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• Former Rangers: Ryan would be missed

  March 07, 2013 by KenRosenthal

  CLEARWATER, Fla. – The two ex-Rangers in the Phillies’ clubhouse, third baseman Michael Young and reliever Mike Adams, aren’t privy to the political maneuverings within their former team’s front office.

  All Young and Adams know is this: If Nolan Ryan resigns as chief executive officer, as one published report recently suggested, the team’s fans will be upset.

  “I have no idea the ins and outs – that’s obviously Rangers business,” Young said Thursday morning. “But after 12 years there, I have a pretty good understanding of what the fans like. When it comes to all things Rangers, Nolan is at the top of the list of everything that fans like.”

  Adams, a native Texan, agreed.

  “Nolan is a legend -- a Texas legend, and not just Texas baseball, but the state of Texas,” Adams said. “(They would) lose almost face of the franchise, really. He hasn’t played (since 1993) and he’s still pretty much the face of the franchise. If it’s personal reasons, that’s a totally different story. But if he’s pushed out, I think it’s going to be perceived badly.”

  The departure of Ryan almost certainly would not affect attendance – as Adams put it, “the fans ain’t going to stop going because Nolan is not with the organization. Still, the fans aren’t the only ones who would miss Ryan.

  The Rangers’ players would, too.

  “He was around a lot in spring training. He went to pretty much every game,” Young said. “He’d be in the dugout. You’d bump into him and say hello. He was always available if you’d want to talk baseball, which is what baseball players do.

  “In spring training, we’d sit in the kitchen, Nolan would come in and tell stories of when (Robin) Ventura charged him and Bo (Jackson) pulled him out of the pile when he was about to black out. It was always great to talk to a Hall of Famer, bounce ideas off him, let him do the same to you.”

  Young said that Ryan served as a particularly valuable sounding board for him during the 2010-11 offseason, when Young asked for a trade during a dispute with general manager Jon Daniels, saying he had been “misled and manipulated.”

  Ryan and Daniels had said that Young “changed his mind” about his willingness to become a DH and super-utility player after the team’s signing of free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre. Young took exception to those remarks, and a visit from Ryan helped clear the air.

  “He came to my house two nights before I was going to drive to spring training. He heard me out, heard what my concerns were,” Young recalled.

  “The reason it was helpful is because at that point Nolan understood that it had nothing to do with baseball. I had already agreed to my role. But there was a lot of stuff that had happened behind the scenes that led to it going south. It was good to be heard out, simple as that. And I appreciated it.”

  Adams’ relationship with Ryan was different. He grew up in Sinton, Texas, and attended Texas A&M-Kingsville. Ryan was his hero, and Adams, during his time with the Rangers, found it difficult to even approach him.

  “It was one of those, 'He’s Nolan Ryan. You don’t want to bother him too much,'” Adams said. “I was a Texas kid also. He was my pitching idol when I was growing up.

  “I was more in awe than anything whenever I was around him. It was huge for me, him being there, being part of the organization, just to say I know Nolan, and count him as a friend.

  “I still get Christmas cards from him. It’s kind of cool.”

  -Ken Rosenthal

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• A six-man rotation? Why not the Rangers?

  December 20, 2011 by KenRosenthal

  If ever a team was set up for a six-man rotation, it might be the 2012 Texas Rangers.

  The Rangers indeed will have six potential starters if they sign Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish. They could trade a starter. They could return right-hander Alexi Ogando to the bullpen. They also could try a six-man rotation.

  Nolan Ryan, the team’s old-school club president, might object. One Rangers official said he “doubts” that the team would end up using six starters. But every rotation candidate except right-hander Colby Lewis might benefit from a reduced workload, particularly after two straight runs to the World Series.

  Darvish did not pitch every fifth day in Japan. Feliz, the Rangers’ former closer, will be restricted in the number of innings he pitches. Ogando returned to the bullpen last season after his innings mounted.

  The Rangers’ two lefties, Matt Harrison and Derek Holland, both were extended last season to career-high innings totals and likely will be monitored closely.

  Another thing about the Rangers: The versatility of infielder Michael Young could enable them to carry one fewer position player, which almost certainly would be necessary if they went with a six-man rotation.

  The White Sox, Rays and Royals were among the clubs that briefly went with a six-man rotation last season. No team has committed to such a plan from the start of a season.

  The Rangers could be the first. Of course, the more conventional route would be to build a powerhouse bullpen featuring the late-inning trio of Ogando, Mike Adams and new closer Joe Nathan.

  If Darvish signs — once Darvish signs – the fun will begin.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• Could Moreland surgery prompt Prince pursuit?

