Headlines

  • Rockies Sign Jurickson Profar
  • Braves Option Vaughn Grissom, Braden Shewmake
  • Jose Altuve To Undergo Surgery On Fractured Thumb
  • Jose Altuve Leaves WBC Game After Hit By Pitch
  • Edwin Diaz Undergoes Surgery To Repair Patellar Tendon
  • Out Of Options 2023
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Rangers Manager Seeks Experienced Closer

By Tim Dierkes | March 15, 2011 at 11:58am CDT

Rangers manager Ron Washington seeks an experienced closer if Neftali Feliz goes to the rotation, reports MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.  Washington told Sullivan he has confidence that GM Jon Daniels can find that reliever; Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas/Fort Worth has quotes.  Feliz recently changed his mind and expressed a preference to start, which seems to match the Rangers' choice.

Sullivan names Alexi Ogando and Mark Lowe as the "leading in-house candidates" to close, but notes that neither has much ninth inning experience.  Lefties Darren Oliver and Arthur Rhodes have seen just about everything, but they're not known for closing either.

Speculating on potentially available experienced closers, Heath Bell, David Aardsma (when he's healthy), Francisco Rodriguez, and Mike Gonzalez come to mind.  The Blue Jays have four relievers with closing experience in Frank Francisco (if healthy), Jason Frasor, Octavio Dotel, and Jon Rauch.  Dotel and Rauch, I believe, cannot be dealt without their consent until after June 15th.  By the way, if you're looking for instant closer updates to help you win your fantasy league, follow @closernews on Twitter.

Share 0 Retweet 20 Send via email0

Texas Rangers

Midseason Trade Candidates: American League
Main
Offseason In Review: Atlanta Braves
View Comments (119)

Comments

  1. FrankTheFunkasaurusRex

    12 years ago

    Can Frankie frank be traded? It’d be hilarious if he goes back to Texas for Napoli

    Reply
    • start_wearing_purple

      12 years ago

      Well he does have a limited no-trade clause, but who knows which teams those are. However, I seriously doubt the Rangers would want to take the risk on KRod being their highest paid player next season.

      Reply
      • notsureifsrs

        12 years ago

        dude is talkin’ bout frankie franc, frank francisco

        Reply
        • start_wearing_purple

          12 years ago

          Not the first time I missed the mark… I blame sleep deprivation.

      • joe

        12 years ago

        young would be their highest paid player

        Reply
        • start_wearing_purple

          12 years ago

          I was talking about the risk for the 2012 season where KRod could potentially be paid $17.5M.

  2. Mickey Koke

    12 years ago

    Waiting for the Napoli for Bell trade proposals ad nauseum.

    Reply
  3. MetsEventually

    12 years ago

    How about Francisco Rodriguez? Experienced and knows the AL West pretty well.

    Reply
    • oleosmirf

      12 years ago

      the Mets would certainly love to move him

      Reply
      • woadude

        12 years ago

        Michael Young for K-Rod.

        Reply
  4. Eric

    12 years ago

    I know this is a far possibility, but with the Mets certain to owe K-Rod $17 mil if he hits 55 innings pitched this year and their lack of 2B alternatives, is there a possibility of a Michael Young for K-Rod swap?

    Reply
    • start_wearing_purple

      12 years ago

      Yes, because I’m sure a team with major money worries is dying to trade a contract worth $11M or $28M for one worth $48M. And no, don’t expect the Rangers to pitch in on that one.

      Reply
      • Eric

        12 years ago

        They already have money issues, and with money coming off the books after this season, it’s not like the Mets have better options at 2B if they are planning on dumping Castillo and Ollie before the season starts.

        Reply
        • notsureifsrs

          12 years ago

          michael young playing second base and hitting in citi field would be brutal

    • oleosmirf

      12 years ago

      Michael Young hasn’t played 2B since 2003 and was pretty terrible at it back then. Not to mention going from Texas to NY will see his HR totals cut in half…

      Reply
    • oleosmirf

      12 years ago

      its not innings its games finished. The Mets will certainly do anything in their power to prevent this from vesting but if a team like Texas is in need of a CP, they can get him without having to give up anyone of real importance if they are willing to take on salary.

