ARLINGTON, Texas -- Maybe it was just a coincidence that the
Texas Rangers finished last in the AL West the two years they were without Juan Gonzalez.
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| 2001 SEASON STATISTICS |
| GM |
HR |
RBI |
R |
SB |
AVG |
| 140 |
35 |
140 |
97 |
1 |
.325 |
|
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New general manager John Hart isn't taking any chances in
finding out.
Despite a late entry into the bidding war for Gonzalez, Hart
still landed the grand prize Tuesday night when the slugging
outfielder agreed to a $24 million, two-year deal that includes
$10.5 million in deferred payments.
Presuming Gonzalez passes a physical, he'll return to the team
he helped win division titles in three of his last four seasons and
try adding to his franchise-best totals in homers, RBI, total
bases and extra-base hits.
He'll also find himself in the middle of a Texas lineup that's
even better than when he left.
Alex Rodriguez and recently acquired Carl Everett have joined
longtime Rangers Rafael Palmeiro and Ivan Rodriguez, ensuring
Gonzalez of seeing lots of hittable pitches.
"This gives us a very strong club that should compete every day
against any pitching," Hart said.
"We've got four potential first-ballot Hall of Famers on this
club, so he doesn't have to come in here and carry the load, be the
guy. But being in the middle of the order, he'll be a key component
to our offense."
The New York Mets were hoping Gonzalez would do that for them
and offered him a $25 million, two-year deal that included a $12
million signing bonus paid over the two years with no deferred
money.
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How the Rangers shape up
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Lineup
2B Frank Catalanotto
C Ivan Rodriguez
SS Alex Rodriguez
1B Rafael Palmeiro
RF Juan Gonzalez
CF Carl Everett
DH Carlos Pena
LF Rusty Greer / Gabe Kapler
3B Herbert Perry / Mike Lamb
Rotation
Chan Ho Park
Kenny Rogers
Doug Davis
Dave Burba
Rob Bell / Aaron Myette /
El Duque?
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But Gonzalez preferred the American League, where he's spent his
entire career, and Texas, which he still considers home. So he took
a deal that included a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $10
million and $12 million, with $10.5 million deferred. No state
income tax in Texas also helps level the bids.
"It's hard to imagine we can get a player of this magnitude for
these kind of dollars," Hart said. "It's part of Juan buying into
what we're doing here. I take my hat off to him. It was important
for him to come back."
Gonzalez, who also rejected a two-year offer from Baltimore, was
the AL MVP in 1996 and '98, then went to Detroit in a nine-player
trade after the 1999 season. Then-GM Doug Melvin made the move a
year before Gonzalez could become a free agent to avoid losing him
for nothing.
Gonzalez had an off-year with the Tigers, then signed a $10
million, one-year contract with Cleveland last season. He rewarded
the Indians' faith by hitting .325 with 35 homers and a team-high
140 RBI. The GM who gave him that chance was Hart.
Now in Texas, where he was hired after Melvin was fired, Hart
has undone his predecessor's boldest move.
"We're very excited that a former Ranger is coming home," Hart
said. "It's a good thing for our club."
Agent Jeff Moorad was well into negotiations with other teams
when Texas became a serious player.
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The run-producers
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Players who have had the most RBI in the majors since 1991:
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|
Player
|
RBI
|
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Juan Gonzalez
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1,263
|
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Jeff Bagwell
|
1,223
|
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R. Palmeiro
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1,222
|
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Barry Bonds
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1,205
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Albert Belle
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1,199
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Ken Griffey, Jr.
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1,194
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"Call it lying in the weeds, call it a proven technique that's
worked for John Hart two years in a row, call it what you want,
John picked his time and stepped forward along with (owner) Tom
Hicks and made a compelling sell," Moorad said.
The deal is contingent on Gonzalez passing a physical, which
Hart doesn't see as much of an obstacle despite the slugger's
history of back trouble. A more pressing obstacle is an inner-ear
infection that will prevent Gonzalez from traveling. Hart said the
exam likely will take place in Puerto Rico.
"We don't need to bring him in," Hart said. "Everyone here
knows him."
Hart is quickly making a name for himself here, having followed
up his acquisition of potential troublemakers Everett and John
Rocker with high-dollar deals for pitcher Chan Ho Park ($65 million
for five years) and Gonzalez.
Hart also had added pitchers Dave Burba, Todd Van Poppel and Jay
Powell and subtracted starters Darren Oliver and Rick Helling.
His next move could involve Gabe Kapler, who lost the center
field job to Everett and now right field to Gonzalez.
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Don't mess with Texas
