Wednesday morning stuff
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 23, 2008 8:18 AM CDT
88 comments
Another day, another crappy Rangers loss. This is getting old.
The DMN's game story leads off thusly :
With each day, it gets a little quieter in the Rangers' clubhouse. It becomes tougher to find the words to describe another discouraging loss. It becomes harder to explain why three weeks into the season the Rangers have the worst record in the American League.
Frank Catalanotto invokes "Groundhog Day" in reference to this poor stretch, where they've lost 10 of their last 12. "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" seems a little more apropos, I think.
Kevin Sherrington has a column up on the Rangers' bad start, that focuses on the defensive problems, and makes several salient points:
Of the infielders, only Ian Kinsler has above-average range and skills for his position, and he's the most erratic.
Here's the problem with an average to below-average infield: The Rangers' rotation is built around pitchers who won't allow balls to enter Arlington's jet stream, and not a bad idea, at that.
Pitchers who induce ground balls generally don't get many strikeouts, though, and the statistics bear that out. The Rangers are last in baseball in strikeouts, meaning more balls put into play.
Good news: The Rangers lead all of baseball in double plays.
Bad news: More plays means more room for errors.
How much of this is Washington's fault? Hard to say. He certainly came with a good pedigree, and it's hard to believe defense isn't emphasized.
He also inherited all the infielders except Ben Broussard, whom he insisted on having. He may yet wish to withdraw the recommendation.
Given Broussard's play at first base and at the plate, it's no wonder that Jon Daniels suggested more playing time for Jason Botts. He couldn't be any worse. In a season when the owner and GM have admitted that one of the goals is testing young talent, the Rangers need to find out if Botts can play at this level.
But if Daniels was willing to concede Washington's wishes in the first place, the move probably deserves more than a month. Otherwise it looks like the GM may have overstepped his bounds.
Maybe it's fine with you. Even if he's not responsible for the Rangers' problems, Washington is accountable. Just remember, appearances are important. If the players think the manager is second-guessed from above, the manager loses the clubhouse.
Speaking of manager/GM disconnect, Ron Washington wants Frank Thomas here :
General manager Jon Daniels said for now the Texas Rangers are not pursuing free agent Frank Thomas, even though the lineup could use a power right-handed bat to break up a clot of lefties.
Manager Ron Washington said he has no doubt that Thomas would make the Rangers better. Washington was a third-base coach with the A's in 2006, when Thomas hit 39 homers with 114 RBI. Thomas started to heat up after the season's first month.
"I certainly haven't brought it up to Jon, and he hasn't brought it up to me," Washington said. "I'll take him in a heartbeat. Once he reaches 100 at-bats, he really does start hacking."
Eddie Guardado is coming off the d.l. today. No word for sure as to how room will be made for him, although Kason Gabbard may be going on the d.l., which would present a temporary solution.
Evan Grant has a new Rangers newsletter up . A lot of good stuff there, including addressing the "why did we give away Chris Young/Edinson Volquez/John Danks/Armando Galarraga" question, and fields a question from me about whether Ron Washington may get axed.
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I guess the only advantage to Thomas
is that you only have to pay him minimum. However, its a terrible idea if you want to get Botts some ABs. I guess if they cut Broussard or Cat to make room, it wouldn’t be the worst thing.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 8:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
How would cutting Cat...
...to make room for Thomas be sensible?
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 23, 2008 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Both defensive liabilities wherever you put them.
Both are on the team for their bat. Thomas has a much, much better bat. Thomas hits righties as good as Cat, and hits lefties much, much, much better.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but...
...Cat can at least play the field. Thomas can’t.
Basically, you would be eating the remainder of Cat’s contract to bring in a one year 40 year old DH upgrade against LHPs.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 23, 2008 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eating the remainder of Cat's contract
is something we are going to have to do whether we play him or not. Cat really isn’t much use anywhere in the field due to his arm, other than maybe 1B.
Any thought that Cat will ever have trade value is fairly ludicrous. His OBP decline over the last couple of years have robbed him of any value he might have had. So, basicly it costs you $300K for an offensive upgrade against righties and lefties.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
Any thought that Cat will ever have trade value is fairly ludicrous.
I disagree.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 23, 2008 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Cat will have trade value for sure, maybe an A-ball prospect or a utility guy, but his pinch-hit value (or perceived value) is good enough for him to have some demand.
by Apes and Androids on Apr 23, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good luck, with all that
330 OBP, platoon only, no defensive value players, with $10 million left on his contract for this year and next?
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well...
