At today's press conference to introduce Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told reporters, including Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com, that he expects Nelson Cruz to sign elsewhere (Twitter link). Daniels said that he called Cruz personally to express his thanks.
Anthony Andro of FOX Sports Southwest does note that Daniels didn't completely shut the door on a return (Twitter link). In theory, the Rangers could still fit Cruz into their lineup as a DH and part-time corner outfielder if they were to move Mitch Moreland in a trade, but Daniels' comments make that situation sound unlikely. The outfield appears to be set, with Alex Rios locked up through 2014 with a 2015 club option and Leonys Martin slotting in as the everyday center fielder.
If the Choo signing does spell the end of Cruz's time as a Ranger, his Texas career will come to a close with a .268/.327/.495 batting line and 157 home runs in 3175 plate appearances (barring a reunion down the road, of course). Cruz has also been linked to teams such as the Mariners and Orioles, both of whom could use additional thump in their lineups. Each is said to have financial constraints at this point, however, so agent Adam Katz of the Wasserman Media Group may need to drum up interest from a team to which Cruz has not been heavily linked. Earlier in this month, reports indicated that Cruz was seeking an annual salary in the range of $16MM.
I’d say so, they did give his* number away.
*Not that he owned the number, but he had dibs.
Seeing that Choo is wearing number 17, I think it’s safe to say Nelly’s gone.
The Rangers sent Shin-Soo’s family some jerseys last week and his kids had pics with a #17 Choo jersey. That’s when I figured he had no shot at coming back.
Thanks. I hadn’t seen that.
Shouldn’t the last sentence read that Cruz is seeking $16 mil, not Choo?
Certainly should. Thanks.
How comparable is Choo to Kinsler? Seems they traded Kinsler and signed a OF version of him
Kinsler’s a bit of a free (uppercut) swinger. Choo has extreme plate discipline and doesn’t pop-up NEARLY as much.
Last 3 year years, Kinsler 90 infield popups, Choo only 12! Just 3 last year!
What about avg hrs rbis, stats that matter
Oh heres a stat called OPS, on base %. Kinsler at ..344, Choo at .425, over the course of the season thats about 40 more times getting on base.
You could look at it that way, sure, but they had to unclog the infield to make room for Profar so they traded from a surplus for a need. Then you would have to look at Fielder as a free agent signing. 7 years 138 million for Fielder would be a steal in free agency. Also created a DH in Mitch Moreland.
Choo had 21 HR, 54 RBI and 107 runs. Hit .285
Kins had 13 HR, 72 RBI and 85 runs. Hit .277
You would think Choo’s RBIs would go up in a much better lineup and runs to go up with Prince and Beltre behind him.
I want the Mariners to get Tanaka and try to make a trade for Dominic Brown or some other decent hitting OF.
I want my team get strasburg, trout, Miguel Cabrera & tanaka.
Ain’t gonna happen buddy!!!!
How is the M’s signing Tanaka and trading for an OF an impossibility? That’s probably plan A for them right now.
Its not like Im wishing for the impossible.
Real shockeroo.
Would be awesome if the rangers got mike Stanton. It’s only a matter of time before the Marlins want him out
I wonder who would be the first person to turn an article that has nothing to do with The Marlins into a trade for Stanton,
The Marlins are slowly getting better and have a nice core with Stanton on offense and Fernandez to anchor the staff. I don’t really see the point of trading him, hes not a free agent until 2017.
It has to do with the rangers so it’s relevant
It’s not out of the question that Cruz re-signs with the rangers just picks a new number
It’s pretty out of the question unless Cruz lowers his price. Texas is already over what they wanted their payroll to be and they don’t have a pressing need for a bat anymore. The lineup is already one of the strongest in the game. The rest of our moves need to be a bench bat and maybe some arms to compete for #5 or bullpen spots.
Doubtful, given how he left the Rangers in the lurch for 50 games last season because of his decision to use PEDs and then to serve the suspension instead of appealing it this year.
What teams might still be interested in Cruz right now? Sadly my M’s are probably still at the top of the list but I haven’t heard much about other teams lately.
He’s one dimensional, and he cheats.
I wouldn’t mind the Orioles signing him anyway, except he’s very overpriced, and the Orioles would lose a draft pick.
It will be interesting to see how things play out
I don’t want this guy at all, plus he’s been hurt in addition to all the things you typed. In addition, we would have to trade Markakis and you could file that under never. No, the Orioles are not going to a blessed thing.
No free agent signings.
No trades.
No nothing.
I am sure Fan Fest is going to be a real Hootenanny on February.
I am going to quote the great Jon Taffer
‘I don’t embrace excuses. I embrace SOLUTIONS’
The Orioles do neither!
Good riddance ….