West Notes: Rangers, Ryan, Giants, Cabrera
Here's a look at some items out of the AL and NL West..
- Rangers co-chairman Bob Simpson met with CEO Nolan Ryan in an attempt to smooth things out and sounded upbeat about the talk, writes Randy Galloway of the Star-Telegram. “Its been positive. We are working through it, and so far the results are positive. I wouldn’t say it’s been resolved, but hopefully we can get there," said Simpson. One member of the team’s ownership group told Galloway that prior to this, Ryan had had no contact with either Simpson or co-owner Ray Davis in almost a week, despite attempts by both to reach him.
- The Giants were involved in talks with Melky Cabrera about a lucrative contract extension just prior to his suspension for PEDs last season, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.com. General Manager Brian Sabean and Cabrera's reps at ACES were discussing an extension worth something in range of $75-$85MM.
- A veteran of 24 MLB seasons, Omar Vizquel is now serving as a spring training coach with the Angels and the 45-year-old has his eye on eventually landing a managerial job, writes Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.
Texas Notes: Ryan, Daniels, Lohse, Astros, Crane
Here's the latest news from both the Rangers and Astros, including how the future of the Lone Star State's greatest pitcher (Nolan Ryan) impacts both Texas clubs…
- Jon Daniels said the Rangers never offered him Ryan's CEO job, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. Before being promoted to the position of president of baseball operations, Daniels said the Rangers offered him a few other titles, and "all of those discussions involved me reporting directly to Nolan." There has been speculation that Ryan could leave the Rangers given the increased influence of Daniels and Rick George, the newly-promoted president of business operations.
- Hiring Ryan and giving him a significant role would greatly benefit the Astros both on and off the field, MLB.com's Richard Justice opines.
- Kyle Lohse is "slightly better than just a guy" in the Rangers' view, writes Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPN Dallas, which is partly why the team isn't interested in the veteran right-hander.
- Astros owner Jim Crane tells reporters (including MLB.com's Brian McTaggart) that the team's ongoing negotiations over a new TV contract are crucial to the team's financial well-being and its rebuilding process. "This is a long-term deal, and it will really affect the ability to finance the team and the payroll," Crane said. "We have to have a deal that's market with the Rangers and Angels and we should be able to get that….We want to have our payroll where the Rangers' is so we can compete with everybody."
- Also from McTaggart, the Astros have done well to rebuild their farm system though it may take a few years for their current batch of top prospects to make an impact on the Major League level.
Rangers Agree To Sign Derek Lowe
8:39pm: Lowe will earn $1.25MM if he makes the big league roster, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (on Twitter). He can also earn an additional $1.7MM in performance bonuses, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News tweets.
6:26pm: The Rangers have agreed to terms with Derek Lowe on a minor league deal, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). The right-hander is represented by Scott Boras, as shown in MLBTR's Agency Database. While Lowe is not guaranteed anything, he will almost certainly make the team, according to Grant.
Lowe, 39, spent 2012 with the Indians and Yankees, making 21 starts in Cleveland and 17 appearances out of the pen for New York. While the veteran has stated his preference for being in the rotation in the past, the Rangers plan to use him as a reliever. In total, Lowe posted a 5.11 ERA with 3.5 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 across 142 2/3 innings of work.
The 6'6" hurler had interest from other clubs this offseason and received a minor league offer from the Rockies more than a month ago.
Rangers Won’t Sign Kyle Lohse
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Rangers were keeping in contact with agent Scott Boras regarding Kyle Lohse. However, a club source says tells T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com that Texas won’t be the team to take the top remaining free agent off of the market.
“We are not going to sign Kyle Lohse. I can’t be clearer than that,” said the source.
Some wondered if the Rangers might ramp up their pursuit of Lohse in the wake of Martin Perez‘s injury, given that the fractured ulna will keep him from throwing for about a month. However, it looks like Jon Daniels & Co. will instead look to get by with what they already have in-house.
Even though Lohse has sat on the shelf for much longer than anyone anticipated, Boras is reportedly seeking a three-year deal with a “big” annual salary. It’s still not clear which teams could be in on the 34-year-old as the Yankees and Indians are also not interested in signing him. Recently, Tim Dierkes predicted that Lohse would eventually settle for a one- or two-year deal.
Texas added a pitcher earlier today in Derek Lowe but the veteran will reportedly be used as a reliever if he makes the team.
Quick Hits: Mets, Rangers, Hamilton
The strength of the 2013 Mets appears to be their rotation, but when you compare New York's starting five to the rotations of the Nationals, Phillies and Braves, the group no longer seems as intimidating. As Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes, the Mets seem even more vulnerable in areas such as the outfield and the bullpen. Here are some more links from around the Major Leagues, starting in New York…
- Free agent right-hander Francisco Rodriguez said he "definitely" wants to return to the Mets and "redeem himself" in New York, Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports (Twitterlinks). While the Mets won't rule out a reunion with Rodriguez, it doesn't seem like a 'front burner issue' for the team in Martino's view.
- The Rangers must find a way to keep CEO Nolan Ryan in place, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. In Rosenthal's view it would be a shame if the Hall of Famer left after the contributions he has made in Texas. It’s possible Ryan will leave the team, but the Rangers say they want him to stay.
- Josh Hamilton says he isn't out for revenge against the Rangers this season, but one Texas official tells Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that he is skeptical of that assertion. The Rangers person predicted that the slugger may hit 50 homers in his first year with the Angels, fueled in part by a grudge against his former club.
