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When the Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics took the field on Thursday night, the last thought that would ever cross any of their minds is how things would play out and the events which would change one player, one family, and the Rangers' family forever.
After a foul ball down the left field line, Rangers' left fielder Josh Hamilton grabbed it and did what just about every baseball player has been known to do. He tossed it into the stands.
What happened next is something no one ever would have predicted.
A fan, reaching out for the ball, lost his balance and fell head first between the left field seats and the out of town scoreboard.
According to reports, Shannon Stone, a firefighter from the Brownwood Fire Department, was coherent and spoke to paramedics and authorities who rushed to his aid. His concern wasn't for his own well being but for his young son who was with him at the game.
The Rangers and A's returned their focus to the game as Texas poured on the offense and young left hander Derek Holland had arguably his best performance of the season.
But the story went from an impressive Rangers win to the tragic death of Stone who reportedly went into cardiac arrest on the way to a trauma 1 center in Fort Worth, Texas. He was pronounced dead at 8:26pm central time.
A father brings his young son to a baseball game, his son's first game according to a lot of reports I've seen, and it will be the last game this young child will ever be able to attend with his father.
Your thoughts and prayers go out to the Stone family as well as to the Brownwood Fire Department who lost one of their own on Thursday night.
But then you think about Josh Hamilton who was "distraught" according to Nolan Ryan when he made an official statement to the media after the game last night.
What is going to happen to Hamilton from here on out. When he grabs a foul ball, will he think about where or even if he tosses it to the fans? Will this tragedy be in the back of his mind when he goes up to bat or even when he heads out to his spot in left field?
There are no answers to any of the questions anyone wants to throw out there. There's no reason to ask the "what if" questions because they aren't going to do any good to anyone right now. What happened on Thursday night was a tragedy and by no means is anyone at fault.
I feel for the family who lost a husband, a son, a brother, a friend. I feel for those who were around Shannon Stone when his fall occurred and I feel for those who had to hold his young son back while he was screaming for his father.
The Rangers handled things correctly last night. They made an official statement and they closed the clubhouse to the media so the only statement made was the one that came from Nolan Ryan himself.
There's no telling the mind frame of the players when they begin to arrive at the ballpark on Friday afternoon to get ready for the second of a four game set against the A's.
The clubhouse will undoubtedly be a little more quiet and a little more somber than usual. Players won't have the same smiles they might have had every time they came to the park. It's going to feel different and there isn't one player, regardless of whether it's Texas or it's Oakland, who will be able to look at left field without the same visual replaying in their minds like a VCR that won't stop rewinding.
Parents will hold their children that much tighter and parents arriving to the ballpark on Friday night will keep an even closer eye on their children, themselves, and their surroundings.
This isn't supposed to happen. Not at a baseball game. Not at a place that brings families together and allows a father to bring his son to his very first baseball game.
Unfortunately it did happen and it's a tragedy that will remembered for a long time to come.
Showing posts with label Texas Rangers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Texas Rangers. Show all posts
Friday, July 8, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Texas Rangers: Is the Signing Bonus Too High For Nomar Mozara?
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Over the weekend, the Texas Rangers, along with the rest of baseball, had their chance to sign some of the best Latin America talent money could buy.
So, Nolan Ryan and company decided they were going to spend almost $9 million on two different players and both no older than 16 years of age.
Ronald Guzman, a 6-foot-4 195 pound outfielder, was signed for $3.5 million but the one thing that has some people scratching their head is the part of his scouting report that says "below average arm and speed." I know $3.5 million isn't much at all in the grand scheme of things as far as baseball is concerned, but for a guy listed as "below average" it seems a little steep.
At 6-foot-5 and 185 pounds, 16-year old Nomar Mozara received a signing bonus of more than $5 million topping the Oakland Athletics who signed Michael Ynoa for $4.25 million back in 2008.
His scouting report, however, is much different from that of Guzman's. He's being called one of the best Latin American hitters since Wily Mo Pena and...Miguel Cabrera? That's high praise for a 16-year old who's yet to prove anything in the states.
You might remember Cabrera being signed by the Florida Marlins for $1.8 million back in 1999.
Shan Shariff, one half of 'New School' on 105.3 FM The Fan in Dallas, Texas called Mozara's signing "irresponsible" and is of the opinion that the Rangers should not be giving a 16-year old kid $5 million.
While I understand Shariff's opinion I will respectfully disagree with his assessment for one simple reason. Had the Rangers not signed this young athlete, who has a ton of potential, there would have been another team who snatched him up for almost the same cost.
Why is that a bad thing? Because Mozara, because the Rangers have this kind of luck, or lack thereof, would have become a huge star and the media in Dallas and Fort Worth would be calling Texas' front office "irresponsible" for not signing him in the first place.
How could they have missed out on a prospect being called the next "Miguel Cabrera?"
It's easy to knock the Rangers for signing a teenager for what he might be able to do instead of holding your opinion until he either makes it or he washes out.
I'm in favor of this team and it's front office doing exactly what they did. I believe they do their due diligence on the players they sign. If this were a group led by former owner Tom Hicks then I'd probably be questioning the decision as well.
But with Nolan Ryan leading the charge, I know he has a group of scouts and advisers who know the kind of players this franchise needs going forward.
Heck, there were those who blasted the Tampa Bay Rays for signing one Josh Hamilton out of high school. Say what you want about his past, he became the star the Rays had envisioned from the moment they signed him.
So before we pass judgement on the signing of Mozara or Guzman, let's wait and see how these two players shape out before we call anyone "irresponsible."
It's better than having to eat those words later.
So, Nolan Ryan and company decided they were going to spend almost $9 million on two different players and both no older than 16 years of age.
Ronald Guzman, a 6-foot-4 195 pound outfielder, was signed for $3.5 million but the one thing that has some people scratching their head is the part of his scouting report that says "below average arm and speed." I know $3.5 million isn't much at all in the grand scheme of things as far as baseball is concerned, but for a guy listed as "below average" it seems a little steep.While some are curious about the signing of Guzman, there are even more who are talking about another 16-year old outfielder.
At 6-foot-5 and 185 pounds, 16-year old Nomar Mozara received a signing bonus of more than $5 million topping the Oakland Athletics who signed Michael Ynoa for $4.25 million back in 2008.
His scouting report, however, is much different from that of Guzman's. He's being called one of the best Latin American hitters since Wily Mo Pena and...Miguel Cabrera? That's high praise for a 16-year old who's yet to prove anything in the states.
You might remember Cabrera being signed by the Florida Marlins for $1.8 million back in 1999.
Shan Shariff, one half of 'New School' on 105.3 FM The Fan in Dallas, Texas called Mozara's signing "irresponsible" and is of the opinion that the Rangers should not be giving a 16-year old kid $5 million.
While I understand Shariff's opinion I will respectfully disagree with his assessment for one simple reason. Had the Rangers not signed this young athlete, who has a ton of potential, there would have been another team who snatched him up for almost the same cost.
Why is that a bad thing? Because Mozara, because the Rangers have this kind of luck, or lack thereof, would have become a huge star and the media in Dallas and Fort Worth would be calling Texas' front office "irresponsible" for not signing him in the first place.
How could they have missed out on a prospect being called the next "Miguel Cabrera?"
It's easy to knock the Rangers for signing a teenager for what he might be able to do instead of holding your opinion until he either makes it or he washes out.
I'm in favor of this team and it's front office doing exactly what they did. I believe they do their due diligence on the players they sign. If this were a group led by former owner Tom Hicks then I'd probably be questioning the decision as well.
But with Nolan Ryan leading the charge, I know he has a group of scouts and advisers who know the kind of players this franchise needs going forward.
Heck, there were those who blasted the Tampa Bay Rays for signing one Josh Hamilton out of high school. Say what you want about his past, he became the star the Rays had envisioned from the moment they signed him.
So before we pass judgement on the signing of Mozara or Guzman, let's wait and see how these two players shape out before we call anyone "irresponsible."
It's better than having to eat those words later.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Texas Rangers: Could Mike Cameron Be a Good Addition?
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But when it comes to possibly bringing a veteran in, someone who already has American League experience, and a guy who's a proven hitter, I'm whole heartedly on board.
Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Craig Gentry, and Endy Chavez currently make up the outfield depth chart for the team and you can add Mitch Moreland to the list as he also has experience at both corner spots.
You can look at his numbers and be scared off from signing the 38-year old veteran but there's more to Cameron than his 94 at bats this season. Being with the Boston Red Sox and among all the talent that roster has, Cameron knew he wasn't going to get the chance to play every day.
Now that he's a free agent, Cameron is looking for a team he can land with who will give him a chance to prove he still has some life left in his legs.
He's not going to be the same kind of a player he was in his early days but he's still someone pitchers will think twice about with their pitch selection.
If you want to look at numbers, how about .266, Cameron's career batting average at Rangers Ballpark.
But Cameron's play has more to do with who he is as a ballplayer than any of his numbers will tell anyone who follows the game. He's a lot like Josh Hamilton. Cameron goes 110% and gives everything he has to the team he plays for.
They need a veteran presence in the outfield and someone manager Ron Washington can bring off the bench to provide a late inning pitch hitter or defensive replacement.
He's going to be a cheap option to sign and a guy they won't have to give up anything to bring on board. While the Rangers may not need another name on the outfield depth chart, Mike Cameron is certainly an option general manager Jon Daniels and CEO Nolan Ryan will think long and hard about.