  November 30, 2011 by JonPaulMorosi

  The Texas Rangers announced Wednesday evening that first baseman Mitch Moreland will need a recovery period of 8-12 weeks after undergoing surgery to remove the pisiform bone from his right wrist.

  It’s impossible to know if Moreland will be game-ready when the Rangers’ spring-training schedule begins, raising an obvious question: Could the uncertainty surrounding Moreland’s immediate future nudge the Rangers into a more serious pursuit of free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder?

  Right now, at least, it appears the answer is no, particularly given the existence of in-house contingencies Michael Young and Mike Napoli.

  The Rangers have interest in Fielder, sources say, but CEO/president Nolan Ryan downplayed the possibility of signing Fielder or Albert Pujols for seven or eight years in an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram earlier this offseason. Sources describe Fielder as not high on the Rangers’ priority list, citing a more pressing need to upgrade the rotation and bullpen. Texas is keeping tabs on free-agent starters Mark Buehrle and C.J. Wilson.

  The Brewers, Cubs, Mariners and Nationals are among the teams with interest in Fielder, sources say.

  At this point, the Rangers are not seriously courting Pujols, sources say.

  -- Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal

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• Quick notes from spring training

  March 13, 2011 by KenRosenthal

  The Oakland Athletics would like to add an inexpensive utility infielder as they await the return of Adam Rosales, who is recovering from offseason surgery on his right foot and likely will be out until May.

  Chances are, though, the A’s will opt for an internal solution; they’ve been playing third baseman Andy LaRoche at short. The Tigers’ Ramon Santiago would make sense, but even he would be too pricey for the A’s at $1.25 million.

  • Yankees rookie catcher Jesus Montero is likely to open the season as the backup to Russell Martin. His bat might tempt the Yankees into expanding his playing time, but a scout says that the Yankees will need to bring Montero along slowly, citing the difficulty all rookie catchers face adapting to the speed of the game in the majors.

  

  STARTLING ROTATIONS

  How does the new-look Phillies
  staff rank among the best rotations
  of all time?

  Lefty CC Sabathia is perhaps the only one of the Yankees’ top three starters who is low-maintenance for a catcher. Righty Phil Hughes is still developing as a pitcher, and A.J. Burnett also requires veteran guidance.

  • Mariners third baseman Chone Figgins needed a few days to think about it, but he finally came up with a comparison for second-base prospect Dustin Ackley.

  “A more athletic Todd Walker,” Figgins said, referring to the former major league second baseman.

  Mariners fans might prefer to hear, “Chase Utley,” but Walker finished his career with a .783 OPS. His defense was below average, but his peers greatly respected his offensive talent — and Figgins was talking about Ackley as a hitter.

  Ackley, the second overall pick in the 2009 draft, is entering his second full season at second base and likely to start the season at Triple-A.

  • For all the talk about how the Phillies could replace Utley, their injured second baseman, the club's utility-infield candidates — Wilson Valdez, Peter Orr, Josh Barfield — are playing well this spring.

  None, obviously, is Utley, but sources continue to say that the Phillies cannot take on a big salary. To acquire the Rangers' Michael Young — if Utley were out for a prolonged stretch — the Phils would need Texas to take right-hander Joe Blanton and include cash in the deal. The Rangers are reluctant to make that type of trade.

  • The Blue Jays are building impressive pitching depth.

  Manager John Farrell told reporters that left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes, who is out of minor-league options, could make the team as a reliever. Righties Jesse Litsch and Kyle Drabek are the favorites for the final two rotation spots, possibly leaving lefty Marc Rzepczynski to start the season at Triple-A.

  Right-hander Zach Stewart also will open at Triple-A, and the Jays are excited by the progress of righty Henderson Alvarez, who has touched 97 mph and changed the grip on his slider, creating more tilt. Alvarez likely will open at Double-A.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• Rangers plan to explore extension with Wilson

  February 18, 2011 by JonPaulMorosi

  Michael Young’s trade request and Josh Hamilton’s contract extension have dominated recent off-the-field headlines involving the Texas Rangers.

  But the front office hasn’t forgotten another important item of business: C.J. Wilson’s future with the team.

  Wilson, 30, is set to become a free agent at the end of this season. But Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told FOXSports.com on Friday that he expects to discuss the possibility of a contract extension with Wilson’s agent over the next several weeks.

  Wilson could be the Rangers’ Opening Day starter this year, after going 15-8 with a 3.35 ERA in 204 innings last season. He followed that with an impressive postseason during which he went 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA in four starts. Wilson will earn a base salary of $7 million this year.

