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.
Well, this team finally has an owner and a GM and a new manager. Now comes the hard part, trying to get this team back into shape and hopefully in the win column. With free agency rapidly becoming expensive and the Nats having lots of hole sto fill, management has decided to rebuild the long neglected franchise from within. They’ll get the chance to, as the amount of picks this team will have from last place finishes will only help.
Starting Rotation
John Patterson (RHP) – Patterson missed most of 2006 with a forearm injury, but was okay enough in 8 starts to give the Nats a feeling that at least one of their starters will be okay. He’s the ace of this staff, even though he’s more suited to be a two.
Jerome Williams (RHP) – This former San Francisco product will be given a chance to prove that he’s not done yet.
Tim Redding (RHP) – Redding is one of those palyers that just hasn’t put it all together for some reason or another. He’s been inconsistent in the big leagues, but he has the potential to be so much more. Redding works in the low 90s with his two- and four-seam fastballs, and he has a big-breaking curveball, plus a decent slider and changeup. But for some reason, he hasn’t put it all together. At the very least, he’s got a chance to redeem himself in Washington, where that huge park will give him some help.
Colby Lewis (RHP) – A former Rangers prospect, Lewis spent much of 2006 recuperating for arm surgery and will now try to win a job with the Nationals. With the talent as bad as it is, plus the fact that there aren’t any better options available, I think he’ll get one.
Shawn Hill (RHP) – Hill was decent in 6 starts last year, which automatically earns him a job as the Nationals fifth starter.
Bullpen
Chad Cordero (Closer) – Cordero didn’t save as many games as he did last season, but he did pitch very well. With Cordero entering his arbitration years, as well as the fact that this team figures to be awful and won’t need the luxury of a solid closer for the next few years, Cordero has been shopped, though no team is willing to part with high ceiling talent for him…yet.
Jon Rauch (Setup Man) – One of the more underrated arms in baseball, Rauch is a solid setup man and could be a closer if he got the chance. As it turns out, there is one for him in Washington, as they’ve been shopping Chad Cordero for prospects.
Emiliano Fruto (RHP) – Fruto immediately becomes on of the best arms in the thin Nationals system. Fruto has talent, as he’s got a really good changeup and a good curveball with a 92-96 mph fastball. But his extreme command problems have kept him from being a starter and he now looks like a setup man. Still, if the Nats can harness his potential, he could be something special. But that’s a big If.
Ray King (LHP) – King was one of the most highly coveted relievers last season, but a late season collapse left him no choice to accept the Non-Roster invite of the Nationals. He’ll likely make the team, as he’s one of the better relievers on the roster.
Luis Ayala (RHP) – Ayala missed all of last season after having Tommy John during spring training, but he's back this year to give more bullpen depth to the Nats.
Micah Bowie (LHP) – Bowie was dominant in a 15 game stint, and should be another solid piece to what could be a fine bullpen.
Saul Rivera (RHP) – This reliable right hander finishes off the bullpen.
Starting Lineup
Nook Logan (CF) – Logan is the best defensive outfielder of the bunch, hence he’s likely going to be the starting centerfielder. Logan has a lot of speed and if he can develop some semblance of plate discipline, he’ll be a more than capable leadoff man.
Felipe Lopez (SS) – I know that people will have Lopez at second base, but in this case, I think Lopez should stay at shortstop and Ron Belliard, who was brought aboard to be a utilityman, should star, if the Nationals want to be able to win any games at all possible. Lopez is an average defender with power and contact skills that should do well in the two spot, giving the Nats a bit of depth.
Ryan Zimmerman (3B) – Zimmerman had a Rookie of the Year caliber season and only just lost out to the actual winner, Hanley Ramirez. Zimmerman had a spectacular season, hitting.287 with 20 homers and 110 RBIs while playing 157 games in what was an disappointing season for Washington. The Nationals expect big things from Zimmerman in the future and he could become the second coming of Mike Schmidt.
Austin Kearns (RF) – Kearns, was the other part of that baffling deal that Cincinnati made last season. He hasn’t achieved the same level of stardom that his friend, Adam Dunn, has, but he can blame injuries for that. Kearns is a good right fielder with some power and he’s locked up for 4 years. He should hit fifth, but until Nick Johnson comes back, Kearns is hitting cleanup.