When it comes to the Texas Rangers and the changes that need to be made in order to turn this team into a contender in the American League, the outfield isn't one of the places most people will talk about.
But when it comes to possibly bringing a veteran in, someone who already has American League experience, and a guy who's a proven hitter, I'm whole heartedly on board.
Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Craig Gentry, and Endy Chavez currently make up the outfield depth chart for the team and you can add Mitch Moreland to the list as he also has experience at both corner spots.
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| J. Meric/Getty Images |
But outside of Hamilton and Cruz, the Rangers don't have a solid veteran hitter in the lineup who can not only do damage offensively but has the speed to get to any ball in the gap.
You can look at his numbers and be scared off from signing the 38-year old veteran but there's more to Cameron than his 94 at bats this season. Being with the Boston Red Sox and among all the talent that roster has, Cameron knew he wasn't going to get the chance to play every day.
Now that he's a free agent, Cameron is looking for a team he can land with who will give him a chance to prove he still has some life left in his legs.
He's not going to be the same kind of a player he was in his early days but he's still someone pitchers will think twice about with their pitch selection.
If you want to look at numbers, how about .266, Cameron's career batting average at Rangers Ballpark.
But Cameron's play has more to do with who he is as a ballplayer than any of his numbers will tell anyone who follows the game. He's a lot like Josh Hamilton. Cameron goes 110% and gives everything he has to the team he plays for.
They need a veteran presence in the outfield and someone manager Ron Washington can bring off the bench to provide a late inning pitch hitter or defensive replacement.
He's going to be a cheap option to sign and a guy they won't have to give up anything to bring on board. While the Rangers may not need another name on the outfield depth chart, Mike Cameron is certainly an option general manager Jon Daniels and CEO Nolan Ryan will think long and hard about.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Texas Rangers Notes: Are Kerry Wood and Matt Garza Untouchable?
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With the first day of July upon us, there are just a few weeks left before the most exciting time in Major League Baseball.
The trade deadline.
It's the day where all of us baseball fans monitor Twitter and every other piece of social media we can get our hands on to keep track of what our teams are going to do and what trades they will make.
If you listened to Thursday's podcast, Dan McLellan of CBS Sports talked about what it would take for any team to be able to make a deal the Padres would agree to.
A player in Triple-A who has a chance to crack the 40-man roster and a player who can hit for average and has "big league pop." Not only that but a minor league pitcher or two who are in the development stages in the minor leagues but are only a year or two away from being Major League pitchers.
The Rangers could possibly entice San Diego with a package of players that starts with the likes of David Murphy or Craig Gentry and then go through their minor league pitchers to see who might be a fit. Without having to give up someone like Tanner Scheppers.
If that's too expensive for the Rangers' blood, they will have to move on to other players who might be available. We've talked about guys like Pittsburgh Pirates' closer Joel Hanrahan, Oakland A's reliever Grant Balfour.
Another name I've brought up in the past is Chicago Cubs' reliever Kerry Wood as well as starter, Matt Garza.
Before Ranger fans get excited about either of these players, Clark Addison of CubHub.net says not so fast.
"No way he gets moved," Addison said. "He signed a deal at about a quarter of what he could have made on the open market so he can return to the Cubs where he will likely reap a lifetime of personal services revenue. He's not just another athlete in Chicago, he is special. Being a Cub fan favorite affords a guy lots of opportunity after retirement from playing."
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times echoed those thoughts in his column on Friday morning after Kerry Wood met with the media and talked about the trade rumors swirling around.
The trade deadline.
It's the day where all of us baseball fans monitor Twitter and every other piece of social media we can get our hands on to keep track of what our teams are going to do and what trades they will make.
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| Jonathan Daniels/Getty Images |
For the Texas Rangers, the one name who continues to come up is San Diego Padres' closer Heath Bell and set up man Mike Adams.
If you listened to Thursday's podcast, Dan McLellan of CBS Sports talked about what it would take for any team to be able to make a deal the Padres would agree to.
A player in Triple-A who has a chance to crack the 40-man roster and a player who can hit for average and has "big league pop." Not only that but a minor league pitcher or two who are in the development stages in the minor leagues but are only a year or two away from being Major League pitchers.
The Rangers could possibly entice San Diego with a package of players that starts with the likes of David Murphy or Craig Gentry and then go through their minor league pitchers to see who might be a fit. Without having to give up someone like Tanner Scheppers.
If that's too expensive for the Rangers' blood, they will have to move on to other players who might be available. We've talked about guys like Pittsburgh Pirates' closer Joel Hanrahan, Oakland A's reliever Grant Balfour.
Another name I've brought up in the past is Chicago Cubs' reliever Kerry Wood as well as starter, Matt Garza.
Before Ranger fans get excited about either of these players, Clark Addison of CubHub.net says not so fast.
"No way he gets moved," Addison said. "He signed a deal at about a quarter of what he could have made on the open market so he can return to the Cubs where he will likely reap a lifetime of personal services revenue. He's not just another athlete in Chicago, he is special. Being a Cub fan favorite affords a guy lots of opportunity after retirement from playing."
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times echoed those thoughts in his column on Friday morning after Kerry Wood met with the media and talked about the trade rumors swirling around.
"I know the [trade] talks are going to come," Wood said. "I’ve already been hearing it. So we can address it now. I doubt it. We’re committed here. We’ve got a [charity bowling] event in September. I don’t see it happening."
"Obviously, Sarah and I will talk about it, and we have a little bit," Kerry went on to say. "But it would have to be ideal for both, something that is definitely going to help the organization down the road and something that’s going to fit for us, which right now is here. So it would be tough."
So while Wood himself isn't ruling out a deal is possible, the way he worded his response would make anyone think he wouldn't be willing to waive his full no-trade clause unless it was the absolute right situation and gave him a chance at a World Series championship.
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| Len Redkoles/Getty Images |
As for young right hander Matt Garza, Addison says while it might be more likely a deal could be struck at the deadline, he still doesn't think it's likely.
"The comment I kept hearing from [Jim] Hendry and [Tom] Ricketts when he became a Cub is that he would be under club control for several more years," Addison said. "I think Garza is viewed as something to build around."
Don't take this as there is absolutely no chance that the Rangers could make a serious play for one of both of these players. But with Wood holding a no trade clause, and Garza still having another four to five good years in front of him, maybe we should call this for what it is.
Check out Clark Addison at Blog.CubHub.net and follow him on Twitter: @ClarkAddison
Check out Clark Addison at Blog.CubHub.net and follow him on Twitter: @ClarkAddison
Where Does Scott Kazmir Fit With the Texas Rangers?
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When the Los Angeles Angels released Scott Kazmir after his struggles continued in the minor leagues, it didn't take long for other teams to become interested in the free agent pitcher.
One of those teams who have met with Kazmir are the Texas Rangers.
When the Los Angeles Angels released Scott Kazmir after his struggles continued in the minor leagues, it didn't take long for other teams to become interested in the free agent pitcher.
One of those teams who have met with Kazmir are the Texas Rangers.
Rangers' general manager Jon Daniels confirmed with Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News that the team had met with Kazmir and his agent.
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| Stephen Dunn/Getty Images |
“We’ve talked with him, doing our due diligence,” Daniels told Grant. “Not sure if anything’s going to come of it, but we try to look at every opportunity to see if someone can help us.”
The question on the minds of a lot of Ranger fans is, what do you do with him if in fact the Rangers decide to sign him?
With the struggles he's gone though this season I don't believe you can afford to put him in the rotation. You can send him to Triple-A Round Rock and let him work out of the bullpen. If he shows he can be a serviceable reliever, you bring him up to Arlington and he automatically makes this bullpen stronger.
However, doing that would mean the Rangers would need to make a roster move in order to give Kazmir a spot on the big league roster. The one guy who sticks out the most in my eyes is either Dave Bush or Michael Kirkman, neither is doing this bullpen any favors.
You can release one of those two players and fill the roster spot with Kazmir if in fact they decide to sign him. Remember, Daniels isn't saying they are absolutely interested in bringing him on. They are kicking the tires and doing what teams do, "their due diligence."
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Texas Rangers Ready to Showcase Chris Davis in the Outfield?
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The Texas Rangers could be ready to bring Chris Davis back to the big leagues but it's not to play first or even third base.
That being said, Davis is still very much a hot trade commodity and the Rangers know it. If he wasn't they would have no reason to bring him up and stick him in the outfield. They know the problems he's had at the plate and they the risk they're taking in having him in the lineup on an every day basis.
But the Rangers need to show that Davis is a serviceable big league player because they themselves need to include him in a trade that would land them a big time reliever for the bullpen or starter for the rotation.
We have talked about a few names the Rangers could be looking at but what we don't know is which deal Davis would be included in.
The San Diego Padres aren't going to do a one-for-one deal with Heath Bell or Mike Adams. They may not even be interested in Davis seeing as they already have young infielders Anthony Rizzo, Jesus Guzman and Kyle Blanks able to man the first base position.
So if it's not Bell or Adams, where will Davis end up and what will he bring in return.
One deal I've talked about before on my podcast involves the Baltimore Orioles and right hander, Jeremy Guthrie.
This is a guy who could use a fresh start especially since he's spent his entire career with an Orioles' team that has no chance in winning their division let alone getting deep into the playoffs.
They are in need of an infielder like Chris Davis and could do send Guthrie to Texas without the Rangers having to give up a second player in the deal.
