The OFFICIAL Texas Rangers thread

[BP]

I like that.I like that even more.

I'd really love to see Joba as the Yankees closer in 2011. He should be good for 7-8 blown saves in April and without Jeter they'll have a rookie at short who can't hit. They aren't talking to Posada either but I don't think he's going to platoon very well with what we have.

If nothing else we need to at least talk to the guys and beat whatever token offers the Yankees are giving them right now. There isn't anyone else interested in Jeter right now, the Yankees have him over a barrel. Someone needs to step in and force them to overpay for their own players like they do to the rest of the league. I'd also love to see Jeter playing for the Red Sox!

[71chevellejohn]

I'd really love to see Joba as the Yankees closer in 2011. He should be good for 7-8 blown saves in April and without Jeter they'll have a rookie at short who can't hit. They aren't talking to Posada either but I don't think he's going to platoon very well with what we have.

If nothing else we need to at least talk to the guys and beat whatever token offers the Yankees are giving them right now. There isn't anyone else interested in Jeter right now, the Yankees have him over a barrel. Someone needs to step in and force them to overpay for their own players like they do to the rest of the league. I'd also love to see Jeter playing for the Red Sox!

The best thing for Joba would be for him to get traded - the Yankees inability to make up their mind on his role has cost him a few years. I think he'll be trade bait for the Yankees. but if he stays in NY and continues to stumble, that's be fine with me too.

They screwed up when they signed Posada for that much money at his age - they are paying him for what he has done, not what he will do. I think with Jeter, they are trying to avoid repeating that mistake while not angering the Yankee faithful. Nobody will step in and raise Jeter's price - nobody wants a 37 yr old SS. The only way he ends up wearing another uniform is if the Yankees piss him off enough that he takes less money to prove a point. That's not going to happen either - Jeter doesn't need the money that bad.

In the end, I think he'll get 4yrs $18-19million per. They'll bend over backwards to keep Mariano. Pettite may be decided by whether or not they get Lee.



Only 13 weeks until spring training....

[mustang_marc]

More Rangers news...about current and former players.

One link has the Rangers trading Crash Davis to the Cubs, which I know more than a few of you would be happy with. I just hate to see him blossom somewhere else (no guarantees that happens)...but at least it would be in the NL. http://cubbiescrib.com/2010/12/03/cu...n-chris-davis/

And former Ranger Adrian Gonzalez appears to be headed to the Red Sox - http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big...urn=mlb-291837

Oh - and John Daniels has been named Exec of the Year - http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...tnerId=rss_tex

[Kenny_Stang]

Things should heat up this week in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes. Lots of rumors floating arround that it will take a six year contract to keep Lee in Texas, what do you guys think?

I would be fine with a 6 year 140 mil contract, but I really think the guy is a top three talent. We wouldn't have made it past the first round without him.

[BP]

I really like the guy and he's worth every bit of the money they are throwing at him but 6 years on a pitcher isn't ever a good idea. Not only is it a gamble but what do you do when CJ or one of the other pitchers is putting up better numbers and comes up for an extension? You can't tell him he's not worth it since he's not Cliff Lee.

Eventually you'll have a player like Jeff Bagwell, a local hero that takes up 25% of your payroll for what he used to do, not what he can do now. A few years later you'll be in the cellar and can't even afford to sign your home grown ace or first basemen and you'll stink for 3-4 seasons in a row.

[Vertnut]

Things should heat up this week in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes. Lots of rumors floating arround that it will take a six year contract to keep Lee in Texas, what do you guys think?

I would be fine with a 6 year 140 mil contract, but I really think the guy is a top three talent. We wouldn't have made it past the first round without him.

I'm hoping Werth's new 7-year $128 mil deal didn't just make Lee worth about $28 mil a year. I know it sounds crazy, but damn! The National's are paying a 32-year-old outfielder $18 mil a year?

[Kenny_Stang]

I'm hoping Werth's new 7-year $128 mil deal didn't just make Lee worth about $28 mil a year. I know it sounds crazy, but damn! The National's are paying a 32-year-old outfielder $18 mil a year?

Yeah, I was thinking about that same thing... if the Nationals are paying that much for an old outfielder, what will a premier pitcher bring?!?

[Vertnut]

Yeah, I was thinking about that same thing... if the Nationals are paying that much for an old outfielder, what will a premier pitcher bring?!?

What about Hamilton after a MVP season???

[Kenny_Stang]

What about Hamilton after a MVP season???

Yeah, I bet GM's hate that crap. Now every 32 year old outfielder is going to want that same kind of money... rediculous.

