Free agent right-hander Frank Francisco is likely to accept the Rangers' offer of arbitration according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. As a Type-A free agent, a team would need to surrender a high draft pick to sign him, something many clubs won't be willing to do for a reliever.
To make matters worse, the 31-year-old Francisco missed the last month of the season (as well as Texas' playoff run) due to a strained rib cage. He's certainly a quality reliever, striking out 10.9 and walking just 2.9 batters unintentionally for every nine innings pitched over the last three seasons. He saved 25 games for the Rangers last season, but was usurped as closer by Rookie of the Year Neftali Feliz early in 2010.
I examined Francisco's free agent stock late last month, noting that he could accept arbitration and receive a $4MM or so salary in 2011 (he earned $3.265MM in 2010). Earlier today we learned that the Rangers have explored the idea of signing a closer and moving Feliz into the rotation, a move Francisco could help facilitate.
Ouch…that probably wasn’t the plan.
It’s a win-win for the Rangers. If he declines they get draft picks. If he accepts they get a solid set-up reliever/closer for a reasonable one year deal.
No big shock here, I have a feeling a deal will be worked out before arbitration. If he returns at a similar salary its good for both sides.
Feliz to the rotation where he needs to be at least given an opportunity, Francisco back to the closer’s role. Everybody wins.
Agreed.
unless francisco flops as a closer or feliz can’t find the strike zone as a starter.
That’s why we sign Lee or trade for Greinke this offseason to solidify the rotation. We have other internal options for the back of the rotation if Feliz can’t handle it.
What gives you any indication that that’s going to happen, though? What I would be worried about his K-Rate dropping in the later innings as he has to go through the order multiple times, and having high pitch counts in limited innings… Why would his control suffer dramatically?
With Francisco, he’s already closed… the risk is him getting injured again, not being ineffective.
I think the best plan for the Rangers (assuming they don’t get Lee) would be trying to sign Soriano for 2/25 or 3/30 and making a run at Grienke along with moving Feliz to the rotation. Even if they do end up with Lee, they could move Feliz to the rotation and have Francisco or someone like Balfour or Downs (or maybe even Scheppers if he’s ready) close instead.
hes good
If Feliz is converted to starting, I wonder what kind of inning limit he’s going to have?
he’d be crazy not to accept arbitration