Brian Schnieder (C) – After signing a $16 million contract extension before the season, Schneider had a puzzling 2006 campaign, both at the plate and behind it. He was able to finish strong however, finishing with a 55 RBIs and a .256 average, but he threw out only 30 percent of runners. Schnieder will also be have to be a leader this season, as he’s going to be relied on to help bring along a young and inexperienced pitching staff.
Ryan Church (LF) – Church has the got the potential to be a solid left fielder and he’s capable of manning centerfield. The Nats have also been shopping him for prospects as well, but so far, they’ve found no takers.
Ron Belliard (2B) – I’m surprised Belliard didn’t get any stronger offers, but I was his misfortune to become a free agent in a year when there were a lot of second baseman available. Belliard can hit for some doubles power and is a capable defender at second. He’s a better option than Cristian Guzman and he should win a starting spot in Spring Training at the earliest, April at the latest.
Travis Lee (1B) – I think that Lee will likely make the squad, as the Nats seem to like his glove and it’s possible that he can at least be average as far as a hitter. He’ll be with the club until Johnson returns, then either released, traded, or sent down.
Bench
Cristian Guzman (SS) – With Cristian Guzman returning from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, Guzman, who is considered the better defensive shortstop, was signed to a four-year $16.8 million contract before 2005 but has been a bust. He hit .219 in 2005 and didn't play last season, though team officials are hoping that Guzman's 2005 struggles were related to the shoulder injury and that he can revert to the player who hit no worse than .268 from 2001-04.
Chris Snelling (OF) – Obtained in the Jose Vidro deal, Snelling has lost a lot of his luster thanks to injuries. He’s likely going to be a fourth outfielder, unless he is able to rediscover some of his old promise, as well as hit for a high average, as the power isn’t there.
Jesus Flores (C) – Taken by the Nats in the Rule V Draft, Flores was regarded to be the best prospect in the draft. The Mets were surprised to see him go, as they didn’t think he was at risk. Flores has great power potential, as seen from his 21 home runs in the Florida State League with the Mets while finishing third in the league with a.487 slugging percentage. He’s still growing as a catcher, but he might be able to stay at the position. Flores will likely stick with the Nats, as the club really isn’t expected to contend and they have the luxury of carrying a Rule V Pick for the necessary 90 games. Due to the fact that the Nats don’t want to risk Flores stunting his growth, he won’t be played very much, if at all, while he’s with the big club.
Dmitiri Young (OF) – Young still has some power left in him and could be useful to some extent off the bench. Hey, the Nats have almost nothing here. Work with me here.
Robert Fick (C/1B) – Fick is another option at first base should Lee flame out, but he can also play catcher and limit the exposure of Flores until he’s ready to be sent down.
Disabled List
Nick Johnson (1B) – Johnson gets no love from many media outlets, despite the fact he’s actually a very solid first baseman that can hit for some power and be a good middle of the order presence. Unfortunately for the Nats, he’s going to be out till June.
Alex Escobar (OF) – Escobar was excellent in the short period of time he played, but he had to have labrum surgery in November and won’t be available till possibly after May.
Brandon Claussen (RHP) – Claussen had a bad year for the Reds and is now going to try and prove that he’s a solid option again after he returns in May from rotation cuff surgery. It’s possible that if he’s decent, he’ll could provide good value in a trade.
Mike O'Connor (LHP) – A finesse lefty with average stuff, O’Connor hopes to be available sometime during the middle of the season, where it’s hoped that he could be able to diversify the lineup a bit.
Down On The Farm…
There is some young talent in the system, but unfortunately, it is almost all in the lower minors. Jim Bowden has tried to make the Nationals younger and traded as many older players as possible to restock the minors. He’s done a decent job of it, but still, the Nats will be bad for some time until their young talent is ready to contribute. Such is the life of trying to follow the Florida Plan…
Matt Chico (LHP) – Chico is a solid lefty that has a good three pitch repertoire than consists of a low-90s fastball that touches 94 at times, plus a curve and changeup that are good enough to survive in the majors. He’s got solid control and command. The only real problem is that he’s a shorter pitcher that will likely going to be a back of the rotation starter. He’s got a shot to win a job in the rotation, but it’s more likely that he’ll be in Triple A.
Larry Broadway (1B) – I’ve got the strangest feeling that Larry Broadway will be back in the minors again, as the Nats appear to be interested in giving Travis Lee a shot. Boradway hasn’t had a really solid performance until last season. It’s unknown if the power he showed was for real or not, but if Broadway can prove that his sudden power performance is legitimate, he could come knocking in May if Lee continues to flame out.
