latest offseason news

[Xx srs bsns xX]

^^^^ here's the clip on the Rangers having the 6th best rotation..

"C.J. Wilson's contributions to the Texas rotation were very underrated, but so too are the pitchers who will now make the starts. Derek Holland, long seen as a talented and erratic lefty, appeared to grow before our eyes in October, his confidence exploding as he threw well against the Cardinals. Colby Lewis is the plow horse of the group, slow and steady, while Neftali Feliz faces an adjustment period as he goes back to starting and again utilizes all of his pitches. Matt Harrison had a 3.39 ERA and made 30 starts, and Alexi Ogando had dominant stuff. To this mix, the Rangers are adding Yu Darvish, who is projected to be anywhere from a No. 2 starter to, at worst, a No. 4 type of innings eater, because of the natural sink on his fastball. By the way: It's not a done deal that the Rangers will trade one of their six starters, because they know as well as anyone that teams almost never get through a season with just five guys."

 

[jta4437]

I doubt they carry more than two lefties. Especially if they're just loogys

Darren Oliver isn't really a LOOGY, as he's pitched almost as well against RHH as he has LHH over the last 2 years

 

[scotsman1948]

Torrealba gets 66-game suspension from the VLB, does he get some form of suspension here? if he does, who do we use as our back-up?

 

[shtexas]

Torrealba gets 66-game suspension from the VLB, does he get some form of suspension here? if he does, who do we use as our back-up?

I don't think MLB can do anything. The Player's Association would not allow them to exceed their jurisdiction. But, the Rangers might do something on their own.

 

[scotsman1948]

I don't think MLB can do anything. The Player's Association would not allow them to exceed their jurisdiction. But, the Rangers might do something on their own.

don't we owe the VLB some sense of acknowledgment for their decision and abide by it?

 

[shtexas]

don't we owe the VLB some sense of acknowledgment for their decision and abide by it?

Well, the 66 games comprise the rest of this year in Venezuela and all of next year there. What are we expected to abide by? Suspend him for all of 2012?

 

[jta4437]

don't we owe the VLB some sense of acknowledgment for their decision and abide by it?

Not really, plus its would create all sorts of issues with the player's union and I'm pretty sure they don't ant to set that precedent

 

[Windingmywatch]

This may be off the tracks ... but how about Harrison, Olt, and Engle Beltre (or maybe Scheppers) for King Felix.

 

[Windingmywatch]

don't we owe the VLB some sense of acknowledgment for their decision and abide by it?

"Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said the club would look into the incident."

Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba strikes umpire in Venezuelan League game | MLB.com: News

Translation: TEX will ask MLB what its position is on the action taken by VLB as "looking into the incident". As much as I think Torrealba is a real stiff ... there is no way that TEX is going to get in front of MLB or create an issue with the union.

Bottom Line: If TEX were wanting to separate itself from Torrealba going forward it will find a way to make the separation through a baseball performance decision ... and the incident during winter ball not playing in any decision it makes.

 

[romeo212000]

This may be off the tracks ... but how about Harrison, Olt, and Engle Beltre (or maybe Scheppers) for King Felix.

Probably not enough. My guess is it would take something like Harrison, Ramirez, Olt, E. Beltre at least to get him. None of this really matters as jack Z has stated he is absolutely not available.

 

[scotsman1948]

Probably not enough. My guess is it would take something like Harrison, Ramirez, Olt, E. Beltre at least to get him. None of this really matters as jack Z has stated he is absolutely not available.

he did?

 

[scotsman1948]

Boras told Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com that there's no chance Fielder would prefer a short-term deal. "Not only is that inaccurate and delusional, but it seems that some people have gotten into their New Year's Eve stash just a little bit early this year," he said. At least six teams appear to be interested in Fielder, Levine writes. "It appears some baseball people are just bored," Boras said. "That's when you hear ideas like that floated."


the guy continues to prove he's an idiot

 

[Windingmywatch]

Boras told Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com that there's no chance Fielder would prefer a short-term deal. "Not only is that inaccurate and delusional, but it seems that some people have gotten into their New Year's Eve stash just a little bit early this year," he said. At least six teams appear to be interested in Fielder, Levine writes. "It appears some baseball people are just bored," Boras said. "That's when you hear ideas like that floated."


the guy continues to prove he's an idiot

Had a thought ... maybe TEX interest in Fielder is a play to help TEX in its negotiations with Hamilton ... and/or perhaps Napoli and/or Cruz? (maybe all three)

TEX has shown in its "negotiations" with CJ that it is prepared to part ways when it has an alternative (Darvish) it can turn to that is prepared to execute.

