Saturday morning things

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 30, 2006 10:25 AM CST in News

(crickets)

Nothing much of note out there today.

We are still waiting on Mark Mulder.

And other than Mulder, the Rangers don't appear interested in doing anything else significant before spring training.

Which is probably a good thing, unless you really want to see Jeff Weaver moneywhipped into coming to Texas.

The remaining compensatory free agents, other than Mulder and Weaver, are Ron Villone, Scott Schoeneweis, Keith Foulke, and the Ho.

Bleah.

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From closing out the World Series

to losing his job to a rookie
to can't get a job

Keith Foulke: This Is Your Life

by jtts on Dec 30, 2006 10:38 AM CST reply actions

Nothing out there for me either.

Given the situation I am going to point to two moves I recommended earlier that did not happen. These moves while controversial would have made the Rangers a contender IMO and would only cost moeny and draft picks.

Sign Soriano to play LF. OK stop screaming and try to listen. He adds a potent bat and played very good defnse in LF. Too much money you say... I say offset his cost by letting Wilky and his $4M walk away. With Washington managing Sori may steal 60 bases, who knows. He would definately fit into the middle of our line-up and address the need for power.
Sign Zito. Again with the screaming. Again he cost a ton of money but his addition makes this rotation much much better. A lefty is lacking in our rotation. A guy that has consistently pitched 200 innings and won. Place him behind Millwood and you have a great #1-#2 combo. He also makes Padilla a great #3 as opposed to a weak #2. He allows BMac and Tejeda to slide down a spot and break into the bigs in a more forgiving spot int eh rotation. Finally he allows Loe, Rupe et al to provide depth to a rotation. Finally if he is too expensive then drop out of the Mulder race and apply that moeny to Zito.

Those two CONTROVERSIAL moves would position the Rangers to be very competitive in 2007 and beyond.
Unfortunately they were not done and we are left with a solid but incomplete off season IMO.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 1:01 PM CST reply actions

While we are at it

Why not also sign Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and outbid the Red Sox for Matsuzaka?

by BurntOrange on Dec 30, 2006 1:04 PM CST up reply actions

NO thanks

I like Sori and how he fits into LF for the Rangers as Zito would. Clemens and Bonds do not fit as well for 2007 and beyond.
Adding the payroll of Sori and Zito would put the Rangers in the Chisox, LAA, and Mets payrolls of last year not the Yanks and Bosox range.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 1:26 PM CST up reply actions

2007 and beyond

Sure, I would like to have Sori's bat and Zito's arm in 2007, but what about 2010 when they're both an albatross on their teams?

One thing I like about JD is he seems to want every move to help the team now and in the future. Although it would be great to have Zito here, I would only want him at about what the Rangers offered him, no more. Anyway, it's too late now to have either of them, so we should probably just forget them and move on.

I think Mulder is too risky and will cost too much given that risk. I would rather go into '07 with Tejeda, etc. than waste money on pitchers (Weaver, etc.) who probably won't pitch any better but will cost a lot more.

by t ball on Dec 30, 2006 1:08 PM CST up reply actions

T-ball

Do you really think Sori and Zito are going to decline that much in 4 years given their age?

One could argue that the contracts will continue to increase and they could be bargains by then.

Regardless I was simply looking at what the Rangers lack and how it could have been addressed. It was not addressed and we are left with the Rangers we know and love.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 1:22 PM CST up reply actions

I'll answer

Both Soriano and Zito may decline quite a bit in four years. I don't think they will, but it's certainly possible. It's not the first four years you worry about, though...it's years 5, 6, etc.

I've made the argument before that Zito's contract, in particular, could be a bargain by the end or it, but I really don't think it will be.

http://web.archive.org/web/20030210121425/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=tex

by Dustin on Dec 30, 2006 1:30 PM CST up reply actions

what?

You know, I don't even know why I said that. I must be crazy or something. What I should've said:

Zito is a fair bet to still be a good pitcher in four years. Soriano, however, is another story. His season last year was really good, of course, but hardly anybody thinks he's that kind of player. It was a career year. If he's lucky, in four years he'll be producing like he was when he was playing for Texas. And he wasn't all that good while here, obviously. Maybe if he maintains his plate discipline he can be okay, but for whatever reason I just don't see it.

http://web.archive.org/web/20030210121425/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=tex

by Dustin on Dec 30, 2006 1:45 PM CST up reply actions

Yes

I think that, in 2010, Soriano will be a below-average corner outfielder.

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 30, 2006 1:35 PM CST up reply actions

Couldn't you then move him to DH?

