6:17pm: Similarly to Weaver, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, tweets that Texas is “not actively engaged” on Donaldson and isn’t inclined to push a potential bid to four years.
It’s not clear what type of offer the Texas organization is willing to put forth, but Grant writes in a full column that Donaldson already has at least one three-year offer in hand from another club. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, meanwhile, tweets that “multiple” clubs are willing to push to a fourth year to land Donaldson. That aligns with previous reports on Donaldson’s earning power, although any and all talk about him reaching four years has been nebulous to this point. And given the fairly limited number of teams reported to be serious players for Donaldson’s services, a four-year guarantee perhaps shouldn’t be a full-on expectation.
Other clubs that have been linked to Donaldson include the Dodgers, Nationals, Twins and Braves, although bringing Donaldson back into the fold would utterly shatter Atlanta’s current record payroll. The Nationals and Dodgers both just missed out on Rendon, while the Twins still have plenty of payroll space but have also been in active pursuit of rotation upgrades.
11:45am: President of baseball operations Jon Daniels addressed the topic of third base today, as Jeff Wilson of the Forth Worth Star Telegram reports (Twitter links). Daniels acknowledged that “it sucks” to have missed on Rendon.
Looking forward, Daniels offered a possible acknowledgement that the organization isn’t simply checking down to Donaldson — though that’s only one possible interpretation. “I wouldn’t assume that we necessarily view the options exactly as they are portrayed publicly,” he said.
11:03am: The Rangers are believed to be exiting the hunt for Josh Donaldson, according to Levi Weaver of The Athletic (via Twitter). Indication is that the club isn’t willing to keep pace with the bidding and is “likely out” on Donaldson.
It seems there’s ongoing action in the third base market even as the Winter Meetings draw to a close. Anthony Rendon signed last night, spurning the Rangers and other pursuers to go to the Angels. Now, the club’s top alternative seems destined to move along.
Donaldson, who just turned 34, has drawn many of the same suitors as did Rendon, along with a few additional interested teams. He has long been expected to receive a big annual salary over at least three guaranteed seasons, with the major question being whether or not he can secure a fourth.
cool
Good decision. It’s dumb to overpaid. That is the reason why I like the Rangers, they are a smart team. We must know what is best for the team.
I agree. These teams that go out and overpay all of these players never get anywhere. Get cheaper players and keep building like they have been
Rangers are pretty well buried in this division unless they make aggressive moves. Not saying Donaldson is the answer per se but theyve got to keep up with Joneses a lil.
Yep. All those division and playoff wins show how good they are st decision making.
Just another mediocre DFW team.
Oooooh……Hahahaha!
FAX
Mediocre like your screen name
Not necessarily overpaying if it allows you to keep your top prospects. There is a point obviously when it becomes too much which is why the Braves have passed on most players beyond 1-2 years.
This is a team that’s still paying Prince Fielder…
Man….if only they somehow had a crystal ball and could have known that his neck would end his career…
Make sure you comment on all Tiger threads that they have been paying $6 million yearly to help support Prince as well.
Oh yeah sorry for posting an accurate statement responding to someone saying that the Rangers are a smartly run team after being bottom feeders in the division for the last 3 years largely due to stupid decisions they’ve made. Choo contract, Odor contract, Fielder trade, Elvis contract etc.. Obviously there’s been some good in all that too but if you’re honestly gonna sit there and defend the end product and say this is an efficiently run organization and you’re perfectly fine with being a trash can then you’re a moron.
It’s done.
In fairness to GeauxRangers, you didn’t need a crystal ball to look at Prince and question if his body would hold up. That’s why he was such a tragically late signing that year. Boras Fed Texas a line, and they bought it.
What does boras have to do with the trade?
He was a work horse with no career injury history…until he wasn’t.
No, insurance is paying Prince Fielder.
It’s dumb to overpaid? Is that some Texan English?
Not sure you can say it is dumb to overpay. Maybe it is dumb for the Rangers. But the recent history of the game suggests overpaying is part of the risk you take if you think you are in a position to win it all.
Royals – cheap. Got it done.
Cubs – built a core via the draft and some trades for potential. Then they gave Lester his big pay day, overpaid for Heyward and levered a big “overpay” trade to win.
Astros – All you have to do is look at 3 of the Tigers top 10 prospects to know part of how they got over the hump. They “overpaid”
Boston – Sale, Price, etc. Overpaid in trades and free agency. And won it all.
Nats – The oldest roster in baseball. Built in decent part on some “overpays”.
Seems the history of the game advises when you really hit a competitive window “overpaying” is part of the formula.
Are the Rangers really close? Probably not.
