The Rangers have reached an agreement with free-agent third baseman Todd Frazier, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports that it’s a one-year, $5MM guarantee that includes a club option for a second year. Frazier will collect a $3.5MM salary in 2020 with a $5.75MM option for 2021 that comes with a $1.5MM buyout, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The deal is pending a physical.
Frazier, who will turn 34 in February, just wrapped up his second season with the Mets, authoring a nice bounce-back after a rough 2018. He posted a .251/.329/.443 slash line with 21 homers in 499 plate appearances. He’s been sapped of some of the power that made him a fan favorite in Cincinnati, but he has remained a roughly league-average hitter that also provides passable defense at third base. That’s enough to make him attractive to a Texas team that didn’t get great production from the position last year.
The numbers Frazier posted last year were in line with his career marks, making his dismal 2018 season look more like an outlier. If that’s true, and the Rangers get a version of Frazier that performs closer to his 2019 levels, it will be hard for Texas to be upset with such a low-cost signing that fills a clear need. Nick Solak looked to be the best in-house candidate to claim the position, though the Rangers may prefer to deploy him in a utility infield role.
Texas has been variously connected to all of the offseason’s big names at third base, including top free agents Anthony Rendon, now with the division rival Angels, and Josh Donaldson. The latter has yet to sign, but the Rangers are said to have backed off in their pursuit as he eyes a four-year deal. Most recently, they’ve been connected to Rockies star Nolan Arenado, though there’s skepticism that a deal will get completed. To be sure, Frazier doesn’t offer the same star power as the aforementioned trio, but he represents an adequate stopgap and insurance should they go 0-for-3 in their pursuit of the big fish.
Moreover, the addition of Frazier, who can also play first base, presumably doesn’t necessarily preclude the Rangers from continuing their pursuit of a top-flight option at the hot corner. Indeed, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reports that Texas will not cease in attempting to acquire Arenado even after signing Frazier. Should their play for Arenado come to fruition, Frazier would likely slide into a timeshare with Ronald Guzman at first base. And should the Rangers miss out on Arenado and Donaldson, then Frazier is penciled in as a short-term solution, with top prospect Josh Jung waiting on the horizon.
To this point, the Rangers have allocated most of their offseason resources to upgrades on the pitching side, adding Corey Kluber, Kyle Gibson, and Jordan Lyles to the projected starting rotation. That has left some work to be done on the position player side of things, with third base getting the most buzz. But the Rangers have some interest in free-agent slugger Nicholas Castellanos, though interestingly they like Castellanos only as a potential first base upgrade—not as an outfielder. On the other hand, Marcell Ozuna might still be in play for the outfield, which currently features Joey Gallo, Danny Santana, and Willie Calhoun.
ROFLOL!
From Rendon to Donaldson to….
from paying too much to wanting too much to signing a bargain…
bargain suggests you actually think what your paying for has value.
2.2 war player for 5 mill that has decent offense, wrc of 106 little better than league average, and decent defense? That has a lot of value at that price.
His offense should pick up playing in Texas.
As a Cardinal fan that is a good pickup for the Rangers. His bat might of slowed some but I believe he can 25 homers and drive in about 70-80 RBI’s and play good defense. I think the Rangers will also get Castellanos and Arenado before the Cardinals will. Can’t wait to see the Rangers new ballpark.
How dare you be the voice of reason!
Cant say his offense will pick up, yet. In old park, yes. But dont know how new stadium will play.
Hilarious how much people quote WAR stats….. freaking stat geeks.
2001 called, it wants its mentality back
Wow
Thought he was the Cubs 3b next year
They are running out of options !!
I know right? WAR is not only a worthless statistic, it’s also the most overrated statistic in baseball, with batting average in a close 2nd.
Totally agree! I loved when he was on my White Sox… in addition to being a solid all-around player & he kept the team lose on the diamond. Good clubhouse guy…. as long as you’re not Adam Eaton.
I love it for 1B. Now sweep in and sign Donaldson for 3 years at 3B with the 4th season at DH. Extend Minor and we are ready for ST
Nope. Time to sign Castellanos!!!
