The OFFICIAL Texas Rangers thread

[GTBrian23]

I like Beltre, havent seen a ton of him but from what I have I like! I think he could thrive here at a hitters park and will make the defense that much better. Not to mention it will put Young in a position to focus primarily on what he does best. Hitting

[tex]

The Beltre deal isn't an A+ deal, but it's not bad, because the dude LOVES to play the field, and with Young as the DH, the option to pull Beltre if he slacks is available. Being pulled will light his fire.

I also like the idea of having a DH that can play multiple IF positions, in the event of injury.

The Webb deal has plenty of upside: if he performs really well, it's more incentive for future pitchers to sign in Texas, because his success will be even more impressive due to the setting. If he flounders or performs marginally, the culprit may be just adjusting to the repaired shoulder, and his doc being a team doc may lead to getting him cheap for the following year, or having the inside scoop on cutting him loose early. If he's progressing physically but still learning his new pitching style, the Rangers may be able to resign him after an average year, for cheap, and have a (re)break out year in 2012.

Then the world ends, and baseball is lost to the cosmos, anyway.

[mustang_marc]

Beltre deal ready to be finished

Adrian Beltre is going to be the Rangers Opening Day third baseman.

The latest word on Tuesday night is that Beltre arrived in Texas this afternoon to have his physical in preparation for an expected announcement tomorrow night. His agent, Scott Boras, is also flying in to Texas on Tuesday.

Boras and the Rangers will likely hammer out any remaining obstacles on Wednesday in preparation for an official announcement.

But all indications are this is pretty much a done deal.

[bucky]

Jesus Christ...6 years on a 32 yo 3rd baseman who has had his two best seasons in contract years. I would have rather thrown 7 years at Cliff Lee and signed Vladdy for 2. We are getting a little desperate here

[Nash B.]

Even as bad as Guerrero hit toward the end of the season, he still came through big against the Yankees when they needed it.

[mustang_marc]

As good as Vlad was early in the season, he was that bad late. The guy is just too old, and the grind of a 160 game season is too much. I'd rather have a Young as DH.

He was bad late, but he still ended up with what, 30 HR and 100 RBI? He earned his $8-$9 million he got last year and I'd pay that same amount again to get that same production. Although with Beltre here, I don't know where you'd put him with MY going to DH. I don't trust him in the outfield...and I like Moreland's ability to work the count. I know 1B is a power position, but if Moreland bats .280, hits 20-25HR and drives in 85 RBI, I'll be satisfied. I'm a Chris Davis fan, but Moreland earned a shot to play 1B every day.

[Nash B.]

lmao. Seriously? He was nothing but a liability on the field.

No, not seriously.

[Kenny_Stang]

I like the Beltre deal, it will address the spotty defense we had at 3rd with Young, and moving Young to DH solves that issue as well.

As good as Vlad was early in the season, he was that bad late. The guy is just too old, and the grind of a 160 game season is too much. I'd rather have a Young as DH.

[BP]

I thought we signed vlad?

He had a 2011 option that the Rangers declined to pickup. I think he's willing to play for less but wants two years and we only will offer one. And yeah he sucks in the field. He might be okay at first base every once in a while in a pinch but otherwise he's a DH only. If he has to run or judge a pop fly it's going to be a hit.

[bcoop]

He's always welcome in right field when Cruz goes out...

lmao. Seriously? He was nothing but a liability on the field.

[Nash B.]

Unfortunately though this deal means Vlad probably isn't coming back. There isn't anywhere for him to play if Young is DH.

He's always welcome in right field when Cruz goes out...

[mstng86]

One good thing is that we have a large group of young Dominican players here that'll harass the hell out of him if he starts to slack off.

The environment in Seattle is just weird, lots of hippies and everyone loves Ichiro. Even the manager is Japanese. Not really any other Dominicans on the team and the Mariners just plain sucked when he was there.

In Boston he had Ortiz to hang out with and of course the Red Sox were competitive all season. He thrived there.

Unfortunately though this deal means Vlad probably isn't coming back. There isn't anywhere for him to play if Young is DH.

I thought we signed vlad?

[BP]

One good thing is that we have a large group of young Dominican players here that'll harass the hell out of him if he starts to slack off.

The environment in Seattle is just weird, lots of hippies and everyone loves Ichiro. Even the manager is Japanese. Not really any other Dominicans on the team and the Mariners just plain sucked when he was there.

In Boston he had Ortiz to hang out with and of course the Red Sox were competitive all season. He thrived there.

Unfortunately though this deal means Vlad probably isn't coming back. There isn't anywhere for him to play if Young is DH.

[UserX]

I really don't like this deal with Beltre. The reward is going to be hit or miss and the financial risk combined with the morale risk (pushing Young around yet again, Beltre not being a big team guy) makes this pretty iffy to me.

Same here. I would have preferred the Rangers sat on this money for now, and see what pitching becomes available later this season or next.

[Slowhand]

I really don't like this deal with Beltre. The reward is going to be hit or miss and the financial risk combined with the morale risk (pushing Young around yet again, Beltre not being a big team guy) makes this pretty iffy to me.