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.

Oakland Athletics – Prospect Report

Billy Beane runs a tight ship.  That is not to be debated.  And his success in the draft in the past has produced such stars like Mark Mulder, Barry Zito, Tim Hudson, Jason Giambi, Nick Swisher and others that have gone on to become productive major leaguers. 

However, in the past few years, it’s become more apparent that much of that has changed

Many have credited Beane with being a draft genius and for being the main reason why Oakland continues to win with a limited budget, all on the mantle of the “Moneyball” philosophy.

People seem to forget how lucky Beane has been as well.

Much of the Athletics’ success has to do with the fact that Oakland was able to develop three front of the rotation pitchers at the exact same time.  Had Oakland taken Ben Sheets instead of Barry Zito (who was taken only because Oakland was unable to reach an agreement with Sheets prior to the draft), Oakland’s future would have turned out quite differently. 

With that said, there has been a lot that Beane has done right.  Taking advantage of college products when others avoided them like the plague has changed scouting, but hurt the Athletics in terms of the talent available for them to choose from (a side effect from having a opportunistic, narcissistic writer chronicle the way you handle your day to day job).  Oakland has managed sustain it’s winning, but the talent pool on the farm is not as deep as it once was during Oakland’s stretch of playoff appearances.  With the most recent round of graduations, the talent pool is shallower still.

Athletics Top 15

1 – Daric Barton (1B)

• DOB: 8/16/85
• Drafted: 1st round, 2003, California High School (Cardinals)
• 2008 Club:  Athletics (MLB)
• Height/Weight: 6-0/205
• Bats/Throws: L/R
• The Skinny:  Barton was regarded, at the time of the Mark Mulder deal, to be the real centerpiece of the deal.  Since then, Barton hasn’t disappointed, but with the emergence of Dan Haren as the ace of the staff, Barton is strictly a side piece that could make the entire deal a slam dunk winner for Oakland (considering that Kiki Calero also came in the deal.)  He was called up late in the year and left a good enough impression for people to be hopeful for the future.
• The Good: The gifted natural hitter was holding his own as a 20-year-old at Triple-A before breaking a bone in his elbow in a freak collision on a pickoff throw. Both his approach and his pitch recognition are above-average on a major-league level, and he can make contact on pitches of any type in any location.
• The Bad:  The biggest power potential that was once seen in Barton has never arrived, meaning that Barton is going to be a rather unconventional first baseman.  Many believe that while he’s got the power to hit 20+ homers annually, he may never do so.  As far as his defense, Barton was originally drafted as a catcher, but no one thought he’d be able to stay there.  Oakland hoped to develop his bat faster, so they moved him to first base.  Because of the power outage, Barton was moved to third, where he profiled better, but his terrible fielding resulted in a move back to first.  Hence, he’s awful defensively.
• Projection:  Low.  Barton has nothing left to prove and is ready to start contributing to the big league club this season, so this is likely the last year we’ll see him.
• What He Can Be:  A John Olerud type of first baseman.
• 2008 Course Of Action:  The job is Barton’s starting next year, and with Jack Cust now installed as the everyday DH, this will likely force Oakland to trade Dan Johnson.  That said, Barton probably isn’t a player I would be thrilled to have as my everyday first baseman, but he’s a decent stopgap while he’s inexpensive. 

2 – Kevin Melillo (2B)

• DOB: 5/14/82
• Drafted: 5th round, 2004, University of South Carolina
• 2008 Club:  Sacramento River Cats (Triple A)
• Height/Weight: 6-0/190
• Bats/Throws: L/R
• The Skinny:  Melillo’s 2007 campaign is pretty much the same for what you would expect for him.  He really is just what he is, an average second baseman that could be a steady regular in the majors. 
• The Good: An offensive minded second baseman, Milillo has a short, quick swing that has suprising pop.  He works the count well, gets on base, and all the usual things that Oakland likes it’s players to do.  His defensive fundamentals are good.  All in all, he’s near ready for the show and could be a producer in the 6 or 7 hole. 
• The Bad: Melillo has had some minor knee issues in the past and when he falls in love with the long ball, he gets pull happy.  He also has below average range and hands, and is nowhere near the Gold Glover type defense Oakland has come to expect from it’s second basemen.
• Projection: Low.  Melillo is ready for the show and with this year looking like a rebuilding one, Oakland would be wise to see what they have.
• What He Can Be: An average second baseman.
• 2008 Course Of Action: Ellis has recently had his $5 million club option for 2008 exercised, but that doesn’t mean he’ll remain on the team.  Ellis is pretty attractive right now as a cheap date and could fetch a decent prize while allowing Melillo to play everyday.

3 – Trevor Cahill (RHP)

• DOB: 3/01/88
• Drafted:  2nd Round, 2006, California High School
• 2008 Club:  Stockton Ports (High A)
• Height/Weight: 6-3/195
• Bats/Throws: R/R
• The Skinny:  A surprise pick for the Athletics last year, Cahill had a solid senior season in high school as a first year pitcher, but fell after illness caused him to tail off.  Oakland took him and thus far, Cahill has continued the tradition of Kane County pitching dominance.  But his big coming out party was when he made a spot start for Sacramento at the end of the season and carried a perfect game and a no-hitter once the perfecto was gone until the 8th.  Now that’s awesomeness. 
• The Good:  Cahill’s biggest strength is his command and control, which are surprisingly good for a young pitcher.  He’s able to locate the ball low and induce groundballs.  He throws in the low 90’s and can touch 90’s, but his best pitch is a spike curveball that has wicked break.  He's a solid athlete and is regarded to be an excellent character guy.
• The Bad:  Cahill doesn't over-power anyone.  He also needs to refine a third pitch.
• Projection:  High.  Cahill is still developing as a pitcher, as he was only pitching for a year after he was drafted, but the promise is there for him to be a capable major league starter. 
• What He Can Be:  A Number 3 starter, maybe a two.
• 2008 Course Of Action:  Cahill will be heading to the California League, where his groundball tendencies should help him survive the year in the extreme hitters league.