Assuming he’d be dealt in July or so, he’d be owed about $1.5 million for the rest of this year, $4 million for 2009, and there’s a 2010 option for $5 million with a $2 million buyout.
I think that, if he hits like he has, he is tradeable, although the Rangers might have to agree to pay $1-2 million on the contract.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 23, 2008 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And
the Rangers have plenty of payroll room to kick in some cash to get a desirable prospect.
Whatever gets you through the night, 'salright, 'salright.
by t ball on Apr 23, 2008 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
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.
by Chad Crudup on Apr 23, 2008 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think if Frank Thomas gets hot
he has more trade value than Cat will ever have. If Frank is hitting, and thats a fairly decent sized if, he has game changing ability. Cat is at best a roster filler at this point in his career.
Frank will cost prorated minimum to the team trading for him, Cat will cost 7.5mill for a year and a half by your math, although I think you are on the low side by a quarter to half a million.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why does this remind me so vividly of Sammy Sosa?
As I recall, last summer at the trade deadline we couldn’t give him away. How is Thomas going to be any different?
by Athos on Apr 23, 2008 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How is Cat
going to be any different?
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cat at least has some defensive value.
He’s no gold glover, but he can play LF decently enough. He’s left handed. If he’s hitting well by the trade deadline, I think he’ll be on the radar of a few teams. Guys that can hit lefties decently but otherwise shouldn’t be in the lineup (especially at a position other than DH) in any other circumstance are roster cloggers, much like Sammy was last season.
Now why should Thomas be any different from Sammy?
by Athos on Apr 23, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It would obviously
all depend on if Thomas hits like he did in ‘06 or not. If he doesn’t, you are right, he is just a roster clogger, and you cut him, just like Toronto did.
Cat is a bad defensive LF. Mostly due to his useless arm, but also do to weak reads and jumps. He is better defensive filler than Botts or Thomas, I’ll give you that, but I don’t think his trade value overcomes his relatively stiff, relative to his value, contract.
I just see no way to trade Cat with his contract, and receive anything other than minor league or major league filler in return.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay
I just see no way to trade Cat with his contract, and receive anything other than minor league or major league filler in return.
Let us assume you are correct.
Would you rather do that, or just flat release him and eat $10 million?
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 23, 2008 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I thought
I could do something else that I felt would bring in a greater return, like if I felt Thomas really had tread left on the tires, I’d flat our release him.
However, Im not strongly in the camp that Thomas has much mileage left on him, so there isn’t much point in making a move now.
Because, we are going to have to kick in a lot of money, say 5 million, to get that filler in return for Cat. So, at the end of the day, I’d gladly release Cat, if there was another deal tied to it. For instance, if I could get Bonds, as cheaply as Thomas, I would gladly release Cat right now, because I think folks are going to be much more interested in Bonds in July than they are now.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
what OBP decline?
Cat’s OBP was 77 points higher than his BA last year which is greater than his career spread. His BA was way down last year because of a terrible start. And since you mentioned the last couple of years, it was .376 – not bad.
I think he’ll eventually end up on an NL team getting some LF/1B starts and pinch-hitting alot.
by Randy Richardson on Apr 23, 2008 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whether Cat's OBP
is lower because his average is lower due to declining bat speed or due to walk rate is irrelevant. Cat used to be useful because he was a high OBP guy. With a 337 OBP last year and a 316 OBP this year makes him tough to move.
While I can see him as a bench guy, I can’t see someone trading us anything useful in order to pay him 5 mil a year to be a bench guy.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but
When you are a consistant .300 hitter you don’t have to have alot of walks to have a high OBP. He’s averaged a 66 point spread between BA and OBP throughout his career. If he is only hitting .240 then his OBP isn’t going to be very good. But if he gets back to his normal .290-.300 hitter then his OBP will be very valuable.
by bigsteve on Apr 23, 2008 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats a big IF.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cat
one year does not make a trend. He’s a part time player – this year he only has 52 ABs. If he went 4-4 in his next game his BA would be over .300 and his OBP would be at his career average.
by Randy Richardson on Apr 23, 2008 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Botts and Thomas are the same
all bat (supposedly), no glove players. But Botts is at least young and may help out in the future. At least with our three limited 1b-types (Cat, Brou, Botts), none has the clout to force the manager to play him every day. Thomas would whine his way into the lineup all the time.
