Rangers Notes: Vizquel, Byrd, Rodriguez
MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan examined what some of the Rangers' plans might be this winter, and here are some of the highlights…
- A right-handed bat is at the top of the Texas wish list for the off-season, with Sullivan singling out Jermaine Dye as perhaps the best fit for the Rangers amongst the veteran hitters on the free agent market.
- There is a good chance that veteran shortstop Omar Vizquel will re-sign with Texas before the club's exclusive negotiating period for free agents ends on November 19. Sullivan reports that "there appears to be genuine interest on both sides" to bring the 11-time Gold Glover back for his 22nd big-league season in 2010.
- Texas GM Jon Daniels says that the team would like to bring back free-agent outfielder Marlon Byrd, but since Byrd wants to test the market, "it's just not going to happen in the exclusive window period, if it's going to happen at all."
- The Rangers want to see how Jarrod Saltalamacchia rebounds from shoulder surgery before looking at re-signing veteran catcher and franchise legend Ivan Rodriguez.
- In regards to the other four Texas free agents, Sullivan said that Andruw Jones and Hank Blalock won't be pursued by the club, Eddie Guardado may retire and Joaquin Benoit is "in limbo" following shoulder surgery that sidelined him for all of 2009.
- If Ben Sheets is able to pitch in 2010, the Rangers still have interest in the right-hander who they thought they had signed last January.
- Relief pitching will become a priority if Neftali Feliz and C.J. Wilson are moved to the rotation. Sullivan lists several bullpen options for the Rangers, many of whom have pitched in Texas before.
Odds & Ends: Mets, Hardy, Hammel
Links for Wednesday…
- The Mets favor Matt Holliday over Jason Bay, according to SI's Jon Heyman.
- Adam Guttridge of The Hardball Times explains why J.J. Hardy is a prime buy-low opportunity.
- Tyler Hissey of Around the Majors notes that Jason Hammel has been a great pickup for the Rockies.
- Tommy Rancel of DRays Bay says the Rays should pursue free agent reliever Joaquin Benoit.
Joaquin Benoit May Be Out For Season
Rangers reliever Joaquin Benoit had rotator cuff surgery Tuesday, which may make him unavailable for 2009 (or at least the first half). Benoit was not terribly useful in ’08 anyway, and perhaps the Rangers have known about the injury for some time. So today’s news may not affect their plans greatly, but they are known to be in the market for a reliever. Here’s a look at the remaining free agents.
Twins Inquire On Joaquin Benoit?
FRIDAY: La Velle E. Neal III has an update on this one – he says a Twins official shot it down. He hasn’t heard anything other relievers linked to the Twins.
TUESDAY: According to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, the Twins inquired on Rangers reliever Joaquin Benoit. Sullivan says the Twins are willing to trade Boof Bonser. I suppose this could have appeal to the Rangers in that Bonser could be a rotation candidate.
Benoit, 31, posted a 5.00 ERA in 45 innings this year while battling shoulder issues. He’s set to earn $3.5MM plus games finished incentives in ’09 before becoming eligible for free agency. Bonser is under team control through 2012.
Rangers Like Patterson, Ethier, Hamilton, Fukudome
According to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers are targeting various young outfielders.
- Corey Patterson, 28, is a free agent and Scott Boras client. He’s looking for multiple years while the Rangers only want to give one. His talent might tantalize somebody, though he hit just .269/.304/.386 this year. He’s shown in the past that he can hit like a league average CF and play plus defense, so he could be a bargain. Patterson reversed his platoon split this year, hitting lefties pretty well. He’s an Atlanta native; maybe the Braves would be a match.
- Andre Ethier, 26 in April, is expendable now that the Dodgers have four outfielders. His career line of .295/.357/.464 is solid, though that is average for an AL right fielder. The Dodgers may opt to move Juan Pierre instead, if they can find a taker. The Dodgers previously had interest in Rangers reliever Joaquin Benoit, according to Sullivan. The Rangers would have competition from the Rays on Ethier.
- Josh Hamilton, 27 in May, could be moved by the Reds for a starting pitcher. Hamilton was incredible in 300 ABs for the Reds this year in his MLB debut, despite several years off and only 89 ABs above A ball. That’s #1 pick talent. He dealt with wrist, hamstring, and stomach problems this year however. Sullivan says the Reds would want Edinson Volquez for him; there was talk of sending him to Florida for Dontrelle Willis previously.
- Kosuke Fukudome, 31 in April, hasn’t decided yet whether to play in MLB. Even limited by an elbow issue he hit .294/.443/.520 in Japan.
- Milton Bradley, 30 in April, needs more time to decide on the Padres’ $4MM offer. Coming off knee surgery, he might be interested in the Rangers’ open DH job. Bradley is injury-prone, but he hit .306/.402/.545 in 209 ABs this year.