4 – James Simmons (RHP)

• DOB: 9/29/86
• Drafted:  1st Round, 2007, UC Riverside
• 2008 Club:  Midland Rockhounds (Double A)
• Height/Weight: 6-3/205
• Bats/Throws: R/R
• The Skinny:  Simmons was regarded to be one of the most polished pitchers in the draft and was rated as one of the closest pitchers to the majors.  After going 11-3 with a 2.40 ERA in his junior season at UC Riverside, the Athletics took him in the 1st round, where he has already reached Double A. 
• The Good:  Simmons’ game is all about command and control and he has it in ####s.  His stuff is okay, but not overwhelming, with a fastball that sits around 90-92, complimented by a plus changeup and an average breaking ball. 
• The Bad:  Simmons isn’t overpowering and while he may be close to the majors, he’s not a sure fire star or anything.  He’s pretty much what I would call a right handed Joe Saunders, a guy that takes the ball every fifth day and gives you a shot to win.  He also loses speed on his fastball late in a game.
• Projection:  Low.  Simmons will rise quickly once he’s assigned to repeat Double A again.  Again, he’s got limited upside, which is the only thing you can really hold against him as far as his tools go.
• What He Can Be:  A back of the rotation starter.
• 2008 Course Of Action: Look for Simmons to repeat Double A this year before he gets an assignment to Triple A, where Oakland hopes he might be able to be a factor for a September call up.

5 – Sean Doolittle (1B)

• DOB: 9/26/86
• Drafted: 1st Round (S), 2007, Virginia
• 2008 Club:  Stockton Ports (High A)
• Height/Weight: 6-3/190
• Bats/Throws: L/L
• The Skinny:  Doolittle was on the rise after a year in Virginia and was projected to be picked somewhere in the lower end of the first round.  However, Porcello’s fall along with some other shenanigans with the Pirates resulted in Doolittle falling into the supplemental round, where Oakland took him.  He had a pretty good debut for Oakland in the lower minors.
• The Good: An athletic first baseman, Doolittle makes good, consistent solid contact from the left side and should hit for average in the future.  He has an above average arm, which was seen from his days as a two way player at Virginia, plus he shows decent range and can even run a bit too.
• The Bad:  Doolittle lacks any sort of power potential at first base, which isn’t what you want out of a power position. 
• Projection: Average.  Doolittle may rise quickly and while he may not have home run power, doubles power may exist within him.
• What He Can Be: A average first baseman that hits for average, but not for power.
• 2008 Course Of Action: Doolittle has talent, but unfortunately for him, he’s also blocked by both Dan Johnson and Daric Barton, meaning that in the future, Doolittle’s likely value to Oakland is trade bait.  He's going to open the season in the California League for Stockton.

6 – Henry Rodriguez (RHP)

• DOB: 2/25/87
• Signed: 2003, Venezuela
• 2008 Club:  Midland Rockhounds (Double A)
• Height/Weight: 6-1/175
• Bats/Throws: R/R
• The Skinny: A big signing out of Venezuela a few years ago has taken a big step forward with the Cougars this year, though his record doesn’t show for it.  Still, it’s pretty impressive considering how raw he was last year when he was torched in the Arizona Rookie League.
• The Good: Rodriguez has the best raw stuff in the organization, as his fastball sits in the low to mid 90’s and has been clocked as high as 100.  His curveball and changeup look like they could eventually be plus pitches, which could give him a potentially lethal arsenal if he’s able to put it all together.  All in all, he’s a project, but one that could pay off big.
• The Bad: Rodriguez is, as I’ve said, a raw product, and he’s had some issues with control that have resulted in some ugly outings for him.  There are also maturity issues with Rodriguez, but that really isn’t unexpected.
• Projection: Very High.  Rodriguez could become a beast if he continues to work on his stuff.  He’s more than just an arm strength type of prospect and he’s got the skill set to be a solid middle of the rotation K machine if he continues to develop on schedule.  Still, he’s got a long way to go.
• What He Can Be: A middle of the rotation strikeout machine.
• 2008 Course Of Action:  With another season under his belt in Double A, Rodriguez could very well help his cause to eventually become a option for Oakland come 2009 or 2010, joining some of the other young athletics in a potential rebuilding effort.

7 – Jermaine Mitchell (CF)

• DOB: 11/2/84
• Drafted: 5th round, 2006, UNC-Greensboro
• 2008 Club:  Stockton Ports (High A)
• Height/Weight: 6-0/200
• Bats/Throws: L/L
•  The Skinny: . Taken from a small school, many felt that Mitchell would only be organizational filler, a fourth outfielder at best.  He's since proven to be potentially better than that after another solid season, this time for Kane County.
• The Good: Mitchell could be one of the latest Oakland scouting department steals if he continues to produce.  Mitchell is a solid centerfielder with a good arm, good range and solid speed.  He’s also got a quick bat and some excellent plate discipline. All in all, he’s a good package of tools that could really blossom into something good.
• The Bad: Mitchell’s swing is complex and needs to be simplified.  The power that was thought to have been in Mitchell hasn’t manifested himself.  He’s also murdered by right handers and had some extreme home-away splits as well, meaning that he’s got some work to do unless he wants to be a platoon centerfielder.
• Projection: High.  Mitchell took a step forward in his development, not as big as Oakland may have expected, but it’s a start.
• What He Can Be: An everyday big-league outfielder.
• 2008 Course Of Action: I expect Mitchell to be the Ports' starting centerfielder this season.  Oakland eventually sees him to be a centerfielder for the future option, though at the moment, he's still got a long way to go.

