The Texas Rangers, who are capable of bold moves and would like to replace Milton Bradley's offense, are considering a pursuit of superstar free agent Manny Ramirez.
The Rangers have been quiet this winter -- their big move has been signing reliever Derrick Turnbow -- but are looking at a number of ways to improve. Owner Tom Hicks has shown a willingness to make big signings in the past (Alex Rodriguez for $252 million is the prime example), and the Rangers were the one team who showed interest in Ramirez five winters ago when the Red Sox were shopping him (discussing a Ramirez for A-Rod deal at the time). With the Rangers about to lose the free agent Bradley, who was one of the best offensive players in the game last year (.999 OPS) to free agency, their interest in Ramirez has increased.
Despite Texas potentially joining the chase, the Dodgers and Giants appear, at this point, to be the most likely landing spots for Ramirez, who hit .396 with 17 home runs and 53 RBIs in 53 games after being traded to the Dodgers last summer before batting .520 in the postseason.
As for the Rangers, GM Jon Daniels told mlb.com they were not currently pursuing Ramirez but he did not rule it out. The club is working on a number of things, most of them involving the pitching staff. They have interest in free-agent pitcher Ben Sheets, a terrific pitcher who was hampered by arm discomfort late last year. The injury is not believed to be serious but has caused his market to be slow to develop. Texas is also looking into bringing back reliever Eric Gagne, who pitched well for them the first half of 2007, and is considering other relief options, as well.
As to those currently on the roster, Texas has been fielding offers on veteran pitcher Vicente Padilla, with the Braves among the teams to show interest. They also have received a few inquiries on shortstop Michael Young, who has $62 million and five years left on his deal.
Jarah Mariano
Alison Preston
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Comments (71) Add A Comment
Rangers... you cant be serious. You had AROD... you lost... you had Teixeira...you lost. You want to give all your money to one player again... Manny...and do you really expect a different outcome?
Yankee27
Castaic , CA
Total Comments (1080)
they won't sign him. they'll just get their name out there associated with manny so they can point to it and say,"we tried." of course, their idea of trying is offering just below market value. just enough to keep from getting him.
the realist
Dallas , TX
Total Comments (78)
ps: arod sucks.
the realist
Dallas , TX
Total Comments (78)
ps: arod sucks.
the realist
Dallas , TX
Total Comments (78)
More Bora$$ propaganda. It is obvious that there is little to no market for Manny, so now Bora$$ and his lackey Heyman are manufacturing silly rumors.
mishagothe
New London , CT
Total Comments (300)
Veteran, proven, hitter for the Rangers line-up...i call it a great move. Blalock has not proven he can return to form or from injury. C Davis is still young and unproven...he has to bat no higher than 5. The Rangers need a #3 or #4 hitter in the line-up to bat either in front of or behind J Hamilton. The addition would also allow the Rangers to explore trade possibilities of M Byrd and D Murphy who have drawn interest from other clubs.
fatboy_76
Cedar Hill , TX
Total Comments (8)
Spot on right there. BorASS should be banned.
Sports Know it all
Total Comments (36)
By the way Yankee....you have ARod now and you guys have not won either. Are you enjoying watching him choke in big game situations and in the playoffs? Next you will learn that Tex is just as much of a cancer as well. After giving up so much to aquire him the Braves dumped him for a small fraction. Just in case you were not watching...the Braves records declined after his signing....and I dont remember seeing the Angels get any further in the playoffs with Tex.
fatboy_76
Cedar Hill , TX
Total Comments (8)
Let the Yankees keep spending their BILLIONS with no results. Their fans are always saying how other fans are jealous of the Yankees ability to spend large amounts on players...then we watch them finish in 3d place BEHIND a team with a payroll ONE-FIFTH of the Yankees.
What excuses will they have after finishing 4th in 2009?
NY State of Mind
Total Comments (14)
I agree with you fatboy_76. In fact the Rangers did better after arod was gone. The arod curse still lives! And the funny thing is I do not hear of any real talk in regards to the Rangers chasing Manny in the Dallas media. People can say what they want about Manny but he carried the Dodgers to 1st place in that division. He had some monster numbers. Regardless of what you think of him the guy can hit the baseball and produce but is very mediocre on defense.
3Jays
Flower Mound , TX
Total Comments (19)
Missed the playoffs last season... 1st time in last 13 seasons. And how have the Rangers been doing lately? Oh, that right... the Angels take the West and the East gets the Wild Card. Enjoy going no where for a long time buddy.
Yankee27
Castaic , CA
Total Comments (1080)
I realy don't think Hicks negotiates much with Boras anymore, especially a bgi name free agent after the Chan Ho debacle. You have offense much cheaper at your disposal. If you wanted a big hitter for your lienup then you should have resigned Milton! Eric Gagne? No help. If you want to trade a pitcher, trade Millwood, he's the batting practice pitcher making $12.5 mil on your roster and use that money to sign Sheets and maybe at Petitte. But then again, they are the Rangers.
The Piranha
Total Comments (74)
Once again, Heyman reporting interest in a Boras client that the team named promptly denies. Hmmmmmm. However, in this case, Texas would be a natural fit for Manny, and they have shown the willingness to pay in the past. They are exactly the kind of team that can steal him away if the Dodgers aren't careful here. I think, however, that the Dodgers will end up signing him, unless the Rangers really go wild in their offer.
mipacu56
Total Comments (37)
The Piranha makes a good point as to why the Rangers won't go overboard trying to sign Manny....
mipacu56
Total Comments (37)
Boras' mouthpiece, Heyman, is at it again. Unless Manny can pitch and win 15-20 games I don't see where that would be a wise signing.
califkid
Total Comments (128)
Since the Ho debacle, the only players the Rangers show interest in are either pass-around players, or those coming back from injuries. They won't lay out the money for anyone who puts butts in the seats, let alone helps them improve.
cwheat
Lipan , TX
Total Comments (2)
Manny and the climate in Texas equals a train wreck in the making.
Phil G
Westerly , RI
Total Comments (4)
AROD SUCKS ARE YOU KIDDING ME THIS GUY WINS THE MVP OTHER YEAR ANY BETS ON THIS YEAR THER JERKY?
PHILBO
Georgia, VT
Total Comments (28)
with arod and tex in the same lineup as jeter, damon, and other solid vets i would dare to say the yankees are on there way. theyt no have the players that want to be there and the pitching to go the distance. we sign 1 more quality pitcher and move joba to pen its all over but th handing out of the rings.
PHILBO
Georgia, VT
Total Comments (28)
Heyman is just a pawn for Boras's game. Boras feeds him the informaton to drive the price up fpr his client. I cannot take anything that Heymans says seriously...
pcastro
Peabody , MA
Total Comments (5)
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