Official 2011-2012 Texas Rangers' Offseason Thread

[muzak]

I wondered if a package centered around Harry (+ prospects) would be enough to entice Oakland to send us Gio Gonzalez. Probably wishful thinking as well. Perhaps a rotation like this: 1) Darvish, 2) Holland, 3) Gio, 4) Feliz, 5) Colby or Scooter. That's pretty stout; though, some uncertainty there with Darvish and Feliz.

With the addition of Darvish, I wonder if Holland, as of right now is still our opening day starter? I reckon they'd have to see how Darvish does in spring training.

[dalmations202]

My expectation is
Cobra, Dutch, Yu, Harry, Feliz -- I just don't know where that leaves Ogando.

I really think Harry, Dutch, Feldman, Ogando, or Cobra or maybe even Feliz could be packaged with Mitch and maybe a prospect and get someone like Votto at 1B or maybe Melky Cabrera to hold down the CF position.

A true SP should bring a legit player back.


To much pitching.......who would have ever thought that would be a problem for the Rangers.

[Ninkobei]

The more I think about it the more I dont see Harrison leaving. The lineup is now down to Two Leftys. Cant very well put a lineup of 5 Right handers out there, can they?

[muzak]

Originally Posted by Ninkobei

The more I think about it the more I dont see Harrison leaving. The lineup is now down to Two Leftys. Cant very well put a lineup of 5 Right handers out there, can they?

A colleague of mine brought up this very point and now I'm thinking no way Harrison is gone unless they get a lefty SP back. Gio is a lefy, but I'm just not sure it's that much of an upgrade. Can't say I've seen him pitch much, so I don't know; last year their stats were pretty comparable.

[Ninkobei]

Looking forward to this guy in the future: Jurikcson Profar. Apparently he is one of, if not the, top infielder prospect. Only 18 years old so it will be a while. Still nice to know there is a bright future for Texas.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/m...pbp&pid=595777

[Male30Dan]

Originally Posted by Ninkobei

Looking forward to this guy in the future: Jurikcson Profar. Apparently he is one of, if not the, top infielder prospect. Only 18 years old so it will be a while. Still nice to know there is a bright future for Texas.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/m...pbp&pid=595777

Personally, I am looking forward to this guy...



...brought here with a package including (but damn sure not limited to) Mr. Profar.

Of course that will NEVER happen, but still - would be REALLY nice!

[Ninkobei]

Originally Posted by Male30Dan

Personally, I am looking forward to this guy...



...brought here with a package including (but damn sure not limited to) Mr. Profar.

Of course that will NEVER happen, but still - would be REALLY nice!

Is that right-hander Zach Lee from McKinney Texas? (hey I went to school there) Sorry i'm not up-to-date on Dodger prospects! lol

[mavspwnage]

That would be the NL pitching triple crown winner, from Highland Park. And I have wanted him in a Ranger uniform since before he even threw one pitch for the Dodgers.

[Male30Dan]

Originally Posted by mavspwnage

That would be the NL pitching triple crown winner, from Highland Park. And I have wanted him in a Ranger uniform since before he even threw one pitch for the Dodgers.

Ding ding ding...

S-T-U-D!

Would probably give our top 3 prospects up for him... Maybe 4.

[mavspwnage]

Originally Posted by Male30Dan

Ding ding ding...

S-T-U-D!

Would probably give our top 3 prospects up for him... Maybe 4.

There isn't another player in any of the pro sports who I want on my team as much as Kershaw. Deron Williams to the Mavs is probably #2 but Kershaw is still way out in front.

[Ninkobei]

Torrealba suspended for a year for striking an umpire in the Venezuelan Winter League. He wont miss any of the MLB season, just wont be able to hone his skills in a different country. Still very disappointing to hear. I'll be surprised if Nolan/Daniels lets this slide.

Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rkk-L-G79U

[Male30Dan]

Man I hate how the 30 day window takes every bit of 30 days.

[Male30Dan]

Pants on fire!!! Oh please, please, please!!!

[Ninkobei]

No. Freaking. Way. Do the rangers get both Darvish and Fielder...right? I mean, that would be as big or bigger than the Angels getting CJ and Pujols

[mavspwnage]

This makes you wonder if the Rangers might be preparing for Darvish to head back to Japan. Signing him is not a sure thing. Plus there is less than a week left now.

[clutch#41]

Originally Posted by mavspwnage

This makes you wonder if the Rangers might be preparing for Darvish to head back to Japan. Signing him is not a sure thing. Plus there is less than a week left now.

if a deal doesnt get done, does that mean the rangers just wasted 53million?

[mavspwnage]

Originally Posted by clutch#41

if a deal doesnt get done, does that mean the rangers just wasted 53million?

No, they get the posting fee back. That money only goes to Darvish's Japanese team if he signs with the Rangers. As far as I'm concerned, if Darvish doesn't end up with Texas, then Fielder is a lock to come here. The Rangers will have an ass load of money to throw at him.

