Monday Morning Manager….Winter Meetings
The winter meetings are underway. Here are the burning questions at the moment….
1. Do you think the Rangres are serious about signing Barry Zito?
2. Kenny Lofton or Mike Piazza?
3. Barry Zito or Ted Lilly?
4. Vicente Padilla or Miguel Batista?
5. Give us one trade you think the Rangers ought to make?
T.R. Sullivan
Toby
1. Yes. If the Rangers hadn’t gone out and gotten Millwood last year, I would have had serious doubts about it, but Hicks has shown he’s willing to raise payroll for the right guys. Now, if the Rangers add Zito and nothing else to their rotation, I don’t think they’re much better off than just resigning Padilla.
2. Tough one. I’d probably take…whichever one I could get on a one year commitment. If you could get either one, probably Piazza.
3. Zito, definitely.
4. Padilla, definitely.
5. I wish we could get in on Manny, but it looks like that fell apart. I’ll just leave it up to Daniels, in that case.
1) Even if they are serious I doubt he is seriously considering going there… just testing the market
2) Piazza
3) ZITO, umm did that really have to be asked?
4) Batista
5) Get Delluci back, whatever the cost
1. Yes, the Rangers are serious about signing Barry. This would be a good move for both parties because he pitches so well in Arlington.
2. Get Piazza as DH and to spell Laird. Forget Lofton, go after Jay Payton. He hits well at Ameriquest, will not cost a draft pick, and signing him will weaken a division opponent.
3. Zito fits here better.
4. Padilla thrives in the heat here. Daniels should do what it takes to keep him.
5. Now that Delucci has signed with the Tribe, Jason Michaels should be available for a very reasonable trade. Rudy and the friendly confines of Ameriquest would quickly return him to his .300+ form. We would have the outfield depth we need to contend.
1. Very serious. Now the question becomes is Boras and Zito serious. In the end, I don’t think they are. Wash is the wildcard in this whole scenario but I don’t think enough to persuade Zito.
2. Piazza is the better bat but Lofton seems to be a good luck charm for getting into the playoffs. If a better option is not found in CF, Lofton is a better choice based on needs. Piazza, however, provides great protection for Tex.
3. Definitely Zito.
4. Give me Padilla.
5. Vernon Wells for Tex. May need to involve Miguel Tejada as part of a three way to make this happen. I know Wells is a free agent next year, but I don’t think Tex will sign long term here. By getting Wells, you can lock him up long term, fill the CF hole for years, and lock up your SS long term.
I would love it if we signed three starters:
Zito
Padilla
Batista
Sign Lofton for 1 year.
Sign Piazza for DH.
All of this exceeds the latest proposed budget number but Zito qualifies as “player specific” under Hicks’ lingo which justifies exceeding budget in his weird way of thinking.
The truth is, if we have a starting rotation of Millwood, Zito, Padilla, Tejada, Batista along with our bullpen we will be in it all the way and revenue will meet expenditures.
1/ yes I think the Rangers are very serious about Zito but I’m not so sure about Zito being serious in coming here. We’ll probably know soon after the winter meetings if we have signed him.
2/We need both CF and DH but what about Botts? If we sign Piazza I think Botts and maybe Wilkerson are trade bait.
3/ Zito number 1 and if we don’t get him go for Lilly.
4/ sign both, I like Padilla and they say Batista can come out of the bullpen as well as start.. thats always nice to have.
5/ Do NOT trade for Well’s he’s a free agent next year go for him then.(if we can afford him) Do NOT trade Tejada. I think he will be a lot better this year with the experience he had last year.
If the Rangers sign Zito and Padilla I don’t think the Rangers need to trade anything for anyone.
6) Trade with the Royals for Luke Hudson and David DeJesus in exchange for Joaquin Arias and Frankie Francisco.
1. I think the Rangers are serious – I think Scott Boras is serious about using whatever the Rangers offer Barry to use a leverage with other teams who are interested in Zito – however, I don’t think Barry Zito is interested in pitching for the Rangers.
2. Kenny Lofton – he’ll fill a need for a year in CF and his experience can’t hurt in the clubhouse – he won’t be that expensive. Why waste the money the Rangers need for pitching on Piazza? Put Jason Botts at DH.
3. Barry Zito but he’s not coming to Arlington, neither is Ted Lily for the matter.
4. Vicente Padilla or Miguel Batista – how about both? Millwood, Padilla, Tejeda, Batista and a rotation of the young arms at #5 – is solid. If 2 of the young arms turn out to better than expected, you can put Batista in the bullpen.
5. How about trading in Channel 27 for a better station for the games that you don’t need cable or sattelite to see – and throw in a pre-game show for cryin’ out loud. It’s shameful that a major league baseball team located in one of the top ten television markets in the US broacasts doesn’t have a pre-game show before every game.