  Daniels said the team has already held internal discussions about the possibility of extending Wilson and other “core players.” While Daniels declined to name who those players might be, shortstop Elvis Andrus and hard-throwing righty Neftali Feliz have roughly the same amount of experience that second baseman Ian Kinsler did before signing his long-term deal with the Rangers.

  — Jon Paul Morosi

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• Marlins fishing for Young

  February 14, 2011 by KenRosenthal

  Matt Dominguez, a player who has yet to reach Triple A, is the leading candidate to play third base for the Florida Marlins.

  

  CACTUS LEAGUE

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  in Arizona and see a map of team
  sites.

  The Texas Rangers’ Michael Young likely would be a better solution.

  The Marlins are interested in Young, who recently asked to be traded, major league sources say. One source with knowledge of the talks, however, describes the possibility as “a real reach.”

  For a deal to occur, the Rangers would need to assume the vast majority of the remaining $48 million on the final three years of Young’s contract. Young also would need to waive his partial no-trade clause for the Marlins, who are not one of the eight teams that can obtain him without his approval.

  The acquisition of Young would allow the Marlins to develop Dominguez at Triple A, leaving the club with an infield of Young, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, second baseman Omar Infante and first baseman Gaby Sanchez.

  Young, a native of Covina, Calif., likely would prefer a trade to the Dodgers or even the Rockies, two teams that are interested in him and free to acquire him without his permission.

  The Marlins, though, routinely aim high in trade discussions, and soon will grow more attractive for players seeking new homes. They are scheduled to move into a new ballpark in downtown Miami in 2012.

  — Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi

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• Young to Dodgers: "Ain't happening"

  February 10, 2011 by KenRosenthal

  Multiple sources said Thursday that the Los Angeles Dodgers had engaged in serious trade discussions with the Texas Rangers about Michael Young. But no deal was close, and one source said flatly of the Young-to-Dodgers scenario: “It ain’t happening.”

  Another source concurred that the Rangers were not close to moving Young to any club, raising the possibility that the disgruntled infielder may still be a Ranger when the team conduct its first full spring training workout on Feb. 20.

  Young, 34, wants to be traded, and the Dodgers are one of eight teams that can acquire him without his permission. The Dodgers’ lack of financial flexibility, however, is an issue; Young is guaranteed $16 million in each of the next three seasons.

  The Rangers would need to pay the majority of Young’s salary for a deal to occur, and one source said the Dodgers asked the Rangers to assume as much as 75 percent of his contract — or $36 million of $48 million.

  The Dodgers have made similar deals in the past, parting with premium young players in exchange for significant cash. The team also could clear payroll by trading third baseman Casey Blake or including him in its package for Young.

  The Rangers, after losing left-hander Cliff Lee to free agency, also could target one of the Dodgers' starters, perhaps right-hander Chad Billingsley — or, more realistically, reliever Jonathan Broxton.

  Blake, 37, is due a total of $6.5 million — $5.25 million this season plus a $1.25 million buyout. The Blue Jays are among the clubs looking for a third baseman, but some in baseball view Blake as more of a part-time player at this stage of his career. Blake’s .663 OPS against right-handed pitching last season was the fifth-worst in the National League.

  If the Dodgers acquired Young, they could play him at second base and use Juan Uribe at third, his stronger defensive position. Young almost certainly would welcome the move — he was born in Covina, Calif., and attended UC Santa Barbara.

  The Rockies remain interested in Young, but their talks with the Rangers are at a standstill, sources say. Angels general manager Tony Reagins all but ruled out Young Thursday in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

  — Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi

   

   

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• Six reasons the Tigers aren't pursuing Young

  February 09, 2011 by JonPaulMorosi

  At present, the Detroit Tigers aren’t one of the suitors for displaced and disgruntled Texas Rangers infielder Michael Young.

  Here's why:

  • The Tigers are among the teams to which Young, a California native, can block a trade.
  • Detroit has Brandon Inge to play third base, Young’s most recent position with the Rangers.
  
  CAN’T TOUCH THIS
  Records are made to be broken.
  But not these.
  • While the Tigers don’t know who their Opening Day second baseman will be, it’s hard to envision Young as a strong candidate for a position he hasn’t played in a major league game since 2003. Young’s range at third base became a concern for the Rangers. His mobility would become an even greater issue at an up-the-middle position.
  • Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers’ team president and general manager, said Tuesday that the team is “set” with its internal candidates to play second base. Dombrowski said Will Rhymes, Danny Worth, Scott Sizemore and Carlos Guillen are all options for the job, although Guillen (knee surgery) isn’t expected to be game ready until mid-March.
  • The Tigers have made a concerted effort to introduce younger players to their lineup in recent years. The result: After grounding into 144 double plays in a dismal 2008 season, that figure dropped in each of the past two years. Young, however, could send that total in the opposite direction. He grounded into a team-high 21 double plays last year – more than any Tiger.
  • Young is due $48 million over the next three seasons. The Tigers are only now emerging from a period of several years in which their payroll was restricted by bulky contracts.