Are Calhoun and Santana slated to start in the OF?
Yes Santana in CF
Yes. Trading Mazara freed up a spot for Calhoun. CF will still be a question mark. Santana will lead the race but Adolis Garcia and Scott Heineman should be involved
@Texassooner ready for a 4th place finish!
The Rangers might finish 4th in the AL West, but they definitely won’t be favored to win the World Series every year for a decade and choke year after year.
Yeah it’s much better to finish fourth in the division and not have any chance at all. That is some solid logic.
3rd. Still better than the clueless Angles ownership.
Frazier is your starting 3rd baseman now. That pretty much takes them out on Donaldson.
That’s OK with me. Never was on board with Donaldson as a Ranger.
Not necessarily. Did u even read the article? Nobody in need of 3b is entirely out on Donaldson. The teams that “dropped out”, dropped out at his asking price of 4/110. But nobody’s giving him that or her have already signed. When he drops asking price to something more realistic some teams will re-engage
Nice. I Iike it.
I like it.
lmao
Lol
There goes our hope of Chappy, Nolan, Bregman, and Rendon in the same division. Congratulations Matt Chapman on winning the next 6 gold gloves! Maybe more if he gets extended…
*Platinum Gloves
True true I don’t see anyone else winning unless he gets injured
Seager>
extended? Oakland?
heard of Khris Davis?
Chapman’s going to get a whole lot more than Davis. With Boras as his agent, they’d have to overpay him to extend him, vice getting to free agency.
Boras doesn’t want Chappy to sign any contract until he is a free agent. He has turned down all of the A’s offers of signing a long term deal. Boras know that Chappy will get north of $250 million when he becomes a Free agent. He has 4 years left before becoming a free agent.
Boras doesn’t want any of his clients that are half-decent signing a long-term deal.
He always gets them more when they play out their option. And those that do sign an extension with their current team wind up getting a sweetheart deal which include an opt-op.
Boras’ influence is such that I don’t understand why every single bonafide ML player doesn’t go free agent.
Maybe you could ask Dallas Keuchel.
One less suitor for Donaldson/Bryant/Arenado
Hopefully it’s gonna be cleared up this week
Arrenado hopefully will be a Brave by Tues the latest
I wouldn’t count out the Rangers on those three. Frazier is a major upgrade over Guzman too.
I would also agree that this is probably a 1B move and fallback to 3B based on other moves.
Regardless, 1B or 3B, is an upgrade over last season.
Nah it’s likely for 3b. Things could chance if the ask becomes more reasonable for one of Arenado/Bryant/Donaldson. But at this point it makes much more sense to go grab Castellanos for 1B
You sure the Braves can stomach another high salary?
Frazier has played just 32 innings at 1B the last 2 years. Between that, the fact that reports are that the Rangers aren’t likely to sign JD, and that 3B is a bigger hole than 1B even is, you should probably expect that this move is for 3B.
Hopefully Atlanta goes nowhere near Arenado, and they get Donaldson inked. Trading for Arenado makes the least sense of any available option.
Who do they trade for Arenado in this case?
Lmao
A hint of this story was posted a week or two ago. I made the comment that fans must be upset to see the team go from Rendon to Donaldson to Arenado (and Bryant?) to Frazier. Somebody slammed me for suggesting that was the case, because the Rangers were still supposedly going after Donaldson and Arenado (and Bryant?). Didn’t seem to pass the straight-face test to me and, well, here we are. Actually, I like Frazier, it’s just that he’s far from those other guys, which should be pretty disappointing for fans who thought 3B was going to be a franchise acquisition for opening the new stadium.
not a disappointing signing at all. the overpays for Rendon, and soon to be overpay for Donaldson is not what this team needs. they have a top prospect at 3B and in 2 years we may have our hot corner solid. this team is not a Rendon, or Bryant or one guy away from legit ws contenders so why dump the barely built farm trading for those guys. also paying the price of Donaldson is what got us in the situation we are in with some dead weight contracts. Even with the rotation and some improvements, we need to see if we compete for a wild card before making splashy signings like Rendon. plus, I still don’t see how any of those huge 8 to 10 year signings have ever worked out for the team in the long run.