- Others who have been mentioned: Coco Crisp, Rocco Baldelli, Jim Edmonds, and Juan Pierre.
Odds and Ends: Cook, Benoit, Griffey, Riske
Some random tidbits that didn’t get their own posts today…
- The Rockies picked up Aaron Cook‘s $4.5MM option as expected. The bigger question is whether they can sign him long-term, maybe for three years. They also passed on LaTroy Hawkins for $3.75MM but may still sign him.
- The Rangers agreed to a two-year contract with reliever Joaquin Benoit for two years and $6MM. He would’ve hit free agency after 2008. Smart move would be to let him rack up 10-15 saves next season and then trade him for something good.
- The Braves aren’t expected to get their next center fielder through free agency, and Terence Moore suggests trading for Ken Griffey Jr. to fill the position. More reasonable targets might be David DeJesus or Coco Crisp.
- The Royals may yet retain David Riske, who wants a multiyear deal and would like to stay. They’ll definitely offer him arbitration, since he’s a Type B free agent. Also, longtime Royal Mike Sweeney might finally play elsewhere.
- Free agent Shawn Chacon is looking to start in 2008, and he’ll make over $4MM.
- Charley Walters says the Twins won’t pursue Barry Bonds. If Bonds is to land in the AL, the Orioles, Devil Rays, Royals, Angels, and A’s may be his only options.
- McCovey Chronicles suggests a Noah Lowry for Bill Hall swap.
Heyman’s Latest: Teixeira, Otsuka
Jon Heyman of SI.com has been working the phone lines; here are some notable rumors from his latest column.
- The Braves seemed fairly close to a Mark Teixeira trade yesterday, but the Angels are definitely knee deep in it. They’ll make a solid offer including Casey Kotchman, Ervin Santana, and Major League player. Adam Dunn remains Plan B.
- Heyman says there’s speculation that Akinori Otsuka could need Tommy John surgery, which might compel the Rangers to sign Eric Gagne and/or keep Joaquin Benoit.
- Refresher on Gagne’s 12-team allowable list can be found here. Gagne must consent to a trade to Detroit, and it seems the Rangers asked for Cameron Maybin. Not gonna happen. The Yankees appear to be out on Gagne because he wants to close. I’m skeptical – he wouldn’t pitch as a setup man if they guaranteed his entire contract?
- Seems the Yanks entertained a Morgan Ensberg acquisition. They would’ve used him at first base. Joe Torre nixed the idea because Ensberg hasn’t hit for a long time.
- Heyman’s top five available starters are Matt Morris, Livan Hernandez, Jose Contreras, Jason Jennings, and Kyle Lohse, in that order. That ranking is reasonable. A Jon Garland, Noah Lowry, or Joe Blanton would easily jump to that top of the list if made available.
New Plan: Extension For Gagne
The Rangers are throwing trade rumor junkies a curveball – they’re now thinking about hanging onto Eric Gagne and signing him to a contract extension. This development may be related to the limited trade options for the rejuvenated closer.
Keep in mind that the extension talk may just be lip service. As a Scott Boras client, wouldn’t the oft-injured Gagne require a good three years, $36MM guaranteed? That’s my guess. That would be very risky. Assuming Mariano Rivera remains a Yankee, Francisco Cordero will be the only free agent closer near Gagne’s level. Nice timing for Coco, by the way.
I’m still learning how the Elias Bureau determines its free agent classifications. My guess is that Gagne would not earn the Type A designation because he missed most of last year. I’ll have to confirm that. If I’m correct, the Rangers wouldn’t be able to collect much in the way of draft picks if Gagne walks.
Evan Grant also notes that Joaquin Benoit has moven to the forefront as the Ranger reliever must likely to be dealt. Akinori Otsuka‘s injury may prevent him from full re-establishing his value by July 31st. Benoit will not become a free agent until after 2008, and he’s in the midst of a career year after rediscovering his control. The Dodgers and Brewers may be interested. L.A. could get desperate if Takashi Saito‘s injury is serious, although it does not appear to be. On the other hand, it’s certainly in Ned Colletti’s best interest to downplay the injury. For the Brew Crew, Benoit could slide into the closer role in 2008 if they allow Cordero to leave.
Grant adds that the Rangers and Dodgers have had slow-moving talks about Mark Teixeira, and that the Braves were scouting the game on Friday as well. The Braves could’ve been looking at relievers though.
One final note: contrary to a previous report, Grant says Kenny Lofton is drawing significant interest from the Tribe. Lofton’s agent has heard the rumor as well. Kenny implied yesterday that he’d play a corner outfield position if need be.