  — Jon Paul Morosi

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• After trade request, where is Young going now?

  February 08, 2011 by JonPaulMorosi

  On Monday evening, the Texas Rangers acknowledged that star Michael Young has requested a trade.
  
  The question now: Where might he be headed?
  
  Here’s a look at seven teams that could, in theory, have room for Young. Inclusion on this list doesn’t necessarily suggest that the teams are in active dialogue with the Rangers.

  

  BIG EARNERS

  See which MLB stars earn the
  highest annual salaries.

  To avoid repetition, let’s acknowledge the obvious right from the beginning: The three years and $48 million left on Young’s contract will be tricky for any team to add at this stage of the offseason, as budgets and rosters are typically set by now. And with Vladimir Guerrero off the board after he signed with the Orioles last week, the Rangers will increase their asking price for Young. It will be much tougher to replace Young's offense now.

  Already, we can cross off the Detroit Tigers from the list of possible suitors. Dave Dombrowski, the Detroit club president and general manager, told FOXSports.com on Tuesday that the Tigers are set with their internal candidates at second base.
  
  COLORADO ROCKIES
  
  Why: The Rockies have shown the most interest in Young throughout the off-season. Sources say they envision him as their everyday second baseman.
  
  Why not: Talks with Colorado have gone on for two months without reaching a resolution. Also, Young hasn’t played second base in the major leagues since 2003. If his range was a problem at third base, it might become an even larger issue at second.
  
  LOS ANGELES ANGELS
  
  Why: The Angels have an obvious need at third base, where they had the lowest OPS of any team in the majors last year. Young would love to continue as an everyday player in the field while reuniting with close friend Vernon Wells.
  
  Why not: The Rangers probably will be reluctant to trade Young within the division, particularly to the rival Angels. Texas won’t want to see him 19 times this year.
  
  LOS ANGELES DODGERS
  
  Why: The Dodgers could upgrade their offense by adding Young at third base and shifting Casey Blake into a super-utility/outfield role. As with the Angels, Young would probably welcome a move back to his native Southern California.
  
  Why not: Given the Dodgers’ ongoing ownership uncertainty, the Rangers would probably need to eat a significant portion of Young’s salary in order to move him. MLB.com reported that a deal with the Dodgers is “a very long shot.”
  
  ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
  
  Why: St. Louis may want to upgrade at third or second, two positions where Young could help. Third baseman David Freese is coming off ankle surgery, and second baseman Skip Schumaker is a converted outfielder who had a disappointing 2010.
  
  Why not: The Cardinals are a little preoccupied now with trying to sign Albert Pujols to a long-term deal. They probably want to save all their dimes in the piggy bank for the effort to retain Pujols.

  

  CAN’T TOUCH THIS

  Records are made to be broken.
  But not these.

  HOUSTON ASTROS
  
  Why: In Carlos Lee, the Astros have a ready-made trade candidate. Lee is due $37 million over the next two seasons, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts. The dollar values are close enough that the clubs could balance the money with a cash exchange. Young could play second base in Houston, with Bill Hall taking Lee’s place in left. Shortstop is another option for Young, with Clint Barmes moving to second and Hall to left.
  
  Why not: The Astros are up for sale, meaning it’s difficult to make any moves that affect the payroll number – even a little bit. The Rangers are one of 14 teams on Lee’s no-trade clause, so his permission would be required for any deal. One source told FOXSports.com that Houston is a “real long shot” to get Young.
  
  TORONTO BLUE JAYS
  
  Why: The Blue Jays would love to acquire an everyday third baseman, so they can move Jose Bautista (and his difference-making throwing arm) back to right field. Young would have particular appeal to a Toronto team that has a youthful core and is trying to establish itself as a contender in the American League East.
  
  Why not: The Jays, who drafted Young in 1997, are one of the teams to which he can block a trade. By dealing Wells and Shaun Marcum this offseason, general manager Alex Anthopoulos suggested that he wants to accumulate young talent with an eye toward 2012 and 2013.
  
  SAN DIEGO PADRES
  
  Why: Young could take over at third base and push Chase Headley into the outfield. The Padres are among the teams to which Young can’t block a trade, according to MLB.com.
  