Also, the Chicago Cubs are about ready to waive the white flag on their season and could be willing to part with reliever Kerry Wood, again. The Cubs aren't going to sell high on Wood and may send him to the American League on a one-for-one swap.
He won a combined 34 games over three seasons with the Rays and never finished with an ERA worse than 3.95 during his time there.
This season hasn't been nearly as good to him but he has experience in the American League and he's only 27-years old, soon to be 28 in November, so you're getting a young pitcher who still has a lot of good years ahead of him.
There are more than a few names the Rangers will look at over the next month but their ability to make a deal hinges on how Chris Davis performs over the next month. If he struggles and his batting average takes a tumble, so will his trade value.
The Rangers are taking a definite risk but one they could really cash in on if it pays off.
No according to reports, Davis is going to see playing time in the outfield at one of the corner spots and will move Josh Hamilton from a corner outfield position to center field. Something that could make just about every Ranger fan cringe after all the times Josh has run head long into the outfield walls.
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| Christian Petersen/Getty Images |
This is nothing more than the Rangers showcasing Chris Davis for a possible trade at or before the trade deadline at the end of July. Davis has seen time in the outfield with Triple-A Round Rock but if Major League teams are going to be interested in making a trade with Texas, they are going to watch him over the next few weeks to see how he handles the change in position.
The knock on Davis, however, isn't his defense but it's when he grabs a bat and steps to the plate. He has a ton of holes in his swing and hasn't had near the same success offensively that he's shown in the minor leagues.
That being said, Davis is still very much a hot trade commodity and the Rangers know it. If he wasn't they would have no reason to bring him up and stick him in the outfield. They know the problems he's had at the plate and they the risk they're taking in having him in the lineup on an every day basis.
But the Rangers need to show that Davis is a serviceable big league player because they themselves need to include him in a trade that would land them a big time reliever for the bullpen or starter for the rotation.
We have talked about a few names the Rangers could be looking at but what we don't know is which deal Davis would be included in.
The San Diego Padres aren't going to do a one-for-one deal with Heath Bell or Mike Adams. They may not even be interested in Davis seeing as they already have young infielders Anthony Rizzo, Jesus Guzman and Kyle Blanks able to man the first base position.
So if it's not Bell or Adams, where will Davis end up and what will he bring in return.
One deal I've talked about before on my podcast involves the Baltimore Orioles and right hander, Jeremy Guthrie.
This is a guy who could use a fresh start especially since he's spent his entire career with an Orioles' team that has no chance in winning their division let alone getting deep into the playoffs.
They are in need of an infielder like Chris Davis and could do send Guthrie to Texas without the Rangers having to give up a second player in the deal.
Also, the Chicago Cubs are about ready to waive the white flag on their season and could be willing to part with reliever Kerry Wood, again. The Cubs aren't going to sell high on Wood and may send him to the American League on a one-for-one swap.
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| Brian Kersey/Getty Images |
But there's one name who the Rangers could, and should, look at and he's another pitcher with the Chicago Cubs. Matt Garza was a guy who was brought to the windy city thanks to the aforementioned Kerry Wood and it seems as if the Cubs could very well be open to dealing him in the right trade.
Garza is a guy who really became a young star with the Tampa Bay Rays and it was one of the biggest reasons the Cubs landed him in free agency after the 2010 season.
He won a combined 34 games over three seasons with the Rays and never finished with an ERA worse than 3.95 during his time there.
This season hasn't been nearly as good to him but he has experience in the American League and he's only 27-years old, soon to be 28 in November, so you're getting a young pitcher who still has a lot of good years ahead of him.
There are more than a few names the Rangers will look at over the next month but their ability to make a deal hinges on how Chris Davis performs over the next month. If he struggles and his batting average takes a tumble, so will his trade value.
The Rangers are taking a definite risk but one they could really cash in on if it pays off.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Texas Rangers: Heath Bell or Mike Adams?
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The San Diego Padres are already waiving the white flag.
Well, at least if you listen to SI.com's Jon Heyman. His column this morning talks about the Padres already engaging in talks about closer Heath Bell and set up man Mike Adams.
While they won't be the only ones looking for a guy like Adams or Bell, most of the teams looking for pitching help are going to be focusing their attention on the Padres' set up man instead of the closer.
As of right now, Bell is making $8.5 million in what will most certainly be his final season in a San Diego Padres' uniform before he hits free agency. Once that happens, Bell is going to land a deal between three and four years and in the neighborhood of $10-$12 million per season.
The Rangers may not want to invest that much money, not to mention that many years, for a guy who is already 34 years old. You're looking at an investment that you hope stays healthy for a full three seasons at an age where most pitchers are starting to wind down their career.
Adams is the best option for Texas to go after but what they need to be concerned about, where both him and Bell are concerned, are the players the Padres will ask in return.
Not only will Adams be under a team's control through the 2012 season but his $2.5 million price tag and an ERA that hasn't been above 2.00 since the 2008 season makes him an attractive reliever in any bullpen.
If the Padres are really serious about selling off Mike Adams, it's going to cause a bidding war either in the days leading up to the deadline or just hours before it expires.
If I'm the Rangers, I get the asking price and figure out if it's something I can afford to give. If not, no matter how good Mike Adams is, I move to on other names who can help fix a struggling bullpen as well as a starter for the rotation.
There's no doubt Adams gives the Rangers' bullpen a much different look and a guy manager Ron Washington can hand the ball to knowing it'll be taken care of.
Heath Bell or Mike Adams? That is the question.
Well, at least if you listen to SI.com's Jon Heyman. His column this morning talks about the Padres already engaging in talks about closer Heath Bell and set up man Mike Adams.
"San Diego has even shown a willingness to at least engage in trade talk even about a star young reliever such as Mike Adams," said Heyman. "Padres people may ultimately decide to keep Adams, but they appear to be taking a very realistic approach to their team and season."
It's common knowledge the Texas Rangers are a team who will be looking for bullpen help at the trade deadline and they have already met with Padres' brass at Petco Park in late May.
While they won't be the only ones looking for a guy like Adams or Bell, most of the teams looking for pitching help are going to be focusing their attention on the Padres' set up man instead of the closer.
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| Hannah Foslien/Getty Images |
One of the more obvious reasons might be the fact Adams will be under team control through the 2012 season and may not cost nearly as much to sign the right hander long term.
The Rangers may not want to invest that much money, not to mention that many years, for a guy who is already 34 years old. You're looking at an investment that you hope stays healthy for a full three seasons at an age where most pitchers are starting to wind down their career.
Adams is the best option for Texas to go after but what they need to be concerned about, where both him and Bell are concerned, are the players the Padres will ask in return.
Not only will Adams be under a team's control through the 2012 season but his $2.5 million price tag and an ERA that hasn't been above 2.00 since the 2008 season makes him an attractive reliever in any bullpen.
If the Padres are really serious about selling off Mike Adams, it's going to cause a bidding war either in the days leading up to the deadline or just hours before it expires.
If I'm the Rangers, I get the asking price and figure out if it's something I can afford to give. If not, no matter how good Mike Adams is, I move to on other names who can help fix a struggling bullpen as well as a starter for the rotation.
There's no doubt Adams gives the Rangers' bullpen a much different look and a guy manager Ron Washington can hand the ball to knowing it'll be taken care of.
Heath Bell or Mike Adams? That is the question.
Texas Rangers Notes: A Look at Who Could Be Dealt at the Deadline
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Imagine an office somewhere within Ranger's Ballpark. Inside sits general manager Jon Daniels, CEO Nolan Ryan, and the rest of the Texas Rangers' management staff.
They stare at a white board with several names on it. The silence in the room is deafening, each one with a different expression on their face and each trying to come up with a way to acquire one or more of these names.
You can just see the "war room" playing out just like that.
The offense, at least at this point, is fine the way it is. You have speed on the base paths and power in the middle of the lineup. Your run production isn't lacking, at least not every night, so there's no reason to change that dynamic.
Where the problems lie for this team is in their pitching. From the rotation to the bullpen, Daniels knows there are changes that need to be made. More so in the bullpen than in the rotation.
“I think the bullpen will definitely be a focus, first focus,” Daniels told Jim Bowden and Casey Stern on MLB Network Radio. “You’re always open to anything. But that’s probably where we’ve spent the most of our time.”
The Rangers have plenty of trade chips to deal away, guys who aren't going to make a huge impact to the team down the stretch and guys they can afford to deal.
We've talked about the names I've wanted to bring in to help the Rangers' bullpen, but how about the guys they could deal away for those players? Who could the Rangers give up and not miss (a la Justin Smoak)?
C Taylor Teagarden - .190 (4/21) 7 K's
Taylor Teagarden hasn't been quite the player the Rangers had hoped he might become. After hitting .319 (15/47) in his first season with the Rangers back in 2008, Teagarden has struggled in each of his last three seasons with the team, hitting no better than .217 which came back in 2009.
But while he struggles in the big leagues, he has torched Triple-A pitching. Through 24 games (86 AB's) with Round Rock, Teagarden is hitting .326 with 9 HR and 18 RBI.
The San Francisco Giants are looking for catching especially after the season ending injury sustained by Buster Posey. They've tried the duo of Chris Stewart and Eli Whiteside but neither are cutting it, no pun intended, at the plate.
Teagarden is a name that has come up but I don't know that the Giants would give up anymore more than a mid-level prospect at this point. Teagarden's value just isn't high at all right now.
