Josh Hamilton reported to camp with inflammation in his recently-repaired left knee, as MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan reports. With ongoing uncertainty surrounding his availability, the Rangers are keeping an eye on several options for bolstering the club’s outfield depth, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports.
No deals are close to being struck at present, per FOX Sports, but the club is monitoring multiple possibilities. If it adds a bat, Texas would rather a left-handed hitter, though that isn’t seen as essential. The club wouldn’t be looking for a full-time regular so much as a veteran part-timer, it would appear.
One possibility raised in the report is a swap for Mets outfielder Alejandro De Aza. He was only just signed this winter — for one year and $5.75MM — and would therefore have the right to reject any deal. But De Aza has been discussed as a possible trade piece due to New York’s subsequent signing of Yoenis Cespedes.
Alternatives include free agents David Murphy and Will Venable, Morosi adds. Those two former Rangers remain unsigned, among several other notable players lined up as Dexter Fowler and Austin Jackson look for new homes. (For what it’s worth, Fowler and Jackson have long seemed speculative matches with Texas, though there’s no indication they are a present consideration.)
It’s interesting to wonder to what extent the Rangers would prioritize the addition of a center field-capable player. After all, as Sullivan notes, some combination of Justin Ruggiano and Ryan Rua (from the right side) and Joey Gallo, James Jones, or even Ike Davis (from the left) could potentially form a platoon in left if Hamilton misses time. Meanwhile, a potential partner for Delino DeShields Jr. wouldn’t be the worst idea, with only the unproven Jones representing an in-house candidate for that role. Both De Aza and Venable could present such an option.
DeShields link directs to Sr
Hamilton injured? Shocker!
Needed a reason for the pain killers.
He just had a cortisone shot for his knee didn’t he? Cortisone shots often increase the pain, at least temporarily. I know; just had one for rotator cuff pain.
Rangers have a potential power hitting corner outfielder with Nomar Mazara. He had a good average and hit for power in the minors. It may be time to use him and eventually phase Hamilton out of the picture.
He’s 20 and has never played about AA to this point. I think he’s a September call up with the idea of having him ready for 2017.
Mazara reached AAA last season as well as Lewis Brinson and they both performed well there in a small sample. It’s not inconceivable that both of them could be an option at some point this season.
phase Hamilton out? like he’s healthy enough to ever play again? he had some outstanding years for Texas—but it’s over.
What about Drew Stubbs? He would be a great cheap steal for the Rangers to keep on the Roster! That man has awesome speed and very good defensively! Yes he is not good at getting on base, but he can! And he would be a great veteran to help DeShields out in Center!
You should be Drew Stubbs’ agent
Awesome defensively? What?
I think we found drew Stubbs. Dfs = drew effin Stubbs.
Stubbs was with them last September, so the team is familiar with him. Seems like a plausible match.
Josh should get the best care possible…for what we’re paying him…
I will be shocked if he is just a bench player from now until his contract is up
This is the reason why I am happy to see him be a problem in someone else’s clubhouse. Dude should of never been signed to begin w/….I was against his acquisition from the 1st rumor….
we all know Brinson or Mazara will be up by the end of the super 2 deadline… they both might be. Deshields is not an every day center fielder defensively.
Alex Rios is another former Ranger left.
The Rangers aren’t going to pay De Aza 6mil. If they bring anyone in it will be someone on a minor league deal with an invite to camp on the cheap.
NYM shouldn’t have, then neither should Duquette have given him 5m last year. He got DFA’d by Baltimore last year and had *1* hot month to pull his numbers out of the gutter with Boston, before flipping him to SF for a low level prospect.
His defense is lacking and you don’t want him in CF any longer. *IF* a team is going to throw away 5 millionish on some OF of his caliber? At least get one who can play a little bit of defense and run a little bit, like Austin jackson. That’s all he’s going to get once Boras figures out his client went south 3y ago..
LH 3B/OF Cody Asche would be cheap to acquire and cheap to pay.
Best idea is to use the in house options like we did last year. Still won the division, and we have more depth this year. Use a combination of Hamilton/Rua/Ruggiano in LF and use James jones in CF for defensive purposes. You better believe Deshields has been working his defense extensively. But look for him to be traded in the next two years anyways with the arrival of Brinson and mazara
Dom Brown. Perhaps learned his lesson. Still young. Lots of LH power potential. Somebody’s gonna grab him and look like a genius.
What’s wrong with using Joey Gallo in a corner outfield spot?
Since the Angels r paying all of Hamilton’s contract this year because of the way the terms were worked out we don’t need to worry bout how long he’s out bast on money. The Rangers should sign Dexter Fowler to a Two YR $25mil deal to make up for the lose of Josh in the OF. It’s time to face the facts and relies that Hamilton is no longer useful and has just gotten TOO OLD TO PLAY BALL!!!
Why block Gallo, Mazara and Brinson next year?
It’s not that he’s too old (he’s not), but rather the toll taken by his body from years of cocaine and alcohol abuse.
Please give the Phils a call and take Asche. He will cost next to nothing.
Dom Brown? Young, cheap, proven pop, LH, looking to save his career. Someone’s gonna grab him and get a big year or two out of him.
What about Victorino on a minor league deal AND give up a D-level prospect for Asche? The Phillies are trying to give him away.
What’s sad here is that they could give him steroid treatment with some HGH and it will help the healing process and he could be good again. Medical Science has ways to help if everyone would just admit that some things may be good for you if it is treated right. Knee replacement and steroids and he’d be the bionic man. MLB should have a staff of doctors to administer this so they can control who and how they get it.
Dominic Brown. Cheap, lefty, got pop.
Dom Brown
Nick Markaksis would be a nice fit
David Roberts comments,”Please take Crawford or Eithier!”
Braves may trade Ender Inciarte LH-OF, or Nick Markakis LH-OF, for Joey Gallo straight up.
Why would Texas consider that
Lol Markakis is not that good. Inciarte not worth that much either. The Rangers don’t need to trade top prospects for an outfielder. They have 2 top 20 prospects in Mazara and Brinson knocking on the door.
Braves will agree to reverse the deal if Gallo has WAR exceeding either of Inciarte or Markakis.
Fowler
Fowler, Jackson, or Venable please.
I’d be ok with any of the 3 on a 1 yr deal.
Hahahah Drew Stubbs! Good one dfsredneck
Rather than trade for DeAza, sign Will Venable. They are, in essence, the same player. I would expect Venable would have a much cheaper price tag.
Abraham almonte performed somewhat well and Indians need to clear space for Bradley simmer and almonte would be next to free