Evan Grant on the Ranger 40 man roster situation
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 12, 2008 2:43 PM CST
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PrintEvan Grant has a blog post up about the Rangers' 40 man roster situation, and who could be added and dropped.
John Mayberry, Jr., and Jose Vallejo seem like the slam-dunks. Evan and Jamey Newberg both seem to think Pedro Strop could be added, but it seems to me that if they were going to do that, they would have either claimed Strop in the first place when the Rockies waived him in September, or else given him a major league deal when they signed him this offseason. The Rangers could have moved someone to the 60 day d.l. to make room for Strop in September, even if the roster was full then, I believe.
Omar Poveda is a coin flip, and I don't see Michael Schlact or John Bannister being added. If it is JMJ, Vallejo and Poveda, that leaves the Rangers at 40, although it means that there are probably also guys who will be dropped from the roster later this offseason, such as Wes Littleton and Kam Loe, who Grant discusses as well.
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Poveda, Strop
Think about the reality of carrying those guys on the ML team all year.
Poveda, who has one start above A+ (and was inconsistent there).
And Strop, who apparently won’t pitch until June iirc?
I’ll be surprised if these guys get added, far more surprised if they get taken in Rule V.
Poveda…the ultimate trade sweetener. Dude is like aspartame.
Go Strangers.
Poveda is a guy
you could hide in the bullpen for a couple of months of the season before September call-ups. With his potential, there are a good number of teams who would take the chance on adding him to their minor leagues after sacrificing a couple of months of the season by having him as the 25th man.
A team could also add Strop, put him on the DL and stash him there until he is healthy. When he is healthy, he is close to ready enough to be able to go on a team’s 25 man roster. Also around that time, teams will know whether or not they are in the race and can better judge if they can afford trying him out at the ML level.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Strop
Yeah, I think that he’s an intriguing guy to draft. I hope they add him to the 40.
Poveda to me is someone you’d love to have in the organization, but I don’t think his upside is such that people will draft him or miss him that much if he is drafted, with the organization’s depth. I could be wrong about that, though. He’s still pretty young. He just has a good deal to do to be a complete starter, and I think he has to have the whole package to be successful, because I don’t think he blows you away with any one thing.
by Brett Perryman on Nov 12, 2008 4:39 PM CST up reply actions
I just really love
what I’ve read on his change-up. Given his age, I think he’s too good to risk getting away.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Strop
I’m 55% confident that he will be added to the 40.
They didn’t “need” to sign him to a ML deal. They probably went the safe route just in case a trade happened between then and the deadline.
Yay, the 40!!
So… Why the hell wouldn’t we just drop Doug Mathis?
He’s terrible.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
MVP votes are the new OBP.
Options
We would drop Loe or Littleton first because they are out of options and its alot more likely they pass through for that reason alone than a guy like Mathis who, with options remaining, is a guy some team could stash away and see if he harnesses anything. Exactly what happened with Galarraga last year. Detroit knew they could stow him in the minors and see if it “clicks” for him and apparantly it did to some degree.
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.
But Mathis isn't good at all.
Galarraga had shown flashes. That’s the real difference here.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
MVP votes are the new OBP.
by thedirkatron on Nov 12, 2008 3:18 PM CST up reply actions
Mathis is decent
Mathis has succeeded at every level so far, and there’s no reason to think he can’t figure out how to get Major League hitters out, too. Guys like Loe who have had chances and still can’t figure it out deserve to be booted first.
Not gonna argue with that
But Mathis has 2 option years left. Id rather hold on to him and give him another year at least to see if he finds something. Galarraga hadn’t shown anything until around the same age and he only had one option left.
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 wish people would stop acting
like anyone in the entire world of baseball had any idea Galarraga would break out like he did last year. even in our barren upper levels of our system, he was a nobody.
Well, to be fair, he didn't REALLY breakout this season.
He had one of the luckiest, flukiest seasons in recent memory. His FIP and tRA paint a much more dire picture than his ERA and W-L.
But I always felt he had the ability to be a decent 4 or 5, or maybe even get converted to the bullpen and be a late inning guy.
I thought it was a mistake to let him go then.