OF David Murphy - .233 (47/202) 4 HR 15 RBI 32 K's
David Murphy has, at times, come in to the Rangers lineup and given the offense the boost it's needed. He's come up with a big hit here or there. Unfortunately, it's not going to keep him out of the trade discussions at the deadline.
Murphy is a guy who is going to get interest from teams looking for an experienced veteran in their lineup and a guy who could play the outfield on an every day basis. Something he's not going to get with the Rangers. Especially with Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Mitch Moreland, Endy Chavez, and Craig Gentry all able to play the same positions.
MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan wrote back in late May how Murphy could be used by other teams in need of an outfielder.
OF Craig Gentry - .270 (17/63) 0 HR 6 RBI 9/9 SB
Craig Gentry has burst on to the scene with the Rangers in 2011 showing off his tremendous speed not only on the base paths but also in the outfield as well.
While he's not a guy who's going to hit 20-25 home runs every season, he is a guy who can get on base and make things happen. He's shown that in Texas this season going 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts.
He's not a guy the Rangers are going to want to deal in any trade scenario because of the potential he's shown. But there are teams who are going to ask for the soon-to-be 28-year old outfielder.
1B/3B/OF Chris Davis - .269 (14/52) 3 HR 4 RBI 18 K's
Chris Davis is a guy who's getting a lot of talk as the trade deadline gets closer, especially from Ranger fans who fully expect him to be dealt.
The way he's playing at Triple-A Round Rock right now, he's doing everything to help his value as well as help out the Rangers play him up to teams in need of a power hitter who can play the corner infield spots as well as the outfield.
Davis has 19 home runs and 52 RBI this season for the Express. Unfortunately, that same production hasn't come out when he's been called up to the big leagues. But his minor league numbers have never translated to the big leagues. He doesn't face the kind of pitching in the AL West that he kills in the minor leagues.
But despite all that, he is going to get a lot of interest from teams who are looking for an every day player who can play both the infield and outfield.
The Rangers may use him in their biggest deal at the deadline.
SS Jurickson Profar - .269 (60/223) 7 HR 31 RBI
Jurickson Profar is a young prospect currently with the Hickory Crawdads, the Rangers Single-A affiliate in the South Atlantic League.
He is one of the top prospects in the Rangers' farm system and a guy who is going to get a lot of interest, especially from a team on the west coast. The San Diego Padres.
Padres' closer Heath Bell is getting a lot of interest from around baseball and especially from the Texas Rangers. Profar is going to be a guy the Padres are going to ask about and may even go as far as to require having him in the deal from Texas.
While I'm not one for "giving away the farm" for one player, the problem with Profar is being blocked by the position players in the big leagues right now.
Elvis Andrus currently occupies the short stop position and will probably be in a Rangers' uniform for at least the next four to five years if not longer. Ian Kinsler is at second base but there's a lot less guarantee with his future than Andrus' so the question becomes, can Profar make the transition from short to second if he makes it to the big leagues in two to three years?
He is going to be an interesting name to watch over the next few weeks.
They stare at a white board with several names on it. The silence in the room is deafening, each one with a different expression on their face and each trying to come up with a way to acquire one or more of these names.
You can just see the "war room" playing out just like that.
There are plenty of names the Rangers will look at in order to better their situation because they know they can't stand on what they have right now. They just aren't strong enough to sustain the stretch run to the playoffs.
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| Ronald Martinez/Getty Images |
Where the problems lie for this team is in their pitching. From the rotation to the bullpen, Daniels knows there are changes that need to be made. More so in the bullpen than in the rotation.
“I think the bullpen will definitely be a focus, first focus,” Daniels told Jim Bowden and Casey Stern on MLB Network Radio. “You’re always open to anything. But that’s probably where we’ve spent the most of our time.”
The Rangers have plenty of trade chips to deal away, guys who aren't going to make a huge impact to the team down the stretch and guys they can afford to deal.
We've talked about the names I've wanted to bring in to help the Rangers' bullpen, but how about the guys they could deal away for those players? Who could the Rangers give up and not miss (a la Justin Smoak)?
C Taylor Teagarden - .190 (4/21) 7 K's
Taylor Teagarden hasn't been quite the player the Rangers had hoped he might become. After hitting .319 (15/47) in his first season with the Rangers back in 2008, Teagarden has struggled in each of his last three seasons with the team, hitting no better than .217 which came back in 2009.
But while he struggles in the big leagues, he has torched Triple-A pitching. Through 24 games (86 AB's) with Round Rock, Teagarden is hitting .326 with 9 HR and 18 RBI.
The San Francisco Giants are looking for catching especially after the season ending injury sustained by Buster Posey. They've tried the duo of Chris Stewart and Eli Whiteside but neither are cutting it, no pun intended, at the plate.
Teagarden is a name that has come up but I don't know that the Giants would give up anymore more than a mid-level prospect at this point. Teagarden's value just isn't high at all right now.
OF David Murphy - .233 (47/202) 4 HR 15 RBI 32 K's
David Murphy has, at times, come in to the Rangers lineup and given the offense the boost it's needed. He's come up with a big hit here or there. Unfortunately, it's not going to keep him out of the trade discussions at the deadline.
Murphy is a guy who is going to get interest from teams looking for an experienced veteran in their lineup and a guy who could play the outfield on an every day basis. Something he's not going to get with the Rangers. Especially with Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Mitch Moreland, Endy Chavez, and Craig Gentry all able to play the same positions.
MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan wrote back in late May how Murphy could be used by other teams in need of an outfielder.
OF Craig Gentry - .270 (17/63) 0 HR 6 RBI 9/9 SB
Craig Gentry has burst on to the scene with the Rangers in 2011 showing off his tremendous speed not only on the base paths but also in the outfield as well.
While he's not a guy who's going to hit 20-25 home runs every season, he is a guy who can get on base and make things happen. He's shown that in Texas this season going 9-for-9 in stolen base attempts.
He's not a guy the Rangers are going to want to deal in any trade scenario because of the potential he's shown. But there are teams who are going to ask for the soon-to-be 28-year old outfielder.
1B/3B/OF Chris Davis - .269 (14/52) 3 HR 4 RBI 18 K's
Chris Davis is a guy who's getting a lot of talk as the trade deadline gets closer, especially from Ranger fans who fully expect him to be dealt.
The way he's playing at Triple-A Round Rock right now, he's doing everything to help his value as well as help out the Rangers play him up to teams in need of a power hitter who can play the corner infield spots as well as the outfield.
Davis has 19 home runs and 52 RBI this season for the Express. Unfortunately, that same production hasn't come out when he's been called up to the big leagues. But his minor league numbers have never translated to the big leagues. He doesn't face the kind of pitching in the AL West that he kills in the minor leagues.
But despite all that, he is going to get a lot of interest from teams who are looking for an every day player who can play both the infield and outfield.
The Rangers may use him in their biggest deal at the deadline.
SS Jurickson Profar - .269 (60/223) 7 HR 31 RBI
Jurickson Profar is a young prospect currently with the Hickory Crawdads, the Rangers Single-A affiliate in the South Atlantic League.
He is one of the top prospects in the Rangers' farm system and a guy who is going to get a lot of interest, especially from a team on the west coast. The San Diego Padres.
Padres' closer Heath Bell is getting a lot of interest from around baseball and especially from the Texas Rangers. Profar is going to be a guy the Padres are going to ask about and may even go as far as to require having him in the deal from Texas.
While I'm not one for "giving away the farm" for one player, the problem with Profar is being blocked by the position players in the big leagues right now.
Elvis Andrus currently occupies the short stop position and will probably be in a Rangers' uniform for at least the next four to five years if not longer. Ian Kinsler is at second base but there's a lot less guarantee with his future than Andrus' so the question becomes, can Profar make the transition from short to second if he makes it to the big leagues in two to three years?
He is going to be an interesting name to watch over the next few weeks.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Texas Rangers Notes: Why Jeremy Guthrie Could Add Pop to the Rotation
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For the last few days a lot of the trade talk has centered around relievers like Heath Bell, Francisco Rodriguez, and a few others.
While the bullpen is definitely something general manager Jon Daniels and CEO Nolan Ryan will need to address, they also need to do something about the starting rotation. They need to bring in a starter, or two, who will allow them to move struggling Alexi Ogando back to the bullpen and possibly into the seventh or eighth inning role.
In four of the last five seasons, Guthrie has finished with an ERA under 4.00 including a career low 3.63 back in 2008 and has posted three consecutive 10-win seasons.
He's a solid starter and all of his experience has been in the AL East, a division most would call the best in baseball.
His fastball velocity will range any where from the high 80's to mid 90's and he's able to paint the corners with it. His slider will stay around the mid 80's but he has been known to ramp it into the low 90's as well. Those are the two pitches he's thrown the most over his career but he will mix in a curve and changeup as well but, according to fangraphs.com, he won't use those two pitches near as often.
Over his career, Guthrie has thrown his fastball and slider 83.6% of the time with the other 16.4% centered around the curve and changeup.
Guthrie has always gotten off to fast starts to every season. He has a career 3.29 ERA in the month of May but for the rest of the season he'll hover around the 4.30 to 4.70 mark.
He's a guy who won't cost the Rangers their top prospects but the Orioles will look to acquire the likes of Craig Gentry and possibly a few other minor leaguers maybe of the mid-level variety.
