Tuesday a.m. stuff

by Adam J. Morris on May 6, 2008 9:58 AM CDT

Well, back into last place. And once again, a finesse lefty makes the Rangers lineup look foolish.

Evan Grant's game story focuses on the struggles the team has had against lefties, with a 1-6 record against lefthanded starters. The Rangers have a 702 team OPS against LHPs, versus a 770 OPS against righties.

Jeff Wilson notes that Kevin Millwood set a team record with his 10th consecutive road loss. Millwood had been pitching well up to this point, but his ERA jumped by over a run in yesterday's game.

Meanwhile, the Denver Post says that the Rockies have inquired about Millwood, but the Rangers aren't going to just give him away. There's been some talk in the past that maybe the Rangers should just dump Millwood and get out from under his contract, but really, Millwood's deal is pretty reasonable, and it isn't as if the Rangers have lots of other things to spend their money on right now anyway. I'm fine with moving Millwood if we get a really strong package in return, but I don't see the point in dumping him just to get rid of him.

Regarding the back of the rotation, Kason Gabbard will be activated for Thursday's game and will make the start, with A.J. Murray going down to make room for him. Scott Feldman will start on Friday. Luis Mendoza threw off a mound yesterday, will throw again this week, and then will throw a simulated game on Saturday. If all goes well there, he'll go on a rehab assignment, although if Feldman and Sidney Ponson keep pitching well, Mendoza may just end up activated and optioned.

German Duran has impressed folks with his performance since his call up, and while he's likely going to be sent back down when Hank Blalock is healthy and ready to come off the d.l., it sounds like he's put himself in the mix going forward.

And before we start all of the "get rid of Ramon Vazquez instead," let's remember...the utility infielder on this team is going to play about once a week, unless someone is hurt. There aren't any DH ABs to spare. Let Duran play everyday in Oklahoma, instead of bringing him up to sit on the bench.

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What is an acceptable Millwood pkg for you AJM?

I know the DFW Zoo will be whining about pitching, and having no one to show on the roster… etc blah blah blah

I am split on whether I want JD to push for several high ceiling low level prospects or maybe push for a high level Greg Reynolds type (if Colorado or any other team would even do that). Should the Rangers place a higher premium on pitching prospects and overlook higher ranked position players being offered? Just not sure what I want this team to do since they don’t have an identity yet.

by lamron on May 6, 2008 10:29 AM CDT 0 recs

JD

At this point, I think he needs more prospects like Salty then, say, Engel Beltre. Beltre may end up being better, but to keep his job he’s going to need some guys performing in the majors. Also, if the intent is improve in 2009 and compete in 2010, then the team will need some guys who aren’t rookies but have some experience by then.

Fire Ron Washington

by pblack on May 6, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up 0 recs

Not lower level right now

My belief is we have done a good enough job stocking the lower levels of the minors that if we were to trade Millwood, or any other of our veteran guys, we should be targeting AA and above prospects. By doing so we wouldn’t be blocking our younger guys like the Kikers and Hunters and such because they have just started at their levels. But we also wouldn’t be congesting our lower levels. Almost as if we would have too many good young players. Now if we made this deal or any others around deadline time then you can look at all levels of players because your top ones in A+ right now should be getting ready to make the jump to AA and so on.

by bigsteve on May 6, 2008 10:43 AM CDT up 0 recs

Nelson Cruz

write up at Fangraphs. It discusses his monster numbers, and whether he deserves another shot to shed the AAAA label.

by BHill on May 6, 2008 10:46 AM CDT 0 recs

Two pitchers, two catchers, potentially

JD might have another busy year.

Sounds like Laird’s on the market.

And in the right deal, JD could even deal Saltalamacchia. Management would have to like what they see from Max or even Tea, and they have through July to look.

And then there’s Millwood and even Padilla. If Hurley looks ready by the trade deadline he could step in, but you’d have to think there’d be an arm coming back for either starter.

If two starters and two catchers become part of the Calendar Year of Rebuilding, plus the draft, it’ll be fun to watch.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on May 6, 2008 11:51 AM CDT 0 recs

No way

They deal both Salty and Laird this year. Ramirez’s defense is not good enough to stick him behind the plate in the bigs and Teas bat isn’t good enough. One will or should get traded but no both.

by bigsteve on May 6, 2008 4:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

Troy Mill

How about a deal to exchange Millwood for Troy Tulowitzki and some throw ins on both sides. (Maybe Beau Jones on our side and someone like Brandon Hynick or Casey Weathers. though their minor league pitching staff is kinda bare, maybe a position player from them. Chris Nelson, or maybe Radames Nazerio. ok, their whole system kinda sucks.) Average AAA age: 25.9, AA age: 24.1, High A age: 23.4. Rangers AAA age 26.8, AA age: 23.7, High A age: 22.2

