And so it begins...

by Adam J. Morris on May 13, 2008 10:31 PM CDT

The Rangers could have crumbled after learning that manager Ron Washington was in danger of getting fired. Instead, they've won five straight series, and their offseason acquisitions of outfielders Josh Hamilton and Milton Bradley look like winners.

As the team continues its development program, one of its next major decisions is the future position of shortstop Michael Young. Most scouts agree that Young no longer has the range to play short. But the Rangers aren't about to rush Class AA shortstop Elvis Andrus, whom they acquired in the Mark Teixeira trade.

Once Andrus is ready, the Rangers can move Young to third and either shift Hank Blalock to first or trade him. Another option would be to move Young to second base and Ian Kinsler to left field.

The situation is delicate — Young is a team player, but likely will want to remain at short. The Rangers were afraid to move Alfonso Soriano from second base to the outfield in 2005. Young, whose five-year, $80 million contract extension begins next season, will need to be handled firmly, but with respect.

The shift might not take place until next season; Andrus does not turn 20 until Aug. 26, and he is batting only .271/.329/.307 at Class AA. Still, one scout who has seen Andrus often does not necessarily believe that the needs to be brought along slowly.

"Nothing will intimidate him," the scout says. "He has a great amount of confidence. He would approach it the same way at the big-league level as he would at Double A or Triple A.

"Of course, you'll see better arms and better stuff in the big leagues. But he has always had good strike-zone command and good pitch recognition. It will serve him well, probably even better at the major-league level. The strike zone is tighter. And the pitchers, to some degree, are more predictable than they are at Double A."

Moving Kinsler to left and Young to second base would be a bad idea, I think. My guess is that Blalock gets dealt, either in July or this offseason, and Young moves to third base for 2009.

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yay

Kins for LF

"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 10:33 PM CDT 0 recs

I hope Blalock doesn't go

Might be the smart baseball move, but he is my favorite Ranger and I’d hate to see him play anywhere else.

by Gdawg1 on May 13, 2008 10:34 PM CDT 0 recs

is pretty attractive even with his uneven history. That gives a team the thought of having him for a year and a half at a very reasonable price. I think it’s a bit early to tell who really needs a 3B though. Minnesota? Cleveland?

...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on May 13, 2008 10:44 PM CDT 0 recs

Dodgers

If they choose to go with a veteran 3B instead of Andy LaRoche.

by coolaid on May 13, 2008 10:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

Giants

They need everything.

Blalock or Salty for Matt Cain.

Please Sabean?

by LiamP on May 13, 2008 11:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

hell no

thats way too much for cain

by coolaid on May 13, 2008 11:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

im a known salty fan

and id give him for cain in an instant.

Gerald Laird is my hero.

by DSheppard on May 13, 2008 11:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

+1,000

by philkid3 on May 14, 2008 4:06 AM CDT up 0 recs

+ 10,000

I would give both for Cain

W: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

by hubcityraider on May 15, 2008 12:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Seriously?

I was just kidding, but you wouldn’t do either Blalock or Salty straight up for Cain?

Maybe I have an unhealthy mancrush, but I would do either one of those.

by LiamP on May 13, 2008 11:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'd rather trade salty, but want to see more from Cain

by cmkelly29 on May 13, 2008 11:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

Mea culpa

I read it wrong. I thought it was Salty AND Hank. Hank for Cain, I would probably do.

My bad.

by coolaid on May 14, 2008 12:24 AM CDT up 0 recs

I love Hank Blalock...

But if the Giants wanted to part with Matt Cain to get him, I’d be all over it.

by Adam J. Morris on May 13, 2008 11:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hank hold a large part of my allegiance to this team right now. That scares me.

by cmkelly29 on May 13, 2008 11:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

how about hank and salty for cain and a decent prospect

get it done JD.

Gerald Laird is my hero.

by DSheppard on May 14, 2008 12:02 AM CDT up 0 recs

Do the Giants have any decent prospects?

by Inkara1 on May 14, 2008 10:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

a few

angel villanola (very young) is the first one who comes to mind

madison bumgardner
tim alderson
wendall fairley (no clue – was 1st rd pick last yr? maybe?)

Every pitch thrown to Josh Hamilton is recorded as an E1. -- clark

by knockoutking on May 14, 2008 11:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ummm...

If the Giants give up Cain for either of those guys you do it.

That said, the Giants wouldn’t do that.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on May 13, 2008 11:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Their GM is Brian Sabean.

You never know.

by philkid3 on May 14, 2008 4:07 AM CDT up 0 recs

remember

he did see the future with liriano!

