Links from the AL West, before the Rangers and Yu Darvish host the Angels and C.J. Wilson in Arlington…
- The Rangers offered left-hander Robbie Ross to the Mets in a package of players for Carlos Beltran last summer, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (Twitter link). The Mets ultimately passed on Ross and obtained Zack Wheeler from the Giants.
- The Rangers would do well to sign Josh Hamilton to a short-term deal at a high average annual value, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. A four-year $100MM deal could work, Rosenthal suggests. The MLBPA views drug and alcohol-related contract provisions as unenforceable, according to Rosenthal, who offers a short history of related disputes between teams and players.
- The Angels aren't seeking outside catching help now, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com tweets. They'll rely on internal options such as Bobby Wilson until Chris Iannetta returns from wrist surgery one or two months from now.
- Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner says the Mariners should shop Brandon League before his value drops because Seattle's bullpen could manage without him and rival teams would be interested in potential trades.
- Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak was once a top prospect, but ESPN.com’s Jim Bowden says we should adjust our expectations for him and accept that he’s not going to be a middle-of-the-order hitter.
Still can’t believe Mets got Wheeler for Beltran. Hindsight is 20/20, I actually thought Mets would be able to re-sign Reyes, but obviously looking back now, trading him for another top prospect would be the way to go.
Hopefully Montero turns out to be the middle of the order bat the Ms need. With Ackley, Smoak, and Montero, Seattle has a good core to build upon. Not to mention the high potential arms they have coming up through the pipeline.
Smoak’s numbers would be way better if he didn’t hit in the monster that is Safeco…
I guess a .540 ops is way better than what he has now, but it’s not really worth mentioning…
Yes, Smoak’s .188 line on the road this year is much better than his .152 ba at home. Last year he hit .242 on the road and .224 at home. 10 of his 15 homers came at Safeco.
Why don’t they just send Smoak down to AAA to find his swing again. I mean he was rushed through the minors in Texas farm system so why not let him go down and adjust his swing like Carp and Saunders have.
That should be good for the mets.