I know Casey's a great guy to have around the clubhouse and all, but he is really on the downside of his career right now, apparently. I'd like to keep him as a reserve, but I would like to see us attempt to get a left 1B. The guy that may fit the bill most is Mark Teixiera. Is there any way you guys think we could get him without giving up too much?

I know Casey's a great guy to have around the clubhouse and all, but he is really on the downside of his career right now, apparently. I'd like to keep him as a reserve, but I would like to see us attempt to get a left 1B. The guy that may fit the bill most is Mark Teixiera. Is there any way you guys think we could get him without giving up too much?

No.

I thought he was a FA in another year. Texas would want Verlander or Bonderman for him. We'd probably be able to get Tejada or Arod cheaper (in terms of trades, not $) and move Guillen to 1B, which would solve his shitty throwing anyway. Too bad Arod expoded this year because now the Yankees will want to keep him unless he demands out.

Actually, ARod may be helping us out a bit. After his torrid start (April = 14 HR, 34 RBI, .882 slugging %, .355 BA) he has cooled off considerably (May = 2 HR, 6 RBI, .379 slugging %, .258 BA). Before those numbers look way too skewed, April was meauring 93 AB and May has only had 66 AB, so in another 27 AB you can do a better comparison, but unless he goes on a freakish tear, there's still a considerable dropoff. Also, those numbers don't include yesterday, in which he was 1-5 with a solo homer.
Even bigger is the fact that somehow in spite of those numbers the Yankees still can't win. Meaning if they do deal ARod, they're going to want at least two guys that can immediately join their pitching rotation. They're an absolute mess. Really, who knows what they can do. Biggest issue is they haven't been able to keep a staff healthy for years. Trhough 42 games they've had 11 different starters. They had 12 different starters in 2006, 14 in 2005, and 12 in 2004.
By comparison, the Tigers have used 8 this year, 8 in 2006, 10 in 2005 and 7 in 2004. That's an average of 4 fewer starters (50% less) per season. That's huge.

You might have been able to put together a decent package for Teixiera about 3 weeks ago when he was hovering around the Mendoza line, but he's been on fire ever since.

No deal.

They look at him as their franchise player, I really don't think they're going to trade him unless they get a king's ransom back.

He's expensive but Todd Helton's probably a more realistic target. He's started to fall off power-wise too though.

I noticed Sheff is going to be playing OF for the Interleague games. He will rotate between RF and LF with Monroe playing CF some days.

Teixiera, ARod and Tejada are all franchise players and they won't come cheap. We'd have to trade one of Bonderman, Verlander or Miller along with a mid-level prospect or two to acquire one of them.

If the Tigers are going to acquire anyone, I would rather have them go after Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

If we can't get Teix, maybe we can bring Hal Morris back?

Jason Stark was on Mike and Mike this morning saying Texiera would be the hottest name out there on the trading block this year. Not too much left on his deal and wants out of Texas.

Not sure what we'd have to give up though.

A reporter from Dallas suggested Tex for Miller, Maybin and Thames or Casey. Note that was just the reporter speculating. No talks have taken place, but if that is the price I say screw it. Tex is only signed through next season so if he walks you just gave up 2 of the top 3 prospects in the system.

Yeah, I'm no baseball fan but that sounds ridiculous.

Yeah, I wouldn't do that either. Just too much for a player who might leave via FA.

What about Lance Berkman?

Talk like that is just a reporter thinking out of his cornhole.

Dombrowski said last season he wouldn't trade Maybin straight up for Soriano. I'm guessing Tex probably grades out similar to Soriano in terms of value, though he is also great defensively. Translation - Maybin isn't going to be traded. He's pretty much untouchable, as is Miller. Any other prospects in the organization might invite a conversation but eventually the Rangers asking price is going to plummet when they realize no one is going to sell their entire farm system for one player. Mike Ditka is not an MLB GM.

I think the Tigers have enough pitching prospects to give up that they wouldn't need to move Maybin to get someone like that. They wouldn't move Miller (and probably not the guy we drafted either), but maybe someone else and a guy like Thames.

