Tuesday morning stuff
by Adam J. Morris on May 13, 2008 8:58 AM CDT
64 comments
Back to 2 games under .500, after last night's come from behind, blow the lead then come back again victory.
The game story in the DMN focuses on the Ramon Vazquez mojo...the Rangers are 56-46 when he starts for them. Today is also the one year anniversary of the last time (before yesterday) the Rangers got a walk-off homer, with Nelson Cruz doing the honors that time.
David Murphy was supposed to get a day off yesterday, but ended up coming in late in the game for defensive purposes. His numbers have dropped with his recent slump, and he's been terrible against lefties this year (something that plagued him in the minors, as well), so it probably makes sense to sit him against lefties. The problem is, with Milton Bradley unable to play the outfield regularly, if Murphy doesn't play the outfield, your other options are limited.
And Bradley hurt himself on a practice swing yesterday, necessitating lifting him from the game, so Marlon Byrd may end up getting activated today, although the Rangers wanted him to get a couple of more games in Oklahoma.
Anthony Andro writes about the catching situation, saying that neither Gerald Laird nor Jarrod Saltalamacchia are happy about the current arrangement.
Kevin Sherrington says the Rangers blew their opportunity to fire Ron Washington, by not doing it when the team was going poorly, and also seems to imply that Jon Daniels might follow Washington out the door when Washington finally does get axed. And we have this real interesting quote:
If the Rangers, indeed, wanted to fire Washington – and at least two members of the top brass wanted it – they missed their window.
Given that Sherrington says elsewhere that Daniels is standing behind Washington, I assume the two people he's talking about are Tom Hicks and Nolan Ryan. And when you combine this with Hicks dropping Daniels in the grease on the Babe Laufenberg show this past weekend, saying that the Chris Young trade wouldn't have been made if Nolan Ryan had been here, I get the feeling that Ryan is the one with the clout in this organization right now, the guy Hicks is going to lean on.
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Firing Daniels
If Daniels gets fired, whomever replaces him (even Cam Bonifay) would look good because of the farm system. Daniels has made his fair share of mistakes, but he does not have the experience of some of the other GMs out there. I also feel that Daniels has been learning from his mistakes. Well, I guess that really depends on how the roster looks at the end of the season. There is not much flexibility to the current roster; if Daniels can get rid of some players, the Rangers will be better prepared to compete. I really think the Rangers would be making a mistake should they fire Daniels this season.
by Excel Hearts Choi on May 13, 2008 9:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
As soon as Nolan got here....
I figured Daniels would get canned and Ryan would end up getting the credit when some of these prospects pan out.
Picking a random blog comment and wielding it as a club to bash "blogs" is like picking a random romance novel off an airport bookstore shelf and saying, "This book sucks. Fuck you, Tolstoy -- your medium is worthless!" - Ken Tremendous
by TheBZA on May 13, 2008 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
i had that distinct impression too, its one of the reasons i wasnt that supportive of the rangers hiring nolan. it put JD in a spot where he could lose his gig due to a power play rather than keep or lose his job based on his record to stand on and his merits in the rebuilding job. i dunno about whether JD’s job should be safe and for how long, but i dont wanna see him pushed aside so that Nolan can be his own man, or hire according to his philosophies. You gotta sink or swim with JD and his long term rebuild plan and i fear they get half way through it and can him and the next guy looks a lot better b/c he didnt have to do the hard work.
.500 or bust!
Bad Vibes Kill Rallies!
"Well, we are one of the cheapest teams in Major League Baseball"
-Tom Hicks 4/8/2008
by Jayslick on May 13, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"next guy looks a lot better because of JD's work..."
That statement got me to thinking (and not trying to flame here)...
If Jon Daniels got fired tomorrow, is the overall talent level better for his successor than what JD inherited?
Many people have an emotional interest in JD, so they don’t look at it objectively, and many of those will give the question a cursory glance and spout off some answer that begins with something like: “our farm system sucked w/ Hart and look at what it is ranked right now”
But if you really think about it, JD inherited a lot of talented young pieces, and it could easily be argued that the young ML and near-ready talent was better when JD took the job than it is now. If you look at the talent that he has traded away from the ML level and in turn transferred to the low levels, I’m not so sure that the system overall is in better shape right now than it was when he took the reins. I think it’s pretty close, but Hambone probably swings the balance to his favor.
Pedro: "I wasn't cockfighting, I just have a wide stance."
by tricer on May 13, 2008 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It absolutely is better now
Yes he traded away Young, and Gonzalez who could help us out now. But Soriano would not be here right now no matter who the GM is. Tex would not be here after this year no matter who the GM is. Danks/ McCarthy talent wise is a wash in my opinion.
by bigsteve on May 13, 2008 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
you're not getting it
Throw out your preconcieved notions about JD and look at what he inherited.
