Kevin Goldstein on the next Rays
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 10, 2008 12:04 PM CDT
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PrintKevin Goldstein looks at some teams in the A.L. that haven't been good for a while, to see who might be the next version of the Tampa Bay Rays...
The Rangers, of course, are included, and there is lots to feel good about, according to Goldstein. His conclusion:
Outlook: They have committed ownership, a nice young talent base, a loaded minor league system, an excellent recent track record in the draft and with their international signings, and a smart front office. All the ingredients are there to make the Rangers a clear winner in the "next big thing" race. That said, I expect this to be a slow burn as opposed to a sudden Rays-like leap forward. I wouldn't categorize them as a strong buy for 2009. Expect a winning record, but I don't think they'll be a real threat in the West until 2010.
The "committed ownership" I might quibble about, but really, this is a pretty glowing review of the direction the organization is heading...
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2010
seems to be on par with what most of us here have been saying
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
Weakness of the West
With the A.L. West being one of the weaker divisions next year, as of right now, the Rangers will have a decent shot of getting in the playoffs. And once you get in, anything can happen.
meh
its weak 2-4
but even if they lose Tex, K-rod and garland the angels should still be a 92-94 win team next year. even without our expected improvement, im not sure the angels will take a steep decline next year. but by 2010 i think we might catch up with them.
by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Oct 10, 2008 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Anaheim
88-74 Pythag record this year. They’ll have to play better in 2009 than they did this year to be a 92-94 win team.
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 10, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions
the angels
are still a pretty old team with some ugly contracts. Look at their 2008 roster. Then subtract out the production they got from Tex and K-Rod, as those two are almost assuredly on their way out. Note the ages of Anderson and Hunter, and realize that Vlad plays much older than his age.
They are a team anchored by veterans in their 30’s and supplemented by largely unproven players in their 20s. They should be able to keep a strong rotation and bullpen, but their offense is set to decline in the near future.
I wouldn't say...
…Tex is almost assuredly on his way out. He’s following the money.
Also, how old do you honestly think Guerrero is? I can promise you he is significantly older than his listed age. Sneaky Dominicans!
i guess you probably meant
more that we’ll feast on the As and Ms and have a better shot at the wild card, which could be true. but i dont think itll be enough of an effect to compete with a supremely loaded rest of the AL
by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Oct 10, 2008 12:46 PM CDT reply actions
Sudden leap forward
I know the Rays had a massive turnaround this past year, but they’ve been “slow burning” since they existed.
That said, I don’t think it’s out of the question to think you’ll see 85-90 wins next year (assuming obvious improvements are made, and development of young players isn’t stunted."
I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles
Nay, the Rangers will rule the West next year.
Sure, a conservative approach that allows young-uns to grow is in order, but if I let my imagination go wild, I come up with this roster:
One of Teagarden/Salty + Millwood or Harrison + Andrus + Nippert + Poveda for Oswalt.
Millwood if they feel they need a veteran. Harrison if they want an up and coming prospect.
Sign Kerry Wood. Sign Casey Blake.
Max Ramirez + David Murphy + Neil Ramirez + Jose Vallejo for James Shields
MaxRam becomes their DH. Murphy takes Gabe Gross’ position.
Lineup
Kinsler, 2B
Young, SS
Bradley, LF/DH
Hamilton, CF
Blalock, DH/1B
Davis, 1B/DH
Cruz, RF
Blake, 3B
Laird, C
Others: Byrd OF, Boggs OF, Vazquez or Duran UIF, Teagarden or Salty C
Rotation:
Oswalt
Shields
Millwood or Harrison
Padilla
BMac/Hurley/Mendoza/Gabbard/Feldman/Hunter
Bullpen
Wood (CL)
CJ Wilson
frankfranKKKKK
Benoit
Madrigal
Rupe
Gordon/AJ/Loe/Littleton/Mathis/Lizard/White
Still need a SS after 2009, but I think this roster is 90+ wins. I don’t think I would do it this way, though. I’m as disinclined to see the Rangers move Andrus as I am Feliz/Holland/Main/Perez.
Go Rangers!
Didn't Diamond
have the worst control on the planet both prior to and after his injury? Is Mr. 200-BB’s Nolan going to show him how to improve it?
"Some mornings it just doesn't seem worth it to gnaw through the leather straps."
- Emo Phillips
Getting close.
"until they are good, they are not good" - seth
by inactive lsb user on Oct 10, 2008 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions
give it time
he just got back from injury
"Calmer than you are... "
by Walter Sobchak on Oct 10, 2008 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions
That package for Oswalt?
