Texas Rangers 2019-2020 Offseason

Discussion in 'Baseball' started by ViperHorn, Oct 1, 2019.

  1. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Looks like Rendon has priced himself out of the Rangers as I cannot see them paying $30 million-plus a season for a 3B when they have Solak and Kiner-Falefa and are in need of a 2, 3 or 4 SP.

    upload_2019-10-1_10-34-31.png
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  2. HornHuskerDad

    HornHuskerDad 5,000+ Posts

    You're right, Viper. Since the Rangers do have younger players who can play the position at a more reasonable price, the team will (or at least "should") focus the bigger FA dollars on starting pitchers. We'll have to watch closely to see how the market develops for top-level starting pitchers.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2019
  3. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Strasburg opting out of his Washington deal puts an unexpected twist in FA SP'ing. Cole did have the market to himself, but now, as long as people can get over Strasburg's early-career injuries, either there will be big bucks thrown out for both, or basically little for both (doubtful). Adding to this suddenly exploding upper level pitching FA period is the fact that Kershaw will be on the last year of his contract with the Dodgers in 2020. Will the Dodgers try to extract young talent (and escape part of the $32M owed to Kershaw in 2020) before or during the season? Does Kershaw know he is in his slowly declining years and the probability of anyone offering him more than $25M is low? (It is baseball and some less than bright owner will.)

    What do the Rangers have in this conversation? It moves at least one good pitcher down the list and into the area the Rangers fell they can afford.
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2019
  4. HornHuskerDad

    HornHuskerDad 5,000+ Posts

    Will be interesting to watch the Winter Meetings and see what JD can pull off.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  5. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Winter meetings start this week. Rendon is probably out of the Rangers' reach, but that could be a good thing on the pitching front for someone like Ryu (whose age will be a limiting factor- a perfect bridge for the Rangers, however.). Josh Donaldson is next up FA at 3B:

    2. Josh Donaldson

    Donaldson will be 34 at the start of the 2020 season, and he will more than likely be the plan B for the teams that go after Anthony Rendon, and fail to sign him. But for the Texas Rangers, he could be their plan A. Donaldson would be the perfect fill-in for the Rangers, as they wait on their young 3rd base prospects (Josh Jung, Davis Wendzel) to be major league ready at about the time Donaldson’s contract would be over.

    In order to sign Donaldson, the Rangers would likely be competing with the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and the teams that misses out on Anthony Rendon. His deal could range between two to three years. A likely contract that the Rangers would probably happily give him would be a 3 year deal for $45 to $50 million with some sort of buyout available for the third year.​

    One strategy could be to stay out of the Rendon fight and go directly to Donaldson with a very positive offer if nothing else to show interest. (I don't like that strategy because you effectively end up bidding against yourself, but the need at 3rd is such that I would consider such a move.)
     
  6. HornHuskerDad

    HornHuskerDad 5,000+ Posts

    ^Viper, I think you've nailed it. The Rangers have zero chance of signing both Rendon and a front-line starting pitcher - that would break the bank. Better to go for Donaldson as the 2-3 year stopgap and sign a top-notch starting pitcher. Zach Wheeler might be a great target - the Rangers can't afford Cole or Strausburg.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    I just hope JD understands ^^.
     
  8. HornHuskerDad

    HornHuskerDad 5,000+ Posts

    According to "MLB Trade Rumors," the Rangers are adding four players to the 40-man roster -

    The Rangers will add at least four players to their 40-man, per MLB.com’s TR Sullivan (via Twitter). Infielder Sherten Apostel, outfielder Leody Taveras, and hurlers Demarcus Evans and Tyler Phillips are all reportedly set to get a slot. Taveras is the most exciting name of this bunch; by the reckoning of some observers, he’s one of the club’s best prospects. Apostel came over in the Keone Kela trade. The two pitchers are upper-minors arms who could contribute in 2020.

    What is not stated is the fact that some players had to be released or outrighted to open up spaces on the 40-man for these guys. I haven't seen any indication on non-tenders, but you've got to fear for Hunter Pence - there isn't much playing time available for him, and the Rangers need slots on the 40-man to protect youngsters from the Rule 5 Draft.
     
  9. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Well at least there are 29 other teams in the same situation. However I am confused with the numbers. The report I read said Texas had 4 spots open which would lead one the assume they had already let 4 go since the end of the season. Taveras is the key as he could figure in the 2020 outfield problem/solution.

    Prince's value is more than just on the field.
     
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2019
  10. HornHuskerDad

    HornHuskerDad 5,000+ Posts

    Okay, here's the official word from the Rangers website - Rangers add 6 prospects to 40-man roster.
    Appears the team now has a full 40-man roster and can protect the prize prospects from the Rule 5 draft.
     