My money is on the Yankees next year unless the Dodgers or some other door knocking team does an overpay themselves.
Overpay is the wrong word. We prefer saying “go for the gusto.” The Rangers haven’t ever won because they haven’t gone for the gusto when their window opened. It doesn’t necessarily have to money, the cost could be prospects and they still haven’t done it. Heck, last year they had a smasher masher squad that could’ve got that second wild card if they had been willing to eat the Grienke contract and pay up prospects for Boyd and Kluber.
So smart they haven’t won a World Series EVER
To be fair they had a very impressive team in 2011. I remember how good that lineup was
@francys08
Isn’t safer to wait and see what he signs for before saying the Rangers were smart to pass? Let’s see what they do with that money. They need pitching too.
Well, c’mon AA. Get it done at this point.
I’d be ok with AA overpaying for 2-3 years of Donaldson. Braves need that big bat kind of like the old days with McGriff (who should be in the HOF, and Dale Murphy too).
agreed!
Not signing Donaldson is a good move for the Rangers. If they want a 3B, they should be looking at what they need to give up for Arenado. He’s signed long term (unlike Bryant) and is a good player to build with.
Arenado is only under team control for 2 years. He can opt out after 2021. Not exactly long term either.
and those 2 years are at 35MM per. Whew!
Does anyone believe Arenado is opting out of that contract?
Did anyone think Stras was opting out 365 days ago?
He’d be 30 in 2 years right? if he keeps the same production then he’d be a fool not to. he’d get more than Rendon just got
Arenado is only under team control for 2 years until he can opt out. So he isn’t necessarily long term either.
Arenado is a good player but how good is he really away from Coors ? His lifetime OPS outside of Coors is around .825. Is that worth $35 million per anywhere else but Denver ? Is he really one of the top players in all of baseball ??
Yeah. Last offseason I would’ve said there’s no way in hell that Arenado would use his opt out. But at this point, the odds are significantly higher. The deals for most of these guys have went higher than expected.
Arenado is flat-out amazing on defense. That has nothing to do with Coors. There is more to baseball than just hitting home runs.
True on the defense, but if he hits .275 and makes 5 sportscenter worthy plays is he really worth $35 million? Especially when considering that you have to give up prospects (Jung + 2 more at least) plus pay him $70 million?
Arenado has a full no trade clause.
trade for Miguel Andújar more realistic
That’s another, better option instead of signing Donaldson. The Rangers aren’t ready to be serious, so they need younger, long term players.
Andujar is a 3rd baseman in name only. It’s a new park, they shouldn’t be out on Donnaldson.
I agree Mac. I hate to break it to most of the guys on here who already bought “Yankees World Series Champs 2020” shirts on eBay, but winning isnt everything to teams. Getting butts in seats is…and you need a nice momentum push for Ranger fans to celebrate at the new ballpark.
Isn’t Andjuar awful in the field?
he’s played 1 full mlb season in the field, has great arm & if you believe in the ability to improve it shouldn’t be a problem with defensive coaching
Andujar has a good arm but a bad glove/range and after having season ending shoulder surgery last season, who knows how well his arm will rebound. He’s a candidate to move to 1st base or DH, provided that he wasn’t a ‘one hit wonder’ in 2018. I don’t see teams paying a ton for Andujar (in prospects) given that he’s had only one above average year at the plate and missed nearly the entire season last year with a significant injury. There is just as much risk in trading for Andujar as there is upside. It might be better for the Yankees to hold onto him one more year to rebuild the value he had after the 2018 season.
So was adrian beltre his first year. There is no reason andujar cant be at least adaquate defensively.
That being said, what would the yankees even want from texas that makes any sense?
To suggest the Rangers have nothing the Yanks might want is foolish at best.
I’m sure the Yankees would want Leclerc or Mike Minor.
joe palumbo or emmanuel clase
Wade Boggs wasn’t a good third baseman initially. Improvements can be made.
You’re wrong about Beltre. His first year he was 14.4 in DRS. Andujar was -25.
Boggs was always a good defensive 3rd baseman. You need to look at fangraphs.
@jbigz12
Not to poo poo either player but the Yanks are kind of ok in both the rotation (Cole/Sev/Pax/Tanaka/German/Happ/Montgomery and bullpen (Chap/Green/Ottavino/Britton/Kahnle/Cessa/Holder.
I would think the Rangers would want to hold on to Minor, at least.
Texas can have Lowrie from the Mets for free lol
They could probably have Cano, Lowrie and Familia from the Mets for free…and perhaps even be paid with a nice piece to take them off their hands.
I really thought they were going to make a couple of big pickups. In a division with Astros, A’s, and the LAA offense, they are playing for 4th place.