8 – Javier Herrera (OF)

• DOB: 4/9/85
• Signed: 2001, Venezuela
• 2008 Club:  Sacramento River Cats (Triple A)
• Height/Weight: 5-10/160
• Bats/Throws: R/R
• The Skinny: After missing a year thanks to Tommy John Surgery, Herrera had a mostly average comeback season.  While it’s not pretty, it’s still a promising development and should be expected form a guy coming off TJ.
• The Good: Herrera has above-average hitting skills to go with plus power and speed, as well as good range to both sides in centerfield and an above-average arm.
• The Bad: Herrera's conditioning is a bit of an issue, as he did put on some weight during his inactivity, but he was able to drop most of it.  He’s also a bit reckless on the field, plus his power potential hasn’t manifested itself quite yet.
• Projection: High.  Herrera is still working to come all the way back from TJ, but so far so good. 
• What He Can Be: A above average centerfielder
• 2008 Course Of Action: Expect the Athletics to push Herrera a bit by promoting him to Triple A, where he could work well if he’s finally able to get his tools together.

9 – Andrew Carignan (RHP)

• Born: 7/23/86
• Drafted:  5th Round, 2007, UNC Chapel Hill
• 2008 Club:  Stockton Ports (High A)
• Height/Weight: 5-11/200
• Bats/Throws: R/R
• The Skinny:  Oakland took the Tar Heels’ highly acclaimed closer after he fell down to the 5th round and quickly signed him.  Assigning him to Low A Kane County, where he was lights out with the Cougars in limited duty.  Carignan should be heading up to the California League next season, his first real test of his pro career.
• The Good:  Despite being small of stature, Carignan gets results.  He’s got  good arm strength excellent poise on the mound and a bulldog’s mentality on the mound.  His fastball is his best pitch and he throws it well in the 88-92 mph range.
• The Bad:  Unfortunately, that’s all he really has in terms of weapons.  Carignan got by in college by using his fastball to overpower hitters.  His slider is below average and his command is the same way.  One pitch pitchers don’t go far, so he is going to need a lot of work.
• Projection:  Average.  Carignan has gotten excellent results in the past in spite of his lacking gifts, but with work, he could be a part of a big league bullpen if he’s diligent and works hard. 
• What He Can Be:  A Big League Setup Man
• 2008 Course Of Action:  As I said, Carignan will likely be headed to the California League, his first real test, as I don’t think he’s ever really been pushed.  He’ll have to put in some serious work on the slider, or things could get ugly real quickly.

10 – Corey Brown (RF)

• DOB: 11/2/84
• Drafted: 1st round (S), 2007. Oklahoma State University
• 2008 Club:  Kane County Cougars (Low A)
• Height/Weight:  6-2/210
• Bats/Throws:  11/26/85
• The Skinny:  Going into this year’s draft, Brown was often overshadowed by his more highly regarded teammate, Matt Mangini.  However, Brown was a legitimate prospect in his own right, drawing Mike Cameron comparisons.  When teams began scooping up some of the falling talent, Brown got lost in the woods a bit until Oakland took him.  Since then, Brown has had a decent pro debut, but has shown that he still has work to do.
• The Good:  Brown’s best tool is power, and he has a lot of it.  Because of that, though he did have the arm and range to play center, Oakland slid Brown over to right, where his bat fits better.  He’s got good speed and shows a quick bat along with the willingness to draw a walk now and them. 
• The Bad: Brown’s biggest problem is strikeouts, as he amassed a lot of them in college and a lot in the Northwestern League,.  The bigger flag is that he faced fairly serious criminal charges in high school.
• Projection:  High.  He’s got the tools to be a regular, but with work, he could be a star, one of the few that fits that description in an otherwise blah system.  He should be capable of some 25-homer, 15-steal seasons down the road.
• What He Can Be: A power hitting corner that should strikeout a lot to make Nick Swisher feel less guilty.
• 2008 Course Of Action:  Brown will likely be promoted to Low A Kane County, where Oakland hopes he’ll be able to finish in Stockton once the year ends.

11 – Josh Horton (SS)

• DOB: 2/19/86
• Drafted:  2nd Round, 2007, UNC Chapel Hill
• 2008 Club:  Stockton Ports (High A)
• Height/Weight: 6-1/195
• Bats/Throws: L/R
• The Skinny:  Horton was one of the key reasons why North Carolina was able to make back-to-back trips to Omaha.  Though he was one of the best players on his team, Horton was rather ignored by many teams, but he fit the classic Oakland player profile, that of a player with good stats that looked relatively safe to pick. 
• The Good:  I do like Horton a lot, even though he is one of those gritty type players that hustles his way to success that I hate so much hearing about.  Horton handles the bat well and hits to all fields.  He has decent speed, good hands and a decent arm as well.  He also displayed some very solid plate discipline as well.
• The Bad:  Horton has no power to speak of and his range isn’t enough where he could stay at short. 
• Projection:  Average.  Horton has got the chops to make a major league roster.
• What He Can Be:  A decent second baseman or a very good utilityguy.
• 2008 Course Of Action:  Horton will likely head to High A ball, where Oakland hopes that he continues grinding it out to eventually be a factor for the athletics before it is time to cut bait with Bobby Crosby.

