As the Rangers are still recovering from their disappointing finish to 2012, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan discussed a number of offseason possibilities for the club as part of a reader mailbag piece. Some of the hot stove highlights…
- Josh Hamilton will get at least one big-money, long-term offer this winter, leaving little chance that the Rangers would be able to sign him for any kind of relative discount, Hamilton believes. Rangers GM Jon Daniels said earlier this week that his team will wait to see what contract offers Hamilton receives from other clubs before making their own pitch to the free agent outfielder.
- Zack Greinke will be a top target for the Rangers this winter. "The Rangers made a strong push for him at the trade deadline…and this is still an organization that wants to build around pitching. That's where the club wants to spend its money," Sullivan writes.
- The Rangers are "unsure" about making a qualifying offer to pending free agent Mike Napoli since if he accepted, Texas would owe the catcher approximately $13.35MM for the 2013 season. If the Rangers didn't issue a qualifying offer and Napoli signed elsewhere, however, then the Rangers wouldn't receive any draft pick compensation. Sullivan argues that Napoli could accept the qualifying offer in the wake of his somewhat disappointing 2012 season and look to rebound in 2013 to set himself up for a larger long-term deal with Texas or another club.
- Though Mike Adams has been diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Sullivan thinks the 34-year-old reliever could still find a multiyear deal as a free agent. The Rangers would happily take Adams back on a one-year deal.
- Sullivan doesn't think Jacoby Ellsbury is a good fit in Texas and doesn't think the Rangers should or would trade Derek Holland or Elvis Andrus in exchange for the Red Sox center fielder. "[Nelson] Cruz for Ellsbury, maybe. But it would seem more logical to take a chance on Leonys Martin than give up substantial talent for an injury-prone outfielder who can walk after next season," opines Sullivan.
- Despite the numerous rumors about a Justin Upton trade, Sullivan isn't sure he's a fit for the Rangers since Cruz is already set at right field. Center field would be the only question mark for Texas next season if Hamilton leaves, as the Rangers have Cruz in right and David Murphy in left.
- Michael Young could receive some trade interest this winter from "a team in need of veteran leadership, as well as somebody who can play second base." Young hit .277/.312/.370 in 651 plate appearances last season, his lowest career OPS for a full campaign. Young turns 36 this month and is set to earn $16MM in 2013, the final year of his contract. He also has no-trade protection as a 10-and-5 player, adding another wrinkle to any possible trade talks.
Hamilton walks
Elvis Andrus for Starling Marte
As a Jays fan, that line about trading Michael Young to a team needing veteran leadership and a second baseman horrifies me.
It should.
Sorry, it’s time to let go of Michael….if they want him with the team, they can put him in the front office. I don’t want him in the field, and he would not be a fit as a DH….the league is full of DH’s that would fill the bill much better than Michael…thanks for the memories and good luck with your new team….
I don’t get it! Why would they want to trade him?!!?!? To me Michael Young is the face of the Texas Rangers.
Young has 10/5 rights and isn’t going anywhere.
He is one of the highest paid players and if we kept him he’d need to produce as such and not like last year… I’m afraid we are stuck with him and wont be able to find another team that will want to take on his 16.5 mill a year..
Michael Young for Chris Young?
Somebody for somebody else.
Who are you kidding. The Others should at least get Another Guy if they’re giving up Somebody Else.
Injury prone haha, yeah the same way a driver that gets rear ended is accident prone. Two freak injuries.account for the majority of Ells DL time.
Well said.
I wouldn’t give Hamilton a guaranteed contract even if my life depends on it! The guy is too much risk to any team. I can’t visualize anyone giving him more than 5 years. And i believe thats too much for a guy with hamilton’s history.
It’s also reported that Texas is looking to sign Dr. Phil if Greinke joins the club.
if napoli accepts his qualifying offer, then he’s very tradeable to another team that can use him at C/1B/DH and the rangers lose nothing.
And accepting is a risk for Napoli, since if he puts up another 2012-type season, or gets traded to a park where offense is suppressed, his chances of getting a long term deal are reduced.
pundits are underestimating the value of limiting a deal to one year.
Ells isnt Injury Prone his first injury was because Adrian Beltre an him collided badly. His second was Brignac landing on his shoulder. Both collisions. Its not like he running an something pops or hitting an something Pulls. He doesnt have recurring naging injury’s. They were kinda freak injurys. Hes healthy. Only down side for trading for him is he will be a FA after this year. Could get a huge deal too. He makes alot of sense an is a great fit in Texas. I wouldnt trade him straight up for Andrus. Even with Ells being a FA he is worth a little more. Just not the type of deal I would aim for. Id look to get Andrus an Olt an Loux for Ells, Lavarnway an Travis Shaw. Something along those lines.
Homer much? Didn’t know ells was the next bonds. He had ONE good season and is a free agent looking for a huge deal next year. Yes the injuries for the most part have been freak but he’s not even worth Elvis let alone elvis and Olt even accounting for the other crap you threw in there. I’m a phillies fan btw so I’m not a homer for Texas either.
Why is Cruz “set” in right? Id be looking for a replacement there and move Cruz to DH and part time RF..he looks downright terrible out there at times and never is good around the wall…We should sign at least one outfielder
this off season..Id like to see BJ Upton come to town myself..