SB Nation Dallas - Rangers Obtain Mike Adams, Koji Uehara To Solidify Bullpenhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2011-07-31T16:11:27-05:00http://dallas.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20438802011-07-31T16:11:27-05:002011-07-31T16:11:27-05:00Various Ramifications Of Rangers' Deadline Deals
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Let's take a look at the players given and received by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> at the deadline and their contract situations, as well as some ramifications:</p>
<p><b>Added</b><br><span>Koji Uehara</span> - 36 years old, Rangers owe about $1 million in 2011, will pay $2 million for '12, FA after that . <br><span>Mike Adams</span> - (Friday turned) 33 years old, Rangers owe about $800,000 in 2011, will have one more arb eligible in '12, FA after that.</p>
<p><b>Traded</b><br><span>Tommy Hunter</span> - 25 years old, figures to be under control for four more seasons including three arb years<br><b>Robbie Erlin</b> - Drafted in 2009, does not have to be added to 40-man roster for two years<br><b>Joe Wieland</b> - Drafted in 2008, does not have to be added to 40-man roster until after 2012<br><span>Chris Davis</span> - Will be <2 years of service time after 2011 season, out of options</p>
<p>The Rangers added their 7th and 8th inning guys for the rest of 2011 and a legitimate hedge against health or effectiveness issues for <span>Neftali Feliz</span> . As we look at a progression of the pitching staff over the next few years, the two added relievers and three lots starters clear up the internal picture.</p>
<p><b>2012</b></p>
<p><span>C.J. Wilson</span> will be a big money candidate in free agency and could very well be too expensive for the Rangers. If he leaves, the Rangers would receive a supplemental round pick and a pick from the signing team. Feliz would become a prime candidate to replace him, given his bullpen struggles and the dynamic shift in these deals. One possible scenario for the rotation and bullpen:</p>
<p><span>Colby Lewis</span><br><span>Matt Harrison</span><br><span>Derek Holland</span><br><span>Alexi Ogando</span><br>Neftali Feliz<br><span>Scott Feldman</span></p>
<p>Mike Adams<br>Koji Uehara<br><span>Mark Lowe</span><br>Darren O'Day<br><span>Yoshinori Tateyama</span><br><span>Michael Kirkman</span></p>
<p>Feldman would be the highest earner on that staff, at $6.5 million. The likely rotation would cost in the $7-8 million range, which is pretty remarkable. With <span>Darren Oliver</span>'s and <span>Arthur Rhodes</span>' contracts up, the Rangers will need a new left-handed presence in their pen. Kirkman could become a key alternative, and the club will probably look outside the organization.</p>
<p><br><b>2013</b></p>
<p>Lewis' last club option is in 2012, so he could leave before 2013. The Rangers will buy out Feldman's 2013 option at a cost of $600,000. The club will have a bullpen overhaul on their hands, but they'll also have maturing pitching prospects ready. With <span>Josh Hamilton</span>, <span>Mike Napoli</span>, <span>Yorvit Torrealba</span> potentially free after '12 (and <span>Michael Young</span>, <span>Ian Kinsler</span>, Nelson Cruz and <span>David Murphy</span> up after '13) and no clear replacements in place, a cheap, effective pitching staff would be a huge plus.</p>
<p>Matt Harrison<br>Derek Holland<br>Alexi Ogando<br>Neftali Feliz</p>
<p>Darren O'Day<br>Michael Kirkman<br>Yoshinori Tateyama</p>
<p><b>Additional key candidates:<br></b><span>Martin Perez</span><br><span>Tanner Scheppers</span><br><span>Neil Ramirez</span></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2011/7/31/2307782/rangers-trade-deadline-dealsBrett Perryman2011-07-31T13:55:16-05:002011-07-31T13:55:16-05:00Rangers Obtain Mike Adams For Robbie Erlin, Joe Wieland
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> had been discussing relievers <span>Heath Bell</span> and <span>Mike Adams</span> for weeks. The Rangers seemed to prefer Adams, who has been more effective and is under control for one more season, to Bell, while the Padres preferred to move Bell. To get the pitchers they had targeted, the Padres relented, and numerous reports just an hour before the non-waiver trade deadline <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/backstop10/status/97738164759826432" target="new">suggest </a>that Adams is the one headed to the Rangers.</p>
<p>In return Jed Hoyer lands polished starting pitching prospects Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland. The pair was in the Frisco rotation, and Erlin, in fact, was scheduled to pitch tonight against San Diego’s Texas League affiliate San Antonio Missions. Both have been among the best performing pitching prospects in all of the minor leagues and have been moving up prospect lists.</p>