12 – Matt Sulentic (LF)

• DOB: 10/6/87
• Drafted: 3rd round, 2006, Texas High School
• 2008 Club:  Kane County Cougars (Low A)
• Height/Weight: 5-10/170
• Bats/Throws: L/R
• The Skinny: .A high school hitter that destroyed competition in Dallas, but fell because many were concerned about whether or not his power potential was legitimate or if he was just beating up on weaker competition.
• The Good: Sulentic has a quick bat that, when combined with his pitch recognition result in the potential for a high average and walk totals.  He also has some power that should eventually make him a 20 home run threat.
• The Bad: The only way Sulentic will ever really pan out is if his power comes through as expected, or he’s a bust.
• Projection: High.  Sulentic will likely give the Midwestern League another shot after his initial shellacking.
• What He Can Be: A starting corner outfielder.
• 2008 Course Of Action: Sulentic will likely return to the Midwestern League, where another year of seasoning should yield better results.  Suffice to say, however, Oakland is now going to be a little more careful with him in terms of hype.

13 – Jason Windsor (RHP)

• DOB: 7/16/82
• Drafted: 3rd round, 2004, Cal State Fullerton
• 2008 Club:  Oakland Athletics (MLB)
• Height/Weight: 6-2/220
• Bats/Throws: R/R
• The Skinny: Windsor’s 2007 season didn’t go as expected.  He wasn’t selected to be the A’s 5th starter and went down in May for much of the year due to injury.  Now healthy and with Oakland lacking in viable alternatives to the end of the rotation, Windsor may have another shot at the rotation, but he’d have to be awfully good to do so.
• The Good: Windsor bounced back in 2006, reeling off 16 straight wins at one point wrapped around a brief MLB stint. Outstanding command allows his below-average fastball (87-89 mph) to play up a bit, but he's used it effectively to set up a plus changeup, his primary out pitch. His curveball has improved to become an average offering.
• The Bad: In 2005, Windsor experienced arm soreness and was shut down and last season he lost most of the season due to shoulder strain of his right shoulder.  Windsor also doesn’t have great stuff and is far from overpowering and will likely be nothing more than a 5th starter.
• Projection: Low.  He’s pretty much completed his development and aside from the injuries, he should be with Oakland by now. 
• What He Can Be: A 5th Starter or Swingman
• 2008 Course Of Action:  Windsor is going to try it all over again, where hopefully he’ll be able to latch on the big league club.

14 – Daniel Meyer (LHP)

• DOB: 7/03/81
• Drafted: 2002, 1st Round (S), James Madison (Atlanta)
• 2008 Club:  Oakland Athletics (MLB)
• Height/Weight: 6-3/210
• Bats/Throws: R/L
• The Skinny:  The big piece of the Tim Hudson trade, Meyer has struggled since being traded, being both injury-prone and ineffective until this year, where he managed to put up a solid enough Triple A season to merit time with Oakland late in the season.
• The Good:  Meyer throws a low 90’s fastball, but his best offering is his slider, which has regained it’s former edge to become a plus pitch again.  He also throws a decent changeup as well.
• The Bad:  Meyer used to throw a lot harder, but he’ll never get that velocity back.  He also still has command issues and throws too many pitches. 
• Projection:  None.  There really isn’t much more you can expect out of the dude.  He is what he is.
• What He Can Be:  Middle Reliever
• 2008 Course Of Action:  Meyer will likely be competing for a job at Spring Training.  With Oakland in a bit of transition, the 5th starters role should be an open race.  Otherwise, I think Meyer could do a good impersonation of Kirk Saarloos in the bullpen.

15 – Andrew Bailey (RHP)

• DOB:  5//31/84
• Drafted: 6th round, 2006, Wagner College
• 2008 Club:  Stockton Ports (High A)
• Height/Weight:  6-3/220
• Bats/Throws:  R/R
• The Skinny:  Another pick looking like a late round steal, Bailey performed well with Kane County and with Stockton, and put up a very good ERA while exhibiting excellent command over his stuff.
• The Good: Bailey’s got a nice three-pitch mix, sporting an 89-93 mph fastball along with a pair of solid breaking pitches in his curve and changeup.  His command and control are also very good as well.
• The Bad: There’s some skepticism about Bailey’s results considering his age, as Oakland has a history of several of these type of players that dominate the low minors before getting destroyed as they move up. 
• Projection: Low.  Bailey should be tested at the next level for you to really buy into his performance. 
• What He Can Be: A back of the rotation starter.
• 2008 Course Of Action: Bailey will likely head back to Stockton, where Oakland will see how he handles the California League on a more extended basis before deciding what to do with him next.

Final Thoughts

Oakland is in a bit of transition.  There really isn’t much in terms of high impact talent waiting in the wings and many of the players that are in the minors are either solid everyday players or talented role players, with almost zero in terms of future stars.  I will gives props to Billy Beane, who has tried at various points to keep the system stocked with various prospects in an effort to keep the lifeline of cheap talent flowing, but at the moment, the well is a little dry.  While he’s found talent on the waiver wire, Beane has recently acknowledged that it may be time for him to blow up the current squad in order to acquire more young talent in order to fuel the next Oakland run.  The process began in earnest last season with the Athletics allowing various players to get claimed via waivers in an attempt to clear salary, and with the trade of Marco Scutaro to Toronto for a pair of arms.  Beane will also hear offers for Huston Street, Joe Blanton, and perhaps Dan Haren and Nick Swisher in order to restock on talent, though there is one problem if he does that.  Because of how Beane evaluates talent, many will wonder if there is something that Beane knows that they don’t know, and could be scared off. 

Sources, Scouting Reports, and Thanks to:  Kevin Goldstein (Baseball Prospectus), Keith Law (ESPN), Soxprospects.com, B.J. Medrano, Jim Callis And The Rest Of Baseball America, Jonathan Mayo (MLB.com), MiLB.com, Sam Corral and Erica Belmontes, Ernie Carlson, Lonestarball.com, Jamey Newberg (Newbergreport.com), Brewerfan.net and Mike Hindman (Rangers Farm Report)

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!