Bringing in Guthrie allows the team to make some changes to their rotation in order to strengthen their bullpen. They can roll with Derek Holland, Matt Harrison and possibly Colby Lewis at the back end of the rotation, at least for now.
But with Wilson and Guthrie leading the staff, this team and it's rotation, automatically becomes the best in the AL West and allows them a little breathing room between themselves and the rest of the division.
While the bullpen is definitely something general manager Jon Daniels and CEO Nolan Ryan will need to address, they also need to do something about the starting rotation. They need to bring in a starter, or two, who will allow them to move struggling Alexi Ogando back to the bullpen and possibly into the seventh or eighth inning role.
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| Photo courtesy: Associated Press |
Jeremy Guthrie, a 32-year old right hander with the Baltimore Orioles, is a guy the Rangers could bring in and plug in as the number two starter behind ace, C.J. Wilson.
Guthrie is currently 3-9 with a 3.93 ERA but don't forget this is for an Orioles team that is hitting .260 as a team and really doesn't have much of a chance to win their own division. Especially when that division already boasts the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays.
In four of the last five seasons, Guthrie has finished with an ERA under 4.00 including a career low 3.63 back in 2008 and has posted three consecutive 10-win seasons.
He's a solid starter and all of his experience has been in the AL East, a division most would call the best in baseball.
His fastball velocity will range any where from the high 80's to mid 90's and he's able to paint the corners with it. His slider will stay around the mid 80's but he has been known to ramp it into the low 90's as well. Those are the two pitches he's thrown the most over his career but he will mix in a curve and changeup as well but, according to fangraphs.com, he won't use those two pitches near as often.
Over his career, Guthrie has thrown his fastball and slider 83.6% of the time with the other 16.4% centered around the curve and changeup.
Guthrie has always gotten off to fast starts to every season. He has a career 3.29 ERA in the month of May but for the rest of the season he'll hover around the 4.30 to 4.70 mark.
He's a guy who won't cost the Rangers their top prospects but the Orioles will look to acquire the likes of Craig Gentry and possibly a few other minor leaguers maybe of the mid-level variety.
Bringing in Guthrie allows the team to make some changes to their rotation in order to strengthen their bullpen. They can roll with Derek Holland, Matt Harrison and possibly Colby Lewis at the back end of the rotation, at least for now.
But with Wilson and Guthrie leading the staff, this team and it's rotation, automatically becomes the best in the AL West and allows them a little breathing room between themselves and the rest of the division.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Texas Rangers New Daily Podcast is Up!
For those of you who follow my blog, I'll be doing a daily podcast on everything Texas Rangers. So tune in, react, give suggestions, feedback, debate and whatever else you can think of.
Enjoy!!
http://theswingingfriar.podomatic.com/entry/2011-06-27T19_13_50-07_00
Enjoy!!
http://theswingingfriar.podomatic.com/entry/2011-06-27T19_13_50-07_00
Texas Rangers Interested in Carlos Beltran?
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The Texas Rangers have their list of needs as we get closer and closer to Major League Baseball's trade deadline at the end of July.
Everyone want to talk about fixing the bullpen and maybe bringing in a starter or two to add to the rotation in order to move both Derek Holland and Alexi Ogando back to the bullpen.
So, with that in mind, it wouldn't cross most people's minds that this team would look to add another outfielder.
Well, apparently that may not be the case.
According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, the Rangers are apparently interested in New York Mets' outfielder Carlos Beltran as well as reliever Francisco Rodriguez.
Beltran is making $18.5 million this season and will be a free agent at the end of this season. If the Mets pick up the majority of what remains of his contract, the Rangers might be willing to listen.
The Mets' outfielder is having perhaps his best season since 2008, hitting .278 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI through 273 at bats for New York.
Everyone want to talk about fixing the bullpen and maybe bringing in a starter or two to add to the rotation in order to move both Derek Holland and Alexi Ogando back to the bullpen.
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| Al Bello/Getty Images |
One area that hasn't gotten a lot of talk, for obvious reasons, is the outfield. Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Craig Gentry, and Endy Chavez are the five players who are on the depth chart. Hamilton and Cruz are getting the bulk of the playing time with Chavez, Gentry, and Murphy splitting the rest of the time for one spot.
So, with that in mind, it wouldn't cross most people's minds that this team would look to add another outfielder.
Well, apparently that may not be the case.
According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, the Rangers are apparently interested in New York Mets' outfielder Carlos Beltran as well as reliever Francisco Rodriguez.
Beltran is making $18.5 million this season and will be a free agent at the end of this season. If the Mets pick up the majority of what remains of his contract, the Rangers might be willing to listen.
The Mets' outfielder is having perhaps his best season since 2008, hitting .278 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI through 273 at bats for New York.
Texas Rangers Notes: Why Heath Bell May Not Be a Ranger After All
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With the trade deadline almost exactly a month away, the talk surrounding how to change and strengthen the Texas Rangers' bullpen will become a hot topic of conversation.
The one name who has continued to come up is San Diego Padres' closer Heath Bell. He's a guy the Rangers would love to have and a guy who would be a great fit at the back end of the bullpen.
But there's just one problem.
He's been with the San Diego Padres for five seasons now and knows there really isn't a light at the end of their tunnel. At least not any time soon.
The Padres are going to look for some young prospects from any team showing interest. The Rangers will be one of those teams but the fear is having it end up as another "Cliff Lee deal." In other words, send prospects to San Diego for a three month rental.
Texas sent Justin Smoak to Seattle at the trade deadline last season in return for Lee even though they knew there was a good possibility he would end up going elsewhere once the season was over. Nolan Ryan didn't seem as convinced, even saying at times he felt confident that they would be able to get a deal done and bring Lee back for the 2011 season.
But, no matter how much they tried to talk to him and woo him back to Arlington, Lee did what was best for him and his family, eventually signing with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Well, as it turns out, the Rangers might have to compete with the Phillies once more. According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Philadelphia is apparently asking around for bullpen help and could turn their sights directly to the west coast and Heath Bell.
With Jose Contreras out four to six weeks with a strained forearm, it's only natural they would start shopping around to see who's available. The Phillies, already boasting the likes of Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, and the aforementioned Lee, would be an enticing place for Bell at this point in his career.
But unless the Rangers can talk Bell in to signing long term as a part of a trade, general manager Jon Daniels along with Nolan Ryan, might have a hard time giving up top prospects for yet another rental. Even with Bell in the mix, this team is still a long shot to get back to the World Series, let alone repeat as ALCS Champions.
The one name who has continued to come up is San Diego Padres' closer Heath Bell. He's a guy the Rangers would love to have and a guy who would be a great fit at the back end of the bullpen.
But there's just one problem.
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| Denis Poroy/Getty Images |
Bell is a free agent after this season and there is no guarantee he will sign a long term deal with Texas. Being 34-years old and seemingly at back end of his career, Bell wants to go where he can finally win a championship.
The Padres are going to look for some young prospects from any team showing interest. The Rangers will be one of those teams but the fear is having it end up as another "Cliff Lee deal." In other words, send prospects to San Diego for a three month rental.
Texas sent Justin Smoak to Seattle at the trade deadline last season in return for Lee even though they knew there was a good possibility he would end up going elsewhere once the season was over. Nolan Ryan didn't seem as convinced, even saying at times he felt confident that they would be able to get a deal done and bring Lee back for the 2011 season.
But, no matter how much they tried to talk to him and woo him back to Arlington, Lee did what was best for him and his family, eventually signing with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Well, as it turns out, the Rangers might have to compete with the Phillies once more. According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Philadelphia is apparently asking around for bullpen help and could turn their sights directly to the west coast and Heath Bell.
With Jose Contreras out four to six weeks with a strained forearm, it's only natural they would start shopping around to see who's available. The Phillies, already boasting the likes of Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, and the aforementioned Lee, would be an enticing place for Bell at this point in his career.
But unless the Rangers can talk Bell in to signing long term as a part of a trade, general manager Jon Daniels along with Nolan Ryan, might have a hard time giving up top prospects for yet another rental. Even with Bell in the mix, this team is still a long shot to get back to the World Series, let alone repeat as ALCS Champions.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Texas Rangers: Mets' Reliever Francisco Rodriguez Could be Cheap to Acquire
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I spoke to a Mets source today who told me Rodriguez is going to be more or less a salary dump for the team. He has a $17.5 million vesting option for next season which, the source told me, the Mets will probably need to pick up most or all of that option in order to move him.
As far as what he would cost in return I was told probably nothing more than a mid-level prospect or two.
Rodriguez is still a good reliever and if he can get control of his fastball back, could become a solid reliever in the Rangers' bullpen if he's the guy they want.
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| Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images |
One of the names on the list of possible trades the Texas Rangers can pursue is New York Mets reliever, Francisco Rodriguez, who is with his team in Arlington for the next three days.
I spoke to a Mets source today who told me Rodriguez is going to be more or less a salary dump for the team. He has a $17.5 million vesting option for next season which, the source told me, the Mets will probably need to pick up most or all of that option in order to move him.
As far as what he would cost in return I was told probably nothing more than a mid-level prospect or two.
Rodriguez is still a good reliever and if he can get control of his fastball back, could become a solid reliever in the Rangers' bullpen if he's the guy they want.
Texas Rangers: Is Chris Davis Still on the San Diego Padres' Radar?
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The Texas Rangers are going to be buyers at the deadline especially where their bullpen is concerned. While we've talked about who they could possibly go after what we haven't talked about is who the Rangers might have to give up to make a deal.