[Male30Dan]

What was my top suggestion on what "I" wished the Rangers would do?

If they get them both, it would be TO A T except that Ogando would either be a setup man instead of a closer OR Harrison is traded and Ogando remains a starter.

Regardless, damn close! Here is hoping we open the pocket book. It obviously means Hamilton is here only 1 more year, but if that's the cost to get both, do it. Do it now!

[Ninkobei]

Rumor has it they are talking about dealing for Oswalt too. At least thats what Norm said. I can't put much weight behind that thought, but imagine an offseason of Darvish, Fielder and Oswalt. Good. Lord.

As they rework their rotation, the AL champion Texas Rangers are making a pitch for veteran Roy Oswalt as well as continuing to negotiate with Japanese ace Yu Darvish.
Also on the radar is Oswalt, 34, who has spent most of his 11-year MLB career with the Houston Astros but most recently with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Dallas Morning News first reported the Rangers had reached out to Oswalt, who went 9-10 with a 3.69 earned-run average last season.

The Texas Rangers met with free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder at a Dallas hotel Friday, USA Today reported.

[mavspwnage]

https://twitter.com/#!/JimBowdenESPNxm

Rangers meeting with Fielder @ the Four Seasons Hotel went extremely well & they can afford to sign both Darvish and Fielder if they choose

Rangers &Yu Darvish are close enough in negotiations that an agreement is expected to be reached by Wed 5pmest deadline according to sources

[Ninkobei]

What kind of salary are the Rangers looking at if they sign Fielder and Darvish? 120 mil?

[mavspwnage]

Originally Posted by Ninkobei

What kind of salary are the Rangers looking at if they sign Fielder and Darvish? 120 mil?

Not sure what the $ would look like, but it looks like they are hoping to be able to sign both to 6 year deals.

[Ninkobei]

Oh cool found it. Rangers sit at $105 mil right now. So probably 135-140 if they signed both Fielder and Darvish. Thats still a ways away from LA at 166 mil.

I'm sure Young wont be around when his contract is up, so maybe his $16 mil is enough to sign Cruz/Neftali..etc?

Rank Player Salary (US$)
1 Michael Young $16,174,974
2 Adrian Beltre $14,000,000
3 Joe Nathan $11,250,000
4 Josh Hamilton $8,750,000
5 Ian Kinsler $6,200,000
6 Michael Gonzalez $6,000,000
7 Mike Napoli $5,800,000
8 Scott Feldman $4,400,000
9 Nelson Cruz $3,650,000
10 Yorvit Torrealba $3,000,000
10 Koji Uehara $3,000,000
10 Brandon Webb $3,000,000
13 Mike Adams $2,535,000
14 David Murphy $2,400,000
15 Leonys Martin $2,100,000
16 Colby Lewis $2,000,000
17 Mark Lowe $1,200,000
18 Yoshinori Tateyama $800,000
19 Alberto Gonzalez $600,000
20 Julio Borbon $490,000
21 Neftali Feliz $457,160
22 Elvis Andrus $452,180
23 Derek Holland $431,810
24 Alexi Ogando $430,150
25 Matt Harrison $428,830
26 Mitch Moreland $426,000
27 Michael Kirkman $423,000
28 Craig Gentry $416,000
29 Omar Beltre $415,000
30 Dusty Brown $414,000
30 Cody Eppley $414,000
30 Wilmer Font $414,000
30 Esteban German $414,000
30 Mark Hamburger $414,000
30 Luis Martinez $414,000
30 Greg Reynolds $414,000
30 Brandon Snyder $414,000
30 Mason Tobin $414,000
30 Brett Tomko $414,000

1 Yankees $215,393,128
2 Phillies $200,660,946
3 Red Sox $173,630,075
4 Angels $166,566,561
5 Cardinals $139,844,213
6 Marlins $125,086,000
7 Tigers $122,652,031
8 Brewers $110,098,249
9 Twins $108,527,417
10 Giants $105,552,333
11 Rangers $105,370,104
12 Dodgers $103,801,822
13 White Sox $100,672,000
14 Cubs $93,482,329
15 Mets $92,936,007
16 Indians $92,572,966
17 Rockies $87,405,889
18 Mariners $87,042,200
19 Reds $80,911,349
20 Braves $80,796,242
21 Nationals $78,023,228
22 Orioles $72,219,278
23 Diamondbacks $70,523,333
24 Pirates $66,415,100
25 Blue Jays $65,875,200
26 Astros $58,593,000
27 Rays $58,309,571
28 Royals $55,516,500
29 Athletics $48,011,500
30 Padres $43,167,800

[mavspwnage]

And Hamilton won't be extended either you have to think. I'm expecting 2012 to be his final season as a Ranger.

[Male30Dan]

Originally Posted by mavspwnage

And Hamilton won't be extended either you have to think. I'm expecting 2012 to be his final season as a Ranger.

If they get Fielder, definitely his last year (if he keeps asking for more than Werth money/years it will likely be hist last year either way). Sucks, and I will hate to see him leave, but give me Fielder over Hamilton if it comes to that decision.