JD’s response to Washington should be – you get this team to within 5 games of first place, and I’ll go get you a slugger like Thomas or Bonds who may get you over the hump. Until then, play the guys who are already here.
by JBImaknee on Apr 23, 2008 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
5 games
Technically… that would be now.
Your low self-esteem is just good common sense.
by Oracle Galvez on Apr 23, 2008 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
okay
I meant “within shot of the division lead”, which may technically be now, but for all intents and purposes, that 5 games is about to be 20 games before you know it.
IF this team can be reliably a few games behind the division leader(s), then it makes sense to go for a rent-a-slugger with no long term benefit. This team can’t do anything reliably but lose games right now, Big Hurt isn’t going to help that at all…
by JBImaknee on Apr 23, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
BB vs Hurt
JD should make Washington pick between Brousard and Thomas. He wanted BB and now he wants Thomas. There’s only room for one manager’s favorite on the roster. If he picks Thomas, it looks to the clubhouse like the GM and manager are on the same page then Botts and Cat platoon 1b. If he picks BB, then it’s a vote of confidence to the guy after the Botts mandate. I would prefer yes to Thomas and no to BB myself.
Derek
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Apr 23, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thomas doesn't look lost out there against ML pitching
How many wasted at at bats, wasted outs are going to go for Botts? If some other team wants to claim him on waivers and let him hit below the Mendoza line for them, by all means…
by venturafearsnolan on Apr 23, 2008 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
sooooo..
The GM is managing (“You’ll play Botts and you’ll like it”)
The Manager is making player personnel decisions (“I wants me Brossard” ... “I wants me Big Hurt”)
The Owner - who has a GM and a now a President who is involved in the baseball side of the organization - is calling meetings with the Manager before road trips to threaten his job.
This all makes perfect sense.
by bronco28 on Apr 23, 2008 8:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I like how Wash says
that he hasn’t brought it up to Jon. Does that mean JD told him ‘I run the team, you manage the team I give you.’ Wash certainly sounds like the bitter soldier that knows he’s about to get one in the ass.
by Apes and Androids on Apr 23, 2008 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Geez
The comment on The Big Hurt really makes it almost definitive that Wash doesn’t see eye to eye with the Front Office. Kinda reminds me of the 15 year-old kid working at McDonalds mouthing bitter remarks at his boss when he’s almost out of earshot. Sad. I hope Wash is gone soon.
May the Walbeck era begin!
by Apes and Androids on Apr 23, 2008 8:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
If Washington thinks that Thomas (who is one of my favorite players, BTW) has ANY place on the 2008 Texas Rangers then he has proven what I’ve been saying for the last 10 months: he is the wrong man to manage this team.
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.
by Chad Crudup on Apr 23, 2008 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wash wants to stay employed
managers of last place teams have a tendency to get replaced. Wash is not thinking about 2009, or 2010. He’s thinking about April 23, 2008. On this day, having Frank Thomas instead of, say, German Duran, would help the offense (no offense to German Duran). JD is thinking about 2009 and beyond, and for 2009, its important to have Botts getting at bats and on track.
In a way, you can blame Botts for making Wash’s life hard by not hitting, though having 2 weeks “off” riding pine at the beginning of the year certainly didn’t help him. But, with Byrd on the DL, Botts has his opportunity to play more, so he needs to take advantage of it.
by iblum on Apr 23, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
thomas comment
could be seen as a nail in the coffin – do not need to hear things like that.
the relationship turned sour quickly
Rare Gnats Sex
by ab03 on Apr 23, 2008 8:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Making too much of Wash's Thomas comment
That is simply a generic answer to a reporter’s question, it does not, to me, signify that Wash is triangulating with Daniels through the press. Thomas has a great rep as a hitter, and many people question the Blue Jays’ decision to release him. Wash may be a bit scared, he may not like the mandate to play Botts, but that’s a long way from him using the press to dig at Daniels.
Whatever gets you through the night, 'salright, 'salright.
by t ball on Apr 23, 2008 9:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think he's digging at Daniels...
...I think it’s 50% sticking up for a former player that he admires and 50% showing that he just doesn’t understand what the philosophy of the ‘08 Rangers should be.
