Rangers Head To Off-Season

The Rangers... they make it hard to be a fan. But, now with the off season before them, it is time to evaluate who to keep, resign, and let go.

I guess I should apologize for not posting for TWO MONTHS. I had problems with the internet and well... I couldn't get on long enough to do too much for a while. But alas, I am back with my thoughts, criticisms and what-nots.

It is not too much of a surprise to say that the first thing on the Ranger's list is PITCHING. Everybody and their mother knows the Rangers need pitching. They finished this season with the second most relief innings in a season. They also hold the record for the most relief innings pitched (back in 1997).

Here's a list I found for the free-agents in 2008.

Catchers
Brad Ausmus (39)
Michael Barrett (31)
Ramon Castro (32)
Jason Kendall (34)
Paul Lo Duca (36)
Jorge Posada (36)
Jose Molina (33)
Ivan Rodriguez (36) - $13MM club option for '08
Yorvit Torrealba (30)

First basemen
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (36)
Adam Dunn (28) - $13MM club option for '08
Darin Erstad (34) - $3.5MM club option for '08
Scott Hatteberg (38) - $1.85MM club option for '08
Ryan Klesko (37)
Mike Lamb (33)
Doug Mientkiewicz (34)

Second basemen
Luis Castillo (32)
Damion Easley (38)
Marcus Giles (30) - $4MM club option for '08
Tadahito Iguchi (33)
Mark Loretta (37)
Kaz Matsui (32)
Jose Valentin (38)

Shortstops
David Eckstein (33)
Cesar Izturis (28) - $5.45MM club option for '08
Juan Uribe (29) - $5MM club option for '08
Omar Vizquel (41)

Third basemen
Pedro Feliz (33)
Mike Lamb (32)
Mike Lowell (34)
Alex Rodriguez (32) - Has ability to opt out of contract after season

Left fielders
Moises Alou (42) - $7.5MM club option for '08
Barry Bonds (43)
Milton Bradley (30)
Adam Dunn (28) - $13MM club option for '08; becomes free agent after season if traded
Cliff Floyd (35) - mutual option for '08
Luis Gonzalez (40)
Geoff Jenkins (33) - $9MM club option for '08
Reggie Sanders (40)
Shannon Stewart (34)
Brad Wilkerson (31)

Center fielders
Milton Bradley (30)
Mike Cameron (35)
Darin Erstad (34) - $3.5MM club option for '08
Torii Hunter (32)
Andruw Jones (31)
Kenny Lofton (41)
Corey Patterson (28)
Aaron Rowand (30)

Right fielders
Bobby Abreu (34) - $16MM club option for '08
Milton Bradley (30)
Kosuke Fukudome (31)
Shawn Green (35) - $10MM club option for '08
Jose Guillen (32) - $9MM club option for '08
Geoff Jenkins (33) - $9MM club option for '08
Trot Nixon (34)
Reggie Sanders (40)

DHs
Barry Bonds (43)
Mike Piazza (39)
Sammy Sosa (39)
Mike Sweeney (34)

Starting pitchers
Tony Armas (30) - $5MM mutual option for '08
Kris Benson (33) - $7.5MM club option for '08
Paul Byrd (37) - $8MM club option for '08
Shawn Chacon (30)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33)
Bartolo Colon (35)
Josh Fogg (31)
Casey Fossum (30)
Freddy Garcia (32)
Tom Glavine (42) - $9MM player option for '08
Livan Hernandez (33)*
Jason Jennings (29)
Joe Kennedy (29)
Byung-Hyun Kim (29)
Brian Lawrence (32)
Jon Lieber (38)
Kyle Lohse (29)
Rodrigo Lopez (32)
Greg Maddux (42) - $8.75MM player option or $11MM club option for '08
Eric Milton (32)
Tomo Ohka (32)
Russ Ortiz (34)
Odalis Perez (31) - $9MM club option for '08
Andy Pettitte (36) - $16MM player option for '08
Joel Pineiro (29)
Kenny Rogers (43)
Curt Schilling (41)
Carlos Silva (29)
Julian Tavarez (35) - $3.85MM club option for '08
John Thomson (34)
Brett Tomko (35) - $4.5MM mutual option for '08
Steve Trachsel (37) - $4.75MM club option for '08
Koji Uehara (33)
Jeff Weaver (31)
David Wells (45)
Kip Wells (31)
Randy Wolf (31) - $9MM club option for '08
Jamey Wright (34)
Jaret Wright (32)

Closers
Armando Benitez (35)
Joe Borowski (37) - $4MM club option for '08
Francisco Cordero (33)
Octavio Dotel (32) - $5.5MM mutual option for '08
Eric Gagne (32)
Jason Isringhausen (35) - $8MM club option for '08
Todd Jones (40)
Al Reyes (37) - $1MM club option for '08
Mariano Rivera (38)
Bob Wickman (39)

