Randy Wolf, Kenny Lofton, & Frank Catalanotto as Rangers in 07 and none of our free agents returning? So says this article on free agent possibilities over at mlbtraderumors. Here’s what they’re saying about Wolf, Lofton, & Cat…
Randy Wolf: It’ll be a somewhat risky signing, but the Rangers need some starters. I only have them down for one free agent starter, so another would have to come via trade. I could see a major splash with a Young or Teixeira trade.
My thoughts: Probably no worse a risk than Padilla was coming in here last year. Injuries are an issue, of course, and there’s the perception that Daniels is going to the Philly well yet again. I probably wouldn’t be upset with this at all. Would depend on the dollars/years. Also, there’s that trade Mike Young or Tex thing. Young ain’t happening. While I wouldn’t be happy about it, I could see Tex going somewhere else, but I don’t think any Ranger fan wants THAT.
Kenny Lofton: Someone has to fill the void in center if Matthews tests the market and finds something better. Why not a 48 year-old speedster? Should Matthews and Lee leave, the Rangers will have a lot of question marks in the outfield.
My thoughts: Might as well bring back Julio Franco, too. Oh hey, I hear Ricky Henderson is still officially not retired either. There’s gotta be a better stopgap option than Lofton. The only reason to bring him in would mean you’d make a major push to bring in Vernon Wells after 2007. There is that quote of Wells’ saying that he and Mike Young would be teammates eventually. As a Ranger fan, you have to like that.
Frank Catalanotto: Not only is he a former Ranger, but they tried to trade for him this summer. Texas has pretty good outfield options in Nelson Cruz and Brad Wilkerson, but stability and flexibility with Catalanotto and Lofton makes sense.
My thoughts: Would strike me as the same return as bringing back David Dellucci. I never wanted Cat to leave in the first place, but now that we’re a few years removed, I’m not sure if there aren’t better options there. Course our outfield is full of holes if all our guys walk, so we probably could use a pickup like this. Not a problem with it, but it strikes me as a sideways move.
The link above has some other ideas as to where the Ranger free agents will end up.
Carlos Lee – Astros
Vicente Padilla – Mets
Mark DeRosa – Phillies
Gary Matthews – Cubs
The report also has Alfonso Soriano joining DeRosa in Philly. The only way THAT would happen is if Philly can move Pat Burrell, which is no mean feat itself. I wouldn’t mind taking a flyer on Burrell down here in Texas, provided Philly picks up a bunch of salary. Course there’s that “too many times to the Philly well” idea again. :)
Guy at MLBTradeRumors that wrote the above statements still thinks we should trade Michael Young, just to see what we could get. Dude still doesn’t get it.
I can see Wolf being here. I can see Cat being here, but not Lofton. I don’t see why we really go after 2 straight outfielders. I see the Rangers going after one FA outfielder and one OF/DH type FA like Gonzo or Craig Wilson. Someone, like DeRo, who could give some flexibility on defense.
BTW, I’m glad you see lots of holes in his arguments, too.
I’ve noticed the dude from MLBTradeRumors tends to be very heavy handed with Texas. Really, some of these arguements are way off base.
Wolf, yeah I could see him here. He could be okay.
I would love a return of the Cat to Arlington. At the very least, he could be a leadoff hitter at the DH position, along with a part time outfielder.
Kenny Lofton is a joke. I think the Rangers would rather have Freddy Guzman at center than sign him. Actually, that’s not a bad idea…