Once upon a time Hank Blalock was the Ranger we all wanted. If he can come cheaper, why not bring him in and convery him to 1B? He can backup 3B when Inge needs a day or gets hurt, he hits lefty, and he can hit .285 with 25 HR. Only 26 years old and seems like he'll come much cheaper.

Actually, Blalock has a better fielding % than Inge. Put Blalock at 3B, convert Inge back to SS (wasn't that his original college position? He certainly has the range) and move Guillen to 1B.

DL

Actually, Blalock has a better fielding % than Inge. Put Blalock at 3B, convert Inge back to SS (wasn't that his original college position? He certainly has the range) and move Guillen to 1B.

I thought Inge started as a catcher here? Maybe he was a SS in college, I have no idea.

At any rate, Inge would be great at either spot really. Guillen fields fine, he just throws like shit.

Sounds like Teix is hurt pretty badly.


Jun 10 Teixeira is expected to be out for more than 15 days to recover from a severely strained left quadriceps, according to the Dallas Morning News.

I thought Inge started as a catcher here? Maybe he was a SS in college, I have no idea.

At any rate, Inge would be great at either spot really. Guillen fields fine, he just throws like shit.
Inge was a SS in college. We drafted him and turned him into a catcher. He was a great defensive catcher but he couldn't seem to get his bat going like he did in college so we made him a utility guy and he showed he could play 3rd pretty well. He also showed that when he wasn't catching, he could focus a bit more on batting and raise his numbers quite a bit.

Cool, thanks for the info.

Injuries are killing them. When I looked further into Blalock's trip to the DL, I saw it was the 60-day retroactive to mid-May because he had to have a rip removed. Ouch.
True or False - players on the DL may not be traded. Perthaps that's just a fantasy league rule.
If he's on track to make a comeback in mid-August, I say we consider a move at the trade deadline. There may never be a cheaper time to get him. If they're already considering moving Tex, why not complete the fire sale? We could use Gagne too. I would talk about Michael Young, but he signed a 5 year, $80 million extension a month ago. That actually makes it look like they would NOT fire sale.

Knobler was on this morning saying he predicts a fire sale in Texas for sure.

On the other hand, he expects Houston to make a move to get back in that race with the Brewers recent slide (which hopefully continues with us). Thus, Lidge may or may not be on the block (could be on the block to bring back help).

Jun 20 Teixeira isn't likely to be back in the Texas Rangers lineup until after the All-Star break because of his strained left quadriceps.

Advice: Teixeira is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Sunday, but the switch-hitting first baseman isn't going to be ready then. Teixeira wouldn't give a timetable for his return, but Rangers manager Ron Washington said he doesn't expect Teixeira back until after the All-Star break, which is from July 9-11.

I'm all for Tex in the D. Great fielder, awesome slugger, and a switcher. Would do well in the fair Comerica Park.

And if we can't get him, I'm sure we could get the blue collar version: Carlos Pena. A quality 1st base bat that we could get for cheap. I'm sure Tampa Bay wouldn't demand much.

And eeeeewww @ Blalock. No one with half a brain would ever want him. He's only 26, but he's gotten worse every year, and was on pace for another sub-20 homer season(and he plays in one of the most lefty friendly parks in the L).

I'm pretty sure we tried the Pena thing for several years and it didn't work. I'm not sure what's in his Gatorade right now, but I expect a massive 2nd half slump. I call that slump "The Shelton".

Adam Dunn is supposedly very available, and hard to trade for the Reds due to his poor D. He could fill in at first. Quietly having a great year. .270, 20 HRs, 47 RBIs.

Teix is apparently the Yanks "#1 priority" at the trade deadline.

I work for the Great Lakes Loons in Midland and we have a prospect their named Clayton Kershaw, he was the #1 H.S. pitcher taken in '06 (one spot after Andrew Miller) by the Dodgers and in the last 4 or 5 days there have been a TON of Ranger scouts at the game and there are several rumors floating around that the Dodgers are hot on the Tex bandwagon. This kid is a top 3 pitching spect in their organization which is strange to give him up for Tex, but with their being so many Ranger scouts there I'll give it some credibility.

