Is a young 3rd baseman a possibility?

[bensheeps]

Before I write this; let me start by saying I have little knowledge of the Rangers system. (maybe I won't get rip so badly)http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

 

Thinking that Hank Blalock may be a logical target (left-handed 3rd baseman playing on a team in need of pitching) I started to look at the Rangers roster.

 

While everything I've seen seems to point to Blalock being a tough get, I noticed that his backup this past year while Hank was hurt was Travis Metcalf...25 yrs old with just 161 major league at bats (all in 2007). Here is a blurb from RotoWorld on him from last May

 

Metcalf, 24, was hitting .294/.363/.507 in 136 at-bats while repeating the Texas League. He batted just .221/.298/.325 in 425 at-bats for Frisco last year. He is an above average defender at third,

 

Should we be targeting a young, defensive 3rd baseman regardless if he would have to hit in the 8th spot for us?

[dadofandrew]

I'm sure Doug's only criteria would be that they are "major league ready". Given Metcalf's only success at AA is as a 24 year-old in his 2nd attempt, I'd say he's far from MLB ready and probably not a high ceiling guy.

[ILuvDaBush]

LaRoche and Marte are logical targets as young MLB-ready 3B. Even Headley and Reynolds would be good, but Metcalf would do little to outdo Gross/Dillon/Kapler/Jr Gwynny in left.

[dadofandrew]

Marte has a very long swing. I don't see him having any success for 2-3 years at least.

[Neugebauer]

Dallas McPherson would be a great gamble IMO. Dallas won't be leading any fielding clinics any time soon, but he is a great risk/reward situation.

[TooLiveBrew]

Welcome aboard, Negue. We've talked about McPherson in the past, and the part to consider there is that DM is looking to move Braun away from 3B due to terrible defense. Imho, if we're going to add McPherson, we might as well just keep Braun at third & add a LF - it'd be tons easier. However, I think his defense there is a major concern, and would prefer to find a 3B that can handle the defense, with some decent offense.