Evin Thayer Photography, Houston, Texas
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Lance Berkman the prodical son returns to Texas after signing a one year/$10M deal with the Rangers. The deal includes a vesting option for the 2014 season that kicks in at 550 plate appearances as well as a $1M buyout. Berkman gives Texas a designated hitter after Michael Young was dealt to the Phillies. Berkman because of his knees, should see VERY limited time at first base, if any.

Berkman made just 97 plate appearances last season as he battled a recurring knee issue that required two surgeries. He was going to retire, but the promise on another lucrative contract was enough to entice him back into playing in 2013. In 2011, he was fantastic, hitting .301/.412/.547 in 587 plate appearances for the Cardinals. A return to the American League could help the 36 year old slugger stay healthy as he can play DH regularly.

The addition of Berkman helps replace the offense the Rangers have lost this off-season. Josh Hamilton left Texas for the rival Angels earlier this winter and Mike Napoli appears Boston bound, though contract negotiations have stalled as a result of medical issues.

I think the addition now of catcher A.J. Pierzynski, a full season of top prospects, Mike Olt and Jurickson Profar and now Berkman almost, if not, make up for the offense lost with Hamilton, Napoli, and Young. Of course I still think the Rangers make a move, possibly including Olt in a deal for another bat before spring training or in July before the trade deadline.

The Texas Rangers have added right-handed reliever Jason Frasor to a one-year deal.

Frasor, 35, and has spent his entire career with Toronto was 1-1 with a 4.12 ERA in 43 2/3 innings last season. He has been a set-up man throughout his career but has some experience as a closer.

Frasor is a strikeout pitcher. Frasor had 53 strikeouts for a career-high rate of 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings last season.

Frasor missed nearly two months in the second half because of forearm tightness. It marked the first time Frasor had been on the disabled list in a nine-year major-league career.

Frasor can overwhelm right-handed hitters with a fastball-slider combination. Right-handed hitters had 35 strikeouts in 98 at-bats against him last season.

Frasor earned $3.75 million last season. He will make $1.5 million in 2013. That’s more than what Mark Lowe, who is a free agent made in 2012.

Bottom line Frasor strikes out a lot of guys, walks a lot of guys, and gives up a fair number of home runs while throwing hard. Think of him as the new Mark Lowe.

To make room for Frasor on the 40-man major-league roster, the club designated catcher Eli Whiteside for assignment. It is the fourth time since Nov. 1 that Whiteside has been designated for assignment by a club.

In the revamped Rangers bullpen, the new guys, Soria, Frasor, & Lindblom will cost a combined $6 million in 2013.

The Rangers have acquired catcher Eli Whiteside on waivers from Toronto. They have also signed Brandon Snyder to a Minor League contract. Whiteside, 33, has now been claimed on waivers by three different clubs this offseason. He had been acquired by Toronto in a waiver claim from the Yankees. The Yankees acquired him in a waiver claim from the Giants. Whiteside had been arbitration-eligible for 2013, but signed a contract with the Yankees in November, which makes him a signed player for next season

The Texas Rangers have signed left-hander Scott Olsen.

Olsen was selected in the sixth round of the 2002 MLB Draft by the then Florida Marlins. He quickly developed into one of the game’s top young pitchers. Olsen went on to post an ERA of 4.04 over 31 starts spanning 180 2/3 innings in 2006.

The club then traded him to the Washington Nationals along with outfielder Josh Willingham in exchange for Jake Smolinski, P.J. Dean and Emilio Bonifacio.

Olsen, with the Nationals, posted an ERA of 5.76 over 28 appearances, including 26 starts, spanning two seasons. The 28-year-old missed the entire 2011 season due to shoulder issues and made three starts in the Chicago White Sox minor league system last year.

Will Josh be in a Rangers' uniform in 2013?

[EDITOR'S NOTE: It's never too early to look at our offseason free agency situation, right?  Actually, I think it's good to know who's up for some big money after the season is over because then you know who your trade bait could be as the season goes on.  This post will focus on those free agents after the 2012 season.  We'll talk more about those players who will be free agents after the 2013 season at a later date.]

There are probably several good reasons why the Rangers didn’t back the truck up with cash for Prince Fielder even though a lot of fans wanted him here, one reason being that over the course of the next two years, the Rangers have 12 players who will become free agents, including half their starting lineup, a starting pitcher and three key relievers. Club officials are still hopeful of locking up some of the “core” players to long-term deals. Here’s a look at the potential free agents on the team. Let’s play a little game of should we or should we not lock them up:

After 2012                                                           Salary 2012

Josh Hamilton [age 32 in 2013]         $15.25 million

If the Rangers can sign Hamilton for 3-4 years I’d be all for resigning him.  Between the injury history, age and the off-field stuff, it makes it a lot more difficult to go longer than that, but some other team will.  He’s also been on record as saying he owes it to the players union to get the biggest deal.  

My bet is that with the Astros moving to the AL West and having new owner, a low payroll and a DH spot in 2013, they’ll money whip him to make a free agent splash. Yes, Hamilton plays some centerfield, but he’s really a left fielder, and corner spots with power are rare these days. He will be the best one on the market, but it’s probably in the best interest of the club to let him walk if the years and dollars don’t work. » Continue reading “Texas Rangers: After 2012″