Rangers Rumors: Byrd, Valverde, Littleton

I wonder if Millwood/Padilla + Laird for Valverde would be a match?

Maybe the Rangers kick over a little $$$ as well. Millwood might be a decent fit in the NL Central if the Astros still want rotation help. Then Houston's pen is very thin, though.

I think the hype surrounding Clay has more to do with how he's dominated every level of minor league ball and has #1/2 starter stuff. He's a very good pitcher who has struggled through a very small sample size of major league games. The guy is too talented to give up on and I'm very pleased to hear the Sox aren't willing to give him up. They have plenty of other prospects for the Rangers to chose from.

Why would the Astros want Millwood or Padilla? I know the Astros need pitching, but I would think that they would want young pitching, not pitching that weren't even league average in era+. Both were under 100, which would not work for a closer of his ability.Not to mention a catcher who is under league avg in OPS+ as well. And Houston's pen isn't that weak, so that trade would help out exactly none. Maybe you could throw in one of those catchers then we would talk, not a 28 year old

I wonder where people keep getting this idea about the Astros trading people. The only way I would think the Astros would trade him is if it is in a trade for Peavy.

I am happy that you aren't in charge! haha. I could justify trading Buch in a Johan deal, but I don't think trading him for a defensively challenged catcher, who some belief can't stay behind the plate and will need to be moved to 1B. If Salty were more of a sure thing, then I'd be more willing to let Clay go, but I just don't see enough from Salty to justify giving up such an immense talent. I actually like Teagarden a lot more than Salty, I feel like he's a more well rounded backstop. Not sure if the Rangers are intersted in moving him, but he'd be the one I'd be ok with trading Clay for.

I have no problem with trading Clay, but based on his potential, track record, and years of team control ahead of him, he's just got too much value/talent to trade for someone who might not be able to stay behind the plate.

Coupla thoughts...

1. I for one can see exactly why Houston would trade for a guy like Millwood - it totally fits in with their approach under Drayton. In the last few years they have decimated their minor leagues to get a bunch of overpaid, old veterans, and now they are forced into trying to build a team through the FA market, which is costly, difficult, and stupid. The only other option would be for them to trade away a couple of their veterans for some prospects, but I think Drayton is holding off from doing that because he wants to see if they can put together a good spring. If they start off slowly, don't you think they'll have a massive fire sale at some point next season? So for now, if they can pick up a guy like Millwood to solifidy their rotation without having to give up too much in return (Valverde is too much), I totally see them doing that.

2. Jonathan Sanchez for Salty would be a great deal for Texas, but do you really think SF would do that? I don't. I also don't think you can just move Salty to first and expect anything more than league-worst defense out of him. He's not a first baseman, and it'll probably take him a couple of seasons to get comfortable there. Hell, he's not even comfortable behind the plate, and he's been doing that for his whole life!

Kherub Lives: Ishikawa probably deserves his shot. I'm more inclined to let Pablo Sandoval take first base, though, if the Giants can't acquire a quality 1B. However, Ishikawa at 1B and Sandoval at 3B, while keeping Sanchez, yeah, probably is the better idea. Sandoval, btw, is hitting over .400 with 10HR in winter ball.

J the Dizzolla: You and Kherub are right. I got into a coffee fit, I think, and didn't have my head on straight.

that teagarden, cj wilson for nick evans, feliciano, heilman trade would be a terrible deal. Heilman can't keep the ball at a pitchers park like shea why on earth would they want him to pitch in texas a HITTERS park. Evans is a scrub and feliciana can't get a right hander out to save his life.

Kherub:

Respectfully, I think you are overvaluing Heilman and undervaluing Laird. Heilman is a proven veteran who had an off year last year, and whose value is pretty low right now. Laird is a proven veteran who had a solid year last year and is a top 10 defensive catcher with decent production (he can hit for decent average and knock in some runs). That's not me being a homer - those are just the facts.

The Rangers need pitching, and they also need to relieve the glut at C. They have made it clear that they are not shopping Teagarden - he's the guy they've pegged to be their C long-term - and I imagine they'd only consider trading Teagarden if the bounty were for someone like Clay Bucholtz.

Sorry, but Heilman is no Bucholtz.

So once again, I assert that a fair deal for both teams, if they were to try to do a P for C thing - would be Laird for Heilman.

We keep responding to one another at the same time! ;)

Don't know why you are so down on Laird. He's not flashy, but he's great defensively, and he can hit some doubles. Great arm throwing out base stealers. He also bunts great, and has really good speed for a catcher. He's also a funny guy who is much loved in the clubhouse . Actually, he's a great fit for the NL.

Regarding your other question, I don't think Laird would get Street, but I also don't think Heilman has as much value now as Street does. Again, that's just my perception. I could be totally wrong. I think to get Street, Texas would have to fork over Salty or Tea.

I think to get Heilman, if the Mets agree to take Laird, Texas would probably have to throw in another player a "B" - which they could do - someone like Golson or Mendoza or Boggs or Littleton.

I still don't see WHY you don't like Laird, and why anyone should think that other ml teams would share your prejudice against him. To me, the knock on him is that he isn't exactly cheap, he hasn't exactly been consistent, and he has had a couple of injuries in the past. But he's not bad. Hell, he's a lot better than Schneider.

Another way of saying this is that you're entitled to your opinion, but don't you think the Mets might not share that opinion?

Regarding your equation above, the Rangers don't want to trade Teagarden, and they don't need to trade Teagarden either. So they would only do so if they were blown away by an offer, say for Bucholtz. So, no - Heilman and Feliciano would most certainly not be an offer that would "blow them away."

I have heard for sure that Boston doesn't want Laird, but I haven't heard anything from the Mets about any antipathy towards Laird - and I don't even know if they're even trying to land a starting catcher through a trade this off season. So all of this might be MOOT anyway. And for all I know, there are 15 teams scratching to get Heilman, so his value may be a little inflated from sheer demand. Who knows?

There's so much bull crap floating around from the blogosphere, muddying up the waters, and there's so much bluster and bluff coming from agents and owners that it's almost impossible at times to discern (1) true value, and (2) real trades from completely made up crap.

Think how many times in the past month Tim has floated a rumor only to have to immediately post a retraction because the parties involved suddenly don't remember saying something or adamantly reject ever having said something in the first place.

It's crazy man.

Sorry Texas we already gave you 2 good players in last trade Gabbard and Murphy for GGGAAAAAAGGGGNNNNEEEE,
were not falling for that again. You can have 4 catchers on your 25 roster, no problem.

so where does Valverde end up?