But, yah, no one saw a 3.73 ERA out of the guy.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
MVP votes are the new OBP.
by thedirkatron on Nov 12, 2008 3:41 PM CST up reply actions
Even if he'd had an ERA that matched his peripherals...
…that was better than what could reasonably be expected…
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 12, 2008 3:50 PM CST up reply actions
I usually agree with you
but not here.
Galaragga was not a nobody. He’s always had a plus slider, and it was stupid to give him away.
I don't hate everything. In fact, I think LSB is just groovy.
you are right
“nobody” is strong language. But that one plus pitch had hardly led to notable minor league success. If I recall, he had a strong second half in ’07, but he was old for the league and was a flyball pitcher, so when stacked against Mendoza, who was one year younger, a groundball guy, and who also had a strong second half, the decision was easy. Honestly, if he had not been “the pitcher we got in the Soriano deal,” I think few people would have taken notice.
Most people complained only because we all live with the curse of knowing that any young pitcher that leaves this franchise is somehow destined for major league success.
He had too much talent to
let go, considering some of the Metcalfs they hung onto.
by Brett Perryman on Nov 12, 2008 4:41 PM CST up reply actions
fine.
but the decision was Mendoza vs. Galarraga as I understand it. And I STRONGLY hoped they’d go the other way with it. They didn’t. In retrospect, for 2008, I was right. For whatever reasons. And AJM and co. on here think Galarraga will come back down to earth. Which MAY happen. But honestly, all I cared about at the time was 2008. Now, all I care about is 2009. Then we’ll worry about the rest.
"Calmer than you are... "
by Walter Sobchak on Nov 12, 2008 7:57 PM CST up reply actions
are you some sort of broken record?
Galarraga’s better. Deal with it.
"Calmer than you are... "
by Walter Sobchak on Nov 12, 2008 8:03 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think it was that simple
Mendoza, Galarraga, Tejeda, Cruz, Feldman, Metcalf…
They were all candidates, I think. Mendoza had 3 options remaining, and had teams interested in him (Boston supposedly wanted him back as part of any Coco Crisp deal), so I think it is fair to say that all else being equal, he was going to hang around.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 12, 2008 8:07 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah
There were other options, namely Metcalf. And obviously Cruz and Tejeda both went off the roster anyway. It’s amazing to me that out of that list Metcalf was one of the three who kept his spot.
by Brett Perryman on Nov 12, 2008 8:13 PM CST up reply actions
Hey! Me and Dirkatron agree!
Mathis sucks. He’s much worse than Mendoza, that’s all you need to know.
I don't hate everything. In fact, I think LSB is just groovy.
lol
The 40 Trumps All!!!
MVP votes are the new OBP.
by thedirkatron on Nov 12, 2008 3:45 PM CST up reply actions
I think Mathis can do well
out of the bullpen; he never profiled as a ML starter. He looked great in that role (all too brief) before he started. He throws strikes and not a lot of folks in the bullpen do save for Frankie. I would keep him on the 40.
Poveda
Was his season really “disappointing”? To me it looked like a classic case of a guy adapting to a new level and overcoming it. We all know the Cal league inflates stats but he showed good control of those. He allowed less than a hit per inning and his K rate increased from his great 2007 season in Clinton. he needs to get his walks back down but it looks like he is working at it. Its a tough call on him.
If you add him to the 40 you are basically conceding a roster spot to a guy who will not see the majors next year and probably not for the next 2 years. If you don’t add him I could see a team select him and stash him in the bullpen all year. It would have to be a team that is either completely rebuilding and is willing to take the lumps of a guy like him whenever he is used or a team that has a short bench and carries extra relievers.
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.
Sweet Omar
If we lose Poveda in a 40 snaffoo, I will cry. Then I will start trolling the boards save us style and posting about how everything would have been alright if we had just held on to Poveda and that we are reaping what we have sown.
fuckyouyousucknohittersonlypitchers
Like that?
LOL
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
to me poveda is way way way down on the depth chart,
there is no real reason to keep him besides luxury. If we had an extra spot I could see it, but really, he doesn’t need to be kept.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
Mayberry
Why in the world are we going to add Mayberry? In case nobody noticed, he is a corner outfielder that can’t hit. Give his spot to Poveda.
