Out with Zito, in with Rupe

by Allen13 on Dec 23, 2006 10:45 PM CST

In all of the excitment, development came to me. I have alwais loved Rupe, and I think the win difference(Zito-17 overachieving, Rupe-11 moderate) is totally worth the 16 million dollar difference.

I also think it gives Hicks his dreaded financial flexability to sign Tex and MY longterm.

Millwood, Padilla, McCarthy, Tejeda, and Rupe is better than we have put on the mound in a while. Zito would make this rotation great, but that does not seem to be the case.

I think we would all agree that one more big bat added to our offense will make us favorites in the west. Wilkerson and Cruz are the keys to this team being itself and being very good.

All I want for Christmas is a big bat JD, so go out and get it.

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Comments

I think we

still have a shot at Mulder

by myoungfan11 on Dec 23, 2006 10:46 PM CST reply actions

he's not available...

...until after the AS break, no?

Your Texas Rangers...laying the foundation for 2009...ok, who am I kidding? 2012.

by RangerMoto on Dec 23, 2006 11:22 PM CST up reply actions

Offense Hinge

You are correct in stating the offense hinges on Wilkerson and Cruz. If those guys put up decent to good numbers, the team has a chance to be very competive and win the division.

That is the great thing about baseball...the games have to be played. If it was just a paper excercise, then the Yankees would have seven straight WS titles. We all know how that has turned out.

Proud Supporter of the Texas Rangers since 1973

by T Coleman on Dec 23, 2006 11:02 PM CST reply actions

Very nice

Allen. I like your reasoning on Zito Rupe win differentials.

Id still like us to get him at the 100 million mark. If we dont fine, but Id still like to see.

If not, Id love to have Mulder because I think he is going to be even closer in production once he returns, and obviously will be cheaper.

What big bat would you suggest?

by Nichols22 on Dec 23, 2006 11:31 PM CST reply actions

Big Bat

I have no idea. Christmas has taken up all my time. Rios from Toronto would be huge, but it would take Hurley to get that done.

JD is great at pulling off the wall trades out of his ass, so who knows but him. Here is to wishful thinking and to Wilkerson becoming the beast that our leader AJM acclaimed him to be after the Soriano trade. If Wilkerson is half of what we thout he would be,(Somewhere in the 25HR,85RBI range)than I think we are in great shape.

by Allen13 on Dec 23, 2006 11:46 PM CST up reply actions

In Adam's defense Wilk averaged

over 18 winshares for the 4 years previous to "The Trade".....if he's back healthy (?), I believe Adam will be exonerated.

by tklawless on Dec 24, 2006 1:11 AM CST up reply actions

Adding a big bat

I don't know where the big bat would play, unless you are going to bench Wilk or Cruz.

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 24, 2006 12:06 AM CST reply actions

And why wouldn't you?

It is an upgrade business. Better players equals a better record.

by gp on Dec 24, 2006 12:17 AM CST up reply actions

I totally agree

I am a believer in results. The only people bitching about the guy at the top are the ones who wish they could be him. The next #1 dethroans him in a humble unbelievable ass kicking way.

by Allen13 on Dec 24, 2006 12:32 AM CST up reply actions

I guess it depends...

...on whether you think Cruz and Wilkerson can play or not.

And how much of an upgrade you are talking.

Personally, at this point, I'm fine going into the season with what we have on offense, and spending April and May seeing what Wilk, Cruz, Cat and Botts can do.

If Cruz can't hit, if Botts is just a AAAA player, then you can go get a bat.

But otherwise, you run the risk of losing a guy who can play without actually giving him a chance to play.

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 24, 2006 12:50 PM CST up reply actions

That's part of my concern

We have a lineup of a bunch of guys who are just good enough to be regulars, but not much better than that. That will get you an average offense.

I would like to see us make a run at Burrell, maybe offering Otsuka, Wilkerson (to replace Burrell in their lineup) and something else, then trying to convince him to accept a trade to Texas.

by BurntOrange on Dec 24, 2006 12:18 AM CST up reply actions

Loretta...

not really a big bat, but a good hitter. He could be very useful to the team as DeRo was last year. Anyone heard any updates on him, or like to have him on the team?

