Just a few scattershots from the weekend for us bored Ranger fans waiting for something to happen. Apparently Joe Nathan thinks Prince Fielder wants to be a Texas Ranger. I can see that. We have an obvious hole at first base. No offense to Mitch Moreland, but baseball is a “what have you done for me lately” business and last thing we remember is Mitch looking terrible with the exception of an out of nowhere bomb in the World Series off Chris Carpenter. If his wrist is healthy he is a guy capable of playing average or better defense at the cold corner and hitting for a decent average with on base skills and average pop for a first baseman. So he could be an average first baseman. Kasey Kotchman without the glove, and a little more umph in his giddy up. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. So Prince could see an obvious opening here where he won’t have to be moved to DH anytime soon. He just got to taste the playoffs for the second time in his career last year and I bet he enjoyed it. I’m sure he noticed some consistency in the American League the last two years and sees a roster built to continue that success for a long time, with or without a power hitting first baseman, not to mention a fun loving clubhouse where everyone gets along and there is strong leadership. Texas would be very adopting of the “beast mode” that Prince brought to the Brewers clubhouse. North Texas is a great place to live with plenty of things to do and it’s a great place to raise a family. I’m sure there are many more factors that would allow for Prince to “want” to be a Texas Ranger, and who could really blame him. The thing that will show how much he wants to be here is the almighty dollar, which leads to my next thought…
Can the Rangers sign Prince and extend Hamilton long term? Can they, yes. Will they, I don’t think so. It’s looking more and more like a long term extension won’t get done with Hamilton. From what I’m hearing, he wants around the 7 years that Carl Crawford and Jason Werth got last year, and I don’t see any scenario Texas does that. I’m almost positive Texas would do a 4 year extension right now, and would consider 5, but nothing beyond that. I think Texas is more comfortable letting Josh hit free agency and see what teams (if any) would be willing to go 7 years, and then see if he’d rather leave for 7 or stay for 5. In that case I could see him staying with Texas, but like CJ Wilson, I don’t see Texas willing to keep their star for anything too far beyond their terms. I think the possibility exists that we have Hamilton and Fielder together for more than just 2012, but it wouldn’t be contractually finalized until this time next year. However, this still leaves the questions to be answered about Napoli, Kinsler, Cruz, etc. One thing not being really mentioned is when Michael Young’s contract ends in a few years. He will be 36 I believe and probably still a damn good hitter, but not so much in the field, which would limit his next contract to DH and sparse utility player. At that point I think the market rate would be $6 million or less and I would expect us to retain him on a much more team friendly deal (3 years for $15 million?) that would allow him to finish his career here and not be a burden on the payroll.
It’s Yu Darvish signing week. The deal will get done. It will be for 5 or 6 years and all will rejoice.
Wash has said that Colby Lewis will be his opening day starter. Good, Colby deserves it. He has been a terrific pitcher for us the last few years and he’s earned it with his post season pitching and his steady presence. His hip should be healthy and if so he’ll look a lot more like 2010 Colbyashi than 2011 regular season Colbyashi. I’d expect Holland to be the number two starter unless we sign Oswalt (which is a very real possibility) followed by Darvish, Harrison and Feliz with Ogando going to the pen. I could see Harrison being traded for a Gio- like package or Feliz starting the year in AAA, but if that were to happen when would he come back up and who’s spot would he take and how? Would he come up for an injury? What happens when that person is back healthy? Good problem to have, but also why I don’t expect Oswalt here.
Finally, there was a big trade between the Mariners and Yankees, sending to hitting prospect Jesus Montero to the M’s for stud young pitcher Michael Pineda. I’m glad we won’t have to face Pineda with the M’s for years to come and Safeco will hurt Montero significantly, but it’s certainly a great trade for both teams. My question for you Ranger fans is would you have traded Alexi Ogando and a Robbie Ross type prospect for Montero straight up (no Noesi)? I have always thought Ogando and Pineda are very similar pitchers, dominant fastball, very very good slider and “developing” (scouting term for not very good… yet) changeup. I’d do it in a heartbeat, it’d help solve our rotation problem while bringing in out first baseman for the future.