  11. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Thanks, HHD. Of course now if they trade/sign someone to the 40 man - someone will have to go. I would think some of the more spare RP's will be the first to go before a position player at this point.
     
  12. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    This has gotten a lot more serious than I ever thought as it appears that MLB believes they have the facts.

    upload_2019-11-22_7-46-5.png
     
    • Hot Hot x 1
  13. HornHuskerDad

    HornHuskerDad 5,000+ Posts

    Viper, you could be right, but I still have a gut feeling - strictly gut, no outside data to back it up - that the Rangers will trade one of the outfielders (Mazara or Calhoun?) in order to (a) get a bit more right-handed at the plate and/or (b) land a player to play 1B, 3B, or SP. Guess we'll see.
     
  14. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    HHD, I agree at least one outfielder (and maybe two) will have to go (or be let go in Choo's case).
     
  15. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Rangers sign RHP Kyle Gibson to a 3-year deal. He eats innings so he will start out as the 3/4 Starting pitcher. A good start and buys time to see how the bigger things shake out.
     
  16. HornHuskerDad

    HornHuskerDad 5,000+ Posts

    ^I like it, Viper. A good innings-eating starter at a reasonable price. Still would like to see JD sign Zach Wheeler. That would let the Rangers send the top starting prospects to AAA to season a bit more.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  17. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    I guess JD feels he knows more about branding than the marketing experts. Having "Texas" on all uniforms built the brand. Looks like either the owners and/or JD have decided that they know better:
    upload_2019-12-5_8-22-9.png

    The best uniform ever (other than the all-white with red caps) was the red hats, jerseys, and shoes with white pants.
     
  18. HornHuskerDad

    HornHuskerDad 5,000+ Posts

    ^I'm not sure I like the light blues - guess I'll have to wait until I see them on the field.
     
  19. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    That is a lot of material on Gallo.
     
  20. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    First closing of the roof at the New Ball Park last Friday:

     
  21. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

  22. HornHuskerDad

    HornHuskerDad 5,000+ Posts

    ^Pretty much what we anticipated, Viper. Jon got a pretty respectable lower-level prospect for future development and cleared part of the logjam in the outfield at the major-league level. And it opens a spot on the 40-man, just in case ownership will back a Brinks truck up to Rendon's house.
     
  23. bystander

    bystander 10,000+ Posts

    Donaldson will want a four-year deal. The Rangers will always be a year behind on salary and term.
     
  24. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Agree HHD. My only concern is trading one outfielder for another. If by chance this spring Walker surprises and forces the Rangers to keep him with the big club who goes? Great position to be in, but the same problem. That could force the Rangers to finally cut Choo and eat the payoff.
     
  25. HornHuskerDad

    HornHuskerDad 5,000+ Posts

    Well, Rendon is gone to the Angels. We need to see JD move quickly on Plan B to get 3B filled. Donaldson? He would be OK for 3 years or so while the Rangers groom their long-term solution in the minors. But JD needs to get it done quickly if that's the direction they want to go; otherwise, Donaldson will be signed elsewhere and the Rangers will be left empty-handed.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  26. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Proof that JD is on the hot seat?

    upload_2019-12-15_6-29-34.png
     
  27. FWHORN

    FWHORN 10,000+ Posts

  28. HornHuskerDad

    HornHuskerDad 5,000+ Posts

    FWHORN, I like the Kluber trade. I wish Classe hadn't been included in the deal, but the Rangers usually do pretty well setting up a bullpen each season, and there are still some very good relievers in the system. Moving Deshields opens a slot for Santana as the utility man.

    NOW...I'm waiting to see what JD can do to address 3B. Reports say they're not in on Josh Donaldson any more, so it looks like a trade may be the way to get a new 3B. I'm not sure where they can go to generate a decent trade. And they still have a need a catcher - perhaps Chirinos 2.0?
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  29. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Clearing the OF situation might actually end up being the plus from this trade.

    I share HHD's 3B and catcher (especially) concerns. Texas has enough versatile infielders to cover 3B. No so with catching.
     
  30. HornHuskerDad

    HornHuskerDad 5,000+ Posts

    Viper, I agree partially - they can cover 3B adequately (not great, but adequate) defensively, but it would help to get some real offensive production for 3B (and 1B, also, unless the Condor can find his hitting stroke). Rendon would have been the ideal solution, but he's off the board. Sounds like Donaldson is off, also, which means if JD wants a new 3B, it will have to come via trade. And I'm not sure I see a great answer on the trade market (yet). If Colorado would trade Arenado and the Rangers could negotiate a contract extension in the deal, that could work; beyond that, I'm baffled.

    Definitely need a solution behind the plate. Hope JD is beating the bushes on that one.
     

Share This Page