MLBTR Polls

After reaching the World Series two seasons in a row, the Rangers suffered a setback in 2012 when they failed to advance past the Orioles in the AL Wild Card game. The expectations remain the same for 2013 as the organization has its goals set on taking home a ring for the first time in franchise history, even as the roster looks different entering spring training. From losing lineup mainstays to missing out on top free agents, the question becomes whether Texas did enough to address holes in the lineup and on the pitching staff.

A look at the Rangers’ lineup reveals the absence of familiar names including Mike Napoli, Josh Hamilton and Michael Young. The loss of Napoli to the Red Sox may have been a win for the Rangers as the slugger went from securing a multi-year deal to eventually signing a one-year contract due to health concerns. With fewer playing opportunities each season due to the emergence of young talent, Young was sent to the Phillies where he’ll have the opportunity to be in the lineup on a more consistent basis. Hamilton headed to the West Coast when the Angels offered him a contract that the Rangers were not comfortable matching.

While Texas was unable to replace its big bats with the likes of Justin Upton or Carlos Gonzalez, the front office did make two moves that should bring stability to the lineup. The team was able to bolster the catching position by signing veteran A.J. Pierzynski and add depth at designated hitter with the addition of Lance Berkman. 

Pitching concerns for Texas stem more from who the team was unable to sign rather than retain. The organization had hoped to win the services of Zack Greinke but ultimately lost out to the Dodgers. While the Rangers were unable to add pieces from the free agent pool, they did commit long-term to starter Matt Harrison with a five-year, $55MM contract. Beyond the rotation, Texas signed Joakim Soria to add depth to the bullpen.

On New Year’s Eve, seven of MLBTR’s Top 50 free agents watched the ball drop without knowing where they would be playing in 2013.  Since then, Adam LaRoche (No. 15, Nationals), Rafael Soriano (No. 17, Nationals), and Shaun Marcum (No. 19, Mets) have all signed, leaving four still out there on the open market.

Michael Bourn (No. 3) is the top remaining free agent and his situation isn’t a whole lot clearer than it was a month ago.  The center fielder is tied to draft pick compensation and teams aren’t wild about giving up their first round choice for the right to give Bourn a lucrative deal.  The Mets could appeal to MLB to argue that they shouldn’t have to sacrifice their No. 11 pick, but one has to wonder if the cost-conscious club is ready to spend that much anyway.  The Mariners have also been linked to the outfielder but we haven’t seen a ton of movement on that front lately.

Kyle Lohse (No. 10) has also seen his stock fall thanks to the issue of draft pick compensation.  No one seems willing to go beyond two years for Lohse, despite his exceptionally strong work across the last two seasons.  The O’s will be in if the veteran’s price drops significantly and the Brewers won’t rule it out, but the Angels aren’t expected to chase him and the Cardinals continue to say that a reunion is very unlikely.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun heard earlier this week that Joe Saunders (No. 25) was offered a two-year, $15MM deal from a club, though those sources aren’t directly in on the talks.  If the offer is legitimate, however, it isn’t from the Orioles, who are only interested in a one-year deal with an option for year two.  The Twins are also keen on a one-year pact and the Mariners are also known to be interested.

Jose Valverde (No. 44) likely saw his market pick up after fellow Scott Boras client Soriano signed with the Nationals.  Early on, the Tigers decided that they wouldn’t have him back and things were quiet for the 34-year-old for quite some time.   This week, however, we learned that the Mets are pursuing Valverde.

Most of MLBTR's Top 50 free agents of the offseason are off the board, but there are still seven holdouts as we enter 2013.  For some, the market is fairly clear cut.  For others, it's suss out a list of suitors and potential fits.

Adam LaRoche (No. 15) has the attention of both the Nationals and the Red Sox, but neither team wants to give him a three-year deal and Boston isn't wild about giving up a second-round pick for him.  The BoSox are also expected to back out of talks with the first baseman if they complete their agreement with Mike Napoli.  Right-hander Shaun Marcum (No. 19) has received interest from the Mets, Twins, Padres, and Cubs.  The Mets, Twins, and Padres are also in on left-hander Joe Saunders (No. 25) along with the Orioles and Mariners.

If the other four have made significant progress on a deal, it's been kept on the QT to this point.  Michael Bourn (No. 3) is the best player remaining on the open market but it's not clear who the interested parties are.  The Rangers lost out on the biggest names of the winter and the Mariners haven't made the kind of splash that some expected them to, but their level of interest is unknown.  Texas isn't in on Kyle Lohse (No. 10) and the Cardinals don't have enough breathing room to bring him back.  Rafael Soriano (No. 17), like many free agents, has been linked to the Dodgers, but they're not interested.  Jose Valverde (No. 44) wants to return to the Tigers but they reportedly won't be bringing him back (For the purposes of this poll, please choose one of the other six if you expect Valverde to call it a career).

As we approach the New Year, seven of Tim Dierkes' Top 50 free agents remain unsigned.  Michael Bourn (#3), Kyle Lohse (#10), Adam LaRoche (#15), Rafael Soriano (#17), Shaun Marcum (#19), Joe Saunders (#25), and Jose Valverde (#44) are still on the market and most seem to be drawing a great deal of interest.  It's possible that Mike Napoli (#14) re-enters the fray if his deal with the Red Sox falls through, though one has to imagine that Boston would have bailed entirely at this point if they were overly concerned about his health.

Bourn, Lohse, Soriano, and Valverde are all represented by Scott Boras, who is comfortable with waiting for the right deal.  We also know that he has a knack for digging up unexpected suitors, so maybe we shouldn't shy away from picking Lohse in this poll despite his cloudy market.  Of the seven top 50 free agents left, who is going to put pen to paper first?