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.
by Chad Crudup on Apr 23, 2008 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still think
that is putting way too many words in his mouth and too much behind them. It’s an off the cuff answer, what is he supposed to say? I know everyone here understands this team is rebuilding (or most do) but he can’t really come out and say publicly all the nuances surrounding a potential Thomas signing. If he did talk that much Daniels would rightly tell him not to say so much, preferring to keep things more close to the vest.
Whatever gets you through the night, 'salright, 'salright.
by t ball on Apr 23, 2008 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he could have said...
...”Frank can still be a big help to a ballclub but we are happy with what we have at the DH position with Bradley and Botts.”
I mean it couldn’t hurt to have his players think he has confidence in them.
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.
by Chad Crudup on Apr 23, 2008 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I sure know I wouldn't be happy with Botts production
Maybe it’s just me, but if I had a 27 year old who hits like he should be playing for the Fort Worth Cats instead of the Texas Rangers and can’t play the field, I’d be kind of frustrated too.
by venturafearsnolan on Apr 23, 2008 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
More
I guess I’m really on a rant here…
We really parse these stupid quotes in the media too much. It reminds me of the endless interpretations of presidential candidates’ inane quotes by talking heads, attempting to create a story where there probably really isn’t much of one. I seriously doubt come next January that any of the things discussed in the first half hour of last week’s debate on ABC are even remembered, let alone important. Likewise, this mild-kerfuffle about Thomas.
Whatever gets you through the night, 'salright, 'salright.
by t ball on Apr 23, 2008 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Future Pants
Since Adam mentioned his own question, I’d like to point out that Future Pants also got a question in the newsletter.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Apr 23, 2008 9:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
His question...
was from Matt from Dallas, it was about Botts and Broussard.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Apr 23, 2008 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What is Future Pants. I just googled it but can't figure out of the links is related to your comment above.
by rooster on Apr 23, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably this guy
http://www.sbnation.com/users/FuturePants
It's baseball. You don't always get what you want, and you don't always want what you get. --Ed Coffin
by txranger7 on Apr 23, 2008 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Adam, or someone at SBN
tech question: The “Most Commented” column will always be filled with game day threads, which doesn’t seem to be the goal of that column. Is there a way to exclude game day threads there so other hot topics are highlighted?
Whatever gets you through the night, 'salright, 'salright.
by t ball on Apr 23, 2008 9:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That has been pointed out
They are working on a solution.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 23, 2008 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Surprised they don't
add a new category for gameday threads like fanposts or fanshots, and segregate them over there. I’d just as soon not have the gameday thread in main blog area.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well...
If I’m not mistaken, the “main” game day threads don’t show up in the “most commented” section. However, the subsequent ones do.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 23, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd like all the game day threads
moved off the main section, actually. It pushes your older blogs off the front page.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me too
"For the record, I did not and do not like the Volquez trade, even though Hamilton is awesome and our best player and I think he’s going to be one of the best players in baseball." philikid3
by Brian Thomas on Apr 23, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even better idea, though
then the sidebars are getting awfully crowded. I don’t think the whole fanshot thing is working anyway, maybe the gameday threads could replace them.
Whatever gets you through the night, 'salright, 'salright.
by t ball on Apr 23, 2008 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I have to say
that I dont even look at fanshots. Not a concept I am too interested in. Would much rather have gameday threads there.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
"I hope it's a special dumb person hell so that I don’t have to meet up with you after I die."
- The D-tron
by Chase Irwin on Apr 24, 2008 12:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Help me...
How many games did Buck win in his last year as mgr.?
Does this team still have equivalent talent to that years team?
Why am I asking? Because at the presser where Buck was canned JD said specifically that this teams record was worse than the talent would indicate it should have been.
But now we are “rebuilding” and not expected to win much for another couple of years?
I propose that JD soreley overevaluated this team and its talent under Buck.
If we are “rebuilding” who exactly are we in the process of “breaking in”? What young kids are getting there shot? So, we are breaking in Botts and he is the centerpiece to the major league teams rebuilding….brilliant.
The franchise may be rebuilding but the major league team certainly isnt…
I guess we are breaking in CJ as well.
When the Marlins rebuild do they bring up there kids? Just curious.
and if you dont have any kids who you can bring up you arent rebuilding, you just SUCK.
Maybe 2010 can be called a reuilding year….that will be a roster full of kids, but dont expect to be winning as you will simply be breaking in your kids.
