Rangers, Hamilton Talk Two-Year Deal
5:43pm: GM Jon Daniels told reporters that the club has had productive talks with Hamilton and his agent, and the two sides are "moving in [the] direction of a deal" according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports and Anthony Andro of The Star Telegram (Twitter links).
4:52pm: Josh Hamilton and the Rangers have discussed a two-year deal, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). Talks between the Rangers and the reigning AL MVP have been positive, though their submissions for Hamilton's 2011 salary were far apart. Texas offered $8.7MM, while Hamilton countered with a $12MM bid.
That gap means Hamilton's arbitration case is arguably the most interesting one of the year. The Rangers are open to extending Hamilton and if the sides discuss a longer term deal, It's conceivable that Hamilton could demand a nine-figure contract.
Hamilton earned $3.25MM last year in his first season as an arbitration eligible player; a two-year deal would buy out his remaining seasons of arbitration eligibility, but woludn't delay his free agency. Earlier in the offseason, NL MVP Joey Votto signed a three-year extension that covers his arbitration years without delaying his free agency.
Michael Young Wants Out Of Texas
After hearing his name in countless trade rumors and seeing his infield position filled by Adrian Beltre, Michael Young has "grown disillusioned with his diminished role" on the Rangers and wants out of Texas, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown. According to Brown, Texas has told Young that they will push to trade him in the coming days.
The Rockies and Angels remain the primary potential destinations for Young. Any trade would have to include salary relief, as he's owed $48MM over the next three years. Young would likely slot in as the everyday second baseman in Colorado or the everyday third baseman in LA, though Texas would probably prefer to avoid dealing him within the division. We heard yesterday that Jose Lopez would be a part of Colorado's latest offer.
Young's name originally hit the trade rumor circuit back at the Winter Meetings when he was first connected to the Rockies. The longtime Ranger has a lifetime .300/.347/.448 slash line and has played second base, shortstop, and third base regularly at various points throughout his career.
Rockies Notes: Young, Tulowitzki, Street
While the Rockies have been linked to Michael Young in recent trade rumors, reports differ on the likelihood of the Rox consummating a deal with the Rangers. For what it's worth, ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Insider required) asked five talent evaluators for their opinions on Young, and the responses suggested he'd be a good fit in Colorado. The majority felt that second base was the most appropriate infield position for Young, and though two evaluators expressed concern about the veteran's home/road splits, Coors Field is one of baseball's few stadiums that's as hitter-friendly as the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Here are the rest of this morning's Rockies-related links:
- Within a Denver Post piece about Troy Tulowitzki's offseason, Troy Renck says the shortstop is hoping the Rockies bring in another veteran hitter. There aren't a ton of free agent bats left, though Young would qualify as a second base upgrade.
- Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post wonders if Huston Street's days in Colorado could be numbered. The Rockies closer is under contract through 2012, with a 2013 option, but Armstrong suggests that the multiyear deals awarded to Matt Lindstrom and Rafael Betancourt give the club the flexibility to move Street if they want to.
Michael Young Rumors: Saturday
In today's blog post at ESPN (Insider req'd), Buster Olney notes that something has changed in the relationship between Michael Young and Rangers, possibly because of trade talk this winter. He speculates that the Athletics and Blue Jays could be fits in a deal. Let's keep tabs on the latest regarding Texas and their third baseman here throughout the day…
- MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan says the Dodgers are interested in Young, but their unstable ownership situation is standing in the way.
- A well placed source told Renck (via Twitter) that he doesn't think the Rockies will get Young. Renck also hears (via Twitter) that the Rockies would need Texas to eat $20MM or more in a deal.
- A source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that talks between the Rangers and Rockies have reached an "advanced stage," and a trade could come as soon as Monday. Texas is not talking to any other club, and a source confirmed that Jose Lopez is in the latest offer.
- Renck says it's "very, very unlikely" that Dexter Fowler would be involved (on Twitter).
- Troy Renck of The Denver Post reports that the Rangers have not reached out to Rockies as of Friday, contradicting what we heard yesterday.
- Renck notes (on Twitter) that Colorado would be willing to give up Lopez in a trade, but not Aaron Cook. That is subject to change, however. The Rox are understandably leery of surrendering big league starting pitching.
Rangers Continue To Explore Michael Young Trade
7:31pm: The Rangers and Rockies are talking about a trade of Young again and one source says the talks have reached an advanced stage, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. However, other sources are painting a less optimistic picture of the discussions, saying the Rockies are confused by the Rangers’ “mixed messages” on Young.
3:56pm: The Rockies like Young, but are confused about the Rangers' plans and might not have the money to acquire the infielder, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. One source told Rosenthal that tallks with the Rockies are dormant. The Rockies would likely have to send Jose Lopez and another well-paid player to Texas in any deal.
3:02pm: The Rangers have not re-engaged the Rockies about a possible deal as of this afternoon, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post.
11:52am: The Rangers have recently continued discussing the possibility of trading Michael Young, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Once again, the Rockies are a potential destination for the infielder.
Young, who became expendable when the Rangers signed Adrian Beltre, has three years and $48MM remaining on his contract, which includes a partial no-trade clause. Once Young gains ten and five rights this May, he will have the power to veto any trade.
The Rangers told Young he was staying put last month and president Nolan Ryan has since said he expects Young to be with the club Opening Day. Young, 34, would DH and back up around the infield, potentially spelling Chris Davis and Mitch Moreland against tough southpaws.
The Rockies showed interest in Young earlier in the offseason and were said to be looking for infielders last month, but they have since added Alfredo Amezaga.
