Wednesday a.m. things
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 2, 2008 9:19 AM CDT
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PrintThe Rangers are now at .500, and tied for first place. Even if it is just 2 games in, I like that.
Evan Grant's game story is all about Josh Hamilton, and all the stuff he did yesterday to contribute to the win. Hamilton is amazing.
And in his notes from yesterday's game, Grant says that Hank Blalock and Michael Young each took 2 bags of IV fluids before yesterday's game because of their "flu-like symptoms."
With Jason Jennings going tonight, we've got the obligatory stories on him joining the Rangers and all that...Kevin Sherrington has one in the DMN, and Jim Reeves has it in the S-T.
And Evan Grant has a new newsletter up, taking a couple of folks to task for believing that a handful of ABs in spring training are more meaningful than what a player has done throughout his career, and suggests that the first base situation could be a straight platoon by May.
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Well
You can go to texasrangers.com and see the Hamilton homer.
Pretty gratifying.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Apr 2, 2008 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Two bags of IV fluids?
Wow.
First point: why does no one give me two bags of IV fluids when I feel sick and can't work well? Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Second point: Between Young's IV fluids and Kinsler's Felix fastball off the index finger, you have to discount to bad fielding a little bit. When you are sick, it is hard to concentrate anywhere, particularly in a 35 degree or whatever it was ballpark.
The blame is on JD for assembling a roster that doesn't have the capacity to sub in multiple infielders in the same game.
Oh well, at least they won
First point
When you're suffering from flu like symptons one of the most important things to do to get better and feel better is stay hydrated. The IV fluids do that much easier and faster and the players don't have to worry about having gatorade, water or whatever sloshing around in their stomachs.
I suppose if you had serious enough flu like symptoms and went to the hospital you'd get an IV otherwise it's curl up under a blanket with hot tea or orange juice.
Fishing in the rivers of life. All bound for Mu Mu Land.
It's tough
to make a roster that can sub in multiple infielders.
12 man bullpen
9 everyday players counting DH
That leaves 4 people
Gotta have a backup Catcher, and an emergency catcher.
That leaves you with 3 tops.
Gotta have a backup OF. That leaves you with 2.
So you definitely have 1 backup IF, and then either a backup OF or IF. In our case we have the roster clogging Botts.
Our roster problems become even worse when you figure that Bradley pretty much has to DH til his knee is better, Botts can't do much other than DH. Thats the reason guys like Botts aren't particularly wanted on a roster unless they can flat rake from the minute they are called up.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
Well by all means let's find out...
...what JHJ is doing. I'm sure some of you would rather see his anemic bat on this roster due to his "valuable" defensive versatility.
Right around the time all the young talent is ready to contend is when the organization will realize that Ron Washington is the wrong man for the job.
Uh...
Look, roster flexibiilty does not mean filling your roster with both JHJ and Kata. I'd say Vazquez is the only real utility guy this team needs. But it would be nice to have someone on the team who could handle those positions in an emergency/unusual situation.
I guess in a very bad situation, Cat could play 2b (he was our 2b years ago). But right now the Rangers have one backup (Vazquez) for 3b and SS and really 2b. What happens in the fluke instance where Blalock and Young both get injured or have to leave the game? Or similarly, what about last night where Vazquez was in for Blalock in the 9th inning. It'd be great to pinch hit for Vazquez there if Kinsler was at 2nd with two outs, but there was no one even half-way capable of going out to the field at that point.
As Cahill says, Botts presence on this team severely limits the roster. There are three guys (Broussard, Botts, Cat) who can only play DH/corner OF/1b. That is too many of that type of player on this team. I don't know what the solution is, but this seems less than ideal to me.
The real problem with Broussard Botts and Cats
they are all limited, and they are all essentially platoon players.
It definitely hurts roster flexibility.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
The problem with that line of thinking is...
...it puts 3 or 4 games max this year ahead of the overall theme of rebuilding. That's not just shortsighted thinking its downright Showalterian.
Right around the time all the young talent is ready to contend is when the organization will realize that Ron Washington is the wrong man for the job.
Its just a shame
that Botts can't do enough with his bat to force himself into the lineup.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
Rebuilding
How is having Broussard, Cat, and Botts all on the roster when they all have the same general limitations better for rebuilding than having depth in other places?
