A few items of note out of the AL West, where the Rangers held a 4.5-game lead over the second-place Halos entering Tuesday night's action …
- Angels GM Jerry Dipoto doesn't expect his club to be busy at the trade deadline, writes Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The lineup and bullpen, in particular, seem to be pretty set, and though Dipoto hinted that he'd like to improve the rotation, he said it won't be easy to do so. Owner Arte Moreno isn't inclined to increase the team's $151MM payroll, according to Saxon, especially after last offseason's spending spree.
- Despite a rash of injuries to the starting rotation, Rangers GM Jon Daniels doesn't plan to be any more aggressive in seeking starting pitchers at the trade deadline, tweets Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, as Texas' disabled hurlers are all expected back shortly after the All-Star break. Said Daniels: "The group we're going to get back is probably more impactful than anybody we can go get out there," according to Anthony Andro of FOXSportsSouthwest.com (via Twitter).
- However, the Rangers could be in the mix for Brewers starter Zack Greinke, speculates Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com (Twitter link), as they were a finalist for the right-hander when the Royals traded him to Milwaukee following the 2010 season. It remains to be seen whether the Brewers will re-sign Greinke or deal him before the deadline.
Redsox7
If Grienke had AL east experience I would hope the sox would get him but Marcum and Garza do but Garza would cost alot
Melvin McMurf
isnt arte getting a 150 mill a year from fox?? spend it now before everyone else gets a new tv contract
Bennie
Greinke only had one year in the AL where he looked like an ace. Other than that his best ERA was almost 3.50. The Rangers don’t need to trade for Greinke.
Colin Christopher
So you’re saying the Rangers only need aces? That’s not how most rotations are built. Before this year, Colby Lewis hadn’t had an ERA below 3.72, but he’s done quite well for the Rangers and they seem to want him. In the years you mentioned, when Greinke had ERAs in the AL of 3.69 and 3.47, he was about half a run below the league average ERA. I guess what I’m asking is this: What is it about Greinke that makes you think the Rangers don’t need him, especially now that Colby Lewis is on the DL?
KyleB
Do the Rangers “need” him? No. Could they use him? Sure, who couldn’t? After the AS break Texas will have Harrison, Darvish, Oswalt, Holland, and Lewis in the rotation. That’s with Feliz, Ogando, Adams, Nathan, Uehara, Ross, Feldman, etc…all in the bullpen.
The thing is that Wash, JD, and Nolan are all very loyal to their guys. If Greinke became a Ranger, who goes to the ‘pen? Darvish is a starter. Lewis has been one of the best pitchers in the postseason the past 2 years. Harrison has been one of our best starters. Oswalt didn’t come to Texas to sit in the ‘pen. Holland is really a starter, but if he can’t get it together when he gets back I feel like he’s the odd man out…and should be. The best pitchers need to start, but Wash will not send Derek to the ‘pen unless he has no other choice. Then imagine the logjam that creates in the postseason (assuming they make it, of course).
CommissionerBart
Would Greinke want to pitch in Texas, whether for the rest of the year or re-signing? I’m not so sure….
KyleB
Texas was one of the teams he was willing to go to when he was made available by the Royals.
MadmanTX 2
Greinke has social anxiety disorder, so pitching in a smaller market would benefit him. Arlington might work for him, but I’d rather pry Porcello away from the Tigers.
KyleB
What about Porcello makes you want him over Greinke? Aside from the S.A.D.
chicothekid
The Rangers with Greinke would be pretty formidable come playoff time. I’m not a Rangers fan, but that’s a pretty scary team.
KyleB
I think they’re already formidable, but yes, Greinke might help.
Fan_in_the_Cliff
The problem with Greinke to the Rangers is that the Brewers would likely want Profar… I am not wanting to see the Rangers move him in any deal short of Clayton Kershawn (ie not happening).
Olt, Ramirez and Sardinas?
KyleB
The Rangers would never offer Profar for Greinke. They’ve already said he’s off limits in trades. There are only a few people they would trade him for and the most likely one is wasting his career away on the upper west coast.
p_phelps09
I cant imagine the rangers giveing up profar or olt for anyone with a one yr left. The only way they move one is for a young and controllable guy that has had production.
And only people like that who maybe on the move is CarGo and King Felix.
GhostOfChanHo
Whats the contract situation for 2013? I know Holland just signed a multi year deal and of course Darvish is here for years to come. Colby is free.. Oswalt is 2 years? Why bring Greinke unless expectations to keep for 2013 and beyond?