What a Long Strange Rangers Off Season….So Far

I know it’s not over yet, but this has been one of the strangest since the days of John Hart and Tom Hicks. It’s a weird sort of free-fall that started in August on the field and has continued. Our participation in the Winter Meetings was akin to heading to the most delicious buffet on the strip in Vegas, filling our plate and then walking out without a taste. We have managed to build a retirement home for closers in our pen with the addition of Jason Frasor today. That’s the new law firm of Soria, Frasor and Nathan if you please. Hamilton gone. Grienke out. Upton? Too much. Stanton? Forget it.

We are holding on to Elvis Andrus as if we truly believe we will sign him when he’s done season after next. The only thing I would look forward to in that scenario would be Nolan Ryan locked in a room with Scott Boras. Oh to be a fly on that wall.

Checking the winter baseball numbers for the good guys, nobody is exactly setting the Latin world on fire. In fact, two of our CF candidates are not giving us hope in taking Hamilton’s place. Leonys Martin (.253/.327/.384 with 29 K’s in 146 AB) and Engel Beltre (.250/.329/398 with 30 Ks in 128 AB) will be in Surprise this year. Granted Beltre is a longer shot than Martin, it really appears to be Craig Gentry’s position to lose. Nothing awe inspiring on the offensive side of things. Mike Olt has been a little better but Juricskson Profar was shelved with an injury. Not that we put a lot of stock in winter ball, it is disconcerting nonetheless.

Based on all of the reports I have read, everyone is asking a fortune for whoever it is we are after. The names that are most intriguing are of course Stanton (Miami) and Gonzales (Colorado). As a fan, would I be cool with losing Profar or Andrus for either of those guys? Yes on Stanton and no on Gonzales. By the time any deal is done though, it’s putting a lot of eggs in one basket. We need more like three baskets right now. A power hitting outfielder, a starting pitcher and some more bullpen help.

We’re on the clock. Pitchers and catchers report in just a little over the month.