Every pitch thrown to Josh Hamilton is recorded as an E1. -- clark

by knockoutking on May 14, 2008 7:06 AM CDT up 0 recs

you my friend are a moron

from baseball reference

real stats:
2006 – 21 – 13-12, 4.15 era, 1.28 whip, 190 IP, 179k/87bb, 108 era+
2007 – 22 – 7-16, 3.65 era, 1.26 whip, 200 IP, 163k/79bb, 122 era+

neutralized:
2006 – 21 – 11-10, 3.78 era, 1.21 whip, 195 ip, 183k/84bb
2007 – 22 – 13-9, 3.38 era, 1.21 whip, 202 ip, 164k/77bb

what neutralized means:
basically they convert his stats to a 162 games season and make his team “average” when it comes to runs scored: 715/year or 4.42/game

http://www.baseball-reference.com/about/equiv_stats.shtml

salty for cain would be a STEAL.

Every pitch thrown to Josh Hamilton is recorded as an E1. -- clark

by knockoutking on May 14, 2008 7:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

you my friend are a moron

thanks buddy

by coolaid on May 14, 2008 5:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

Needlessly harsh.

Even if I agree with your assessment.

by philkid3 on May 14, 2008 8:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Id keep blalock through 09

and reevaluate. young can move to LF if hank is looking good and will sign a fair contract and andrus is major league ready and has proved himself a bit in some bench time late in 08 or something.

certainly not trading away blalock in mid 2008 to make way for a 20 year old (19? somehere in there) year old shortstop with a .620 ops in AA. Andrus should have to earn his way here. Hopefully he will, but the make the move when he does not in preparation of hoping he does.

Gerald Laird is my hero.

by DSheppard on May 13, 2008 10:47 PM CDT 0 recs

er

hopefully from the tone of my post its obvious i meant late in 09 for andrus getting some time.

Gerald Laird is my hero.

by DSheppard on May 13, 2008 10:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

Young

He’s not going to hit well enough to be a good LF’er, and I doubt he’d be that great defensively. He’s not real fast, and I don’t think his range would be that impressive out there. He’d seem to be a better fit for RF than LF.

by Adam J. Morris on May 13, 2008 10:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

does 3b have any less of a standard?

his bat is only impressive in the middle infield, which most of us seem to be dismissing as an option. 3b, DH, LF, RF… hes going to be a suspect offensive player at any of the discussed position changes.

my general thought would be that blalock at 3b + young at LF would be more offense than young at 3b + murphy/boggs at LF.

of course, its simply too early to really know how blalock will be doing, how those OFs will be doing if they are even here (or if JMJ sticks and crowds the OF).

if he would be below average defensively LF that may change my mind, but i dont think we can really say how he would do.

Gerald Laird is my hero.

by DSheppard on May 13, 2008 11:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

*note

i dont really care LF v RF, was just thinking corner of.

its not that i have a big problem with the 3b idea. i just think depending on how everything rolls out the OF could be the right option.

Gerald Laird is my hero.

by DSheppard on May 13, 2008 11:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think Young...

...would be most productive defensively at 3B.

He’s slow, which is going to be a problem for him in the OF. He at least has the arm for 3B.

by Adam J. Morris on May 13, 2008 11:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

right

And his range would be more than adequate over there. No Buechelle or anything, but decent.

by Black Francis on May 13, 2008 11:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

well im not going to try to argue it too strongly

because i dont feel anything about it too strongly.

the 2008 triple threat defensive OF is turning me around to care more about defense though… i guess i can get behind hiding young defensively at 3b rather than worrying about blalock v one of our corner OFs for offense.

i still think its an option though if the roster happens to turn out that way.

this was all based off of blalock performing well enough to get the rangers to extend him too, which is pretty iffy.

Gerald Laird is my hero.

by DSheppard on May 13, 2008 11:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah

I don’t really care if Young would “hit like a third baseman” as long as the slack in production is being picked up somewhere.

by Inkara1 on May 14, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up 0 recs

my prediction

I think Young move to third and Blalock will be moved to left. The Hammer might even get an extension, provided he is relatively healthy and productive for the rest of this season and next. Young might not be thrilled about moving away from short, but he’ll realize that with Rangers paying him this kind of money he will have no choice, especially if he really does want to win. I just wonder who the team’s opening day 2009 shortstop will be. Andrus, if he’s ready? Arias, if not?

"You’re the only here who contributes schtick only." - brettgardner

by trza on May 13, 2008 10:48 PM CDT 0 recs

I like the idea of:

1B: Blalock
2B: Kinsler
SS: Elivs
3B: Young

If I rememeber correctly, Tex and Blalock both came up as third-basemen, and Tex converted pretty nicely as a Gold Glove 1B, or was it the other way around, with both coming up 1B? Either way – I really like Blalock, and think this would be an effective infield, both defensivly and offensively.

Ya....That's Real Mature.

by SMITTY on May 13, 2008 10:56 PM CDT 0 recs

But in that scenario...