  Why not: The Padres have a modest payroll and no bad contracts to swap, meaning the Rangers would need to eat the vast majority of the money due to Young. It’s very doubtful that such a trade would meet the Rangers’ standard of improving their club.
  
  — Jon Paul Morosi

   

  On Monday evening, the Texas Rangers acknowledged that star Michael Young has requested a trade.

   

  The question now: Where might he be headed?

   

  Here’s a look at seven teams who could, in theory, have room for Young. (Inclusion on this list doesn’t necessarily suggest that the teams are in active dialogue with the Rangers.)

   

  To avoid repetition, let’s acknowledge the obvious right from the beginning: The three years and $48 million left on Young’s contract will be tricky for any team to add at this stage of the off-season, as budgets and rosters are typically set by now.

   

  COLORADO ROCKIES

   

  Why: The Rockies have shown the most interest in Young throughout the off-season. Sources say they envision him as their everyday second baseman.

   

  Why not: Young hasn’t played second base in the major leagues since 2003. If his range was a problem at third base, it might become an even larger issue at second.

   

  LOS ANGELES ANGELS

   

  Why: The Angels have an obvious need at third base, where they had the lowest OPS of any team in the majors last year. Young would love to continue as an everyday player in the field while reuniting with close friend Vernon Wells.

   

  Why not: The Rangers probably will be reluctant to trade Young within the division, particularly to the rival Angels. Texas won’t want to see him 19 times this year.

   

  LOS ANGELES DODGERS

   

  Why: The Dodgers could upgrade their offense by adding Young at third base and shifting Casey Blake into a super-utility/outfield role. Young would probably welcome a move back to his native southern California.

   

  Why not: Given the Dodgers’ ongoing ownership uncertainty, the Rangers would probably need to eat a significant portion of Young’s salary in order to move him. MLB.com reported that a deal with the Dodgers is “a very long shot.”

   

  ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

   

  Why: St. Louis may want to upgrade at third or second, two positions where Young could help. Third baseman David Freese is coming off ankle surgery, and second baseman Skip Schumaker is a converted outfielder who had a disappointing 2010.

   

  Why not: The Cardinals are a little preoccupied now with trying to sign Albert Pujols to a long-term deal. They probably want to save all their dimes in the piggy bank for the effort to retain Pujols.

   

  HOUSTON ASTROS

   

  Why: In Carlos Lee, the Astros have a ready-made trade candidate. Lee is due $37 million over the next two seasons, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts. The dollar values are close enough that the clubs could balance the money with a cash exchange. Young could play second base in Houston, with Bill Hall taking Lee’s place in left.

   

  Why not: The Astros are up for sale, meaning it’s difficult to make any moves that affect the payroll number – even a little bit. One source told FOXSports.com that Houston is a “real long shot” to get Young.

   

  TORONTO BLUE JAYS

   

  Why: The Blue Jays would love to acquire an everyday third baseman, so they can move Jose Bautista (and his difference-making throwing arm) back to right field. Young would have particular appeal to a Toronto team that has a youthful core and is trying to establish itself as a contender in the American League East.

   

  Why not: A lot of obstacles here. The Jays are one of the teams to which Young can block a trade. By dealing Wells and Shaun Marcum this off-season, general manager Alex Anthopoulos suggested that he wants to accumulate young talent with an eye toward 2012 and 2013.

   

  SAN DIEGO PADRES

   

  Why: Young could take over at third base and push Chase Headley into the outfield. The Padres are among the teams to which Young can’t block a trade, according to MLB.com.

   

  Why not: The Padres have a modest payroll and no bad contracts to swap, meaning the Rangers would need to eat the vast majority of the money due to Young. It’s very doubtful that such a trade would meet the Rangers’ standard of improving their club.

   

  -- Jon Paul Morosi

   

   

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• Rockies would be interested in Michael Young

  December 07, 2010 by TracyRingolsby

  If the Texas Rangers are serious about trading Michael Young, the Colorado Rockies are interested.

  The Rockies and Rangers have been in contact about the possibility of a deal involving Young, according to major league sources. If a deal were made, the Rockies would move Young back to second base.

  Texas is believed to be checking with numerous teams to see what kind of interest Young would generate on the trade market, and the Rangers have indicated that they'd assume a portion of the $48 million Young's guaranteed over the next three years.

  The Rockies and Rangers have had only initial contact on the matter. They haven't discussed players the Rockies would give up, nor have they dealt with how much of the remaining money on Young's contract the Rangers would pick up.

  Young does have the right to specify only eight teams to which he can be traded, and it's not known whether the Rockies are among the eight teams.

  -Tracy Ringolsby

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