Anybody feel we are missing a bat?

by Chaim Witz on Jan 3, 2006 9:40 AM CST Comment 20 comments

First off, I want to say that I am content with the pitching moves Daniels has made. Until Millwood was signed, I was far from content. Because of that single signing, I feel we have a chance to get another pitcher via FA, whether its next year or even Clemens. The bullpen is fine, if it plays out like I feel it will. Additionally, I have a gut feeling that there will be another move for pitching before spring training. (not B. Anderson either)

That being said, I am a little reluctant to anoint the Rangers offense as a slam dunk to repeat its production over the past couple years. I know I am in the minority opinion of the value of Soriano's impact on the offensive prowess of the Rangers, but he always has the ability to impact the game with one swing of the bat.

My concern now is protection for Tex. Teams will not pitch to him if they don't have to. I believe Blalock will rebound, but the problem is the DH. IF Nevin is really working hard, then that could be a pleasant surprise, but I withhold judgement on that. I understand the "DH by committee" approach, and I do not want to sign Thomas or Piazza, but I like the idea of a consistent bat in the lineup.....a professional HITTER.

Delucci, DeRosa, or any of the other bench players don't excite me at all as a DH, except in spot duty. Does anybody have any ideas for a possible hitter that I can't think of, that the Rangers could possibly add for protection for Tex or Blalock?

I doubt the Rangers would ever sign him again with his baggage, but the only name that I keep hearing in my pea brain is Raffy. I would only like that if Tex is hitting cleanup AND that we can get him on the relatively cheap deal. I don't think anybody is knocking down his door right now to sign him.

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I think

the Rangers are fine offensively. I'm not a Barajas fan, but I think our offensive production is strong enough already. Dellucci did a fine job last year as DH. Besides, who else is out there that the Rangers could sign as DH? Sure Piazza and Big Hurt, but they are both injury prone and will cost big bucks. And Raffy will just start trouble everywhere the Rangers go.

by aggierangerfan00 on Jan 3, 2006 10:02 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Looking at the current options on the team I only feel really comfortable with Tex, Young, Mench, and Wilkerson. Everyone else seems to have drawbacks to their offensive game.

Dellucci - Had a good year last year but that was a career year at the age of 31. Can we honestly expect that out of him again?

Blalock - Can't hit lefties or away from the Ballpark.

Barajas - See Dellucci. I am really hoping that Laird ends up being the starter but it isn't a given that he would be better either.

Kinsler/Jimenez/DeRosa - I think Kinsler will be a solid player in the big leagues but as a rookie he would struggle. Jimenez was a great pickup and I expect him to be the starter on opening day (not all year) but he's a crap shoot. DeRosa just sucks.

Nix/Matthews - Neither of these guys are very good right now. They would both be serviceable 4th outfielders.

Botts - Rookie

Nevin - Hopefully, he got his bat speed back for Christmas.

Soriano trade = Good. Padilla trade = Good. Young trade = Bad.

by Chris Martin on Jan 3, 2006 10:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yes

I think we're a bat short.

by Brett Perryman on Jan 3, 2006 10:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

hmm

What about seeing how little Ruben Sierra would want for a year? He seemed to be a decent bat with NY last year, and would come cheap.

by captain midget on Jan 3, 2006 11:11 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sierra

He was awful in NY in 2005.

Soriano trade = Good. Padilla trade = Good. Young trade = Bad.

by Chris Martin on Jan 3, 2006 11:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jason Lane

He's someone to possibly look at...

With Preston Wilson being added to the mix in Houston, there's some talk that Lane might be moved, particularly if the Astros think Bagwell will come back...

I wouldn't mind him in a 4th outfielder/DH against lefties role...

by Adam J. Morris on Jan 3, 2006 12:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Lane

He doesn't really hit lefties well at all.

Soriano trade = Good. Padilla trade = Good. Young trade = Bad.

by Chris Martin on Jan 3, 2006 12:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Perfect

He'd fit right in.

Maybe that Luke Scott from Houston. He's hit well in AAA, but doesn't seem to have a spot on the big club.

by trza on Jan 3, 2006 12:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lane

Yeah, should have checked...

Didn't hit them well last year, but has an 820-something career OPS against them, I believe...