I’d probably take it in a heartbeat with Harrison instead of Millwood (don’t want to risk it, even if he does return to dominance in the NL and away from RBIA).
Pity Ed Wade still thinks we can contend.
It seems that the best move for the Astros this offseason is
to trade Oswalt. They have very little on the way from the farm. They need some young ML talent to keep themselves in playoff contention while Berkman and Lee are still hitting well.
Boston would be a good trade partner for the ’Stros. Buchholz, Bowden, and Lowrie would be good additions.
Go Rangers!
first Mendoza, now Diamond
can’t say you don’t like the underdogs.
"So he tore it up in AA. Yippee. ...Max Ramirez be damned." - bigsteve
Mendoza was a huge disappointment for me this year.
although we saw flashes of his ability time to time, his inability to bring it bring it every time out killed him early on, then his inability to bring it from pitch to pitch absolutely destroyed him.
If we do actually get something good out of Diamond next year, I just see it as bonus.
I think we saw a flash once
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
I saw it about 4 or 5 times
His two bullpen appearances when he initially came off the DL, then a couple of starts.
I, too
am absolutely on the Diamond bandwagon for next year. I think he will be a revelation. Another year removed from TJ, an entire offseason to recover, no more nagging foot injury thanks to an August surgery (if I remember correctly), improved secondary stuff, and his incredible tenacity (or VAG+, in the parlance of our times) all suggest he is due for a breakout year.
That said, I expect this to be a slow burn as opposed to a sudden Rays-like leap forward.
I agree with this, and I’ve felt strongly that saying this team should be shooting for 2009 is way too optimistic. I’ve felt like it’s going to be 2010 at the earliest.
Another quote from the article.
Other than the catching, the Rangers don’t have much up-the-middle talent, as their two best non-catching prospects at those four positions—shortstop Elvis Andrus and center fielder Julio Borbon—are generally overrated speedsters without secondary skills.
I’ve been wondering if I was the only person to suspect this.
Thats just a stupid comment
Elvis hit .300 this year as a 19 year old in AA. Borbon is fast but he also hit well over .300 and made AA his first full season as a pro. Are there areas you would like to see them improve on…absolutely but to put a blanket statement like that is just dumb.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
I'm not sure.
I think we around here overrate him a little, but I don’t see him necessarily getting as much interest as he deserves in prospect discussions outside of LSB.
I do think fans are prone to like a guy for being speedy and having a high batting average.
ahem
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
by Brian Thomas on Oct 11, 2008 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions
But
more related to Borbon than Andrus, right? Only Cahill hates Andrus.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
I have advocated trading Andrus, not b/c I think Andrus will be a bust, like Borbon
But b/c I think he has the largest difference in perceived vs. actual value. If we absolutely had to give up one of the jewels of the farm to get a top of the rotation starter, he’d be the guy I’d be least sorry to see go.
And contrary to the Mayor of Exaggerationville, thedirkahuntatron’s claims, I don’t hate SlapnScurry Borbon either. I just think he is fool’s gold.
I really hope I’m wrong. If I am, no one will need to dig up old quotes. I’ll be the first to admit it.
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
by Brian Thomas on Oct 12, 2008 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't hate him
Just like him about as much as I like all 717 OPS SS who lead the league in errors.
I believe all fast guys get horribly overrated. I really want Andrus to actually, you know, do something before we annoint him the next great thing.
"Oh well, McCain is pretty communist anyway,... we can be 70% communist with McCain,"-Sharky
Let's just throw a blanket over all ages
and assume that a 19 year old should do as well as a 23 year old in a given league, why don’t we? And part of the problem with doing that is that, unless you’re a little crazy, you’d be pretty happy with the .295/.350 part from a 19-20 year old two-way SS in AA, so all you really have to quarrel with offensively is that he didn’t hit for power, which is greatly mitigated by the fact that he was 19.
Hanley Ramirez hit .275/.327/.403 in Low A when he was 19. Derek Jeter hit .295/.376/.394 in Low A when he was 19. Jimmy Rollins hit .244/.306/.354 in High A when he was 19. Jose Reyes hit .287/.331/.425 in AA when he was 19. All of these guys had error issues at different points.
Your expectations for what he should have done at his level and age are a little ridiculous.
by Brett Perryman on Oct 12, 2008 9:59 PM CDT up reply actions
heh
"until they are good, they are not good" - seth
by inactive lsb user on Oct 12, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
riiiiight
I don’t think there are many teams who can match our talent up the middle. Andrus, Borbon, Vallejo, Beltre, Osuna, Lemon, etc.
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