The Rangers pursued both Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez before they signed with the Twins and Rays, respectively, but that doesn't mean Texas has stopped looking for a bat. GM Jon Daniels told Anthony Andro of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he's still trying to add a veteran hitter to his lineup.
"If we can still look to improve we will," said Daniels. "One of the things we have looked at recently — it's no secret we were in on Thome — would be a veteran hitter to complement the rest of the lineup. How does that guy fit exactly? It's one of those things you might not be able to perfectly define in January."
Daniels declined to go into specifics about whether the team preferred a full-time player or a bench piece, though he did say that he doesn't believe Vladimir Guerrero is a fit because he still views himself as an everyday player. Playing time could be tough to come by since Michael Young will get most of the at-bat as DH, and Daniels said he has confidence in Mitch Moreland as the team's everyday first baseman.
Our Free Agent Tracker shows that players like Russell Branyan, Nick Johnson, Andy LaRoche, and Lastings Milledge remain unsigned.
Go after Branyan, he’s a chronically undervalued player.
And he plays first, which is basically their only position opening.
Veteran hitter? Lastings Millidge? I dont think so
I heard on a radio station in texas that chuck greenberg said that he was done looking to add pieces to the team. who do we believe? GM or Owner?
The owner doesn’t want to spend more money, but a sharp GM like JD never shows his cards and always has a possible deal to be made to try and make the team better. JD makes the deals, I’d believe him.
They should bring back Blaylock he’s a former all-star and fan fav
I could go for that since it will be a part-time gig anyway. The Rangers still have Moreland and Chris Davis (if they do like they did with Nelson Cruz and give him yet another chance to crack the lineup…if Davis lights up in Round Rock like Cruz did in the minors), so MY is likely to be the DH…period. Hank might fit in as a bench player who can play a position and DH in a pinch…and likely be the guy cut when the Rangers need a roster spot around the trade deadline.
He was actually hitting decent last yr. when Tampa released him. I was actually surprised they didn’t give him more of a chance.
He looked awful with TB tho in limited AB’s for some reason.. Maybe he was hurting?
Nick Johnson if he can be had cheap for some LH DH work and extremely limited 1B duty, then hope he can stay healthy. The rest, other than Branyan are not worth much at all and Milledge is another league head case anyway best avoided.
Nick Johnson may fit with the Rangers if they use him as an everyday DH and i (most than likely) will sign dirt cheap.
Yeah, he’s a good fit for the 60-day DL.
What about Mike Sweeny?
I find it ironic that a Mike Sweeney post is above this post.
What a crazy random happenstance.
What about Carlos Delgado isn’t he a few Home Runs shy or 300 or something? I heard he’s looking to still play, and he will only need to play every once in a while cause that’s all he can play. Also what about Jermain Dye I think he can still play and is vastly overlooked.
He is 27 hr shy of 500 not 300.
Troy Glaus and Russell Branyan are obviously the two best choices available. Both can still play position. Glaus 1st and 3rd and Branyan 1st 3rd and outfield
Branyan makes the most sense, he could be had cheap, and his power would be amplified in Arlington.
Yes, either Carlos Delgado or Jermaine Dye would be a good fit if they are healthy.
I still wish the Rangers would sign another starting pitcher like Justin duchscherer. Starting pitching is still the Rangers weakness. Nothing is a sure lock after Lewis and Wilson.
Daniels and Vlad should just kiss and make up. 😉 Seriously though, Vlad helped take them to the WS. If he has to take a lesser role, he should just suck it up and do it. He could also spell a guy in the OF once in a while. Or the Rangers could stop flip-flopping on Michael Young and trade him already. And that would open up a full-time DH role for Vlad.
You say Daniels and Vladdy should kiss and make up so they can trade Young and sign Vladdy as a full time DH. I dont think so!
Vladdy is not going to be on this team. PERIOD! MY is a good fit for his position, and oh by the way, he had an off year at the plate last year and still went 20/90 (not bad). I would agree that signing a Galaragga or Duch. would be good, but they are not spending too much more money because of arbitration that is coming up on key players…ie Hambone. FYI-Manny would have been an awful fit here….
Rangers did well not going for Manny: he really looked done after coming to the White Sox last year.
There is no debating who is a better hitter, but Young is a much better team player than Manny. I wouldn’t touch Manny with a ten foot pole if I had a contending team. He looked disinterested and weak with the White Sox at the end of the year. Also, stats are only an indicator of past performances not future performances. So there is no certainty that Manny will keep up his career averages.
Manny did look terrible for the White Sox. I wouldn’t touch him with a ten foot pole. Young may have worse career numbers but he doesn’t look over the hill and stats only tell the past not the future. Young is also a much better team player and a better fit for the Rangers. A successful baseball team is more than just home run hitters.