[討論] AL West looks to overcome Hot Stove misses
AL West looks to overcome Hot Stove misses
Welcome to Heartbreak Hotel, also known as the American League West.
歡迎來到心碎旅館-美聯西區
Discovering that the euphoria of their first World Series had a quick
expiration date, the Texas Rangers must move on without Cliff Lee, who did so
much to take them on that joyride through Tampa Bay and New York to San
Francisco and the Fall Classic.
遊騎兵在自由球員市場競爭中失去了Cliff Lee~~
When Lee decided that, on the whole, he'd rather be in Philadelphia, it was a
severe jolt to the Lone Star State's collective ego, to say nothing of
president Nolan Ryan's projected pitching staff.
Lee's rejection of Texas came close on the heels of Carl Crawford's selection
of Boston's chowder -- and dollars -- over the beaches and temperate climate
offered by the Angels.
天使隊在爭取Carl Crawford也被紅襪隊攔胡~~
Like the Rangers, the Angels, in the wake of their first losing season since
2003, are left to figure out ways to compensate for the speed, defense and
offense they'd hoped Crawford would provide.
天使隊希望藉由Crawford的加盟提供速度，守備和進攻上的幫助以擺脫自2003年以來的第
一次敗多於勝的球季~~
Even the Oakland Athletics felt the sting of rejection when free-agent third
baseman Adrian Beltre -- who could set off a bidding war between the Angels
and Rangers -- decided he'd wait out the market rather than accept their
reported five-year, $64 million offer. Boras maintains that the A's are still
in the mix for Beltre. Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma also walked away from
a potential deal with Oakland.
連綠帽隊也無法搶到Adrian Beltre，日本籍投手岩隈久志也沒辦法完成契約~~
Beltre reportedly is hoping to get a deal in the $80 million range across
five seasons, but nobody ever really knows what his agent, Scott Boras, is
calculating. Certainly few insiders anticipated the seven-year, $126 million
deal Boras extracted for outfielder Jayson Werth from Washington.
The A's are hoping Hideki Matsui can add muscle and accomplished outfielder
David DeJesus delivers quality offensive production. They're banking on a
superb collection of young arms to come together and hopefully emulate the
World Series champion Giants on the other side of the Bay Bridge.
綠帽補進了松井秀喜，David DeJesus等人(截稿後國民隊廉價大拍賣陣中砲手Willingham
給綠帽隊，omg!!!)
Rounding out the division, the Seattle Mariners are hoping to play their way
back to respectability with improved offense in support of King Felix
Hernandez. Justin Smoak, the prize the Mariners sought from the Rangers in
the Lee deal, figures to be a big part of it, along with new acquisitions
Miguel Olivo and Jack Cust.
史詩隊只補進了Olivo和Cust
The landscape has changed in the AL West. No longer are the Angels, with five
division crowns in six previous seasons, the team with targets on the back of
those red uniforms. That distinction now belongs to the Rangers, even without
their departed ace, Lee.
"I don't know how other people feel, but I have a lot of respect for the
teams in our division," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "I respect what
the Angels have done, and I respect Oakland and Seattle. It's a good,
competitive division."
The Angels, Athletics and Mariners are aware of the challenges ahead in
trying to keep up with the new division kings, who have depth on the field
and on the mound to be contenders in 2011 and for years to come.
Here is how the AL West shapes up in the aftermath of the Winter Meetings,
with more work to be done in all four locales.
Los Angeles Angels
What they've done: The Angels signed a pair of free-agent left-handed
relievers to deepen and balance a bullpen in need of repairs. Scott Downs,
one of the game's premier setup men, agreed to a three-year, $15 million
deal, while Hisanori Takahashi accepted a two-year, $8 million pact. This
appears to have the pitching staff complete. The Angels like their rotation
almost as much as the Phillies like their mega-million group.