Middle relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (29)
Antonio Alfonseca (36)
LaTroy Hawkins (35)
Jorge Julio (29)
Joe Kennedy (29)
Scott Linebrink (31)
Troy Percival (39)
David Riske (31) - $2.85MM club option for '08
Russ Springer (39)
Julian Tavarez (35) - $3.85MM club option for '08
Mike Timlin (42)
Luis Vizcaino (31)
Kerry Wood (31)

I don't know why they call them "Free" Agents, because they cost a lot. The Rangers could go after Gagne or Cordero to close again next season. Clemens should really retire for real. He really could end up hurting himself at his age. Same with David Wells. I don't think the Rangers are going to go after Pudge or any other catcher, for that matter. The backstop we have right now in Gerald Laird. They could pursue a first baseman, maybe by trade. I think "Salty" should cook a little longer in the minors. Could this be a homecoming for Kerry Wood? How sweet that would be!!! But I still won't hold my breath on that...

Here's a nasty rumor... Barry Bonds to wear a Rangers uniform next season? I would prefer Sammy Sosa coming back here over Barry Bonds coming here... it's just my preference. Well, take out the pitchers who couldn't handle the Texas heat (based on age - no-one over 40), and also remove the pitchers who have already pitched here and we just aren't interested.

Starting pitchers

• Shawn Chacon (30) - Stats in 2007: 5-4 w/ a 3.94 ERA (1 save) in 96 innings
  
• Matt Clement (33) - did not play in 2007
  
• Bartolo Colon (35) - 6.34 ERA going 6-8 in 99 1/3 innings (missed August)
  
• Josh Fogg (31) - Has a 4.79 ERA in a hitters park (understatement) with a 10-9 record and 161 2/3 innings. His ERA was at 5.27 on 8/22, but has given up 11 Earned Runs in his last 6 outings. He looks to be a hot item in the off-season.
  
• Casey Fossum (30) - Retired maybe??? He just might be retired simply due to a lack of interest by the game. In '07, he went 5-8 with a 7.70 ERA and hasn't pitched since August 5th. Later, Casey.
  
• Freddy Garcia (32) - Went 1-5 with a 5.90 ERA. Not on the hot list... Through only 58 innings this season, but it is his previous seasons that interest me. He could come cheap and might be worth it. But knowing the Rangers luck...
  
• Livan Hernandez (33) - He could be a hot item on the market, but only time will tell on that. 4.93 ERA and an 11-11 record, he's tossed over 200 innings this season. He's a consistent 200 inning guy, having done that the previous three seasons. I would consider him. But only if the $ is right.
  
• Jason Jennings (29) - I can't say that Jason Jennings is going to be a "hot" item... in fact, he might be lucky to land a minor league job this off-season. He finished the year with a 2-9 record (OUCH!) and a 6.45 ERA. If he can attract the Ranger's attention, it would be only because his birthplace is in Dallas.
  
• Joe Kennedy (29) - 4-9 with a 4.80 ERA. He threw 110 2/3 innings this year.
  
• Byung-Hyun Kim (29) - 6.08 ERA with a 10-8 record (good run support?). He pitched 118 1/3 innings and had 107 Ks. Not bad. He also had 68 walks and gave up 20 HRs. Location, location, location.
  
• Brian Lawrence (32) - Already a free agent, he pitched for the Mets earlier this season, going 1-2 in six starts, posting an ERA of 6.83 over 29 innings.
  
• Jon Lieber (38) - Jonathan Ray Lieber (cool name), Lieber had season ending surgery in July. He should still be a great pick up for who-ever lands him. He went 3-6 with a 4.73 ERA in 78 innings. His injury was non-arm related, actually a torn tendon in his right foot. I personally do not know his pitching style, but if he is big into using his legs like Nolan Ryan was back in the day, then it could affect the way he pitches in the future. We'll see.
  
• Kyle Lohse (29) - I WILL PICK UP HERE TOMORROW WHEN I LOG BACK ON...
  
• Rodrigo Lopez (32)
• Eric Milton (32)
• Tomo Ohka (32)
• Russ Ortiz (34)
• Joel Pineiro (29)
• Carlos Silva (29)
• John Thomson (34)
• Koji Uehara (33)
• Jeff Weaver (31)
• Jaret Wright (32)
  

Wouldn't it be great when Michael Young is playing on his birthday? His birthday is just a couple of weeks away (10/19/76). Anyway... I'll run over who will be the best pick up for the Rangers this off season. Maybe we'll knock down some wins and see some Post-Season in '08. That's what I'm talking about. I'll also talk about the MLB Playoff's and my picks tomorrow. Oh, I do love October!