Quick Hits: Young, Ortiz, Blue Jays, Chicago Teams
Congratulations to Jack Gillis, Jim Howard, Terry Reynolds and Mike Toomey on their induction into the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame! The four long-time scouts will be inducted individually during separate ceremonies through August.
Some news items…
- The Rockies and Rangers were close enough on a Michael Young trade package earlier this winter that a Colorado player who would've gone to Texas, Eric Young Jr., was asked to take a physical, reports Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports.com. Texas was concerned by the stress fracture that sidelined Young Jr. for half of last season and the two sides couldn't settle on a deal.
- With Vladimir Guerrero struggling to find a contract, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal wonders if a similar fate awaits David Ortiz in next winter's free agent market.
- The Blue Jays' decision to start John Buck over prospect J.P. Arencibia in August and September of last season was an organizational call, Alex Anthopoulos tells MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm. The Jays GM said he promised Buck an everyday job if he signed with Toronto, and Anthopoulos wanted to stand by his agreement. "When we give our word to someone … that's part of our brand," Anthopoulos said. "When I'm negotiating with an agent or I'm trying to recruit a player, and we have to tell them something, whether it's good or bad news, they know that we're going to honor our word and we're going to be straight shooters."
- Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago discussed several Cubs and White Sox topics in a chat with fans.
- Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com gives his list of the offseason's biggest winners and losers. I'm not sure if I agree with Urban's designation of Manny Ramirez as the biggest individual "loser" this winter — he took a big pay cut, but the Rays should still be a contending team.
Heyman On Lee, Cabrera, Wells, Pujols, Hamilton
Owner Chuck Greenberg and the Rangers were slower to offer Cliff Lee a competitive deal than other interested clubs, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. Lee's camp wanted to keep the Rangers involved in the bidding, though they started with a 'lowball' offer before offering $100MM and, eventually, even more. The Rangers justified their lower offers by pointing out that Texas has no state income tax, but Lee asked around and determined that he wouldn't save that much, since he lives in Arkansas.
Talks between Lee and the Phillies broke off twice before the sides reached an agreement. If the Phillies hadn't completed the deal, the Yankees would have been seen as the favorites to sign the lefty, according to Heyman. Here are the rest of his rumors:
- One GM says Orlando Cabrera isn't being reasonable. "I don't think he gets the position he's in," the GM said, alluding to the lack of job openings remaining for the shortstop.
- The Rangers didn't show serious interest in Vernon Wells, according to Heyman.
- Executives around the game believe that Albert Pujols will sign an extension with the Cardinals. If the sides don't reach a deal by Spring Training, Pujols will be a free agent after the season, in which case the Cubs may be "best positioned" to pursue him, in the opinion of one executive.
- The Angels are still interested in signing or trading for a leadoff hitter. Scott Podsednik is out there, and could be a fit in L.A.
- One executive believes the Rangers will lose to Josh Hamilton if the sides go to an arbitration hearing. Heyman hears that the Rangers won't bring up Hamilton's history of substance abuse in a hearing. Keep track of all the remaining arbitration cases using our Arb Tracker.
Rangers Sign Dave Bush
The Rangers have signed Dave Bush to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training, tweets Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. In a different tweet, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick informs us that Bush's base salary will be $1MM if he makes the club, with another $1MM in incentives. The Indians and Mets also expressed interest in the long-time Brewer.
Bush, who turned 31 last November, owns a career ERA of 4.66 that's backed up by his peripherals (4.64 FIP, 4.47 xFIP). Last season, he hurled 174 1/3 innings of 4.54 ERA ball in the Brewers' rotation, where he's spent the past five seasons. If he makes the club, Bush will return to the AL for the first time since 2005, when he pitched in Toronto (the club that originally drafted him).
While he's never had an overpowering fastball (88.4mph career average), last season saw his velocity dip to an average of 86.5. His normally strong command (2.33 BB/9 career) diminished as well, as his walk rate jumped to a career-high 3.36/9. Bush will need to re-establish his precision and improve on his career 1.3 HR/9 in order to thrive in a hitters' environment such as Texas.
Rangers Sign Ruiz, Taubenheim
The Rangers have added a pair of players on minor league deals, inviting one of the two, Jose Julio Ruiz, to Spring Training. MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan tweets news of the Ruiz signing, while Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas writes that right-hander Ty Taubenheim also inked a minor league contract with the club.
Ruiz, 25, signed with the Rays last summer, spending the remainder of the season in the minors. Tampa Bay released the Cuban first baseman in November rather than committing to a four-year, $4MM deal by a November 15th deadline. While Ruiz didn't display much power during his time in the Rays' system, he did hit .331/.416/.468 across two minor league levels.
Taubenheim, 28, has seen major league playing time for the Blue Jays and Pirates. The righty, who spent 2010 in the Phillies' system, has posted a 5.09 ERA in 46 career innings, pitching in the bigs most recently for Pittsburgh in 2008.
Rangers Avoid Arbitration With Mike Napoli
The Rangers have avoided arbitration with Mike Napoli, agreeing to a one-year, $5.8MM contract with the catcher/first baseman, reports MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan (via Twitter). Napoli is represented by Brian Grieper.
The deal concludes a whirlwind eight day stretch for Napoli. He and Juan Rivera were sent to the Blue Jays in exchange for Vernon Wells on January 21, and then four days later was flipped to the Rangers in exchange for Frank Francisco. Napoli submitted a $6.1MM arbitration number to the Angels before the initial trade that was countered by a $5.3MM offer from the Halos, so Napoli's new deal with Texas nets him a bit more than the midpoint. Napoli still has one year of arbitration eligibility left as a Super Two player.
The Rangers' only remaining arbitration-eligible player is the one with the most interesting case: Josh Hamilton. You can get updates on Hamilton's case on the MLBTR ArbTracker.