Collin Balester (RHP) – Balester pitched well in Double-A in late-season look, and he’s got the potential to do even better. Still only 20, Balester is mature for his age and wields his arsenal, a 90-94 mph fastball that has good movement and hard curveball. He still needs one more pitch, and he’s trying to develop a changeup to fit the bill. He’ll likely be back in Double A, but Balester could impress enough to merit a late season look.
Kory Casto (LF) – Casto is a professional hitter has solid hitting skills, power and patience, all of which adds to a solid middle of the order bat to place behind Ryan Zimmerman. Casto will likely be sent back to Triple A but he could force his way into Washington with a solid couple of months in Columbus.
Travis Mock (RHP) – Mock was a third-round pick out of Houston in 2004 and he boasts solid stuff, starting with a 91-95 mph four-seam fastball and an 88-92 mph cutter, plus a trio of average pitches with his slider, curveball and changeup. However, Mock’s biggest problem is that he’s very hittable, due to his tendency to leave a lot of pitches over the plate. He’ll likely be given all the time he needs to work things out in Triple A.
Shairon Martis (RHP) – The first player to throw a no-hitter in the World Baseball Classic, Martis was stolen from the Giants last fall for Mike Stanton, when the Giants felt that they could still compete. Martis has two good pitches, a 91-93 mph fastball and hard, tumbling curve, that have carried him so far, but he needs a changeup or another pitch to keep him as a starter. He’s still young, meaning that he could get better if he develops that pitch. He’ll likely begin the season in Double A.
Zech Zinicola (RHP) – Zinicola is a big reliever that has the potential to be a solid setup man. He’s got a 92-94 mph fastball that has sinking action and low 80s slider that has late movement. He’s one of the fast risers in the Nationals system and could end up playing in Washington by July.
In Conclusion
This is a bad team, really bad. With the collection of talent on this team, it’ll be a stretch to say that the Nats will be able to win 60 games. Hence, the Nats should also look at getting rid of some other talent on the team that isn’t in the pre-arbitration stages of development. I think the Nationals will rue the day that they didn’t trade Alfonso Soriano to the Angels, who offered shortstop Erick Aybar and pitcher Ervin Santana in return. Instead, the Nats plan (one first rounder and one compensation pick) blew up in their faces when Soriano signed with the Cubs (resulting in one compensation pick and one second round pick, since the Cubs’ first rounder was draft protected. I expect this team to move some players at the deadline (closer Chad Cordero and shortstop Felipe Lopez the most obvious candidates with Ron Belliard a possibility if he really shines at second), but with Jim Jim Bowden pretty good at the draft, I expect the Nats to take advantage of some high picks for the next few years. That won’t mask the fact that this team is going to be ugly to watch for the next couple of years.
Final Standing: Fifth Place in the National League East
Daisuke Matsuzaka, a legend in Japan and one of the stars of the World Baseball Classic, may not be posted on the Intenrational Posting System. Because Matsuzaka will not be a free agent until after the 2008 season, his only route to the United States before then is if the Seibu Lions agree to "post" him — the same method by which Ichiro joined the Mariners after the 2000 season. Matsuzaka has already been denied posting twice.
Once a player is posted by his Japanese team, Major League Baseball teams must submit a sealed bid just for the right to negotiate with the player, with the highest bidder winning the privilege. Unfortunately for other teams, Matsuzaka is represented by none other than Scott Boras. However, it is expected that Matsuzaka will at least pass the amount spent by the Seattle Mariners to win the posting rights to another Japanese superstar, Ichiro Suzuki. Matsuzaka is one of the most talented pitchers in Japan, throwing several pitches including a great slider and curveball, giving him two solid breaking pitches. He has also hit 100 mph on hi fastball.
The two teams that are reportedly coveting Matsuzaka are the Mariners and the Yankees, the latter even going so far as hiring one of Matsuzaka’s old classmates to serve as a scout.
If Matsuzaka is posted, which is a possibility considering the Lions are currently undergoing financial troubles and could use the high posting fee, the chances of Seattle winning the bid fall, though not as considerably as one might think. Mariners ownership, which pushed the club to sign Ichiro, could dip into their coffers to outbid the Yankees, though George Steinbrenner would likely make the Mariners pay dearly for their opposition. Plus, it’s possible that, like the Hideki Irabu situation of a few years back, the Yankees could use their backdoor channels to sway Matsuzaka to refuse to play for any team other than New York. If Matsuzaka is held onto until he hits free agency, the Mariners have a much better shot of signing him thanks to the presence of Ichiro Suzuki, one of the most respected Japanese baseball players of all time and Matsuzaka’s teammate on Japan’s World Baseball Classic squad.
