MLB Chatter Thread

[Cotton]

Report: Astros owner talks to Nolan Ryan
November, 15, 2013

By Richard Durrett | ESPNDallas.com

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane confirmed to the Houston Chronicle that he has reached out to Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan since Ryan left the Rangers. But no offer has been made to join the Astros, according to the report. Ryan's son, Reid, is the club's president of business operations.

"I have talked to Nolan," Crane told the Chronicle on Thursday. "We haven’t really discussed anything about him joining the team yet. But that certainly could be a possibility down the road. It depends what Nolan wants. ... As far as an offer of us talking about a position, we haven’t done that."

Ryan joining the Astros could certainly make some sense with his history in the organization and one of his sons there. But Ryan indicated last month when he announced his resignation from the Rangers that he wanted to take some time and wasn't sure what he wanted to do.

Ryan is also mulling a run for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, as he confirmed to ESPN Dallas earlier this month.

 

[Rev]

Figured that was coming.

 

[Rev]

Matt Garza Open To Returning To Twins
By Steve Adams [November 15 at 2:14pm CST]
Matt Garza is open to a return to the Twins, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN reports. Wolfson offers more on Garza, via Twitter, stating that he hears the Twins are more interested in Garza than Ricky Nolasco, despite earlier reports that the Twins are making a "strong push" for Nolasco.

The Twins met with Garza's agent, Nez Balelo of CAA Sports, at this week's GM Meetings in Orlando, Wolfson writes. However, as of this morning, Minnesota hasn't made a formal offer to any of its free agent targets.

Garza has worn three different uniforms since last donning a Twins jersey in 2007. Minnesota selected him in the first round of the 2005 draft and ultimately traded him to the Rays along with Jason Bartlett in an ill-fated deal that netted Delmon Young and Brendan Harris. It's worth pointing out that current GM Terry Ryan was in the GM's chair when Garza was drafted, but had stepped away from the position when Garza was traded. Bill Smith was the Twins' GM at the time of the Garza trade, but he's since been fired, and Ryan has reprised his role as Twins GM.

Garza turned in his seventh straight season of a sub-4.00 ERA in 2013, hurling 155 1/3 innings of 3.82 ERA ball with 7.9 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9. He opened the season on the disabled list but made all of his starts upon returning. Like Nolasco, he was traded midseason and therefore won't require a draft pick to sign.

 

[Cotton]

David Murphy, Indians near deal
Updated: November 19, 2013, 11:33 PM ET
By Richard Durrett | ESPNDallas.com

Outfielder David Murphy is working out the details of a two-year deal with the Cleveland Indians, sources familiar with the negotiations confirmed Tuesday night.

A Dallas Morning News report says the deal is believed to be worth more than $10 million.

Murphy, 32, hit .220 with 13 homers and 45 RBIs in 142 games for the Rangers in 2013. It was Murphy's sixth full season with the club. He joined them midway through the 2007 season as part of a trade deadline deal that sent reliever Eric Gagne to Boston.

Murphy's numbers in 2013 were the worst of his career and came one season after he batted .304 with 15 homers and 61 RBIs.

In 27 postseason games, Murphy hit .257, including a .412 average in the 2011 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers with a stout 1.147 OPS. He also recorded the final out of the 2011 World Series.

Murphy has a career .362 batting average (27-for-74) with three homers and 15 RBIs in 21 games at Progressive Field.

 

[Rev]

I know it was a foregone conclusion that he was leaving but I was hoping he would stay. Last season was a bad year for him and think he will bounce back fine.

 

[Deuce]

Josh Johnson to the Padres. I like the move. Not only out of the division, but back out of the league completely.

 

[Rev]

Josh Johnson to the Padres. I like the move. Not only out of the division, but back out of the league completely.

.

I really thought he would end up with the Rangers. They have been after him from years and this kind of situation (coming off injuries trying to reestablish value) is something the Rangers like to do.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Phillies sign a 35 year old catcher to a 3 year 26 million dollar deal.

No way that deal comes back to bite them. Nah.


















F Ruben Amaro.

Seriously. Screw that guy.

 

[Carp]

Yeah...that was a bad deal...although I will say keeping him and adding Byrd is strengthening the clubhouse.

 

[1bigfan13]

ESPN is reporting that the Rangers and Tigers have entered into a trade.

Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler.

 

[Deuce]

What a ridiculously stupid deal for Detroit.

On the plus side, Fielders fantasy value just sky rocketed.

 

[Bob Roberts]

Fielder only had a 1.7 WAR vs Kinsler's 4.9.

Eh...

And you're adding 100m in payroll

 

[Rev]

Championship.

 

[Carp]

Wow. I like the deal for both teams. Adds some needed athleticism to Det...much needed power for Tex.

 

[Carp]

Det is sending them 30 mil...and can now move Cabrera to 1B.

 

[Carp]

Mets have talked to the Brewers about Braun.

 

[Cotton]

Damn good deal for the Rangers.

 

[Carp]

It is good for both I think. Win/win.

 

[Cotton]

With 30m back, I don't see how it's a win for Detroit. The Rangers are easily on the better side of this trade.

 

[Carp]

That team was very unathletic...and they already have power. Improves their IF defense moving Cabrera to 1B as well.