Friday a.m. stuff

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 19, 2008 9:21 AM CST Comment 53 comments

Another day of almost no Rangers news. T.R. Sullivan has some blog notes up, but that's about it, other than John Sickels' Rangers top 20 which went up last night.

I thought Sickels' list was interesting, with Andrus and Beltre both higher than I would have expected, and Hurley way lower.

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So... a new Bone Daddy's opened in south Arlington.

by oc on Dec 19, 2008 9:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Is it open yet?

I drive by it everyday but I can’t tell if it’s open — I thought they were still working on it

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

by Dirk Diggler on Dec 19, 2008 9:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, because the parking lot was packed when I drove by the Highlands yesterday.

by oc on Dec 19, 2008 9:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It must have just opened Wed or Thurs

B/c I was in that parking lot on Tuesday and they still had work trucks in there. I’m gonna have to go check that place out.

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

by Dirk Diggler on Dec 19, 2008 9:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I just turned 23.

And graduated HS in S. Arlington. I probably went to school with half of the wait staff.

I had a paper route when I was a kid. I was supposed to go to 2,000 houses. Or two dumpsters.

by TheBZA on Dec 19, 2008 10:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Martin I'm guessing?

Class of ’03? My sister-in-law is Martin class of ’03.

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

by Dirk Diggler on Dec 19, 2008 10:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

04

I had a paper route when I was a kid. I was supposed to go to 2,000 houses. Or two dumpsters.

by TheBZA on Dec 19, 2008 10:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cool

I’m AHS ’01 myself.

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

by Dirk Diggler on Dec 19, 2008 10:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

AHS 02 here

by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Dec 19, 2008 12:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting...

you in the LSB facebook group?

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

by Dirk Diggler on Dec 19, 2008 12:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

nope

didnt know we had one…whats the link?

by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Dec 19, 2008 8:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

click

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=33345329288

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

by Dirk Diggler on Dec 20, 2008 1:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Is that some type of Texas chain?

Combination of Hooters and Buffalo Wild Wings?

Nothing pithy here. Please move long.

by WyoRanger on Dec 19, 2008 10:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it's a

smokehouse bbq type place

http://bonedaddys.com/

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

by Dirk Diggler on Dec 19, 2008 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The numbers that T.R.

has for Cruz are just sick. I’m very excited to see him in the outfield all year. I know it may be a mirage but its going to be fun to watch.

by BEW on Dec 19, 2008 9:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Concur

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Dec 19, 2008 10:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

OT: A's put Crosby on waivers

according to Rosenthal. Who would claim that contract/injury history?

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Dec 19, 2008 10:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I would hope no one.

Especially because it is apparently really backloaded (owed something like $5 mil this season). Nevermind the whole “82 career OPS+” thing either. Yuck.

"Please. What the hell do you know about starting a sports-related website and then deciding to leave it to work on other things and then? How dare you, sir." -- Michael Schur, aka FireJoeMorgan's Ken Tremendous, to Will Leitch

by ghtd36 on Dec 19, 2008 10:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Crosby

Didn’t he win a couple of MVP awards a couple of years back? I mean, I remember Gammons talking about him for MVP. Wasn’t he the MVP?

Fire Ron Washington

by pblack on Dec 19, 2008 10:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No

He was ROY, back in 2004, but that’s it. I think you’re thinking of Miguel Tejada if you’re remembering the last A’s SS to win an MVP.

"I´d like to apologize in advance for anything that I may say or do that could be construed as offensive as I slowly go NUTS."

by lonestarJon on Dec 19, 2008 10:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Please note sarcasm

Fire Ron Washington

by pblack on Dec 19, 2008 10:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah, gotcha

"I´d like to apologize in advance for anything that I may say or do that could be construed as offensive as I slowly go NUTS."

by lonestarJon on Dec 19, 2008 10:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't know Crosby

played for the Red Sox.

Mitch Moreland - Rangers 2009 Minor League Player of the Year

by RangerMad on Dec 19, 2008 10:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Crosby...

