The Officially Official Off Season Thread (2016)

[Kelleyman]

The length of contracts nowadays is just crazy.

Looks like there is a two year opt out clause. Contracts are crazy from a lot of angles.

 

[Kelleyman]

They'll sign a Stubbs type guy.



Maybe even Stubbs. Think he is still out there

 

[Bmurph]

Upton to the Tigers. 6/132.75 mil.
So much for that. Now what?

There had been some speculation that Upton might have to settle for a one-year contract and then try free agency again next winter, but FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal says he'll be getting a six-year, $132.75 deal that includes an opt-out after the second year. It's a reasonable commitment for the Tigers, especially considering Upton is just 28. He'll take over as Detroit's left fielder.
Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter
Jan 18 - 9:31 PM

He likely opts out after the 2nd year

 

[saddles]

It's hard to say and really depends on the level at which he declines. If you held a gun to my head, I'd say 3 more years, maybe 4, then he gets traded.

I think in three more years he would be untradeable. At that point you would probably have to simply release him. You would only be able to trade him if he is still being productive. I don't think anyone would want to only get him for the last year or two of that contract.

 

[saddles]

the guys on 105.3

Was that the same guy on that station that said the other day that the Rangers should have released Profar instead of sign him?

Seems like Ben of the Ben and Skin show on that station was saying a few weeks back that the Rangers should sign Cespedes.

 

[saddles]

Haha.

 

[scotsman1948]

Was that the same guy on that station that said the other day that the Rangers should have released Profar instead of sign him?

Seems like Ben of the Ben and Skin show on that station was saying a few weeks back that the Rangers should sign Cespedes.

it started with their morning show and carried on thru the day. their reports made him seem like a cancer that no team could handle for any length of time.

 

[romeo212000]

I think in three more years he would be untradeable. At that point you would probably have to simply release him. You would only be able to trade him if he is still being productive. I don't think anyone would want to only get him for the last year or two of that contract.

Aren't you the one carping about how we were able to trade Young when nobody thought we could?

 

[True Rangers Fan]

I'm not so sure that Upton is guaranteed to opt out after 2 years. If he mashes in DET, sure, but I've read a lot of stuff about how streaky he is and how it seems he disappears when most needed. If these next 2 seasons don't go well, he'll stay put.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

MLB Power Rankings a Month from Spring Training

Certainly far from a thorough examination, but I found it interesting that the Rangers sit at #4.

 

[saddles]

Aren't you the one carping about how we were able to trade Young when nobody thought we could?

When we traded Young he was one season removed from batting .338 and he still had the ability to play multiple infield positions. I don't expect Choo to be close to that level after 3 more seasons and especially not after 4 more seasons. Their contracts are about $5 million different as well. So as you like to say it is apples and oranges.

 

[saddles]

I'm not so sure that Upton is guaranteed to opt out after 2 years. If he mashes in DET, sure, but I've read a lot of stuff about how streaky he is and how it seems he disappears when most needed. If these next 2 seasons don't go well, he'll stay put.

Yeah, when I read he could opt out my first thought was why would he want to. That seems like a very good contract considering how long it took him to get it this offseason. I don't know that he can do better than that.

 

[saddles]

MLB Power Rankings a Month from Spring Training

Certainly far from a thorough examination, but I found it interesting that the Rangers sit at #4.

We seem to be back on most everyone's radar.

 

[Kelleyman]

Interesting perspective via Olney and Morris

 

[saddles]

Olney ranks the Rangers at #5 in MLB.

Buster Olney ranks Texas among top five in MLB

Buster Olney has been ranking individual team components over the past week or two, and today, rolls out his list of the top 10 teams in MLB. To my surprise, the Rangers are currently ranked #5 on his list, behind only the Cubs, the Royals, the BoSox and the Giants.

Olney points to the Rangers having an 80-58 record after their disastrous start to the 2015 season, as well as the improved bullpen, when talking about the team.

 

[saddles]

Interesting perspective via Olney and Morris

HaHa. You beat me to it.

It looks like that fangraphs projection a few days ago is by far the most negative one concerning the Rangers, but then again they are relying on their theories about what the numbers mean to do their thinking.

 

[saddles]

Injured players aim for impact in returns

Yu Darvish, Rangers
In a crowded AL West, Darvish has the ability to shift the scales considerably when he returns from Tommy John surgery. The latest guess is that the defending division champs will get him back in May, making for a fearsome twosome of Darvish and Cole Hamels atop Texas' rotation. Hamstrung by some other colossal contracts they've doled out in recent years, the Rangers haven't made much noise this offseason. But they know Darvish, who has a 3.27 ERA and 128 ERA+ over 83 career starts, is their ace in the hole.

 

[saddles]

Ten most intriguing players in AL West: Carlos Correa leads the way

2. Cole Hamels, LHP, Texas Rangers
If the Rangers are to challenge the Astros, they'll need a big year from their ace, given the unknown production from Yu Darvish as he returns at some point from Tommy John surgery. In 12 starts after coming over from the Phillies, Hamels went 7-1 with a 3.66 ERA, just above the 3.30 career ERA he had with the Phillies. Keep in mind that in recent years Hamels has toiled in a division with some of the worst offenses in the game. It will be interesting to see how he fares over a full season in the American League, especially considering that four of his 12 starts came against a weak-hitting Seattle lineup and his career ERA in interleague games is 4.74 over 33 starts.

6. Rougned Odor, 2B, Texas Rangers
He struggled early on, was sent to the minors, came back in mid-June and raked the rest of the season. Even with that slow start -- he was hitting .144 when sent down after 29 games -- he led major league second basemen in slugging percentage, as he hit .294/.334/.527 after his call-up. He swings hard but doesn't strike out excessively, and he's just turning 22. While he has some finer points of his game to work out -- defense, baserunning -- we saw in the postseason how this kid has that extra level of excitement and flair to his game, that "it" factor. He has the chance to be one of the best second basemen in the game.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Interesting perspective via Olney and Morris

Let's hope they are much more accurate about their predictions on us this year than last year.

 

[Kelleyman]

Olney ranks the Rangers at #5 in MLB.

Buster Olney ranks Texas among top five in MLB

Buster Olney has been ranking individual team components over the past week or two, and today, rolls out his list of the top 10 teams in MLB. To my surprise, the Rangers are currently ranked #5 on his list, behind only the Cubs, the Royals, the BoSox and the Giants.

Olney points to the Rangers having an 80-58 record after their disastrous start to the 2015 season, as well as the improved bullpen, when talking about the team.

Ha Bennie I was messing with you because thought was since there are few holes, no huge need for Rangers to spend. Adam M brought this out. (I still am looking for the disputed unicorn Catcher. Maybe rankings were made before Upton trade. If our SP look good we will do well though