Teix, Soriano, Kinsler, A. Gonzalez, Blalock, C. Young, CJ, Benoit, Danks, Volquez, Hurley—that is a decent group of talent for a GM to walk into. Plus he inherited DeRo and GMJ which turned into several premium picks. I’m not trying to debate any singular move, I am however trying to make the point that there was quite a bit of young talent at the ML level, and several players that have worked their way up the ladder, when JD got the job.
This idea that JD inherited a bare cupboard isn’t really true. And the idea that the overall talent is better now is debatable. Most of the high ceiling guys are at the lowest levels and could make it big or completely bust.
Pedro: "I wasn't cockfighting, I just have a wide stance."
by tricer on May 13, 2008 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think...
JD “inherited a bare cupboard” at all. The talent you mentioned speaks for itself.
I do however think he has increased the talent level of the organization though. As you say, it does depend heavily on many of the high talent low level guys right now, but I don’t know if the minor league system has looked better than it does right now.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on May 13, 2008 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I get that
But I think its wrong to fault JD for not keeping Soriano and Tex when it was obvious they would not be here no matter who the GM is. Derosa didn’t garner any extra picks if I recall. JD also inherited a pitching staff that consisted of CHP, John Wasdin, Ricardo Rodriguez, and a post cameraman Kenny Rogers.
by bigsteve on May 14, 2008 7:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
neologism
dropping X in the grease >>>>> throwing X under the bus
"You’re the only here who contributes schtick only." - brettgardner
by trza on May 13, 2008 9:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hmm
While I don’t agree with some of the trades JD has made since starting this job, overall I’d have to say I’ve been really happy with what he’s done and would be very disappointed if he got the axe.
by rcreative on May 13, 2008 9:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
meh
KS knows as much as a columnist in Hoboken.
And i got another option for you in the OF, John Mayberry.
"I thought that was bull," Washington said. "What is he 6-13? That's just frustration. He overreacted." - Wash on Sexson
by Longhorn on May 13, 2008 9:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Per the Daily Oklahoman
Byrd -
As for his knee, it appears to be just fine. Byrd ran out a grounder late in Monday’s game. He was safe at first because of an error, but he’s not going half speed.
.
“I’m going all out," he said. “If I have to watch my knee I shouldn’t be out here. I’m not going to help any team unless I’m going all out."
Nellie Cruz -
Cruz sits out: Outfielder Nelson Cruz received another day of rest with a sore shoulder on Monday. Cruz was pulled during the second game of Oklahoma’s doubleheader Thursday night vs. Sacramento.
.
“He played catch today at about 100 feet and felt OK," Jones said. “He still feels it a little bit in the cage when he swings the bat." We’ll have to see how he feels tomorrow and go from there."
by shroomer on May 13, 2008 9:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Young/Adrian
I thought it was Showalter who wanted that deal?
Maybe Hicks isn’t talking about Daniels per se when he mentions that trade.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on May 13, 2008 9:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The implication is that JD didn't have the balls to stand up to Showalter.
What a stupid thing for Hicks to say.
How about this, if Hicks hadn’t bought the team, the Rangers would’ve never signed ARod.
by rooster on May 13, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This birthday crap
I can’t understand why Sherrington feels they held off firing Washington because of his birthday. The only mentions of that were in the DMN, and it goes against everything else Daniels and Ryan said about not knee-jerking.
If Hicks fires Daniels then I am going to seriously start a campaign to get him to sell the team. Whether or not you like Daniels, constant changes of leadership is never going to produce a winner. I foresee Daniels and Washington both being fired, then some other GM comes in, reaps the benefits of the farm system maturing, and Ryan looks like a savior/genius and sells 10 billion sausages.
...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.
by t ball on May 13, 2008 9:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
One more thing: Evan, please, please
stop with this W-L record when any given player is in the lineup. You are better than that.
...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.
by t ball on May 13, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
W - L record
I thought all you folks were big into numbers to figure the outcome of a players chances of wining or making it in the big leagues? I think it makes sense that if a team wins with one player over another, play the one that wins.
¡yo soy Horsedooty!
I soloed in the mile high club.
by Sr Horsedooty on May 13, 2008 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huh?
This makes no sense whatsoever. I think he’s doing a nice job and all that, but it’s absolutely ridiculous to hold up the team’s W-L record as some kind of evidence that he’s better than Blalock since the team doesn’t win as much when Blalock plays. Balderdash. Piffle. Hogwash. About as meaningful as a team’s record on 2nd Tuesdays of each month.