The Rangers Report - Offseason Edition

1 Month, 5 Days Till Pitchers And Catchers Report

The Puzzle Of Jason Botts

Jason Botts is one of the more curious stories of this off-season.

For those who don't know (most of you all, probably), Botts is a young slugger that has spent quite a while in the Rangers' farm system.  He's got loads of power potential and is an average fielder that can play first base or the outfield.

Yet, the Rangers seem to want to place other, higher priced players at the position of DH, which makes little to no sense.  Why waste money and at bats on a declining slugger (Mike Piazza, anyone), when it's possible that you can get the same thing from a cheaper, younger player who has the potential to get even better.

Many scouts, including ESPN's Keith Law, have classified Botts as a cheap date who can contribute in the majors  with doubles and Home Run power, along with the ability to draw walks.

Adam at Lone Star Ball has a theory.  When Carlos Pena was with the Rangers, Rudy Jaramillo, the Rangers' legendary hitting coach, strongly advised the brass to trade him, beliving that Pen'as long swing would ultimately hinder his ability to hit in the majors.  If that's true, then the Rangers came out ahead, as Pena was a bust.

Pena is similar to Botts, who also has a long swing, and has the same type of power, walk ability, and strikeouts that Pena had. 

Still, there are plenty of free swingers in the bigs, many of which are also profiled like Botts and are also rather  mediocre.  And as a player with the coveted 1-3 service time label, what's the risk of at least giving the kid a shot.

Thoughts About Mark Mulder

The Rangers were informed that Mark Mulder would be rejoining his mates in St. Louis, signing a contract whose potential value woud escalate to 3 years, $45 Million.

Eh, go figure.  I kind of got the impression, as the bidding went along, that the Rangers would be left out in the cold for Mulder.  In the end, it benefits both teams.

St. Louis regains a quality pitcher that should regain some of his form next season, depending on how quickly the shoulder bounces back from rotator cuff surgery.

The Rangers go into Spring Training with only the fifth spot of the rotation in flux, with Millwood, Padilla, McCarthy, and Tejeda already penciled in as one through four.  This allows them to mix and match with a number of in house options to work with.

And in the end, Mulder wouldn't have done well.  He's not as dominant as he once was and despite being left handed, his flyball nature would have gotten him killed at Ameriquest.

I'm Kind Of Hoping This Deal Goes Down

Not a Rangers note, but it's certainly one that affects them.

The New York Mets are negotiating with the Oakland A's for a starter to help bolster their rotation. 

New York is supposedly offering former franchise savior/current trade bait Lasting Milledge and setup man Aaron Heilman.  Oakland wants a minor league pitcher in return (they want, but won't get Mike Pelrey.  They'll probably get Philip Humber) and is offering starter Joe Blanton in return.

New York is saying nuts to that.  They want Danny Haren.

If that deal were to go through, I'd be torn between being eccstatic and fearful.

One, I would be glad because Haren is Oakland's most dangerous pitcher.  He's a solid ace and will be a Cy Young contender in the future, I assure you.

But I'm wary of the potential that Milledge poses.  Milledge is a solid five tool player in his own right and he could become a dangerous player to Rangers pitchers down the line.

But overall, I'm pulling for the Mets for this deal to happen. A  hitter can always be walked.  Great pitchers usually destroy you most of the time. 

Have a good one guys.

The Rangers Report – 2006 Offseason

Team Record as of October 2, 2006

Final Record: 80-82

Third in the American League West

DVD No More!  The Ripple Effect Of The McCarthy Trade

Well, it’s happened.  The Rangers have dealt pitching for…pitching?!

In a stunning move, the Rangers dealt their best pitching prospect for Brandon McCarthy, who was viewed to be untouchable by the White Sox until a few days ago. 

To be honest, I’m stunned.  I can’t give a accurate feeling about the trade at the moment.  On one hand, I like McCarthy and saw him to be a future star in the league.  On the other hand, and this is what most Ranger fans feel, I didn’t feel that it merited sacrificing Danks, mostly because of the fact that I’ve followed Danks almost since he was drafted.  Many fans also met Danks during his time with the Frisco Roughriders and at Rangers events.  Hence, there is a sense of personal loss to many fans, including myself.  If I had to put a grade, it would be win-win for both sides, due to the age and the ability of the players.  The South Side Sox Blog summed up McCarthy’s ability pretty well.

" He now throws 4 pitches for strikes; a 4-seam fastball (90-93 MPH), a 2-seam fastball (87-89MPH), a big breaking curveball(74-77MPH), and a changeup (77-81MPH). When we last saw him, he could throw only the fastball (4-seam) and curveball for strikes. Hitters would just sit on fastball, and hit the ball hard."

With that said, here are the conclusions that can be seen from the trade.

• The Rangers Felt A Need To Solve A Hole Now.  Regardless of Danks’ potential, he wouldn’t be an option for at least another year.  The Rangers needed help now, so they traded for the ready, and still young, McCarthy.  It’s the price you have to pay when you failed to develop any pitchers in the minors from 2000-2003.
• The Rangers No Longer Viewed Danks As The Future of The Franchise.  It appears, by the organizational hype, that Eric Hurley, not Danks, is viewed to be the long-term sure thing.
• Long Term, The Rangers Weren’t Sure Of His Durability.  Being a smaller pitcher, Texas wasn’t sure that Danks would be able to last a full season, as he has had some health issues in the minors.
• Long Term, The Rangers Weren’t Sure They Could Retain Him.   Another issue is that Danks is a Boras Client.  And as such, the Rangers may have feared that they would not be able to retain him in the long run, as Boras would have taken Danks out to free agency where he would have achieved a contract far more than the Rangers could have paid for.
• The Rangers Staff Viewed Their Depth In Pitching To Be Sufficient.  Hurley aside, the Rangers still have Volquez and Diamond, though  Volquez is becoming a lost cause and Diamond is being viewed more and more as a reliever, along with Josh Rupe, who may be converted into a starter, and the talented, but unheralded, Paul Kometani, who induces a lot of ground balls.  Plus, the Rangers appeared to have struck Gold in the 2006 Draft, with Kasey ####r and Jacob Brigham thus far looking promising, with others possibly on the way.