Left to do: Spurned in their attempt to sign Crawford, the Angels focused
their immediate attention on upgrading the bullpen. The club needs to beef up
the offense, ideally at third base and possibly in left field. Beltre is on
their radar; the challenge is hammering out a deal they consider reasonable
with Boras, who owns prime box-seat real estate inside Angel Stadium but is
not known to be a fan of any particular club. The Rangers are also interested
in Beltre, whose arrival would force another position switch (or trade) for
franchise centerpiece Michael Young. A number of veteran outfielders remain
in the free-agent market, including former Angels superstar Vladimir
Guerrero, believed to be on his way back to Texas. The need for a leadoff man
could turn their attention to Johnny Damon or Scott Podsednik.
Where they stand: The Angels feel they will be stronger out of the gate with
Dan Haren, a midseason acquisition from Arizona, joining Jered Weaver, Ervin
Santana, Joel Pineiro and Scott Kazmir in a potentially lethal rotation. The
anticipated return of Kendry Morales, who missed two-thirds of the season
after a freak home-plate celebration of a game-winning grand slam, brings
missing thump back to the middle of the order. They're not the run-and-stun
Angels of the Chone Figgins days, but they have the athletes to return to
that style if Maicer Izturis stays healthy, Erick Aybar plays to his
potential and ultra-swift Peter Bourjos hits well enough to hold down the
center-field job. The bullpen figures to be improved, even though critics are
not convinced the club is content with Fernando Rodney and young Jordan
Walden or Kevin Jepsen as closing options. Boras client Rafael Soriano is
still available, at a high cost.
Oakland Athletics
What they've done: The A's acquired DeJesus from the Royals for left-hander
Justin Marks and righty Vin Mazzaro. They landed a pair of right-handers,
Danny Farquhar and Trystan Magnuson, from the Jays in exchange for Rajai
Davis. Looking to add some thump, the A's signed free-agent outfielder and
designated hitter Matsui to a one-year, $7 million deal. Matsui had a .507
slugging mark, while batting fourth, and finished second on the Angels in
RBIs (84) and third in homers (21). He can play a day or two in left per
week. If Brandon McCarthy's right shoulder is as healthy as he says, the
Oakland A's landed another potential starter for their rotation with the
agreement on a one-year deal for the free-agent right-hander. Shoulder
problems have limited him to 22 Major League starts over the past three
seasons, but he threw well at the end of last season in Triple-A ball and
then in the Dominican Winter League, convincing the A's he's worth a $1
million pact with performance incentives.
Left to do: The inability to sign Iwakuma created some payroll flexibility.
They're also still on the lookout for a starter -- a viable option to include
in the fifth-starter mix with McCarthy, Tyson Ross, Josh Outman and Bobby
Cramer. An additional reliever also could be on the way. Boras maintained
that the A's are still in the mix for Beltre, but Kevin Kouzmanoff provides
solid defense and muscle at third. The outfield should be superior
defensively, anchored by Coco Crisp in center with Ryan Sweeney and DeJesus
on the corners.
Where they stand: With the most underrated defense in the game, featuring
Gold Glove candidates at multiple positions, the A's will support their young
arms with a succession of defensive gems. Few clubs can match the rotation
potential of Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, Gio Gonzalez and Dallas Braden.
McCarthy, if healthy, could be a strong fifth starter. Andrew Bailey is a
premium closer supported by high-caliber setup men and middle relievers. The
question is whether the A's can score often enough to hang in the race.
Matsui is a proven clutch hitter and should help in the middle of the order.
DeJesus, a .289 career hitter who bangs the gaps, could be an excellent fit
for the sprawl of Oakland, with the bat as well as his glove. Catcher Kurt
Suzuki is one of the game's most valuable receivers, highly respected for his
game-calling as well as his clutch bat.
Seattle Mariners
What they've done: They haven't made any major splashes, but the Mariners
feel they've helped themselves in several areas. They agreed to terms with
free-agent catcher Olivo on a two-year, $7 million deal and landed free-agent
designated hitter Cust with a one-year, $2.5 million pact. Improving infield
depth, the Mariners traded pitching prospect Maikel Cleto to the Cardinals
for Brendan Ryan, one of the Majors' premier defensive shortstops the past
two seasons. Ryan also provides depth at second and third base. Erik Bedard
was signed with the hope that he can recapture his once dominant form in
support of Hernandez. With the second overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft,
right-hander Jose Flores, a 21-year-old reliever in the Cleveland Indians'
farm system, was selected by the Mariners. Flores, who pitched with the Class
A Lake County Captains in the Midwest League last year, must remain with the
Mariners for the entire 2011 season or be offered back to the Indians for
$25,000.