Good points but you gotta admit it sounds like sour grapes. If Rendon was signed 100 to 1 you’re as ecstatic as any Angels fan.
Rangers were, after all, better (4 games from .500) than the Angels (10 games behind .500) last year. Didn’t stop the Angels from signing Rendon.
Also, since the taxpayers are paying for the stadium, ownership owes them some bona fide acquisitions.
Last, if Rendon was signed 100 to 1 you’re as ecstatic as any Angels fan.
I can’t stand the phrase “overpay”. It’s simply what jilted lovers say when THEIR team doesn’t sign the guy. Sour grapes. The owners are billionaires. Who gives a crap even if they do “overpay”?
Apparently yourmomsbox (which is an insulting sexual reference by the way) cares. Billionaires do have their supporters…..
Most owners are no where near being billionaires.
Oh those poor suffering millionaires. They need to catch a break.
https://www.stadiumtalk.com/s/mlb-owners-ranked-9c52d648971e42b7
Oh hey Vandals. I see your hot air train is still rolling! I know you’ve been asleep since 1995, but MOST owners are billionaires. It’s not the 90’s anymore! Dusty Baker isn’t managing. PED’s are outlawed. You’ll catch up soon!
So no player can be signed for too much? I understand the market sets a players value but sometimes the bidding reaches levels that the teams that bow out actually win. It’s about production vs salary and the overall allocation of funds
Then eliminate the luxury tax and have no cap in baseball. Then you’ll see the players get more in free agency. Until then we’re more of a supporter of billionaires than we realize.
When you swap out David Glass for John Sherman in Kansas City, you add another billionaire to the list.
‘Apparently yourmomsbox (which is an insulting sexual reference by the way)’
Lighten up, brotherman.
Not trying to flame here but i just don’t find this to be a particularly nuanced take. I mean Moreno is a billionaire, does that Pujols overpay not affect their pursuit of a top flight pitcher? The reality is that what teams pay their players has an impact on the overall health of a team, and that is just reality even if you don’t want it to be. Also this childish “why do people support billionaires” argument is ridiculous. I support anyone making sound arguments, The idea that someone should be disregarded because they have a bunch of money is ignorant.
10 of the 30 owners on the list were not billionaires.
Start there,
Then add that taxpayers funding public sports venues is absurd for a few reasons:
1, Most people paying the taxes don’t go to the park or even follow sports (this is a reason bundled cable packages are losing customers in droves now that people have a choice – the highest fees are given to sports channels that most people don;t watch).
2. Every study I’m aware of shows that the tax breaks and revenues to fund parks are not remotely made up. The majority of the jobs created in the area are part-time minimum wage jobs, and the parks are used less then 1/2’rd of the year even allowing for concerts and the like.
“Then eliminate the luxury tax and have no cap in baseball. Then you’ll see the players get more in free agency. Until then we’re more of a supporter of billionaires than we realize.”
_
Without total revenue sharing, you do that and it will guarantee that at least half the teams will be nothing but development franchises for the large market franchises. They will not possibly be able to pay large market salaries to veteran star and quality players. Ultimately their fans will realize that there is no reason to support their local MLB franchise, as that team will never be able to afford the number of quality players it takes to win.
Sure – the elite players will get even more. But most of the players will get less. No person or financial group stays in business paying employees more revenue then they take in.
And forget arbitration. It’s tough enough now for half the franchises in MLB to pay salaries that are set by the large market teams. If those salaries are set even higher by an arbitrator after being driven by the large market teams, you’ll see most franchises non-tendering the majority of their players. Then the complaint will be that those guys have to sign for less money when they’re forced into a real market.
_
It seems to me that the competition in sports should be between the teams and the players on those teams. Not how much players get paid and fans supporting the poor players against the team owners.
But I guess I’m asleep since 1995. I even know what a cut-off man is.
LOL
Sherman and Glass are worth about the same amount of money. Neither is a billionaire.