      Reply
    • PostMoBills

      12 years ago

      The wrinkle here is that Rodriguez’s lucrative vesting option only kicks in if he FINISHES 55 games. The ideal situation would be for the Mets to trade him to a team that already has an established, successful closer. The new team could rightly use K-Rod as an 8th inning guy to avoid the option and thwart the wrath of the union.

      Reply
  5. PostMoBills

    12 years ago

    I love how this headline reads exactly like a personal ad.

    Reply
    • Lunchbox45

      12 years ago

      lowered expectatiiionsssss

      Reply
    • MadmanTX

      12 years ago

      Adult friendfinder.

      Reply
      • JacksTigers

        12 years ago

        Creepy…

        Reply
  6. Daniel Wesley

    12 years ago

    What would the Rangers be willing to give up for Soria?

    Reply
    • Lunchbox45

      12 years ago

      get real

      Reply
      • j6takish

        12 years ago

        The Royals already have Francerour, they don’t want anything from Texas

        Reply
  7. John

    12 years ago

    He would probably veto that trade, LOL.

    Reply
  8. dickylarue

    12 years ago

    The Mets should be doing whatever it takes to extract some prospects from Texas for K-Rod. I would even eat some salary if I were them and it brought back a better quality prospect from Texas.

    K-Rod would be a very good fit for Texas.

    Reply
  9. notsureifsrs

    12 years ago

    the desperate overvaluation of the “9th inning” reliever marches on

    having said that, the rangers have plenty of spare pieces to movie for bullpen help

    Reply
    • Lunchbox45

      12 years ago

      what do you mean, the ninth inning is the super inning, it takes nerves of steel, balls of metal and unconscious mental state that can only be achieved by the toughest of relief pitchers.

      Reply
    • Ryan

      12 years ago

      I love the generalized “spare pieces” guy that gets included in every proposed trade.

      Reply
      • notsureifsrs

        12 years ago

        the rangers have 4 ML-ready 1st base/DH types and one catcher too many

        Reply
  10. Lunchbox45

    12 years ago

    Jason Frasor for that Hamilton guy

    Reply
    • wickedkevin

      12 years ago

      Nah, he’s a bum drug addict.

      Reply
  11. S8P7W

    12 years ago

    I guess the title “Washington Seeks Experienced Closer” would have been misleading…

    Reply
  12. corey23

    12 years ago

    please get krod.

    Reply
  13. Jason Nelson

    12 years ago

    The Rangers don’t need a closer. They’re fine with Ogando or Lowe. Don’t expect a deal to get done, unless it’s Michael Young for a team’s entire farm system.

    Reply
    • MadmanTX

      12 years ago

      I’d give the job to O’Day if he weren’t struggling so badly right now. As for MY, I still don’t know why the Angels haven’t come running to the Rangers to take on another bloated contract in exchange for Haren and cash.

      Reply
      • Lunchbox45

        12 years ago

        haren for Young??

        I get that Angels looked foolish after the wells trade

        but thats a brutal deal.

        Reply
        • MadmanTX

          12 years ago

          And cash back to the Rangers. I would have said no way before the deal with the Blue Jays, but now…???

        • Lunchbox45

          12 years ago

          but because of the trade with the jays and all the media and analyst criticism that followed..

          isn’t it less likely to happen now?

  14. patrick

    12 years ago

    soria for perez….who says no?

    Reply
    • Lunchbox45

      12 years ago

      royals said no to montero +

      Reply
    • John08Patriot

      12 years ago

      The Rangers hang up the phone and laugh for 10 minutes

      Reply
      • notsureifsrs

        12 years ago

        i assume that’s because dayton moore’s response to the proposal was to sit on his phone and let one go

        Reply
      • Lunchbox45

        12 years ago

        try again, royals have turned down more.

        Reply
    • Kevin LeRoy

      12 years ago

      Get real. The Royals can get a better deal than that. If they made it known they were willing to move Soria, teams would be giving up the farm for his talent and contract. Perez would be a great starting point, but come on. Straight up? I will have a good chuckle over that for the next few minutes.

      Reply
      • patrick

        12 years ago

        who’s the last reliever to bring a huge haul?

        A top 30 pitching prospect is a pretty significant haul for a guy who’s going to pitch 60 innings a year.

