The Rangers Report - Off-Season Edition

Rotation Set

Barring any other moves, the Rotation appears as follows:

• Kevin Millwood (RHP)
• Vicente Padilla (RHP)
• Jason Jennings (RHP)
• Brandon McCarthy (RHP)
• Kason Gabbard (LHP)

That makes for a solid, but unspecacular rotation.  However, if Millwood, Padilla and Jennings improve to their 2006 seasons, rather than their 2007's, that's a potential playoff rotation, especially if McCarthy continues to improve and Gabbard doesn't implode.  However, that's a lot to ask.  If anything, at the very least, Jennings could bring back a draft pick, or pitch well enough that when Texas is out of it by May, they could begin entertaining trade talks and get back a good player or two.

Coco Crisp Deals Are Dead

There's been a lot of rumors tossed around, and a lot of talk from Red Sox fans that the Red Sox should send Coco Crisp over to the Rangers for one of their highly regarded catching prospects.  Peter Gammons, in a recent chat, even had the Rangers (and Oakland) being the likely favorites for Crisp, seeing both teams as needing players.

They are delusional.  It ain't happening.

Back when the off-season first started, there was talk that the Rangers and Red Sox had agreed on a potential Crisp for Gerald Laird swap.  It was understandable, as it was two players who had no future in their respective organizations, had three cheap years of control left each and filled holes for each organization.  The Rangers have no centerfielder and Varitek isn't going to last forever.  It was a classic apples and oranges trade that should have worked.

However, the Red Sox instead decided A) to enter into the Johan Santana sweepstakes and B) change the offer for the Rangers, hoping to net more prospects and get a lot more value for Crisp than he was probably worth.

Texas backed out and instead got Josh Hamilton, who has some risk, but also a lot more of a ceiling than Crisp had and has more service time.

So, as you can see, there isn't room for Texas and Boston is now backed into a corner, as they have a brewing problem on their hand and the number of places they can send Crisp to is drying up fast.

So no, there will be no Coco for Texas.

Sorry.

Bottsy At First...Not A Good Idea

Jason Botts apparently is going to see time at first base and will make the team as the platoon partner for Frank Catalonotto and Ben Broussard in left and at first.

I'm not so sure that first base is a good idea.  Botts was converted to left field after back issues forced him there.  I don't have much experience as far as diamond experience  (I was a catcher in high school), but as far as first base goes, it does involve a lot of bending and leaning.  And if Botts' back is as balky as it sounds, this might not go well.

On the other hand, Texas has a fantastic medical team, so the Rangers might be able to keep him healthy.  Who knows? 

Where To Send Shelton To

With Shelton still passing through waivers, I think it's a fair possibility that he's going to get claimed.  WIth that in mind, the Rangers should look into seeing what they could get for him.

Though streaky, Shelton is a decent player that can play the four corners and he's a young alternative to some of the usual suspects (Sean Casey anyone?)  And, taking a look around the league, there are some places where he'd fit in nicely.

The most immediate fit is San Francisco, unless they want to use Rich Aurillia there.  However, in terms of prospects, I don't see much that San Fran would have to offer, as all their best prospects were either just drafted or are named Angel Villalona.  Sergio Romo, a live arm that is destined for the bullpen, would be the best fit.

Is there anything else I could do?  I don't think so.  I would say Florida, but Shelton might be too expensive for them (and I'm being serious.  Florida and Oakland seem to be racing each other to see who can get the lower payroll.)  The Yankees would be another alternative, but not only do they have too many roster spots taken up by the dead (Giambi), the rude (Duncan) and the Betemiet, but they also seem to be waiting for Mark Teixeira to inevitably hit the market so they can spend the Giambi savings on him.

So, I'd call up Brian Sabean and ask if he's willing to do a Romo for Shelton swap.  Not only would it net the Rangers something, think of the newspaper headlines in Dallas when it's announced that the Rangers have just brought in their own Romo.  It would be classic.

Rangers May Have Waited Too Long To Sell High On Luis Mendoza

I like Luis Mendoza more than most.  However, I think the Rangers may have waited too long to sell on him, as I think his value has peaked.

There's been a lot of talk about Mendoza being a potential back of the rotation starter for the Rangers, and that he could even push one of the vets out of the rotation.

Please.

Mendoza has done nothing to really merit the love he has gotten.  He's been rather inconsistent, has been released by an organization at least once (Boston) and despite a nice run here in Texas, that was only after a late surge.

Honestly, I would have let people know that Mendoza was available, and maybe have made a trade (possibly with Laird.)

Tomorrow, The First (And Last) Astros Report

Trade Deadline Wrap Up

Okay, time to deal out final grades on the trade deadline for each assignment. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates Acquire RHP Matt Morris From The San Francisco Giants For OF Rajai Davis And A Player To Be Named Later

This is probably the most puzzling deal of the deadline.  The Pirates really didn’t need Morris, whose production had fallen fast and far as of late and what’s worse is that they’ll be assuming the entire contract remaining on him.  Morris adds nothing really to the Pirates rotation except make it a lot more expensive.  He’s also going to PNC Park, where he’ll get lit up a lot worse than he did at A####mp;T.  As for the Giants, they get a fourth outfielder type in Davis, but the biggest coup is getting Morris’ salary off the books and allowing them to pursue a big bat.  So far, the Giants will have a total of $29 million off the books, counting Bonds’ and Morris’ salary.  Sexy!  The only real criticism is that the Giants could have gotten something of consequence from another team if they had traded him two months earlier…maybe back to the Cardinals for the young Anthony Reyes, who needs to get out of Missouri.

