Winter Meetings Day 3

Uncertainty, Uncertainty, Uncertainty

         The sun is setting on the winter meetings In Nashville only to witness a dud firework. The only real changes to the Rangers so far has been Napoli leaving to Boston for three years 39 million, Soria signing a two year deal, and Soto is coming back for one more. That is it. All we have are some intriguing, mouth watering rumors, but nothing has yet to take place. The Rangers strategy is clear, sign an all-star pitcher and corner outfielder. That is easier said then done, but the Rangers have the assets and will to do both.

Rangers lead the negotiations for Greinke and Hamilton

          All the dominoes and pieces of the puzzle can't fall into place until these two sign. Top free agent pitchers and batters are handicapped by their contracts so they can get an idea of what their market value is. From what I have read Grienke is looking for a Sabbathia like deal that at the time he signed was seven years 161 million. Grienke is looking around the 160 million dollar range and the only team that will offer him that is the monopoly money Dodgers. If his asking price drops to about five years 125 million dollars expect the Rangers to make an offer. If that does not occur the Rangers will sign Hamilton for about four years 100 million and a club option for five. The biggest aspect to take away is that Texas will end up with one of these two top twenty-five players. Will Texas stretch their budget enough to sign both? Texas does have enough money coming in based on their new TV deal and an owner that is willing to spend. There is too much risk involved for me to see Daniels signing both. I think Texas will go after Greinke first and if he chooses to go with the Dodgers then Hamilton will be back as a Ranger. If Greinke signs Daniels will get creative and make a trade for a corner outfielder that can smash. He will weasel his way to make a three team deal, get Upton by trading Olt, Perez and some other pieces so a top young short stop can go to Arizona. Profar or Andrus wont, and should not be going anywhere. If Hamilton signs it will be the other way around. Texas will trade for one of the great young Rays pitchers like Hellickson or try to get Matt Garza from the Cubs. Regardless, of what option the Rangers will be a better team than last year. As a fan, the situation that you like the most depends on how you feel about Hamilton. A rotation of Greinke, Darvish, Harrison, Ogando, and Holland would be the best in baseball. Texas is also going to get mid season returns of the Colbra and Feliz. I would love for Hamilton to be back, but I would rather see the team get better and I think adding Greinke just does that.

WWMYD (what would Michael Young do?)

          Another offseason another round of drama about what to do with the face of the franchise, Michael Young. As a disclaimer, I love Michael Young, he has been my favorite player since middle school, but he just does not produce at the level he has in the past. He can not field and he can not hit right handed pitching. He is nothing more than a situational player. If he is used in the right situation he would have value, but it would be in limited at bats. Also it is impossible to trust Washington to put him in a situation where he can exceed. Washington will keep playing Young everyday and watch hard hit ground ball after ground ball get hit right past him. The Yankees have a whole at third base with A-Rod out, but the rumor is the Phillies are the team that is in on him. It all comes down to Young choosing between staying in Texas or waiving his no-trade clause and getting the playing time he craves in Philadelphia. If Young leaves Profar will finally get his chance (I am not including Olt because I feel he is going to be gone) which he should. He is only 19, but he is major league ready. An infield with Beltre, Andrus, and Profar would be a Mozart led symphony of beautiful defensive baseball. Washington seems to notice as well and is looking forward to giving Profar playing time and go against his ways of playing veterans over younger guys. Every Rangers fan loves Michael Young and his 1085 runs, 2230 hits, 415 doubles, 177 home runs, and career .301 batting average. All of us that are in their twenties grew up watching him play and he is the last link left between the mediocre teams of the 2000s. The whole point of the offseason is to get the team better and trading Young, to get Profar playing time, does just that. Michael Young will be missed, but, sometimes that's the way baseball goes.

          I never in my entire life would I think the Texas Rangers would hold the burner of the hot stove in their hand, but that is exactly what is occurring. Every team, every free agent is waiting for them to make their decisions on who to sign. They have the entire major leagues handcuffed to the bed like George Costanza, but let's just hope Texas gets something better than a crappy suit and eight dollars. Until Greinke and Hamilton put the pen to the paper the offseason is going to stay constipated. Whatever happens I believe Texas will be a better team at the end of it and will be ready to contend for a title in 2013.