Jason Botts a Ranger
by Adam J. Morris on Mar 25, 2008 7:04 PM CDT
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PrintJason Botts has made the 25 man roster.
You know how I feel about that. Now, let's hope he gets some semi-regularly playing time at DH and 1B.
I hope that Botts, Luis Mendoza and Kason Gabbard making the team, and Kevin Mench and Sidney Ponson heading to AAA, restores a little bit of confidence amongst Ranger fandom in the team's decision-making processes.
Nelson Cruz is apparently going to be DFA'd.
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I hereby ordain you Benny Brou Ha Ha<-----Wash thinks you can hit lefties....in 2 months time you will be a full fledged Brouhaha..trust me on that one.
best arm i saw in the OF in a decade
i guess he could never hit, but he had the best cannon ive seen in years. too bad.
.500 or bust!
30-40%, I'd say
Still loaded with ridiculous power potential, and plenty of National League clubs could use an athletic fifth outfielder/pinch hitter.
Best wishes
All around. Cruz losing out makes this a sad day for me, in spite of all the goodness the rest of the news brings.
Unnecessary, Miles.
'At Georgia Southern, we don't cheat. That costs money and we don't have any.' Erk Russell / Georgia Southern
by Ed Coffin on Mar 25, 2008 7:07 PM CDT reply actions
Not so fast Ed
He hasn't been claimed yet. There's a possibility that he sneaks through waivers. I have a feeling he will.
And with the 22nd overall selection the Dallas Cowboys select Jonathan Stewart.
Cruz...
I think its wonderful that he can put on a show in batting practice and has a plus arm, but he is a below average offensive player.
He isn't a prospect anymore, isn't he 28?
That is 1 year younger than Milton Bradley. It would be one thing is Cruz was 24, but he is a 28 year old AAAA player.
Milton Bradley for MVP
Condolences...
I know it is painful when a player you have so much hope for finds himself at the end of the rope.
I'll never forget when I heard Ben Kozlowski was released and selected off waivers by Cincinnati. I was absolutely convinced that he would be our #2 starter in a string of ten straight playoff years. I curse the Hart years.
P.S. It's interesting to see what people look like in their avatar. Nice to meet you Ed!
by ghostofErikThompson on Mar 25, 2008 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Ed's Picture
I do believe, correct me if I'm wrong Ed, but a long time ago on the ESPN boards everybody posted pictures on the board using some website and that is the same picture that Ed posted.
I just remember...
that was all very awkward.
I prefer seeing you guys in tiny postage stamp-size form.
by ghostofErikThompson on Mar 25, 2008 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Right
It's about 4 years old, maybe 5. I seldom have pictures taken. Good catch.
'At Georgia Southern, we don't cheat. That costs money and we don't have any.' Erk Russell / Georgia Southern
by Ed Coffin on Mar 25, 2008 8:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Excellent.
Now let's hope he gets the opportunity to play and makes the most of it.
+1
Let the beast lose
" Winning doesn't always mean being first,
winning means you are doing better than you have done before"
if the beast was just looking to lose
we shoulda kept him around. we'll see some losing...
.500 or bust!
Speaking of the beast
The Sandlot came on earlier tonight. It was glorious.
by brettgardner on Mar 25, 2008 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions
This is good
But it's only half the battle for Bottsy. The other half is going to be fighting for playing time.
I wish we coudl DFA Catalanotto along with (or instead of) Cruz. Open up some more roster space.
You don't think Cat could be flipped mid-summer for a Loftonesque return?
Rex Hudler is in demand as a motivational speaker.
by Brian Thomas on Mar 25, 2008 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Not really
Unlike Lofton, Cat is limited to LF and 1B. And he's not really good enough defensively to be a full-time starter at either position. He's a left-handed backup player/DH, in the middle of a 3-year contract. I don't really think there'll be too many takers willing to give up anything of value for that.
I've said this before, but I really think the Catalanotto contract was the worst signing JD has ever made.
Agreed
Cat does well against right-handed pitching, but a team that has essentially admitted to building towards the future doesn't really need to waste roster space on a left-handed outfielder/first baseman/DH platoon player.
Lofton did an admirable job for us at center and as a lead-off hitter. And even then, we traded him for Max Ramirez (not making a statement on Max, just comparing that to the other trades we made last season).
Lofton was acquired to play left field
He has the same noodle for an arm and the same platoon issues. Pretty much the same if not a little less of a bat, too.
About the only difference is a step or 2 of speed. I don't think the extra year on the contract at a very reasonable rate would be much of a deterrent. And I will fight anyone that calls Shapiro's judgment into question.
Lofton was better D, yeah, but that was the 48-year old Lofton we traded, not 28. I think it's obvious to everyone that Cat isn't a fit here, but I also think that a proven, affordable hitter, on the valuable side of the platoon split, has historically been one of the easiest chips to trade come end of July.
Let's revisit this when we be 10 games back...
Rex Hudler is in demand as a motivational speaker.
by Brian Thomas on Mar 25, 2008 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Seems possible
If Cat has a big 1st half like Lofton did last season, it could definitely happen.
But that river of tears has dried for all of us.
Not a chance
Folks generally don't view a Platoon DH who isn't that great of a hitter as the final piece.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
Huh
Without doing much research, it seems to me that the deal for the pinch runner, pinch hitter, utility guy, fifth starter, or bullpen depth guy gets done a lot more often at the deadline than the "final piece" blockbuster.
He won't get a ton in return (unless he returns to form, then I can imagine a Lofton-like return), but he would be valuable to a NL team looking to fill a hole in a small left field or as a bat off the bench. After this current contract is up, Cat will most likely become a vagabond NL pinch-hitter a la Dave Hanson, Lenny Harris or John VanderWal anyway. And he'll probably do quite well in that role.
by badradiorules on Mar 26, 2008 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Hold on folks
Im happy for Botts. I want nothing more than for him to show in the big leagues what he has shown in the minor leagues.
But the reality is he played well enough this spring to warrant a 2 month audition. If he hasn't shown anything by June 1st then I believe they will cut ties and go with Mench.
Now during these 2 months he is going to have to do well even in nonconsistant at bats. Wash has stated more than once that Broussard is not in a platoon at 1st. So unless he is abysmal against lefties Botts won't get much time there. Bradley has DH locked down. And he will be used sparingly in the OF.
Last year he played everyday for 2 months and did nothing to inspire confidence from me. This year he will have 2 months of sporadic appearances and he better show something. And it better be some power. A guy his size can't be a singles and doubles guy.
by bigsteve on Mar 25, 2008 7:29 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Good move
even though I don't really like Botts, watching Cruz gave me headachs.
"Texas Rangers 2012 World Series Champs!"- ME.
Bottsy
I'm happy for him. I hope he makes the most of this chance and that there's no looking back.
But that river of tears has dried for all of us.
I've got a feeling
that letting Nelson Cruz go is going be one that hurts. I am not arguing that keeping Botts is a mistake or suggesting the Rangers should have done something different. Cruz definitely had his chance. I just have this feeling that Cruz is on the verge of really breaking out.
Ephesians 1:3-10
Neither one is much.....
I have to say....I've never seen so much hype/writing/interest in a guy who is such a spare as Botts.....I'd love to see him do 'something/anything' but I'm not holding my breath.....
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