New Year's Eve things
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 31, 2008 10:49 AM CST
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PrintWe end the year with some actual Rangers stuff in the news today...
Anthony Andro writes about the work German Duran has put in at third base, trying to learn the position to enhance his chances of making the team this spring. He seems to have the edge in breaking camp as the infield utility man, but if he can show he's solid defensively at third base, I think he would probably be a better starting option than Travis Metcalf, who is (by default, it seems) the likely 2009 Ranger third baseman.
Gil LeBreton has a "Here's what will happen in sports in 2009" column that walks through month by month the year to come, and includes some optimistic predictions regarding the Rangers...
The Cubs' moving of Jason Marquis is apparently a pre-cursor to signing Milton Bradley. That would put Kosuke Fukudome in centerfield, and Milton in right, I suppose, with Alfonso Soriano in left. That would also relegate Felix Pie to a bench role, although with Bradley's injury history, and the fact that Fukudome isn't really a true centerfielder, you have to figure the Cubs are going to want a strong 4th outfielder coming off the bench.
And I missed this yesterday (although zywica linked it in the comments), so if you haven't seen it, Jeff Passan looks at the Rangers' offseason and direction over at Yahoo Sports...
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I tried to read that LeBreton column
and I just couldn’t. Awful formatting
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
Did he actually predict who we'd get from Boston ...
for Salty? Or did I just miss it?
Good to hear about Duran
If he can be okay defensively at third base, I’d much rather see him playing there instead of Metcalf.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
I 100% agree...
Duran has some upside on offense. He is not your proto type 3B, but he also brings above average speed with a little pop and some flexibility to play other positions in case of injuries as well….plus he is a local kid.
I’m rooting for you german.
by death of the cool on Dec 31, 2008 11:26 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, that .231 BA
is freakin’ awesome…not.
"...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
Bradley
I’m not sure how he makes sense for the cubs given his injury history unless he will be given regular rest, but i’m not sure they are going to pay the money he demands to not have a full time player.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
I guess the way it makes sense is that no matter how many games he plays that is that many games of likely excellent production. Whether that’s 80 or 120 games he’s still helping the team make the playoffs. Hopefully for them he’s healthy in October, even if not he helped them get there.
It only becomes a negative if you can’t afford the dollars per game and takes away from other options or if the team actually plans on Bradley for 150 games with no other viable option for those 40-80 games he’ll miss.
Of course he makes more sense in the AL all things being equal, but again if one has the money it really doesn’t matter.
Could there BE a worse defensive OF in the history of ever...
Sori, Fuki out of position, and Bradley on creaky wheels???
Yep
If I’m the Cubs, I’d just as soon start Pie out there for the defense instead.
"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."
Wouldn't that demote
Fukudome to among the ranks of “overpaid 4th OF” (GMJ appears to be the first guy that springs to mind.)
Yep,
They’re going to need it when that outfield is trying to somehow field balls out there
In Smoak We Trust
2007 Ranger OF
was one of the worst I could ever remember.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
Top 5 Fistpumps of 2008:
- Hamilton walk-off
- Byrdman walk-off
- Mad Max brings the Rangers back (2-run homer off of Shields)
- Padilla strikes out the side in Seattle
- Murphy game-winning hit off of B.J. Ryan
It's a crazy messed-up world... It's a doggy-dogg world...
That was better
Than the Murphy hit, IMO.
"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."
The Murphy hit is significant because he did it off a lefty.
And you might remember David starting hitting lefties better around that time. I think the New York series was immediately afterwards… and obviously, his season ended shortly thereafter.
It's a crazy messed-up world... It's a doggy-dogg world...
by oc on Dec 31, 2008 5:23 PM CST up reply actions
The season kinda ended
The night after the Byrd walkoff.
"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."
Wrong.
The season officially ended with this thread.
It's a crazy messed-up world... It's a doggy-dogg world...
by oc on Dec 31, 2008 5:54 PM CST up reply actions
Best baseball moment of the year
…as far as I’m concerned.
Kason Gabbard getting dogpiled made you fistpump?
Makes sense.
It's a crazy messed-up world... It's a doggy-dogg world...
by oc on Dec 31, 2008 6:02 PM CST up reply actions
Well, he did specify
TAG’s epic rant.
"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."
Fistpumping an announcer's rant is rather bizarre.
It's a crazy messed-up world... It's a doggy-dogg world...
by oc on Dec 31, 2008 6:26 PM CST up reply actions
You didn't enjoy TAG's assessment of the Sexson incedent?
"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."
It didn't exactly get me to run around my apartment naked.
It's a crazy messed-up world... It's a doggy-dogg world...
by oc on Dec 31, 2008 7:51 PM CST up reply actions
A fist pump to you for the effort good sir...
Stars in a Texas Night Sky, a Dallas Stars blog from a fan's perspective.
+Jamey Wright
"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."
speaking of Jamey Wright
Here is Mark Conor’s latest scouting report on his stuff.
"I see their [Angels] rotation as John Lackey and a bunch of decent starters." - AJM
picking up
Looks like things are starting to pick up…
Fuentes to the Angels, Bradley to the Cubs, DeRosa to the Indians.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
Mitch Moreland - Rangers 2009 Minor League Player of the Year
Derosa
If the price wasn’t bad i’d be on board with bringing him back to play 3b.
Reading the comments at that side makes me realize cubs fans really over value the guy.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
OF the three that they are saying that the Cubs recieved
None are on Sickels Top 20 at minorleagueball. Why were we not in on that trade.
seems like sort of a salary dump
to help pay for bradley. i dont know that D is that overpaid though, he can really mash lefties. and we already spent 6 mil on blalock.
by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Dec 31, 2008 12:59 PM CST up reply actions
Angels get Fuentes, DeRosa dealt
to the Indians.
Rangers sitting tight.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
My bad, didn't read above per Fuentes & DeRosa.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
just one year at 5.5 mil
and i doubt the cubs are paying any of that in the deal. really not too bad if you think he can start 150 games at 3b, but i just dont think were spending this year.
by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Dec 31, 2008 1:19 PM CST up reply actions
Cleveland has a lot of intriguing arms
including a few guys who didn’t make that top 20, but…bleh. Chicago must see much more in one of those guys than meets the eye. And I agree with your question.
by Brett Perryman on Dec 31, 2008 1:21 PM CST up reply actions
Keep in mind
The Rangers opener is against the Indians, so it’s a homecoming for DeRo. He should give Rudy a big ol kiss on the lips for every dollar he’s made.
And I’m going to be sitting on third for that game. Sweeeeeet.
Nothing pithy here. Please move long.
OT: Charles Barkley
He’s not a role model for your children
It's baseball. You don't always get what you want, and you don't always want what you get. --Ed Coffin
The future Governor of Alabama!
I’m constantly amused by the political pundits always citing him as the next governor of Alabama. I’m sure this’ll help that cause.
Kind of interesting
Jim Callis said in his chat today that Boston and NY Yankees will rank 13th and 15th respectively in BA’s organizational (minor league prospect) rankings. You had to wonder about Boston when a guy coming off TJ, relievers, and newly drafted but not premium picks make up the bulk of their top ten, but both systems are pretty deep. My guess would have been back end of the top ten for Boston, say 8-10, and a few spots higher for NY, maybe 10-13, so it’s kind of nice to see them a few notches lower.
I also found this curious:
Jim Callis: (2:34 PM ET ) The top five position-player prospects, for me, are Matt Wieters, Pedro Alvarez, Colby Rasmus, Buster Posey and Tim Beckham.
And Jeff Stevens ranks #19 in their top 30, Gaub #29 and Archer unranked
http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/majors/espn-chat/2008/267389.html
Do they typically rank systems
higher if they have marquis talent over systems that have more depth?
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
That’s probably the biggest question they face every year, but, yes, I would say that they trend toward ranking a system with several elite prospects over one with lots of interesting players but not that caliber at the top. I’ve heard Callis say that it’s because they think that the elite talents provide so much more of a boost, on average, than a high quantity of lower tier guys.
by Brett Perryman on Dec 31, 2008 4:15 PM CST up reply actions
I'd agree with that approach
in general, and it’s usually how I coin flip on our polls here.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
From TR via mlbtraderumors
Derrick Turnbow is at the top of the list with pitching coach Mike Maddux leading the charge. The two worked together a few years ago in Milwaukee. The Marlins and Pirates are also thought to have interest.
The Rangers are also investigating closers Chad Cordero and Jason Isringhausen, both free agents. As Sullivan points out, the Rangers like to target low-cost, high-reward relievers. Some would call them rejuvenation projects.
Right-hander Guillermo Mota is also on the team’s list. The 35-year-old had a 4.11 ERA for the Brewers last year.
This “low-cost, high-reward relievers”crap has to stop. Now is the time to find out about what the Rangers have in their system. You can’t break in a bunch of rookie pitchers in 2010 when you expect to compete!
Mitch Moreland - Rangers 2009 Minor League Player of the Year
Rejuvination projects?
So we give them nosejobs and botox?
"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."
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