...where does Chris Davis go?

My three favorite numbers: 10, 32, 36. =)

by utlonghorn24 on May 13, 2008 11:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ya - your right, I thought of that after I posted...

Blalock/Davis DH/1B Platoon?

Ya....That's Real Mature.

by SMITTY on May 13, 2008 11:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Obviously not.

"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 14, 2008 3:17 AM CDT up 0 recs

why?

what’s obvious there?

W: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

by hubcityraider on May 15, 2008 12:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

How about...

CJ for the rotation?

Say your sorry to Ron Washington

by miles on May 13, 2008 10:59 PM CDT 0 recs

lol

"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 11:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

If he doesn't start getting some outs at the back of the bullpen, maybe so

I’m starting to think we should sign K-Rod this offseason (unless Warner Madrigal proves to be ready), and move CJ back to the starters mound. Then once Madrigal or Diamond is ready for the closers role, we can flip K-Rod for something substantial later.

I’m previously been one of CJ’s biggest supports re: the closers role, but I am seriously starting to doubt he can cut it long term as the closer, unless he starts striking out some people, and keeping the ball on the ground more. And he’s said he won’t be happy unless he starts or closes, so…

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

David Murphy rocks, so Ellsbury can just go get himself a taco or something.

by lonestarJon on May 14, 2008 4:42 AM CDT up 0 recs

if we get krod

he will come w/ a huge contract

krod is one of those guys who is either gonna blow out his elbow or continue to be great.

and im not willing to bet as much money as its gonna cost he keeps this up for the next 5+ years

Every pitch thrown to Josh Hamilton is recorded as an E1. -- clark

by knockoutking on May 14, 2008 7:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

Question

Let’s say Blalock moves to first and Young moves to third. Where is Davis in all this? He will surely be ready in 09.

Not the only black poster on LSB.

by sprite on May 13, 2008 11:00 PM CDT 0 recs

Davis isn't a sure bet...

While everyone hopes he can make the transition to the bigs, if he can’t get his K rate down he may not be our future 1B. I don’t know that Blalock’s back can handle first, but thinking about alternative options in case Davis can’t hack it, is not a bad move.

by Hull Fan on May 13, 2008 11:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

I got raked over the coals last year

for posting that the team shouldn’t just assume that Davis will be playing 1st in a few years.

He’s a good prospect, but he isn’t what Blalock and Teixeira were while they were prospects. Good prospects fail half the time.

by JBImaknee on May 13, 2008 11:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

i know the feeling

see me this year w/ hurley.

Every pitch thrown to Josh Hamilton is recorded as an E1. -- clark

by knockoutking on May 14, 2008 7:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

he will be tough to evaluate too

he seems to profile as someone that could really struggle in his first look. of course he could struggle his whole career.

Gerald Laird is my hero.

by DSheppard on May 13, 2008 11:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

Also - OT: Didn't want to start a fanpost for this, but -

did anyone check out who the Blue Jay’s new leadoff hitter is???

Brad Wilkerson….with another 2 wiffs today and 3 LOB! Now THAT is a hurting offense.

Ya....That's Real Mature.

by SMITTY on May 13, 2008 11:00 PM CDT 0 recs

Even the M's didn't bat him leadoff...

by jwiscarson on May 13, 2008 11:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

oh shit..

and we don’t play the Jays until August, he’ll be long gone by then.

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 11:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Dammit!

lol

...it's the weekend, so why the hell not?

by Rodney on May 13, 2008 11:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Blalock needs to stay. I won’t back that up with any stats. I just… Blalock needs to stay.

by cmkelly29 on May 13, 2008 11:05 PM CDT 0 recs

He is

injury prone, he contributed nothing on the DL.

Try to trade him for whatever we can get at the deadline.

Say your sorry to Ron Washington

by miles on May 13, 2008 11:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Considering he hasn't contributed much

since ‘04, I am indifferent on him staying or going. He won’t fetch much in a trade, but I wouldn’t want to extend his contract at large dollars.

"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck

by DJCahill on May 14, 2008 5:51 AM CDT up 0 recs

Young needs to be traded

any teams looking for a ridiculous deal out there?

by cmkelly29 on May 13, 2008 11:10 PM CDT 0 recs

Blalock needs to go

He’s a bum; they need to sell high on him if he can stay in the lineup AND produce. Young would make a fine 3B. I’ve been behind this move forever.

by Black Francis on May 13, 2008 11:11 PM CDT 0 recs

+1

Lets get whatever we can for Blalock while he still has alittle value..