...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.
by t ball on May 13, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So
contrary to what has been said on this site many times, there are such things as worthless stats.
by Jea103 on May 13, 2008 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Link please
That snappy new search function should come in handy fer ya.
"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 May 13, 2008 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
do you realize how much influence ramon vasquez has on a game
compared to others?
most nights, absolutely nil
Rare Gnats Sex
by ab03 on May 13, 2008 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ramon
last night he was the man. How much does Hank have on any given night considering he is hurt a lot in the last 2 years? Get what you can when he comes back off the DL.
¡yo soy Horsedooty!
I soloed in the mile high club.
by Sr Horsedooty on May 13, 2008 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
but w-l record says chris shelton is a beast.
how could you argue?
7-3
Gerald Laird is my hero.
by DSheppard on May 13, 2008 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly the kind of stupidness this W-L thing gets you.
I doubt anyone is suggesting that Shelton is a better player than Teixeira.
...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.
by t ball on May 13, 2008 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
I haven’t been on the trendy Hicks is the mother of all evil bandwagon like some, but this little bout tears it for me.
He is either too stupid to realize how unclassy and unhelpful his remarks are, or he’s just a shitty human being.
Add in the fact that he appears on the verge of making yet another major org shift, despite ADMITTING THAT THAT VERY THING WAS HIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST, and you have to come to the conclusion that he should be beaten to near death by a gaggle of frothing, HIV-positive babboons.
"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 May 13, 2008 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
baboons
Branching out from your gorilla enterprise?
...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.
by t ball on May 13, 2008 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why not use guerilla warfare instead of gorilla warfare?
by Inkara1 on May 13, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
trained gorillas >>> trained guerillas
"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 May 13, 2008 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you Search Function
http://www.lonestarball.com/2007/2/5/183644/9635
It must have been a slow day. I recommend this diary for a good laugh.
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 May 13, 2008 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well Hicks isn't dumb..so I guess that leaves..
shitty human being! Yep if the clown shoe fits!
The "Electrician" was born 7/16/07 11:53 PM EDT
http://www.lonestarball.com/2007/7/16/213154/893
by LAMuscleFag on May 13, 2008 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hicks and Ryan...
need to just STFU and let JD continue to do his thing.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on May 13, 2008 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sherrington article
What is the point of Sherrington’s article? Didn’t JD and Ryan come out and try to put this thing to rest? I think the media is out to get JD and RW fired.
Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY
by RangerMad on May 13, 2008 9:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Did you read the article?
That’s basically the opposite of what Sherrington wrote.
No matter what you think of Washington’s job performance – and I’m not saying he’s the long-term answer – he doesn’t deserve this treatment.
I don’t know how Ryan’s quote that Washington could be fired by the All-Star break could possibly be seen as “putting this thing to rest”. Reading the tea leaves, it seems that Daniels wants Washington to stay, Ryan wants him to go, and Hicks, as ever, is blowing in the wind.
"You’re the only here who contributes schtick only." - brettgardner
by trza on May 13, 2008 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn't really commenting
about what Sherrington wrote as much as the continuation of the Rangers/RW topic. It seems like there is at least one article a day in the local DFW papers about this subject.
Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY
by RangerMad on May 13, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What did Hicks say
on the Babe Laufenberg show?
by corbsclinton on May 13, 2008 9:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
"If Nolan Ryan was here we never would have traded Young"
Picking a random blog comment and wielding it as a club to bash "blogs" is like picking a random romance novel off an airport bookstore shelf and saying, "This book sucks. Fuck you, Tolstoy -- your medium is worthless!" - Ken Tremendous
by TheBZA on May 13, 2008 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jeff's Autopsy at Lookout Landing -
Yeah, I wasn’t kidding around back when I called Josh Hamilton the best position player in the AL West. Ordinarily I’d want to get my hands on a bigger sample size of information before making such a statement, but watching Hamilton and understanding his skillset, I see all the makings of a superstar. He might be there already. The only thing I’m unsure about right now is his defense, because offensively, I’m as sure that he can swing the bat as I am about pretty much anyone else in the league. He is absolutely the real deal.
.
I think having Hamilton might actually make Texas the team I’d like to see win the West. I don’t have anything against the A’s, but they’re just so dreadfully boring that I wouldn’t wish that viewing experience on anyone come October. The Rangers, though…I can get behind that team. I like Hamilton, I like Bradley, I like Wilson, and I like Benoit, which isn’t too bad considering they’re a division rival and all. I wish they had some interesting pitching to watch, and they lost a few brownie points when they cut Ben Broussard (brownie points they could re-gain if we end up with him again somehow), but they’re not as unwatchable as I found them a year ago. In fact, of the clubs with a legitimate chance of competing in the AL this season, I think the only teams I’d rather see win are the Rays and the Indians. Texas wouldn’t be so bad, just as long as any important games they play feature another team’s announcers.
by shroomer on May 13, 2008 10:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's nice of Jeff to say...
but:
Texas wouldn’t be so bad, just as long as any important games they play feature another team’s announcers.
