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Offseason Outlook: Texas Rangers
Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Rangers. Their likely commitments for 2010:
C - Jarrod Saltalamacchia - $411K
C - Taylor Teagarden - $401K
1B - Chris Davis - $407K
2B - Ian Kinsler - $4MM
SS - Elvis Andrus - $400K
3B - Michael Young - $16MM (partially deferred)
IF - Joaquin Arias - $402K
LF - David Murphy - $415K
CF - Josh Hamilton - $555K+
RF - Nelson Cruz - $408K
OF - Brandon Boggs - $409K
OF - Craig Gentry - $400K
DH - Julio Borbon - $400K
SP - Kevin Millwood - $12MM
SP - Scott Feldman - $435K+
SP - Derrek Holland - $400K
SP - Tommy Hunter - $401K
SP - Brandon McCarthy - $650K+
Other rotation candidates: Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison, C.J. Wilson, Dustin Nippert, Guillermo Moscoso, Eric Hurley
RP - Frank Francisco - $1.615MM+
RP - C.J. Wilson - $1.85MM+
RP - Darren O'Day - $406K
RP - Dustin Nippert - $412K+
RP - Neftali Feliz - $400K
RP - Doug Mathis - $400K
RP - Willie Eyre - $410K
Other bullpen candidates: Guillermo Moscoso, Warner Madrigal, Pedro Strop
Other commitments: Frank Catalanotto - $2MM, Vicente Padilla - $1.75MM
That's roughly $44MM committed before arbitration raises to Hamilton, Feldman, McCarthy, Francisco, Wilson, and Nippert. I have German as a non-tender, but you never know. The raises plus money owed to Catalanotto and Padilla should put the Rangers in the low-$60MM range. They entered 2009 with a $68.2MM payroll according to Cot's Baseball Contracts, and MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan says it will be around $68-70MM again despite the team's unsettled ownership. I'd say the Rangers have $10MM to spend at most, but a year ago we learned that Young is really getting about $12MM per year. Factoring that in would give the Rangers another $4MM to work with.
Sullivan wrote a week ago that a right-handed bat is a high priority for Rangers GM Jon Daniels. Re-signing Marlon Byrd would be one solution, while Sullivan suggested Jermaine Dye, Marcus Thames, Vladimir Guerrero, Gary Sheffield, Troy Glaus, and Fernando Tatis could also fit. We listed a bunch of right-handed power options a month ago. We know that Cruz and Hamilton will take two of the Rangers' outfield spots; Daniels could look to improve upon Borbon at DH and/or Murphy at left field.
Cubs switch-hitter Milton Bradley could be the answer, if the Rangers can whittle the $21MM commitment down to $5-6MM. The idea of involving Millwood's contract has already been shot down. The Rangers also may look to acquire a backup catcher, with re-signing Ivan Rodriguez a possibility.
As for the pitching staff, Sullivan considers it the Rangers' "strongest area of depth." As you can see, their rotation is overflowing with candidates, though many are unproven. Sullivan feels that shopping the arbitration-eligible McCarthy would be wise. Should Feliz or Wilson be given the team's fifth starter job, the Rangers would probably look to augment their bullpen with a free agent or two.
Ben Sheets would be a rotation wild card. There's little harm in rekindling discussions with him, since it'd likely be an affordable one-year deal. But we could easily see talents like Feliz and Holland erase rotation concerns in 2010.
The Rangers were not an offensive powerhouse in 2009 - their .320 team OBP ranked 12th in the AL. Subtracting Hank Blalock and giving Davis a shorter leash should help there, as would getting more out of Kinsler, Hamilton, and Saltalamacchia. If a couple young arms break through in 2010, the Rangers should compete. Daniels doesn't have a ton of free cash, but he only needs to make minor additions.
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Lol I never actually realized that the rangers had only 2 players in their line-up who will earn above 1M next year..with 4M to Kinsler and 16M going out to Young
Posted by: Arock1234 | November 12, 2009 at 01:56 PM
Either saltalamachia or teagarden
Millwood(salary)
Kinsler
For
Holt
Mejia
Tejada
Murphy
Havens
Flores?(necessary?)
Posted by: beastOftheEast | November 12, 2009 at 01:59 PM
You want to trade for the Rangers best player (Kinsler) and not even give up your top prospect in return. Yeah that will work out nicely.