Say your sorry to Ron Washington

by miles on May 13, 2008 11:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Blalock: 3rd best hitter on the team

WIll show you all when he gets back

by cmkelly29 on May 13, 2008 11:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

haha

We’ll see about that. Sooner or later he’ll revert to his hacking ways, and will be overpaid even at six mil or whatever the hell he makes.

by Black Francis on May 13, 2008 11:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

You shal see...

by cmkelly29 on May 13, 2008 11:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

I've been hearing that...

...from different people for like four years. He is what he is.

Yeah it’s possible he has one good year in him and it could very well be this year, but I sure as hell wouldn’t count on it and all it would accomplish is prevent the Rangers from getting rid of him.

by Black Francis on May 13, 2008 11:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

do you look at his stats?

by cmkelly29 on May 13, 2008 11:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yes.

But if ever stays in the lineup for any length of time, he’s going to get pull happy and lose it. I watch him play…before he got hurt he was still taking big, giant two-strike swings. So I’m seeing a hacker lurking just beneath the surface.

The way he hit this year prior to going to the DL is what most of us (myself very much included) expected out of him for his career, but it never materialized. Fan favorite or not, his days here should be limited in my opinion.

by Black Francis on May 13, 2008 11:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yes, Ive seen his stats

He gets hot for part of a year, then goes into the tank the rest of the time. Since he has been injured the last few years, he hasnt had a chance to go into the tank.

"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck

by DJCahill on May 14, 2008 5:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

Id go Hammy/Bradley/Kinsler personally

then flip a coin between young/blalock

im so don on young =(

Gerald Laird is my hero.

by DSheppard on May 13, 2008 11:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

I like young

at third and Blalock or Davis at 1st. Kinsler stays at 2nd and Andrus or Arias at short. I know you’ll mock me for mentioning Arias but i’m going out on a limb and saying his story is not over yet at 23. I’m with you cmkelly,.. Blalock will rake this very year.

-This is a Messy Production

by jcAustin on May 13, 2008 11:16 PM CDT 0 recs

I went to the brick

tonight, and Arias looked really good at the plate. Just missed a HR by hitting the top of the left field wall, and one hoped the center field wall in his next AB. The problem is that his arm strength looked pretty bad on a double play he tried to turn. On that note, TT’s arm strength doesn’t look to good either.

Formerly known as OKRangerFan

by B_Black on May 13, 2008 11:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

As a matter of fact

drop Shelton now. Let Hank play 1B until the ASB.

by cmkelly29 on May 13, 2008 11:19 PM CDT 0 recs

I really like Hank...

and think if he hits well and stays healthy the Rangers should consider him for a COF spot. Just don’t know if he would have any range out there, probably not. If a team (like say the Dodgers or Giants) offers a few good prospects for him though I think you have to take it.

I would like watching a lineup of…

2B Kinsler
3B Young
CF Hamilton
RF Bradley
DH Blalock
CA Salty
1B Davis
LF Murphy/Boggs
SS Andrus

That would be a very fun team to watch in ‘09. Although I think Blalock and Bradley could be dealt, and bring back some very nice young players.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on May 14, 2008 12:14 AM CDT 0 recs

You Guys are Forgetting Something.........

..... Hank just switched agents to Scott “the baseball anti-christ” Boras which to me is flat flipping off the Rangers. Last year the Rangers offered Gagne(a boras guy)an extension in the 3 year 30 million dollar range last year and Boras flat out wouldnt let Gagne take it, We also offered Tex an extension in the $142 million dollar range and he wouldnt accept it. So as much as I hate it (because I LOVE me some Hammer) HANK ISN’T GOING TO RESIGN HERE if he was he wouldnt have changed!!!!!!!!!! So I say we do what we did with Tex and sell him high this year instead of a rent a player next year, although I would like to see a little more major league ready guy gotten in return I think our system is pretty loaded right now and we have the 7th pick this year.

by blueballlefty on May 14, 2008 1:21 AM CDT 0 recs

+ 1 Good points Blue Balls!

The "Electrician" was born 7/16/07 11:53 PM EDT

http://www.lonestarball.com/2007/7/16/213154/893

by LAMuscleFag on May 14, 2008 1:48 AM CDT up 0 recs

+2

Very good point. I wasn’t aware of the switch.

by philkid3 on May 14, 2008 4:11 AM CDT up 0 recs

Boras

So should the Rangers trade Millwood, Laird, Teagarden, and Julio Borbon as well?

"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky

by RCCook on May 14, 2008 7:06 AM CDT up 0 recs

A half a year, to a year and a half before we lose control of them

sure.

Laird we can trade sooner than that.

Personally, I think it makes zero sense to hold on to any Scott Boras client all the way until he is ready for free agency. You get more in trade than you get in draft picks when they invariably test the FA market.

Either Blalock is gone in 2010, or you have to grossly overpay to keep him. All decisions should be based on that reality.

"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck

by DJCahill on May 14, 2008 7:18 AM CDT up 0 recs