Remember, we still have Murphy and he proved (again) last year that, when given ABs, he can produce very well. There is also still a chance that Moreland gets it together after wrist surgery and, if he does, he could end up moving into the outfield as well. Depending on Olt's progression, there might be no other place to stick him if you don't want to part with him in a trade.

[Ninkobei]

It'll be tough to find a hitter like Josh in the outfield. Honestly I want to see him stay a Ranger til he retires. He's just a favorite, I guess. I wonder what kind of money other teams will give him?

[jthig32]

It'll be hard/impossible to find an outfielder like 2010 Josh. The Josh from all other years is still good but not irreplaceable.

[Kirobaito]

Even when Hamilton was absolutely fantastic, he still missed over a month. If we were guaranteed his 2008, in which he was healthy and productive, that'd be one thing, but we're not. Nobody should expect that he'll somehow get healthier, based on what we've seen the last few years.

[alby]

I'm expecting both Yu and Prince.

[Ninkobei]

Sorry to burst your bubble but,

If Texas signs Darvish, adding Fielder unlikely
The Rangers were willing to meet with Fielder because they wanted to have a backup plan in place in case a deal with Darvish did not get done. There is still a remote possibility that negotiations with Darvish fall through. In that case, Texas might turn its attention to Fielder.

But club officials continued to stress that the Rangers don't plan on signing both Darvish and Fielder. The team has made it clear that its focus is on pitching, and it expects to sign Darvish by Wednesday.

Darvish, who was 18-6 with a 1.44 ERA in 28 games for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in 2011, visited Arlington earlier this month and has already passed his physical.

The Rangers have also inquired about free-agent pitcher Roy Oswalt, but that is also considered part of the backup plan if the Rangers don't sign Darvish. The club would like to add one more starting pitcher to the staff but doesn't expect to sign both Darvish and Oswalt.

[Kirobaito]

Originally Posted by Ninkobei

Sorry to burst your bubble but,

It's all a game management is playing. I'm sure they want to stress that they don't plan on signing Darvish and Fielder.

[Male30Dan]

Originally Posted by Kirobaito

It's all a game management is playing. I'm sure they want to stress that they don't plan on signing Darvish and Fielder.

Yeah, expecting anyone outside of Texas Rangers' ownership to know what Ninja is doing/planning is just silly. We have the money. Whether we spend it or not is still to be determined, but we have the money to get both guys. We will ABSOLUTELY get one, but I hope we get them both. Given LA's improvements - we need to.

[mavspwnage]

This is exactly what I have been assuming the whole time. That Fielder was a possibility if and only if Darvish wasn't signed. And actually, I think Fielder to the Rangers would be a lock if we didn't sign Darvish. No other team that has been considered to be in the Fielder race would be able to offer him both the money and the guarantee of ridiculous stats due to our ballpark and others in the lineup.

[Murphy3]

Yep, this regime has shown time and time again that they do not want their business out in the open for all to know. People shouldn't forget the info that was leaking concerning Darvish... Rangers were mildly interested..probably in the middle of the pack.. Then as the bid time got closer.. it was that the Rangers had finished second.. Not alot of people thought the Rangers would win the darvish sweepstakes. They don't put their business out for all to hear.

[mavspwnage]

With the Darvish deadline in less than 7 hours, I have mixed feelings. The majority of me wants this to get done and for Darvish to officially get inked. But a small part of me wants 4pm to come with no deal. Because at 4:01, I would order my Prince Fielder jersey.

[alby]

As of 11:50AM

@jonmorosi #Rangers and Yu Darvish are still working on details, but they are making good progress. Four hours to deadline.

[Kirobaito]

I'd say the nervousness over Yu is causing my work output to drop significantly, but it's really not. Hard to drop significantly from zero.

[Ninkobei]

Is anyone else refreshing the Rangers webpage every ten minutes?

Friend and I were having a debate, how much do you think Hamilton would get on the open market? I dont think he can get more than $15 mil a year. Friend thinks 25 is expected.

[mavspwnage]

Originally Posted by Ninkobei

Is anyone else refreshing the Rangers webpage every ten minutes?

Friend and I were having a debate, how much do you think Hamilton would get on the open market? I dont think he can get more than $15 mil a year. Friend thinks 25 is expected.

It will depend on how this season goes. Hamilton would have to play a full injury free season this year for teams to even consider $20 mil, IMO. There is just no way teams will go even close to $25 mil with his kind of injury history. I think the best case scenario for him would be getting maybe 5 years at an absolute max of $100 mil. But I wouldn't even expect that much. And again, that's if he plays a full season.

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by Ninkobei

Is anyone else refreshing the Rangers webpage every ten minutes?

Friend and I were having a debate, how much do you think Hamilton would get on the open market? I dont think he can get more than $15 mil a year. Friend thinks 25 is expected.

Rangers webpage???

You need twitter. Or any number of other Ranger sites/blogs.