Nat’s fan here and I believe Harper, Rendon and Strasburg were ALL overpays. I’ll even add Patrick Corbin to the list. Not happy to see Rendon go but at that price good riddance. When Harper left I didn’t see any tears shed and most of the fans were glad to see him go. I think now many GMs might be rethinking the value of a clubhouse where everyone gets along.
Vandals I am aware of the ramifications of no limit payrolls. Just letting people know to stop complaining over billionaires because it’s not about them; it’s about the MLB system, playing within the guidelines and not paying penalties if you can. That is why people use the term “overpay”.
I’m not here to defend the rich owners who keep their payroll low or refuse to go all out with their contending franchise. So long as there are parameters within the league there will be times when teams take a pass on players to sign a Todd Frazier type.
8-10 yr contracts are bad deals unless your the Yankees who have endless $$$$$ — problem with owners is they are rich because they pass the cost on to the fans — as prices go up and up on everything we will continue to see less and less fans at games —
Economics says that in everything there is a saturation level and a price point that consumers will no longer pay.
Right now, MLB is leveraged to the hilt. Expansion is being discussed because so many franchises need their share of the influx of money they’ll get from new franchises. This is just cannibalization of their product – which is so watered down now that teams have to call up pitchers 3-4 times a week during the season from the AAA and AA teams. That’s because there isn’t much difference between the minor leaguers and the majority of pitchers on the 25 man roster, so getting fresher arms up is thje priority.
Truth be told – most fans have no idea who’s on their team week to week during the season. Sit in the stands and listen to the conversations.
@vandals. You do admit that you were wrong in your statement that most owners are in fact billionarea? I mean you sure posted a lot on the topic of economics and all but just acted as though your statement was completely correct.
Nick Solak is on the clock.
Nick solak should be ticked off. Klentak should ask about him in a deal for someone like Quinn.
Nick is the next Profar. The all time wasted potential team.
Solak showed more last year than Profar showed through 4 years in the league.
Hopefully Daniels will see the difference between Solak and Profar.
Hopefully.
Solak needs to be starting at 2b. Not 3b
L
He’s prob a disappointment but can b team player & can hit Long ball, won HR derby a few yrs ago
Are you a caveman?
Possibly cavewomen?
he Todd Frazier he hit ball hard
DeeEllisDee,Skip, Excusemeflo, a few baseball trolls, not really here 2 discuss baseball, here to show my grammer errors, sooo pitiful
Yep, the grammar and spelling are pitiful.
Kelsey Grammer’s only error was Down Periscope
lol
I miss my Grammar she was a nice lady.
I resemble that remark !!!
I am hoping that Solak will be the every day 2b…?
Sign Castellanos for RF next and they will have a solid lineup and staff next season.
Gallo is the RF. Castellanos would be 1b
Nick C will give you 80 plus XBH’s. Can Gallo play first?
He can but has stated a few separate times that he doesn’t enjoy playing infield. Plus his best defensive tool is wasted at 1B. His arm is perfect in RF.
Gallo can play 1B, but he has a cannon arm and better OF range. Castellanos at first base makes the team better.
4y/$40m?
Did owners, taxpayers or both pay for that new stadium?
You should consider the amount of money any major sports franchise provide any city in taxes.The hundreds of millions of taxable dollars.The higher tax brackets.They pay more in taxes than alot people will make in a lifetime.
Won’t someone think of the billionaires!???!!!
LOL!
Definitely before they think of the people who can only afford to attend a game or two a year and sit in the upper deck. Yes, these people actually exist.
I can’t afford to see Hamilton 20 times a year either. Nobody complains about those ticket prices. Seeing the best athletes in the world isn’t cheap. Why should it be?
LOL!!!
No state income taxes in Texas…..
City of Arlington is managing the payment for the stadium. Bunch of small taxes on parking, tickets, rental cars, and hotels.
Small taxes tell me the taxpayers are paying for it. Thanks for the answer.
So this means the taxpayers have every right to expect major acquisitions from ownership.
Not really the way taxes work…
The issue – tax for a new stadium – was put to the citizens of Arlington, Texas and they voted for it. The city “fathers” probably campaigned to the citizens it would be a revenue maker, bringing jobs to the city etc. – the standard BS.
