Friday a.m. things

by Adam J. Morris on May 23, 2008 8:17 AM CDT

Evan Grant's game story is all about Josh Hamilton...and of course, the irony of Hamilton winning the game when Ron Washington originally planned on sitting him, because Hamilton has struggled in day games this season. Hamilton says he hasn't been comfortable in the plate in day games, but convinced Washington that because the game was in a dome, it wouldn't matter. I'm glad he did...

And the Rangers are apparently at least kicking around the idea of signing Hamilton to a long-term deal...

Jeff Wilson talks about Eddie Guardado's role as the experienced vet in the bullpen...

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This just in......

Josh Hamilton is pretty good!!

:-)

"If Kason Gabbard's gonna hit anybody, he's gonna hit one of their good hitters. He's not gonna hit Richie Sexson." - Tom Grieve

by bspate on May 23, 2008 8:29 AM CDT 0 recs

Something I just noticed about the Rangers schedule.....

Do any of you guys hate the late 9:05 start time like I do when they’re playing on the west coast??

Well, if you look at the schedule….....there is only ONE (July 25th) late starting game between now and the end of August!! Thank you, baseball gods!!

"GO RANGERS!!!" - bspate

by bspate on May 23, 2008 8:39 AM CDT 0 recs

Late starts

I rarely even bother watching late start games, because i always fall asleep during them or have to be up real early the next day

"When we're mad we'll use our words. Then the rest of the world will play nice with us. And the only boom-booms will be in our pants." - Ralph Wiggum

by rentz on May 23, 2008 8:53 AM CDT up 0 recs

-1

most of the time, they’re the only games that air here, so I don’t mind staying up until 2 AM to finish them.

by venturafearsnolan on May 23, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

Good to see the Rangers ready to sign

Hamilton Long term! I’d love to see them buy out some free agent years.

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

by DJCahill on May 23, 2008 8:44 AM CDT 0 recs

Hamilton

I’ve been wondering when this would happen, with all the other young guys signing across the league.
If they can lock him in now (with perhaps some games played clauses) they could make a great deal

"When we're mad we'll use our words. Then the rest of the world will play nice with us. And the only boom-booms will be in our pants." - Ralph Wiggum

by rentz on May 23, 2008 8:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

win-win

These contracts generally seem like a good deal for both parties. The team gets to lock up a great player through his most productive years, and the player gets financial security and a contract that will ensure he and his family is set for life. I’m all for it. There’s a little risk for the ball club given that the end of the contract is several years away, but not much more than with the standard free agent contract.

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

by trza on May 23, 2008 9:22 AM CDT up 0 recs

Risky, but still a good idea.

I wonder if they’ll have any clauses in there about plate appearances and such. If they’re worried about relapses they wouldn’t even have to mention it, since a drug suspension would obviously limit his PA’s. Cold to think that way, but necessary in a business sense. Surely, bonus clauses for MVP and other awards are in order.

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

by t ball on May 23, 2008 9:23 AM CDT up 0 recs

There is risk

but there is certainly balancing reward. Best pre-FA Ranger since Juando and Pudge.

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

by DJCahill on May 23, 2008 9:26 AM CDT up 0 recs

clause

I don’t think you need a PA clause. I think a simple clause where if he tests positive or is suspended for use of illegal substances the contract can be voided. MLB has already dealt with him before in such a harsh manner that you would think another positive test would mean another long long suspension.

by bigsteve on May 23, 2008 9:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

You're saying the same thing...

The point others are making is that by wording it as PA, it might be more palatable and less offensive than to put a drug suspension clause in there. Why not just tell him that you don’t trust him?

by bhudson on May 23, 2008 9:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

Clauses

Also I somehow doubt the players association would allow a clause about drug suspensions. wording it as plate appearances and games started would probably get through

"When we're mad we'll use our words. Then the rest of the world will play nice with us. And the only boom-booms will be in our pants." - Ralph Wiggum

by rentz on May 23, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up 0 recs

Although

if you word it as a PA clause, it also covers injury. As a player, I would agree to a drug clause b/c I know I can control that. I would not agree to a team out if I am injured (especially considering Hamilton’s history).

by Jack Nicholson 1974 on May 23, 2008 10:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

exactly

I honestly think if the Rangers are concerned at all it is very very minimal but if you are investing that kind of money in the guy even that minimal concern is risking alot of money. Injuries happen. Hammy didn’t have any major injuries last year only small little nagging ones. That wouldn’t make him a real injury concern. And its not like Hammy has been in denial about what hes been through so I don’t think he would take it as a shot at him personally.

by bigsteve on May 23, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up 0 recs

suspensions

If a player fails a drug test and gets suspended, does he still get paid?