Gammons picked Crosby to win the MVP before the ’07 season.

Great prediction Peter.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Dec 19, 2008 11:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Almost as his pick

of Kris Benson for the Cy Young a few years back.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on Dec 19, 2008 11:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sickels on Hurley

What do you think he meant by his belief that Hurley could benefit from a change in scenery? The commenters speculated about flyballs… That was a confusing comment to me.

My Music Blog

by FuturePants on Dec 19, 2008 10:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

He probably means

Hurley would do better in a bigger ballpark. Probably true too, but I’m not among those that don’t think Hurley could succeed here.

"I´d like to apologize in advance for anything that I may say or do that could be construed as offensive as I slowly go NUTS."

by lonestarJon on Dec 19, 2008 10:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hurley would do better in a bigger ballpark

Isn’t that true of all pitchers? :)

In three years I think Hurley will be a very adequate #3-4 SP for the Rangers. He will give up a few too many HRs. As long as they are solo shots then he will be OK. IMHO.

Mitch Moreland - Rangers 2009 Minor League Player of the Year

by RangerMad on Dec 19, 2008 11:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Rosenthal on Sheets

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/pgStory?contentId=8950370#sport=MLB&photo=8948640

Ben Sheets, SP

The Yankees were mentioned to have interest in Sheets during the Winter Meetings, but nothing came of it. Sheets has ace stuff, but doesn’t always stay healthy. Having said that, Sheets threw 198 innings last season, his most since 2004. His ’08 ERA of 3.09 might be too hard to resist for teams willing to gamble on a potential No. 1.

Rosenthal’s likely destination: Rangers.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Dec 19, 2008 11:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I still think it's gonna happen

He wants a short term deal — so do the Rangers.

He lives here. He likes the pitching coach.

The only drawback is the ballpark really.

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

by Dirk Diggler on Dec 19, 2008 11:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So long’s the price is right, getting that high ceiling for a two-year commitment is a no-brainer.

Have the medical staff look close, consult Maddux, if everyone greenlights it the signing is a no-brainer…a little risky, maybe not more than usual, but an overall awesome baseball move.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Dec 19, 2008 11:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah it is risky

But I think it’s the type of risk the Rangers of all teams need to take. I’m optimistic about the signing because I don’t think it would happen if the Rangers thought the injury risk was too large — to me the signing happening means they’re confident it will work out.

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

by Dirk Diggler on Dec 19, 2008 11:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i really think

that sheets would go to 20 teams other than Texas – especially because it will be a 2 year “prove yourself” deal.

And, I just think the probability that some random team swoops in and gives him a 2 year decent deal is likely

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Dec 19, 2008 12:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed/+1/Concur/Gagree

by robert_d_wilfong on Dec 19, 2008 12:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You're probably right

I just mean it does make sense for both sides. That doesn’t mean another team won’t make more sense for Sheets though.

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

by Dirk Diggler on Dec 19, 2008 12:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Except he lives in Dallas.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Dec 19, 2008 12:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

he was already planning on moving

Mandatory reading before suggesting a trade

by ab03 on Dec 19, 2008 2:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I tend to agree with your take, but

the fact that he was going to sell his house here doesn’t mean as much to me as the fact that he had one to begin with, and that his wife/family are near. The fact that he was going to sell his house indicates a practical, functional decision, not that he hates the area. The fact that they had one to begin with indicates that they are amenable to living in the area, or spending a good amount of time here anyway.

by Brett Perryman on Dec 19, 2008 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Ballpark

Might very well work in our favor since our goal is signing him to a short(er) term deal.

"I´d like to apologize in advance for anything that I may say or do that could be construed as offensive as I slowly go NUTS."

by lonestarJon on Dec 19, 2008 12:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

?...

How does the ballpark work in the Rangers favor. That makes no sense. RBiA never works in the Rangers favor when it comes to signing a pitcher. It works against us because he wants to sign a 2 year deal and go put up good #’s and a pitcher friendly park (especially in the NL) is the best place to do that.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Dec 19, 2008 12:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bradley

So we don’t re-sign Bradley because he can’t stay healthy, then we do an about-face and consider signing Sheets to a multi-year deal? Doesn’t make sense.

