MLB Winter Meetings: Rule 5 draft draws interest to Rangers

It has been a few years since the Texas Rangers have picked so high in the Rule 5 draft. That’s a product of having a string of winning seasons until 2014.

Texas has the third pick in the Rule 5 draft Thursday morning, a position coveted by multiple clubs, general manager Jon Daniels said.

As of early Wednesday evening, Daniels wasn’t sure what would come of their pick.

“We may help our club by trading it. We’re looking at different scenarios,” he said. “We’ve been hit a bunch from teams looking to trade for it. I’m not sure yet what we’re going to do with it. I think if we were going to trade it would be for another player.”

The other side of the draft is the potential for other teams to pilfer unprotected minor league prospects from the Rangers’ system, including left-handed pitcher Will Lamb and second baseman Odubel Herrera, both of Double A Frisco.

“You always hear names. I think it’s very possible we have someone taken,” Daniels said. “It’s probably one of the tougher decisions we’ve had to make on Nov. 20 [deadline to set the 40-man roster] than we have in a couple of years.”

Enberg selected for Frick Award

Longtime broadcaster Dick Enberg was named the 2015 Ford C. Frick Award winner.

Enberg, who turns 80 in January, has been broadcasting since 1957, including for the California Angels from 1969-1978 and 1985 and for the San Diego Padres since 2010.

He was visibly moved by the honor during a news conference Wednesday morning at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in his hometown of San Diego.

“For 80 years I’ve loved this game, as far back as I can remember,” Enberg said. “Being teethed on a baseball bat. And to have this as a culmination of my professional life and my love for a sport ... it’s too good to be true. Especially, in light of those who are so qualified to earn this Ford Frick Award.”

Rangers play-by-play man Eric Nadel won the award a year ago.

Guzman cleared

Rangers prospect Ronald Guzman has been cleared of wrongdoing in a fatal car accident in the Dominican Republic. A no-fly ban is expected to be lifted, Daniels said.

Perez on schedule

Rangers left-handed pitcher Martin Perez, who had Tommy John surgery to repair his left elbow in May, is currently on schedule with his rehab, Daniels said. Perez is expected to be back in the minors in June and return to the Rangers in July.

“He looks great right now,” said Daniels, who cautioned the club won’t know how quickly Perez, 23, will be back to his pre-surgery form. “Is he going to be one of these guys 15 months out who looks like his old self? Or is he going to be one of these guys who will be [fully recovered] next year? It’s hard to know.”

Moves

▪ Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who has been with the club the past 15 seasons, was traded to the Dodgers. It was unknown as of Wednesday evening whom Philadelphia got in return.

▪ Dodgers second baseman Dee Gordon was traded to the Marlins for top pitching prospect Andrew Heaney as part of a six-player trade. Miami also receives pitcher Dan Haren. Los Angeles also received utility player Kike Hernandez, catcher Austin Barnes and relief pitcher Chris Hatcher.

▪ Wade Miley was traded to the Red Sox from the Diamondbacks. Arizona received Webster, Rubby De La Rosa and a minor leaguer.

▪ Left-handed pitcher Antonio Bastardo was traded to the Pirates from the Phillies for minor league left-handed pitcher Joely Rodriguez.

▪ Right-handed relievers Luke Gregerson and Pete Neshek have agreed to terms with the Astros pending physicals in Houston. Gregerson agreed to a three-year, $18.5 million deal, and Neshek agreed to a two-year, $12.5 million deal with an option.

This story was originally published December 10, 2014 at 10:48 PM with the headline "MLB Winter Meetings: Rule 5 draft draws interest to Rangers."