I'd give him a shot, if we assume that (1) Botts starts the season in the minors, and (2) the Astros aren't asking a lot for him...

by Adam J. Morris on Jan 3, 2006 7:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Personally...

I think that Brad Wilkerson is going to make a much bigger offensive impact than most would think. I doubt he hits 40 homers to make up for Soriano leaving, but if he hits 20 or 25, like I think he just might, and knocks in 100 runs, which I think he just might, then we've got ourselves an offense. Not to mention the fact that he's a great hitter in general. And especially if Hank gets his crap together. We'll be fine. Although I certainly wouldn't mind another low-radar signing just to be sure and have someone else competeing for a job in ST. Can't hurt if you ask me.

Horns on the 4th and the Rangers in October...

by utlonghorn24 on Jan 3, 2006 1:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

i agree

but, having a solidified dh would be nice. who knows what botts will do, if he even gets a shot, nevins a big ?, and i dont think looch will do this year what he did last year.

but wilkerson certainly wont hurt the offense

by rentz on Jan 3, 2006 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wilkerson

I'm optimistic about him as well, but I still think we're a bat short.

We have Tex, Young, and then Blalock, Wilkerson and Mench. But it's hard to feel too optimistic about the other four spots, if Barajas/Laird, Nix/Matthews, Dellucci/someone and Jimenez/DeRosa are manning them. We need the DH spot to at least match what Dellucci did (and much better than the guys who played against lefties), and CF or 2B needs to outperform expectation if we want to have a very good offense. And of course Blalock needs to come around.

by Brett Perryman on Jan 3, 2006 5:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

dh

what id like to see is botts get the dh job, and looch go to 4th of'r with matthews starting in cf, and nix in aaa working on his hitting. i think botts will struggle at first, but ultimately perform. i just dont like the idea of platooning dh.
then again like i said, no one really knows what botts can do at major league level.

i dont really see the need right now to go out and spend money on a dh, ie. thomas or piazza, or worse raffy.

hopefully kinsler wins the 2b job, and can hit major league pitching.

by rentz on Jan 3, 2006 6:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lineup...

It may not be WHO we have in the lineup as much as WHERE they hit ! Our #4 and #6 spots in the order last year where among the worst in the league (statistically) They HAVE to move Hank out of the cleanup spot !!! PERIOD !!! His numbers batting 4th are terrible compared to the league. They need to move him down, or oddly enough UP to 2nd, where his stats are pretty decent, and move MY to 3rd & Tex hits 4th. Last year Tex started slow and may have "pressed" a little batting cleanup, but I've got to think he's a natural there. I don't see another option on the roster, unless Nevin has a flashback, in which case we should trade him as fast as possible.

by tklawless on Jan 4, 2006 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Preston Wilson...

Houston signed him to a 1 year $4M contract. I know he has had a few done years but I would rather have him for a million less than Hildago. I wish the Rangers had got in on that.

Way to pony up Hicks now go get Rocket!

by boomer1 on Jan 3, 2006 6:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

What

about Royce Clayton, he brings spead and leadoff. We could move Young to 2nd and Royce to short.

Jon Daniels is my hero....

by miles on Jan 3, 2006 7:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You're joking...

Right?

by Adam J. Morris on Jan 3, 2006 7:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If Jimenez

doesnt work out then what are our options. Young is better at second and this is a exuse to move him there.

Jon Daniels is my hero....

by miles on Jan 3, 2006 7:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If Jimenez doesn't work out...

You play Kinsler there...

Royce Clayton is a bad player.

He can't hit.

He'd be one of the worst leadoff hitters in baseball.

by Adam J. Morris on Jan 3, 2006 11:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Public Petition for Roger Clemens

I think that we need to start some sort of public petition to encourage the signing of Clemens. I think it could be an important tool to show Clemens that there is sincere public support for him pitching in Arlington next season. I am sure that Hicks can also give him $18-20M different reasons why he should be wearing Ranger blue in '06.

Maybe if we get Clemens, Jason Stark will find it a worthy story even if it has to do with the Rangers.

How can we begin to show public support for Clemens? Comments?

DMAY37

by damayor on Jan 3, 2006 8:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs