The Officially Official Off Season Thread (2016)

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

Ian Kennedy signs with the Royals for 5 years and $70 million.

 

[saddles]

Texas Rangers rumors: Justin Upton talk won't stop

The Rangers' payroll looks to be around $140-145M right now. While Olney suggests signing Upton would mean a fourth outfielder role for Josh Hamilton, it seems more likely that signing Upton (or Yoenis Cespedes) would mean trading Mitch Moreland (which would save $6 million or so) and moving Prince Fielder back to first base. Theoretically, you could deal Moreland, maybe move Shawn Tolleson (who has been rumored to be available all offseason) or Tom Wilhelmsen, and expand the payroll by a few million to squeeze Upton in on a backloaded deal...

Barring that, the Rangers would likely be looking at having to move Prince Fielder or Shin-Soo Choo to sign Upton...and if a team were willing to take Fielder at 5/$90M, or Choo at 5/$103M, they'd probably just sign Upton or Cespedes. And besides, the Rangers are likely going to be looking to move Choo or Fielder after 2016 to clear payroll for the Adrian Beltre extension we think is coming, and open up playing time for Nomar Mazara and/or Joey Gallo...

In any case, the reports continue to circulate that the Rangers aren't exactly in on Upton (and Cespedes), but aren't exactly out, either. You hear that they are "monitoring the situation" or "staying in contact" or some such, reports that are usually followed up with "but they have no money to spend." Jon Daniels could go to ownership and ask for them to stretch payroll for Upton, but the last time JD did that, it was to get them to open up their wallets to sign Shin-Soo Choo, a deal that...well, a deal that JD probably wishes he could get a mulligan on.

 

[romeo212000]

Texas Rangers rumors: Justin Upton talk won't stop

The Rangers' payroll looks to be around $140-145M right now. While Olney suggests signing Upton would mean a fourth outfielder role for Josh Hamilton, it seems more likely that signing Upton (or Yoenis Cespedes) would mean trading Mitch Moreland (which would save $6 million or so) and moving Prince Fielder back to first base. Theoretically, you could deal Moreland, maybe move Shawn Tolleson (who has been rumored to be available all offseason) or Tom Wilhelmsen, and expand the payroll by a few million to squeeze Upton in on a backloaded deal...

Barring that, the Rangers would likely be looking at having to move Prince Fielder or Shin-Soo Choo to sign Upton...and if a team were willing to take Fielder at 5/$90M, or Choo at 5/$103M, they'd probably just sign Upton or Cespedes. And besides, the Rangers are likely going to be looking to move Choo or Fielder after 2016 to clear payroll for the Adrian Beltre extension we think is coming, and open up playing time for Nomar Mazara and/or Joey Gallo...

In any case, the reports continue to circulate that the Rangers aren't exactly in on Upton (and Cespedes), but aren't exactly out, either. You hear that they are "monitoring the situation" or "staying in contact" or some such, reports that are usually followed up with "but they have no money to spend." Jon Daniels could go to ownership and ask for them to stretch payroll for Upton, but the last time JD did that, it was to get them to open up their wallets to sign Shin-Soo Choo, a deal that...well, a deal that JD probably wishes he could get a mulligan on.

I'm not convinced JD wants a mulligan on the Choo deal.

 

[Bmurph]

I'm not convinced JD wants a mulligan on the Choo deal.

It will all depend on how it plays out. Could be that the Choo deal wasn't so great, however if he produces again next season like the 2nd half of last season, and a team is interested without asking for a bunch of $, it might not be as bad as it looked in the first 1 1/2 seasons. Then you have to look at the return, if he is moved. Point being we may not know for another year or so.

 

[saddles]

It will all depend on how it plays out. Could be that the Choo deal wasn't so great, however if he produces again next season like the 2nd half of last season, and a team is interested without asking for a bunch of $, it might not be as bad as it looked in the first 1 1/2 seasons. Then you have to look at the return, if he is moved. Point being we may not know for another year or so.

It might also involve what else he could have spent that money for had it not been spent on Choo.

 

[donaldson79]

It will all depend on how it plays out. Could be that the Choo deal wasn't so great, however if he produces again next season like the 2nd half of last season, and a team is interested without asking for a bunch of $, it might not be as bad as it looked in the first 1 1/2 seasons. Then you have to look at the return, if he is moved. Point being we may not know for another year or so.

To expect Choo to have an entire year like last years 2nd half is setting the bar too high IMO.

 

[donaldson79]

This seems like a pretty good way not to kill a budget, at least on the short run.

Davis will receive a $17 million annual salary from 2016 to 2022 and will receive additional annual payments through 2037, when he will be 51, a source told Olney. There is no interest accrued on the deferrals.

 

[romeo212000]

To expect Choo to have an entire year like last years 2nd half is setting the bar too high IMO.

I'll settle for the stats he had at the end of the season. Let's just distribute it more evenly.

 

[saddles]

Rangers-to-Dallas talk just more hot air

There’s a reason the Rangers and Cowboys play in Tarrant County. It’s the same reason that when the baseball team’s lease expires, Arlington may well be first in line to cool the Rangers’ heels. There is room next to Texas Live! for a new ballpark.

Winning, too, has a way of cooling off everything. Even the hot air coming from the big city to the east.

​

 

[donaldson79]

I'll settle for the stats he had at the end of the season. Let's just distribute it more evenly.

Exactly.

But I think he can be a .285-.290 hitter with 22+ homers. The key however is just what you said, "consistency."

Mentally, he should show up with his head on straight and be raring too go.

 

[saddles]

Market For Yoenis Cespedes "Intensifying"

 

[darrylgann]

Marlins Made Marcell Ozuna Trade Offers To Rangers, Reds mlbtraderumors.com/2016/01/marlin…

 

[saddles]

Astros Notes: Cespedes, Keuchel, Castro, Breach Scandal

Three different executives tell Peter Gammons (Twitter link) that the Astros are a team to watch on Yoenis Cespedes. It seems as if Cespedes’ market is picking up a lot of steam, though there’s still little in the way of solid information about which teams are most ardently pursuing the free agent outfielder. At first glance, Houston doesn’t seem to have a spot for Cespedes with Colby Rasmus and Carlos Gomez in left and center, plus George Springer in right field and Evan Gattis at DH. Then again, the Astros were also recently connected to Ender Inciarte in trade talks with the Braves, indicating that they might not be entirely satisfied with their current outfield mix. Signing Cespedes would either shift Rasmus to a DH time-share with Gattis, or perhaps one of Houston’s current outfielders would be traded. Of the trio, Rasmus can’t be dealt without his permission until June 15 since he accepted the Astros’ one-year qualifying offer.

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

Wonder if upton is getting closer to considering a one year deal.

Hypothetically speaking, if its Upton or Cespedes on a 1yr deal....give me Cespedes. Wouldnt lose a draft pick that way.


That said, a 2-3yr deal for Upton would be OK. Wont happen, I know... but wishful thinking.

 

[scotsman1948]

Hypothetically speaking, if its Upton or Cespedes on a 1yr deal....give me Cespedes. Wouldnt lose a draft pick that way.


That said, a 2-3yr deal for Upton would be OK. Wont happen, I know... but wishful thinking.

agree on both points. i would be good with that kind of deal for him but also agree that it won't happen

 

[romeo212000]

Hypothetically speaking, if its Upton or Cespedes on a 1yr deal....give me Cespedes. Wouldnt lose a draft pick that way.


That said, a 2-3yr deal for Upton would be OK. Wont happen, I know... but wishful thinking.

I could see upton doing a one year deal and trying again next year which would cost more, but imo would be worth it for Texas to do. Gives Mazara, Brinson, and Gallo time to continue to progress in the minors and gives us that rhb we so desperately need. Imo, ownership would find a way to open up the budget for that one year investment as it provides a lot more benefits than giving us a rhb for one year. Plus, it's a one year deal, so there's very little risk.

 

[saddles]

Texas invites pitchers Myles Jaye, Francisco Mendoza, and Scott Williams, C's Kellin Deglan and Brett Nicholas to major league ST camp.

 

[saddles]

Hypothetically speaking, if its Upton or Cespedes on a 1yr deal....give me Cespedes. Wouldnt lose a draft pick that way.


That said, a 2-3yr deal for Upton would be OK. Wont happen, I know... but wishful thinking.

Agree on Cespedes over Upton. It would keep him from going to the Astros also.

 

[romeo212000]

Agree on Cespedes over Upton. It would keep him from going to the Astros also.

On a multi year deal? Yes. But upton is more likely to take a one year deal then Cespedes Imo and a one year deal fits our needs better as well.