And undoubtedly the whole thing was structured to create a windfall for the owners. Because they’re rich. They “earned it” even when they didn’t. And they usually didn’t. They just took it, with the help of various sycophant crooks.
Yawn……
If the public didn’t pay for professional sports teams parks, the franchises would have less revenue and consequently the players would be paid less.
I don’t know why the economic illiterate demagogues on here keep stating that owners profit by every revenue stream and the players get nothing.
America had huge improvements in the average persons salary the last 2 years. In both cases they were for over 3% but less then 4%. Yet look at average percentage increases professional athletes are getting. Far, far more then the average American worker.
It’s ok to be rich.
Professional athletes are NOT your average worker. They are elite, highly skilled workers and should be paid as such.
Vandals – The fewer people who are standing in line behind you who can do what you do, the more you will be paid. Millions of people play baseball to varying degrees. A small fraction of them can play at the MLB level. Hard work and sacrifice got them to that level. That’s why they get paid.
And potential Donaldson suitors continue to bow out as he waits too long and asks for too much. He overplayed his hand and is seeing his earning power fall now
He has a decent glove little pop know to be a good clubhouse guy.
Depends on the clubhouse. He’s disliked in some circles.
What circles, Von? Name it or take the comment back
Any with Adam Eaton.
nymetsking nailed it. I was talking about his issues with Adam Eaton and the 2016 White Sox.
Was that the same season Paul Konerko all but quit because they wouldn’t let his snot nosed spawn loiter in the clubhouse all year and then Chris Sale shredded his uniform? Someone needs to write a book about that clubhouse.
That was LaRoche.
Oh yeah, my bad. Thanks
The 2016 White Sox deserve a documentary at the very least.
Just because they got Frazier doesn’t mean they are done at 3B. Frazier can play 1B as well and lord knows the Rangers need help at both corners. Bring in a bigger fish at third and then have Frazier at 1B, that line up looks even better
What stage of grief is this
One year at $5 million still leaves a lot of dry power. Not grief. Just facts.
Again. Frazier is your starting 3rd baseman now Texas fans. Frazier rarely plays 1st.
The Toddfather is a good signing. Be happy Rangers fans.
There is only one Toddfather, and he’s waiting on his Hall of Fame nomination.
Don’t think Ziele has the numbers
Clearly he was referring to Stottlemyre.
It’s spelled V-a-n P-o-p-p-e-l.
Todd Hollandsworth. A Dodgers favorite. Probably won’t get enough votes though.
Richard Todd?
Todd is a trash first name, but a fine last name (Hi Jeff).
Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd.
ya I still see the rangers trading for bryant or Arenado and putting solak in the deal or guzman
Solak would fit pretty nicely on the Cubs actually, not a bad idea
They need to sign Castellanos for 1b, start Solak at 2b, and trade Odor+Guzman+cash to cover Odor deal for some cheap gum.
Frazier will probably platoon with Guzman at first, and hopefully another heavy hitter signing is to come.
You guys are dreaming Guzman is the 1st baseman. Frazier is the 3rd baseman.
Guzman will most likely end up in AAA. His bat is not major league ready.
Above average hitter who can play both corners and dh. Appears to be a upgrade over Guzman. Solid signing if it’s a cheap contract.
He’s a dugout clown who does nothing on the field.
I know you aren’t using “clown” literally here, but it might be kinda awesome if “dugout clown” were actually a thing. In uniform and everything
Like in a rodeo, his primary job would be to distract a charging Puig.
I think with this signing it clearly points that the Cardinals will get Arenado.
Cardinals just traded away their key pieces that could have been used to get Arenado.
No they traded a young left handed pitcher to add to a trade if they want I think the Cards are not in on him arenado
Rangers fans are lucky to have him. He’ll be a fan favorite really quick I guarantee it and will play a solid 3B hit you 20 bombs
Sounds like the numbers are similar to our missed hero, A. Beltre
20 HR in this day and an age is not very special.
Good addition. It would be even better if they got rid of Odor lol
Febreeze does the trick, I hear.
boo!
