OK, I knew I couldn’t wait all offseason to have something to say. The Arod opt out kind of kicked me into doing something. :) It’s quite weird but in the last few seasons, I’ve enjoyed all the off season business stuff just as much as the actual games. Don’t know when that happened. Maybe I could get a job for Scott Boras. I know he has some money to throw around.
Anyway, no Texas Rangers filed for free agency on the first day of eligibility, but 57 players did, including several ex Rangers, and a few players that are supposedly on the Rangers’ radar this offseason. They are:
American League:
A’s: Jeff DaVanon, Shannon Stewart
Angels: Bartolo Colon
Blue Jays: Joe Kennedy, Matt Stairs
Indians: Trot Nixon
Royals: Jason LaRue, Reggie Sanders
Tigers: Sean Casey, Todd Jones
Twins: Torii Hunter, Carlos Silva
Yankees: Doug Mientkiewicz, Jorge Posada, Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Luis Vizcaino
National League:
Astros: Brad Ausmus, Mike Lamb, Mark Loretta, Trever Miller, Brian Moehler, Orlando Palmeiro
Braves: Julio Franco, Ron Mahay
Brewers: Francisco Cordero, Ray King, Corey Koskie, Scott Linebrink, Damian Miller
Cardinals: Miguel Cairo, David Eckstein, Troy Percival, Kip Wells
Cubs: Kerry Wood
Diamondbacks: Jeff Cirillo, Livan Hernandez, Bob Wickman
Giants: Barry Bonds, Pedro Feliz
Marlins: Armando Benitez
Mets: Marlon Anderson, Luis Castillo, Ramon Castro, Damion Easley, Shawn Green, Paul LoDuca
Nationals: Robert Fick
Padres: Michael Barrett, Milton Bradley
Phillies: Jon Lieber, Jose Mesa, Abraham Nunez, Aaron Rowand
Pirates: Tony Armas, Jr
Rockies: Jeremy Affeldt, Jorge Julio
If you’re reading this site, you know who the Rangers are likely to go after (Torii Hunter, Aaron Rowand are the most named). There’s some on there that I probably wouldn’t mind bringing back on a flier (Ron Mahay, Cordero, but he’d likely want too much $ and guaranteed closer). Bartolo Colon couldn’t hurt, although I wonder if he’d sign here. Kerry Wood in the bullpen, perhaps?
There’s quite a few of the oh dear God no – don’t think that on that list. :)
And is Julio Franco a formality? Isn’t he retiring?