So where does this leave the Rangers?  Obviously, Texas will not trade any of their other quality young starters.  It’s likely that Hurley will spend a year in Triple A while Kometani will be allowed to further prove himself in Double A. 

The Rangers are also set with a rotation for the next four years.  Here’s what the Rangers’ rotation looks like now.

• Kevin Millwood
• Vicente Padilla
• Brandon McCarthy
• Robinson Tejeda
• John Koronka/Josh Rupe

All of these players are under Ranger control for the next four years or so, depending on whether or not Padilla’s option is exercised.  However, this could be the first stable rotation for the Rangers since the championship years.

Now all it has to do is produce.

Could it be better?  Sure.  That’s where the next article comes into play.

So What Does This Do For The Barry Zito Bidding

As far as what the trade does for Barry Zito, Texas is no longer as desperate to add a starter as they used to.  After acquiring right-hander Brandon McCarthy from the White Sox in a five-player trade Saturday, Daniels said, "I'm not terribly encouraged by our chances" of getting Zito. He said Tuesday his opinion had not changed.  With 80% of the rotation now set, the Rangers would still like to add Zito, but they could just as easily gamble on one of the other youngsters like Josh Rupe or John Koronka in the fifth starters role.  And with the Yankees possibly entering into the equation and Boras continuing to posture to all sides, the Rangers Brass has let Boras know that they don't plan to wait around all winter waiting for his response.  Hence, Texas has made it known that they want to hear by this weekend whether or not Zito plans to accept their contract offer.

Rangers owner Tom Hicks wrote via e-mail to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "We've made a very strong offer. If we don't have agreement with his agent by this weekend, we will pursue other alternatives."  Rangers general manager Jon Daniels also confirmed that deadline, writing, "That's accurate. End of the week."

Kudos to the Rangers for not allowing themselves to be abused by Zito (as much), this season.  If Zito comes to town, great.  If not, well then there are other options.  Mark Mulder is still out there and it’s quite possible that he could be coming down.  But either way, the Rangers’ rotation is much stronger this season.

The Rangers Report – 2006 Offseason

Team Record as of October 2, 2006

Final Record: 80-82

Third in the American League West

The Managerial Search So Far

Here’s a little more about the people who are applying to be the Rangers’ manager. 

·          Don Wakamatsu – Current Rangers Bench Coach.  Has Yet To Interview, as he’s the last candidate, but now Oakland has requested permission to interview Wakamatsu for their own vacancy.  Jon Daniels wisely told them to wait until they have ruled out Wakamatsu as a candidate before they grant permission to talk with other clubs.  Wakamatsu will interview later this week.

·          Trey Hillman – Manager Of the Nippon Ham Fighters.  Hillman will be interviewed, but the Rangers have competition, as Hillman is also expected to interview for the San Diego and possibly the Oakland job as well.  Hillman still is high on Texas and has called them his “dream job.”  Hillman will interview today.

·          Ron Washington – Oakland Athletics Third Base Coach.  Washington felt that he interviewed well, but will likely end up as the Athletics’ new manager.

·          John Russell – Manager Of Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.  Russell interviewed last week and reportedly did well.  No other information has come out.

·          Manny Acta – New York Mets Third Base Coach.  Acta is probably the leader of the three interviewee’s so far, in that he came to the interview already with a game plan of how he would do as the Rangers’ bench coach and the type of atmosphere he would create in the clubhouse.  Acta has interviewed for other jobs and is reportedly the favorite for the Washington job.

Free Agency – Possible Targets

With a lack of impact prospects in the system (Danks and Hurley are at least a year away from contributing, with Diamond maybe two at the least), the Rangers need to go out and find some people to mind the shop.  Pitching is going to be tough to find, but the Rangers were able to sign Kevin Millwood to a manageable deal that isn’t too restrictive.  And while the ownership is hesitant on spending a ton on free agents, the Rangers are at a cross roads in the division.  Los Angeles is searching for an identity, Oakland may be beginning to falter and Seattle sooner or later is going to get their act together.  Here is a list of starting pitching candidates the Rangers should target:

·          Daisuke Matsuzaka, Japan (RHP) – He's probably been scouted by most of baseball by now.  But Baseball America had the following to say about him.  “a lively 90-96 mph fastball, a plus-plus slider, a splitter and a changeup.”  Though Matsuzaka has had a large workload in Japan, the most famous being his high school post-season performance in the Japanese National Prep Tournament, where he threw 250 pitches to win a 17-inning game in the quarterfinals of Japan's national prep tournament, then came back to get a save the next day and to throw a no-hitter in the finals two days after that, he’s also only 26 and should be entering the prime of his career.  Matsuzaka is attractive in that he will cost the Rangers nothing but money and is a legitimate starting pitcher.  However, there is the trasnition to the American Game which could kill his performance and leave the Rangers with another bust.

·          Jason Schmidt, San Francisco Giants (RHP) – A All-Star and a Number One starter, Schmidt is a lot riskier than Matsuzaka because of his age.  Schmidt is going to be 34 and has had some shoulder problems in his career.  He was also 5-4 with a 4.76 ERA after the All-Star break.  He’s also used to the National League and would likely get destroyed pitching at Arlington.

·          Barry Zito, Oakland Athletics (LHP) – Zito is the largest name on the list, he'll get big bucks from a big-market team, and the Mets seem to be the favorites. The Rangers would have to overpay by a bunch to even give Zito a reason to consider coming to Texas.  And even then, he may refuse the Rangers’ dollars to play on one of the coasts.

