Joaquin Benoit Rumors

Rangers Notes: Vizquel, Byrd, Rodriguez

MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan examined what some of the Rangers' plans might be this winter, and here are some of the highlights... A right-handed bat is at the top of the Texas wish list for the off-season, with Sullivan singling out Jermaine Dye as perhaps the best fit for the Rangers amongst the veteran hitters on the free agent market. There is a good chance that veteran shortstop Omar Vizquel will re-sign with Texas before the club's exclusive negotiating period for free agents ends on November 19. Sullivan reports that "there appears to be genuine interest on both sides" to bring...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Mets, Hardy, Hammel

Links for Wednesday... The Mets favor Matt Holliday over Jason Bay, according to SI's Jon Heyman. Adam Guttridge of The Hardball Times explains why J.J. Hardy is a prime buy-low opportunity. Tyler Hissey of Around the Majors notes that Jason Hammel has been a great pickup for the Rockies. Tommy Rancel of DRays Bay says the Rays should pursue free agent reliever Joaquin Benoit.   Continue Reading

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Joaquin Benoit May Be Out For Season

Rangers reliever Joaquin Benoit had rotator cuff surgery Tuesday, which may make him unavailable for 2009 (or at least the first half). Benoit was not terribly useful in '08 anyway, and perhaps the Rangers have known about the injury for some time. So today's news may not affect their plans greatly, but they are known to be in the market for a reliever. Here's a look at the remaining free agents.   Continue Reading

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Twins Inquire On Joaquin Benoit?

FRIDAY: La Velle E. Neal III has an update on this one - he says a Twins official shot it down. He hasn't heard anything other relievers linked to the Twins. TUESDAY: According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Twins inquired on Rangers reliever Joaquin Benoit. Sullivan says the Twins are willing to trade Boof Bonser. I suppose this could have appeal to the Rangers in that Bonser could be a rotation candidate. Benoit, 31, posted a 5.00 ERA in 45 innings this year while battling shoulder issues. He's set to earn $3.5MM plus games finished incentives in '09 before becoming...   Continue Reading

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Rangers Like Patterson, Ethier, Hamilton, Fukudome

According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers are targeting various young outfielders. Corey Patterson, 28, is a free agent and Scott Boras client. He's looking for multiple years while the Rangers only want to give one. His talent might tantalize somebody, though he hit just .269/.304/.386 this year. He's shown in the past that he can hit like a league average CF and play plus defense, so he could be a bargain. Patterson reversed his platoon split this year, hitting lefties pretty well. He's an Atlanta native; maybe the Braves would be a match. Andre Ethier, 26 in April, is..   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Cook, Benoit, Griffey, Riske

Some random tidbits that didn't get their own posts today... The Rockies picked up Aaron Cook's $4.5MM option as expected. The bigger question is whether they can sign him long-term, maybe for three years. They also passed on LaTroy Hawkins for $3.75MM but may still sign him. The Rangers agreed to a two-year contract with reliever Joaquin Benoit for two years and $6MM. He would've hit free agency after 2008. Smart move would be to let him rack up 10-15 saves next season and then trade him for something good. The Braves aren't expected to get their next center fielder..   Continue Reading

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Heyman's Latest: Teixeira, Otsuka

Jon Heyman of SI.com has been working the phone lines; here are some notable rumors from his latest column. The Braves seemed fairly close to a Mark Teixeira trade yesterday, but the Angels are definitely knee deep in it. They'll make a solid offer including Casey Kotchman, Ervin Santana, and Major League player. Adam Dunn remains Plan B. Heyman says there's speculation that Akinori Otsuka could need Tommy John surgery, which might compel the Rangers to sign Eric Gagne and/or keep Joaquin Benoit. Refresher on Gagne's 12-team allowable list can be found here. Gagne must consent to a trade to..   Continue Reading

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New Plan: Extension For Gagne

The Rangers are throwing trade rumor junkies a curveball - they're now thinking about hanging onto Eric Gagne and signing him to a contract extension. This development may be related to the limited trade options for the rejuvenated closer. Keep in mind that the extension talk may just be lip service. As a Scott Boras client, wouldn't the oft-injured Gagne require a good three years, $36MM guaranteed? That's my guess. That would be very risky. Assuming Mariano Rivera remains a Yankee, Francisco Cordero will be the only free agent closer near Gagne's level. Nice timing for Coco, by the way...   Continue Reading

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