Solak and either Winn/Krouse to Cubs for Bryant. This is a fair deal
No thanks. Keep Bryant.
Under appreciated player because hits for low batting average. This from the same people who criticize when you give a guy credit for having a high batting average.
Good point.
@ Oregonian – I agree 100% that Donaldson has overplayed his hand. Two of his strongest suitors in Texas & Washington have all but bowed out of the race and by him not wanting to sign in Minn, who is left? If the stories are true, Atlanta has only offered around $80M for 4 years of his services and he wants $110M. His options are drying up fast (reminds me of the JD Martinez market a couple of years ago) and he’s either going to have to settle for Atlanta’s 4/80 offer or possibly bet on himself again with a short term, high annual value contract. I like JD but he and/or his agent have overvalued his services as a 34 year old free agent. He’d better swallow his pride soon and sign a deal or he’ll end up like Moose did a couple of years ago…a one year deal at 30% of his true value.
JD is a great 3B. These teams can’t pivot amd get anyone else of his caliber— for nothing but money. Bryant will cost an arm and a leg in prospects. Arenado will cost as well if he’s truly available. Looks like Donaldson is still in the drivers seat to me.
Uh no. If no team wants him at the price he’s asking, he’s not in the driver seat. He’ll either adjust his asking price or he’ll sit out half a season waiting for an injury like Keuchel did.
If Donaldson was in the drivers seat, someone would’ve balked by now and offered him a big deal.
I don’t get this idea that Donaldson has overplayed his hand. Not one of his suitors has made a move where they’re not pulling that guy off the field to add a former MVP. These teams are just lining up fallback options. If someone deals for Bryant or (inexplicably) Arenado before Donaldson inks, I’ll start to see where he’s lost leverage.
Exactly. Teams would rather turn to their fallback options than give him the deal he’s looking for. He overplayed. He’d have a team already if he wasn’t demanding so much in both years and salary.
Josh will be just fine – He will sign for more than 4/80 its all just posturing right now-
I really wish Minny would just step up with an over-pay here- They have bascially no money commitments after this year and have a nice window- They have a hard time attracting folk of Donnys ilk and this might be the perfect storm for them right here right now
Really think the Morneau/Mauer signings of yester-year are giving them doubts right now-
I see no mention of Solak in this article. Any rangers fans have any insight into what they plan on doing with him?
Waiting for Odor to flake out one more time and then get benched..
Best explanation I have heard yet concerning Odor..
If no more corner infield additions I could see Frazier platooning with Guzman at 1b and with Solak at 3b. Guzman is an excellent defensive 1b and his hitting against righties, especially when he came from AAA was pretty good. If the goal is to get Solak 400+ abs, playing semi regularly at 3b against lefties is a good place to start. Of course, if they sign yet another CI all of this is probably off.
Wow. Get ready for it. Guzman is your 1st baseman. Frazier is your 3rd baseman. Get used too it.
Guzman put up a .790 OPS against lefties last year. In an admittedly very small sample size, after returning from the minors that was .926. If there is a solution against lefties, Guzman at 1b isn’t a bad thing.
He’ll take over 2b when Odor predictably looks like a bum again this year.
What about a trade for Nolan/Bryant where rangers send odor ( they add money to send for his contract cause no ones going to want to pay him that much for hitting like cheeks), and prospects? Keep Solak at 2nd, Nolan at 3rd, Elvis at short, and Frazier at 1st.
Rangers aren’t going to “give away the store” to acquire Arenado or Bryant. Rangers have just about made their farm system respectable again. Don’t see them tearing it down to get one “marquee” player. Daniels was ridiculed for it once, doesn’t want to go through that again.
You mean after 3 years of working 24/7/365 with scouts, development people, lawyers negotiating with agents, minor league affiliates, etc., and investing millions of dollars – that the Rangers don’t want to give up all the produced players with 6 years of control for one player…….that will very probably leave in 2 years?
If all else fails. Why not sign Mitch Moreland to play first base. Sure he barely has a bat but has pretty good defense. He wouldn’t be a big dent in the payroll either. What do y’all think?
Left handed, no bat, good defense. You just described Guzman. No reason to bring in the same player, as much as I love Mitch.