Heath Bell seems to be the one player a lot of Ranger fans have their eye on as the guy who could bolster their bullpen and help them down the stretch towards the playoffs.
Chris Davis, a name who has come up on more than one occasion, has been mentioned in connection with the Padres. However, a few Padre fans have told me the team would have no need for Davis with Anthony Rizzo up with the Padres and Kyle Blanks returning next season.
"[Davis] would fit the description of a player who's been around for a couple of years but he hasn't put up consecutive solid years yet. He's going to hit a lot of home runs in the PCL and the Southern League. The ball flies there and there isn't big league pitching in either of those leagues."
Maybe that explains the struggles Davis goes through when he makes the transition from Triple-A Round Rock to the Rangers. He's hit five home runs over his last eight games, something that would make anyone stand up and take notice.
However, every time he's had success in the minor leagues, he's called up to the Rangers and just can't find the same kind of rhythm.
Davis hasn't had a real chance to play on an every day basis this season and it makes me wonder if he would have success if he could find a team who would want him as their every day first baseman.
There's no doubt Davis could be dangled in a deal but will it be enough for San Diego to relinquish their closer?
"Only think I could think of is the Padres can say no until they get what they want," said this source. "They don't have to rush to get rid of Bell. With each day that goes by his value skyrockets because the [trade] market is weak for prime pitching."
"The Padres are in the driver's seat for the deadline. There's always one team every year who goes all in and never wins the World Series."
Unless Davis comes up to the big leagues and lights Arlington fire at the plate, he may be staying in a Texas uniform. At least for the immediate future.
Things always change. Stay tuned for the next month and a half because things always get crazy a few weeks prior to the trade deadline.
That's when teams, in desperate need of an impact player, become desperate.
The Texas Rangers are going to be buyers at the deadline especially where their bullpen is concerned. While we've talked about who they could possibly go after what we haven't talked about is who the Rangers might have to give up to make a deal.
Heath Bell seems to be the one player a lot of Ranger fans have their eye on as the guy who could bolster their bullpen and help them down the stretch towards the playoffs.
With that in mind, I talked to a source with knowledge of the San Diego Padres and what it might take to land Bell in a deal.
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| Christian Petersen/Getty Images |
"Nobody [in the Padres lineup] scares anyone," the source told me. "They have plenty of young guys now, they need a young player who has been around for a couple of years."
"[Davis] would fit the description of a player who's been around for a couple of years but he hasn't put up consecutive solid years yet. He's going to hit a lot of home runs in the PCL and the Southern League. The ball flies there and there isn't big league pitching in either of those leagues."
Maybe that explains the struggles Davis goes through when he makes the transition from Triple-A Round Rock to the Rangers. He's hit five home runs over his last eight games, something that would make anyone stand up and take notice.
However, every time he's had success in the minor leagues, he's called up to the Rangers and just can't find the same kind of rhythm.
Davis hasn't had a real chance to play on an every day basis this season and it makes me wonder if he would have success if he could find a team who would want him as their every day first baseman.
There's no doubt Davis could be dangled in a deal but will it be enough for San Diego to relinquish their closer?
"Only think I could think of is the Padres can say no until they get what they want," said this source. "They don't have to rush to get rid of Bell. With each day that goes by his value skyrockets because the [trade] market is weak for prime pitching."
"The Padres are in the driver's seat for the deadline. There's always one team every year who goes all in and never wins the World Series."
Unless Davis comes up to the big leagues and lights Arlington fire at the plate, he may be staying in a Texas uniform. At least for the immediate future.
Things always change. Stay tuned for the next month and a half because things always get crazy a few weeks prior to the trade deadline.
That's when teams, in desperate need of an impact player, become desperate.
Texas Rangers Notes: Josh Hamilton, Francisco Rodriguez, Neftali Feliz, Brett Myers
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Whatever the reasons might be, Hamilton is hitting an abysmal .122 during day games this season without a single home run.
Rangers Scouting Mets' Closer?
While he is one of the options I talked about yesterday, his recent struggles might keep him as a third or even fourth option if the other names the Rangers are after fall through.
Rodriguez has blown two of his last three saves and has given up eight earned runs in his last 10 innings pitched. He's not the same guy who set the baseball world on fire with the then Anaheim Angels.
The problem with K-Rod could have been told in an SI.com piece three years ago that talked about his inability to command his fastball.
A reliever like Rodriguez tends to try to throw a mid-90's fastball by Major League hitters but without command of that pitch, it's going to look like nothing but batting practice.
While he may not be their first option, the Rangers will still be looking carefully at the young reliever and how he handles himself in one of the biggest hitters parks in baseball.
What to do With Neftali Feliz?
There's no question demoting Feliz might bruise his confidence a little bit, maybe he needs to learn from a real professional and how he goes about his business as a shut down closer. Maybe he can learn from a guy like Bell on how to prepare himself both mentally and physically before he comes trotting out for the ninth inning.
As for next season, the Rangers had attempted to look at him as a starter but he didn't have the command or the pitches to be effective. But if Ogando can come out of the bullpen, become a starter, and be effective there's no reason Feliz can't do it as well.
If he continues to struggle in the back end of the bullpen, it gives manager Ron Washington even less confidence to keep giving him the ball with the game on the line.
Rangers Interested in Brett Myers?
Holland has that experience and has proven to be a solid reliever with exception to his problems during the playoffs. Pitching one inning is a lot different than trying to go five, six, or seven innings and anywhere from 90 to 100 pitches.
One of the names that has surfaced is Houston Astros right hander, Brett Myers. He was a name a lot of teams were interested in after a 14-8 record and a 3.14 ERA with the Astros last season. However, Myers has not had the same kind of success in 2011.
In 16 starts, Myers is 3-6 with a 4.65 ERA and has given up two or more runs in each of his last four starts including giving up five runs over six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals back on June 7th.
He definitely brings a veteran presence to the rotation and a guy who can take the ball every fifth day and will battle from start to finish.
He's not a guy who will be on and off the disabled list throughout the season and he's someone who could be a solid No. 2 starter behind C.J. Wilson and in front of Alexi Ogando. The way Colby Lewis is throwing right now and with Tommy Hunter due back, you'd have a solid rotation from top to bottom.
Josh Hamilton Blames His Blue Eyes
He told the Rangers' Radio Network that having blue eyes makes it harder to see during the day. He has bought sunglasses to try and remedy the situation but it seems the damage is already done with the Ranger fans. Most calling him out for just being plain bad and others wanting Hamilton to stop with the excuses. |
| Mike Stobe/Getty Images |
Texas Rangers' outfielder Josh Hamilton has been notoriously bad as a hitter during day games. Well, apparently we now have the reason as to why he struggles.
Whatever the reasons might be, Hamilton is hitting an abysmal .122 during day games this season without a single home run.
Rangers Scouting Mets' Closer?
With the New York Mets coming to town, the Rangers will get a first hand look at young reliever Francisco Rodriguez, a guy some thing the team could look at as a trade option at the deadline next month.
While he is one of the options I talked about yesterday, his recent struggles might keep him as a third or even fourth option if the other names the Rangers are after fall through.
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| Scott Boehm/Getty Images |
The problem with K-Rod could have been told in an SI.com piece three years ago that talked about his inability to command his fastball.
A reliever like Rodriguez tends to try to throw a mid-90's fastball by Major League hitters but without command of that pitch, it's going to look like nothing but batting practice.
While he may not be their first option, the Rangers will still be looking carefully at the young reliever and how he handles himself in one of the biggest hitters parks in baseball.
What to do With Neftali Feliz?
With the Rangers looking to bolster their bullpen the question it will bring up with most fans and media alike is what will the team do with their current closer, Neftali Feliz.
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| Ronald Martinez/Getty Images |
If you bring in a guy like Heath Bell it will mean the end of Feliz's closing days. You can't bring in a proven closer and a guy who has all the confidence in the world, and only allow him the set up roll.
As for next season, the Rangers had attempted to look at him as a starter but he didn't have the command or the pitches to be effective. But if Ogando can come out of the bullpen, become a starter, and be effective there's no reason Feliz can't do it as well.
If he continues to struggle in the back end of the bullpen, it gives manager Ron Washington even less confidence to keep giving him the ball with the game on the line.
Rangers Interested in Brett Myers?
Not only are the Texas Rangers looking to bring in a name or two to solidify their bullpen but they're also looking at bringing in a proven starter to add to their rotation.
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| Rob Carr/Getty Images |
Young left handers Matt Harrison and Derek Holland have struggled and some wonder if these two pitchers can continue to be trusted in the rotation down the stretch. Maybe one or both would be better off helping the team out of the bullpen?
Holland has that experience and has proven to be a solid reliever with exception to his problems during the playoffs. Pitching one inning is a lot different than trying to go five, six, or seven innings and anywhere from 90 to 100 pitches.
One of the names that has surfaced is Houston Astros right hander, Brett Myers. He was a name a lot of teams were interested in after a 14-8 record and a 3.14 ERA with the Astros last season. However, Myers has not had the same kind of success in 2011.
In 16 starts, Myers is 3-6 with a 4.65 ERA and has given up two or more runs in each of his last four starts including giving up five runs over six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals back on June 7th.
He definitely brings a veteran presence to the rotation and a guy who can take the ball every fifth day and will battle from start to finish.