 

[scotsman1948]

Had a thought ... maybe TEX interest in Fielder is a play to help TEX in its negotiations with Hamilton ... and/or perhaps Napoli and/or Cruz? (maybe all three)

TEX has shown in its "negotiations" with CJ that it is prepared to part ways when it has an alternative (Darvish) it can turn to that is prepared to execute.

anything is possible. but i don't believe that Fielder is going to settle for Seattle or Washington or Baltimore just because of money, no matter what Borass is saying. when it starts getting late in the off-season i see Fielder take a shorter contract with a team that will compete. Washington will still finish well behind Philadelphia, Atlanta & Miami, Seattle will still finish 15+ games behind LAA and Texas, and Baltimore will still finish 20+ behind NYY, Boston, Tampa & Toronto, even with Fielder.

 

[scotsman1948]

The Athletics have strong interest in five-tool Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. She says Yoenis Cespedes' price tag is too high for the A's, and his desire for either a four or ten-year deal doesn't work for them.

Soler, 19, has also been linked to the Yankees, Phillies, Nationals, Cubs, and Rangers this offseason. Nationals Director of International Scouting Johnny DiPuglia has watched Soler for years, and told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, "He’s got a Hanley Ramirez-type body. Plus arm. Plus bat speed. He’s a good kid, a good-energy kid." Though Soler would need more minor league seasoning, it's been written he could have more upside than Cespedes. Soler is younger and more talented than the Rangers' Leonys Martin, wrote Baseball America's Jim Callis, so he figures to beat Martin's $15.6MM contract. Callis notes that the $2.9MM international signing cap installed in the new CBA doesn't begin until the 2012-13 signing period, so as long as Soler signs before July 2nd, there are no limitations.


why would Oakland do this? why would Soler do this? they will just trade him away in a couple of years without ever benefiting from what he brings to the field

 

[jta4437]

anything is possible. but i don't believe that Fielder is going to settle for Seattle or Washington or Baltimore just because of money, no matter what Borass is saying. when it starts getting late in the off-season i see Fielder take a shorter contract with a team that will compete. Washington will still finish well behind Philadelphia, Atlanta & Miami, Seattle will still finish 15+ games behind LAA and Texas, and Baltimore will still finish 20+ behind NYY, Boston, Tampa & Toronto, even with Fielder.

Don't underestimate Washington, they could compete this year if some things go their way, which is all it really takes,

All of these teams have problems: age, injuries, non-production; Philly just has the advantage b/c of their pitching and experience

 

[fordman84]

If Fielder takes a shorter contract, and I think he will, he will most DEFINITELY do so in a hitters park. No chance SEA lands him on a shortened contract. Texas would figure into that equation, but I think he would have to take a shorter contract and less than Pujols.


Still would be interesting if we were to get him. Angels get CJ and Pujols while Texas matches with Yu and Fielder. Poor OAK and SEA.

 

[Windingmywatch]

anything is possible. but i don't believe that Fielder is going to settle for Seattle or Washington or Baltimore just because of money, no matter what Borass is saying. when it starts getting late in the off-season i see Fielder take a shorter contract with a team that will compete. Washington will still finish well behind Philadelphia, Atlanta & Miami, Seattle will still finish 15+ games behind LAA and Texas, and Baltimore will still finish 20+ behind NYY, Boston, Tampa & Toronto, even with Fielder.

Ahhh ... no way SEA or BAL need Fielder when SEA has Smoak and BAL has CD! Geez!

 

[romeo212000]

The rangers and red sox are the two teams reportedly still in on bailey.

 

[romeo212000]

Check that. Red six acquire bailey and Sweeney for three players including reddick.