What will next year's team look like based on payroll being the "same"?

by m_nieft on Oct 7, 2009 4:39 PM CDT Comment 25 comments

DMN posted some thoughts on next year's team based on payroll "staying the same" after the jump, I have my dream team for $70 mil, what is your dream team?

Catcher - Salty & Pudge (2.5 mil total)

1B - Davis (league min)

2B - Kinsler (4 mil)

SS - Andrus (league min)

3B - Young (11 mil)

Utility - Vizquel (1 mil)

CF - Bourbon (league min)

RF - Hamilton (arbitration - 1.5 mil)

LF - Cruz (league min)

4th OF - Murphy (league min)

Bench - Boggs (league min)

SP#1 - Sheets (5 mil + incentives)

SP#2 - Millwood (12 mil)

SP#3 - Feldman (arbitration - 1.5 mil)

SP#4 - Hunter (league min)

SP#5 - Holland (league min)

Closer - FX2 (arbitration - 2.5 mil)

8th inning - CJ (arbitration - 1.5 mil)

7th inning - O'Day (league min)

LOOGY - Harrison (league min)

Long Man - Nippert (arbitration - 1mil)

RP - Mathis (league min)

RP - Grilli -(arbitration - 1mil)

RP - Feliz - (league min)

TOTAL PAYROLL - $50.5 million. Add in what is owed to players no longer here and total payroll is $58 million. This allows for a big trade deadline acquisition in 2010.

I made some major assumptions on the some things:

INFIELD

I think bringing Pudge back is an absolute must and might let Salty settle down. I am a big advocate of Vizquel returning. With my 25 man roster here, we are really short a backup 1B. Can Pudge and/or Murphy fill that role?

OUTFIELD

I get the feeling Cruz will be traded, although I am hoping that is not the case. The man was above par this year, and will be better next year (oh, and he's cheap & RH!). CF is a big question mark if Bourbon does not pan out. I am hoping for a Michael Bourn clone. Otherwise, our OF is pretty stout defensively and offensively if everyone lives up to expectations.

STARTING PITCHING

I have omitted B-Mac, Harrison, and Feliz thinking Sheets will sign here this off season. To me, Millwood, Feldman, and Hunter are in the rotation unless traded. I like the idea of sticking with Holland. I think Feliz should be in the bullpen for 2010 and try the rotation in 2011. I think B-Mac will be traded (officially ending our Danks trade complaints), and Harrison could work our great as a LOOGY (.564 OPS against LH in 2009).

RELIEF PITCHING

I kept the big 3 where they are, thik Grilli will be retained, Mathis & Nippert were both excellent out of the pen, and Feliz was electrifying. We could trade Harrison or option him to AAA.

I think Sheets and a big time RH bat are our two biggest needs. Getting an Abreau/Victor Martinez type at DH would be awesome for our club, and it appears we might have the money to do just that.

LINEUP (WITH FA BAT)

CF - Bourbon

SS - Andrus

3B - Young

DH - Free Agent RH Bat

RF - Hamilton

2B - Kinsler

LF - Cruz

1B - Davis

C - Salty/Pudge

LINEUP W/O FA Bat

CF - Bourbon

2B - Kinsler

3B - Young

RF - Hamilton

LF - Cruz

DH - Pudge

1B - Davis

C - Salty

SS - Andrus

0 recs | Comment 25 comments

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Comments

Sheets

Even if he signs here, which is doubtful, do you really count on a guy coming off of major surgery as your number 1 starter? I hope not, but the Rangers probably would.
Also, I really hope the Rangers do not waste Feliz in the bullpen

by stoney022 on Oct 7, 2009 4:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Why is it doubtful that Sheets would sign here??

For a guy coming off a surgery, I have to think he’ll be looking at a one year deal, which is something that even Hicks should be able to afford.

After Fuentes blows a save and an Angels loss to the Indians:
"Angels still in first place" - UCI Halo
"Hey you know who would have gotten those 3 outs in the 9th?
Darren O’Day." - FirebatM3
LOL

by hinduplaya on Oct 7, 2009 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What would you set the odds at?

by BrentTaylor21 on Oct 7, 2009 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why is it probable that he would?

