingsley (RHP)

• Schmidt (RHP)

• Wolf (RHP) - Brought Back

Contracts Traded For Bullpen Help - Pierre (CF) to Marlins For Kevin Gregg (RHP), Nomar Garciaparra (1B) To Texas For Akinori Otsuka (RHP)

And there you have it.  I'm done.  That team I just put together should win 88 games, maybe 90 if the team stays healthy and the youngsters develop.  There was no need to go spend foolishly on several players that may not have been worth it.  That's the reason why you have a farm system.  So you can eventually have young, cheaper, higher upside pieces to build around and eventually contend with.

And all without having to mortgage my best pieces in the farm and to keep the payroll more or less reasonable in the long run.

I'm beginning to understand why Phillips was tossed out so quickly by the Mets.

He just sucked.