He's not a guy who will be on and off the disabled list throughout the season and he's someone who could be a solid No. 2 starter behind C.J. Wilson and in front of Alexi Ogando. The way Colby Lewis is throwing right now and with Tommy Hunter due back, you'd have a solid rotation from top to bottom.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Texas Rangers Notes: Bullpen Trade Options
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The Texas Rangers are in desperate need of fixing their bullpen. If Wednesday night's debacle wasn't enough for Ranger fans to begin scouring the internet for rumors of possible trades, I don't know what kind of meltdown it would actually take for panic to finally set in.
We know all the talk surrounding Neftali Feliz making the move from the team's closer to the starting rotation. The Rangers did not see enough of him during spring training to believe he could successfully make the transition.
Now, after blowing a two-run lead in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros on Wednesday, general manager Jon Daniels and CEO Nolan Ryan may need to kick start conversations with teams around Major League Baseball to see who is available.
With that in mind, here is a look at some of the bullpen names who could be mentioned in connection with Texas from now until the trade deadline at the end of July.
Heath Bell (Padres) - 2-3, 19 Saves, 2.70 ERA
As for what Bell might cost the Rangers? A few names I've been told are minor league shortstop Jurickson Profar and possibly reserve outfielder David Murphy. With rumors the Padres could trade outfielder Ryan Ludwick at the deadline, bringing in another veteran outfielder makes little sense in this scenario.
Mike Adams (Padres) - 2-1, 1.35 ERA
The soon to be 33-year told right hander has allowed just five earned runs 33.1 innings pitched and has given up just one run in his last nine innings.
Though he's only a year younger than Bell, Adams is the one who has ties to Texas. He was born in Corpus Christi and attended Texas A&M-Kingsville. A trade back to Texas would bring the native son home to an area he grew up in and close to family he still has in the state.
The Padres are less likely to give up Adams especially since he's under team control through the 2012 season. He would also cost the Rangers more in return than Bell would.
All that being said, he's shown just how dominant of a reliever he can be. Say what you want about pitching at Petco Park, where he sports a 1.06 ERA and holding opposing hitters to a .138 batting average, Adams has a 1.65 ERA away from Petco and is holding opposing hitters to a .155 batting average.
Joel Hanrahan (Pirates) - 0-1, 20 Saves, 1.31 ERA
According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune, the Texas Rangers had apparently contacted the Pittsburgh Pirates in late May about their closer, Joel Hanrahan.
He's been solid all season long and has yet to blow a save. He's only given up two earned runs over his last 20.1 innings pitched. Pittsburgh isn't exactly a pitcher's park so give the soon to be 30-year old right hander credit. He's arguably one of the biggest reasons the Pirates are only three games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central.
Hanrahan sports a 1.42 ERA at home and has held opposing hitters to a .194 batting average. On the road he's even better. He holds a 1.17 road ERA with a .218 batting average against.
Francisco Rodriguez (Mets) - 1-2, 19 Saves, 3.34 ERA
After his trade to the New York Mets, and drama involving his arrest for assaulting his father-in-law last year, he just hasn't been the same dominant closer that he had been in the past.
Rodriguez has blown each of his last two saves and has given up eight earned runs in his last 10 innings pitched. If he's struggling in the NL East, how are things going to go for him in the American League especially in a hitter's park?
Kerry Wood (Cubs) - 1-3, 2.25 ERA
Wood's career took a big turn for the better in 2010 as a member of the New York Yankees. The right hander was 2-0 with an astounding 0.69 ERA allowing just two earned runs in 24 appearances with the Bronx Bombers.
His experience in one of the toughest divisions in baseball, the AL East, will make him a very sought after commodity at the trade deadline.
With things not going so well for the Chicago Cubs, Wood could definitely be just one of several players on the trade block.
While the A's aren't waving the white flag of surrender on a very weak AL West division, they could very well do just that if they continue to slip further and further behind the Seattle Mariners and front-runner Texas Rangers.
In 2010, Balfour showed the kind of dominance he could bring with the Tampa Bay Rays. He had 57 relief appearances (55.1 IP) he had a 2.28 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .216 batting average. He was signed by the Oakland A's during the off season and has been just as dominant in 2011 as he was last season.
This season, in 33 relief appearances (32.2 IP), Balfour has a 2.48 ERA and holding hitters to a .198 batting average.
Best of the rest:
Sean Marshall (Cubs)
Todd Coffey (Nationals)
Joakim Soria (Royals)
Tyler Clippard (Nationals)
Kevin Gregg (Orioles)
The Texas Rangers are in desperate need of fixing their bullpen. If Wednesday night's debacle wasn't enough for Ranger fans to begin scouring the internet for rumors of possible trades, I don't know what kind of meltdown it would actually take for panic to finally set in.
We know all the talk surrounding Neftali Feliz making the move from the team's closer to the starting rotation. The Rangers did not see enough of him during spring training to believe he could successfully make the transition.
Now, after blowing a two-run lead in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros on Wednesday, general manager Jon Daniels and CEO Nolan Ryan may need to kick start conversations with teams around Major League Baseball to see who is available.
With that in mind, here is a look at some of the bullpen names who could be mentioned in connection with Texas from now until the trade deadline at the end of July.
Heath Bell (Padres) - 2-3, 19 Saves, 2.70 ERA
San Diego Padres' closer Heath Bell is a name that came up immediately after Feliz blew the save for the Rangers on Wednesday night. But his name has come up long before that.
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| Justin Edmonds/Getty Images |
It's common knowledge that the Padres are going to make him available at the deadline as the team will not be able to afford what Bell will ask for in free agency.
I talked to a source last week who told me the Rangers had met with Padres' brass at Petco Park about a month ago. Though they couldn't say if names were exchanged, one has to believe the likes of Bell as well as Adams were probably brought up in conversation.
As for what Bell might cost the Rangers? A few names I've been told are minor league shortstop Jurickson Profar and possibly reserve outfielder David Murphy. With rumors the Padres could trade outfielder Ryan Ludwick at the deadline, bringing in another veteran outfielder makes little sense in this scenario.
Mike Adams (Padres) - 2-1, 1.35 ERA
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| Hannah Foslien/Getty Images |
While Heath Bell would be a great addition to the Rangers, San Diego Padres' set up man Mike Adams might be an even better option.
The soon to be 33-year told right hander has allowed just five earned runs 33.1 innings pitched and has given up just one run in his last nine innings.
Though he's only a year younger than Bell, Adams is the one who has ties to Texas. He was born in Corpus Christi and attended Texas A&M-Kingsville. A trade back to Texas would bring the native son home to an area he grew up in and close to family he still has in the state.
The Padres are less likely to give up Adams especially since he's under team control through the 2012 season. He would also cost the Rangers more in return than Bell would.
All that being said, he's shown just how dominant of a reliever he can be. Say what you want about pitching at Petco Park, where he sports a 1.06 ERA and holding opposing hitters to a .138 batting average, Adams has a 1.65 ERA away from Petco and is holding opposing hitters to a .155 batting average.
Joel Hanrahan (Pirates) - 0-1, 20 Saves, 1.31 ERA
According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune, the Texas Rangers had apparently contacted the Pittsburgh Pirates in late May about their closer, Joel Hanrahan.
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| Jared Wickerham/Getty Images |
At the time, the conversation did not go anywhere as the Pirates were not willing to talk about any deals regarding Hanrahan.
He's been solid all season long and has yet to blow a save. He's only given up two earned runs over his last 20.1 innings pitched. Pittsburgh isn't exactly a pitcher's park so give the soon to be 30-year old right hander credit. He's arguably one of the biggest reasons the Pirates are only three games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central.
Hanrahan sports a 1.42 ERA at home and has held opposing hitters to a .194 batting average. On the road he's even better. He holds a 1.17 road ERA with a .218 batting average against.
Francisco Rodriguez (Mets) - 1-2, 19 Saves, 3.34 ERA
There was a time where I would almost beg for a guy like 29-year old Francisco Rodriguez. This is a young reliever who burst onto the Major League Baseball scene with the then Anaheim Angels during their World Series run. He was the young kid who made Derek Jeter and other New York Yankee hitters look like little leaguers at the plate.
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| Scott Boehm/Getty Images |
His fastball was in the upper 90's with a breaking ball that was absolutely unhittable.
After his trade to the New York Mets, and drama involving his arrest for assaulting his father-in-law last year, he just hasn't been the same dominant closer that he had been in the past.
Rodriguez has blown each of his last two saves and has given up eight earned runs in his last 10 innings pitched. If he's struggling in the NL East, how are things going to go for him in the American League especially in a hitter's park?
Kerry Wood (Cubs) - 1-3, 2.25 ERA
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| Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images |
Kerry Wood is one of those relievers the Rangers would love to bring in. He's currently on the 15-day disabled list with a blister on his right index finger but that shouldn't keep teams from inquiring about his availability.
Wood's career took a big turn for the better in 2010 as a member of the New York Yankees. The right hander was 2-0 with an astounding 0.69 ERA allowing just two earned runs in 24 appearances with the Bronx Bombers.
His experience in one of the toughest divisions in baseball, the AL East, will make him a very sought after commodity at the trade deadline.
With things not going so well for the Chicago Cubs, Wood could definitely be just one of several players on the trade block.
Grant Balfour (A's) - 4-1, 2 Saves, 2.48 ERA
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| Ezra Shaw/Getty Images |
Oakland A's flamethrower, Grant Balfour, could be one of the more interesting names as the trade deadline approaches.