- Within the piece, Heyman reports that the Mariners offered Hamilton about $90MM for four years with vesting options for two additional seasons. The Rangers offered a three-year deal with three additional options, Heyman reports. Hamilton obtained a five-year, $125MM contract from the Angels.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
West Notes: Mariners, Dodgers, Helton, Rangers
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com weighed in with five likes and dislikes for the 2013 Mariners today. Heyman is a fan of the M's improved offense thanks in particular to the additions of Mike Morse and Kendrys Morales. On top of that, less-heralded pickups like Raul Ibanez, Jason Bay, and Kelly Shoppach could also help Seattle put more runs on the board this season. Here's more out of the AL and NL West..
- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly says that Jerry Hairston Jr. might have a future as a coach or a manager, writes Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com. However, the 36-year-old first has to decide when he's going to retire. Hairston will serve as the backup in left field, right field, and third base this year and assess his future after the season.
- Todd Helton's teammates say that the veteran can be a significant contributor in what will likely be his final season, writes Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. Even Helton, who will earn $5MM in the final year of his deal, acknowledges that this is likely the end of the road.
- If Rangers execs Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels can't coexist, then Ryan should be the one to go, opines Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News. Ryan is reportedly unhappy with the idea of ceding power to the newly promoted GM.
Rangers Notes: Lohse, Ryan, Daniels
Last night, we learned that the Rangers made an inquiry on Tigers right-hander Rick Porcello. Texas was one of several teams who had scouts in attendance for Porcello's Monday against the Astros where he recorded six strikeouts and no walks across four scoreless innings. Here's the latest out of Arlington..
- In this week's inbox, a reader asked MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan if the Rangers will sign Kyle Lohse given the question marks surrounding their arms. Sources tell Sullivan that a deal is still not likely to happen and they are still determined to find a fifth starter between Robbie Ross, Nicholas Tepesch, and Randy Wells. The Rangers are also confident that Colby Lewis could be back in the rotation by the end of May.
- Despite talk that Nolan Ryan may part ways with the Rangers over Jon Daniels' promotion, Daniels says that their relationship has become stronger over the years, writes Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram. Second baseman Ian Kinsler, who signed a multi-year extension in April, says that Ryan has helped attract key free agents to join the team. “I would love to have him around for as long as I’m here and as long as he’d like to be here,” Kinsler said.
- The reason the Rangers gave Daniels a new title has more to do with assistant GM Thad Levine than it does with Ryan, writes Buster Olney of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req'd). Texas wants to hold together the group that works under Daniels and giving him the title of president of baseball operations gives them space to someday promote Levine someday to GM.
Rangers, Derek Lowe Nearing Deal
4:42pm: The Rangers view Lowe as a candidate for the bullpen, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports. Presumably this deal won't affect the Rangers' interest in Lohse.
2:41pm: The Rangers are on the verge of signing right-hander Derek Lowe to a minor league deal, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). Lowe, 39, is represented by Scott Boras.
Lowe spent 2012 with the Indians and Yankees, making 21 starts in Cleveland and 17 appearances out of the pen for New York. In total, Lowe posted a 5.11 ERA with 3.5 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 across 142 2/3 innings of work. The veteran could provide Texas with pitching depth in the wake of Martin Perez's forearm injury.
Recently, we learned that the Rangers are still talking with Boras about another one of his prominent clients, Kyle Lohse. However, that pairing doesn't appear to be imminent at the moment and the Rangers may have decided on a less costly support option in Lowe.
Lowe had interest elsewhere and received a minor league offer from the Rockies more than a month ago.
Rangers Called Tigers About Porcello
Given the injury to Martin Perez and a pair of poor outings from right-hander Justin Grimm, the Rangers made an inquiry on Rick Porcello earlier today, a source told ESPN's Adam Rubin.
The 24-year-old Porcello remains a popular name among trade rumors, given Detroit's enviable rotation depth. The former first-round pick pitched to a 4.59 ERA in 176 1/3 innings last season for the AL Central champs. Porcello's 52.3 percent ground-ball rate figures to be attractive to the Rangers, who pitch in the homer-friendly confines of Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Porcello is under team control through 2016 and will earn $5.1MM this season after avoiding arbitration with the Tigers in mid-January. Earlier today it was reported that the Rangers were one of several teams who had scouts in attendance for Porcello's start against the Astros. Porcello whiffed six hitters in four scoreless innings, walking none and allowing three hits.
The Rangers have also reportedly increased their interest in free agent Kyle Lohse, though they, like most other clubs, are still hesitant to sign the right-hander for a number of reasons.
AL West Notes: Ryan, Robertson, Athletics
The Rangers appear to have increased their interest in free agent right-hander Kyle Lohse, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported earlier today. With Martin Perez headed for the disabled list, the Rangers’ rotation isn’t as deep as it once was. Here are some links from the rest of the AL West…
- The Rangers aren't trying to 'freeze out' CEO Nolan Ryan, Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News writes. The club could lose the Hall of Famer following the decision to reduce Ryan's role in day to day decision making. Ryan perceives that he's nothing more than a figurehead now, Sherrington writes. Rangers co-chairman Bob Simpson told Randy Galloway of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he wants Ryan to remain with the team long-term.
- Former Tigers left-hander Nate Robertson hopes to return to the MLB level now that his elbow troubles are behind him, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. Robertson, who's now pitching from a lower arm slot, signed a minor league deal with the Rangers this offseason. He hopes to make the team as a lefty reliever.
- Athletics manager Bob Melvin turned out to be an ideal fit in Oakland, Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com writes. After stints in Seattle and Arizona, Melvin was equipped to lead the A's with what outfielder Seth Smith describes as "a quiet intensity."