No franchise player for Rangers to open their new publicly paid stadium. It would be sad if the “new franchise player” rumors were ever anything but a public relations lie.
Todd once saved a person using the Heimlich maneuver, and hit a no-handed HR, while with the Reds.
He used the jedi mind trick to get the pitcher to throw a meatball down the middle.
It’s not gangbusters, but a solid signing
A lot of sarcasm surrounding this signing but Todd Frazier is a savvy vet that can play both infield corners and provides some right handed pop to the Rangers lineup. He’ll probably bat behind Gallo or maybe a little lower in the order like 6th or 7th. Good clubhouse presence as well. Wouldnt have minded the Phillies signing him as a stop gap to Bohm which wouldve allowed Kingery to bounce around and get additional reps in CF. If Frazier can hit around .250 again instead of the .220 range he batted in 2017 and 2018 and contribute 25 dingers, this will be a steal for Texas.
And how does all that Frazier love help them escape 4th place? Isn’t that the objective?
What 4th place? Rangers finished 3rd in their division last season.
By choosing Frazier over Rendon, they may be swapping places with the Angels and finishing 4th in 2020.
Then pitching will count for nothing, because only 1 of those teams has any
The 82-win Rangers got their man who will definitely help them achieve their goal of 82 wins.
Stop thinking in terms of “steals” on signing days. Calm down.
I’m just glad he’s not in the division anymore, he was a Philliekiller at all the wrong times.
They really missed out on the elite (or even good) 3B market. I’m sorry, I’ve never been a fan of Todd. I could never wrap my head around the hype. He’s terrible, he’s pretty always been terrible…. why does he still have a job in the mlb. He should have had his bags packed years ago for Japan or Korea or whatever… cause American baseball isn’t his thing.
Todd Frazier is good for 2 WAR almost every single year, hes not terrible.
Although your # is most definitely rounded up, it’s statistics like this that make me question the entire WAR metrics all together. He’s had 2 solid year in his entire career, and 1 horrid year That he managed to hit like 40 bombs. He’s terrible… i don’t generally use BA as a worth of most guys value, but when you only have roughly 2 years above .230…. you’re not good.
Didnt say he was an all-star, didnt even say he was very good. He just not “terrible”. He’s worth 5mil to a club that needs at 1B and 3B
Frazier has a career avg of 2.9 WAR per season. I can’t take any remainder of your post seriously if you cannot even look up verifiable information over deciding to make up “facts”.
The WAR metric is wrong in his case. There, I said it. It’s wrong. 2 good season that make him look better than he is. He’s trash
Well I’ll Definitely be trusting your opinion over his statistics. It must be the statistics that are wrong. There, I said that.
jessethomas599
To put it in meaningful perspective, though, over the past 3 years Frazier’s WAR is 5.9. Below 2.0/yr. Not “terrible,” but not the 2.9 career rate you cited, which is weighted by good years several years ago, including 4.0 in 2015, and 5.2 in 2014. He’s 33 now, not likely to be achieving those levels. In fact, he’s not likely to achieve 2.9… He’s more likely to hit 1.9.
Smart move by the Rangers.
This is like the deal I commonly offer free agents in OOTP. Backload with a club option to get close to their demand, then just decline the option. Bonus if you add an opt out before the option so you don’t have to pay the buy out occasionally.
I think Rangers fans that wanted to sign players like Rendon and Donaldson or trade for Arenado need to just take a step back for a little while.
In 2 years, the AL West is going to be much different but right now, the 4 best prospects the Rangers have aren’t even in AA yet. Let your young talent develop. Why do you want to sign Donaldson so bad? Is sacrificing your future worth winning something around 85 games?
I know the Rangers FO really stoked the flames with this but the fans have an opportunity to express a more level head than leadership and just let the prospects develop while taking the high draft picks.
The Rangers are simply not in striking distance of an AL West title – not with the Astros and A’s in front of them, and the Angels closing on 3rd place. I look for the ALW to possibly be the best MLB division in 2020. The Rangers are not in the position of say the A’s – that adding one impact position players player makes them the division favorite. They need at least 3 quality position players (CF, 3B or 1B, C) added to what they have – along with a young starter and at least 2 more quality bullpen pitchers.
