Tagged: Elvis Andrus

Could Homer Baily for Gerald Laird and Elvis Andrus Work?

I though of a potentially good trade between the Rangers and Reds. As you can see from the Reds Offseason Needs, they need both a catcher and a shortstop. The Rangers need some pitching. Could the Reds trade Homer Baily to the Rangers for Gerald Laird and Elivis Andrus. They would love to add a great pitching prospect like Baily, especially one with his upside. I don’t think the Reds would do Jarrod Saltalamacchia for Baily, and the Rangers wouldn’t do Salty and Andrus both for Homer. So, they compromise with Laird replacing Saltalamacchia. The Rangers still keep all of their young catchers, but still move part of that surplus. They sacrifice Andrus, but he isn’t that neccessary for the team because they have Michael Young. The Reds lose a pitching prospect that still has a lot of upside, but they fill two key positions in the process. Two scarce positions, as well. It would also allow both teams to spend their money to fill different holes because they would be filling holes without spending money. The Rangers could spend it on Milton Bradley, the Reds on an outfielder. Remember, these two teams hooked up on the Josh Hamilton for Edinson Volquez trade last winter, so obviously they aren’t afraid to trade high-upside players such as Andrus and Baily.

Matt Cain to the Rangers Makes Sense

It has been said that the Rangers would consider trading Matt Cain for the right package. I think they match up well with the Texas Rangers on a possible deal. How about Cain for Elvis Andrus, Engel Beltre, and Michael Main. I know the price is steep, but that’s what it’s going to take to get a cheaply signed fringe ace, great #2. This also doesn’t break the bank so they can afford to resign Milton Bradley. They also still can trade one of their catcher for another starter to replace Main in the minors. They have Michael Young at shortstop, so Andrus is available, and Engel Beltre won’t be needed with Mlton Bradley resigned. Imagine a Ranger rotation of Cain, Naftali Feliz, Derek Holland, Eric Hurley, and Michael Bowden (the latter could be aquired in a Jarrod Saltalamacchia trade). That would be sick just like their offense. This team is primed to contend in 2010, especially if the Angels can’t lock up all of their young stars. The Giants get to fill their shortstop and right field holes, and get a good pitching prospect that could eventually replace Cain. Another possibility is to get Justin Smoak in the deal. He was the Giants backup plan to Buster Posey, but ended up falling all the way down to the Rangers. Maybe they substitute Smoak and another prospect like Blake Beaven and take out Main and Beltre. Both could work. Another possibility is for a three-way-trade where the Rangers trade a catcher somewhere and that team sends the prospect to the Giants. So a three team trade between the Giants, Rangers, and Red Sox.

Red Sox get: Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Rangers get: Matt Cain,

Giants get: Elvis Andrus, Jed Lowrie, and Engel Beltre

So the Red Sox trade Lowrie for Salty, the Rangers trade Andrus, Salty, and Beltre for Cain, and the Giants trade Cain for Andrus, Lowrie, adn Beltre. I like this deal for all teams. I think both could work. There are going to be many suitors for Cain, but I think the Rangers would be the most aggresive team if he is made available.

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Offseason Plan: Texas Rangers

The terrible, then great, then terrible Texas Rangers will be looking for more consistancy in 2009. One thing they had, though, was consistancy bad starting pitching. This team has no starting rotation at all, yet have an outstanding offense. They are the classic Texas Rangers. This team need to resign Milton Bradley, their only key free agent. If they want to compete, they need to protect Josh Hamilton, and Bradley is a perfect cleanup hitter. The other thing they need to do is get pitching. This team does have many trade chips as well as three great power arms in the minors in Naftali Feliz, Derek Holland, and Michael Main. They have a huge catcher surplus. The Rangers have four starting catchers, all big league ready. They need to decide which one or two of Gerald Laird, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden, and Max Ramirez they should keep, and which ones they should move. Many people think Laird and another will be traded, probably Salty. I have said before that Jarrod Saltalamacchia for Michael Bowden would make sense. I still believe that. Gerald Laird to the Reds for Bronson Arroyo and cash makes a lot of sense as well if the Reds don’t sign Jason Varitek. Elvis Andrus and Engel Beltre could also be moved in the right deal. It is possible that the Blue Jays would make Roy Halladay avalable, or the Padres with Jake Peavy. If they are, I’m sure the Rangers would be at the top of the list. With all the young talent they have to trade and the need for an ace, it just makes a lot of sense. Also, I think they are an interesting dark horse for CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets. It is very likely that the Rangers trade at least one catcher and aquire at least one pitcher in the offseason. This is a team that could be competing by ’09. If not, then by ’10. They have a very bright future.