Left to do: Seattle has been seeing what is available in left field to
supplement 24-year-old Michael Saunders. The free-agent market is loaded with
possibilities. If Ryan hits enough to play second, the Mariners can return
Figgins back to third base, where he was a Gold Glove-level defender for the
Angels. Ichiro Suzuki and Figgins should be a dynamic tandem at the top of
the order, but the club has to be aware of any potential upgrades in the
power department.
Where they stand: Olivo should be a major addition behind the plate. Noted
for his strong arm and quickness behind the plate, Olivo has averaged 16 home
runs and 56 RBIs the past five seasons for Florida, Kansas City and Colorado.
He brings toughness and nine seasons of big league experience to the pitching
staff. The overall defense is excellent, and could be even better with Ryan
playing regularly somewhere in the infield. They'll need to win a lot of 3-2
and 2-1 games unless the offense produces more than it did during a dismal
2010 showing, when it was at the bottom of the heap in most of the important
categories: runs scored, homers, batting average, slugging and on-base
percentage.
Texas Rangers
What they've done: Virtually the entire offseason focus has been on Lee. Now
that he's gone, they can get busy on shoring up other areas and figuring out
how to replace an ace. They have replaced Bengie Molina behind the plate with
Yorvit Torrealba, who is known for his defense but never has been an
offensive threat on Molina's level. Matt Treanor was re-signed as the backup.
Left to do: They've been linked in the rumor mill with Royals ace Zack
Greinke, who would come at a steep price in young talent if the Rangers go in
that direction. The Rays' Matt Garza also is a trade possibility. Another
option is to return closer Neftali Feliz to a starting role. It would take a
while to stretch him back out, but Feliz has the overpowering stuff and the
temperament to be a dominant starter. Frank Francisco has closing experience,
and Soriano -- who figures to command in excess of $10 million per year -- is
available as a free agent. Carl Pavano is the best of the free-agent starters
available. There seems to be mutual interest in bringing Guerrero back in the
DH role, but the veteran would prefer a multiyear deal and could depart if
the right offer presents itself. If the Rangers pursue Beltre, Young would
have to move -- to another role (first base or DH) or perhaps another club in
a deal.
Where they stand: Rangers GM Jon Daniels claims there will be no panic moves
made in Texas. This club has been extraordinarily smart in the trade market
and free agency in recent seasons, and it has a wealth of prospects and young
talent to move if the right commodity -- Greinke, Garza, someone close to
that level -- is too good to resist. Texas' last offer to Lee was for $138
million over six years, with an option for a seventh season.
"Ownership took over in August and by the fall, they were authorizing
nine-figure proposals," Daniels said. "Our fans should know they are
committed to winning. We would have liked to have him back, but we weren't
able to find terms that made sense."
Texas is still blessed with dependable starters in C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis,
Tommy Hunter and Derek Holland. The club has talked about moving setup
reliever Alexi Ogando to the rotation, and he also could be a closing option
if Feliz starts.
"We knew it could go either way," Daniels said of Lee's big decision. "It
doesn't change the fact that we still expect to win next year. The offseason
is far from over."
資料來源:MLB官網(Rangers)
http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101214&content_id=
16320934&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex
--
2010 Texas Rangers Postseason Franchise Roster
(SP)Cliff Lee (C)Benjie Molina (1B)Mitch Moreland (2B)Ian Kinsler
(SS)Elvis Andrus (3B)Michael Young (LF)David Murphy (CF)Josh Hamilton
(RF)Nelson Cruz (DH)Vladimir Guerrero (SP)C.J. Wilson (SP)Colby Lewis
(CL)Neftali Feliz (RP)Darren O'Day (RP)Darren Oliver (SP)Derek Holland
(RP)Alexi Ogando (RP)Michael Kirkman (C)Matt Treanor (OF)Julio Borbon
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 210.243.5.253
Rangers 近期熱門文章
PTT體育區 即時熱門文章
