http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Texas-Rangers-interested-in-David-Ortiz-Boston-Red-Sox-110112

Hope this is true. Papi can still get it done.

If true, and if this isn't merely a leveraging tactic from Ortiz, commence the Michael Young bitch-fit in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 . . .

Also, again, if true, this sends a clear signal that Texas will be shipping Young out someway somehow this offseason. I don't really see any reason why the 10/5 issue would be any sort of deterrent, because Michael Young still views himself as an everyday player, and he simply won't stand for a significantly reduced role. I could honestly see JD moving Young literally to the first team who is willing to take on $3M-$4M of the $16M+ that's owed to him in 2013.

I don't think this information would be out there if the Rangers didn't have interest in Ortiz. And, to take it a step further, they aren't ignorant enough to believe there won't be some sort of backlash from Michael Young. The ball has started rolling. Michael Young's days in Texas are numbered.

When is the MY going away party at Sherlocks? I need to know in advance so I can get my plane ticket.

Lol! Good post, eric.

"When is the MY going away party at Sherlocks?"

Hambone will be there. Not for the party though.

Too soon?

Nothing like dreaming about a 37 yr old with injury problems. It ain't happening girls.

Eric, excellent reading between the lines. As for the lines themselves, Ortiz can bring a nice DH bay. The stories I read on Trade Rumors indicated draft compensation was deterring clubs from bidding on Ortiz.

Even if the report is exaggerated, it is a clever first move to get MY out if the DH business. I would trade MY and eat all the salary for any player who could make it as an average player in A/AA if he is fluent in English and Japanese, knows how to get around but stays out of trouble, and is willing to take care of Otani.

I'd rather have an injury prone 37 year old that produces when healthy then a 36 year old who is healthy all year and can't produce outside of a short few games. Plus we really need a left handed bat or two on the team.

Show interest in a better DH that you know you have a >5% chance of signing. Mike Young pouts (again). Mike Young looks like the bad guy for not being a team player. You have an 'excuse' for trading/releasing him (not that you didn't have one anyway), that doesn't alienate the fan base that still loves Mike Young's #leadership. Pretty brilliant.

I'm probably being picky but wouldn't you prefer a DH who can also play a position? Someone gets injured and you've got maybe only 1 guy on the bench who can sub for him. Young on the other hand could serve as the backup or 3rd option at multiple spots while Ortiz = 0. It's nice having guys who can play multiple positions, e.g. Nap - C/1B, Young, Moreland - 1B/OF, etc. because you have the flexibility to move people around and in and out of the lineup which is important esp. late in the game when the ability to react to LH/RH pitching changes is important.

I'd also worry about Ortiz's nagging strained Achilles. He's a big guy who's only going to get bigger being at an age where your metabolism is slowing down, and a complete Achilles tear while running is common among heavier people.

Upside is Ortiz will come cheaper than Hammy and all that money not spent on Hammy could be used to get Greinke or whoever.

Yeah, I screwed up the >5% up there in my last post. I meant <5%. I think.

Kristen - You can get someone to give you better then Young's production at any place who Wash wouldn't feel nearly as obligated to give 600 AB to no matter how he is playing. Maybe I'm wrong and Wash will start benching Young if he keeps on hitting like he did last year, but I'm not wanting to place a bet on that. If the Rangers want a four corners guy who is right handed I'm sure we can get one that can hit better and field better then Young at this point. Give me a good offensive player at DH, especially if we are losing Hamilton and will likely have a bottom of the order hitter in his place in the out field.

I know he's a big gun with some gas still in the tank, but we need to start bringing in some young blood. This is a fix now/win now move and I'd much rather invest in someone who will breathe some life and energy into this obviously tired lineup for more than just a year or two.

I hope it's more of a trick to get MY to make a move on his own, but I'm a MY supporter and don't like the way this would make him look or the way I'd look upon our FO for forcing his hand... but something's gotta give.

I think signing Ortiz is also about flexibility on any trades moving forward. Everyone knows we need a bat and will be asking for the moon. If we sign Ortiz, we're not hamstrung by any preconceived notions moving forward. Plus if you're Greinke, would you rather sign here not knowing Hamilton's replacement or for the Angels?

This could also be posturing by his agent...

But I said it a while ago, getting to watch Elvis, Profar, Beltre and Ortiz play together would sure be fun. Those guys play the game the right way.

We have a number of good hitting prospects on the way up. Maybe none of them will pan out, but I wouldn't expect to see any of them for at least another year, if not 2 or 3. Ortiz was on pace to put up 5 fWAR this year if he'd played 150 games, after putting up 4.1 in 2011. His wOBA this year was .425 and his wRC+ was 169. Those are monster numbers (both of those 2nd best behind Votto among players with at least 350 PAs).

I'd gamble on him for 2 years any day.