--Brian
I'd rather protect Poveda than Mayberry...
…but Mayberry still has some value, at least to clubs who value potential. If it were me, I’m pretty sure I’d protect Mayberry, Vallejo and Poveda.
Hanging onto a player you don't need
just because you can’t bring yourself to eat his salary is a good way to compound your mistake.
by Brett Perryman on Nov 12, 2008 8:14 PM CST up reply actions
Especially when
with the signing of Blalock, Cat is a completely redundant and inferior piece.
You can only have so many DHs who can only hit righties.
Nolan Ryan is the Greatest Pitcher ever, because Google says so.
"BTW I’m officially welching ab03. Yeah I planned too all along, but I figured I’d try to get off the hook with double or nothing first."- Sharky
Catalanotto
I suspect you could give him away if you paid all but say $750,000 of his salary. That may not sound like a ton of money, but it could be dumped into your draft budget to afford someone who slips due to signability concerns or another kid in Latin America.
by Darrell McKown on Nov 13, 2008 10:48 PM CST up reply actions
I'll believe it
when it happens. If he could field, or wasn’t a platoon hitter, or could hit for average anymore, maybe.
I certainly wouldn’t let anyone else off the 40 on the offchance we could salvage a fraction of his contract.
Nolan Ryan is the Greatest Pitcher ever, because Google says so.
"BTW I’m officially welching ab03. Yeah I planned too all along, but I figured I’d try to get off the hook with double or nothing first."- Sharky
Mayberry
Im sorry but you don’t simply give up on a former 1st round pick who has played basically a full season in AAA unless you absolutely have to. Look how long it took Nelson Cruz to “find it”. We have Mayberry for 3 more years at least to see if it “clicks” for him. He gets protected
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 agree
I agree on the idea that we need to protect him. However, I don’t see why being a first-rounder warrants any consideration once you’re talking about the 40-man roster. A GM needs to be concerned with having the best players available, not worry about covering up things from the past. First-rounders should deserve a spot on the 40-man regardless of their pedigree. Mayberry does.
What do you mean
We protected Meyer. Mayberry has been better than Meyer was at the upper levels of the minors. Once we realized he wasn’t going to find it then we DFAd him. if in a year or two Mayberry can’t translate his game to ML status then im sure he will be DFAd as well.
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.
A SF trade
would solve this whole roster mess.
that team currently has only 33 guys on their 40 and one lefty who would look pretty good in our rotation. as an added plus, they need help almost everywhere. i won’t go on and on because i have previously stated the packages i would offer for sanchez, but this definitely seems like a good time for a deal like that to go down.
+1
"He’s basically told himself unconsciously that he can’t be any good unless he catches 130 games a year. If he played with the baseball smarts of a guy like a David Eckstein, he’d maximize his talent and be an incredible player." - Andy Seiler, Texas Rangers Analyst
by inactive lsb user on Nov 12, 2008 4:52 PM CST up reply actions
If the roster displaces an enigmatic prospect like Poveda it sucks. Especially if someone like JMJ is displacing him (granted the latter’s a definite Rule V loss).
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Nov 12, 2008 8:46 PM CST up reply actions
But that isn’t necessary. There are players of little value on the 40 man roster.
by Brett Perryman on Nov 12, 2008 10:28 PM CST up reply actions
Precisely.
There is always crap on the 40 that can be jettisoned if need be.
Who is gonna miss Wes Littleton or Doug Mathis or Travis Metcalf?
Worst case scenario is they go somewhere else and have maybe one halfway decent season, but you can pickup guys like that off the waiver wire and off the back end of other people’s 40’s all the time.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
MVP votes are the new OBP.
by thedirkatron on Nov 12, 2008 11:18 PM CST up reply actions
Not sure I agree with that
I think he’s done just as much as either of the others. He might be more useful than Mathis.
"He’s basically told himself unconsciously that he can’t be any good unless he catches 130 games a year. If he played with the baseball smarts of a guy like a David Eckstein, he’d maximize his talent and be an incredible player." - Andy Seiler, Texas Rangers Analyst
by inactive lsb user on Nov 13, 2008 1:33 AM CST up reply actions
I peed all over a minty scented urinal cake tonight that might be more useful than Mathis.
