Friday morning things

by Adam J. Morris on Nov 23, 2007 10:46 AM CST in News

Today is the first day of the rest of the Rangers' offseason. Torii Hunter was, by all accounts, their #1 priority, and he went elsewhere.

Evan Grant has a good article on the current situation, saying that the Rangers offered 5 years at a little under $15 million per year, and would have gone to $15 million or "or slightly above" to get him, although obviously, the Angels blew that offer out of the water.

Grant indicates that Mike Cameron and Coco Crisp are now probably the top two targets for centerfield. I'd probably prefer Cameron, but I'd be happy with either one, presuming that the cost for Crisp isn't significantly more than, say, Gerald Laird.

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Ownership

More than acquiring Cameron or Crisp, I'd like for Bush to become owner of the team again.

by cenelson43 on Nov 23, 2007 10:40 AM CST reply actions

+30

"I don't even like myself."-Brett Gardner 11/19

by miles on Nov 23, 2007 11:02 AM CST up reply actions

Bush as "Owner"

In reality, Bush only owned 1.8% of the team. He was hardly an owner.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Nov 23, 2007 11:05 AM CST up reply actions

Coco Crisp

would be a good fit, I can even see him getting better in a smaller market team

"I don't even like myself."-Brett Gardner 11/19

by miles on Nov 23, 2007 11:05 AM CST reply actions

How could you see that?

Or substantiate it in any way? Did you observe Coco "folding" under the "intense" Boston pressure? Whereas he thrived in the "laid-back" Cleveland atmosphere?

Gimme a break.

T.R. -- enough is enough.

by inactive lsb user on Nov 23, 2007 11:52 AM CST up reply actions

Boston Pressure

The Red Sox, at the time, traded away the best 3B prospect in the majors for Crisp. As highly as Pedroia was ranked, many felt that Marte was better. In return, Boston expected a great defensive CF (he has lived up to this in his time with the Sox) and somebody who hits with some power. Crisp never managed to reproduce his power numbers while in Cleveland. Maybe it was the wrist injury, or maybe he was flashing some power with the Indians that was a fluke. Regardless, the Red Sox (and their fans) thought they were getting a very different player.

Oh, and baseball is very different in Boston than in Arlington. So yes, there is a pressure that just does not exist.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Nov 23, 2007 12:00 PM CST up reply actions

Crisp

Adam, you really think Crisp could be had for Laird?

How can that be when it took $90m to get Hunter? Crisp, probably a lesser bat, is a better defender.

I've said it before but the guy is undervalued on this board. Elite defense at a premium position, under contract for a reasonable 3 years, age 28.

I'm surprised Theo didn't deal him before Hunter signed just so he could charge an albatross contract avoidance tax.

Then again, with the suddenness of Hunter's contract, Theo's probably surprised, too.

by hightowersmith on Nov 23, 2007 12:41 PM CST reply actions

I don't know

I think Laird has more value than would first appear. Ditto Crisp.

by Adam J. Morris on Nov 23, 2007 12:48 PM CST up reply actions

Uncertainty

Is, is Laird what Boston would ask for (or take?). Seems reasonable even with a B- prospect included with Gerry, but I'm not at all sure the RedSox would target him.

'At Georgia Southern, we don't cheat. That costs money and we don't have any.' Erk Russell / Georgia Southern

by Ed Coffin on Nov 23, 2007 12:53 PM CST reply actions