When all else fails, there's always delusion. - Conan O'Brien

by mtex on Dec 24, 2006 10:51 AM CST up reply actions

Todd Helton

I love the guy, he would be a healthy and great guy in the clubhouse. I like his game, and he can bring in some consistent play, along with power and RBI's..

"Twenty wins and a Cy Young, I guess. Less than 50 home runs allowed? Something like that. I'll stick with 20 wins -- that would be nice to get."-BMac

by miles on Dec 24, 2006 5:35 PM CST reply actions

Cruz

deserves a chance to show what he's got, I'm hoping for the best. If he blossoms he could hit 15-20 homers in '07. I agree on Helton, he's past his prime.

by t ball on Dec 24, 2006 6:54 PM CST reply actions

Highest power ceiling

Disagree strongly. That would be Mayberry easily, and Botts possibly...

Penalty Box? DONT THINK SO!!!!!!! And i wish everyone could stop writing that crap cause its gay...SUPER GAY!!!! NYTXfan!!!

by Brian Thomas on Dec 25, 2006 12:09 AM CST reply actions

correction: make that Botts probably

I should stop drinking and go to bed...

Penalty Box? DONT THINK SO!!!!!!! And i wish everyone could stop writing that crap cause its gay...SUPER GAY!!!! NYTXfan!!!

by Brian Thomas on Dec 25, 2006 12:10 AM CST reply actions

I have to agree

Cruz's ceiling is the level of Beast.

by hiafex on Dec 25, 2006 8:25 AM CST reply actions

Harrison more pop than Mayberry

Man that depresses me. You must really not think much of Mayberry.

Obviously, Cruz edges Botts in the defensive side. I guess I'm biased. I was moving cross-country, getting out of the navy (which is alot more complicated than you'd imagine)at the end of last summer, so I didn't see my usual 5 games a week. I caught about 40 Cruz AB's, and it seemed like he struck out in about 35 of them.

I'd like to see him in batting practice...

Penalty Box? DONT THINK SO!!!!!!! And i wish everyone could stop writing that crap cause its gay...SUPER GAY!!!! NYTXfan!!!

by Brian Thomas on Dec 25, 2006 2:43 PM CST reply actions

I don't know if you noticed it, but...........

The SOB can really fly ! One of the fastest big guy's I've ever seen going down the line......there were a couple of infield grounder's early on, just routine, and he missed beating 'em out by half a step!!! (and did beat out a couple of others)

His minor league hitting stats are encouraging (and he played a lot vs. OKC so hopefully our scouts hit on him), but I'd agree with you, the end of last year, it seemed like he struck out 2-3 times every game.

by tklawless on Dec 25, 2006 3:05 PM CST up reply actions

Good call on Holliday

I'd stick him in left field for the next 5-6 years !

by tklawless on Dec 25, 2006 3:15 PM CST reply actions

Love you but

Harrison more pop potential than Mayberry? You're not paying attention. Mayberry may not have performed as well as we'd hoped, but raw ability-wise, he's got more potential than any player in the Rangers system.

by AZranger on Dec 25, 2006 7:08 PM CST reply actions

Good call on "another thread" but,

better get used to it, happens all the time on here, HA !

I agree, BTW, check Cruz's AAA stats against Harrison's high A & AA stats and Mayberry's low A stats.......really no comparison (kinda like McCarthy & Danks).

Cruz has the potential to be a star.......and have you seen this guy get down the line?

by tklawless on Dec 26, 2006 6:15 AM CST reply actions

Stats?

No questioning Mayberry had a poor first half. But you said Harrison has more "pop potential" not just better performance. That's not even close.

I've seen them both in BP, been to Surprise the last three springs.

Harrison has big pull power. Mayberry has special power. The kind of power that you very rarely see. Backspins balls in a way few do. Harrison doesn't do that, almost no one does. Actually, Cruz does too.

by AZranger on Dec 26, 2006 8:05 AM CST up reply actions