·          Ted Lilly, Toronto Blue Jays (LHP) – Texas would be wise to run away from Ted Lily, after closer research.  First of all, Lilly is going to be expensive thanks to a 15-win season.  And while he’s a lefty, which plays well at Ameriquest, but he’s got extreme flyball tendencies (which does not fly well, no pun intended, at Ameriquest.)  He does have good stuff, but if you took a look at the injury history, which includes shoulder pains and the like, you would run away. 

·          Mark Mulder, St. Louis Cardinals (LHP) – Mulder would be a one year rental, as he is coming off of surgery on his left shoulder and will likely not be ready for the start of the 2007 season.  While there is still a chance that Mulder will bolt back to Oakland or possibly the Mets to reunite with his old pitching coach, the Rangers could look at bringing in Mulder for the next season.  Any contract will be incentive laden, but it could be worth the risk.  He's only 29 and he’s a lefty, so if the surgery works, the Rangers will have obtained a very good pitcher for at least a year and possibly garnering some good will, maybe even enough for him to stick around.

·          Luis Gonzalez, Arizona Cardinals (OF) – Gonzalez can still hit and play a passable outfield and has already been contacted by the Giants and Rangers.  Gonzalez likely fits into the Rangers’ plans as the new DH, though it’s more than likely that Gonzalez will end up with the Padres or Giants, just to be able to haunt the Snakes for letting him go.

·          David Dellucci, Philadelphia Phillies (OF) – Can still play the outfield and can DH, but Dellucci is being targeted by several other teams as a regular player.  Plus, he’s still kinda miffed that the Rangers traded him, so he’ll cost the Rangers extra for him to go around, plus a no-trade clause.

·          Jim Edmonds, St. Louis Cardinals (CF) – There is a possibility that Edmonds could hit the market, since it looks like the Cardinals might be willing to let him go.  Edmonds still has good numbers, but he’s lost a step in center and is getting older.  However, if there are no other options, Edmonds could be work a gamble on a short contract.

·          Frank Catalanotto, Toronto Blue Jays  (CF) – The Cat would also be a great option to bring back to Texas.  Catalanotto still has some punch to that bat and could play some outfield as well.  While he's not as agile or as mobile as he was in his younger days, Catalanotto can still contribute enough as a DH to merit spending some bucks on him. 

For Those That Have Declared:  Who Bolts Where

With several Rangers having already declared, I thought it would be fun to do a best fit perspective on those that have declared.  I know I’m going to get some Emails, so let’s do this.

·          Gary Matthews Jr. (CF) – Matthews chose a great time to hit free agency.  After a career year, Matthews is now the most attractive centerfielder on the market.  Matthews, to be honest, is going to be 32, not a great age for a centerfielder, thought it’s possible Sarge may last a little longer due to his athleticism.  With the Angels, Dodgers, Red Sox, St. Louis, Cubs, White Sox, and others pursuing him, I think Texas will likely be priced out of Matthews’ price range.  Bolts To Anaheim

·        Carlos Lee (OF) – Lee brings solid offensive numbers and allowed the Rangers to clear the roster for other players that could contribute.  However, Lee also has horrible defense and wants big bucks.  Essentially, the Rangers will have to pay big bucks for a DH, which I don't think they're willing to do.  Lee and the Astros have been flirting almost since he became a Ranger.  In my opinion, let Lee go, spend the money instead on pitching and on Gary, if possible, and find another suitable DH.  And let Houston give up their First Rounder and get a Sandwich Rounder..  Bolts To Houston

·          Mark DeRosa (UTIL) – DeRosa’s value comes from being a versatile players.  He’s going to want a place to start and, to be honest, the Rangers should re-sign him.  DeRosa can play Third while letting Blalock DH and can play a passable centerfield.  All that remains is to discuss the dollars and cents.  Stays With Texas

·          Adam Eaton (RHP) – Eaton is departing after a disappointing season with Texas, which was shortened by an injury to his index finger.  Eaton has talked about perhaps joining up in Seattle, where he’s from, and to be honest, that would probably be a good thing for him, as he was largely good in San Diego.  Plug him into the middle of the rotation and he might be okay.  Bolts To Seattle

·          Rod Barajas (C) – Barajas has stated that he won’t be a backup catcher and has said he’ll go elsewhere if he’s not the Number One in Texas.  That could be a problem as the Rangers look like they’re ready to commit to Gerald Laird as the starter, plus are accumulating a stock of young catchers in the minors.  Barajas has been linked to Boston, where it’s hoped that his ability to catch a knuckleball will come into play with Tim Wakefield.  To be honest, if Barajas wants to start, then it’s to Houston he should go, where the need for a catcher that can hit is important.  Barajas would instantly displace Brad Ausmus, knocking him to become a backup catcher.  Bolts To Boston, But Should Go To Houston

·          Eric Young (UTIL) – Young could contribute someplace, but not in Texas, as he was largely a no-show during the brief time he played.  Young has stated that he would like to play a game with his son.  I don’t think he’ll get the chance.  Retire.

Friday Morning Closer

Here's my out inning for the day:

Warming Up The Stove - Free Agency 2006

Here's a list of some of the pitchers that will hit free agency this coming off-season.

