Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus will be able to opt out of his contract next offseason, which would mean leaving a guaranteed four years and $58MM on the table. The Rangers are bracing for that to happen, though general manager Jon Daniels has had brief talks regarding an opt-out-preventing deal with Andrus’ agent, Scott Boras, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. For his part, the 29-year-old Andrus told Wilson and other reporters that he doesn’t view the upcoming season “as a free-agent [year],” and that he’d like to stay with Texas for the rest of his career. Andrus has been a member of the Rangers organization since coming over in a blockbuster trade with the Braves in 2007. He’s currently fresh off arguably his top season, in which he posted a career-best 4.1 fWAR – thanks in part to a personal-high home run total (20; Andrus entered the year with just 35 from 2009-16).
More from Arlington:
- For a large portion of his career, Andrus has been teammates with right-hander Yu Darvish, who ranks as this offseason’s most prominent free agent. While the Rangers and Darvish would like to reunite, it doesn’t sound as if it’s going to happen. When discussing the 31-year-old with MLB Network Radio on Friday (Twitter link), Daniels said that the Rangers “have maintained contact with Darvish,” but “it’s very unlikely” they’ll sign “any upper-end pitchers.” At the very least, that would seem to rule out Darvish and Jake Arrieta, while Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn could also be too expensive for a team with limited financial wiggle room. The Rangers are reportedly aiming to spend around $155MM in 2018, and they already have approximately $144MM in commitments.
- The Rangers have also shown interest this offseason in outfielders – including their own free agent, Carlos Gomez, and newly signed Brewer Lorenzo Cain – but Daniels seems content to stick with his in-house options. Texas “talked about Cain” before he went to Milwaukee, Daniels acknowledged to MLB Network Radio, but “it’s not likely at this point” the team will pick up a veteran outfielder. The Rangers are bullish on Drew Robinson, according to Daniels, who’d like to give chances to him and fellow young outfielders Delino DeShields, Nomar Mazara and Willie Calhoun. As far as playing time goes, adding a vet to put ahead of those four “would be a little counterproductive,” Daniels noted.
- Texas already has a highly experienced outfielder in Shin-Soo Choo, who Daniels suggested will see plenty of time at designated hitter this season. That was the case in 2017, when Choo appeared in 75 games in the outfield and 65 at DH. Metrics have pegged Choo as a minus defender for most of his career, which doesn’t figure to change during a year in which he’ll turn 36, but he’d still like to factor into the outfield mix. “I’m healthy, my legs feel good, I can play the outfield,” he said (via T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com). “I can still catch a fly ball. I can play the field and help this team.” Choo added that he’ll discuss his role with manager Jeff Banister in spring training.
lilpartialbaldo
Disastrous offseason so far….
niedenfuer92
It’s been bad for baseball IMO
hiflew
It hasn’t been bad for baseball. It has just been boring for the people that don’t realize it is called the OFF season. Baseball hasn’t skipped a beat because no games have been played. Now if the season starts with all of these players unsigned, THEN you have a problem. This is all much ado about nothing so far.
greatdaysport
Not for the Angels
timyanks
nothing to worry about, vince mcmahon will start a new league of free agents
madmanTX
Because they got Ohtani and his damaged arm?
jdgoat
I’m pretty sure it’s not serious. And they also got Cozart pretty cheap and brought back Upton
ATL_ranger
And picked up kinsler too. They’re gonna be scary this year
Justin Allen
damnit Daniels, get the deal done with Darvish
RyanR
Yes, figure it out J.D.
woolcorp
Fire Jon Daniels!
mdwilson74
It’s not Jon Daniels fault if ownership won’t let him spend money. They’ve put him in a tough spot by not letting him spend money or rebuild. It’s a very high wire he has to walk and not many can do it as well as he does.
CursedRangers
The Rangers upper tier of their minor league system is fairly barren due to their World Series runs. Then they are stuck with Choo’s & Fielders’s contract for a few more years. So they are going to be in a weird spot for at least a couple of years.
jb19
Weird spot = basement dwellers for 3-5 years. Starting this year. Beltre traded at the deadline. Worst rotation in the AL.
wiggysf
Them or the orioles.
CursedRangers
Yep, the Rangers will likely be landing some high draft spots over the next couple of years. The weird spot comment is that they can’t do much about it. No strong wave of talent on the horizon, and they have some absurd contracts on the books. The new stadium will bring some excitement, but I see their rebuild being like the Braves (minus the cheating).
Daniel Youngblood
It is Daniels’ fault for knowing that ownership won’t let him spend money and playing this half-in, half-out game that he has so far. If the Rangers aren’t going to try to compete, and they can’t without adding a No. 3 or better starting pitcher, then trade Beltre and Hamels for prospects, dump what you can of Choo’s salary and start rebuilding the farm system. But going into the season with a 75-win team and trying to convince fans that it’s something more than that is absurd.
I’ve been a massive Jon Daniels defender over the years, but he’s starting to lose me as a fan. The disastrous Fielder trade and Choo signing set this organization on a course for mediocrity, and he’s shown no ability since to course correct.
CursedRangers
I also have a raised eyebrow towards Banister. Players that come to Texas regress. Then players that are traded/go to another team see their stock rise. Something seems amiss with his managerial style.
ATL_ranger
I disagree, Carlos Gomez pretty much turned his career around playing for Banny
RyanR
I disagree as well. Some players leave and really are the same player skill wise. They just get more attention on other teams with the national media.
22222pete
Doubtful Andrus opts out in this environment, although who knows with Boras. He has had a couple of nice years though. But Manny will be on the market so he wont be the top SS available
CursedRangers
With Boras as his agent, Andrus will opt-out. Unless he is signed to a ludicrous extension.
jb19
Andrus will be able to lock in more than $14.5MM/year for 4 years as a FA when hes 30 next year. As opposed to locking in more value when he’s 34 (and a FA). If he puts up another season like he did in 2017, I’m sure he opts out.
Joeypower
So big sexy is with the rangers!!
Ryan Tanana
Someone sign Bart
Alex Graboyes
They really should try to start winning again. Make trades. You have a semi deep system. Hard to tear shop down when you all already have such a young team
charles stevens
I hope Andrus has a big year and gets a big deal somewhere else. This team needs to lose salary obligations and let the farm catch up.
timyanks
carlis gomez is no longer “their own” free agent.
RockHard
Daniels knows even with Darvish the next 2-3 they have no realistic shot at the division so he is keeping the powder dry.. nothing wrong with that. This team needs Mazara to take a big step forward this year and for Odor to look like a competent player again to have hope moving forward.. The bullpen has quite a bit of talent, rotation needs a complete overhaul
ATL_ranger
Exactly. I think this year and how some of the younger guys play really determines whether the next 5 years is gonna be a rebuild or going all in again
houbbcapitaloftx
I love watching the Rangers set them self up for a bad year… or 5.
CursedRangers
Houbb – pretty similar to what Houston did for a few years. That turned out pretty well for the Astros.
Bravesbutt
I disagree Choo is a graceful, reliable and consistent fielder. He looks like a spry gymnast out in the field. His leaping ability is amazing.
astros_fan_84
Rangers probably won’t tank while the new stadium is being built. They also reluctant to trade Hamels and Beltre. I think they want Beltre for the rest of his career, so that he’ll wear a Rangers cap in Cooperstown. That’s a good branding move, but it’s not a sound baseball move.
ATL_ranger
Tough spot for JD right now. I believe they’re a couple of solid rotation pieces away from being a serious contender, but if ownership won’t let you spend for them… also it’s gonna be near impossible to compete in the same division with the Stros and the newly-improved Angels for the next several years