AAA players under 25:
Tex:
23 Joaquin Arias
23 German Duran (yes I know he’s been promoted)
24 John Mayberry
23 Salty (he’s also been promoted)
23 Taylor Teagarden
22 Eric Hurley
24 Luis Mendoza (promoted and dl’ed)

Col:
24 Christopher Frey
23 Jonathan Herrera
21 Radames Nazerio
23 Ian Stewart
24 Alberto Arias
24 Juan Morillo
22 Greg Reynolds
24 Sean Smith

AA under 23:
Tex:
19 Elvis Andrus
22 Chris Davis
22 Matt Harrison
22 Evan Reed
22 Michael Schlact

Col:
22 Dexter Fowler
22 Christopher Nelson
21 Xavier Cedeno
22 Ching Lung Lo

High A under 21:
Tex:
20 Marcus Lemon
20 Kasey Kiker
20 Omar Poveda

Col:
20 Hector Gomez
20 Aneury Rodriguez

Low A Under 20:
Tex:
18 Engel Beltre
19 Christian Santana
19 Blake Beavan
19 Fabio Castillo

Col
19 Heldar Valezquez

by iblum on May 6, 2008 12:16 PM CDT 0 recs

Colorado would never do that

Millwood and Beau Jones for Tulowitzki and one of their better prospects? Come on.

by Adam J. Morris on May 6, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

?

Why, becasue Colorado isn’t that stupid? How is that any different than Gagne for Beltre, Gabbard and Murphy?

by iblum on May 6, 2008 4:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

Tulowitzki

They just locked him up to a long term deal after 1 season in the bigs. They obviously see him as a cornerstone player for their franchise. Its not like if they don’t win this year they will all be too old to win next year. The core of their team is young and under club control for a long time. Beltre, Gabbard, nd Murphy were not considered anywhere near the same as Tulowitzki

by bigsteve on May 6, 2008 5:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

x

How is that any different than Gagne for Beltre, Gabbard and Murphy?

That was considered an underwhelming return at the time. Gabbard was viewed as a guy who was a back of the rotation starter, at best, and Murphy a 4th outfielder. Beltre was the only really top quality guy in the deal, and he’s years away.

And in this case, Colorado sees Tulowitzki as one of the cornerstones of the team, a top quality young player who is considered their team leader. I don’t see how they’d ever consider dealing him for Millwood.

by Adam J. Morris on May 6, 2008 5:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

That's

Completely unrealistic.

by brettgardner on May 6, 2008 12:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

I got a better idea

Laird for Matt Holliday and Manny Corpas

I’d do Laird for Holliday straight up normally, but our outfield is really jammed, so we need something extra.

by Telegraph on May 6, 2008 12:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

lol

"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 6, 2008 3:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hahahah.

Fuggedaboutit. No way Colorado gives up Tulowtizki.

There is no such thing as global warming. David Murphy was cold, so he turned the sun up.

by SarasotaRanger on May 6, 2008 6:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed.

Meanwhile, the Denver Post says that the Rockies have inquired about Millwood, but the Rangers aren’t going to just give him away. There’s been some talk in the past that maybe the Rangers should just dump Millwood and get out from under his contract, but really, Millwood’s deal is pretty reasonable, and it isn’t as if the Rangers have lots of other things to spend their money on right now anyway. I’m fine with moving Millwood if we get a really strong package in return, but I don’t see the point in dumping him just to get rid of him.

I’d be happy with a Milwood trade (of course, depending on what we get), just like I’d be happy with trading any of our veterans, but dumping him (or settling for a lesser package than we could get elsewhere and/or later) is a waste.

by philkid3 on May 6, 2008 1:44 PM CDT 0 recs

Also agreed on sending Duran down.

A future starter should be groomed on whatever level he can get regular time and handle it. He shouldn’t just be sitting on the bench because he’s good enough to make the majors.

Now, that changes if you’re a team in competition late in the season, of course (see: Jacoby Elsbury), but we’re a long way from that.

by philkid3 on May 6, 2008 1:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

+1

If you go through the process to add him to the 40 man and bring him up you better play him while he is here. But it is unfair to him and to your organization in the long run to sit him on the bench. This is exactly what options are for. Vazquez is the perfect utility man and until another IF gets hurt Duran needs to go back down to OKC and play everyday

by bigsteve on May 6, 2008 5:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

Duran...

Once Blalock is back he needs to go play in OKC everyday and then can come back in Sept. He has shown that he can play, but I don’t want to see him getting 4 or 5 AB’s a week. That just won’t help him.

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

by slc ranger on May 7, 2008 12:19 AM CDT 0 recs

Concur

I’ve come around on this. Initially, I thought he should have replaced Vasquez and Boggs should replace Byrd, but I’d just prefer for them both to play every day.

"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 7, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up 0 recs