latest offseason news

[scotsman1948]

1) Teams are calling the Rangers about right-hander Koji Uehara, but Texas may hold on to him, since they’re short on left-handed relief and Uehara is effective against left-handed hitters.

2) The Rangers signed right-handed reliever Jensen Lewis to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to Spring Training, according to Stark. Lewis, 27, would earn $675K in the Major Leagues. He spent the 2011 season at Triple-A, but has a career ERA of 3.68 with 8.0 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in parts of four MLB seasons.

 

[fordman84]

1) Teams are calling the Rangers about right-hander Koji Uehara, but Texas may hold on to him, since they’re short on left-handed relief and Uehara is effective against left-handed hitters.

Yeah, keep that story going until we can get something of use out of him. I'm thinking a nice AA or maybe even AAA catching prospect.

 

[scotsman1948]

3) The Rangers are considering assistant GM Thad Levine and former Astros GM Tim Purpura for their open farm director position, according to Rosenthal.

 

[scotsman1948]

4) The White Sox have been looking to trade Matt Thornton since July and are still trying to move him, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Before the 2011 season, the White Sox signed the left-hander to a two-year, $12MM extension that covers the 2012-13 seasons and includes a club option for 2014.

The 35-year-old posted a 3.32 ERA with 9.5 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 0.45 HR/9 and a 48.8% ground ball rate in 59 2/3 innings this past season. Armed with a fastball that averages 96 mph, Thornton figures to draw interest this offseason, as he did last summer, especially since the free agent market doesn't feature lefty relievers of his caliber. The Yankees, Blue Jays and Rangers are among the teams that may seek left-handed relief this offseason.

 

[scotsman1948]

5) The Cubs are pursuing both Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Cubs like Pujols’ defense and are more willing to sign him to a long-term deal, even though Fielder’s three years younger.

The Cubs intend to rebuild, but they’re interested in signing one of the free agent first basemen, partly because they don’t expect many of baseball’s best hitters to hit the open market in upcoming offseasons. The Dodgers just locked up Matt Kemp and extensions for Josh Hamilton, Jacoby Ellsbury and others may follow. Plus, restrictions on amateur spending make it more difficult to build exclusively through the draft.

The Cardinals and Marlins are also interested in Pujols, while Fielder has drawn interest from the Nationals and Brewers. The Rangers could enter the mix for both players and the Mariners may have interest in Fielder.

 

[scotsman1948]

6) Both the Rays and the White Soxs are looking to be dealers during the Winter meetings next week in Dallas. The Rays are reported to be willing to move either Davis or Niemann and the White Soxs are open to moving just about anyone including Danks.

 

[fordman84]

3) The Rangers are considering assistant GM Thad Levine and former Astros GM Tim Purpura for their open farm director position, according to Rosenthal.

I'd offer him any position he wants in order to keep him here and locked up. How about Vice President?

 

[scotsman1948]

I'd offer him any position he wants in order to keep him here and locked up. How about Vice President?

i agree we should do whatever it takes to keep Levine

 

[scotsman1948]

6) Both the Rays and the White Soxs are looking to be dealers during the Winter meetings next week in Dallas. The Rays are reported to be willing to move either Davis or Niemann and the White Soxs are open to moving just about anyone including Danks.

Wade Davis went 11-10 with 4.45 ERA, threw 184.0 innings, gave up 190 hits, struck out 105 and walked 63. he is under contract thru 2014, 4-year contract worth 10.1M with team options for 2015 thru 2017.

Jeff Niemann went 11-7 with a 4.06 ERA, threw 135.1 innings, gave up 131 hits, struck out 105, walked 37. he is 1st year Arbitration eligible which keeps him with the team until 2015 when he becomes a free agent.

 

[Laserman]

Greg Maddux is leaving the Cubs and may soon accept a position with the Rangers, according to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune. Maddux, who worked as a special assistant to Cubs GM Jim Hendry last season, would join his brother in Texas. Mike Maddux, the Rangers' pitching coach, interviewed for the Cubs' managerial opening before deciding to remain in Texas.

 

[Laserman]

1) Teams are calling the Rangers about right-hander Koji Uehara, but Texas may hold on to him, since they’re short on left-handed relief and Uehara is effective against left-handed hitters.

2) The Rangers signed right-handed reliever Jensen Lewis to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to Spring Training, according to Stark. Lewis, 27, would earn $675K in the Major Leagues. He spent the 2011 season at Triple-A, but has a career ERA of 3.68 with 8.0 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in parts of four MLB seasons.

The Diamondbacks signed right-handed reliever Jensen Lewis to a minor league deal, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has learned (Stark originally reported the Rangers signed him). Lewis, 27, would earn $675K in the Major Leagues, according to Stark. Lewis spent the 2011 season at Triple-A, but has a career ERA of 3.68 with 8.0 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in parts of four MLB seasons.

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

It's official: The Rangers have named Greg Maddux Special Assistant to the General Manager, after he spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons in a similar capacity with the Cubs.



Maddux will serve as an extra instructor for both the major and minor league staffs during spring training and Fall Instructs, and he is expected to visit the club’s farm clubs during the regular season to evaluate and work with the club's pitching prospects.


Today's announcement comes hours after the Rangers announced they will play two spring training games this March in Las Vegas, the hometown of both Greg and Mike Maddux. Texas will face the Cubs in those two games, with the Maddux brothers both in Rangers uniforms.


Jamey

 

[Windingmywatch]

The Diamondbacks signed right-handed reliever Jensen Lewis to a minor league deal, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has learned (Stark originally reported the Rangers signed him). Lewis, 27, would earn $675K in the Major Leagues, according to Stark. Lewis spent the 2011 season at Triple-A, but has a career ERA of 3.68 with 8.0 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in parts of four MLB seasons.

How does Stark get this wrong not that it makes a big difference ... but he's got to know that if he can't get AAAA moves right and tries to jump the market getting the news out that there is no way anyone will listen to him on any big move.

 

[guitarmy21b]

Holy crap Greg looks as old as Nolan!

 

[dmc0015]

So was Maddux's trip to Chicago just a ploy to get some face time with his bro and sell him on the Rangers??? Probably not, but it's funny to think about.

On a side note, give me CJ to the Marlins. That might have been the best development so far. They are going to offer him the best deal I would imagine, and you know he would love to swing the bat every 5 games. Keeps him out of Anaheim and NY, which is what I worry about most.

If CJ ends up in the NL and Garza a Ranger then I would call that a win.

 

[jta4437]

I want no part of Matt Garza

 

[Al Falfa]

I'd offer him any position he wants in order to keep him here and locked up. How about Vice President?

What did you offer #12 to assume her position?

 

[romeo212000]

I want no part of Matt Garza

I agree. I really do not see him as an upgrade over anything the Rangers have.

 

[dmc0015]

I agree. I really do not see him as an upgrade over anything the Rangers have.

How in the world is this true? Garza has thrown 180+ innings since 2008, most of which was done in the AL East. with an ERA around 3.80. Who in the Rangers rotation penciled in has had that type of production?

 

[fordman84]

What did you offer #12 to assume her position?

obviously not enough if that is as far over as I got her and she still has all those clothes on!