Easy to decipher meaning in Jon Daniels interview.
Daniels, Choo and Rangers manager Ron Washington (Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports)
With today being the day the Shin-Soo Choo signing was made official, Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels made an appearance on MLB Network Radio today. Here are some topics that were covered.
– Daniels was asked about the club’s expectations for the last two or three years of Choo’s deal and what were the team’s expectations for that period. Daniels didn’t exactly state specific numbers or expectations, but he and the team are confident that Choo will age well and cited the age of players such as Joe Nathan and Carlos Beltran and how they were able to garner multi-year deal even at their ages.
Daniels also likened the Choo signing to when the Rangers signed Adrian Beltre. He noted that many felt the contract the Rangers signed Beltre to was too long of a term for a player of Beltre’s age. Beltre was inked to a five-year, $80MM deal after the 2010 season. He was 31 at the time of the signing. So far, it’s worked out for the team.
– And on posting for Masahiro Tanaka? Daniels stated that the Rangers were “focused on adding depth to the staff rather than somebody that’s been at the top”. Now, he didn’t come right out and say it, but in listening to this remark, you have to believe Texas won’t be in the running. Is this merely a smoke screen?
– And on Matt Harrison? Daniels mentioned that the Rangers were “counting on him”. Harrison underwent a pair of surgeries on his back this year. It is worth noting that Daniels said Harrison has accelerated his throwing program , plus lost some weight.
Here’s the clip…