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02:09 AM CST on Sunday, November 20, 2005
By EVAN GRANT and TODD WILLS / The Dallas Morning News
The Rangers could be on the verge of acquiring the pitching ace they've long desired.
Major league sources confirmed Saturday that the Rangers were in serious talks with Florida about right-hander Josh Beckett, the 2003 World Series MVP. The talks were serious enough that the Rangers were willing to include third baseman Hank Blalock, once considered untouchable, in the proposed deal.
Rangers/MLB
According to one Rangers source, a four-player deal could be completed as early as today – if the Rangers include left-hander John Danks, the team's No. 1 draft choice in 2003. The Rangers would also receive third baseman Mike Lowell. The Rangers are wrestling with parting with Danks.
The Rangers, however, aren't the only team interested in Beckett, who was 15-8 with a 3.37 ERA last season. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that Detroit and Boston had also expressed significant interest. Boston has a major league-ready shortstop in Hanley Ramirez, which could be Florida's most pressing need if it loses free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez.
According to one Rangers source, owner Tom Hicks and Florida counterpart Jeffrey Loria have been engaged in the talks. Hicks saw Loria at Thursday's owners meetings in Milwaukee. Hicks declined to comment on his involvement Saturday.
GM Jon Daniels also declined to comment on trade speculation.
"We've talked to every team," Daniels said.
Beckett is from the Houston suburb of Spring. The right-hander, who made $2.4 million last year, would be under the Rangers' control via salary arbitration for the next two seasons. His salary is expected to rise to $4 million for 2006.
Lowell, a three-time All-Star from 2002 to 2004, struggled offensively last season, batting .236 in 150 games last season with a career-low eight home runs. The 2005 Gold Glove Award winner had averaged 28 home runs during his All-Star seasons.
The Marlins' motivation in any deal is saving money. They are again slashing payroll and have also talked to clubs about dealing Carlos Delgado and his $13 million annual salary. The Marlins would save a significant amount by dealing Lowell, who is signed for $18 million over the next two seasons. Blalock has $12.75 million remaining on his contract for the next three years. Blalock, in turn, could be dealt again by the Marlins for younger, cheaper players.
Blalock is considered part of a young nucleus of Rangers All-Stars that includes first baseman Mark Teixeira and shortstop Michael Young. Blalock batted .263 with 25 home runs and 92 RBIs in 2005 and led American League third baseman in fielding percentage. But he struggled for the second straight season after the All-Star break, hitting .236 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs. At the GM meetings last week, Daniels indicated he'd listen to offers for Blalock, only if the return was overwhelming.
Danks, reached at his off-season home in Surprise, Ariz., said his mother called him Saturday to tell him about the trade rumors. Coincidentally, Danks said he is trying to sell his house in Surprise.
Danks was dominant at Class A Bakersfield last year but struggled after a promotion to Double-A Frisco. He was 4-10 with a 5.49 ERA for the RoughRiders.
"I'll see how it goes," Danks said. "It's kind of cool to be thought of, but I'm a Ranger right now. Anything the Rangers feel they need to do, I'm really just an employee. I'm just getting ready for spring training and pitching for the Rangers."