Most likely they were going to finish there anyway because the Rangers need a lot to catch up with the A’s and Astros.. They are better off getting the right, long term additions. Donaldson would just be a short term park attraction to pacify finishing in 4th.
The word free came up so the Marlins fan had to speak up.
They can still get just as good a bat with Castellanos. They obviously are determined to spend some money, hes next in line and would still be good as good in 2-3 years when they might actually be good enough to draw some top FAs again.
But he is so bad in the OF and there is no spot for him with Calhoun and Gallo manning the corners.
He wasn’t that bad at all from what I saw at Wrigley. He must have really stunk it up in Detroit.
4 years of Donaldson is too much for most teams. A team like the Braves and Nats can overpay because they’re already playoff caliber teams and this move just pushes that needle a little more. Overpay down the road to help ensure playoff success now.
Exactly.
$18 for Hamels was proof enough that the Braves were all in. Donaldson looks like theirs to lose at this point.
AA didnt just pay $18 million because he is generous. He paid that much so he wouldn’t have to commit more years. You have to pay more to have less commitment, and you don’t get less commitment than 1 year. The price tag is inflated because you are paying for the low risk aspect of that contract.
So their goal all along thus far for a new stadium was never really to attract pivotal big-named free agents as speculated, just to provide the option of a ballgame under a roof with air-conditioning when needed?! Well one thing’s clear, Jon Daniels would’ve made one hell of a bandit way back when, in the olden days. LMAO
It’s not Jon Daniels. Actually, Ranger fans have Nolan Ryan to thank for this. He’s the one who convinced Ray Davis and Bob Simpson to buy the team. They are 2 of the cheapest billionaires on the planet. They obviously don’t care about the team winning or losing. The Rangers would’ve been much better off with Mark Cuban as owner.
Wouldve outshined the other cheapskate owners.
lol this statement reminds me of when the Reds moved into GABP with a roster composed of Griffey Jr., Dunn and a bunch of scabs and AAAA players. Thank God the Lindners sold the team, at least the Castellinis will pony up for a playoff window like once every 5-7 years
well check that.. the offense was decent enough, Larkin and Casey were still around, but the pitching was just a steaming pile, a characteristic that plagued all of the Junior era Reds clubs
Donaldson never made much sense for us in the first place. Missing out on Rendon was a mistake. Hopefully our plan at this point is to aggressively pursue Bryant. Although I doubt we do and I doubt we can afford him.
I disagree. To me Rendon didn’t make sense and Donaldson made much more sense. Why? Because the Rangers just took two 3B in the first round. If you sign Rendon for 7 years, you have to find new positions for two first rounders. But if you sign Donaldson for 3-4 years, you can then plug one of them into third base after his contract is up.
Jung is Athletic enough that they could reasonably try him at second or first. Wendzel is likely going to end up at first regardless. Texas would have been fine signing Rendon.
Bryant yes, but Cubs will want too much in return.
I don’t hate this, don’t want any more than 3 years of Donaldson and it looks like he will be getting 4 possibly even 5 at this rate
So all their talk about playing for big FA to break in the new stadium was bs. Great, we’re going to end up with Maikel Franco
Travis Shaw
Id be talking to the Mets about Smith(1b),Davis(3b) and Lowrie. Then ask Boston about Price or sign MadBum to be their 3rd starter. Sign Jason Castro to split time with Trevino.
Imo the Rangers are the biggest loser of the offseason so far. They’ve made some moves but not enough to move the needle in a competitive AL West. Fourth place finish is my guess
Agreed. They can still save face by adding Ryu, Betances and maybe Todd Frazier. They should consider trading for a right handed CF like Marte or Buxton or engage the Rockies or Arenaldo. I feel like Joey Gallo is kind of a square peg on that roster. He doesn’t have a true position and they could afford to make better contact at the plate from their regulars. Imagine Gallo hitting at Coors Field?
You obviously don’t know much about Gallo. He’s very good in the OF. He can play CF if needed. He has a cannon arm. He’s made great adjustments at the plate.
He hits for a ton of power and draws lots of walks. He’s only 25. He’s definitely a building block. Nobody cares about the strikeouts. OPS+ of 145, 3.0 WAR in 297 plate appearances last year. He’s just scratching the surface.
They are still behind the Cubs for that title. Both teams have a chance to make the playoffs in 2020 if they just made a couple of key moves.
Nats need to be in. The way I see it, they have about a 3 yr window left. Max getting older. Turner will be up. Soto will get super expensive. I would even consider Donaldson for 1st and still working on a Bryant deal.
