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Ian Kinsler

Odds & Ends: Rangers, Chapman, Capps, Choo

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Links for Thursday, as Kelly Johnson and Paul Konerko jockey for the MLB home run lead…

Rangers May Pursue Miles

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According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers "may explore interest" in Aaron Miles, recently released by the Cincinnati Reds.

Miles could fill in for the injured Ian Kinsler, though he'd be unlikely to approach anything like Kinsler's production.

For instance, Miles has 16 career home runs in 2,423 plate appearances. Kinsler hit 31 home runs in the 2009 season alone.

Sullivan says that Miles would likely begin at Triple-A.

Odds And Ends: Draft, Nady, Kinsler, Snell

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A few links to start the morning off…

Rosenthal On Lackey, Dunn, Young, Isringhausen

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Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.

  • John Lackey is due up for extension talks with the Angels, as he’ll be eligible for free agency after the ’09 season.  He’d easily be the best available starter.  Rosenthal says talks with the Angels should occur before the beginning of the season, but the Halos may not be willing to offer A.J. Burnett money (five years, $82.5MM).  In November, Jayson Stark said Lackey had been telling friends he expects to have an extension by Opening Day.  That came after Lackey’s confirmation he’d wait to see the Angels’ offensive plans before re-signing.
  • The Braves paid $60MM for Derek Lowe, though no one else made a comparable offer.  This is a testament to Scott Boras (and perhaps the Braves’ desperation), though Boras has more challenging work ahead in Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek.
  • The Red Sox have shown interest in Adam Dunn, one rival exec tells Rosenthal.  Rosenthal considers the possibility a longshot – "a square peg in a round hole."  The Sox could always make a midseason deal if their offense isn’t cutting it.
  • A Rangers official put Michael Young’s chances of being with the team on Opening Day at at least 90%.  The Rangers aren’t interested in moving Ian Kinsler to left field and Young to second base.
  • Rosenthal believes Xavier Nady is likely to garner Type A status when he becomes a free agent after the ’09 season, but half of the equation (his 2009 stats) is missing.
  • Jason Isringhausen is considering four teams, and he’d have a shot to close for those clubs.  The Dodgers aren’t terribly interested, while the Cardinals and Tigers are possibilities.
  • Should the Mets sign Andy Pettitte as well as Randy Wolf or Oliver Perez?  One rival exec suggested the idea.
  • The Astros apparently made a three-year, $28.5MM offer to Wolf before pulling it back.  Looks like he’ll be settling for less.
  • Rosenthal says a Rangers trade for Jermaine Dye is "not happening."  They’ll go with Hank Blalock’s left-handed offense rather than sign an aging veteran.  Blalock is headed into a contract year.
  • If Todd Helton has a healthy spring, the Rockies could shop Garrett Atkins.
  • The Red Sox and D’Backs are not close to a deal involving catcher Miguel Montero.  Arizona will need to add a capable backup catcher if they do find a deal for Montero.

Kinsler Signs Five-Year Deal

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TUESDAY, 12:52am:ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick pegs it at five years, $22MM plus a sixth year option at $10MM.  Crasnick says it buys out one year of free agency and the option would be another.  The ’08 season is included in the extension.

MONDAY, 9:33pm:Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports that second baseman Ian Kinsler is close to a five-year deal worth $20MM.  There may also be a sixth-year option worth $10MM or more.

Grant doesn’t say whether the deal would include the upcoming season; Kinsler recently received a near-minimum deal for ’08.  If not, the new contract would buy out two years of free agency with an option for a third.

Kinsler, 25, has a career line of .274/.351/.447 in 250 games.  The average AL second baseman hit .284/.339/.416 last year.  Kinsler’s probably not among the top ten defensively at his position, if you go by the Fielding Bible awards.

Kinsler Talking Long-Term Deal

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2:17pm:The Rangers signed Kinsler for near the minimum for ’08, which doesn’t really affect the long-term discussions.

10:40am:According to Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Rangers have made little progress on a long-term deal with second baseman Ian Kinsler.  Jon Daniels was positive about it, however.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News does see progress – he spoke to Kinsler and learned that talks for a five-year pact are ongoing.  A sixth-year option could be included as well.

Kinsler has two years of service time, so a five-year deal would buy out one year of free agency.  Grant believes a five-year deal for Kinsler would be for less than the $30MM Robinson Cano received.  Kinsler, 25, has a career line of .274/.351/.447 in 250 games.  The average AL second baseman hit .284/.339/.416 last year.  Kinsler’s probably not among the top ten defensively at his position, if you go by the Fielding Bible awards.

Rangers Rumors: Kinsler, Laird, Padilla

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Here’s the latest hot stove buzz surrounding the Rangers.

  • The team will try again to lock up second baseman Ian Kinsler long-term.  It would be a five-year deal, buying out one year of free agency.  Kinsler had an inconsistent 2007.  He hit .298/.375/.667 with 9 HR in April and .256/.351/.393 thereafter.  Nice to see him draw 62 walks though.
  • Jon Daniels has had several teams ask him about Gerald Laird and Hank Blalock.  He’s not likely to sell low on Blalock.  But Laird is getting more costly and the Rangers want to use Jarrod Saltalamacchia full-time behind the plate.  He’s only 28 – young in catcher years – and has a cannon for an arm.  And while he didn’t hit much in ’07, he’s shown flashes of potential.  The Red Sox have checked in on him.
  • Daniels admitted publicly admitted that he’s open to trading Vicente Padilla.  Might as well not hide it.  This could be a fine buy-low opportunity for some team, if they can keep his attitude in check.  The Cubs had interest last summer but don’t figure to re-open the discussion.
  • The Rangers will look at Japanese options in Kosuke Fukudome and Hiroki Kuroda.  They also like Mike Lamb and Ben Broussard.  Those all seem like reasonable signings.

Kinsler Next Up For Rangers

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With Michael Young nearly locked up long-term, the Rangers are now trying to lock up his double-play partner Ian Kinsler.  Kinsler would be arbitration-eligible after the ’08 season.  It’s a Ranger tradition, the multiyear contract to avoid arbitration.

The outlook is good for Kinsler entering his age 25 season.  He hit .286/.347/.454 as a rookie in 120 games.  He spent a quarter of the season on the DL with a dislocated thumb but is ready to go this spring.  The Rangers will bat him second, ninth, and occasionally leadoff.  Kinsler’s PECOTA calls for a jump to .285/.345/.475 this year.

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