Rangers Acquire Brandon McCarthy For Danks And Masset
In a quite unexpected move, the White Sox have traded starter Brandon McCarthy to Texas for top prospects John Danks and Nick Masset.
The Sox were interested in Masset at least a month ago, considering trading Brian Anderson to the Rangers. Masset, a righthander, will turn 25 in May. Baseball America ranked him eighth among Ranger prospects. He had Tommy John surgery as a senior in high school, which could be viewed as a positive (given that his new tendon/ligament doesn't have a lifetime of wear and tear on it). Masset converted to relief this year and was able to dial his fastball into the high 90s. He could be yet another hard thrower in Chicago's explosive bullpen in 2007.
Danks, a southpaw, turns 22 in April. He was the Rangers' best prospect according to BA. He throws three solid pitches and has pitched well in the minors despite being young for his levels. He'll compete for the fifth spot in Chicago's rotation. He's the prize of the deal.
While B-Mac has 150 innings of Major League experience, it'd be tough to argue that he's worth as much as Danks and Masset combined. The 23 year-old was confined to the bullpen in 2006 because the Sox had no openings in the rotation. With groundball rates around 37%, McCarthy doesn't seem particularly suited for Ameriquest. He'll still be a valuable commodity if he can find a way to keep the ball in the yard. You can view my RotoAuthority projection of McCarthy as a Ranger here.
No one thought Kenny Williams would trade McCarthy, but it looks like he got an offer he couldn't refuse. You have to admire that he has a plan and he's sticking to it.
Mulder Narrows Choices?
According to Kat O’Brien of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, "indications are that Mark Mulder is deciding between the Rangers and his previous team, the St. Louis Cardinals, on a two-year deal." Interestingly, the article includes a life-size picture of Mulder’s head.
As far as Mulder’s ERA goes, I don’t think Texas would be a wise choice. Not only is it a tough ballpark, but John Dewan’s recent team defense rankings put the Rangers’ middle infield 23rd in the Majors in 2006. His rankings indicate that the Mets would be a much better choice for a groundball pitcher.
Rangers Sign Eric Gagne
UPDATE AT BOTTOM.
Don’t hold me to it (my French is rusty) but appears that Eric Gagne may have signed with the Rangers for one year and $8MM, pending a physical. Any expert translators out there?
This may have been in the works for a while, given that Jon Daniels has already begun shopping Akinori Otsuka.
Thanks to Joe Siegler of Rangerfans.com for the tip.
UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal confirms that the Rangers are close with Gagne.
It’s official: one year, $6MM. $5MM possible in performance bonuses.
Rangers Sign Lofton
Ken Rosenthal reports that the Rangers are close to signing the one legitimate center fielder remaining on the free agent market – Kenny Lofton. All that would be left: Darin Erstad and Steve Finley.
Lofton will turn 40 in May. He’s above average offensively for his position, though his range is obviously slipping. The Rangers will sort out the corners and DH spot with Frank Catalanotto, Brad Wilkerson, Nelson Cruz, and Jason Botts.
The Cubs may have to get creative for their CF vacancy until Felix Pie is ready.
UPDATE: The deal is said to be for one year and $6MM.
Inge, Byrd, Kline Sign
The Detroit Free Press indicates that a four-year extension for third baseman Brandon Inge is near. It could be worth $24MM.
Inge turns 30 next May. In 2006, he posted a career high .463 SLG in 542 ABs. However, his OBP dipped to .313. By comparison, the average AL 3B hit .269/.338/.442 this year. The main problem was that Inge’s walk percentage dropped from 10% in 2005 to 7% this year. However, Inge’s fine glovework at the hot corner probably elevates him to the status of above average overall.
ESPN reports that southpaw reliever Steve Kline will stay with the Giants on a two-year, $3.5MM deal. Kline, who is 34, has poor control and a weak strikeout rate. He does keep the ball on the ground generally and is a little better against lefties.
The Rangers signed 29 year-old outfielder Marlon Byrd to a one-year contract. Byrd typically struggles to post a .700 OPS, so he’s probably seen as a fourth outfielder. He can play all three outfield positions.
Finally, the Royals signed southpaw John Bale, who turns 33 next May, to a two-year, $4MM deal. Bale spent the last two seasons in Japan. In 2006, Bale posted a 2.93 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 9.6 K/9 in 43 innings. Interesting side note: Bale was traded by the Orioles to the Mets in 2002 for $50MM man Gary Matthews Jr.
Eric Gagne To Sign Today?
Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe reports that Eric Gagne should decide whether to become a Red Sox, Indian, or Ranger today.
Edes says the odds favor the Indians and Rangers, who seem more willing to guarantee Gagne $5MM. Balking at such a request is understandable given how little Gagne pitched during the 2005-06 seasons. The Dodgers paid him $18MM for 15.1 Major League innings over that period.
Rangers Rotation Options
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, via MercuryNews.com, is reporting that Mark Mulder has received an offer from Jon Daniels and the Texas Rangers. The Rangers were rumored to be in the forefront of the Barry Zito race, but seem to be coming to grips with the idea that they may not be able to commit to what Zito will probably yield this off-season. The Rangers have also shown interest in Andy Pettitte, but that seems like a bit of a long shot with the Astros and Yankees as the favorites to land him.
If the Rangers could actually pull off signing Mulder and Zito in the coming days/weeks, they’d be added to a rotation that currently includes Vincente Padilla and Kevin Millwood. First, they’ve got to fend off the Mets, and all the other suitors, for the rights to Zito.
NOTE: I apologize for the typos. Evan Grant writes for the Dallas Morning News, but the link went to the MercuryNews.com site. Also, obviously, Jon Daniels is the Rangers’ GM, not Jeff Daniels.
Rangers Sign Padilla
Seems that Vicente Padilla wants to stay in Texas. The Fort-Worth Star Telegram reports that the Rangers are close on a multiyear pact with the righty.
That fourth year is the sticking point. I think he gets it.
UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal is reporting that it would be a three-year, $34MM deal with a fourth year club option. And now ESPN agrees but Jerry Crasnick does not mention an option yet.
Alright, it’s settled. There’s a fourth year option for $12MM.
Rosenthal On Zito, Padilla, LaRoche
If you haven’t been at FOX Sports lately, be sure to check out Ken Rosenthal’s column. As always, it’s chock full of rumory goodness. A quick summary:
The Rangers are talking to both Barry Zito and Vicente Padilla. They could top the market by giving Zito six years and $102MM and would like to get Padilla on a three-year deal. I know Padilla could get four somewhere if he forces the issue. For CF, Texas could pursue Jeremy Reed or Kenny Lofton. Mike Piazza remains an option at DH, which could make Jason Botts trade bait. No talk of the Rangers going after Julio Lugo for CF.
The Braves can’t get Mike Gonzalez for Adam LaRoche, so the teams might not have a match on a trade.
The Fish would like to acquire Rocco Baldelli, one of the finest CF options on the market. I imagine one of Olsen, Sanchez, or Johnson would have to go.
The Phils could move Jon Lieber and bring in another starter via free agency. Not sure what that would accomplish.
Zito, Boras Meet With Rangers
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that Barry Zito and agent Scott Boras came to Dallas today to visit with Rangers owner Tom Hicks and GM Jon Daniels. Zito is fond of new manager Ron Washington.
The Cubs, also in need of a big-name starter, seem focused on Jason Schmidt currently. Rumors of their three year, $44MM offer were debunked, but Jon Heyman’s sources indicate that the Cubs are indeed trying to convince Schmidt to come to Chicago.