Gerry Fraley.

in 2011?

As the Mark Teixeira free-agent negotiations go, so might go the market for Joe Mauer, who can become a free agent after the 2010 season. Teixeira, 28, is seeking a deal in excess of $20 million a season. Mauer, 25, the Twins’ two-time batting champion and Gold Glove catcher, next season will be the Twins’ third-highest paid player at $10.5 million. He’ll make $12.5 million in 2010. People in the know say the Boston Red Sox already are salivating over Mauer, who would be only 27 as a free agent. There have been no talks this winter about extending the St. Paul native’s contract, in part because Mauer’s value after last season is at a premium, and it’s uncertain whether the seismic downturn in the nation’s economy will affect baseball salaries a year from now. What is for sure is that the Mauer contract negotiations will be the biggest and most important in Twins history.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/82593-red-sox-eyeing-mauer-in-2011

Sports journalism like this piece from Fraley has killed the medium. If all sports writers were as knowledgeable and insightful as Hindman, then I might be more inclined to fill up a bunch of inboxes in their defense. But Fraley’s lazy, uninformed journalism isn’t the exception any more, but rather the rule, and that goes for most of the writers at the DMN as well. I have learned much more about the Rangers, baseball, and sports in general from independent websites and blogs than than I have from the DMN and Startlegram coverage over the past few years.

take sme to The Sporting News fantasy page.

This may sound just as crazy as fraley’s 4 man rotation but what about a 6 man rotation? I think it makes sense for a number of reasons:
1. More recovery time for pitchers allows them to pitch deeper into games (obvious)
2. Texas heat.
3. This would be a way to work some of our young pitchers into the rotation.

What are everyone’s thoughts?

I seriously doubt Ryan would even consider a four man rotation. And I’m certain that no one else in the organization would think of it either.

nolan is effectively reducing the number of bad starters on the staff by 20%.

i like it.

what if this team could reduce all its other problems by 20% in the winter?

20% fewer errors.

20% fewer strike outs.

what about 20% fewer losses?

greatness.

Fraley is being is facetious, sarcastic self..

as it frees up a roster spot for a bench player. If the Rangers did it, they’d just have to carry an extra reliever to keep the bullpen from getting (more) worn out.

Apparently.

And Olney and Gammons talk too.

why not have five extra relievers and have each person throw three innings?

surprise the opposing team by shuffling your guys around occasionally.

1. we have dead weight right now (in terms of starters), and it puts our bullpen in an overworked situation repeatedly throughout the season.

2. we can’t get FA starting pitchers

3. we have a lot of guys that could use the work

why not?

this isn’t a good idea necessarily, but it can’t be any worse than having four starters…

Maybe something important for the Rangers will happen in the next couple of weeks.

I know the Braves were out of it a long time ago, but I was really rooting for them as a dark horse in the Teixeira sweepstakes. I just like the Braves and would like to see a really positive thing like that happen.

hightower, just beat me to the post.

130 pitches a game, throwing every 4th game is not a big deal. In a 5 man rotation, you’re throwing between starts anyway. All you’re doing is adjusting your between start routine. If all this is true, then we should see some dramatic changes in spring training this year.

It scares me to imagine what a 4 man rotation can do to the development of the younger pitchers on this team. Millwood and Padilla will both be gone after this season (presumably). Signing a veteran pitcher is possible, but who knows how likely. The strength of the rotation will come from the development and success of the many talented young pitchers in the organization. How scary is it to imagine 3-4 of our young starters being pushed into a 4 man rotation, throwing 120-130 pitches a game. This is intensified with the fact that JD et al are suggesting contention in 2010. This means that Holland/Feliz may be pushed towards the rotation by July/Autust of this year, or perhaps into competing for a job in spring training in 2010. Can their arms adjust to this new pressure in such a short time? My thoughts are maybe, but it sure sounds scary to consider. Their is a lot of faith in these young arms. Dramatic change and high expectations make me feel like a sure path to injury.

According to John Heyman

Seing ARod and Teixeira on the same team brings back old spring-training-induced postseason hallucinations and really pisses me off.

ESPN is reporting that Tex signed w/the yanks

i guess we’re going to find out if you can buy a championship….

means no first rounder for Anaheim, right? b/c CC outranks Tex. That would be pretty funny.

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/12/remembering-josh-hamiltons-unforgettable.html