At least be cautious like CLE was with another injury-plagued guy in Wood and like CLE at most offer a two-year deal plus an option for a 3rd.

"Some mornings it just doesn't seem worth it to gnaw through the leather straps."
- Emo Phillips

by Rangerchick on Dec 19, 2008 3:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's simple...

Bradley doesn’t pitch. The Rangers don’t need to take chances with a guy like Bradley because they have the bats already.

Sheets, when healthy, as ace stuff. The Rangers won’t go out and sign a guy like that for 160 mil like CC. They have to take a chance on pitchers like Sheets hoping that he will stay healthy. Otherwise if Sheets has no question marks he is signing with the Yankees, BoSox, Mets, Halos, etc. for much more than the Rangers would give him.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Dec 19, 2008 3:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Plus...

I think 2 years at 15-17 mil and a team option is being cautious for a guy like Sheets.

2/30 for Sheets >>>> 2/20 for Wood.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Dec 19, 2008 4:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

do you think we can sign him without trading Millwood or Padilla?

Hopefully, maybe Hicks regards Sheets as one of those worth going over the budget for.

by coolrangersfan on Dec 19, 2008 4:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Doubt it

I think it has more to do with the economy that we are being told. Sheets is definitely worth expanding the bidget but with the economy being the way it is right now I doubt Hicks is going to want to increase payroll that significantly with no guarantee it will bring in enough fans to make up the money. At least with a position player if people come to watch them play they can come 81 nights a year. With a starting pitcher they may pitch at home 15-18 times a season. Plus adding Sheets without dumping one of the veterans will simply create a logjam for our young guys and I think Hicks is fully committed to the rebuilding with young guys philosophy we have implemented

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.

by bigsteve on Dec 19, 2008 4:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully we can send Millwood to the Braves

because an legitimate ace (that lives in Dallas, is only 30, a close of friend of our pitching coach, and is interested in pitching for us) is very rare to find. I would be disappointed if we don’t make an offer to Sheets. Why should we spend money on season tickets in 2009 if Hicks is not willing to spend for just one player for next year? I know we are in rebuilding mode but surprises occur. TB went to the WS and I don’t think they expected to be this good last season. Lets not throw in the towel completely for 2009.

by coolrangersfan on Dec 19, 2008 5:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ken Rosenthal

He thinks Ben Sheets will end up signing with the Rangers.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/pgStory?contentId=8950370#sport=MLB&photo=8948640

by coolrangersfan on Dec 19, 2008 5:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

forget it I didnt know it was posted already, my bad

by coolrangersfan on Dec 19, 2008 6:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Who said we won't resign Bradley because he can't stay healthy

I think we are confident if he came back as purely a DH he could stay healthy for 120 games at least. But his price and length of contract are what i think is keeping us away.

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.

by bigsteve on Dec 19, 2008 4:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This team should have resigned Bradley

As long as he isn’t looking for something completely crazy, I think it would have been smart for this team to re-sign him. Guys like Bradley and Sheets are great players even though they probably won’t give you a full season. So unless they think they deserve to make the same money the top, healthier FAs make, they are still going to be a great value for the team.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Dec 19, 2008 7:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We would have the best offense in the majors again in 2009

if we resign Bradley as a DH, leave Davis at 3B, put Blalock at 1B, and let Max or Salty do most of the catching. Of course, personally I would prefer to have Teagarden at C for the majority of the games because of his defense, but for the purpose of maximizing our offense only, I am putting it this way for this response.

by coolrangersfan on Dec 19, 2008 7:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

also i forgot to mention

that Saltalamacchia has some drastic L-R splits. Batting from the left side, he has a career .830 OPS, but only .555 batting from the right side. Is it time for him to give up switch-hitting or what? I hope Ron Washington wakes up and realizes that Salty (Murphy and Blalock as well) cannot hit left-handed pitching.

by coolrangersfan on Dec 19, 2008 7:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs