The Rangers Report - Off-season Editions

My Niece is staying over the night with me, so we're up right now.  She's playing with her toy frog (more like eating it, actually) as we speak.

So, let's take a look at some Non-Tender Musings

Ben Broussard Now A Ranger

All it really cost the Rangers was Tim "Tug" Hulett Jr., who was eligible for the Rule 5 Draft and wasn't taken.  He may make a career as a utility guy, he may not.  We'll see.

As for Broussard, right now I'm penciling him in as the starting first baseman.  That leaves a likely lineup of the following:

1. KInsler (2B)
2. Cat (LF)
3. Young (SS)
4. Blalock (3B)
5. Bradley (DH)
6. Broussard (1B)
7. Salty (C)
8. Murphy (RF)
9. Byrd (CF)

It's a slightly stronger lineup than before, but it's not going to strike the fear of god in you.

What this does raise questions about is what the future will be for Shelton, Botts and Cruz.  If this is the lineup, than something is going to happen soon to get rid of one of these guys.  I have a feeling that Cruz may not survive the off-season.  Botts could see everyday playing time in Left Field and at DH to give Bradley a break, while Murphy and Byrd could be rotated as needed.  Which means that Cruz is likely getting the boot.

God damn it, this team needs better outfield options.  This is getting #### ridiculous.

Bye Bye Aki

Akinori Otsuka was non-tendered, bringing the last remnant of the Chris Young/Adrian Gonzalez trade to an end.

Aki was hurt, but there was some progress in his rehab.  However, I wonder how long he would have been able to have pitched for the full season.  Would he have been ready in time for the season?  I'm not sure.

And does any of this have to do with the fact that he recommended San Diego over Texas to Kosuke Fukudome?

If so, that's petty.  But I'm taking the high road and choosing injury.

So long Aki.  We hardly knew ye.

Other Non-Tenders To Look At

• Mark Prior (RHP - Former Cub) - Eh, what the hell.  Gabbard's got options left and if Prior can bounce back a bit, he could be something worthwhile.  And could even be worth a draft pick or two if he books.
• Kiki Calero (RHP - Former A) - Could be a nice, buy low opportunity for the pen.
• Dallas McPherson (3B - Former Angel) - Maybe, still has some potential.  Is also made out of glass.
• Emil Brown (LF - Royals) - Could form a decent platoon with Cat.

Okay, someone's hungry.  Time to warm up a bottle...

Trades That Looks Worse Now…The Mark Mulder Deal

This deal looks like hell now that you consider how Haren has ascended to the role of staff ace and how Calero has been one of the best setup men in the business.  But how did this trade look like before, when the deal first went down?  Let’s take a look back shall we?

With Mulder and Hudson nearing free agency, it was beginning to look like Oakland would have to move one  or two of their big three aces as soon as possible or risk losing all three and getting nothing but draft picks in return.  Deeming Zito’s production to be the most important of the bunch, as he was and still is remarkably durable, Oakland sent out feelers to see what they could obtain in return.

At the time, despite having a solid rotation, the Cardinals felt that they lacked a true ace on the team, and wanted a upgrade over Woody Williams, whom St. Louis would allow to leave via free agency.  Seeking that final push over the top, having just made it to the World Series and come up short against Boston, the Cardinals felt that Mulder, arguably the best of the Big Three, would fit the bill nicely.

So, taking a looksee at the deal at the time, here’s is, in essence, what the Cardinals offered up for Mulder.:

• Dan Haren (RHP) – A promising, but still untested pitching prospect that certainly had the potential to be an ace starter, but when compared to Mulder, Haren’s promise paled in comparison.  I know it seems funny, but that’s how Haren was viewed when the deal went down.
• Kiki Calero (RHP) – An excellent setup man that had solid results, but some health issues and was far from overpowering.
• Daric Barton (C) – Actually, Barton was viewed to be the best piece that was being exchanged in the deal.  While he was a terrible catcher, Barton had one of the best bats in the Cardinals system and had power and plate discipline to match.  The lack of defense didn’t scare off Oakland and viewed him to be their first baseman/DH of the future.

And, let’s look at how our boy Mulder was viewed…

• Mark Mulder (LHP) – Mulder, despite being eligible for free agency following the 2006 season and coming off his worst season since his rookie campaign, his 17-8 record and 4.43 ERA, were generally viewed to be very good and could possibly improve into dominace if placed into the National League.  There were some worries, mostly about his health issues, but really, there wasn’t anything to be afraid of (at the time.)

So here is how the deal was viewed, at the time.

Ace Quality Starter With Two Years Of Control Left For Quality Right Handed Pitching Prospect, A Nice Setup Man and A Intriguing, But Defensively Challenged Hitting Prospect

And of course, we now all know the result.  Daren has become the ace of the Athletics and is one of the most dominating young starters in the game.  Calero was been solid, as it was expected, and Barton is Oakland’s best prospect.  Mulder, meanwhile, has succumbed to numerous injuries and may never be the same pitcher again.  St. Louis now looks like it could use all three of the pieces that they gave up and realistically, this was a trade that didn’t need to be made, as St. Louis could have gotten roughly what Mulder gave them from Haren.

Don’t feel too bad for Walt Jockety, however.  Remember this deal a few years back….

July 31, 1997 – The Oakland Athletics trade Mark McGwire to the St. Louis Cardinals for Eric Ludwick, T.J. Mathews, and Blake Stein

McGwire wound up being a fan favorite in St. Louis and quite productive for a few years.

Ludwick, Matthews and Stein never amounted to anything for Oakland.

In other words…

Payback’s a ####, Walt.

The Rangers Report Draft Special Is Tomorrow.  Don't Miss It!