I work for the Great Lakes Loons in Midland and we have a prospect their named Clayton Kershaw, he was the #1 H.S. pitcher taken in '06 (one spot after Andrew Miller) by the Dodgers and in the last 4 or 5 days there have been a TON of Ranger scouts at the game and there are several rumors floating around that the Dodgers are hot on the Tex bandwagon. This kid is a top 3 pitching spect in their organization which is strange to give him up for Tex, but with their being so many Ranger scouts there I'll give it some credibility.

Dodgers are looking for bullpen help too so there may be a deal for Gagne and Teix in the works. Kershaw's a huge prospect and the Rangers are always looking for a new great arm to ruin.

Brain cramp, their bullpen's alright. This would be a stupid move for them, James Loney has been great for them at first.

Rangers in talks with several teams about Teixeira
By Buster Olney
ESPN The Magazine

Updated: July 24, 2007, 2:18 PM ET

Executives with other teams believe that the Texas Rangers are definitely intent on trading first baseman Mark Teixeira before the July 31 trade deadline, which would make Teixeira the most prominent player dealt.

The rival executives say that the Rangers' demands for Teixeira have come down bit by bit. In addition, the Rangers feel they can get one or more of the targeted prospects that they can ask for from the targeted teams.

At the outset of the Teixeira trade talks, for example, the Rangers had insisted the Yankees include either Jaba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes, one of the Yankees' top pitching prospects, and had asked the Dodgers for three top prospects. They had asked the Red Sox for pitcher Clay Buchholz and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

The Angels, Braves and Giants are also involved in talks for Teixeira.

Jaba, lol.

Yeah, I doubt we're really in the running at this point with the way Casey's picked it up and what we'd have to give up to get him.

Don't sleep on Hessman, lol.

Well... hell, I haven't seen much of Hessman, but from his numbers I'd say he's Adam Dunn from the other side.

Hessman joins the Tigers, helped by a game of golf

by Danny KnoblerTuesday July 24, 2007, 7:19 AM



CHICAGO - Mike Hessman hit .214 at Triple-A Toledo in 2005. He hit .165 at Toledo last year.
He hit a few home runs, but there was absolutely no reason to think he was on the way back to the major leagues.
So how is it that Hessman ended up with the Detroit Tigers, taking the field Monday with the team with the best record in the majors, and getting the game-winning hit in a 9-6 Tiger win over Chicago?
Part of it is that with Marcus Thames hurt, the Tigers needed someone who could spell Sean Casey once or twice a week at first base. And part of it goes back to a golf game Hessman played last August with Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish.
``We had tried everything with him,'' Parrish said Monday. ``Then I was playing golf with him, and I saw that he hit his irons good. He stayed in there and hit through the ball. The next day I took him for soft-toss, and I told him, `Don't even think like you're hitting a baseball. Think like you're hitting a 5-iron.'
``He did it, and I said, `Mike, right there's what we've been trying to get you to do for two years.''
Hessman raised his average this year to .256, and with 27 home runs and 86 RBIs in 97 games, he was a Triple-A All-Star. Now, for the first time since he played for Atlanta early in 2004, Hessman is back in the big leagues.
``We finally figured it out,'' Hessman said. ``I knew I had the potential to do what I'm doing this year.''
It's hard to say how long Hessman will stay with the Tigers, but for now, he'll get some chances to play. Besides playing first base against most left-handers, Hessman can back up Brandon Inge at third base and can play left field.
``I think he's a good third baseman and a good first baseman, and he's got big-time power,'' manager Jim Leyland said. ``They say he swings and misses, but there are a lot of guys in the big leagues who swing and miss. There aren't many guys with big-time power.''
The Tigers didn't see the power Monday, but they did see Hessman get two hits in four at-bats. He singled and scored a run in the fourth, and it was his two-out two-run bloop single that gave the Tigers a 7-6 lead in the seventh.

A reporter from Dallas suggested Tex for Miller, Maybin and Thames or Casey. Note that was just the reporter speculating. No talks have taken place, but if that is the price I say screw it. Tex is only signed through next season so if he walks you just gave up 2 of the top 3 prospects in the system.

Holy shit Batman. I would never do that for a slightly above average 1st bagger. It would be nice to have some power from the left side though. Good info though. I bet the reporter isn't that far off from what mgmt thinks his value is.


