Rangers Rumors: Blalock, Bradley

Wait, fixing the worst rotation in the AL is not a top priority?

Is it just me, or cant Blalock play 3rd base? He isn't that bad defensively.

How the heck is Milton Bradley a Type B free agent?

"How the heck is Milton Bradley a Type B free agent?"

Are you asking that as "why isn't he Type A" or "why is he rated at all?"

If Bradley is type B it's because his counting stats don't stack up to the other DH's in the American League. He is hurt by the fact that he spent a lot of time last year on the bench where Elias' DL adjustment doesn't help him. I should have all projections finalized within the next couple of weeks. We'll see where he ranks.

Not to say that Blalock is old or washed up or anything like that, just don't think he is something the Yankees will be looking for.

How about Salty to Washington for Tim Redding? The Bats need more options at 1B and Jesus Flores could use some backup at Catcher. Redding had a great first half in '08 and is under team control for a couple more years.

Washington doesn't have the prospects to have any chance at getting Salty. Redding had a career second half and that doesn't qualify him as a top of the rotation starter which is what they could/should receive for trading either Salty or Teagarden.

Two things:
Galarraga was a steal from them. Look how well he did on a dismal pitching staff this year.
Second, what would the Tigers need to give up to get one of these catchers (preferably Salty).

"Washington doesn't have the prospects to have any chance at getting Salty. Redding had a career second half and that doesn't qualify him as a top of the rotation starter which is what they could/should receive for trading either Salty or Teagarden."

First, neither of those guys is worth a top of the rotation starter. There are maybe 3 catchers in baseball who are worth that and they are 1) Russel Martin, 2) Brian McCann and 3) a healthy Victor Martinez. I actually think a package built around Redding wouldn't be a bad idea.

That said, the second thing is that catcher is not exactly a priority need for the Nats. Flores showed that he is more than capable of being a front line catcher.

If Darren Oliver is a type A free agent. Then Milton Bradley is also!!!

AMEN

How the hell is Mauer NOT #1?

2 batting titles at the age of 25 must mean nothing today. sheesh.

(Forgive my ignorance.)

Has Salty done anything at the major league level for the Rangers? I haven't followed him since the Braves traded him. He's really worth a front of the rotation guy now?

I know all about how much Rangers people like Chris Davis. Do I think he's untouchable? Maybe.

Should he be untouchable, when the Rangers have a great offense without him and pretty weak starting pitching? No.

And would Davis be overvalued if they were asking for Liriano from the Twins? Yes.

I think Davis should be available for a good package like one the Twins could offer. They did so with Garza last year to get a bat, and they might again this winter.

If I were Bill Smith, I'd be willing to trade Perkins, Bonser, and Humber (along with a 1-2 non-pitchers if Texas were looking: Pridie, Buscher, etc.). That would be three starting pitchers (none of which are as good as Liriano, but all of which could start in the MLB). That is a lot of pitchers and a lot of service time for one batter who hasn't played much in the MLB.

Alternately, I'd be willing to trade the best 3B prospect in the Twins minor league system along with Boof, Humber, and Mulvey (or perhaps Boof and Perkins). This would give the Rangers someone to take Blalock's place after next season, or possibly compete for 3B out of spring training, along with some starting pitching, while the Twins get an upgrade at 3B in the lineup and continue to have some decent starters.

If I were Kenny Williams, I'd take on Milton Bradley at DH for 3 years.

I don't think the Rangers should consider trading Chris Davis right now. He's a cheap, young, power-hitting, patient hitter in an offensive ballpark.

That said, Blalock should be traded. not sure of an exact match of the top of my head, but at $6.2M i think you could definitely find a taker.

I think Laird should and will be traded. I would definitely take him on the Red Sox, and I think a good person to be involved in the deal would be Chris Carter. Before you jump on me, I;m not saying as the center-piece, but with another player I think it's a good fit. He has hit tremendously well at AAA for 3 years now, and would be a good LH hitting replacement at DH for Bradley so you can get that draft pick for letting him go, and Carter will be at the league minimum for the next 3 years on his rookie contract, and he's only 25.

Next, I think Teagarden should start next year in AAA and Saltalamacchia should start at catcher in Texas. There are 2 main reasons for this.
1. Saltalamacchia needs a chance to show what he can do playing catcher full-time. Re-evaluate the situation after 2 months.
2. Teagarden did not hit very well in his time at AA or AAA this year, although he hit exceptionally well in Texas. More seasoning can't hurt, make sure he's not put in a situation in which he's set up to fail.
When they re-evaluate the situation after 6-8 weeks in the season, perhaps they both perform well, and Saltalamacchia regains that trade value, while Teagarden proves ready to take over in Texas. Then this surplus becomes a great problem to have.

Next, for 3rd base, I think the Rangers should take a flier on Joe Crede if he can prove his health in the off season. He provides upside to the tune of a .290 AVG, .360 OBP, 25-30 HRs and good defense at 3rd. Worst case, hope Ramon Vasquez can repeat his performance from this year.

Hank making 6.2 million this year is at least 4-6 million cheaper than signing a FA 3rd basemen like Crede. 6.2 mil is chump change now a days. They will pick up the option, and if they dont get any good trade offers involving Hank and the winter meetings, he goes into spring training as the 1st baseman if his shoulder isnt good enough to play 3rd. That will allow the team to get production out of him until the trade deadline when they can flip him in a package. I like Hank alot but it would be crazy not to put him in a package to make the team better long term.

"hey will pick up the option, and if they dont get any good trade offers involving Hank and the winter meetings, he goes into spring training as the 1st baseman if his shoulder isnt good enough to play 3rd."

Chris Davis will be their first baseman, almost assuredly. If Blalock gets any playing time on the Rangers, it'll be at DH and then they decide to move Davis at DH instead.