In all honesty, I think he’ll get posted. As for where he’ll go, the Yankees will probably drive up the bidding to around $40 million dollars just to hurt the Mariners in the pocketbook before going after Zito. Though, if Matsuzaka is able to combine with young Felix Hernandez at the top of the rotation, the Mariners would have the one of the best one-two punches in all of baseball.
The Motivation For Jeffrey Loria
I’ve been trying to figure out why Joe Girardi was supposedly almost fired this week by J.Lo, and I can only come up with one reason. Loria must be desperate to make the playoffs, not just to return to the post-season, but to serve as a vindication for his destruction of the team last off-season. And with the Marlins seeming to hit the rookie wall, he’s trying to get the team back on track as best he can. And if it involves sacrificing Joe Girardi, who should be the NL Manager Of The Year, then he’ll do it.
However, Girardi has established himself as a tough, professional manager that is not only capable of running a team, but being able to keep the nonsense down to a minimum. If he were ever fired by the Marlins, he’d be employed within the hour.
Reds Didn’t Do Their Due Diligence
The Cincinnati are still fighting with the Nationals over the fact that Gary Majewski has apparently been nursing a sore shoulder at the time of the trade that sent Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez to D.C. Reds GM Wayne Krivsky said he wants to talk to Washington GM Jim Bowden about Majewski's shoulder, and why the Reds did not know that the reliever had been taking cortisone shots this season to relieve tendinitis in his shoulder. Bowden issued a statement saying he was "disappointed" by Krivsky's statement that he had tried to reach him about the trade. Krivsky thus far has considered filing a grievance over the trade. However, the fact is that the Reds didn’t do their homework when they made the trade. Krivsky let himself be charmed by Majewski’s talent and should have at least demanded all the players involved to submit to a physical before the trigger was pulled. The fact is, Krivsky should have done all his research before he did the deal. And has no one to blame but himself.
I’ve heard of people calling each other my brother, but this takes it to a new level.
Chan #### Park, former Texas Ranger and current San Diego Padre, lost half his blood volume because of a bleeding ulcer. A blood transfusion probably saved his life. But it’s who the blood came from that makes this worth mentioning. Jake Peavy's wife, Katie, was one of three people who donated blood for Park. Reportedly, she fainted afterward. So now this means that Park could be technically his brother-in-law.
ESPN The Magazine's Tim Kurkjian reported on The Dan Patrick Show that the White Sox were "extremely close" to trading for Nationals outfielder Alfonso Soriano. The asking price is likely starting pitcher pressed into relief Brandon McCarthy. In my opinion, if this goes down, it's likely that a Player To Be Named Later would also be included into the deal. If the White Sox do get Soriano, it's likely that Scott Podsednik will be shifted to centerfield in order to take the underperforming Brian Anderson's place.
What this would do for the White Sox is give them an even more monsterous lineup that they already have. The amount of runs that Soriano would supply batting fifth behind Jim Thome and Paul Konerko is almost astounding. And while I doubt that the White Sox will retain Soriano (he's almost certainly going back to the Yankees), this type of deal would pay off very well in the short term.
However, I wonder what this would do to the White Sox in the future. McCarthy's got a great arm and would be a solid No. 2 starter on any team. If they do in fact trade him to the Nationals, the Nats will have a solid pitcher to build around while also giving them another young player with years of control left on him. If they can trade Austin Kearns to another team for a solid pitcher (possibly to the LA Angels for Ervin Santana perhaps?), the Nats would be in business.
Again, a more thorough breakdown will be done if and when the trade goes through.
I'm a long time Texas Rangers fan who has come to love baseball as a whole. I recently began this blog as a way for me to showcase my opinions, provide some analysis, and hopefully entertain those who happen to stumble upon my little soapbox online. I'll toss in an NFL, College, or NBA nugget every now and then. Enjoy the posts everyone, and yes, getting a little love in a Deadspin post was probably the highlight of the year, blogwise.
Do You Have Comment You Don't Want All To See? Just Want To Talk Baseball? Email Me at morisatos_blo g AT yahoo.com. Email's edited to keep away the Spam.