Teixeira isn't a free agent until after the 2008 season, but the Rangers are still angling to move him. This season, he's hitting .301 AVG/.407 OBP/.544 SLG and providing his customary good defense at first base. For his career, he's a .265 AVG/.359 OBP/.492 SLG hitter away from Arlington, so he's a good — not great — producer by first baseman standards. He'd be a good fit for anyone in need of left-handed power at first or DH. The Angels, Yankees and Twins should all have interest.

It seems like Casey and Monroe or Thames or Rayburn would be more like it. But I'm never a good judge of trade values.

I'm arguing with myself where we are most stacked with talent or where we have duplicates. 1st base or outfield.

Scratch Raburn from the deal as he has just hit 2 dingers tonight.

Texiera would be a great addition, but I wouldn't offer more than Thames and a minor league pitcher for him, so it's a moot point. They wouldn't do it. We can just sign him in two years and it costs us nothing.

Besides, I think Guillen will be moved to 1B when Casey leaves. We should really be talking about trading for Tejada, A Rod, etc instead of a 1B.

Teix is apparently close to going to Atlanta for a package that includes their young catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Texiera would be a great addition, but I wouldn't offer more than Thames and a minor league pitcher for him, so it's a moot point. They wouldn't do it. We can just sign him in two years and it costs us nothing.

Besides, I think Guillen will be moved to 1B when Casey leaves. We should really be talking about trading for Tejada, A Rod, etc instead of a 1B.

That really needs to happen. His .951 fielding percentage is dead last among all qualified major league shortstops.

btw, my ultimate dream (if we did acquire a SS) would be Jimmy Rollins. He's as close as you're going to get to a 5 tool middle infielder.

That really needs to happen. His .951 fielding percentage is dead last among all qualified major league shortstops.

and he's tied for the league lead in errors there at 20 (or he was anyway).

btw, my ultimate dream (if we did acquire a SS) would be Jimmy Rollins. He's as close as you're going to get to a 5 tool middle infielder.

I'd love to get a SS that hits for great average and is a great base stealer. Someone that can hit lead off and allow Granderson to slide into a spot that would allow him to get more RBI's (instead of Monroe and Inge striking out ahead of him).

Hanley Ramirez is fucking awesome.

Teix deal could evolve into blockbuster with Atlanta & LA Dodgers. Gagne in play, too.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/072607dnsporangteixeira.aeab0031.html

Hanley Ramirez is fucking awesome.

No way in hell, unfortunately.:emo kid:

If Ramirez is unattainable, they can just deal us Amezaga instead :yingyang:

I'd also take a good 3B and move Inge to SS as well.

Braves close to acquiring Teixeira from Rangers

ESPN.com news services

Updated: July 30, 2007, 12:39 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves appear to be the winner for the right to acquire first baseman Mark Teixeira from the Texas Rangers.

A preliminary agreement has been reached between the teams for Atlanta to receive Teixeira and left-handed reliever Ron Mahay from Texas for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, minor league shortstop Elvis Andrus and two minor league pitchers.

Baseball America rates Saltalamacchia and Andrus as the Braves' top two prospects in their organization.

The Fort-Worth Star Telegram, citing a Rangers source, is reporting that the two pitchers Texas will receive are 19-year-old right-hander Nestali Feliz and another pitcher to be determined.

The deal will be finalized once players' medical records are reviewed. Major League Baseball's deadline to trade players without securing waivers is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Teixeira, a 27-year-old switch-hitting slugger, has won two Gold Gloves at first base. He is batting .297 this season with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs. Since breaking into the majors with Texas in 2003, Teixeira has had seasons of 26, 38, 43 and 33 home runs.

Only Ralph Kiner, Albert Pujols and Eddie Mathews hit more than the 140 homers that Teixeira had in his first four major league seasons. He had at least 33 homers and 110 RBIs in each of the past three.

Teixeira missed 27 games because of a strained left quadriceps muscle sustained running out a ground ball. The Rangers were 16-11 when he was out of the lineup after he played in a team record 507 consecutive games. He will be eligible for salary arbitration after making $9 million this season.

Among the teams that reportedly negotiated with the Rangers for Teixeira were the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox.