Kinda hoping the Phillies aren’t one of the teams bidding in the 4/100 stratosphere for a 34 year old 3B with significant injury history. Would rather see them trade Bohm to the Rockies for Arenaldo. Great glove and his batting profile wouldnt change all that much coming from Coors to an (almost) equally hitter friendly ballpark. He would slot in nicely in the cleanup hole behind Harper and in front of Realmuto.
McCutchen LF
Segura 2B
Harper RF
Arenado 3B
Realmuto C
Hoskins 1B
Gregorius SS
Kingery CF
There is no way Bohm gets Arenado from Colorado. I’m not sure Philly has enough total assets to get him at all. Although he makes a ton of money, Arenado is a top 5 MLB player and the Rockies will want applicable compensation in a trade for him. Something like Lux, May & another 1-2 prospects from the Dodgers would start peaking their interest.
The Rockies could shed a ton of payroll by dealing Arenado and either Wade Davis or Bryan Shaw to the Phils. By including one of those awful reliever contracts I can see a deal like that coming to fruition, and the Phillies certainly do have the assets to take a contract(s) like that. The return to the Rockies would probably have to include a pitching prospect like Adonis Medina but if the Phillies were willing to take on all of Davis’ 18mil salary I dont think the prospect capital would be anything too outrageous. Bohm, Medina and an MLB ready arm like De los Santos or Cole Irvin gets it done in my opinion.
I think you are dead wrong about that. They could take on Davis and Blackman along with Arenado and the Rockies would still want more than this. Arenado only gets moved for a package of multiple superstar prospects.
MLB network reported last night that JD only offered 5 years for Rendon. What a letdown this franchise is.
Stupid if true. Rangers should have been all in. They really have no crazy expensive players now and have none that they need to save space for coming up. No reason to be outbid for a 29 year old stud
It was reported today that it was 6 @ 33 per but weren’t willing to go to 7. Then they sat on it and weren’t aggressive and the Angels swooped in with 7 years and it was done. Most likely Moreno did what he always does and said this is take it or leave but if you shop this deal then I pull it. He is aggressive that way and that is why he gets these FA even if they are still at a steep cost.
Well didn’t Rendon say he only wanted to playball until he reached 35 years? That five years sounded very reasonable right?
No way i sign donaldson. Great player but i see a tulowitzki type ending for his career.
i think you’re talking about Dustin Pedroia
Maikel Franco it is
Looks like the Braves will be getting JD back
I cant see any other NL team going to 4 years for him either & I don’t see another AL team other than Texas now that Rendon is in LA.
Unless Boras got a mystery team I just don’t see it any other way.
Wouldn’t be surprised if Washington snags him
Can’t see them or Philly going 4 yrs
If it comes down to 3 I think it’s a lock he will be a Brave. Only complaint to me now I believe would be Minnesota.
I think every team competing for Donaldson is probably up to 3 year offers. Of all the teams interested in Donaldson I would say the Phillies are the most likely to offer 4 years.
He said himself if all offers are the same he would return to Atlanta
No NL team is offering 4 years and Philly’s top prospect is a 3B
Minnesota is the team I fear the most in getting him
I’d feel a little better about this if JD hadn’t just said to not expect an outfield acquisition either
Forth Worth Star Telegram? What’s that?
How about Starlin Castro playing third base !
You can have Column Moran
Rather have Row Moran
Todd frazier
Franco lol
Have to be stoopid to give Donalson 4 years.
Solak, Deshields and Leclerc for Urshela, Kahnle and Frazier.
Lay off the drugs
who do they have? choo chook!
The real frustrating part is that there was all this talk that we would religiously pursue top level talent. I understand there is no guarantee to sign anybody but they were only willing to go 5 years on Rendon which is just dumb, he was never signing for 5 years. Then they can’t go the fourth year on Donaldson, when several other, seemingly less desperate and vocal teams are willing to meet that mark. Like are you really looking to get top level talent or just generate some buzz heading into next year? I’m fine not signing either dude, honestly it’s a lot of money (though they definitely have it to spend), but don’t say you were serious and then clearly find your offers well behind other “less interested” teams. It’s really disappointing
They’re just copying the Twins, right down to bringing out (back for the Twins) the powder blue unis.
I don’t know much about the Rangers’ farm system, but I think Kris Bryant might be a good option for them since they have the DH. Bryant is not a particularly good defensive 3B, so mixing his time between 3B and DH might help
The Rangers farm is nothing to shout about. There are potentially some “break out” players, but hardly ready for prime time. Drafting has not been a big priority for this front office until just recently. Rangers just don’t have any one on the 40 man roster who matches to Bryant’s numbers. That deal will not happen.