I didn't say to go drop Botts and sign JHJ. I'm just pointing out that the roster, as constructed, has a flaw. I will say that Botts is superfluous on this roster, and if they aren't going to play him, then his spot may as well go to someone else who at least offers depth. Hopefully Duran does well in AAA and he can fill the void I'm talking about in the second half of the year.
I don't see how saying I want players who can actually play in the field on the roster is Showalterian. That is a little extreme.
Don't get me wrong...
...I am not in favor of Broussard at all. And if there are attractive offers for Cat at the deadline they should be pursued.
If it were up to me Botts would be the full time 1B and given a chance to sink or swim. Then he could become the full time DH if Davis is the 1B next year or DFA'd if he proves himself unworthy of a roster spot.
The problem with Broussard as a placeholder at 1B is threefold:
1. He has no place in the organization long term.
2. He's not likely to generate any interest at the trade deadline.
3. A moron like Wash thinks he has actual value and will overplay him.
Right around the time all the young talent is ready to contend is when the organization will realize that Ron Washington is the wrong man for the job.
If Botts can't hit well enough
to crack the everyday lineup he is a roster clogger. There is no doubt about it.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
I still think...
that given the chance to play everyday he could hit ML pitching. Plus he is a switch hitter so no more platooning at 1B until Davis is ready. BB could be dumped and another utility guy brought up (like Ryan Roberts).
Botts could hit as well, or better, as BB. He may not be as good defensively, but I don't think he's that far off. It's not like BB plays D like Teix did. And Botts could have a future here (DH), BB clearly has no future with this team.
This is a great year for him to play 1B and work with Wash a lot defensively so he could be a DH and spell Davis there in the coming years if he hits ML pitching. If he can't hit ML pitching then obviously he's gone. This is the year to find out about Botts.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
If Jennings falters some
At least we're going up against Silva! I have a feeling he's going to get shelled tonight. The bats finally show up and Rangers chase him after 3 IP
And with the 22nd overall selection the Dallas Cowboys select Jonathan Stewart.
Agreed...
We battled 2 of the hardest pitchers in the AL and if we battle Silva that hard, we're bound to put up some runs.
by slimshadty12 on Apr 2, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Silva
The M's announcers could'nt stop talking about how excited they were to see him out there tonight. I couldn't stop thinking about how slow his pitches are going to look to our guys next to Bedard's and the King's...
True, but...
... it's not like JJ's going to be "bringing the heat" himself. Compared to some of those mid-90's fastballs Padilla was throwing last night (according to the telecast), the M's should have a similar experience.
I've got a really good feeling about him
"that suzuki guy should go back to making cars" - My girlfriend after C.J.'s close in game 2
Is that your quote?
Or something you heard the manager at the local Golden Corral say about Jennings?
Yay, the Rangers are in first place!
haha
"He'll be better next time he gets the ball"
Ron Washington says after Fukumori gives up 2 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 walks and a couple of wild pitches in a third of an inning.
Well that's comforting!
My sources tell me
that Jennings pays for tonights homeplate ump's kids to go to college
"that suzuki guy should go back to making cars" - My girlfriend after C.J.'s close in game 2
Is this newsworthy?
Beginning with the Rangers' home opener Tuesday, all concession grill stands will serve Nolan Ryan's hamburger patties as well as sausage on a stick. Ryan's signature beef tenderloin and prime rib will be featured inside the Diamond Club.
by robert_d_wilfong on Apr 2, 2008 11:36 AM CDT reply actions
better a hamburger patty ....
than a corny dog.
"He'll be better next time he gets the ball"
Ron Washington says after Fukumori gives up 2 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 walks and a couple of wild pitches in a third of an inning.
Well that's comforting!
Nolan
Nolan Ryan's meat is the shit. They sell it at Kroger or Winn Dixie or somewhere like that. I like that the President is stepping up and immediately giving the fans what they want - - sweet, sweet Nolan Ryan meat.
by Jack Nicholson 1974 on Apr 2, 2008 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I have it, its alright
can't touch Earl Campbell's links though.
Gerald Laird, the Man, the Father, the Son, the Beast, the One, the Savior, the Immaculate.
+1
"I can only hope that you continue to monitor me, and help me out as I slowly work to take the training wheels off." - BG
by inactive lsb user on Apr 2, 2008 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Isn't Jason Jennings
a ground ball pitcher?
If so the IF defense has to be better tonight that it was yesterday or its going to be a long ball game
" Winning doesn't always mean being first,
winning means you are doing better than you have done before"
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