Rangers Rotation Options
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, via MercuryNews.com, is reporting that Mark Mulder has received an offer from Jon Daniels and the Texas Rangers. The Rangers were rumored to be in the forefront of the Barry Zito race, but seem to be coming to grips with the idea that they may not be able to commit to what Zito will probably yield this off-season. The Rangers have also shown interest in Andy Pettitte, but that seems like a bit of a long shot with the Astros and Yankees as the favorites to land him.
If the Rangers could actually pull off signing Mulder and Zito in the coming days/weeks, they’d be added to a rotation that currently includes Vincente Padilla and Kevin Millwood. First, they’ve got to fend off the Mets, and all the other suitors, for the rights to Zito.
NOTE: I apologize for the typos. Evan Grant writes for the Dallas Morning News, but the link went to the MercuryNews.com site. Also, obviously, Jon Daniels is the Rangers’ GM, not Jeff Daniels.
Rangers Sign Padilla
Seems that Vicente Padilla wants to stay in Texas. The Fort-Worth Star Telegram reports that the Rangers are close on a multiyear pact with the righty.
That fourth year is the sticking point. I think he gets it.
UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal is reporting that it would be a three-year, $34MM deal with a fourth year club option. And now ESPN agrees but Jerry Crasnick does not mention an option yet.
Alright, it’s settled. There’s a fourth year option for $12MM.
Rosenthal On Zito, Padilla, LaRoche
If you haven’t been at FOX Sports lately, be sure to check out Ken Rosenthal’s column. As always, it’s chock full of rumory goodness. A quick summary:
The Rangers are talking to both Barry Zito and Vicente Padilla. They could top the market by giving Zito six years and $102MM and would like to get Padilla on a three-year deal. I know Padilla could get four somewhere if he forces the issue. For CF, Texas could pursue Jeremy Reed or Kenny Lofton. Mike Piazza remains an option at DH, which could make Jason Botts trade bait. No talk of the Rangers going after Julio Lugo for CF.
The Braves can’t get Mike Gonzalez for Adam LaRoche, so the teams might not have a match on a trade.
The Fish would like to acquire Rocco Baldelli, one of the finest CF options on the market. I imagine one of Olsen, Sanchez, or Johnson would have to go.
The Phils could move Jon Lieber and bring in another starter via free agency. Not sure what that would accomplish.
Zito, Boras Meet With Rangers
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that Barry Zito and agent Scott Boras came to Dallas today to visit with Rangers owner Tom Hicks and GM Jon Daniels. Zito is fond of new manager Ron Washington.
The Cubs, also in need of a big-name starter, seem focused on Jason Schmidt currently. Rumors of their three year, $44MM offer were debunked, but Jon Heyman’s sources indicate that the Cubs are indeed trying to convince Schmidt to come to Chicago.
Olney: Rangers Closing In On Padilla
Just noticed a nugget from Buster Olney’s blog yesterday morning:
"The Rangers lost out on Adam Eaton; I’m hearing that they are closing in on a deal to re-sign Vicente Padilla."
If true, this is a positive for Texas. Padilla is a much better choice and will probably require one year and a few million more annually. The Jays, Mets, and Cubs may be on the outskirts depending on where various free agents fall.
Lee, Williams, Catalanotto, Barajas, and Roberts
Tim sends his best from Cancun and wishes everyone was with him.
Not!
They are still trying to find their honeymoon hotel so he’s not quite sure when he’ll be back. And, no, he didn’t send any Cancun beach shots. Dang..
Speaking about vacations, how about the Astros signing Lee at $100m/6? Wow. My take is this – the power starved Astros obviously felt they were one player away and Lee happened to be available. He’ll probably hit 40 home runs despite all the talk about his lack of power after April last year. Don’t forget Minute Maid is full of hot air.
The Astros also jumped on Woody Williams at $12.5/2. I suppose this is a message to Astros fans that Pupura doesn’t expect the Rocket to resign. Just a guess. At 40-years old, Williams is a huge risk of course.
The Rangers signed Frank Catalanotto to a $13.5m/3 year deal today too. Dan Szymborwski at the Baseball Think Factory believes it is a solid deal for the Rangers, and I agree.
MLBTR’s reader eeleye99 was kind enough to offer up that the Blue Jays are reportedly ready to sign Rod Barajas as their every day receiver around $6m/2. Nice catch eeleye99 – thanks.
Another MLBTR reader – Rayman, found that Dave Roberts is reportedly picking the Giants over the Brewers. Kudo’s for the find Rayman.
At The Plate has started compiling all the teams top 10 prospects by publication. They have done a great job of this for several years now. You might want to bookmark the site.