        Reply
        • notsureifsrs

          12 years ago

          2 years of matt capps cost the twins their top catching prospect (58th overall prospect in baseball at the time) and another player

          capps is half the closer soria is, and soria is under contract for 4 years instead of 2

        • Lunchbox45

          12 years ago

          but, but, but. I’m a texas fan. and they need a closer, plus perez is the best pitching prospect of all time..

        • Ryan

          12 years ago

          The Sox once traded Jeff Bagwell for Larry Anderson and made the playoffs. Still doesn’t mean it was worth it for Boston.

        • patrick

          12 years ago

          ramos’ star had fallen a ton by the time the trade was made…im not positive, but i dont believe i saw him on any top 100 list this offseason…or even on any of the just missed lists

        • notsureifsrs

          12 years ago

          he was a top 50 prospect in the spring, and a bum by july? i don’t doubt his stock fell within the twins org — he hit like crap for 70 games — but that’s not nearly a long enough slump in AAA to wipe out a guy’s status. he was hitting again by the end of the season and remains a top catching prospect

          last year’s slump dropped him out of the top 50, but he is still a top 100 prospect according to baseball america keith law et al

    • Leonard Washington

      12 years ago

      It doesn’t even make sense as a deal. Right now Perez is pretty close to an elite closing option, if he is to become a starter and he does well he will be untouchable. Rightfully so, considering Perez at full potential as a SP, young and under control is better than any elite closers value, even with his cheap contract.

      Reply
    • joe

      12 years ago

      ollie? (sorry. bad joke)

      Reply
  15. MinnesotaTwins

    12 years ago

    They had to know in advance that they were going to possibly move Feliz to the rotation, why did they move frank knowing that it would alienate their tenured fan loved Michael Young and leave them without closing experience. Doesn’t make sense.

    Reply
    • woadude

      12 years ago

      Two words, Mike Napoli…He was undervalued in Anaheim and now will haunt his former team.

      Reply
      • $7562574

        12 years ago

        dream on. napoli will make bar owners around arlington very happy.

        Reply
        • Lunchbox45

          12 years ago

          nudee bars

        • woadude

          12 years ago

          He is going to make everyone in Arlington very happy, its Anaheim that is going to be drinking their sorrows away.

  16. woadude

    12 years ago

    Michael Young for K-Rod seems like a good starting point, the Mets are going to release Castillo, and would need a bat, Young wasn’t terrible at 2b, K-Rod to the Rangers would be a good change of scenery, and this could actually work out, I am sure other players would be tagged into this but the two main pieces make sense for both sides, just don’t know who would close for the Mets.

    Reply
    • joe

      12 years ago

      awful idea. k-rod is gone in 1 possibly 2 years. the mets are stuck with young for 4/48? thats exactly what i want for my team whos about to be a billion in the hole. id rather a 400k strikeout machine up at bat this year. besides. murphy has upside. not saying hes gonna be good, just hoping.

      Reply
  17. 2UGGLA2BINTO

    12 years ago

    Are we sure AA can’t trade one of : Heartbreak Dotel, Octerrible Dotel or Don’t ask Dotel before June 15th???….Is this a free agent rule or part of his contract?

    Reply
    • Lunchbox45

      12 years ago

      free agent rule, plus he’s injured

      Reply
  18. jhawk90

    12 years ago

    Why would you even mess with this two weeks before the season starts? Stretch him out over the winter, don’t create two holes trying to do it now.

    Reply
    • Lunchbox45

      12 years ago

      if you stretch him out over the winter they are going to have to shut him down pretty early

      Reply
      • $7562574

        12 years ago

        if you stretch him for that long he will be 20ft. tall.

        Reply
        • mwagner26

          12 years ago

          I lold.

  19. ChrisV

    12 years ago

    Here is a good idea, do NOT put Feliz in the rotation. That way there is no need for a closer. Matt Harrison is doing very well, Holland is doing good, Bush has surprised me in being better than expected, Ogando would love a shot at the rotation…etc. so why move Feliz when there is no need, especially when it is known that shortly after the season starts Webb will be ready. Right now, the rotation needs to be C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Brandon Webb, Derek Holland, and Matt Harrison. No Feliz, he is comfortable as a closer so leave him there for now and let him develop his pitches more especially his change-up and newly acquired cut fastball. I agree, Feliz has front of the rotation stuff, just the time to test it out is not now.

