The Rangers talked with Jarrod Dyson and Billy Hamilton before the two veteran outfielders respectively signed with the Pirates and Giants, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes. The Rangers didn’t have any talks with Kevin Pillar prior to Pillar’s agreement with the Red Sox. Center field is still something of a question area for Texas heading into the 2020 season, as utilityman Danny Santana is slated to handle the position, but with Scott Heineman, Joey Gallo, and perhaps Nick Solak on hand to share in some of the center field duties.
Additional help may not be imminent, as GM Jon Daniels told Wilson and other reporters “there’s nothing that is front-burner right now that I’m expecting to come to a head this spring. There will be a lot of conversations, I’m sure.” This doesn’t close the door on a new acquisition, of course, even if that new player may be more of a part-timer than a star (such as Kris Bryant, who has also been widely linked to the Rangers on the rumor mill.) The versatile Santana is the answer in center field for the time being, though “we have to decide how we’re going to go about it,” Daniels said. “I think Danny comes in with the expectation he’ll get the bulk of the playing time out there, but we also like him in that versatile role. There’s a little bit of give there. We have to make a call.”
More from around the AL West…
- Taijuan Walker is back with the Mariners after signing a one-year deal with the club worth $2MM in guaranteed money, rejoining the team that originally drafted him in 2010 and, after four MLB seasons, dealt him to the Diamondbacks in the 2016-17 offseason. Looking back on his initial stint with the M’s, “I had a lot of stuff to learn,” Walker told the Seattle Times’ Ryan Divish and other media. “I don’t think I did very good job here of doing what I need to do become the best pitcher I could be. I definitely slacked off and just didn’t put the work in.” The trade inspired Walker to work harder in Arizona, plus he was further motivated by “good vets that kept on me — just having Zack Greinke over there, a bunch of guys who were really hungry and ready to work.” It could be said that Walker’s injury problems have also aided in the maturity process, as the right-hander has tossed only 14 innings totals over the 2018-19 seasons due to both Tommy John surgery and shoulder issues. The need to re-acclimate himself to pitching played a role in Walker’s decision to sign with Seattle, since “I’m comfortable here. I haven’t pitched in two years, so I wanted somewhere where I can come in and kind of take my time. I don’t have to rush.” Another positive factor was the Mariners’ hire of Kyle Torgerson as head athletic trainer, as Torgerson previously worked for the Diamondbacks and is already familiar with Walker. “I’m comfortable with him. He knows my body. He knows what I have to do to stay healthy,” Walker said.
- The arbitration hearing between Aledmys Diaz and the Astros is scheduled for February 17, The Athletic’s Jake Kaplan tweets. This is Diaz’s first of three trips through the arb process, and the utilityman submitted a $2.6MM figure while the team countered with $2MM. Acquired from the Blue Jays for Trent Thornton last winter, Diaz hit well (.271/.356/.467 with nine homers) in his first year in Houston but was limited to 247 plate appearances and 69 games, largely due to a hamstring injury that sidelined him for almost two months. Diaz is one of two Astros players who didn’t reach an agreement with the club prior to the filing deadline, though the Astros sidestepped a hearing with George Springer by agreeing to a one-year, $21MM deal with the star outfielder last month.
- The Athletics brought a catcher to their Major League spring camp, though it was non-roster invite and former Oakland Double-A backstop Collin Theroux rather than one of the well-known veterans the club reportedly has under consideration. “It probably looks like we go forward with the group we have right now,” manager Bob Melvin told the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser and other reporters, with Theroux joining Austin Allen, Jonah Heim, Carlos Perez, Ronnie Freeman, and presumptive starter Sean Murphy at Spring Training. There isn’t much collective MLB experience in this group, which is why the A’s have looked into the likes of Russell Martin as a seasoned backup (and mentor) to Murphy, who the A’s see as their catcher of the future.
LouisianaAstros
A’s should bring in Lucroy.
Don’t know what they are waiting for.
Strike Four
Lucroy had a .554 OPS when he played his home games in Oakland, he can’t hit there. Might as well use a rookie.
drgntrnr
Probably because he’s bad, and has had an increasingly negative WAR for several years in a row
LouisianaAstros
Have to tell him what is coming.
arc89
Lucroy is a baked potato that needs a fork poked in him.. he is done
spy
He’s a good team player and a veteran who would be good to mentor the A’s young pitching staff.
CCCTL
“He’s a … team player and a veteran” this part is true (leaving out ‘good’).
Strike Four
Theroux had 190 strike outs in 98 games last year you hate to see it, lol
bluejays92
And he’s only a career .164 hitter, and was only a .162 hitter in college. I can’t recall ever seeing that when looking up a player lol.