[Machx2]

I see them paying 22mil a year to Lee.

[bcoop]

They were saying last week, that the tax thing is playing a big role, and while NY could offer $28 mill/yr, Texas could offer $22 and be a competitive offer due to the state income tax in NY.

They were also saying, that if they can get away with signing him for $22/yr, that they WILL go after Greinke.

[mustang_marc]

Looks like more teams are in on th chase for Lee, with 2 teams offering 7 years.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/12/08/cliff.lee.winter.meetings/index.html?

Also a rumor that Vladdy could be going to the A's...

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/253534-vlad-to-take-up-residence-in-bay-area

[openroadracer]

from the rangers website

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/ar...s_tex&c_id=tex

Ryan optimistic Rangers can re-sign Lee

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- After two days of meetings with agent Darek Braunecker, Rangers president Nolan Ryan is expressing optimism that the club will be able to re-sign pitcher Cliff Lee.

Ryan spoke Tuesday on the second day of the Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, but also acknowledged that the talks are still preliminary, no deal is remotely close and significant obstacles remain.

"Here lately, I'm probably more encouraged than a week ago because it doesn't seem that anybody has stepped out and become the leader of the pack," Ryan said.

Ryan did acknowledge that the Yankees could eventually do just that. Ryan still believes that New York could ultimately make the largest offer because of its vast financial resources.

"I have no reason not to think so, that being their history," Ryan said. "It's always there. It's just part of the business. It's like a big offensive threat being on deck. You know he's on deck."

There are other factors involved, including the length of the contract. Lee could command a five- to seven-year deal worth more than $20 million annually. There are reports of at least one club willing to go to seven years. The Yankees will likely go at least six years on a pitcher.

Texas may not be willing to do more than a five-year deal with Lee. Ryan admitted that lengths of contracts do concern him. Lee might be an exception, but it could also be a dealbreaker for the Rangers.

"I have a comfort level on contracts and the length of them," Ryan said. "It depends on the individual, but the shorter the contract, the higher my comfort level. I really view it -- no matter if it's a pitcher or a position player -- I'm not really into lengthening contracts out.

"It's just bad business."

Lee turned 32 on Aug. 30. He also had some back trouble in September, but still finished 12-9 with a 3.18 ERA in 28 starts and won three games in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

"Obviously Cliff Lee gets more consideration than somebody else who has a history of arm troubles or behavior problems," Ryan said. "Age also comes into it. A lot comes down to what other people are willing to do and what they are willing to offer."

Braunecker made it clear that length of the contract could be crucial, but that's just one part of it.

"That's one of the components," Braunecker said. "It's my responsibility to Cliff and his wife, Kristen, to extract the best possible contract. Does that mean the most money, the longest term or the best place where they can be happy and can win? There is no one criteria they've presented to me. I'm just doing my job to put them in the best possible situation."

The Rangers met with Braunecker for a second time on Tuesday and will meet with him again on Wednesday. But the discussions continue to move slowly and Texas still has not made a specific offer.

"We haven't put any parameters on it," Ryan said. "We're very open to seeing what can be done. I get the feeling he likes being in Arlington, he likes the guys there, he likes [manager Ron Washington], he likes the quality of life. There are things that are definitely in our favor. At some point will they be open to being creative? I don't know."

Braunecker said that the discussions with the Rangers were positive and productive.

"That goes for a couple of other clubs as well," Braunecker said.

Ryan expressed some frustration that the process was moving slowly, but Braunecker is in no hurry to get a deal done with anybody.

"It's a methodical process," Braunecker said. "It's very extensive. We're making sure we do all our due diligence to put him in the best possible situation for his family."

Part of it is talking to as many teams as possible. The Rangers and the Yankees remain the two most visible and vocal teams in pursuit of Lee. The Nationals are in the hunt as well. Any other teams have not made their intentions public.

It does not appear that a deal with anybody will get done before the Winter Meetings close on Thursday, but that could change quickly with another round of meetings on Wednesday.

"Obviously you'd like to see it move quicker, but you have to realize it's part of the process," Ryan said.

[Lone Sailor]

ESPN is reporting that the Yankees have formally offered Lee the 7 year contract that he was asking for. Not sure of the terms on money, but this is not good news if the Rangers won't budge over 5.

[BP]

ESPN is reporting that the Yankees have formally offered Lee the 7 year contract that he was asking for. Not sure of the terms on money, but this is not good news if the Rangers won't budge over 5.

Should be some #33 jerseys in the clearance rack this weekend. Looks like we are talking to Tampa about Matt Garza now. Of yeah, YANKEES SUCK!