Notes: GM Meetings

[zpustka]

The search for a center fielder starts in earnest today.

As part of the Texas Rangers' "build-it-yourself" plan, the days when the club would go to the general managers meetings, the kickoff to the off-season, attempting to make over the entire team are gone. The Rangers' new off-season philosophy is to concentrate on making significant improvements only in those areas where significant improvements are available.

At the top of that list for this week's meetings in Orlando, Fla., and probably at next month's winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn., is center field. For now, all the Rangers can do is express interest in free agents. Monetary terms can't be discussed before Nov. 13. But finding a center fielder is a formidable job. For the Rangers, center field has been a more difficult position to fill than pitcher since the club moved into Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in 1994.

The Rangers have used 12 opening-day center fielders in 14 seasons at the stadium, and unless they reunite with free agent Kenny Lofton, which is unlikely, the list will grow to 13 in 2008. The Rangers have started 44 players in center, led by Tom Goodwin with 281 starts, in the last 14 years. No other AL club's predominant starting center fielder started fewer than 374 games. No other club used more than 40 players in center.

"We have other needs, but the priority is the outfield and center field," general manager Jon Daniels said. "We're going to take inventory of what's available. If young upper-level pitching becomes available, we'll show we're available, but other than that, we're looking to improve the outfield first."

The Rangers would like to one day develop their own center fielder, but Julio Borbon and/or Engel Beltre are probably at least three seasons away, so the focus is on finding a legitimate answer for the foreseeable future.
The Texas Rangers are in the market for a center fielder, such as free agent Torii Hunter.
Getty Images
The Texas Rangers are in the market for a center fielder, such as free agent Torii Hunter.

The good news for Texas is that the market will likely be stocked with center fielders. Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand, both of whom the Rangers have expressed interest in, are on the free agent market along with Andruw Jones and Mike Cameron.

But a handful of intriguing names could also be available via a trade. Boston almost certainly will seek to move Coco Crisp to make room for Jacoby Ellsbury. Kansas City may consider dealing David DeJesus, and Oakland might look to move Ron Washington-favorite Mark Kotsay. Even the New York Mets' Carlos Beltran might be available, especially if the Mets get involved with mega-free agent Alex Rodriguez.

While center field is the top priority, the Rangers are also considering first basemen and veteran relievers. Because the market is thin, however, Daniels might wait until later in the winter to address those issues. The Rangers have touched base with the representatives for Mike Lamb and could also look into acquiring Kevin Millar. More likely, the Rangers will go slow at those spots, waiting for the entire market to be determined. Arbitration-eligible players who are not tendered contracts by Dec. 12 become free agents. Seattle's Ben Broussard could be among that group.

"It's a little different set of priorities this year," Daniels said. "There is always a sense of urgency to build the best club you can, but I don't think we are looking to finish off our club right now. That could be in March or sometime in the first half of the season."

[Fish Troll]

$30M free cash, i say go buy!

[Maddog31]

They should get Andruw

[zpustka]

Then the Rangers would be the laughing stock of baseball!! Andruw is way overrated. He ended up with a 222 BA. and only hit 26 homers. HUGE drop off from a year ago. I stay clear of him

[Fish Troll]

But dude coming up cheap this year, and he could have a bounce back yeaar.

[seaver41]

He's a Boras client. He's not going to be cheap.

[diehardmetsfan]

texas is a great hitter's park, would be good for andruw, but i still say go for hunter

[zpustka]

The Rangers have a long shopping list for this off-season -- if the price is right.

Their most glaring need? Center field, where they used Marlon Byrd at the end of 2007, even though Byrd is better-suited for a corner outfield spot. The good news for Texas is that center field is the deepest position in the open market.

At the general managers meetings this week in Florida, Rangers GM Jon Daniels will be gauging trade interest and pinpointing players they want when free agency begins next week.

"We're open to doing something if it benefits us and it fills a need for us," he said. "But we're not looking to trade kids. We're looking to keep our core and build around it."