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on May 23, 2008 10:03 AM CDT 0 recs

yes

ML contracts are guaranteed. Now a team may buy out that contract but that would have to be an agreed upon amount between the two parties. So if Hammy did happen to relapse say a month after signing a contract he would still be due alot of money and I doubt you would be able to buy him out.

by bigsteve on May 23, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up 0 recs

hmm...

are you sure about that? I know the contracts are guaranteed in most instances, but league suspension seems like something that may let the team off the hook.

Players penalized for using steroids are not paid while suspended. Sanchez, whose salary this year is $600,000, will forfeit about $32,787.

from a NY Times article on Alex Sanchez’s suspension target

by JBImaknee on May 23, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

don't look now but here come the Yankees...

a quick glance at the standings and it seems that New York is wallowing in a season of mediocrity so far…

but based on their last two games (that include the return of A-Rod), am i going out on a limb to think that they are ready to turn the corner?

looking at the upcoming schedule, i don’t think 21-14 over the next few games is unrealistic.

TEX sees a much different NYY club in july than we are seeing now, and i guess that’s more of interest here. when do the rangers get some relief? (no pun intended)

the upcoming easy games for TEX (teams with worse records):

CLE (one game worse in the standings) 3 away 4 home
KAN 3 away
NYM (.1% worse) 3 away
WAS 3 away
NYY (one game back – for now) 3 away

that covers the next 47 games until the break.

all of the other games are against teams with better records than TEX. kansas city and washington (both on the road) are as close as this club gets to relief over the next two months.

yikes!

by sam in so cal on May 23, 2008 10:14 AM CDT 0 recs

We're under .500

Its hard to find teams with worse records than us. If we continue to play well, more teams that we play will have worse records than us, so we may have more than 19 games against teams with worse records. A better thing to look at would be how many teams do we play that have losing records? Of course, since we’re 1 game below .500, the list is probably the same.

by NorCalRangersFan on May 23, 2008 11:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

Josh...

I love the idea of locking him up long-term. The risks are obvious, but so are the rewards. In my opinion the risk in a deal like that is worth it. Buy out a year or two of his FA years.

IF he can stay healthy he could very well go down as the best Ranger ever. Better than Pudge or Igor (which is really saying something because those guys were great in their prime). A-Rod was great in the 3 years he was here obviously, but 7 or 8 years of what Hamilton is capable of would be greater than those 3 years of A-Rod. Especially if the team is contending.

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

by slc ranger on May 23, 2008 3:58 PM CDT 0 recs

Hamilton vs Pudge

For Hamilton to pass Pudge as Best Ranger Ever, he’d have to have a career near that of Mickey Mantle. Pudge is one of the top four catchers of all time (along with Piazza, Bench, and Berra – no particular order). Not saying he can’t do it – because the Mick is probably Hamilton’s best “star comp,” but that’d be tough.

Whatever though. Hamilton is the type of player who can be an inner circle HOFer if things go okay. And really, if you think about it, there aren’t too many of those guys out there. Glad he’s on our team.

by JBImaknee on May 23, 2008 5:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

Guys lets not forget that even though the Hammy is young in his pro career,

he is 27. How long would you really want to lock him up for? Eight years would be nice, but then you are stuck with a 35 year old. I can already hear some of you guys bitching about the contract in five years, shit maybe even less then that. I’d say at least play out this year and maybe explore it next year.

Now, I am all for signing this beast of a player who loves playing for this team. So regardless of dollars and years, if they lock him up, Im one happy camper.

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on May 23, 2008 4:48 PM CDT 0 recs