Ronald Guzman Rumors
Rangers Notes: Young, Adams, Guzman
The Rangers will look to extend their seven-game lead against the Angels tonight, when they ask Colby Lewis to defeat Cy Young candidate Jered Weaver. In the meantime, here's the latest on the 72-52 Rangers...
- Though Michael Young doesn't seek the spotlight, he has become essential to the Rangers and may be their most critical player, Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports writes.
- Mike Adams, Koji Uehara and the Rangers' improved bullpen sets Texas apart from the second-place Angels in the AL West, Scott Miller of CBSSports.com argues.
- Ronald Guzman hasn't turned 17 yet, but the 6'5" Rangers prospect is already showing ample promise at the plate, Jamey Newberg writes at MLB.com.
- Lastly, here’s my conversation with GM candidate and Rangers executive Thad Levine from yesterday.
Rangers Sign Ronald Guzman
JULY 9: Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports that the deal is now official (Twitter links). Anthony Andro of The Star Telegram says the final bonus is $3.45MM.
JULY 2, 12:54PM: The deal is actually worth $3.5MM, tweets Melissa Segura of Sports Illustrated.
12:12PM: The Rangers aren't finished signing big-time international free agents. The club has agreed to terms with Dominican outfielder Ronald Guzman, according to Dionisio Soldevila of the Associated Press (via Twitter, en Espanol). The deal is reportedly worth $3.3MM.
Guzman stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs in at 195 pounds. The 16-year-old throws and hits left-handed and projects to left field because of his below-average arm and speed.
Some believed that Guzman could command the biggest payday of any international free agent today, but his $3.3MM deal was trumped by Nomar Mazara's deal earlier today. Mazara will reportedly earn more than $5MM.
Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com (via Twitter, in Spanish) first reported that the Rangers were close to a deal with Guzman.
Badler Examines July 2nd Class
Less than thrilled by your team's draft haul? Don't forget about the July 2nd class of international players. This year's group is an improvement on the 2011 class, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America. He names the Yankees, Blue Jays, Rangers, Royals, Mariners, Pirates, Red Sox, and Reds as teams that could be active in the international market. Badler's info on a few of the top prospects:
- Outfielders Ronald Guzman, Elier Hernandez, and Nomar Mazara could challenge Miguel Sano's $3.15MM record for a Dominican hitter, writes Badler. The Rangers, Red Sox, and Blue Jays have been connected to Guzman and the Royals are the frontrunner for Hernandez.
- Speedy Venezuelan shortstop Wilmer Becerra has been linked to the Cardinals, Twins, and Athletics, says Badler. Becerra is projected by many to move to the outfield.
- Mexican righty Roberto Osuna, nephew of Antonio, is a top prospect who is currently pitching in the Mexican League. The 15-year-old is battling all kinds of former big leaguers. Venezuelan righty Victor Sanchez is another one to watch, according to Badler.
- Key MLBTR posts are translated into Spanish at our Rumores De Béisbol site, which has a unique Latin American focus with features such as Hits Latinos. Tell your Spanish-speaking friends!
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