[zpustka]

The season seemed ready to implode on first-year manager Ron Washington in the first half, with hints of player dissatisfaction as the Rangers fell 19 games under .500 in mid-June. But after a soul-searching team meeting in Orlando in mid-May, the team began to jell.

Primary needs
1. The Rangers absolutely must improve their starting pitching. They ranked last in the American League in ERA (5.49) and quality starts (55) and 13th in walks (398), while becoming (along with Washington and Florida) the first team in history to finish an entire season without a complete game.

2. With top outfield prospects Julio Borbon and Engel Beltre still several years away from the majors, the Rangers will look to acquire an impact center fielder, either through free agency or a trade. They will likely target Torii Hunter or possibly Aaron Rowand.

3. The Rangers must decide what to do about first base in the post-Teixeira era. Last season, after Teixeira was traded to Atlanta in July, they used Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Brad Wilkerson at first, but with Saltalamacchia slated to spend most of his time behind the plate, and Wilkerson eligible for free agency, they will likely need to explore free agency or the trade market for a first baseman. Frank Catalanotto is an in-house option.

Free agents
OF Brad Wilkerson, OF Sammy Sosa, RHP Jamey Wright, INF Jerry Hairston

Besides taking a look at center fielders like Torii Hunter, Aaron Rowand and possibly Mike Cameron, the Rangers can't be ruled out as a landing spot for Barry Bonds. They took a chance on Sammy Sosa, after all, and got a nice comeback year (21 homers, 92 RBIs in 114 games). Sosa could return as DH, or Jason Botts could get the job full time. The Rangers might go after an arm to stabilize their rotation, though GM Jon Daniels seems inclined to stick with the young pitchers who struggled last year, hoping for growth. And don't be too surprised if Eric Gagne, a flop in Boston after the Red Sox sent three prospects to Texas for the reliever, winds up back in the Rangers' bullpen. There has been inevitable speculation of an Alex Rodriguez return to Texas, but despite owner Tom Hicks' adoration of A-Rod, it's an extreme long shot.

Trade bait
Catcher Gerald Laird is a prime candidate to be dealt with the arrival of Saltalamacchia. The Rangers would no doubt love to dump Vicente Padilla, who signed a three-year, $33.75 million contract and promptly went 6-10 with a 5.76 ERA. Kameron Loe could also be had, but a 9-17 mark the past two years dims his trade value.

Farm aid
With five draft picks among the top 60 picks last June, plus the influx in talent from the July trades, the Rangers believe their farm system is well-stocked. The plums -- at least for immediate help -- are Saltalamacchia, who has star potential, and lefty Kason Gabbard, who came over in the Gagne deal and was 6-1 with a 4.65 ERA in 15 starts between Boston and Texas. Don't overlook David Murphy, another Gagne acquisition, who hit .340 in 43 games with Texas and could win a starting outfield job next spring. Other rookies who could be heard from include pitchers Eric Hurley, Luis Mendoza and Armando Galarraga.

Outlook
The Rangers got an early Christmas present when Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract, a move that will save Texas an estimated $21.3 million in money it was sending the Yankees to offset A-Rod's salary. That, in turn, could increase Texas' payroll by as much as $7 million. Daniels, however, vows that the Rangers are done throwing big money at mediocre, stopgap veterans. They will either go after impact players (such as Hunter) or let their young players play, with visions of a Colorado Rockies-style breakout. But for that to happen, their rotation -- penciled in as Kevin Millwood, Padilla, Brandon McCarthy, Gabbard and Edinson Volquez, with C.J. Wilson as closer -- would have to take major steps forward. The Rangers began to take off this past year when they finally grasped Washington's offensive MO, which centers around patience at the plate and aggressiveness on the base paths. Washington is an able defensive instructor and should loosen up in his second full year in command.

[zpustka]

the Cubs are among several teams interested in Coco Crisp. Within this piece Silverman says the Rangers are in on Crisp and the Red Sox like expendable catcher Gerald Laird.

If the Rangers don't feel like they can sign Hunter or Rowand, then look for them to jump on Crisp. By trading Laird...Saltalamacchia would be the starting catcher in Texas