Young making a push for Delgado

In an article yesterday, appearing in then Dallas Morning News, Rangers shortstop Michael Young is reported as pushing for the Rangers to sign Delgado, stating, "This is a guy who can be an anchor in our lineup." Delgado's going rate appears to be at approximately $12-$14 million per season, however it is being reported that Hicks isn't willing to spend over $10 million on the lefty slugger. However, Young holds the opposite stance claiming that the Rangers, "should feel fortunate where his price is." With the Mets, Orioles, and Marlins making serious pushes at Delgado, and are willing to throw him $14 million a season, the DH surely won't sign with the Rangers for a discount. The combined statistics of the DH platoon for the Rangers last season failed to finish better than 7th in the American League in any major offensive category. Not only is that pathetic, but rather shocking considering how potent the Ranger's offense is with an almost impotent group of DHs.

It will be interesting to see how Hicks responds to Young's statements. If Hicks fails to sign Delgado, or even make a serious push for him, I think it sends the message to Young, Blalock, and Teixeira, the cornerstone of the Ranger's franchise, just how deep (or not deep) he will go in his wallet to win. I am not implying I dislike what the Rangers are doing by developing a quality farm system and letting their youngsters play on the major league squad. However, I think in order to be a legitimate World Series contender the owner must be willing to spend a reasonable amount of money to bring in quality free agents. Delgado is one of those quality free agents that the Rangers need to bring in. Not only does a Delgado signing allow the Rangers to say they significantly improved in the offseason, something all winning teams need to do, but this signing would classify Texas as a legitimate playoff contender. If Hicks fails to sign Delgado, I think it will be interesting once Tex, Young, and Hank become free agents, to see if they leave Texas for a team with an owner more determined to spend the big bucks on moves that will obviously improve the team, such as owners in NY, Boston and Anaheim. However, Young's statements may be an enlightenment to Hicks, showing him that Rangers players feel they can compete now, and more importantly win.

Another go in Texas for Loaiza?

According to ESPN rumor central, Texas is showing interest in signing free agent RHP Esteban Loaiza to a two year deal. Loaiza was drafted by the Pirates in 1991 and was traded to Texas in 1998 for Warren Morris and Todd Van Poppel. In 1999, Loaiza's only full season with Texas he posted an ERA of 4.56, equating to an ERA+ of 110. Loaiza was then traded in the 2000 season to Toronto for Darwin Cubillan and Michael Young. Loaiza's career ERA is 4.70, but his career turn a turn for the better in 2003, when he signed with the Chicago White Sox. During that offseason Loaiza developed a nasty cut fastball. It worked with great success as he finished the season 21-9 with a 2.90 era and placed second in the Cy Young voting. That season Loaiza pitched 226 innings, and before that season hadn't pitched over 200 innings. Loaiza's arm wore down and it showed last season when Loaiza struggled in both Chicago and then in New York, posting a combined era of 5.70.

Loaiza is seeking a two year contract, probably around 2 or 3 million each year. Now one might say why not just spend this extra money to up Delgado's contract offer to 12 or 13 million a year. BOTTOM LINE, I don't think Texas wants to commit that kind of money to a 32 year old free agent, especially after the A-rod and Chan Ho incidents. So, then you have to ask yourself would you like a Loaiza type pitcher on your team, and I do. If the Rangers signed Loaiza I would like him to start in the bullpen. You can use him as you want, making sure you don't overwork his arm, and by placing him in the pen, all of your young guys in the rotation like Chris Young and Dominguez will still get a shot in the rotation and if they struggle then you can bring a guy like Loaiza into the rotation. If you can keep Loaiza fresh and work with him, it is possible for him to return to his 2003 self. That is a risk the Rangers should be willing to take, because if he can do that he will be the bargain of the off-season and would make the Rangers a contender. Also, if Loaiza stays in the bullpen all of this season, he showed in the postseason that he can succeed in that role. This postseason he pitched 8.3 innings (6 vs Boston) and gave up only 1 run, while striking out 5. That kind of clutch pitching brings me hope that he can return to his 2003 form with Texas.

Delgado, Soriano to Astros Talk

I would love for the Rangers to acquire Carlos Delgado. I understand the fact that people would rather spend that money on pitching, but the starting pitching market has been so crazy this offseason, not signing a pitcher and letting our own pitchers develop seems like a good alternative. Because we are giving our young guys this opportunity, we will be able to see if a guy like Chris Young or even Juan Dominguez can turn into the next Ryan Drese. Also, I think it will allow us to see if Ricardo Rodriguez is for real. The Rangers were 5th in ERA in the AL last year, not bad at all. Our bullpen will still be solid this year and our starting rotation should only be better, as we won't be constantly calling people up trying to plug people into the rotation. Texas was 4th in runs last season, but was 11th in OBP, and 10th in BA. Delgado has been a solid player his whole career and has been relatively healthy with the exception of a few games in the first half of last season. But he responded by having a great second half and managing to put up 32 homers and 99 rbi in only 128 games. It is also being reported that Delgado wants to come to Texas, which is key. The Rangers possess a certain type of mystique, because of the characters of the players in our clubhouse. We don't have any big stars, who try to put themselves ahead of the team, and by Delgado showing that he wants to come to Texas, he is saying that he will be a good team player. Also, Delgado has historically been phenomenal when hitting at the Ball Park in Arlington, especially with the short right field porch.

There has also been rumors that the Astros have again become interested in Alfonso Soriano, a man they discussed with the Rangers during the Winter Meetings, but put those discussions on hold until the Carlos Beltran situation was completed. Now that Beltran has gone ahead and signed with the Mets, the Astros are looking at a team without Jeff Kent and Carlos Beltran, two huge bats from that lineup last season. The Astros also need to show they still want to win by acquiring one or more big names in order to help convince Roger Clemens to stay for at least one more season. And because of this they have began talking again with the Rangers about trading for Soriano. If Soriano remains a Ranger this year this will surely be his last as Hicks and Hart do not want to pay what he will demand on the open market. Thus, a trade seems like a great idea especially if the Rangers can get some help in the pitching department. As I discussed above, the Rangers have been very hesitant to sign a free agent pitcher, especially after the Chan Ho Park ordeal. So, it seems like the Rangers will only improve their pitching through our own farm system or trade. It is being reported that the Astros and Rangers have discussed Soriano for SP Brandon Backe and SS prospect Chris Burke. I am in favor for such a move. Backe is relatively young and last season he ended the year with an ERA of 4.30. However, while that isn't terrible, he was very impressive in the postseason with an ERA of 2.89 in three starts. I could see Backe as a really solid back end rotation guy for at least the next 3 or 4 years. Meanwhile, Chris Burke is an above average prospect who seems Major League ready. Burke plays second base, and spent last season in AAA, where he hit .315/.396/.507, which are really good numbers for a second baseman. He is also a speedster, something the Rangers do need, as he has 37 stolen bases last season. Burke seems major league ready, so he could immediately fill in for Soriano. Perhaps you could keep Burke around for a few years until Ian Kinsler is ready for the big leagues. I also heard the rumor that the Rangers may go after Roberto Alomar. I am a little bit indifferent about this move. Alomar is obviously past his prime but if he and Burke platooned or at least Alomar played at the beginning of the year until Burke was ready, I wouldn't have a problem with such a signing.

If the Rangers can make these transactions this off-season I really feel like they can compete with Anaheim for the AL West title.