Wednesday 17 November 2010

Free agency talk

Upton in Uptown?
The Detroit Tigers gave Joaquin Benoit a three-year, $16.5 million. He's 33. That's a big payday for a guy coming off years of injury before putting up a brilliant year in Tampa Bay last year. I thought he'd be a good fit for Texas, but I would not have given him that much.

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ESPN's Jerry Crasnick have the Texas Rangers as one of several teams in on Brandon Webb. I wouldn't mind giving him an incentive-laden deal.

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Gavin Floyd, anyone? The White Sox are apparently listening for the starter, according to Joel Sherman. He's almost 28. He had 17 wins three seasons ago and has a decent strikeout rate and walks the minimum. One good sign is that he gave up 30 home runs in 2008 and just 14 in 2010.
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The Arizona Diamondbacks are listening on offers for outfielder Justin Upton. Looks like they're cleaning house. He's a 23-year-old right fielder, who's had pretty good seasons the last two. He hits for power and steals bases. The only interest for the Rangers is a possibly move of Josh Hamilton to first base or even DH. I don't know if Upton can handle centerfield or if he was in right for a reason. Either way, you could do Upton in left and Julio Borbon in center. Looks like you'd have to give up four or five pretty salty prospects to get Upton. May be too rich for my blood.