Monday, January 28, 2013
Extending Andrus
By Jason Catania
The Texas Rangers want to make sure Elvis doesn't leave the building, er, ballpark.
During a interview on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio show, GM Jon Daniels told ESPN Insider Jim Bowden that the club would like to keep shortstop Elvis Andrus around for a while by coming up with an extension that would satisfy both parties.
Trouble is, Andrus will be a free agent after 2014, and the closer he gets to that point, the more it will cost Texas. Plus, Scott Boras is Andrus' agent, meaning the chances the two-time All-Star will consider any sort of hometown discount are basically nil.
Beyond that, the Rangers also already have second baseman Ian Kinsler locked up for five more years at $75 million, so he's not going anywhere. And top prospect Jurickson Profar, a 19-year-old shortstop who's already debuted in the majors, is knocking on the door, so Andrus may actually be -- gasp -- expendable, especially when Profar could be as good (or better) at a fraction of the price for his first few big league seasons.
This is a big reason why Andrus has been mentioned in trade rumors this winter, most often as a possible means to landing outfielder Justin Upton, who has since been traded to the Atlanta Braves. For now, it looks like Andrus won't be going anywhere, but either he's going to cost Texas a pretty penny to lock up long-term, or trade speculation will continue to swirl.