Bucco Blog has indicated that the most sought out pitcher on the Pirates staff this winter has been southpaw Tom Gorzelanny. There have been rumors that the Braves wanted Gorzelanny and Maholm for LaRoche, and today Tracy Ringolsby, the award winning columnist of the Rocky Mountain News, has indicated that a Rockies Brad Hawpe trade has been discussed with the Pirates who will only give up Maholm. I assume they also want Gorzelanny in any package. I love Tracy’s writing – the guy is flat out kewl.
Interestingly, Ringolsby is also reporting in that article that agents are complaining that the Rockies didn’t offer enough to Francis in his latest $13.5/4 year deal. I suppose the agents had to find a way to say the "C" word this year, despite the soaring value of contracts so far.
Have you ever read the The Carbolic Smoke Ball blog? OMG – it is Hilllll ar ious.
By Jake at Bucco Blog
Frank Catalanotto signs with Rangers
Three years for $13 million. Not crazy in this market, not crazy at all. The key to Catalanotto is that he is just about worthless versus lefties. He managed a great .300/.376/.439 in 432 ABs last year for Toronto, but he was savagely platooned: only 38 of those ABs were against lefties. That’s smart of John Gibbons: only about 10% of Cat’s ABs in the last six years have been against southpaws, and he’s scratched out a .243/.327/.346 line vs. LHP in that time.
With those splits, Catalanotto would be a nice platoon partner for Nelson Cruz, but that still leaves the Rangers two outfielders short. Brian Anderson would be a nice fit in center, but that still leaves the outfield rather thin; a recovered Brad Wilkerson, Victor Diaz, and Freddy Guzman are other in-house options. Only Wilkerson even has a shot at providing league-average offense, and that assume his skills come back with his health. Then again, if any team can manage a weak offensive outfield, it’s the one with Mark Teixiera, Hank Blalock, and Michael Young in the infield.
By Jeff Sackmann
Kenny Williams, Dealmaker
Either Ken Williams is keeping busy at the GM meetings, or the reporters covering the Sox have very fertile imaginations. I’m sure the truth is somewhere in between. In addition to the Andruw Jones deal I mentioned in the previous post, here’s a roundup of possible White Sox moves:
Chris De Luca reports on a possible Freddy Garcia / Ervin Santana swap. Oddly enough, his sources say that the "package" would be built around Santana. Garcia might be a better pitcher right now, but just barely: last year, Garcia was worth 15 win shares, while Santana was worth 13. Santana’s younger, and is under the Angels control for four more years. Bill Stoneman couldn’t covet Garcia that much, could he? South Side Sox chimes in on the improbability of that deal.
De Luca also repeats the thinking that Williams could bring Aaron Rowand back, especially if the Phillies land Alfonso Soriano.
Phil Rogers has a flurry of rumors, some of the recycled variety. He keeps stoking the flames of Javier Vazquez-to-the-Mets, and suggests there’s the makings of a "monster deal" between the Sox and Rangers with Vazquez or Mark Buerhle headed to Texas. Rogers is clearly speculating, but if his source is correct that John Danks is in play, there’s certainly the possibility of something getting done.
By Jeff Sackmann
Braves Rumors
Talking Chop has a nice roundup of trade talks that the Braves could be exploring.
First, the White Sox are interested in Andruw Jones. That seems like a longshot because Andruw has a no-trade and the White Sox hate Scott Boras, but who knows, maybe an extension would get that done. Trading for Jones would make Brian Anderson expendable, and Anderson seems to me like Bobby Cox’s kind of player–young, great defense, could improve at the plate. Maybe Anderson and one of Chicago’s starters would get that deal done.
Second, the Rangers could be looking at Braves pitching. The Rangers could have all sorts of holes depending on how many of their free agents they are able to keep, especially in the rotation. They don’t match up nearly so well with the Braves–this article suggests the Braves would be looking for bullpen help in a deal like that, but after trading away Francisco Cordero last season, the Rangers wouldn’t appear to have the depth to survive losing Akinori Otsuka.
In related news, Vicente Padilla‘s agent doesn’t expect him to sign immediately, but notes that the Rangers are the most interested. I’m not surprised–if both Padilla and Adam Eaton went elsewhere, Jon Daniels would be forced to do a lot of shopping in a very, very expensive store.
By Jeff Sackmann
Rangers Covet Brian Anderson?
Phil Rogers, down with the GMs in Florida, uncovered a trade possibility of White Sox center fielder Brian Anderson for Rangers reliever Nick Masset.
Anderson will turn 25 before next season. The former first rounder had a rough first year offensively for the Sox, but he still has the potential to be a slightly above average CF package.
Masset will also be 25 next season. A converted starter, he’s pitching well in the Mexican Winter League.