Andruw Jones Unlikely To Make Rangers
WEDNESDAY, 10:51am: Jones indicated to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he feels comfortable in the Rangers' system and has developed a strong relationship with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo:
"These guys have the system," Jones said. "The hitting coach they’ve got, they work on the things they want to. We’ll see what happens."
TUESDAY, 10:27pm: According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, outfielder Andruw Jones is unlikely to break camp with the Rangers. Marlon Byrd seems to have a leg up on the fourth outfielder role (he's quieted concerns about his surgically-repaired knee). Sullivan explains the Jones situation:
Technically, the Rangers have to decide by Friday if they'll put him on the Major League roster, but it seems quite clear they have no interest in doing that.
The question is, will Andruw head to Triple A for the Rangers to prove he can still contribute?
Rangers Have Crowded Outfield
Joel Sherman of the New York Post notes that the Rangers have six candidates for the outfield: Josh Hamilton, Andruw Jones, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Frank Catalanotto, and Marlon Byrd. Is a trade in order?
Hamilton is a lock for one spot, and last I read the Rangers were intent on giving the out of options Cruz regular work (perhaps even in center field). We may be looking at Jones, Murphy, Catalanotto, and Byrd battling for two spots.
The commitment to Catalanotto is ugly: $4MM in ’09 plus another $2MM for his ’10 buyout. The contract plus his ability to play first base may keep him in Texas unless he can be swapped for another contract.
Jones could be cut if he doesn’t impress in Spring Training, or he could opt out on March 20th if he doesn’t like the way his role is shaping up. Rangers president Nolan Ryan seems quite fond of Murphy.
Byrd seems the likeliest trade candidate, especially if Jones makes the team. Sherman likes Byrd as a center field stopgap for the Yankees; he’s earning $3.06MM in his last year before free agency. The Cubs were after him a year ago, but seem filled up now. The White Sox could make sense but have not been connected to Byrd in rumors.
Rangers Avoid Arb With Marlon Byrd
According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, the Rangers agreed to terms with outfielder Marlon Byrd on a one-year, $3.06MM contract.
Byrd was asking for $3.6MM in arbitration while the Rangers submitted a $2.7MM offer. The 31-year-old settled on the $3.06MM figure Friday. Byrd hit .298/.380/.462 with 10 homers and 53 RBI in 122 games last season. He’ll compete for playing time this year in an outfield that also boasts David Murphy, Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz.
The Rangers have now settled with all of their arbitration-eligible players. They haven’t needed a hearing since 2000.
Rangers Close To Signing Marlon Byrd
According to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers are close to avoiding arbitration with outfielder Marlon Byrd by signing him for ’09. He submitted a $3.6MM figure while the Rangers submitted $2.7MM.
Rangers Avoid Arb With C.J. Wilson
According to Richard Durrett, the Rangers avoided arbitration with reliever C.J. Wilson by signing him at $1.85MM plus incentives for ’09. Marlon Byrd is the team’s remaining case.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Closers, Castillo, Cantu
Ken Rosenthal has a new column up, let’s take a look at the highlights:
- Rosenthal doesn’t see Mark Teixeira signing with the Nationals, even for the rumored ten-year, $200MM contract. He’s got better options in the Angels, Red Sox, and Yankees. Scott Boras managed to get Alex Rodriguez a ten-year deal with a losing team in 2000 when he signed with the Rangers, but Rosenthal doesn’t forsee a repeat.
- The Indians are waiting on the Mets’ closer decision to make a decision of their own. Once New York signs or trades for a closer, the market will likely collapse. The Mets are preparing simultaneous offers to Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Kerry Wood.
- The Brewers could spend big money on a closer once they hear from Ben Sheets and C.C. Sabathia. If the Brewers can somehow retain both, they won’t have money to spend on a closer and would likely have to trade Prince Fielder.
- The Mets are desperately trying to unload Luis Castillo so they can make a run at Orlando Hudson. They’re having no luck though, even in trying to swap him for another bad contract. The Rangers rejected a swap of Castillo for Vicente Padilla.