While the A's aren't waving the white flag of surrender on a very weak AL West division, they could very well do just that if they continue to slip further and further behind the Seattle Mariners and front-runner Texas Rangers.
In 2010, Balfour showed the kind of dominance he could bring with the Tampa Bay Rays. He had 57 relief appearances (55.1 IP) he had a 2.28 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .216 batting average. He was signed by the Oakland A's during the off season and has been just as dominant in 2011 as he was last season.
This season, in 33 relief appearances (32.2 IP), Balfour has a 2.48 ERA and holding hitters to a .198 batting average.
Best of the rest:
Sean Marshall (Cubs)
Todd Coffey (Nationals)
Joakim Soria (Royals)
Tyler Clippard (Nationals)
Kevin Gregg (Orioles)
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Texas Rangers Notes: C.J. Wilson, Mitch Moreland, Mike Napoli
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Not a lot to talk about today by way of trade rumors but I will give you one interesting nugget I was able to scrounge up. The rest is just little odds and ends from the Rangers' walk off win over the Astros on Tuesday night.
C.J. Wilson Struggles With Command
Once in awhile, he can get away with struggling once in awhile, so long as the Rangers come out with a win. Such was the case on Tuesday night against the Houston Astros. Wilson gave up four runs and 11 hits through six and two-third innings.
Luckily, his offense picked him up thanks to a game-tying home run from Josh Hamilton and a game winning walk-off blast from Mitch Moreland. His second home run in as many nights.
The very first pitch Moreland saw he sent deep into the Texas night and about 15 rows back in the second deck. Sending his teammates jumping dugout railing and over to home plate to await the impending celebration.
It was Moreland's second blast in as many nights. If his bat stays hot, the Rangers could get on a much needed winning streak as they head towards the All-Star break.
Mike Napoli on the Trading Block?
I can see the Rangers dealing Teagarden especially seeing the kind of struggles he's had with the big club. I don't see them dealing Napoli at all and there's no reason to do so.
He's a better hitter than Teagarden and Napoli can not only back up starter Yorvit Torrealba behind the plate but also give manager Ron Washington a decent defensive option at first base.
The Giants need catching especially after the season ending injury to Buster Posey. But don't expect the Rangers to engage them where Napoli is concerned. Unless there's a solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter coming back in the deal.
Not a lot to talk about today by way of trade rumors but I will give you one interesting nugget I was able to scrounge up. The rest is just little odds and ends from the Rangers' walk off win over the Astros on Tuesday night.
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| Rick Yeatts/Getty Images |
For a guy who took over the role of the 'ace' in the starting rotation, C.J. Wilson has handled the duties better than most expected he would.
Once in awhile, he can get away with struggling once in awhile, so long as the Rangers come out with a win. Such was the case on Tuesday night against the Houston Astros. Wilson gave up four runs and 11 hits through six and two-third innings.
Luckily, his offense picked him up thanks to a game-tying home run from Josh Hamilton and a game winning walk-off blast from Mitch Moreland. His second home run in as many nights.
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| Rick Yeatts/Getty Images |
Mitch Moreland Swingin' a Sweet Bat
After Monday night's 455-foot bomb, Moreland admitted he did watch it just a little bit. On Tuesday night, there was no doubt he admired his work on another bomb to right field, this one of the walk-off variety in the 11th inning.
The very first pitch Moreland saw he sent deep into the Texas night and about 15 rows back in the second deck. Sending his teammates jumping dugout railing and over to home plate to await the impending celebration.
It was Moreland's second blast in as many nights. If his bat stays hot, the Rangers could get on a much needed winning streak as they head towards the All-Star break.
Mike Napoli on the Trading Block?
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| Jeff Chiu/Associated Press |
Last week, CBS Sports' Danny Knobler had a blog talking about the San Francisco Giants' interest in Rangers' catcher, Taylor Teagarden.
A week later, Knobler seems to think the Rangers will deal Mike Napoli to the Giants once he's ready to be activated from the disabled list.
I can see the Rangers dealing Teagarden especially seeing the kind of struggles he's had with the big club. I don't see them dealing Napoli at all and there's no reason to do so.
He's a better hitter than Teagarden and Napoli can not only back up starter Yorvit Torrealba behind the plate but also give manager Ron Washington a decent defensive option at first base.
The Giants need catching especially after the season ending injury to Buster Posey. But don't expect the Rangers to engage them where Napoli is concerned. Unless there's a solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter coming back in the deal.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Texas Rangers Notes: Holland, O'Day, Wilson, Marshall, Balfour
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Holland did just that, giving up just three runs through seven and one-third innings, and got a very nice ovation from the 41,000 fans at Rangers' Ballpark.
His next start should come this weekend at home against the New York Mets.
He's scheduled to pitch at Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday where the Rangers should make a determination on whether he's ready to return to the team or if he needs a little more time.
O'Day went on the 60-day disabled list on April 27th with a torn labrum in his left hip.
C.J. Wilson Could be a Free Agent Prize
According to Mark Hale of the New York Post, the New York Yankees could potentially be a suitor for Wilson when the 2011 season comes to a close.
"And really when you're 40 or 50 years old, you're going to look back on your career and say, 'This is why I did it and I'm cool with it,' Wilson told Hale. "When I was 8 years old, I wanted to win the World Series. When I was 12 years old, I wanted to win the World Series. It's just always going to be that. It's always going to be the deciding factor, one way or the other."
Could Sean Marshall be on the Rangers' Radar?
In 80 games last season (74.2 IP), he finished 7-5 with a 2.65 ERA. This season, through 33 games (33.2 IP), Marshall sports a 3-2 record with a 2.41 ERA.
With the Rangers looking to better their bullpen for the stretch run, Marshall would be one of those guys who would be a solid addition if they could give the Cubs what they are looking for. Though Chicago has no reason to give him up, seeing as he's still yet to turn 29 this year (Aug. 30th), he still has some good years ahead of him.
The left hander signed a 2-year $4.7 million extension with the team and he's slated to earn $3.1 million next season.
Grant Balfour a Good Fit in Texas?
The 6-foot-2 197 pound reliever from Australia is signed through 2012 with a $4.5 million club option for the 2013 season.
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| Rick Yeatts/Getty Images |
Derek Holland Bounces Back
After a rough outing against the New York Yankees his last time out, Derek Holland needed to put together a solid start against the Houston Astros on Monday night. If for no other reason than to get his confidence back.
Holland did just that, giving up just three runs through seven and one-third innings, and got a very nice ovation from the 41,000 fans at Rangers' Ballpark.
His next start should come this weekend at home against the New York Mets.
Darren O'Day on The Mend
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| Elsa/Getty Images |
Sidewinder Darren O'Day made his first rehab appearance on Monday night, allowing a solo home run in his one inning for Double-A Frisco.
He's scheduled to pitch at Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday where the Rangers should make a determination on whether he's ready to return to the team or if he needs a little more time.
O'Day went on the 60-day disabled list on April 27th with a torn labrum in his left hip.
C.J. Wilson Could be a Free Agent Prize
Ever since Cliff Lee decided he didn't want to sign a long term deal with the Texas Rangers during the off season, C.J. Wilson has stepped into the role of staff 'ace' and has played it beautifully.
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| Al Bello/Getty Images |
The soon-to-be 31-year old right hander is 7-3 through 15 starts this season with a 3.03 ERA. He's pitched well enough to be getting some attention from around the big leagues, especially teams who will be looking for pitching during the off season.
According to Mark Hale of the New York Post, the New York Yankees could potentially be a suitor for Wilson when the 2011 season comes to a close.
"And really when you're 40 or 50 years old, you're going to look back on your career and say, 'This is why I did it and I'm cool with it,' Wilson told Hale. "When I was 8 years old, I wanted to win the World Series. When I was 12 years old, I wanted to win the World Series. It's just always going to be that. It's always going to be the deciding factor, one way or the other."
Could Sean Marshall be on the Rangers' Radar?
For those fans of the Chicago Cubs or fans of other teams in the National League's Central Division, you have probably seen left handed reliever, Sean Marshall. If you haven't seen him, you've probably been looking somewhere else because at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, Marshall is a hard guy to miss.
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| Christian Petersen/Getty Images |
Ever since he transitioned from the starting rotation to the bullpen, Marshall has been nothing short of dominant.
In 80 games last season (74.2 IP), he finished 7-5 with a 2.65 ERA. This season, through 33 games (33.2 IP), Marshall sports a 3-2 record with a 2.41 ERA.
With the Rangers looking to better their bullpen for the stretch run, Marshall would be one of those guys who would be a solid addition if they could give the Cubs what they are looking for. Though Chicago has no reason to give him up, seeing as he's still yet to turn 29 this year (Aug. 30th), he still has some good years ahead of him.
The left hander signed a 2-year $4.7 million extension with the team and he's slated to earn $3.1 million next season.
Grant Balfour a Good Fit in Texas?
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| Brian Bahr/Getty Images |
ESPN's Buster Olney has a piece out this afternoon and brings up Oakland A's right hander, Grant Balfour. Olney says the Rangers could be a good fit if Oakland decides they are too far out of the race to be contenders.
Balfour is in his very first season with the A's and, according to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, is looking like an All-Star this season. In 32 appearances (31.1 IP), Balfour is 4-1 with a 2.59 ERA, holding apposing batters to a .205 batting average.
The 6-foot-2 197 pound reliever from Australia is signed through 2012 with a $4.5 million club option for the 2013 season.
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