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 7:25 PM CST up reply actions

Moving him to DH

He'd be a below-average corner outfielder because his offense won't be that good.

He'd obviously be even worse as a DH.

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 30, 2006 8:01 PM CST up reply actions

Not for the Cubs

by tklawless on Dec 31, 2006 7:38 AM CST up reply actions

Hey Bigfan

Remember when I suggested you change your handle to 2020hindsighttoldyouso16?

I've change my mind. How about this one:

brokenrecordhomertalkshowcallinguy16

Your thoughts?

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 30, 2006 2:49 PM CST up reply actions

I would but

I proposed the same actions prior to the winter meetings.

I do think JD did a very good job this offseason, especially when compared to last year. I have no issues with any moves he made. I also have my doubts that it will be enough to make the 07 team a contender. Remember we had career years from GMJ and DeRosa and still finished 13 games back.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 5:07 PM CST up reply actions

If he did a very good job

Why did you give him a grade of D?

If I'm assessing grades for someone that I think did a very good job, he gets a B, or B+.

And granted, you have been a Sori advocate all season long, but if you think 8/136 is a good deal for a 31 year-old ADD knucklehead 310 OBP double-converter-into-single-magician, I'd like to invite you to invest in my IPO: Brian's Bar-O-Fakefunbags. Its a family spot.

Call me, I'll hook you up w/ a prospectus...

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 30, 2006 7:06 PM CST up reply actions

Simply put

he did not do enough. He was facing a daunting challenge this off season and I beleive everything he did was solid. It simply is not enough considering the challenge he was facing.

I am not saying that Sori and Zito were bargains. In fact they are more in the realm of ridiculously expensive. But considering the current payroll and talent on this team they both would be very nice additions.

I should emphasize the I (incomplete) grade for JD. Which is still a vast improvement over last off season.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 7:14 PM CST up reply actions

The fact that

you still advocate signing Soriano and Zito after their ridiculous contracts is not a sign of tenacity or viability, it is just a sign of obstinate stupidity.

by FirebatM3 on Dec 30, 2006 7:35 PM CST up reply actions

Soriano

Soriano was given $132 million more than Wilkerson is going to get.

So letting Wilkerson walk to afford Soriano doesn't really add up.

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 30, 2006 1:11 PM CST up reply actions

Who was more productive per dollar

last year. Sori at $10M or Wilky at $3M?

While we are aghast at the Sori type contracts why are we not whining about a Wilky gettting $4M in 2007?

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 1:20 PM CST up reply actions

Because

...$4 million isn't that much for a baseball player these days, and apparently the Rangers think he'll bounce back. Nothing wrong with that.

http://web.archive.org/web/20030210121425/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=tex

by Dustin on Dec 30, 2006 1:28 PM CST up reply actions

Who cares?

We aren't talking about a one year deal, we are talking about a deal that locks up Soriano until he's 38.

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 30, 2006 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

I do because

I would like to see the Rangers win.

I like going to see the Rangers playoff games. I liked it even more watching the Reds win it all in 90.

Personally I am tiring of third place finishes. I believe the Rangers have a very solid core of talented players and need help in two areas to get to the playoffs again. A solid rotation and a big bat. Those points have been the subject of numerous posts. Personally I think the Rangers could afford more payroll than they have been committing and now is the time to apply some of that money. Now because we have such a nice core of talented players that the addition of some high price FA's could make the difference.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 1:41 PM CST up reply actions

oh!

I guess thats the difference between us. When we write our opinions, we should add the caveat, "but I am totally content with a third place finish."

Or, maybe you should add the caveat, "I have no concept of money and sound budgets and can only think about this year when talking about FA acquisitions." Then go back to playing fantasy baseball.

by ab03 on Dec 30, 2006 1:53 PM CST up reply actions

Man

that's not even good fantasy baseball strat. Blowing your entire bidding budget on two players is the definition of retarded.

by FirebatM3 on Dec 30, 2006 2:06 PM CST up reply actions

The Rangers budget

has not been fully utilized in several years IMO. The market they are in and the revenues they can and could generate should support more than the 16th highest (middle of the pack) team payroll. Again I am not advocating a $150M plus payroll but why not expect the rangers to have payrolls similar to St. Louis, Atlanta Chisox, LAA etc? The difference between those teams and the Rangers is about $20-30M. The talent available (specifically Sori and Zito) would make this good team a contender.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 6:43 PM CST up reply actions

The problem is

20 million doesn't cover Sori and Zito, and you seem to want them both. I believe that long term commitments in Free Agency should be reserved for Elite players - something that neither Soriano nor Zito are.

I don't believe the best thing for a team to do is to spend on mediocre players. I have yet to see a team succeed using that formula.

by FirebatM3 on Dec 30, 2006 8:05 PM CST up reply actions

I guess you are right

I have no idea of money and should shut down the Company I run and sell all my investments. Oh wait a minute I make good money and have happy employees who have been very loyal.
I was making a point that I have been consistent on for years. The Rangers have more money to spend than they have committed historically. Zito though expensive would be a difference maker. Not only would he hold his own in the #2 spot in terms of wins but he would help #3,4 and 5 spots by moving Padilla, BMac and Tejeda down a spot. Sori is a big bat IMO and could play LF as well if not better than Cat/Wilky combo IMO.

Finally there is no salary cap in baseball. On occasion you have to spend to win. Given the talent on board already I would say that now is a good time to invest into this team and see if we can win it all.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 6:49 PM CST up reply actions

Wufdog?

Is that you? How come you didn't mention playing minor league ball for the Cardinals?

If you have to spend to win, why are the A's perennial contenders?

by benmor78 on Dec 30, 2006 7:16 PM CST up reply actions

Don't know ant Wufdog

and the A's win because they field a team that can pitch and play defense. Sound strategy for any team.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 7:20 PM CST up reply actions

Pitch and play defense?

A sound strategy? I thought you just said that spending was the sound strategy?

by benmor78 on Dec 30, 2006 7:25 PM CST up reply actions

yeah

in case you were wondering, sori is a terrible defender.

by ab03 on Dec 30, 2006 7:28 PM CST up reply actions

Huh

22 OF assists and part of 9 double plays. True he had 11 errors but it was his first season in the OF. I don't see that as terrible.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 7:37 PM CST up reply actions

Soriano is many things

but a bad defender isn't one of them. He graded out as average or above average in LF, and did better than Wilkerson. That said, his salary and his lack of consistancy makes him a poor choice for n eight year/120+ deal.

by FirebatM3 on Dec 30, 2006 7:55 PM CST up reply actions

I agree with that

That being said I would rather have Huff than Wilkerson.

by boomer1 on Dec 30, 2006 7:58 PM CST up reply actions

Aubrey Huff

was a great player in 2003. Unfortunately, it is no longer 2003. Give me Wilkerson anyday.

by FirebatM3 on Dec 30, 2006 8:05 PM CST up reply actions

If we get the same out of

Wilkerson this year that we did last year I will take Huff. Wilk has a better OPS but not by much but Wilk k's a ton more where as Huff has a little more pop.

by boomer1 on Dec 30, 2006 8:08 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry I meant OBP

Really last year was Huff's worst year.

by boomer1 on Dec 30, 2006 8:10 PM CST up reply actions

Boy...

some people around here are absolutely obsessed with strikeouts. If a player gets on base more often, what difference does it make how many strikeouts he has? A strikeout is a much better out than a double play, for instance.

by benmor78 on Dec 30, 2006 8:31 PM CST up reply actions

You are correct Ben

But a lot of his k's ended an inning or came with no one on base or two out in an inning. It all depends on where the k's are.

Now I know he was hurt last year but he had 108 hits+BB and he had 116 K's. I will give him this year but I'm not sold on this guy.

by boomer1 on Dec 30, 2006 8:53 PM CST up reply actions

A player...

that works deep in counts is going to strike out a lot. That's just the way it works. If you show me two players, one with a .360 OBP with 70 strikeouts, and one with a .320 OBP with 20 strikeouts, I'll take the higher OBP guy.

by benmor78 on Dec 30, 2006 8:58 PM CST up reply actions

Unfortunately the Wilky the Rangers got

hit .222, .306 OBP and .422 SLG. Making a .728 on base plus slugging. I truly hope he returns to his better days but will wait to see how he recovers.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 9:12 PM CST up reply actions

No question

The 2006 version of Wilkerson is worthless.

He was a good player up thru the first half of the 2005 season, then his shoulder started giving him problems. He missed a couple of games in a row in the second half of 2005, and probably should have had the shoulder operated on last offseason.

With him having 6 months from the operation to the start of spring training, he should be back to 100%.

If we have the 2006 version of Wilk in 2007, he'll get released, and the Rangers will end up trading for another corner outfielder.

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 30, 2006 9:15 PM CST up reply actions

He's also got...

a bit of the dog in him.

by benmor78 on Dec 30, 2006 8:00 PM CST up reply actions

Is that an

insult or compliment?

I am not sure how to take it.