And once again. Murphy is a throw away in a trade. If you really believe he has any value, keep him and watch what happens.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | November 12, 2009 at 02:11 PM
That sounds like a good start. Now throw in Reyes, Wright and Santana and I think you'll have a done deal, beastOftheEast
Posted by: boomshwa12 | November 12, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Hamilton will earn more than $1 million next year for sure.
Metsfan - please stop.
Best thing the Rangers can do here is to NOT give Marlon Byrd a three-year deal. Sign Vlad or someone similar for a year and if they truly have $14 million to spend, look to a guy like Rafael Soriano if he's obtainable on a two-year deal.
I'm pretty optimistic on a Chris Davis rebound and the Rangers have plenty of OF depth with Borbon's emergence last year, but adding a RH bat like Vlad would balance that lineup out tremendously.
3B Young
2B Kinsler
DH Guerrero
RF Hamilton
LF Cruz
1B Davis
CF Borbon
SS Andrus
C Salty/Teagarden
Impressive.
Posted by: vtadave | November 12, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Wow talk about not spreading out the wealth...how does Millwood and Young make so much more than the rest of the team?
Posted by: brian91388 | November 12, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Can we get some kind of moratorium on posts from Mets fans and their illogical trade posts involving their bum "prospects"? I think the 20+ I'm reading every day is just a bit much.
Posted by: HollywoodHamels | November 12, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Will Carrol has a thread on ridiculous trade proposals. That one should be added to the list. The Rangers are only going to make minor moves and won't break up the core of Kinsler/Hamilton/Young among the position players. Cruz may be available at the right price, but I doubt anyone would offer what the Rangers want.
The most likely scenario is the Rangers trade some of their pitchers not named Millwood, Feliz, Holland, Hunter or Feldman for an aging DH that can hit lefties and can take a walk. Sign some relief pitchers then call it a day. Don't expect a blockbuster from Texas like Halladay.
Posted by: DerekSTheRed | November 12, 2009 at 02:17 PM
They have 3 catchers to trade with, too bad it is a flooded market this year.
On the serious side.. Why think of bringing back I-Rod, unless they are going to move one of Salty, Teagarden, or Ramirez? Are they going to leave Ramirez at AAA again, or move one of the 3 in a flooded market and get less than they would have last year in return?
If they are thinking of moving one of the catchers, is there a possibility that they could get Upton from Tampa somehow? Tampa's Navarro had a horrific year last season and just maybe, they are ready to make a move, either Salty or Teagarden would be a nice improvement in Tampa and Upton, while not the most hustling of ballplayers, has a much better attitude than does Milton bradley and is a standout CF with a rifle for an arm and blazing speed. Would take more than one of the catchers, but maybe worth a look.
Posted by: johns | November 12, 2009 at 02:21 PM
Can we get some kind of moratorium on posts from Mets fans and their illogical trade posts involving their bum "prospects"? I think the 20+ I'm reading every day is just a bit much.
Posted by: HollywoodHamels | November 12, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Bad trades aren't just a product of Mets fans, we see them from all types of fans here, but i do like the idea someone posted a week or two back about being able to rate the posts and a negative rating getting you banned.
As a general rule if it is someone you don't want on your team, chances are other teams don't want him either. So please no more trades with Murphy, Kelly Johnson, Ian Kennedy or other "high potential guys" for actual good players. Nobody wants them just like you don't
Posted by: JayL78 | November 12, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Our best prospect is jenrry mejia according to adam rubin(baseball america)
These "illogical" trade post is what I live for. Sorry.
Posted by: beastOftheEast | November 12, 2009 at 02:28 PM
the best way for the rangers to spend that 14M is to get Halladay.
Offer the Jays their choice of Salty or Teagarden. Choice of Holland, Hunter or Feliz. Add Smoak. Done deal.
Posted by: torontolion | November 12, 2009 at 02:41 PM
the best way for the rangers to spend that 14M is to get Halladay.
Offer the Jays their choice of Salty or Teagarden. Choice of Holland, Hunter or Feliz. Add Smoak. Done deal.
Posted by: torontolion | November 12, 2009 at 02:41 PM"
Way too much. The Rangers are better off letting all those guys play in Texas..
I assume Feliz is as untouchable as they come.
Posted by: 661dodgerblue | November 12, 2009 at 02:46 PM
I remember when I thought Salty was gonna be the next great catcher...how the mighty prospect turns into a bust...well atleast Andrus is a beast and feliz...man braves got fleeced!
Posted by: ConverseChris | November 12, 2009 at 02:48 PM
''Can we get some kind of moratorium on posts from Mets fans and their illogical trade posts involving their bum "prospects"? I think the 20+ I'm reading every day is just a bit much.''
I'm a Mets fan and even I'm getting sick of a Mets fan taking up space in every single thread offering the Mets' farm for a given player. It's getting annoying, but someone else is right in saying that I see a bunch of teams' fans doing it. It's the ruination of a great, informative website.
Any possibility of Vladimir Guerrero signing here to become the team's DH? That would be an extremely interesting pickup for this team. A healthy Vlad with a healthy Hamilton, Cruz, Kinsler, and Young would make for a really exciting lineup (even more so than this year).
Posted by: MattyMets | November 12, 2009 at 02:50 PM
This may be slightly illogical but hear me out....
Mike Lowell and at least one high end prospect (pitcher maybe) for Young. Lowell will be fully reseted and a year plus removed from his hip surgery. He gives them more of a power bat to put in the lineup and I believe in the past he has hit in Arlington very well. He'll be a free agent at the end of the year and is cheaper than Young. This gives them payroll some flexibility this year AND next year after he comes off the books. That is something we all know the Rangers need. I don't know too much about the Texas farm but don't they have a top prospect for 3rd base (potentially)coming up soon?
c salty/teagarden
1st Davis
2nd Kinsler
3rd Lowell
ss Andrus
lf Cruz
cf Bourbon
rf Hamilton
Posted by: turnthe2 | November 12, 2009 at 03:02 PM
"Mike Lowell and at least one high end prospect (pitcher maybe) for Young."
Michael Young is a salary dump. Boston would not give them Lowell straight up for him, with Young owed 64M over the next 4 years and still having 8M deferred from 2008. The Sox need a SS, not a 3rd baseman and Young has lost his range mostly at SS, so he was moved to 3B last year at an opportune time.
Texas will have Young until his contract expires, or pays someone to take it off of their hands, even though he is a productive hitter. Even Ranger fans would have to agree that 16M for the slight power he gives them and being 33 years old is far too much.
Posted by: johns | November 12, 2009 at 03:23 PM
turn the 2,
It just wont happen. Captains of a young and upcoming team just don't get traded. Throw out the, "Oh the contract is too big to trade," bologna. It wont happen cause it would be a PR disaster.
Posted by: NYTXFAN | November 12, 2009 at 03:24 PM
Texas doesn't have any notable prospects at 3b at all so they aren't trading for Lowell.
Posted by: DerekSTheRed | November 12, 2009 at 03:25 PM
I thought Hamilton was being moved to an outfield corner, which would put Borbon in CF until and unless the Rangers signed a CF. Purely speculatively, they could then sign Cameron (maybe for something like 2 years, $15M) and DH Murphy (or Davis, or Smoak if he earned it). That upgrade to the defense should help their pitchers, as well.
Just a thought.
Posted by: redaxe | November 12, 2009 at 03:33 PM
Vlad is an interesting name, but the Rangers really need an high OPS guy that can take a walk. There was a tendancy for free swinging in Arlington that made it easy for the opposing pitchers. Vlad's free swinging worked well for him before, but I question whether his skill set will age well. I suspect his decline will be pretty steep.
Really, the best guy for their offense is Bradley. It's just a question of how much the Cubs will pay of his salary and what the Rangers will give up. I would think McCarthy plus a catcher (any of the three Max, Salty, or Tea) for Bradley and half his salary would work for both clubs. Maybe you add a fringy prospect to the trade depending on the catcher.
Posted by: DerekSTheRed | November 12, 2009 at 03:41 PM
Did someone actually say that they'd rather have Mike Lowell than Mike Young on their team? Stop...just stop
Young had a helluva year last year. I'm pretty sure he finished with an OPS of around .900, with pretty solid defense at 3rd. Even with a big price tag, you're kidding yourself if you'd rather have Lowell over Young
Posted by: boomshwa12 | November 12, 2009 at 03:45 PM
I don't know why, given I'm a Phillies fan, but the Rangers are a team I kind of root for. Maybe it's because they've never won anything, and it would be fun to see them win a World Series if my team isn't there.
Posted by: richphillies | November 12, 2009 at 04:00 PM
Has there been any talk in Texas about a Bradley for Young mutual dump? I remember seeing it pop up once in the Chicago media, then haven't seen anything about it since.
Posted by: worldcupfever | November 12, 2009 at 04:11 PM
Has there been any talk in Texas about a Bradley for Young mutual dump? I remember seeing it pop up once in the Chicago media, then haven't seen anything about it since.
Posted by: worldcupfever | November 12, 2009 at 04:11 PM
You haven't seen anything on it because it's a terrible idea from the Rangers perspective. They aren't trading Young. Yes, they have money problems. However, a lot of money came off the books and, as Tim pointed out, they are looking to spend money to build on their winning season. The Rangers aren't moving Young/Kinsler/Hamilton so please stop any trade proposal involving one of those three.
Posted by: DerekSTheRed | November 12, 2009 at 04:16 PM
i wasn't aware the rangers were looking to improve over borbon, i don't see anything over his career that would suggest he doesn't have the potential to be the amazing sparkplug he was down the stretch in 09.
derek i agree that bradley is the type of player that we need back in the lineup, its just unfortunate that milton himself may be the only financially feasible means of aquiring that high obp/walk/ops type guy.
Posted by: kevmill21 | November 12, 2009 at 04:24 PM
I didn't make a proposal. I asked whether there were legs to a rumor I read a month or two ago in the Tribune, that's it.
Posted by: worldcupfever | November 12, 2009 at 04:29 PM
i didn't hear the rumor about milton for young, but there would be no faster way to clear out all the seats in arlington, thats for sure
Posted by: kevmill21 | November 12, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Michael Young is not a salary dump, and I guaran-damn-tee you he won't be traded this winter. It's true that he's probably not worth his contract, but there's a big difference b/w being overpaid and being a liability. MY is slightly overpaid; Milton Bradley is a liability. You're not going to pick up a .900 OPS/solid defender/clubhouse leader off the street.
If Holliday actually doesn't get $100MM, then I'd spend all the free cash on him, package Cruz+prospects for a SP, sign a lefty reliever, and call it an offseason.
Posted by: Sherman McCoy | November 12, 2009 at 04:34 PM
I didn't make a proposal. I asked whether there were legs to a rumor I read a month or two ago in the Tribune, that's it.
Posted by: worldcupfever | November 12, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Sorry the Mets fans' are making me punchy I guess. Oh and no thanks on Holliday. They guy can't hack it in the AL.
Posted by: DerekSTheRed | November 12, 2009 at 05:26 PM
i would rather not see holliday in texas but he really needs to pick a decent park.
I watched him down the stretch here in St. louis and he is just a pure hard line drive hitter and when he hits them over the wall they're only by a few few feet. nothing wrong with that i loved watching him swing, people say he has a fluky BABIP, but that's because he just mashes the ball, even when he doesn't homer.
So if you're someone like the mets i wouldn't even look at him when there's bay out there who is capable of hitting moonshots and could hit 30+ at citi. I really think holliday would have a very hard time hitting 20 there. he'd be really fun to watch in texas i think regardless of the league, but just not a fiscally possible option
Posted by: kevmill21 | November 12, 2009 at 05:49 PM
"If Holliday actually doesn't get $100MM, then I'd spend all the free cash on him, package Cruz+prospects for a SP, sign a lefty reliever, and call it an offseason.
Posted by: Sherman McCoy | November 12, 2009 at 04:34 PM"
Ding ding ding. We have a winner.
This is what I've been saying, but Holliday's price is going to scare them off unfortunately, even if he doesn't get $100 million. And the only way I would trade Cruz is if they signed Holliday. Makes perfect sense but I'm not holding my breath. I know how this team operates, I've been watching it for too long.
Posted by: TXHC | November 13, 2009 at 12:27 AM
boomshwa,
Who said the Texas Rangers was "my team?" Maybe you should actually read.
Posted by: turnthe2 | November 14, 2009 at 12:41 PM