    Reply
  20. MadmanTX

    12 years ago

    Rafael Soriano to the Rangers for these magic beans and a coupon to Hair Club for Men for Brian Cashman.

    Reply
    • FunkyTime

      12 years ago

      I wouldn’t do it unless those magic beans come with a $20 million a year contract.

      – Tony Reagins

      Reply
  21. bigpat

    12 years ago

    I wonder if they will go back to dealing with Toronto again? They will almost certainly have to trade a reliever or two, but I doubt they would give Francisco back? Camp and Frasor could be possibilities, though they have limited closing experience.

    People talk about closers having minimal value in terms of WAR, but they are still a very important part of a contending team. If you’re playing musical chairs back there and not finding the right guy for the job, it will cost you a lot more than just one win.

    Reply
  22. woadude

    12 years ago

    On this same topic, I remember when the Red Sox had a young closer that was really dominant named Papelbon, after his one year as a closer they wanted to move him to the rotation and be a starter because he was “that good”, well he did and he hated it and stated he wanted to go back and be the full time closer, I have a feeling Feliz is going to experience the same feeling and ask the same.

    Reply
    • Lunchbox45

      12 years ago

      What about David Price? Adam Wainright?

      Reply
      • start_wearing_purple

        12 years ago

        To be fair to the argument I think he’s making, neither player was a closer for a full season.

        Reply
        • Lunchbox45

          12 years ago

          wainright wasn’t a closer but made 61 relief appearances in 04 and successfully turned himself back in to a starter.. Whether or not he pitched in the ninth inning or the 8th is insignificant.

        • start_wearing_purple

          12 years ago

          I think you mean in 2006.

          For some reason I thought he was a late season call up that year. Guess I was wrong.

        • Lunchbox45

          12 years ago

          yes 06 sorry, i combined that he was 24 and it was 2006.

      • joe

        12 years ago

        the only difference is the whole plan was to make wainright and price a starter. in neftali and papelbon’s case there was indecision

        Reply
    • notsureifsrs

      12 years ago

      feliz literally just said he changed his mind and wants to be a starter

      Reply
  23. woadude

    12 years ago

    And shoot, being the closer has been going up and up, it used to be you had to be a starter to make the big bucks, and now big time closers and relievers are making huge money, Paps is over 10 million, K-Rod, Mariano, Soriano, it is starting to pay being a dominant closer.

    Reply
  24. Martin Wayne Guerrero

    12 years ago

    Rangers do not need a “Closer” last year they didnt need an experienced “Closer” they can just stick Ogando or Lowe in the ninth. Dam Ron Washingtons love for Veterans.

    Reply
  25. Justin

    12 years ago

    Matt Capps?

    Reply
  26. Ethanator99

    12 years ago

    Francisco Cordero!

    Reply
  27. jk

    12 years ago

    what about broxton?

    Reply
    • whatever

      12 years ago

      ouch disqus fail.

      Reply
      • Lunchbox45

        12 years ago

        Joe Torre liked this

        Reply
        • whatever

          12 years ago

          Joe Torre likes Bigelow Green Tea as well.

    • whatever

      12 years ago

      Okay.. He had a bad half a season. If people didn’t notice last year, he went stretches of DAYS, and I mean DAYS of not pitching.. Like 7-8 days at a time. Torre is gone and hopefully if Broxton isn’t hurt, don’t think the Dodgers would be willing to trade him right now. Hes value is shredded and considering that value might of been the highest for a closer before 2010.. I think they keep him and hope for the best.

      Reply
      • Patrick B

        12 years ago

        Whats wrong with trading Broxton when you have Kenley Jansen ready to step-in?

        Brox could bring back a couple prospects, maybe even someone to play 3rd because old man Blake’s walker gets stuck in the dirt a little too often…

        Reply
        • whatever

          12 years ago

          I love Kenley but that guy has been pitching less than 2 years.

  28. Matthew Swaim

    12 years ago

    Heath Bell for Chris Davis +

    Reply
    • whatever

      12 years ago

      Chris Davis + Martin Perez?

