Rangers set to aquire Eaton, Otsuka

[Beckett95]

Adam Eaton On The Block

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick spoke to Adam Eaton last week, and his article definitely gives the vibe that the righthander won't be staying in San Diego past 2006.

 

Eaton's opinion of the Padres' three-year, $17MM offer?

 

"It was almost like a slap in the face compared to what I'm capable of doing."

 

That's an amusing statement. Here's my translation:

 

"I've pitched almost 800 Major League innings and have posted a medicore 4.35 ERA for my career. I've never pitched more than 200 innings or had an ERA below 4 in a season, in a pitcher's ballpark to boot. But since I'm under 30 and don't completely suck, I'm worth at least $10MM per season. I'm insulted that you've only offered me $5MM per season."

 

Given that impressive resume, it's no surprise teams are beating down the door to acquire Eaton. No, really, they are. These are the interested parties, according to Crasnick:

 

Rangers

Nationals

Tigers

Orioles

Red Sox

Cubs

 

Thoughts on a few of these suitors:

 

The Rangers have been shaky about including both Gerald Laird and Adrian Gonzalez to get a deal done, and they reportedly backed out of such a deal earlier this month. Eaton has been below average in home run prevention throughout his career, so I'm not sure he's the best fit for Ameriquest. But Texas can't count on Vicente Padilla to fill the void left by Kenny Rogers, so it's likely they'll bring another starter in this winter.

 

If Eaton could remain healthy, he'd give Washington solid starting pitching depth. 1-5, it'd go John Patterson, Livan Hernandez, Eaton, Brian Lawrence, and Ryan Drese. Top prospect Mike Hinckley will need some time before he's ready to step in. A swap of Ryan Church for Eaton sounds like fair value to me, and Church would be a nice fit in left field for the Pads.

 

I'm not sure that the Cubs have what Padres GM Kevin Towers would want for Eaton. Plus, the point of Hendry adding another starter was seemingly to add a durable pitcher to the mix in the event that Kerry Wood can't make 30 starts. Eaton is anything but durable.

mlbtraderumors

 

maybe he could be part of a wells deal??

 

wells for otsuka and eaton???????

 

wouldnt be a bad #5 guy in the rotation if we lose clement and arroyo

[Cityofchampions33]

I think we're all set starter-wsie, and I woudl not rwally want this guy pitchin games at Fenway, most NL pitchers have 1 run added on to their ERAs so we're lookin at a high 4.00 guy or low 5.00 guy, IMO I wouldn't offer much, if anything only to get Wells where he wants to be.

[Soxfan1]

I really doubt the pads would pull the trigger on that trade also Roberts was signed so he aint getting traded.

[Cityofchampions33]

Eaton deson't sound like a good clubhouse guy either

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Well Eaton and Otsuka are off to the Rangers....Adrian Gonzalez went to San Deigo...possible he could be in a deal from San Diego for David Wells??

[Beckett95]

ya, the rangers really made a bad deal there. Giving up Chris Young (who is younger and already better than Eaton), Gonzalez who is a top 1B prospect and Termel Sledge who is a solid 4th OF for an average, complaining pitcher and a 33 yearold average reliever.

[elsrbueno]

The Rangers totally got ripped off in this deal. Chris Young had his league and park going against him and still put up better numbers than Eaton. Combined with the fact that he's cheaper and younger. Otsuka is decent, but Gonzalez is a potential star. Sledge has been traded for the second time in the past week and a half, and he's probably just a throw in.

 

Let's hope David Wells is going to San Diego now for some package including Young or Gonzalez or both.

[Beckett95]

The Dallas Morning News is reporting that the Rangers have acquired Adam Eaton, Akinori Otsuka and a prospect from the Padres in return for Chris Young, Adrian Gonzalez and Terrmel Sledge.

We're surprised that the Rangers would part with Young here, especially since Eaton is eligible for free agency after next season. The Padres will plus Young into their rotation. They could choose to start Gonzalez over Ryan Klesko at first base. Sledge will be a backup. We wonder if this is a prelude to a David Wells deal for the Padres. The Red Sox are known to be interested in Gonzalez, and this frees up some money for San Diego. Dec. 20 - 2:58 pm et

rotoworld

[riverside sluggers]

Im pretty sure Otsuka is 33, not 38

[Beckett95]

Im pretty sure Otsuka is 33, not 38

 

ya i got him confussed with takatsu

[riverside sluggers]

its cool

---------

i agree they probably got adrian gonzalez in the trade to entice Boston to get this deal done.

[jimmycarter05]

The Rangers totally got ripped off in this deal. Chris Young had his league and park going against him and still put up better numbers than Eaton. Combined with the fact that he's cheaper and younger. Otsuka is decent, but Gonzalez is a potential star. Sledge has been traded for the second time in the past week and a half, and he's probably just a throw in.

 

Let's hope David Wells is going to San Diego now for some package including Young or Gonzalez or both.

 

Yes, I love a Wells for Young/Gonzalez deal, although that prolly won't happen, Young had a great 2nd year season,(12-7 with a 4.26 ERA)even thoughhe was on a team with a great offense, but if he comes to Boston that won't really change...and Gonzalez would solve our platoon position problem. Plus we free up money and it makes Clement.Arroyo more expendable(hopefully Clement),but I still love that trade.

[yankeessuck013]

The Rangers have agreed in principle to a deal with San Diego that would bring them right-handed starter Adam Eaton, right-handed setup man Akinori Otsuka and a Minor League prospect for right-hander Chris Young, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielder Terrmel Sledge.

 

A Major League source confirmed to MLB.com that the deal is done, pending the passing of physicals

[stocker323]

I'm going to merge this with the thread in the rumor mill forum and move it to this forum.

[Soxfan1]

If they had kept rogers and got Beckett this team would be dangerous. Very VERY strong offense but there pitching sucks.

[26 to 6]

I think the Rangers are stupid for this deal. Trading Gonzalez AND Young.

 

Whatever though, did what they had to do.