Texas Rangers mulling over contract talks with three players – MLB News
The Texas Rangers’ assistant general manager Thad Levine stated on Monday, February 6, that he is optimistic about the outcome of the contract negotiations with three of the team’s players. Mike Napoli, the catcher, shortstop Elvis Andrus and the right fielder
Nelson Cruz are awaiting their contracts.
Provided there is no contract signed, there will be the first arbitration hearing for any of the Texas Rangers players since it last happened in 2000. It is in this light that the team’s assistant general manager commented that the Rangers were optimistic
to avoid a hearing.
"I'm always optimistic we can avoid a hearing, but I would be surprised if we avoided one with all three," assistant general manager Thad Levine said while talking to the media on Monday.
The hearings are scheduled between February 10-17 whereby Cruz shall have his hearing on 17, while Andrus is scheduled to be heard on 10 and Napoli on 15.
"We're making progress," Levine said. "We're still having conversations, but until we have an actual agreement, we can't classify it as being a done deal."
Levine also expressed that conversations are underway and there are expectations for a good outcome. As reports had it, Andrus is demanding a contract of $3.6 million while the Rangers are offering $2.65 million.
Anything acceptable between the demand of the player and offer of the team shall be good for both. Also, Napoli is said to have asked for $11.5 million while the offer made by the Rangers stands at $8.3 million.
There exists a distinct possibility that Napoli’s case may be allowed to go for the hearing given the gap between the offer and demand. Nonetheless, it will all depend on how the two parties deal with the issue in the long run.
Cruz, on the other hand, has been offered $5.5 million while the player’s demand is around $7.5 million.
Given the fact that there is not enough incompatibility in two of the demands and offers, the Rangers might possibly get the contracts done soon. As to what turns out to be the fate of the deal with Napoli is something that one has yet to see.
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