It made the bathroom smell like mint!!!
All Mathis does is be horrible at baseball… At least as far as I know.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
MVP votes are the new OBP.
by thedirkatron on Nov 13, 2008 1:44 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I have a feeling you and I will run for the presidency someday.
GREINKE HO!!!!!
by oc on Nov 13, 2008 3:09 AM CST up reply actions
I guess I feel that way because
Littleton has stretched his suck out over three season’s now, where as Mathis’ suck has only been spotted a few times.
Dunno
Littleton threw a 4.17 FIP in ’06 over 36 IP, tanked in ’07, then threw a 4.13 FIP over 18 IP in ’08.
If you look at the numbers and his stuff, I think he could stick in an ML pen. He’s very effective when he keeps the ball on the ground. His GB% was 70 in ’06, if he can get that back to 60% as opposed to 52-54%, I think his results will be good.
"He’s basically told himself unconsciously that he can’t be any good unless he catches 130 games a year. If he played with the baseball smarts of a guy like a David Eckstein, he’d maximize his talent and be an incredible player." - Andy Seiler, Texas Rangers Analyst
by inactive lsb user on Nov 13, 2008 8:33 AM CST up reply actions
I vividly remember
Littleton love by the bushel here a couple of years ago, to the point where other pitchers were being overlooked.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
I've always liked him
but I don’t recall what you’re referencing. I do recall people saying he should be DFA’d, with Adam being one of few who defended him. I have and will continue to defend him so long as his performance warrants. Sure he’s not a stud, but he can be the 6th or 7th guy in a pen, easily.
"He’s basically told himself unconsciously that he can’t be any good unless he catches 130 games a year. If he played with the baseball smarts of a guy like a David Eckstein, he’d maximize his talent and be an incredible player." - Andy Seiler, Texas Rangers Analyst
by inactive lsb user on Nov 13, 2008 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
He had a really good stretch
in 2006, I think it was, midseason. Here’s a diary I posted about Wilson, since he wasn’t getting much attention at the time, and Littleton was. Aug. 13, 2006.
http://www.lonestarball.com/2006/8/13/235622/861
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
whaa?
The Rangers seem to be hot on the trail of Blake and might be the leader in the clubhouse for his services with free agency a few days away. If they don’t sign him, they’ll probably wind up with Joe Crede, who is a bit younger and in the same mold as Blake except he has trouble staying healthy.
Jindal '12
That place is reputable?
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
not a bad offseason preview all things considered
I’ve been on the Blake bandwagon for years because of his ability to hit lefties and his positional flexibility. Even if they signed him to a 3 year deal, Blake can play 3B for a year or two before moving to the outfield or DH for the inevitable Young/Andrus shuffle. His bat would mitigate the loss of Bradley IMO.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Nov 12, 2008 5:38 PM CST up reply actions
average?
maybe slightly above average
""If they'd have told me you can make the team but you've got to shine the shoes, I'd have been there shining shoes." -Bradley
so i should specify
hardball times had him as average
""If they'd have told me you can make the team but you've got to shine the shoes, I'd have been there shining shoes." -Bradley
I don't get it
Is he really that big of an upgrade over Metcalf considering both defensive and offensive production?
not very good
not terrible, but def not avg
don’t have a subscription to the +/- system, but I read earlier somewhere that he was like -8 this year, and that was while the year was still going on
At this rate, he’ll be throwing 107-110 by 2012
His bat would mitigate the loss of Bradley?
With the season Bradley had last year the only three guys on the FA market who could come close to replacing his production are Tex, Manny and maybe Bonds.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
MVP votes are the new OBP.
by thedirkatron on Nov 12, 2008 7:05 PM CST up reply actions
mitigate not replace
No he’s not going to replace Bradley. But because he can hit lefties, he can balance the lineup a bit and not get mowed down by another team’s loogy.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Nov 12, 2008 7:16 PM CST up reply actions
Okay, in that sense I guess a little.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
MVP votes are the new OBP.
by thedirkatron on Nov 12, 2008 7:23 PM CST up reply actions
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