Bryant is actually a better corner outfielder than he is a 3B which a lot of people don’t realize.
The Cards can hand deliver Carpenter to ya for a bag of used BP balls
Next MLBTR headline
Postseason baseball – Rangers Most Likely Out
Dodgers would be a good fit for Donaldson, I believe. Muncy, Donaldson, Belly. That’s a pretty good 2-3-4. He could bring a swagger the Dodgers are sorely missing.
They will have no stars, just “old ghost of players that once played there”, in that new ballpark to start off the 2020 season. Good luck selling tickets
Build it, and he will come….
Trade Odor plus $3-mil (to cover the 2023 buyout) to SF for Longoria and Trevor Gott.
Nobody wants Odor. He is unteachable. Suggestions have been made for him to change his batting habits, but no dice…wants to aim for the fences when a base hit would suffice.
“Missed out”?…..they were never even at the table with a short 5 year offer! Come on JD use some common sense, you will never land the top FAs with lowball offers and only submitting offers you are “comfortable” with.
If you want to shake it up then Gallo & Jung 4 Arenado. Not convinced Gallo is going to ever hit for a reasonable average 2019 aside. If Blackmon necessary for trade throw in Walker Texas Ranger. For Arenado to eliminate opt out in two years give him an extra year. Sign Castellanos and stick him at first with Cron as fall back. Otherwise trade LeClerc for Andujar and still sign Castellanos to play first.
Gallo & Jung for Arenado does not improve the Rangers
Being a Rangers fan is so frustrating. At least if you’re a Royals, Brewers, or any other smaller market team fan, you don’t go into the off season with high expectations that they’ll spend money on big name free agents. The Rangers are a big market team that behaves like a middle or small market team, hoping to get players on discounts or below market rate, but as soon as a team comes in with a real offer (like the Angels with Rendon) they’re out of the hunt immediately. They were willing to give 7 years to Choo but not Rendon? Ridiculous.
Until the Rangers can pack in the fans this team will always be a medium market.
Rangers should be aggressively trying to deal Mike Minor if they aren’t inclined to add anyone else. The Angels are making a push to surpass them also. They aren’t winning this year with that squad. Doesn’t do much good to keep Mike around. Lynn could probably be put into the same boat; but there is hope that maybe 2021 might be different
. I really don’t see why you’d keep Minor at this point though. If you were adding other pieces to open the new stadium with, sure. From a PR and ticket selling standpoint that at least looks good. But to keep him without adding seems pretty foolish. I’m not sure Donaldson puts this team in the playoffs but they surely don’t make it w/o him.
Why does JD even attend the winter meetings? I’ve defended this joker for years. Now, the guy needs his walking papers.
Hey, he is thrifty and wants to protect the owners. Always looking for a bargain.
sometimes, those mega contracts are money makers. pujols made arte a lot of money.
Shopping bargains hoping to strike gold. Every year.
He’s got documentation. Play ball!
Rangers are now reduced to “bottom feeding” in the free agent marathon. Expect them to finish in the second division again.
I guess Steele Walker checks all the boxes. ……….
Braves are checking in ….
Good for the Rangers.
No more albatross contracts!
Are the Braves open to dealing Inciarte to save some money to potential go after Donaldson again?
They could/should and hopefully for Marte. Imagine a lineup of:
Acuna
Albies
Freeman
Donaldson
Marte
Markakis/Duvall
D’Arnaurt
Swanson
P
He will be a Brave by Xmas
Bring on Todd Frazier, CJ Cron and Robinson Chirinos then.
I have a feeling Miguel Andujar will be traded to the Rangers. They’ve been linked to him twice in the past and in some ways, both Happ and Andujar would be two solid additions for the Rangers. He has his flaws, but he is still young and the offensive part should outweigh some of these concerns. I suppose Bryant or Arenado are both in play to some degree, but going to cost way more for them.
The team that gives him a fourth year will probably get him.. I think it’s the Braves for 75 million.
I know Andujar obviously won’t ever be the player that Rendon and Donaldson are, but he would be a good, cheap alternative at third base for the Rangers because despite the fact that he had a disappointing, injury shorten Sophomore season, he is capable of being a very productive hitter. However, there are at least a couple of glaring issues about him, which includes having an iron glove.
He has apparently been working hard with a fielding coach and making progress, fwiw. No doubt it will take to time to demonstrate, which is fine. No rush on the Yankees’ part.
If the Mets were to offer 3 years with an option for the 4th, it would solve a couple of their problems. It adds the dangerous right handed bat they need, keeps Davis and McNeil in the outfield and makes Smith and Nimmo very expendable.