      Reply
      • Martin Wayne Guerrero

        12 years ago

        no.
        Heath Bell for Davis, Borbon, and Tommy Hunter

        Reply
        • whatever

          12 years ago

          Are we talking about the same Heath Bell who said he wants to take a discount to stay in SD?

        • Martin Wayne Guerrero

          12 years ago

          yea sorry i guess its cuz i dont really WANT the Rangers to trade for Bell know what i mean

      • marinest21

        12 years ago

        Padres don’t want nor need Davis. They already have an influx of first base prospects and Davis’ poor K totals and LH’ed bat are not suitable for players in Petco.

        Reply
  29. Jeff

    12 years ago

    I’m going to make a realistic proposal:

    Chris Davis and low prospect for Gregg or Gonzalez from the O’s (with salary relief).

    Reply
    • RobMor

      12 years ago

      I was thinking something along those lines because the Orioles do not have many 1B prospects. Gonzo did pitch pretty well the 2nd half of the year too. Hopefully the Orioles throw Patton into the bullpen and he matures into a reliable LH reliever. Sounds like a nice June trade.

      Reply
      • cookmeister

        12 years ago

        Gregg cannot be traded until June i think

        Reply
  30. joe

    12 years ago

    how about jenks?

    Reply
    • JacksTigers

      12 years ago

      Jenks is with the BoSox to be a set up man.

      Reply
      • Patrick B

        12 years ago

        dont forget about Bard and Wheeler in there too… hell even Okajima are all capable set-up guys…

        Reply
  31. joe

    12 years ago

    someone call up ian snell and get him out of retirement to close for the rangers

    Reply
  32. adammyst

    12 years ago

    What about Leo Nunez?

    Reply
  33. bsprintguy

    12 years ago

    Brad Lidge for Michael Young

    Reply
  34. Camden P

    12 years ago

    I’d be fine with my Twins trading away Joe Nathan OR Matt Capps for a nice haul of prospects. Capps would probably bring back more though.

    Reply
  35. cookmeister

    12 years ago

    what about Fernando Rodney? i know the angels are in the Al West, but a Rodney for Young sawp (with other players and money included on either side) doesnt sound awful. i don’t know i am just throwing it out there

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Rockies Sign Jurickson Profar

    Braves Option Vaughn Grissom, Braden Shewmake

    Jose Altuve To Undergo Surgery On Fractured Thumb

    Jose Altuve Leaves WBC Game After Hit By Pitch

    Edwin Diaz Undergoes Surgery To Repair Patellar Tendon

    Out Of Options 2023

    Cade Cavalli To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Edwin Diaz Helped Off Field With Right Knee Injury

    José Quintana Out Until At Least July Due To Rib Surgery

    Trevor Bauer Signs With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars

    Craig Stammen “Highly Unlikely” To Pitch Again Following Shoulder Injury

    Diamondbacks, Corbin Carroll Agree To Eight-Year Deal

    Nationals Sign Keibert Ruiz To Eight-Year Extension

    Rockies Showing Interest In Jurickson Profar

    Andrew Painter Diagnosed With UCL Sprain; Ranger Suarez Dealing With Forearm Tightness

    Marlins, Jose Iglesias Agree To Minor League Contract

    Marlins In Agreement With Yuli Gurriel On Minor League Deal

    Carlos Rodon, Tommy Kahnle, Lou Trivino To Begin Season On IL

    Mitch Moreland Announces Retirement

    Astros Facing Gaps In Extension Talks With Kyle Tucker, Framber Valdez

    Recent

    Rockies Sign Jurickson Profar

    Carson Kelly Diagnosed With Fractured Forearm

    Paul DeJong Likely To Open Season On Injured List

    MLBTR Chat Transcript

    Big Hype Prospects: Walker, Volpe, Baty, Grissom, Brown

    Blue Jays Notes: Ryu, Barger, Lopez, Lukes

    Offseason In Review Chat: San Diego Padres

    Astros Notes: Brantley, Yordan, Gage, Bullpen

    The Opener: WBC, Profar, MLBTR Chats

    Latest On D-Backs’ Rotation

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Offseason Outlook Series
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version