How many times in the past have the Rangers been a rumored destination for a free agent only to see that free agent sign with another team? Sheets is more likely to sign here because of is injury history, but I don’t think it is probable. Also, a pitcher in his first year after major surgery with a long injury history does not really excite me.

by stoney022 on Oct 7, 2009 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just pure speculation

but imo the fact that he was ready to sign here last winter before he failed a physical, he’s already missed an entire season due to injury, and with this team headed in the right direction unlike that 07 squad that Torii Hunter didnt sign with makes it a probable chance that this could be a probable destination

After Fuentes blows a save and an Angels loss to the Indians:
"Angels still in first place" - UCI Halo
"Hey you know who would have gotten those 3 outs in the 9th?
Darren O’Day." - FirebatM3
LOL

by hinduplaya on Oct 7, 2009 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's Borbón

and Pudge should NEVER be a DH. Maybe we offer Pudge arbitration and he accepts it. That would be the only way that I would want him back.

Our lineup would be much better with a patient bat in the lineup. I do think we need to explore what we can through FA or trade. We, also, have Smoak to think about, who I think will be up within the first couple months. People were yelling for Smoak to be called up a month into this season.

I really like Vizquel but I would be interested in seeing what it would take to bring DeRosa back. I think he provides more flexibility. DeRosa, though, is 35 (vizquel is a young 43). Hell, while I’m at it why don’t we sign Dellucci, Tatis, and Hairston Jr. Sign Lamb and Kapler to NRI deals

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.

by NothinG on Oct 7, 2009 5:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you are WAY underestimating what

Hamilton, Frankie, and CJ will get in arbitration.

Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball

by willamos2 on Oct 7, 2009 5:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

CJ for sure

Frankie also

But Hamilton isn’t gonna get much more than 2 million. As good as 2008 was for him, the arbitrator will take 2009 heavily into account when making his determination. I imagine the Rangers initial offer will be 1.5-1.75 million and Hamilton, if hes smart will only ask for 3. If Hamilton asks for more than 3.5 I think the Rangers take it to arbitration. Theres no way I can see an arbitrator giving Hamilton 3.5+ million based on what he did this past year.

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Oct 7, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea

CJ signed for $1.85 plus incentives this year, no way he gets less in arb this off season

And mankind is naught but a single nation - Qu'ran 2:213

by devsr on Oct 7, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

*1.85 million

And mankind is naught but a single nation - Qu'ran 2:213

by devsr on Oct 7, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha

I was ganna say, that would be a new low.

TCU AD/PR Student: I Need A Job

by PM Productions on Oct 7, 2009 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

also, MY makes $16M, not $11M

even if you take into account the money being deferred, it doesn’t get to $11M

Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball

by willamos2 on Oct 7, 2009 5:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think its 12 mil

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Oct 7, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

where are

“Cat $4M
Padilla $1.75M”

Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball

by willamos2 on Oct 7, 2009 5:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

sorry

$2M for Cat

Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball

by willamos2 on Oct 7, 2009 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

included in the 8 mile for

Players not here

"That one is headed for the moon!" - All Star Derby

by m_nieft on Oct 7, 2009 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sheets

post surgery, at 5 mil is a good fit for a number 4 or 5, I’d totally be okay with that

And mankind is naught but a single nation - Qu'ran 2:213

by devsr on Oct 7, 2009 5:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sheets

Why do people think he’ll get 5 mil guaranteed? Hes coming off a completely missed season and he has an extensive injury history. Maybe he gets 5 mil as the max he can make with incentives but as a guarantee I highly doubt he gets that much. Especially in this economy

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Oct 7, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

The FA market will most likely determine what he ends up getting, but considering he made over 12 million in his last year with the Brewers, I doubt he would be satisfied with anything less than around 5 million, but I agree the economy may put the going rate at 3.5 – 4 mill plus incentives

And mankind is naught but a single nation - Qu'ran 2:213

by devsr on Oct 7, 2009 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

also

looks like Millwood is actually making $15M next year when you properly allocate his signing bonus. I didn’t realize it, but the Rangers were going to have to pay him $3M even if his option didn’t vest.

Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball

by willamos2 on Oct 7, 2009 5:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs