Jon Daniels: "Our payroll, I Expect, To Be Give Or Take Where It Was Last Year"
By: Josh Clark
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DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - The Rangers season ended in cruel fashion a few weeks ago, while the Kansas City Royals won the World Series in five games against the New York Mets last night.
Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels has some decisions to make regarding his teams upcoming off-season, but don't expect the team to spend a lot of money. (You're) "probably not going to see us engaged in the top end of free agency," said Daniels to 105.3 The Fan's Ben and Skin Show. "Our payroll, I expect, to be give or take where it was last year."
There is a lot to be excited about for fans of the organization. Most of the team is already in tact, except per say a right-handed bat to help balance out the offense. Daniels also alluded to the team's desire to add another starting pitcher, possibly more bullpen depth and maybe a catcher that can bring some hitting to the lineup.
Daniels said the team isn't in the market for a closer, however, they do fortunately have 4 internal candidates that could take a hold of the ninth inning role. One of Shawn Tolleson, Jake Diekman, Keone Kela & Sam Dyson are the likeliest to win the job out of spring training.
One of the first orders of business for Daniels will be the decisions on his own free agents. Colby Lewis, Mike Napoli and Yovani Gallardo make up the biggest holes the Rangers will have to cover if they aren't resigned. Regarding Gallardo's situation, the Rangers have until Friday to make a qualifying offer to the right-hander from Trimble Tech High School in Fort Worth. Daniels says the "expectation is that we (the club) will (make the qualifying offer).
While the door remains open for the Rangers with their current players competing next season, they have some bright stars waiting in the wings for their shot at the big league club.
Lewis Brinson, Nomar Mazara, Joey Gallo, Jurickson Profar...Just to name a few...Are all capable of making an impact next season. If it were up to Daniels, however, he wouldn't want to see any of them in Arlington to start next season. "If we do our jobs well and we stay healthy, I'm hoping none of those guys can make the roster on day one."
Whether or not those players make the big league club, Rangers' fans can all agree that this team is once again headed in the right direction.
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