Tex Message

Often when a team gets a whiff of the sweet, sweet post-season, they do whatever they can to improve their chances of returning. Sometimes they stock up on more pitching or hitting, to secure that playoff berth the following year. Other times teams are content to just try again with the same group that got them to the playoffs in the first place. And sometimes, you get a team like the Texas Rangers, who had a pretty awesome team to begin with, but with the loss of Cliff Lee, decided to try and fix things in an unorthodox manner.

Namely, the Rangers are trying to make up for the loss of an ace pitcher by getting another bat, and another All-Star 3B. Whhaaa? Yeah, instead of adding depth and security to the rotation, the Rangers saw to it to grab 3B Adrian Beltre off the market. This is good and bad at the same time. It's good because they stole yet another major player away from the AL West division rival Los Angeles Angels, who have now had one of the most demoralizing off-seasons I have ever seen. Apparently nobody wants to play there. This pickup also solidifies the Rangers' infield defense and adds another potent bat to an already extremely potent lineup.

However, the loss of an ace-caliber pitcher is nothing to sneeze at. While the Rangers have signed reclamation-project Brandon Webb, who hasn't pitched in almost two full years, they are now without an anchor in the rotation. Neftali Feliz, the AL Rookie of the Year, and dynamite closer, might have to swing back to his starting role that he had been accustomed to before coming up to the majors. Does that mean the Rangers will go out and spend even more to get Raphael Soriano, the only solid closer still on the market? Meanwhile, other pitchers, maybe C.J. Wilson, will have to step into an #1 role, something not every guy can do with ease.

And there is another question about this signing. Is Beltre worth it? I know I'm in the minority here, but I have to say no. Beltre has signed a 5-year, $80 million deal, with a sixth-year extension that is easily attainable, making this essentially 6-years at $96 million. For $16 million a year, he better produce consistently like he did last year for the Boston Red Sox when he crushed 28 homers, hit .321, drove in 102 runs, collect 49 doubles, and had an OPS (On-base % + Slugging %) of .919. But quite frankly, he won't do it. Mainly because consistence is not something Beltre is known for.

He is a great defender, having won two Gold Gloves in his career, so he will help the team improve there. But Beltre has had two great seasons, the year his contract was up in 2004, and last year, when he only had a one year deal in place. In both of those years he hit over .320 and showed very good power. Every other season, his average is about a .265, which is a huge drop-off. His homerun totals average around mid to high-20s per year, which is good. He is not a clean-up hitter, though, which some analysts have placed him as being for Texas. What he is, is a great defender with some pop, who is best suited in the 5 or 6 hole in the lineup. And $16 million a year is a bit much to pay for that. But Jayson Werth is about the same thing, and he got over $100 million, so what the hell do I know about it.

The other major issue here is what does Texas do with their other $16 million a season third-baseman, Michael Young. Young is just two years older than Beltre, and while not quite as adept at third-base, he was no slouch. He is also the face of the franchise. Since 2003, he has averaged almost 100 runs, .300 at the plate, about 90 RBI, and 200 hits per season. He is a great on-base guy, and a club-house leader, and has moved from 2B to SS to 3B when asked. He is such a team-player that he even offered to move out of third-base so that Beltre could come in. But now the face of your franchise is what, a DH (many players struggle to switch from everyday player to designated hitter), or a utility-player? This isn't so much a question of whether Young can perform where he is placed, as I'm sure he will. However, from a fan-base viewpoint, it's a bad image. A consistent leader and producer is being pushed out, and that is supposed to make you team better? I guess it doesn't matter in the end, as long as the move helps Texas get back to the World Series. I just don't think this signing makes that quest any easier.

There have been some other recent signings of late, too. Adam LaRoche inked a deal with the Washington Nationals worth $15 million over two years. LaRoche is your prototypical first-baseman. He hits around .265, can drive in around 90 runs, and blast somewhere between 25-35 bombs. He isn't going to win a Gold Glove and isn't going to set the world on fire with his play, but he is reliable and plays just about every single day. He will be a welcome asset to a Nationals infield that struggled with routine plays last year, no thanks to Adam Dunn and his Big Donkey hoof at first.

Carlos Gonzalez isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The 2010 MVP-candidate signed a 7-year, $80 million extension with the Colorado Rockies and became the second huge extension for the team this off-season. With Cargo and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki now locked up long-term, the Rockies are a force to be reckoned with in the NL West. If they can add another solid pitcher to accompany Ubaldo Jimenez and Jorge Del La Rosa, this could become a perennial playoff franchise.

The Atlanta Braves also locked up a franchise-type player in their new acquisition, Dan Uggla. Uggla came over in a trade from the Marlins early in the off-season and a long-term deal was the main focus of discussion immediately following. Uggla scoffed at every offer the Marlins made over the past couple of years, and instead signed with the Braves for 5-years at $62 million. Uggla, who is coming off a career-best season in 2010, will be a middle-of-the-order cornerstone while young Jason Heyward acclimates to being a likely number 3 hitter.

Signings weren't the only thing going on. A good 'ol fashioned baseball trade happened the other day as the Chicago Cubs sent a whole bunch of prospects over to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitcher Matt Garza and a backup outfielder. Garza had his best season in 2010, winning 15 games and pitching over 200 innings for the second straight year. Tampa could afford to get rid of him as they have a rotation full of young, talented arms, and more in the farm system. Chicago added to their depth, but are a little crowded now with Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Tom Gorzelanny, Carlos Silva, and Randy Wells all taking up a rotation spot. All of these guys, except possibly Dempster, are on the hot-seat as far as being moved or bumped to the pen as none of them lived up to expectations in '10. Zambrano came back with a vengeance after his team-suspension, but he is always a head-case, and could be traded to move funds, and to get rid of a clubhouse menace.

Carl Pavano is in talks to return to Minnesota and remain the Twins' ace, but nothing is done yet. I'll keep you abreast of that situation. Most big free-agents are now taken though, with the exception of the aforementioned Soriano. Derek Lee and Kevin Gregg both found a home in Baltimore. And the Reds signed World Series MVP Edgar Renteria to a one-year deal. It's slim pickings for most clubs now as most pitchers out there are coming off injuries, or are destined for the bullpen. And the big bats are pretty much all gone. Big trades are always a possibility, but with so much young talent coming up these past few years, it seems as though most clubs want to hold on to their guys instead of shipping them away for veterans. So things are rounding into shape for the 2011 season.

Which means....the second annual Prediction Special will be coming soon! Soon as in a month or so, but still soon. And if predictions are around the corner, you know it's getting close to baseball season. Ohhhh boy! "The suspense is terrible. I hope it lasts."