I am sure that my opinions are often controversial but as Rome always say...
"have a take and don't suck."

I am pretty sue I have a take and it is up to you if it sucks or not.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 9:09 PM CST up reply actions

Having a bit of dog in you...

is not a compliment.

by benmor78 on Dec 30, 2006 9:30 PM CST up reply actions

OK

Insult taken.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 9:34 PM CST up reply actions

I was insulting Soriano...

Soriano has a bit of the dog in him.

I insulted you when I asked if you were wufdog.

by benmor78 on Dec 30, 2006 9:36 PM CST up reply actions

It's a sad day

for reading comprehension when Ben has to explain his insults.

by FirebatM3 on Dec 30, 2006 9:42 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks for the clarification

Sori is more of a prima donna than a dog I think. I was glad when Frank Robinson made him play the OF last year. With his speed and arm strenth I feel that is the position he can be his best at. I hated watching him buthcer 2B, but understand how he felt about moving to the OF because he felt the money for him would be at 2B.

As for my points on Sori and Zito. I know they are controversial but truly believe this team could go all the way with a #2 in the rotatition and a big bat in LF. Not that the can't without but it will take a lot of things going right.

Are the contracts for Sori and Zito any worse than what Lee got from the Astros or what the Cubs gave Marquis or Lilly? Heck even Petitte got $16M from the Yanks.
The good news for the Rangers is they have 4 legitimate starters signed through 2010 or 11. They also have money in reserve to resign MY and Tex if the players are willing, and are in a solid position to make some trades come deadline given their payroll and talent at AAA especially pitchers. There simply are not enough spots on the MLB roster for all the young pitchers at this time.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 9:47 PM CST up reply actions

You must

not enjoy the Rangers winning beyond 2008, because that's exactly what signing Soriano and Zito would have done. Do you realize you'd be spending 35+ million dollars on two players for the next eight years? That'd pretty much guarantee that Teixeira (who is a better offensive player than Soriano) would not be resigned. It is these idiotic posts that really get to me. Yeah, there were some sexy names out there, but their contributions will be in no way match their contracts.

It is poorly-planned contracts like these that kills teams for 5-10 years. Think about it, few giant contracts ever work out, and you want us to commit two financial attrocities in the same offseason. That just shows a lack of foresight on your part.

by FirebatM3 on Dec 30, 2006 2:05 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe

it's worth the losses in years to come. Not that I wanted Zito and Soriano per se, but if we could have 2-3 seasons where we were genuine contenders, I think I maybe could live with 5-6 years of bad teams (as long as we were rebuilding in that span and not spinning wheels as we've done for most of the '00s). Year after year of mediocrity with faint hopes of contention (the Ranger norm for as long as I can remember), hasn't really worked out so well.

by rodinuk on Dec 30, 2006 2:23 PM CST up reply actions

no its not

maybe for fair weather fans it is.

by ab03 on Dec 30, 2006 2:24 PM CST up reply actions

Well

I've been following the team for about 20 years, and aware of its mediocrity for longer. Cycles of winning and losing strike me as more enjoyable than the humdrum of mediocrity that's largely marked this team for as long as I've been aware of the Rangers.

Think of it this way: If the team had a chance to do a rent-a-player that pushed it over the top and into the WS at the cost of a great prospect or two, many of us would be happy. In sports, selling your future for your present isn't necessarily a bad idea if it's done wisely. I bet it's been more fun to be a Marlins fan over the past decade than a Rangers fan.

by rodinuk on Dec 30, 2006 3:15 PM CST up reply actions

I would be happy with...

Getting on a run like Atlanta. Even though they won only one WS they are/were playing every year in the playoffs. Gotta get there to have a chance to win it.

by boomer1 on Dec 30, 2006 3:20 PM CST up reply actions

3rd place finishes

Didn't the Rangers finish in 3rd place both years that Soriano was here before? When will people realize that he is not a good baseball player. He hits a bunch of home runs and steals some bases. He also can't get on base at a reasonable rate, plays poor defense, and has mental lapses that cost his team games.

I got a fever and the only prescription is more blockquotes!

by LoneStarBallUser on Dec 30, 2006 7:07 PM CST up reply actions

Chris to be clear

Sori played God aweful defense at 2B. He showed a talent for playing LF last season and IMO will be much better than Wilky there for years to come. His bat would help this offense and his speed would be utilized by Washington more than Buck was willing to allow.
Finally considering all the "ROLEX" contracts for FA's this offseason, I believe that Sori is most likely not to be a Timex.

by Bigfan16 on Dec 30, 2006 7:17 PM CST up reply actions