1. They are definitely serious about trying to sign Zito. But when you’re competing against both New York teams and West Coast teams, signing him becomes a whole lot more difficult.
2.Even though having Freddy Guzman starting at center sounds alarming, Teixeira’s numbers before acquiring Carlos Lee were even more. Tex needs a power hitter behind him in the lineup. Give me Piazza.
3.Better overpay for a very good pitcher than for an average one. Go with Zito.
4.Padilla was very good for us last year. But I’ll take Batista in this one. Batista is a groundball pitcher who has the ability to pitch out of the bullpen as well. He pitched in the best homerun park in the majors last year and his ERA was similar to Padilla’s.
5.There isn’t much out there. Maybe Teixeira and CJ Wilson to the Giants for Matt Cain, Noah Lowry, and Randy Winn. The Giants probably wouldn’t do it but trading for Winn might not be a bad idea.
All I’m hoping is that Daniels doesn’t get swindled like last year in the Soriano trade. Outsmarted by a man who couldn’t even pull the trigger at the trading deadline with Soriano.
1. Call me optimistic but if i were a betting man id say zito signs with the rangers. In the end i think the mets will look else where and make a trade instead of throw money at zito plus i think the mets dont feel they have to make a big signing after retaining glavin. The rangers have to make a big move. No other team has shown serious signs of trying to sign zito.
2. Piazza is the guy i felt the rangers would sign all offseason. He makes 2 much sense for us. He would be a huge bat in the middle of the order and a backup catcher if we needed it.
3. Zito is by far the better choice. Zito has been a proven winner here in texas and is mr. consistent. He also has no injury concerns.
4. Im not a Padilla fan but i would still take him over batista.
5. Don’t be surprised if the Rangers make a trade with the White Sox. The Rangers will probably try and convince the White Sox to trade Jon Garland but in the end will settle for a trade for Freddy Garcia. We will probably have to give up Masset and a couple more prospects.
1. Yes I think the Rangers are serious about Barry but will they have the Cajones to make the big offer…I just don’t have any confidence that Cheap Tom will pony up that kind of loot.
2. Piazza has an upside. He could be the backup catcher. I think we’ve got a center fielder somewhere…maybe Diaz (A Grayson County College kid!)
3. duh? Zito
4. duh? Padilla…look at Bautista over the last two years.
5.Masset and Diamond for a #2 or 3 starter (Garland?)
1. Yes.
2. Lofton.
3. Zito
4. Padilla
5. Look in to trading for Manny but in the end we won’t make a trade.
The Rangers may be very serious about signing Zito, but I moved out to the Bay Area from Dallas 18 months ago and I can tell you that for more than a year all the talk has been that Barry Zito wants to go to L.A. or N.Y. PERIOD. I won’t believe the Rangers have a chance to sign Zito until he’s sitting down in front of a contract with pen in hand. Until then, Zito might as well be wearing a Dodgers or Mets uniform.
1)It doesn’t matter whether I or anyone else thinks the Rangers are serious about signing Barry Zito–they MUST and SHOULD.
2)Piazza. He brings some pop lost with Lee, DeRosa, Matthews gone. Speed can be furnished by Guzman in center.
3)Zito. Period.
4)Padilla–he’s a power pitcher who doesn’t wilt in the heat, make excuses or seems frail. He pitched successfully here and likely wants to be here. Mark Connor has a history with him as well.
5)We’ve depleted so many position players through free agency, I can’t think of anyone I’d trade of value. I suppose I’d trade Brad Wilkerson for most anyone, as well as Joaquin Benoit. Both disappoint me greatly and I don’t feel can be relied upon. Why not put Wilkerson, Benoit, Mahay, and Arias in a package and try to get someone who can play centerfield? We need Michael Young at shortstop, period. So why not sign Young to a long-term contract NOW and trade Arias while his trade value is highest? Kinsler and Young are set at the keystone positions for a long while.
1. Yes; however, is Zito really interested in Texas or is he using Texas to leverage the Mets?
2. Mike Piazza. We need some protection for Texeira. Tex seemed to do better after Carlos Lee arrived. I would sign Lofton only at bargain basement prices. Would he be any better than what we already have?
3. Zito is by far the superior option. However, if we sign just Zito, who is the no. 3 and no. 4 starter. Maybe a package of Padilla and Lilly would be better. Ultimately I would like to see both Zito and Padilla in the rotation.
4. Padilla. He has moxie.
5. Send Joaquin Arias and C.J. Wilson to Detroit for Zach Miner and Wilfredo Ledezma.
1. Yes; however, is Zito really interested in Texas or is he using Texas to leverage the Mets?
2. Mike Piazza. We need some protection for Texeira. Tex seemed to do better after Carlos Lee arrived. I would sign Lofton only at bargain basement prices. Would he be any better than what we already have?
3. Zito is by far the superior option. However, if we sign just Zito, who is the no. 3 and no. 4 starter. Maybe a package of Padilla and Lilly would be better. Ultimately I would like to see both Zito and Padilla in the rotation.
4. Padilla. He has moxie.
5. Send Joaquin Arias and C.J. Wilson to Detroit for Zach Miner and Wilfredo Ledezma.
1. Yes, I think they are serious and I also think the Rangers will make a very substantial offer along the lines of 6 years 96 million dollars. Nevertheless, I think Texas in the end is just being used to raise the price for LA or NY.
2. Piazza. I would rather play Guzman in CF and have the flexibility to play Piazza at DH/C/1B and give him about 350-400 ABs.
3. Zito
4. Padilla
5. Otsuka, Wilkerson, and Masset for Tim Hudson.
1. Yes. The highest they should go is 6 years 90 million with the 6th year gauranteed only if he Zito reaches a certian number of wins and innings.
2. Niether
3. Zito
4. Niether
5. Tiexiera and Otsuka to the Yankees for Giambi, Melky Cabrara, Philip Hughes and a reliever.
Yankees would dump Giambi’s contract, receive a better bat and a reliable set-up man.
Rangers would get a Giambi’s bat which is perfect for ameriquest and a young cheap almost major league ready starter with the potential to be an ace.
1-Yes. Just as they were about Matsuzaka. Which makes the point that no matter how serious they are, they may not wind up having him inked.
2-Lofton. But again, this all depends on what the Rangers want to do with Botts. If they have determined he would play no part of next year’s team, then you need both Lofton and Piazza. Not my call but I would use Botts. But it does not look JD’s taking that route.
3-Zito, no brainer on this one. The answer would be different if the alternative to Zito was Andy Pettitte.
4-Again, no brainer, I’d take Padilla. Batista is getting old, and while he can pitch in a number of situations, and will be cheaper than Pads, Padilla is a much better pitcher…those two should not be considered on the same level. Both could be acquired eventually. Padilla as a starter, and Battista as a useful swingman,should JD trade some of our relievers.
5-Trying to make it fair for both parties:
Arias, Mayberry, Masset/Rupe/or Littleton for Westbrook.
Wilkerson, Aki and Mahay for Manny Ramirez.
1. I think the Rangers are serious, but I do not think that Zito and Boras are serious. It happens every year. I get my hopes up about signing a premier free agent, then it ends up that they just used the Rangers to get a better contract somewhere else. Zito is THE free agent the Rangers need to sign.
2. Mike Piazza. We need another bat in the lineup to protect Tex.
3. Zito.
4. Padilla. He was the Rangers best starter last year and has shown that he can pitch in Arlington.
5. I would trade for Vernon Wells now only under the condition that the Rangers extend his contract for at least 3 more years. Joaquin Arias, Josh Rupe, Jason Botts, and maybe Frankie Francisco might do the trick. What do you think?
1. yes, but doubt it will happen.
2.Piazza, For CF use Wilkerson and Guzman for one year and get Wells next year.
3. When you don’t get Zito make sure you get Lilly.
4. Padilla.
5. trade Koronka and Rhinecker for Mark Redman(11-10 @ KC) for #4 SP.
1.Lets see.. Zito had dinner on a cold and icy night in Texas with Tom and John.. Yeah I’d say they are pretty serious about getting him. I think the Rangers will get in a bidding war and they’re dying need for pitching will land them Zito
2. Piazza.. I agree that he makes alot of sense for us. We are going to lose Barajas and Piazza could potentially be the 06′ Frank Thomas
3. Zito without a doubt.. Great lefty with a great ERA in Arlington.. Enough said there
4. Padilla but I doubt they will sign either because Padilla wants a 4 year deal
5. I would trade for Tim Hudson.. I would part with Masset, Arias, and Rupe for Hudson. Alot of young talent I know but you could also land another AA talent in the deal
A lot of people on this board sure are anxious to give up Nick Masset. From what I hear about him, if I was GM of this team, he wouldn’t be going anywhere, certainly for broken down arms like
Tim Hudson.
For everyone who wants to trade Masset… Check out his numbers in winter ball – throw in the fact that he throws 95 and at least four pitches for strikes. He is the number two pitching prospect in the system right now.
1. They’re serious. I hope Tom wants Zito as bad as I do.
2. Neither, we don’t need big bats or old lead off hitters we need pitching. Fill these needs from within or a trade.
3. Zito.
4. We got Padilla, Bautista at the right price would be nice.
5. Jaquin Arias and Edinson Volquez for Vernon Wells, contingent on us being able to sign to him to an extension. What ever you do here, never trade for someone who strikes out more than 100 times a season. Wells had a career high of 90 last year.