Rangers Cutting Payroll?

In that same article Daniels says they arent looking to dump payroll.

The quote about taking a midlevel prospect was about Laird...not Saltalamacchia/Teagarden.

Laird to Detroit for a pitching prospect, one who's value is increasing after a slight dropoff due to injury?

"Laird to Detroit for a pitching prospect, one who's value is increasing after a slight dropoff due to injury?"

The Tigers don't really have much in terms of pitching prospects.

One guy fits your description, and that's lefty Casey Crosby, who I seriously doubt the Tigers want to move at this point.

Maybe the Rangers would be interested in Moscoso, but otherwise I don't see how the Tigers offer the best pitching prospect to Texas.

Yeah, this story is misleading. JD has said they aren't going to raise their payroll more than around 5 million more than last season (that'd put them in the low 70's), but that they are DEFINITELY NOT trying to cut salary either.

They are obviously trying to trade Laird first, since he's more expensive and has grumbled about his playing time. Plus, Salty has a much higher upside, and it wouldn't make sense to trade him when his value is low.

I would expect that they'd consider moving Millwood or Padilla if they thought they had a reasonable shot at Sheets, whom they could pay for with the money cleared from those guys' salaries.

Another guy they're trying to move is Catalanotto, who earns 4 million in 2009. Good luck with that one...

Do the Bucs go after Hammerin Hank, and flip Laroche to the A's for Bobby Crosby and a B-/C level prospect?

I like to think so.

If either Millwood or Padilla was making about half of what they are currently making, I'd consider them as back-of-the-rotation starters for the Mets. But alas, both of those contracts are ridiculous.

If either one of them are moved, how much are the Rangers willing to eat of those contracts?

MattyMets,

You would think that would be something that could be worked out. Daniels has a hard time doing deals like that, he's more into "i have texeira available, what will you give me"

I think they're making a run at Sheets. They don't put their business on the street anymore, you dont hear anything about Sheets, he declined arb so he has to know something is out there, and Texas is trying to move some salary around to keep the payroll in check. It's a lot of circumstantial evidence, but it's interesting nonetheless.

I cant understand why the Rangers are playing hard ball with the Sox. They obviously need pitching so stop offering Laird and stop asking for Buchholz. Bowden is probably gonna be better than any pitcher the Rangers have anyway

tolo:

Why would Texas trade Hank AND Cruz, who has shown signs of possibly having a monster season in 2009 for Jackson of all people? That's crazy. Hank for Jackson, straight up - that's more like it. But I don't think Texas would want Jackson, actually. I think if the bizarre transpired and Bradley actually took arbitration, then and only then would TX try to deal Hank. And if they were looking at anyone on TB, they'd definitely want Sonnanstine over Jackson.

Reality:

Wow - aren't the Red Sox doing the very same thing when they demand Teagarden and only offer Bowden? Laird will be traded, Salty won't. We don't need to trade him, at least not now - and we can afford to wait people out to get the maximum value for him. It's as simple as that. I don't think that's playing "hard ball" - that's just good business. The reason why no deal has been made between these clubs is because Theo does good business too.

Matty:

Yeah, both those contracts are prohibitive, and that's why I don't expect Texas to trade either of those guys until the deadline; that is, if they are both healthy & performing well. Who knows about Millwood? I feel pretty confident that Padilla will put up good numbers this year, since he's going to be pitching for a contract again, and historically he tends to put a little more effort into it when there's some $$$ on the line.

My guess is that Texas will end up trading one of their catchers only to a club that is also willing to eat either Padilla or Millwood's lousy contract.

Given that, they shouldn't expect a pitcher with ace potential in return. But getting rid of either of those guys will clear enough payroll to take a shot at Sheets.

Padilla has one year left. Millwood has two.

Really? Feliz, Holland, Perez, Main and countless others might disagree with that.

The Rangers are trying to get the best deal possible. Daniels has shown an ability to deal with Theo. They'll get something done. Bowden sure as hell won't become Texas' top pitching prospect though. Not by a longshot.

Dodgers could be interested in any of the Rangers...

Salty and move Martin to 3B

Blalock to play 3B

or either of the SPs as the Dodgers could use a veteran arm

jscout:

Your Bowden/Lowell idea sounds great on paper, but you are forgetting the financial aspects of the deal. Texas has made it clear that they are not adding payroll, and what is Lowell next year - 12 million? Boston would have to eat at least half of that, Texas would have to trade Blalock, and Texas would have to not add any significant money anywhere else. I just don't see that happening. Anyway, if Texas were to clear away some room by trading away Blalock and say Millwood, they sure as hell aren't going to take on a fat contract for another aging offensive player - they need pitching.

I actually disagree with you on the catcher to Boston deal, too. Texas will trade Laird, and then will hold out for their demands re: Salty until someone gives them what they want (young A pitching). They are under no compulsion to trade Salty, they have a place for him to play if Laird is moved, and they would like to see his value increased before dealing him. So likely the only way you guys get Salty is to give us Buchholtz. If not, then maybe NY would be willing to part with Hughes to get him. That's the way they're going to play it - you know that, right?

Texas remains in the drivers seat and can play conservatively with their surplus.