Like who’s? The Mariners BORING announcers? Buck and McCarver? ChiSox/Angels homerfest? Ugh, I’ll take Josh and Tom, thanks.
by cmkelly29 on May 13, 2008 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll take Tom
Josh, I could do without.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on May 13, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No way
Josh’s vaccum line last night was great.
by Jack Nicholson 1974 on May 13, 2008 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
seconded
"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 May 13, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Josh isn't so bad
Sure he cheeses it up sometimes, but he makes great calls on important plays.
by cmkelly29 on May 13, 2008 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+ 1
The "Electrician" was born 7/16/07 11:53 PM EDT
http://www.lonestarball.com/2007/7/16/213154/893
by LAMuscleFag on May 13, 2008 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+3
A Lonestar in California - 2.0
David Murphy rocks, so Ellsbury can just go get himself a taco or something.
by lonestarJon on May 13, 2008 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Josh has grown on me...
and Tom I really like. Lewin can have his moments from time to time.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on May 13, 2008 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure
Rex Hudler has grown on some Angel fans also …
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on May 13, 2008 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ouch...
come on Cahill.
Lewin > Hudler.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on May 13, 2008 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
you can’t compare Lewin to Hudler.
Really, Rex Hudler and that guy from the White Sox (whose name I happily blocked out of my memory) are so bad that I cannot listen to the games while they are doing them.
by JBImaknee on May 13, 2008 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The same way
Jeff thinks Rangers announcers are so bad he can’t listen to games while Josh is doing them.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on May 13, 2008 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I pretty much agree w/ Jeff on this one
I’d rather sync up my Tivo and listen to the radio guys.
Listen to Nadel and Rojas for a while and you realize what a complete joke Lewin is.
Pedro: "I wasn't cockfighting, I just have a wide stance."
by tricer on May 13, 2008 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ben Broussard
His comments about the player are unexplainable.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on May 13, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, I didn't get that either
It’s like us being resentful they dumped Whiffy.
by shroomer on May 13, 2008 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Refer back
to the Broussard beatbox video. Seattle fans must value that skill set.
by jparks77 on May 13, 2008 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
when the dust settles
Boggs and Murphy will make for a great platoon. As a bonus, both can handle all three OF positions in a pinch. I think platooning these guys will cut down on the K problems of each, and we could probably get a .300/.360/.450 line out of them, with solid defense at a corner OF position.
by clark on May 13, 2008 10:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
More than that
Boggs MASHES LHP and Murphy appears to be able to handle RHP.
"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 May 13, 2008 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ryan and Daniels
I think that Ryan and Daniels were actually trying to settle everything down about a knee jerk firing of RW. If you recall the swirling rumors and discontent of the time, saying that
RW would have the job until the ASB was actually a fairly brave statement. I think that print and internet media have just weasel worded and parsed their statements to the point that any connotation can now be drawn from them.
by mcgee48c on May 13, 2008 11:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
OT: GM Bloodlines
Great article linked on MLBTR this morning. Batter’s Box takes an in depth look at GM bloodlines.
http://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20080511215822760
Picking a random blog comment and wielding it as a club to bash "blogs" is like picking a random romance novel off an airport bookstore shelf and saying, "This book sucks. Fuck you, Tolstoy -- your medium is worthless!" - Ken Tremendous
by TheBZA on May 13, 2008 11:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
not enough info on bradley
hes kind of critical to the current offensive boom. 426 obp helps. almost had me wanting to move him in from of hammy.
Gerald Laird is my hero.
by DSheppard on May 13, 2008 12:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Gdawg's feeling validated!
Speed (fair): Gerald Laird had a bunt single and went first-to-third on a routine single. Remember, he wears 15 because he is “one man, five tools.”
...it's the weekend, so why the hell not?
by Rodney on May 13, 2008 2:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
WTH is this guy?
Evidently, he pitched fairly effectively last eve:
Jeff Mathis (W 1-0) 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
...it's the weekend, so why the hell not?
by Rodney on May 13, 2008 3:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's a typo
Jeff Mathis is the catcher
A Lonestar in California - 2.0
David Murphy rocks, so Ellsbury can just go get himself a taco or something.
by lonestarJon on May 13, 2008 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
12 Runs Each Night
for the last 2 nights and our record is 1-1. There has to be a little mojo starting to happen even if it turns out to be short-lived.
by mcgee48c on May 13, 2008 4:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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