This teams first chance to win is 2011…at best. See 2012 in reality. Face it….management has sold us an illusion and the magician is named Tom Hicks.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 23, 2008 9:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Botts, Murphy, Gabbard, Mendoza, Rupe, Littleton, Nippert
With Salts McGee, Davis, and Hurley up here in mid-summer. McCarthy when he comes off the DL.
I realize, none of the names on the first line are that exciting. But all the guys on the 2nd line are. That’s four impact up and coming players to watch this year.
We are all bitter here in Sucksville, man. But there is something to look forward to this season.
"For the record, I did not and do not like the Volquez trade, even though Hamilton is awesome and our best player and I think he’s going to be one of the best players in baseball." philikid3
by Brian Thomas on Apr 23, 2008 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Under 28 hitters and pitchers
Pitchers:
Scott Feldman
Kason Gabbard
Wes Littleton
Brandon McCarthy
Luis Mendoza
Dustin Nippert
Josh Rupe
C J Wilson
Hitters:
Hank Blalock
Jason Botts
German Duran
Josh Hamilton
Ian Kinsler
David Murphy
That’s 14. Yes, its scary to think that Blalock and Kinsler are both as young (or younger) than Botts.
(note that Laird is only 28 as well).
by iblum on Apr 23, 2008 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That list
is why this team is not “rebuilding”, but rather “pausing”
If you think that the list above can be simply fortified with the next wave of youngsters and wala, youve got a winner on your hands I’m afaid you will be soreley dissapointed in a couple of years.
By the time the up and coming position players are here and performing…two years, the current rotation will be in shambles(how good will Millwood be in 2 years?, and I doubt padilla is here)
So we will only be on the look out for 5 starters.
but you say, but what about Hurley and McCarthey? And I say yeah what about them?
Maybe you hit on Hurley and he’s a solid 3 or 4…now you only need 4 starters.
This leads to the next managemnet illusion of “Well, give us a couple of years till all our pitchers get here (beaven, kiker, main, etc).
By then your list of under 28 will read under 32…and very few of the people you mentioned will be contributing to the Rangers in 2012 (I’ll give you Kinsler, Hamilton and CJ)
by red shoe ranger on Apr 23, 2008 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The other list
Guys on the Rangers Aged 28 and older:
Pitching
Benoit: 30
Fukumori: 31
German: 28
Guardado: 37
Jennings: 29
Millwood: 33
Padilla: 30
Wright: 33
Hitters:
Bradley: 30
Broussard: 31
Byrd: 30
Catalanotto: 34
Melhuse: 36
Vazquez: 31
Young: 31
You say that in 2 years the rotation will be in shambles? You may be right. Millwood at 35 will likely be gone, and Padilla, though he’ll only be 32 will probably be with his next team. But Mendoza should still be here, and if Jennings can turn things around he’ll only be 31. Throw in Eric Hurley and there’s 3 starters. Plus there’s Feldman, Kometani, Murray, and Harrison. Now, none of these guys (nor Hurley, Mendoza or Jennings) is that “Ace” that Millwood has been, so its likely that the Rangers will have to go outside the organization for him. I can’t answer whether that will happen (nor can you).
Pushing forward to 2012 (that’s 4 years, not 2) when Beaven, kiker, main, etc arrive (and there’s no reason to believe that Neftali Perez won’t arrive in 2010 as opposed to later) we’ll also have Chris Davis, Elvis Andrus (hitting an empty .286 at AA at age 19), Engel Beltre, Max Ramirez, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden and the other hitting prospects won’t be here too.
Don’t forget that the rangers system is VERY deep and pretty balanced.
by iblum on Apr 23, 2008 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Neftali Feliz
Man am I an idiot sometimes.
Agreements are not necessary
by iblum on Apr 23, 2008 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
McCarthy
I wouldn’t leave him out of the discussion. 25 years old in July.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Apr 23, 2008 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Frank Thomas?
Why would we need him?
We already have a crappy power hitter in Botts, yet he is younger.
"He throws that curveball so hard and it snaps 12 to six like you've never seen." - Matt Kemp on Clayton Kershaw
by miles on Apr 23, 2008 9:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Because Thomas' worst year
Will be better than Botts best year ever will be.
by venturafearsnolan on Apr 23, 2008 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
JD
so he believes in Ro-Botts over BB
I would suggest that Laird is only slightly better than BB
but JD doesnt favor Salts over Laird?
Please, no “he’s building up Lairds trade value” argument.
