The Rangers are going after Adrian Beltre

[YosemiteSam]

First off, Texas can afford both Lee and Beltre. It just makes resigning their current player harder two years down the road.

Second, the Rangers were never shopping Young, the Rockies inquired about Young. I will say this, Young isn't the same player he was and at $16/year he is quit expensive. His contract is like the whole Yankee/Jeter deal, but a bit cheaper. Of course, Young is superior to Beltre. Beltre likes to raise his BA in contract years. I would pass on him and keep Young.

If Texas signs him, IMO it would have to be as a platoon player. Maybe for first base and to give Young a day off. I don't think you spend the type of money he would want on a platoon player. I don't see why the Rangers would be after him unless they could get him for far cheaper than Young. ($16M/yr) Beltre is 31 also. Not exactly a spring chicken. Besides, Young has a better fielding percentage too. I don't understand why the Rangers are going after a hot FA that plays a position they have covered.

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Karl Ravech — via a tweet from Buster Olney — reports that the Texas Rangers are “moving aggressively” on Adrian Beltre. Which suggests that they think they’re not going to get Cliff Lee, as there is no way Texas can sign both of them. Earlier this morning we heard reports that the Yankees have been in touch with Lee’s agent. Is it possible — and I’m merely speculating — that Lee’s decision has been made and the Yankees have won? This report would fit in quite nicely with that.

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[peplaw06]

Why not move Young to first? Beltre is an outstanding 3B.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Why not move Young to first? Beltre is an outstanding 3B.

We have Mitch Moreland. Why would you yank him out of the lineup? The kid was really playing well. He was out best offensive player in the WS.

If anything, Beltre would play first, not Young. Beltre has played first before. Young has a better career fielding percentage than Beltre although Young's was .950 vs Beltre's .957 last year. (which is pretty far off his career .978%)

 

[Stautner]

First off, Texas can afford both Lee and Beltre. It just makes resigning their current player harder two years down the road.

Second, the Rangers were never shopping Young, the Rockies inquired about Young. I will say this, Young isn't the same player he was and at $16/year he is quit expensive. His contract is like the whole Yankee/Jeter deal, but a bit cheaper. Of course, Young is superior to Beltre. Beltre likes to raise his BA in contract years. I would pass on him and keep Young.

If Texas signs him, IMO it would have to be as a platoon player. Maybe for first base and to give Young a day off. I don't think you spend the type of money he would want on a platoon player. I don't see why the Rangers would be after him unless they could get him for far cheaper than Young. ($16M/yr) Beltre is 31 also. Not exactly a spring chicken. Besides, Young has a better fielding percentage too. I don't understand why the Rangers are going after a hot FA that plays a position they have covered.

===========================================

Karl Ravech — via a tweet from Buster Olney — reports that the Texas Rangers are “moving aggressively” on Adrian Beltre. Which suggests that they think they’re not going to get Cliff Lee, as there is no way Texas can sign both of them. Earlier this morning we heard reports that the Yankees have been in touch with Lee’s agent. Is it possible — and I’m merely speculating — that Lee’s decision has been made and the Yankees have won? This report would fit in quite nicely with that.

Complete Story

Young hasn's lost anything. His battin average was down, but it was at the same level it was in 2008 and he followed that with a .322 average in 2009. That's just the nature of the game. There are always fluctuations. He still hit 21 HR's and 91 RBI's, which are in line with some of his better years.

Unless Beltre wre willing to primarily be the DH (doubtful) or can float between a number of positions (OF, IF, DH), I just don't see the fit. I like his bat, but it's a lot of money to spend on a player that really doesn't seem to fill a need.

 

[DFWJC]

Young hasn's lost anything. His battin average was down, but it was at the same level it was in 2008 and he followed that with a .322 average in 2009. That's just the nature of the game. There are always fluctuations. He still hit 21 HR's and 91 RBI's, which are in line with some of his better years.

Unless Beltre wre willing to primarily be the DH (doubtful) or can float between a number of positions (OF, IF, DH), I just don't see the fit. I like his bat, but it's a lot of money to spend on a player that really doesn't seem to fill a need.

Young's problem is he is not a 3rd baseman.
Maybe another year there and he'll be better (but at has his age, maybe not). Right now he is below average at his position defensively.
To some degree, fielding percentage can even be deceiving. If you don't even come close to getting a glove on a ball, they don't give you an error....so guys with range sometimes get penalized.

 

[juck]

Young to DH.

 

[Stautner]

Young's problem is he is not a 3rd baseman.
Maybe another year there and he'll be better (but at has his age, maybe not). Right now he is below average at his position defensively.
To some degree, fielding percentage can even be deceiving. If you don't even come close to getting a glove on a ball, they don't give you an error....so guys with range sometimes get penalized.

I agree with this. I have not liked Young at 1B nearly as much as 2nd or even SS. Some players are better playing back like middle infielders do, and some are better playing a more reaction style of defense like is required at 3B. Yound is better at middle IF, and doesn't seem to have a great ability to react at 3B.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Young to DH.

I SERIOUSLY doubt he would be down with that. :laugh2:

 

[Stautner]

I agree with this. I have not liked Young at 1B nearly as much as 2nd or even SS. Some players are better playing back like middle infielders do, and some are better playing a more reaction style of defense like is required at 3B. Yound is better at middle IF, and doesn't seem to have a great ability to react at 3B.

I meant I have not like young as well at 3B .....

 

[tko112204]

Beltre turned down 64M from the A's. I don't think he's going anywhere to be a platoon player. He also had 6.1 WAR last year, so shouldn't be a platoon player. Not to mention he is VASTLY superior to Young as a defensive 3B. He is one of the premier defensive 3B in all of baseball.

If the Rangers sign Beltre, it means Young is the DH next year.

It would be nice to move Young to a MI spot because his bat would really play up there, but the Rangers don't have room. He's not going to start there over Kinsler or Andrus.