Final Grade:  Giants – B, Pirates – D

The Atlanta Braves Acquire LHP Royce Ring From The San Diego Padres For LHP’s Wil Ledezma and Will Startup

The Braves acquire more relief pitching, this time in Ring who may or may not be able to contribute something, but has options available, something Ledezma didn’t.  The Padres get a solid lefty reliever in Ledezma, who will benefit from pitching in Petco, and anything from Startup is gravy.

Final Grade:  Padres – B, Braves – B-

The Philadelphia Phillies Acquire RHP Julio Mateo From The Mariners For INF Jesus Mechan

What is it with the Phillies and acquiring ####s?  Mateo, a known wife beater, should upgrade the pen somewhat.  Thank god the Mariners were able to rid themselves of this ####.

Final Grade:  Mariners – A+, Phillies – F

The Boston Red Sox Acquire RHP Eric Gagne From The Texas Rangers for LHP Kason Gabbard, OF David Murphy and OF Engel Beltre.

Another upside play here.  The Red Sox gain Gagne, who has agreed to setup Jonathan Papelbon.  The Rangers gain more parts to possibly rebuild their team from.  Murphy can handle center and his bat is okay.  He has good plate discipline, but not a lot of power despite his size.  We'll see if he's another Rudy Jaramillo reclamation project here.  Gabbard is a 4th starter with average stuff, but he does induce ground balls, a plus in Arlington, plus he's left handed.  That leaves the Rangers with a lot of starting pitching options, with next year's rotaiton likely consisting of Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Brandon McCarthy, Gabbard and Kameron Loe, though Eric Hurley may force someone to promote him.  The biggest deal is Engle Beltre, one of the top prospects signed out of the Dominican Republic last season who is another toolsy player.  He's got a ncie swing, a great arm, and loads of power potential.  All in all, it's a good deal for Texas, who got parts for now and for later and could potential have a superstar in Beltre if they develop him right.

The San Diego Padres Acquire 3B Morgan Ensberg From The Houston Astros For PTBNL Or Cash

And this move was for…what?  The Astros get to do good on their guy by flipping him elsewhere for a fringe prospect.  And the Padres’ bench gets more and more cluttered.

Grade:  Padres – C, Astros – D

The Chicago White Sox Acquire RHP Jon Link From The San Diego Padres For UTIL Rob Mackowiak

What the hell?  Mackowiak was worth more than an average reliever in High A.  I usually like to give Kenny Williams the benefit of the doubt, as he has done some good deals in the past and usually identifies prospects he feels will turn out well.  But they could have gotten something better for Mackowiak, a solid utility guy with some thunder in his bat and his ability to play the infield and outfield corners.  Nice job on San Diego getting some bench depth to help for the stretch run.

Final Grades:  White Sox – C-, Padres – B+

The New York Yankees Acquire UTIL Wilson Betemit From The Los Angeles Dodgers For RHP Scott Proctor

A Rod Insurance.  Pure and simple, though Betemit may finally end Joe Torre's fascination with Miguel Cairo.  Betemit has some pop and can capably handle any of the infield positions.  The Dodgers could have something with Proctor, who is a capable reliever and setup man, provided Joe Torre has not already destoryed his arm.

Final Grades:  Dodgers - B, Yankees - B

The St. Louis Cardinals Acquire RHP Joel Pinero From The Boston Red Sox For PTBNL

Good job by the Cardinals, though I’m not sure what Pinero can do for them.  Well, actually, Pinero could develop nicely if he listens to Dave Duncan and might recapture some of his old promise.  It’s not a bad idea to give it a shot, especially for a PTBNL that won’t be of any consequence.

Final Grades:  Cardinals – B-, Red Sox – C-

The Houston Astros acquire 3B Ty Wigginton from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for RHP Dan Wheeler.

Not a bad job here by Houston.  Wigginton is a above average bat that can produce at third without killing the defense.  The Devil Rays enhance their bullpen by acquiring Wheeler, a solid setup man with closing experience that was a part of the first every Devil Ray draft way back when.  All in all, this helps both teams.

Final Grades:  Astros – B, Devil Rays – B

The Philadelphia Phillies acquire RHP Kyle Lohse from the Cincinnati Reds for LHP Matt Maloney

A decent trade.  Lohse should help the Phillies with their current pitching problems and gives them a capable Number Five guy in the back of the rotation.  In return, the Reds get a decent prospect in Maloney, who could develop into what Lohse was.  Not a bad trade.

Final Grades:  Phillies – B, Reds – B

The New York Mets acquire 2B Luis Castillo from the Minnesota Twins for C Drew Butera and OF Dustin Martin

This was a great trade for the Mets, as Castillo can help them now and they’ll be able to reap draft pick compensation from him once he leaves.  As for the Twins, nice job on getting organizational filler that will be playing in the American Association in two years. 

Final Grades:  Mets – A, Twins – F

The Atlanta Braves acquire RHP Octavio Dotel From The Kansas City Royals for RHP Kyle Davies

I don’t get this deal at all.  Davies has flopped since coming up the Big Leagues and has struggled against National League lineups.  His command is awful and he gets hit hard by opposing hitters.  I don’t know what the Hell Kansas City was thinking. They could have gotten OF Wladimir Balentien, a solid prospect that helps them immediately from the Mariners.  What were they smoking?!  This is yet another reason why the Royals remain the Royals.

Final Grades:  Royals – F, Braves – A