Is Laird worth more now than he was in Spring Training, or last year, or the year before?
Wash may not understand the “rebuilding” plan, but I would suggest that JD doesnt quite get it either…
by red shoe ranger on Apr 23, 2008 10:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Its not that
At the end of spring training I think the Rangers made the right move in sending Salty down. But he has put the pressure back on the Rangers by the way he is playing in OKC. I think thats what the Rangers wanted. I agreed with the move to send Salty down then and I still agree with it today. But now I also think Salty has to be brought up moreso due to his play in AAA than lairds play here.
by bigsteve on Apr 23, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For those of you who aren't paying attention
.333/.493/.741 with 17 walks and 9 strikeouts.
Why do you torture us so, Nelson Cruz!!!!!!!!!
by iblum on Apr 23, 2008 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Definition of a AAAA player.
Destroys AAA, cant play in the majors.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He might necessitate a new term, say...
...AAAA1/2 player.
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.
by Chad Crudup on Apr 23, 2008 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha true dat + 1
sooo close yet soooo far, thats our Nellie.
The "Electrician" was born 7/16/07 11:53 PM EDT
http://www.lonestarball.com/2007/7/16/213154/893
by LAMuscleFag on Apr 23, 2008 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heh
It isn’t like there aren’t other AAAA players presently on the 25. Maybe not that good.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)
by Ed Coffin on Apr 23, 2008 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can't argue with you Ed
I see no rational reason to say Botts is better than Cruz offensively or Vice versa. Both destroy AAA pitchers, both look hopelessly lost in the majors. Cruz can at least man a defensive postion, but has failed a couple hundred more times in the majors, offensively.
I think the most probable thing is they both are AAAA players.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Saltalamacchia
I think they want him to keep gathering momentum. Actually I wouldn’t mind seeing him get to a couple hundred ABs in OKC.
If they brought him up earlier, that’d be alright too. He’s not a neophyte to the ML.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Apr 23, 2008 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Managing to please many people doesn't seem all that different from managing scared.
by rooster on Apr 23, 2008 10:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
To finish my thought.....
I think Memorial Day is a little early. Seems more like an All-Star break or end-of-the season move is more appropriate than a 50-game period, because alot of bad luck can happen over 50 games that might get ironed out over the course of a 162-game season.
I do think, however, that Wash has shown absolutely no ability to keep the team from taking a nose dive when negative things begin to pile up. And, I wish Sherrington would’ve gone into more detail on the defense’s woes. Are they still struggling to figure out how Wash wants them to be positioned and attack ground balls? Is Wash teaching them methods that are incompatible with their skills?
by rooster on Apr 23, 2008 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In my mind,
it depends on the record on memorial day. If they are still playing .333 ball, ie, 19-38 or there abouts, that will be enough for me. I Won’t need to see to the All star break. If they are 25-32 or so, he’d get more time.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Again to finish my thought....
If the caliber of defense is inadequate to mesh with the organizational philosophy of “pitch to contact” and keeping the ball out of the air, as Sherrington asserts, that is a personnel error made by the GM, not a problem created by Wash.
by rooster on Apr 23, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ding, ding, ding
The catastrophic moment for this thing (the defense) was when Sori refused to move to OF and MY moved to SS.
by red shoe ranger on Apr 23, 2008 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The catastrophic moment
was when Arod was traded from SS, opening up the 2B situation.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on Apr 23, 2008 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ian Gac with a home run in the 8th for Clinton.
by psmitty on Apr 23, 2008 12:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bakersfield
Kasey Kiker is slated to go tonight. Heres to hoping he gets off to a very nice start and possibly seeing him in Frisco by seasons end
by bigsteve on Apr 23, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hurt
I’d take a drop/trade of Broussard and Cat and sign Frank Thomas, recall Chris Shelton any day of the week. Botts can be a backup outfielder as well as in the rotation at DH and 1B, Shelton can 1B and backup outfield if necessary, and the Hurt can hurt at the plate alone…if he heats up, he’s worth a few prospects in the right scenario
"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."
by Walter Sobchak on Apr 23, 2008 4:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Even if we can't trade him at the deadline
As some have speculated, even if he’s hitting well, if we took him on for the remainder of the season, he’d assuredly be at least a Type B free agent, enabling us to a pick when someone signs him. I would imagine he’d end up being a Type A, to be honest.
by venturafearsnolan on Apr 23, 2008 4:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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