- Nationals GM Jim Bowden is interested in Willy Taveras. Doesn’t make any sense to me. The Nats already have Lastings Milledge, Josh Willingham, Elijah Dukes, and Austin Kearns.
- The Rockies prefer to keep Garrett Atkins, but the Twins, Dodgers, Giants, and Phillies are all interested. Chase Utley has been a long-time supporter of bringing his former UCLA teammate to the Phils for a reunion.
- The Marlins are getting several inquiries on Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla. They don’t plan to trade either, though if the Giants were to offer Jonathan Sanchez for Cantu, the Marlins would jump at the chance.
- Jermaine Dye, Mike Cameron, Marcus Thames, and Marlon Byrd are all available via the trade market, for teams needing a right-handed hitting outfielder. Rosenthal still feels Cameron could still end up in pinstripes.
Rangers Rumors: Byrd, Valverde, Littleton
We haven’t discussed the Rangers much lately. Let’s take a look at the latest from MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan (here and here). Hat tip: The Newberg Report.
- The interest shown in Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla has been "tentative at best."
- Rangers GM Jon Daniels wants Clay Buchholz from the Red Sox for one of his catchers, but Sullivan says the Sox made it clear Buchholz is not available under any circumstances. Sullivan suggests the Sox might be more inclined to trade Justin Masterson or Michael Bowden if they bolster their minor league pitching depth by signing Junichi Tazawa.
- Sullivan wonders if swapping John Mayberry Jr. for Greg Golson gives the Rangers the outfield depth to trade Marlon Byrd (perhaps because Golson is capable of playing center field).
- A club official told Sullivan it’s "doubtful" that the Rangers would be interested in Jose Valverde.
- Wes Littleton has drawn trade interest; he was designated for assignment last week.
Mets Scouting Rangers
According to Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger, the Mets had a scout watching the Rangers last night. Graziano suggests Marlon Byrd as a possible player of interest.
First baseman/left fielder Frank Catalanotto may be available, but he comes with a $6MM commitment beyond this year. Lefty reliever Eddie Guardado is another possibility. The Rangers don’t seem compelled to trade starting pitching or Milton Bradley.
Cubs Sign Reed Johnson
1:48pm: The Chicago Tribune says the deal is for $1.3MM. BP’s Nate Silver weighs in on the move here.
12:35pm: Levine now reports that the Cubs have signed Johnson. For a team focused on winning now, it’s not a bad move. Only drawback might be the Murton situation. Meanwhile, Evan Grant says the Rangers reduced their demands for Marlon Byrd but the Cubs still decided to pass.
11:41am: It’s all Reed Johnson, all the time here at MLBTR. Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 says the Cubs will make a contract offer to Johnson once he clears waivers about twenty minutes from now. Cubs GM Jim Hendry has already been in contact with Arn Tellem, Johnson’s agent. Matt Murton might be the odd man out if the Cubs complete the signing. I’ll update this post if more info rolls in today.
Cubs Outfield Situation: Crisp, Johnson, Byrd
Quite a bit of info is floating about this evening regarding the Cubs’ quest to add an outfielder. Let’s put it all together.
- SI.com’s Jon Heyman names Coco Crisp, Jay Payton, Marlon Byrd, and Brandon Inge as possible targets. Inge makes the least sense given his salary and the Tigers’ need for him while Curtis Granderson is out.
- ESPN’s Jayson Stark confirms Ken Rosenthal’s assertion that the Cubs are leading the pack for Reed Johnson. Stark speculates that such an acquisition could prompt the Cubs to trade Matt Murton.
- ESPN’s Peter Gammons says Red Sox scout Allard Baird is currently observing the Cubs. Other scouts in ‘zona are speculating about a Sean Gallagher for Crisp scenario. Gammons notes that the Red Sox wouldn’t mind getting Murton back, either. He thinks the Sox are wary of trading Crisp right now though, echoing a sentiment from Buster Olney.
- Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Rangers want Murton plus one of Jose Ceda, Gallagher, or Donald Veal for Byrd. Jim Hendry did recently re-engage the Rangers, according to Grant.