<p>Adams further upgrades a Rangers bullpen that <a href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2011/7/30/2306417/rangers-orioles-trade-tommy-hunter-chris-davis-koji-uehara" target="new">yesterday added</a> <span>Koji Uehara</span>, giving them two elite setup options in front of Neftali Feliz. That pushes <span>Darren Oliver</span>, <span>Mark Lowe</span> and others into earlier inning roles and should lower the club’s dependence on Feliz.</p>
<p>Adams and Uehara also give the club viable alternatives if they decide to move Feliz into the rotation in 2012 as a potential replacement for <span>C.J. Wilson</span>, who will be a free agent. Adams and Uehara will be free agents after the 2012 season themselves, so, given MLB’s antiquated player Elias based player ranking system, saves would beef up Adams’ status as a potential Type A compensation player.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2011/7/31/2307655/rangers-obtain-mike-adams-for-robbie-erlin-joe-wielandBrett Perryman2011-07-30T20:19:07-05:002011-07-30T20:19:07-05:00Rangers Reportedly Trade Tommy Hunter, Chris Davis For Koji Uehara
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> have made their first splash in the trade deadline market by adding <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Orioles</a> setup man <span>Koji Uehara</span>, one of the best relief pitchers in major league baseball this season. To get him, Texas parted with two favorite sons, <span>Tommy Hunter</span> and <span>Chris Davis</span>.</p>
<p>For weeks Jon Daniels has been in the market for relief help, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> closer <span>Heath Bell</span> had appeared to be at the center of the discussion. Jed Hoyer reportedly started with an astronomical asking price and hadn’t reduced it enough for Daniels’ taste as the deadline approached. Daniels intensified his search elsewhere and came up with a reliever who has faced AL East competition in a much less favorable park than Bell’s, and has posted vastly superior numbers. In particular, strikeout to walk ratios are a fine exhibit of the strike zone dominance of a pitcher or hitter, and Uehara’s dominant 117:13 in his two seasons as a reliever tower over Bell’s 31:16 number that has declined by almost 50% from the past two years.</p>
<p>Uehara is not a hard thrower, but his impeccable control and arsenal of offspeed pitches allow him to have success against both left-handed and right-handed hitters. The Rangers will owe him about $1 million of his $3 million contract for 2011, and the Orioles kicked in $2 million, or half of his 2012 salary that kicks in if he makes 12 more appearances. He figures to slot in with <span>Mark Lowe</span> as the two primary right-handed setup men in the Rangers’ bullpen and allows <span>Yoshinori Tateyama</span> and <span>Darren Oliver</span> to be used more liberally in specialist situations.</p>
<p>The cost of Tommy Hunter and Chris Davis is an interesting contrast to most of the Rangers’ rumored trade talks, which were reported to involve highly regarded prospects. Several tweets from national reporters just after the deal became public suggested that Daniels could still be interested in pursuing Bell or another reliever.</p>
<p>Davis has been a tease for Rangers fans. He’s been a stereotypical 4A hitter for the past three years after bursting onto the scene by hitting .285/.341/.549 in 2008 as a rookie. Most troubling, despite his absurd power show at Round Rock this year – he’s hit 24 home runs and posted an absurd .368/.405/.824 slash line – he still managed to not control the strike zone (58 SO, 11 BB), and he’s made no significant changes to a swing that has not worked against major league pitching.</p>
<p>Davis is in his last option year, which means that starting in 2012 his team must either keep him on the major league roster or subject him to league-wide waiver claims. That means no more time for swing progression and most likely a bench role in the near future if he had stayed with the Rangers. He profiles as the kind of hitter who may figure things out in his late 20’s, but because of his option situation (as with many of those hitters) it just wasn’t likely to happen with his original team.</p>
<p>Hunter’s inclusion in a trade for immediate help represents impressive restraint by Daniels. The temptation for most general managers is to pay more promising minor league players in deadline deals, rather than risking anyone who could contribute to the team. Daniels choosing to go a route that sent two players currently contributing to the club allowed him to reduce the overall price and keep his options for additional deals open.</p>
<p>Hunter was the fifth of five high picks in the 2007 draft and was pitching in the major leagues before the end of 2008. He made 41 starts for good teams in 2009 and 2010 and pitched like someone with the potential to be an innings eater. He also struggled mightily in three playoff starts last fall and may already be very near his ceiling as a third or fourth starter for a midleague caliber team. That's solid value for a poor Orioles team that is trading a 36-year-old reliever, but it doesn't match the upside of a group of <a href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/2011/7/30/2306443/getting-a-bit-ahead-of-ourselves-what-the-rangers-2012-rotation" target="_blank">high level minor league arms</a> discussed in other deals, and that's important for the Rangers.</p>
<p>The deal is expected to become official late Saturday or early Sunday.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2011/7/30/2306417/rangers-orioles-trade-tommy-hunter-chris-davis-koji-ueharaBrett Perryman2011-07-30T20:18:39-05:002011-07-30T20:18:39-05:00First Thing To Know About Koji Uehara
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>1.29</p>↵<p>That's how many walks per nine innings pitched <span>Koji Uehara</span> has allowed since he came to the Majors in 2009, which leads all qualifying American League relievers over that period, and sits just one hundredth of a walk from leading all of baseball.</p>↵<p>By now, you probably know <a target="_blank" href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2011/7/17/2279839/report-rangers-favorites-to-land-heath-bell-or-mike-adams">Uehara is now a Ranger</a>, and <span>Chris Davis</span> and <span>Tommy Hunter</span> are not. There will be plenty of analysis on what Uehara brings to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> in the coming days -- most of it amounting to "a really good righty reliever" -- but the first thing to know is that he walks no one.</p>↵<p>That's not all, though. He also strikes people out. His 11.57 strikeouts per nine in that same run ranks third in the AL. His 16.9% rate of swinging strikes is the best in the league in 2011, and he ranks third there since 2009. As we (think we) know, those are the biggest ways for Major League pitchers to maintain success. This season Uehara's strikeouts are up to 11.87, ranking fifth in the league, while his walks are also up to 1.53 but still ranks third in the AL. Unsurprisingly, that sort of performance ends up with Uehara <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=rel&lg=al&qual=y&type=8&season=2011&month=0&season1=2011&ind=0">ranked as one of the best pitchers in the league in 2011 on FanGraphs</a>, and the performance is nothing out of the ordinary for him.</p>↵<p>The one thing, as far as "true outcomes," that has been keeping him down this season has been an uptick in home runs allowed, but it's more likely small sample size noise than a loss of ability at this point, especially given his rate of fly balls allowed has actually improved.</p>↵<p>So, we can quibble about whether or not the price was worth it, but the Rangers are certainly getting a pitcher whose track record as a reliever has been spectacular, and is unlikely to hand out many frustrating walks in tight contests.</p>↵<p>The last thing you should know tonight is that his $4 million option for 2012 will vest with 12 more appearances.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2011/7/30/2306282/first-thing-to-know-about-koji-ueharaRobbie Griffin2011-07-29T15:46:38-05:002011-07-29T15:46:38-05:00MLB Trade Rumors: Andrew Bailey "Most Likely" Addition To Rangers Bullpen
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The latest and greatest trade rumors surrounding the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> have them after a bullpen arm - which isn't terribly surprising. It is, however, a bit surprising that <span>Andrew Bailey</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> is rumored to be the most likely addition to Texas' bullpen - at least according to <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/DFWSportsbeat/status/97015214314237952" target="_blank">Brady Tinker</a> of Fox Sports Southwest.</p>
<p>This report comes in conjunction with Jim Bowden's saying that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> and Rangers aren't making progress towards a trade that would bring <span>Heath Bell</span> to Texas. Bowden predicted that the standoff between San Diego and Texas would go down until the deadline itself. </p>
<p>Jayson Stark reported earlier today that Texas had been balking at San Diego's asking price on Bell as well - which was three of Texas' top 12 prospects in their system. Despite Bell's recent successes, that price is simply too high to pay for a two month rental for a pitcher that hasn't been dominant. </p>
<p>Jon Daniels could now indeed have his sights set on making a trade with Billy Beane and the A's for Bailey. </p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2011/7/29/2303884/mlb-trade-rumors-andrew-bailey-most-likely-addition-to-rangers-bullpenJP Starkey2011-07-29T13:45:17-05:002011-07-29T13:45:17-05:00MLB Trade Rumors: Heath Bell Would Cost Rangers Three Top Prospects
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>It appears that the asking price is indeed quite high for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a> closer <span>Heath Bell</span>.<a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/rumblings110729/ranking-mlb-trade-chips?campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines"> ESPN's Jayson Stark</a> said that rival executives expect to see Bell in Texas before the deadline is over - but that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> are currently balking at the asking price - and I would be too. The asking price is apparently three of Texas' top dozen prospects, which is a price that is far too high for a closer who has simply not been dominant this year - and is a free agent after the end of the season.</p>
<p>Per Stark:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Other clubs still expect the Rangers to wind up with Bell. In fact, an official of one team who has been speaking with them went so far as to call it "a lock." But an executive of another club said Texas believes it's the only team out there that's pursuing Bell and truly matches up with the Padres' shopping needs. So Texas continues to balk at the asking price, which could be up to three of the Rangers' top dozen prospects, according to one executive who has spoken with both teams. </p>
</blockquote>
<p>If the Rangers have to give up even two of their top 10 prospects for Bell, then that's likely too much. It'd make more sense to use three top prospects among others in a package for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> ace <span>Ubaldo Jimenez</span> than it would for two months of Bell. </p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2011/7/29/2303579/mlb-trade-rumors-heath-bell-would-cost-rangers-three-top-prospectsJP Starkey2011-07-29T13:10:08-05:002011-07-29T13:10:08-05:00MLB Trade Rumors: Rangers, Padres In Stand-Off Over Heath Bell
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> have been linked to <span>Heath Bell</span> for quite some time now in trade rumors, and it appears that the Rangers and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> have hit a wall in negotiations. According to<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/JimBowdenESPNxm/status/97001516833058816" target="_blank"> Jim Bowden</a>, the two clubs are in a "stand-off" and are not making progress towards a deal that would bring Bell to Texas. Bowden also notes that the stand-off is going to go right down to the deadline.</p>
<p>This is likely good news for the Rangers and their fans. It would almost certainly be foolish for the Rangers to overpay for two months of Bell, despite the bullpen woes. Rumors from San Diego's camp have maintained that the Padres are after top prospects - or at least ones that would exceed the value of the two draft selections that San Diego would receive as compensation if Bell left for in free agency this winter.</p>
<p>That the Rangers aren't caving into San Diego's demands likely means that the price Texas would pay isn't too high. Still, the possibility remains that another team such as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> could swoop in and acquire Bell. </p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2011/7/29/2303475/mlb-trade-rumors-rangers-padres-in-stand-off-over-heath-bellJP Starkey2011-07-27T15:48:42-05:002011-07-27T15:48:42-05:00MLB Trade Rumors: Pace "Quickens" With Heath Bell, Mike Adams
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GvT769MZcBhoCqQhquFTMVRiuKg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828111/large_dallas.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>ESPN's Buster Olney added more fuel to the trade rumors fire today, <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN/status/96315822187880448" target="_blank">tweeting</a> that the pace has quickened in talks about San Diego relievers <span>Mike Adams</span> and <span>Heath Bell</span>.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a> have been linked to both relievers, with Olney saying back on July 17 that the Rangers were the favorite to land either Bell or Adams in a trade. Olney at the time was citing the ever popular "rival executives." </p>
<p>With <span>Carlos Beltran</span> ready to head to San Francisco, it's likely that the Rangers are going to focus their attention on acquiring a reliever to help shore up the bullpen, especially after last night's meltdown. </p>
<p>Jon Daniels would be well served not to make a trade as a knee-jerk reaction to last night's game, though, as Heath Bell will likely cost the Rangers at least one premium prospect. Bell has been good this year, with a 1.16 WHIP while holding opponents to a .216 average, but his K/9 is down to 6.75 - a far cry from the 11.06 it was in 2010. Bell has been good, but not dominant. </p>
<p>Adams, meanwhile, has been dominant setting Bell up. Bell has a .72 WHIP on the season, surrendering just 24 hits in 46 innings while walking just nine and striking out 47. Adams is likely to cost more than Bell, since Bell is an impending free agent.</p>
<p>We'll see in the coming days what, if anything Jon Daniels has up his sleeve for the 2011 Rangers.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/texas-rangers/2011/7/27/2298577/mlb-trade-rumors-pace-quickens-with-heath-bell-mike-adamsJP Starkey