The Texas Rangers and outfielder Shin-Soo Choo have come to agreement on a seven-year, $130 million deal, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports. Choo must pass a physical before the deal becomes official.
Heyman also notes that the Rangers would be out on Tanaka if he is to be posted. The new TV deal has been huge this offseason; the Rangers have really improved their lineup. They added Fielder and Choo to an already good lineup that scored the 8th-highest runs in the MLB. Definitely some "all in" thinking by the Rangers front office. The 31-year-old hit .285/.423/.462 with 21 home runs and 54 RBI while mostly hitting atop of the Cincinnati Reds lineup. The on-base machine led the National League in hit-by-pitches and ranked second in walks. This is an invaluable stat that will really help the Rangers at the top of their lineup. He plays decent defensively, posting a .989 fielding percentage, a good three points above the MLB average .986 mark. His range in the outfield is something to be forgotten, and his defensive runs saved is at an ugly -17. Nonetheless, his value comes from his hitting, and the Rangers will take total value from that. Over his career, Choo has hit .288/.389/.465 while averaging 20 home runs and 81 RBI per season. Originally signed by the Mariners from Korea in 2000, the Rangers will be Choo's fourth Major League team. He has played for the Mariners (2005-2006), Indians (2006-2012), and the Reds (2013) previously in his Major League career. One of the best free agents on the 2013 market, Choo's value will improve the Rangers OBP and help them continue their playoff chase. Choo was Cover The Bases' third-highest free agent on their top 15 free agents list.
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The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to an extension with right-handed reliever Brad Ziegler, according to reports. The contract is a two-year, $10.5 million deal with an option for 2016. The righty has been terrific in his time with the D-Backs.
Ziegler will make $4.5 million in 2014, $5 million in 2015, and has an option for 2016 for $5.5 million or a $1 million buyout. The deal on Friday avoided arbitration between the sides. In 2013, 34-year-old Ziegler went 8-1 with a 2.22 ERA while appearing in a NL-high 78 games. He also added 13 saves in 15 opportunities. Since his first full season in Arizona in 2012, Ziegler has gone 14-2 with a 2.35 ERA. In that time frame, he has also posted a 168 ERA+. Mostly a ground ball pitcher (career 1.96 ground ball to fly ball ratio), Ziegler's value skyrocketed since coming to Chase Field in Arizona. While only allowing 28% of inherited runners to score, expect Ziegler to continue to be a force in the Arizona bullpen. Ziegler confirmed the reports on Twitter and is, "Really excited to stay in Arizona for a couple more years at least!" One of the most effective right-handers in the game, the Diamondbacks will have a good setup man in Ziegler at least through the 2015 season. Relief pitcher Grant Balfour has failed his physical, according to reports. The deal with the Orioles will no longer be in effect, as it has "fallen through." The original two-year deal was expected to be around $15 million.
Dan Duquette, the Orioles executive vice president of baseball, said that the club was not satisfied with the results of Balfour's physical. He noted that the Orioles will not try and restructure the agreement and will turn their attention elsewhere. Duquette didn't mention the specific concerns on Balfour, but he had Tommy John surgery in 2005 and Labrum and Rotator Cuff surgery in 2006. Both those surgeries caused Balfour to miss the respective seasons. Balfour will sign elsewhere. He will probably get around a one year deal for about half of what he got (1-year, $3.75 million). Who is looking for a closer? The New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and plenty of others. The Orioles, however, have been reportedly looking at Francisco Rodney to fill their closer position. The Los Angeles Angels have signed outfielder Raul Ibanez to a one-year, $2.75 million deal on Monday, according to reports. Ibanez showed success with Seattle last season, as he continues his very lengthy Major League career.
Forty-one year old Ibanez hit .242/.306/.487 with 29 home runs and 65 RBI (123 OPS+) in 124 games with the Seattle Mariners. Over his 18-year career, Ibanez has hit .276/.338/.471 while averaging 23 home runs and 92 RBI per year (113 OPS+). This is an interesting signing for the Angels, but has nearly no risk. Ibanez has still proven to be a good outfielder. He could continue that trend in 2014. It's hard to determine what role Ibanez will play in Los Angeles, but the signing could pan out to be a good one for the Angels. Ibanez has a good track record, but at 41-years-old? It's hard to know what Ibanez can even provide. An interesting signing nonetheless, Ibanez has provided power in the outfield. The Colorado Rockies have acquired outfielder Drew Stubbs from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for left-handed pitcher Josh Outman on Monday, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Twenty-nine year old Stubbs hit .233/.305/.360 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI (90 OPS+) in 146 games in 2013 with the Cleveland Indians. Over his career, Stubbs has hit .239/.310/.381 while averaging 18 home runs and 57 RBI per season. The former number eight overall pick by the Cincinnati Reds has yet to flourish in the Major Leagues. Moving to Coors Field could really help jump-start Stubbs' career. He remains under contract through the 2015 season. Outman, 29 as well, went 3-0 with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP in 61 games with the Colorado Rockies in 2013. He got his first full Major League action in 2013 and pitched about average (102 ERA+). Perhaps moving out of Coors Field could help the lefty who also needs a jump-start to his career. In his 121 career MLB appearances, Outman is 12-11 with a 4.61 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP (94 ERA+). He remains under contract through the 2015 season as well. In this trade, the Rockies and Indians swap players who have needed a jump-start to their Major League careers. Stubbs and Outman may just need a change in scenery, which their new respective teams will provide. Nonetheless, this was an interesting trade that could pan out for either team. The players included have the potential, but have yet to show it off consistently at the Major League level. |
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