CLEVELAND -- In one of the most significant midseason moves in club history -- and one of the most anticipated -- the Rangers traded Mark Teixeira and left-handed reliever Ron Mahay to the Atlanta Braves on Monday for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Class A shortstop Elvis Andrus, 19-year-old right-hander Neftali Feliz and another pitching prospect to be determined, likely left-handed pitcher Matt Harrison, according to Rangers sources.
The deal is expected to be announced Tuesday pending medical evaluations.

Baseball America rated Saltalamacchia as the Braves' No. 1 prospect and Andrus as the No. 2.

I think this was an outstanding deal for the Rangers.

for both really, assuming Altanta can either make the world series, or resign him.

I don't think Atlanta is even going to make the playoffs.

I don't think Atlanta is even going to make the playoffs.

They are only 4.5 back and 3 back from the wild card. I haven't seen them play once all year, but the numbers don't suggest they can't catch up. Am I missing something? They have a 60 year old Franco hitting .217 there.

I just know what I saw against the Tigers and the few other games that I've seen.

I just think the Mets and Phillies are both better teams.

I just know what I saw against the Tigers and the few other games that I've seen.

I just think the Mets and Phillies are both better teams.

That may be, but they are only a game behind Philly. They probably think he improves them enough to catch up.

Look at how much better our lineup is with Sheff. It's basically the same lineup with Shef instead of Thames(not hitting well then)/Shelton. We are scoring a full run more a game with his bat in there. Look at Maggs. He only hit .298 last year. He already has more doubles than all of last year, more walks, and almost as many RBI's and HR's.

I don't think it's absurd to think Texieria could have a big impact on their lineup.

Tex, with the Braves, will produce. But keep in mind they're thin at C now and McCann might get run down. Chipper is playing well and they have a few other guys producing, but if Andruw Jones doesn't get his BA right (he hit .271 in July which is a huge improvement for his season), the team is still going to struggle.
How's Tex doing in his comeback from injury? 1 HR in 64 AB since coming off the DL isn't exactly what teams were planning to trade for.

Here's a prediction to file away for next July 31.

The Braves will trade Teixiera.

Why?

Boros is his agent, and Boros NEVER lets his guys sign extensions without hitting the market first. If Teix hits the market, Atlanta won't be able to keep him.

This is an expensive rental.

I could see that happening. Do you think they could get something comparable to what they gave up to get him (if that team signed him to an extension)?

He won't sign an extension, so they won't get as much for him, IMO.

He wouldn't sign a big extension with a new club next year? It would be the same as hitting the open market (if he got market value that is).

Hitting the open market allows teams to bid against each other, one of Scott Boro's main tenets.

If he signs a simple extension before being traded at the deadline, he loses a lot of leverage (and $).

but do you think he has a dollar amount he wants and would forgoe the FA if he got that?

I think Boros would drop him as a client if he did.

The fact that he hired Boros in the first place means that he wants as much as he can get.

Boros will make sure that he gets it.

Interestingly, the Tigers/DD are believed to have one of the best relationships with Boros in MLB.

I also remember one of our local stations interviewing him (Tex) late last year and he said he'd love to come here. I'm not sure it was any more than he'd want to be with another contender though. He liked the guys on the team here though, I do know that.

What kind of money will we have coming off the books then? I know Kenny, C Moe and Thames are probably all FA's by then. Casey may or may not be here. Jones will be gone. Not sure about the rest of our bull pen.

I know there is no cap, but Illitch will have a certain amount he wants to spend regardless.

DD has a philosophy about not paying a single player "X"% of the teams total payroll.

Where "X" = a number that would be considered high, but I can't recall right now.

Teix is going to get $20m/yr or more, IMO.

That means NY or Boston, basically.

Check this out: http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/07/31/mark-teixeira-turned-down-140-million/

was it the money, or the losing team? I don't think he's worth 20 mil a year. He's no A-rod, and he plays a position that's easier to find a good power hitter.

Sure, I'd love to have him here, but I'm not sure he'll get 20 mil+

The Yankees have a nice hole at 1B waiting for him.

Switch hitting, power hitting, multiple gold glove winning 1Bs are not that common.