Texas Rangers Rumors
By Zach Links [November 14, 2009 at 10:20pm CST]
In 2008, after disappearing from the Major Leagues for some time, Fernando Tatis hooked on with the Mets. Tatis was a pleasant surprise for the orange and blue, posting .297/.369/.484 in 92 games. After the season, the Metropolitans rewarded Tatis with a one-year, $1.7MM deal. The Dominican utilityman did not perform at quite the same level in '09. In 379 plate appearances, Tatis recorded a less impressive slash line of .282/.339/.438. Defensively, he showed that he is still sharp - whether it be in left field, first base or third base. Tatis, who turns 35 on New Year's Day, will...
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By Mike Axisa [November 14, 2009 at 12:41pm CST]
In today's blog post at ESPN.com, Buster Olney writes about Michael Bourn, and how he went from hitting .218 with a .273 OBP in the first half of 2008 to hitting .285 with a .354 OBP in 2009 thanks to a suggestion from Astros' coach Dave Clark. Here's a roundup of Olney's rumors... The Angels last offer to John Lackey was a $72MM package, made earlier this year. Olney's educated guess is that the Mariners are the best bet to sign Lackey, followed in order by the Angels, Brewers, Mets, Red Sox, and Yankees. Olney hears that the Astros "are...
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By Mike Axisa [November 13, 2009 at 8:36pm CST]
Some more links to check out as you celebrate the end of the work week... MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez confirms that the Red Sox did indeed meet with John Lackey's agent. This morning we learned that Boston expressed preliminary interest in the free agent hurler. ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that the Rangers asked the Rays about outfielder B.J. Upton as part of their offseason routine, but no talks are ongoing. Rockies' GM Dan O'Dowd said that they will only look at a one year deal for the arbitration eligible Jorge De La Rosa, according to Troy Renck of The Denver Post....
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By Luke Adams [November 12, 2009 at 9:42pm CST]
The Texas Rangers' search for a right-handed bat has them looking at Vladimir Guerrero, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. A source "with knowledge of [Guerrero's] thinking" says that the two-year, $19MM contract that Bobby Abreu signed with the Angels might raise Guerrero's expectations for a deal this winter. The FOX report, however, speculates that Vladdy may ultimately just earn a one-year deal, perhaps for $3-5MM plus incentives, which Texas should be able to afford. The 34-year-old and the Rangers appear to be a good match, considering Texas' need for right-handed power and Vlad's career...
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By Tim Dierkes [November 12, 2009 at 1:51pm CST]
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...
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By Tim Dierkes [November 12, 2009 at 1:14pm CST]
After working the lobby all week at the Chicago GM Meetings, SI's Jon Heyman has the latest hot stove chatter... The Giants "appear to have emerged as one potential competitor" for the services of Johnny Damon. The Rangers met with John Lackey's agent yesterday, though they're not expected to have that kind of money available. Heyman adds that the Brewers and Mariners haven't ruled out signing the righty. Joe Crede is among the third base candidates the Orioles will consider. We heard about Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa, and Pedro Feliz earlier today. Lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez "appears very popular in...
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By Tim Dierkes [November 11, 2009 at 2:42pm CST]
Jon Heyman must have bumped into Mark DeRosa's agent today, because the SI reporter lists eight clubs that have already called on the player. Heyman's tweet indicates the Yankees, Mariners, Nationals, Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers, Orioles, and Giants have inquired. That seems to be an indication that DeRosa's November wrist surgery will not limit his market.
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By Tim Dierkes [November 11, 2009 at 12:15pm CST]
Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post has the Rockies hot stove chatter; let's take a look. GM Dan O'Dowd explained that, "There is a difference between listening and attempting to move a player." Brad Hawpe falls squarely into the "listening" category. Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports say the Rockies would probably seek a right-handed hitting outfielder and a reliever for Hawpe. New contracts for O'Dowd and manager Jim Tracy are still pending a few small details. The Rockies are trying to trade Garrett Atkins. If and when they fail, they'll release him. So rather than wait...
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By Tim Dierkes [November 11, 2009 at 11:32am CST]
Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune takes a look at the Milton Bradley situation in an article this morning. Sullivan, like many, sees the Rangers as the favorite. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News looks at all the factors there. Giants GM Brian Sabean was quizzed about a possible bad contract swap for Bradley, and shot down the idea. The Mets and Rays appear in the mix to a certain extent, with Omar Minaya even admitting he'll talk to Jim Hendry about it. Luis Castillo figures to be in that discussion, but Sullivan says reports suggest Mets ownership may...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 10, 2009 at 2:08pm CST]
Jon Heyman has the latest on Milton Bradley, Roy Halladay, Adrian Gonzalez, and plenty of other big names in his new column. Let's check out some of the highlights.... Although Texas and Tampa Bay seem like the most likely destinations for Bradley, one GM says the outfielder needs to play in a small market like Kansas City or San Diego. If the Rangers were to acquire Bradley, they would probably want the Cubs to pick up about $16MM of the remaining $21MM on his contract. People around baseball figure that Halladay is more likely than Gonzalez to be traded this...
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