Jason Schmidt - Still a solid workhorse pitcher, but is beginning to climb up in the years some, plus he has a lot of milage on that arm of his.  He'll be solid, but not spectacular and should become a middle of the rotation pitcher somewhere.  Morisato's Pick:  Seattle Mariners

Barry Zito - A solid lefty, could serve as the ace on several pitching staffs.  He's going to be out of the price range for several teams.  Really, is there any doubt where he's going.  Morisato's Pick:  New York Yankees

Andy Pettitte - Has had a crash of epic proportions in the first half of the season before bouncing back in the second.  He's prone to health issues and is in his mid thirties, but still has great strikeout rates.  If he's not your ace, he can contribute, but pray that the wheels don't fall off while he's working with you.  Morisato's Pick:  Houston Astros

Jeff Weaver - Believe it or not, he's throwing pretty much the same as he always does, he's just getting lit up a lot more.  Weaver will probably not get a shot in the American League again, but could be okay if he's in a pitcher's park.  Morisato's Pick:  San Diego Padres

Mark Mulder - Rotator cuff issues killed his season, so Mulder will likely sign a one year contract with a team and try to justify his long term contract demands.  Morisato's Pick: New York Mets

Vicente Padilla - Has proven that the AL is no trouble, as he's become arguably the best pitcher on the Rangers.  He'll likely test free agency, but the whole hit tendancies to Vlad Guerrero and A.J. Piersinsky will turn off some people.  Morisato's Pick:  Texas Rangers.

Tomo Ohka - A good innings eater that does best as the fourth guy in the rotation.  While he's had some rotator cuff injuries to deal with, he'll give some depth to a pitching rotation and takes the pressure off of the bullpen.  Morisato's Pick:  Philadelphia Phillies

Coret Lidle - Has proven to be a good pickup by the Yankees.  Who knew?  Still, he's not going to be back next season and will get someone to pay him the big bucks to be an innings eater elsewhere.  Morisato's Pick:  Arizona Diamondbacks

Tigers To Deal Pitching.

The Tigers are currently suffering the same problem that seems to be plaguing the Oakland Athletics.

Too little offense.

The Tigers are sure to want to upgrade this during the off-season, which is why the Tigers are talking about dealing from their depth of starting pitching.

At the moment, the Tigers have a set rotation, though it's likely that they'll need to promote someone to replace Kenny Rogers.  Their stable of minor league pitchers include promising prospects Andrew Miller and Wilfredo Ledesma. 

The Tigers have discussed privately about dealing Jeremy Bonderman, who's nearing free agency and would bring in the impact bat that Detroit sorely needs.  There's been also talk about moving other prospects for help, since after a while, prospects lose value.

The problem?

The Tigers are going to demand a kings ransom for their prospects.  The Rangers discussed with the Tigers about Bonderman.

Their asking price?

Mark Teixiera.

If the Tigers are willing to come off their price a bit, I'm sure they'll find some pieces that will work out for them.  If not, well, then we could have another case of the Los Angeles Angels.

 On The Block:  Mark Mulder

Why He’s On The Block: Mulder is in the final year of the contract extension he signed with Oakland.  Attempts by the Cardinals to make another extension went nowhere, so Mulder is taking a “wait and see” approach, refusing to discuss an extension until the end of the season.  At that point, Mulder is so close to free agency that he’ll probably entertain other offers.  But the Cardinals, who are rather stingy with their currency, and have so many large contracts on the books, might not decide to give Mulder his big money deal.   Thanks to the aftermath of AJ Burnett's five-year, $55 million deal, Mulder is likely to receive a much larger offer in free agency, especially since he has twice the amounts of Burnett’s wins and the same amount of losses. 

Negotiable:  No.  The Cardinals aren’t in a hurry to shop Mulder.  But if they receive a good package of players, they could make a deal.  Such a package would probably have to consist of two young starting pitchers, a third base or outfield prospect, and possibly another, lesser position prospect.

What He Offers: While it’s true Mulder is less dominant than he was in his best years with the A's. he was at the end of last season 98-50 lifetime with a 3.86 ERA. 

·          Plus:  Multiple pitch pitcher.

·          Plus:  Fields his position well.

·          Plus:  Extremely young for a free agent.

·          Plus:  Excellent hitter.  Good for a National League team.

·          Minus:  Sinkerball pitcher.  Requires a good infield defense team.

·          Minus:  Has declining strikeout rates for the past three years. 

·          Minus: An expensive player.

He Stay Or Will He Go:  50%-50% on him staying in St. Louis this season, about 70% - 30% on him bolt elsewhere next year.  So let’s see where he could end up.

·          Boston Red Sox – 40%.   Now here’s a pitcher that Boston would go after.  Mulder, despite some injury troubles now and then, would thrive in Boston.  The Boston infield defense is pretty good and he would benefit from pitching in Fenway.  The Red Sox, needing another pitcher in the rotation soon, as Curt Schilling has stated that 2007 will be his final season.  With a rotation headed by Beckett, followed by Papelbon, Mulder, and others would be a force to deal with in the American League East.  The Red Sox likely won’t trade for Mulder and will probably make a rush at him during the 2007 off-season.

·          New York Yankees – 35%.   The Yankees are more likely to go after Barry Zito at this point, but could possibly make a run at Mulder if they happen to lose the bidding for his services.  Mulder isn’t as good of a fit for the Yankees as is Zito, but he would be able to make it work.  Again, the Yankees would only chase after him if Mulder hits free agency.

·          New York Mets – 20%.  Again, adding Mulder would strengthen the rotation and Mulder would benefit from playing in the Mets’ spacious field at Shea.  However, the Mets may find themselves out of the running for Mulder thanks to Boston and New York, who are likely to get violent if New York doesn’t land Zito.  Plus, what the Mets need is another lefty in the rotation, and a much younger one than Glavine at this point.  Mulder’s really not a fit here.

·          Los Angeles Angels of Melrose Place – 5%.  Again, the Angels could use Mulder to bring another ace into the rotation, as Bartolo Colon’s health issues are likely to rear their heads again in the future.  However, the chase for Mulder will get expensive quickly, and the Angels could find themselves out of the running.