I’m looking for Realmuto to head for free agency after 2020. Dallas is the ideal place for him to sign (he’s been dragging his feet signing an extension with the Phillies since they acquired him). Couple that with some young prospects coming up, and the Rangers have something going.
Always liked the ToddFather and his old school grit.
I am not a Frazier fan, but why Texas? Doesn’t Todd realize Texas is a career killer?
Running out of options?
How is Texas a career killer?
Texas isn’t a career killer lol
Ian Desmond can play third and was a Rangers fav. Rockies would love to unload him and likely eat half his salary. Will Myers can be had cheaply and a move back to first would be to his liking, for health and production. If I’m GM, I make this happen:
Wil Myers can be had cheaply? What drug are you on?
Taking wil Myers for nothing would be an overpay
From Rondon,,,,,….to Donaldson…,,,,,,,..to Arenado………..to Bryant….,,,,….finally to. the GREAT Todd Frazier !
I thought Texas did everything BIG !
Happy 69th Birthday to ex Ranger Bill Madlock………..only MLB player to win 2 batting titles with 2 different teams !
Alas, the Rangers giving Madlock away to the Cubs all those decades ago was a terrible miscalculation from management. Not sure if Bob Short was the owner then, but it was a bad trade.
Braves could have saved 110 million with Frazier and maybe face also.
Donaldson is down to two teams……Nats & Braves……the loser pays big price for Kris Bryant…..or will the Dodgers sneak in !
Texas opted for the cheaper option and that makes sense. They aren’t sure if they are ready to win. They are a tweener team. Frazier could very well be a good signing. Texas could be 4th yet could very well make the postseason next year.
Just glad we didn’t overpay for Frazier, maybe he’ll swing the big stick like years past
Donaldson has stubbornly overplayed his hand this year. He isn’t getting to the $110M mark. Potential landing spots are dropping away because he is being so unreasonable. He’ll be lucky to gat $90M now.. if I were the Braves, I’d take my offer off the table, if it was 4 years, and come back with a fair market offer of 3/$75 for that old man. They don’t have any real rivals, The Nats and Rangers have gone to plan B and signed others already, and no one seems to want to play for MN unless the Twins do an overpay, which they are not willing to do. This is another example of players and their agents trying to force the market to unrealistic levels. Players and their agents caused the problems we saw the last two years and now Donaldson is repeating the same mistake.
Half of the starts last year were by pitchers with era near 6 or worse. Calhoun and Gallo each played only half or less of the games. Catcher, first, and third were dreadful. Rangers still finished 3rd with 76 wins.
If the team stays reasonably healthy then the starting pitching improvements alone will make above 500. Catcher is now much better. Third is better. A full season of Gallo and Calhoun is better.
If Castellanos can be signed for first(real possible) or a trade for Arenado pulled off(less likely but sexier) this team can compete for a playoff spot
This move means the Rangers have 1 more big move to make, and that is Castellanos. If we sign Castellanos (who would play first), then Fraizer moves to 3rd full time, and Guzman becomes expendable. Maybe we then package Guzman in a deal for a reliever, like say Reyes Moronta or Sam Tuivailala. After all is said and done here is our finished lineup.
Choo
Andrus
Castellanos
Calhoun
Gallo
Santana
Odor / Solak (hopefully Solak)
Fraizer
Chirinos
like the idea of another bullpen arm, but this starting staff will take more than 100 innings off of the bullpen compared to last year. That alone will make the pen better.
True, but i’d still like to see them get somebody to get reliable innings. Not an elite arm like Hader, but maybe trade for somebody, or stick Guzman in AAA and sign Cory Gearrin. I love Gearrin, he is a lowkey stud, he was so good on the Rangers a few years ago.
Reyes Moronta is a sleeping giant !!! Nice name drop
Frazier blows. Got a good look at what he offers a team while he played in Chicago, not a fan.
Wow, very thought provoking stuff here.
They formally signed him today, you can update the post title. 😉