The Rangers have interest in re-signing Jeff Baker as a bench bat, reports Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News.
The 32-year-old Baker thrived in his first season with the Rangers in 2013, batting .279/.360/.545 primarily in a platoon role. A thumb injury in June sidelined Baker for more than a month, and his OPS upon returning was nearly 400 points lower than it was prior to the injury, suggesting that he may never have fully recovered.
Baker doesn't hit right-handed pitching much, but the righty swinger absolutely mashes against left-handed pitching. He hit southpaws at a huge .314/.407/.667 clip with 10 of his 11 homers in 2013, and his career line against lefties is a strong .298/.353/.522. He has big league experience at second base, third base, first base and the outfield corners, and while he's not considered an elite defender at any of the positions, his versatility and big numbers against lefties make him a valuable bench piece. Baker has also been connected to the Yankees and the Giants so far this offseason.
I realize they’re not really going to platoon their big get Choo, but pairing him with Baker would be deadly.
Mitch Moreland at DH…
still hoping the Giants have interest here.
If you need a right-handed bench or platoon bat, and have a hitter’s park, you aren’t going to do much better than Jeff Baker. This is especially true if he doesn’t have to take the field much: he is versatile, but like the article says, he shouldn’t be known for his defense. Seriously, I love guys like this: role players who embrace their role.
Come to the cards please
Seems like a good fit for the Rays to be the other half for Joyce
Please platoon him with Moreland. I saw a rumor that Cruz may take a 1yr contract to reestablish value. rangers would be better off handing baker a contract like 2yr/4mill and saving 10Mill on Cruz. a Moreland/Baker DH platoon will be plenty productive.
I hope the Yankees can sign either Baker or Reynolds. They are too lefty heavy, and adding either player to come of the bench would help out.
Yankees got enough utility players, need some bullpen help
Seems like a really good fit for the Blue Jays: a cheap platoon partner for Lind as well as infield depth.
Want him for the Yankees really bad. Sign him now!!
I wanted the pirates to get him badly, he would be perfect in RF until Polanco is ready and he is pushed to the bench
This guy should be on every teams radar
He was my favorite “suprise” player of last year. This deal should have been done months ago.
He’s perfect for the Rangers. He could occasionally DH when there is a LHP, come off the bench late in games to hit for Choo, and if Profar continues to struggle hitting lefties he could even play 2B some days. Sign him now.
Choo did not sign here in Texas to play the first 6 innings of the game. The Rangers gave him 140 million to play the entire game all year long. In no way will Baker or anyone else for that matter be pinch hitting for Choo. If Baker is resigned, you can count on him stealing AB’s for Moreland and/or whoever is catching (Soto or JPA).
Choo has hit .300 against lefty relievers.
Many people have made good points about Baker platooning with Moreland etc.; however, I don’t believe anyone has mentioned an equally important factor. He can give Beltre days off at 3rd base. Beltre seems to always be dealing with nagging hamstring injuries and having a guy that can hold his own on defense at 3rd (not terrible, but not good) and put up very good offensive numbers is invaluable. Rangers, please sign him!
why haven’t the blue jays tried signing this guy? he would be perfect for te final bench spot
Baker? Yes!
Why haven’t we heard much about Baker?
I am definitely behind a MorelandBaker DH platoon… plus Moreland can play RF1B and Baker can play LF3B2B1B… it makes a ton of sense to bring Baker back.
Depth and versatility are HUGE as the season progresses, and the injuries pile up.