DarkSide830
he will end up being one of those ML players that everyone says, “how did he make it to Majors while so many dont?”
Murphy NFLD
Russ won’t hit above .230 or throw out more then 20% or runners. But his OBP will be around .340, 15 or so HE, he’s a great framer, good otherwise catching, good mentor, & and can play 3rd. O think he’s better then lucroy
turbosmith9
hey jon daniels.. fyi the team may have pitching to contend but you are far from.done.. quit getting contempt and get those owners to do something
Rangers29
Jon Daniels had a choice 3 years ago by the owners, either go full rebuild and tank, or do a mediocre rebuild (or as Ben Cherrington would say, a “build”) and not lose as many games to make it more watchable for the fans. He chose the 2nd choice, and 3 years later here we are on the verge of a playoff team. Did he make the right choice? I think so. His analytics department is really smart, and they make smart, savvy, under the radar moves like Minor, Lynn, Santana, and Pence. They have young guys like Calhoun, Solak, and Gallo who can crush baseballs, but are bad fielders (except for Gallo who is a terrific right fielder). Vets like Andrus and Chirinos can teach the young guys. Strong prospects like Huff, Jung, and Crouse are heading a farm that is deep, but that lacks sexy prospects like Lux and Pache ect. Overall, I really like what Jon Daniels has done, and despite the crap people give him, I actually quite like the way he has worked.
Shoeless Joe's Diploma
JD’s analytics dept are smart and show him how to save money for owners.
2020 we now have (maybe) a 3rd place West team. at 84 wins –
Oh, yippeee
Screamer
Met Collin Theroux in Vegas last year; super nice guy. Hope he eventually makes it
Frisco500
George Springer. Fake nice guy. Like Altuve. A bunch of fakes and frauds in Houston. Cheaters.
Randy_Watson
LMAO cry about it some more, why don’t you lmao
Rangers29
I think center field should be the least of the Ranger’s issues, cause Santana is way better than Odor or Frazier or Guzman. Fix the infield!!! Guzman has been working with Nelson Cruz over the off-season, and I expect big things from him because of it, but he still has bad splits. Solak can always replace Odor, (and I think he will) as the full time 2nd baseman for the future. Frazier has bad splits (opposite Guzman), but he can also play 1st base. That leaves the biggest hole at 3rd which can be filled by Bryant and then Jung, Apostel, or Wendzel. I really hope we get Bryant because then it makes 1st base better too with a Frazier /Guzman platoon. Lineup would be:
Choo
Andrus (who btw lost 30 pounds this offseason, and whom I expect a huge resurgence)
Santana
Bryant
Gallo
Calhoun
Frazier / Guzman
Odor / Solak (pls Solak)
Chirinos
A team I compare the Rangers (w/ Bryant) to is the 2019 Nationals. Sorta weak lineup with a VERY strong middle of the order. A great pitching rotation (though the Nats are still better). And a bullpen that is eh, (though the Rangers’ is very underrated). I expect a lot of competition between the Rangers and A’s next year with both teams finishing at 90 wins next year (if the Rangers get Bryant).
If we don’t get Bryant, First and Third will be issues, and that will bring our whole batting order down a notch. I’d then expect about 85 wins (currently).
LouisianaAstros
I hope you trade for Bryant truthfully.
Not going to help you win the division and will drain your farm system.
C. A. Hevia
90 wins? The 2019 Nats??? I admire your optimism and honestly, the rotation is a reason for hope…. But this is a dreadful offense and potentially had defensive team. It’ll require a ton of breakouts and good luck to come close to 90 wins.
hetzel01
Hope he’s not driving!
its_happening
I’ll buy what you are selling on two conditions;
– Texas is actually willing to go after Bryant (I’m not convinced).
– Cut Odor and eat the salary.
If the Rangers don’t cut the cancer they will not win 90 games unless Odor is using PEDs. Still a liability at 2B and a lazy player. Just put Solak there and deal for 2B if he struggles come midseason.
User 1104686089
I think Odor’s on a short leash this year. But I don’t expext the Rangers to cut him, he’s owed like 37 million? thats alot
sippycups
Rangers front office only “talks” to players. That’s all.
DarrenDreifortsContract
I’m surprised that Dyson is already 35 years old. It doesn’t seem like he’s been around that long.
Tavo
Maybe because he’s always been a bench kind of guy?
AllinTX
No reason for them not to go after Pederson and Strippling. Even if he’s a lefty he produces enough at the plate and Santana can play CF around 40 games if needed. Strippling can be the longman on the bullpen and or swing man if needed in the rotation. Send them Hernandez and Hearns and maybe another prospect.
bradthebluefish
Happy for Taijuan Walker. Sounds like he’s in a good environment with a good head on his shoulders. Hoping he has a good year.