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Thursday morning stuff

Th_buckykatt_tiny by Adam J. Morris on

Outstanding start by Vicente Padilla last night.  Evan Grant says it the best start Padilla has had since coming to Texas, and once again, Padilla succeeded when relying on his fastball.

I was surprised Padilla was lifted when he was.  He was only at 91 pitches, appeared to still be blowing and going, and I expected he could have gone back out for the eighth.  I'm not sure if Washington and Mark Connor felt Padilla was out of gas, or if they were just being conservative in going to the pen, but personally, I'd be more comfortable leaving the guy who had been dominating all game out there for another inning than going to the bullpen for someone who has been a little shaky this season, and you don't know if he's got his good stuff or not.

Grant's game story also says that Michael Young is day to day with his injured hip flexor, and didn't rule out playing tonight.

Grant has some bloggy notes from last night's game that includes praise for Brandon Boggs, whom Grant says plays the game with an "infectious energy." 

Jeff Wilson discusses Sidney Ponson's career resurrection over in the S-T today.

In case there was any question about it, T.R. Sullivan says the Rangers are committing to a platoon of Frank Catalanotto and Chris Shelton at first base, and don't have any plans for Ben Broussard to start again anytime soon. 

Sullivan also says that John Patterson has had a setback in his return, and is heading back to Dallas to be checked out, while Luis Mendoza had a good throwing session yesterday.

The way Scott Feldman and Sidney Ponson are pitching, though, Mendoza may not have a job in the majors when he's ready to return.

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Padilla

While I agree he could and probably should have gone out there in the 8th I don’t think it was a bad decision to go to Benoit and Wilson. As a manager you have to show faith in those two guys especially since they are supposed to be your top two relievers.

by bigsteve on May 8, 2008 9:35 AM CDT   0 recs

Contracts

I have a question about the contracts of Bradley, Ponson, and J-Wright. I don’t know their deals, so, do we have a good chance of keeping them if they deliver in 2008?

by 3Bagger on May 8, 2008 9:36 AM CDT   0 recs

contracts

Bradley: Will most likely be traded during the season. personally i am leery giving him any type of long term deal unless it was similar to the one Detroit gave Ordonez in the fact that it only pays big money if he is healthy. Still relatively young and considering the lack of prospect options I think he could be one of those veteran leaders in a year or two when we are contending again

Ponson: If he keeps this up he could land a ML deal somewhere. I wouldn’t want to do any type of long term deal but his stuff has been fantastic so far and unless we just don’t have room for him I could see us giving him a 1 year deal

Wright: I think he has entrenched himself as a solid MR/LR. This point in his career I think he is on 1 year deals until he retires. Sounds like he likes Texas so I think he will be around next year

by bigsteve on May 8, 2008 9:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Contracts - Reply

Ponson’s ball is really moving. I would keep him until he proves unworthy. Thanks for the comments. I have not had as much time this season to dig into the details. The Padilla I saw last night was nothing like the man I once knew.

by 3Bagger on May 8, 2008 9:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Padilla

I wonder if Conner told Padilla in the seventh after the two walks that this was his last inning and that is when he turned up the fastball and gave maximum effort for 15 pitches.

Danks, Volquez, Galarraga and Young are GONE! GET OVER IT! Endless whining will not bring them back!

by LBBRangerFan on May 8, 2008 9:36 AM CDT   0 recs

I wasn't terribly upset at the time

and in hindsight, it was probably really the right decision. Noone knows whether he gassed himself in that 7th or not, but he blew those guys away so it sounds plausible.

In the past, I’d say Padilla pulled himself or begged out of returning, but this is not the same Padilla. He’s earned a little benefit of the doubt. Wash has made some weird moves. This probably isn’t one of them. There was probably good reason for the move. Still made the remainder of the game feel like more of a nail-biter.

by bhudson on May 8, 2008 9:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Padilla...

I think it had more to do with his pitch count in his last couple starts. I believe TAG mentioned that. It makes sense to me as well. Plus the only 2 guys he walked were in the 7th inning and he did have to throw 25 or 26 pitches that inning.

I was ok with the decision. This team needs Jack back to what he was last year. No reason for Vicente to throw 115 pitches in every start, just my opinion.

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

by slc ranger on May 8, 2008 9:38 AM CDT   0 recs

I thought that, too

Padilla had a higher pitch count in his previous start so I thought that might have factored in the decision, though I didn’t hear Grieve’s comment.

Am I the only one who winces at the complete and total substitution of TAG for Tom in the broadcasts? I think that used once in a while a nickname like that is ok, but it seems like he’s never called Tom anymore. It’s a small thing, I know, but one straw on the camel’s back that makes me turn down the sound.

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

by t ball on May 8, 2008 10:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought the new idea was to

have starters pitch 100 pitches every night, occasionally running it up to 120 or so. I guess 91 is close enough… especially since he was over 120 two starts ago. Maybe they figured if he went out for the eighth inning he’d finish it at 110 pitches or so and didn’t want to push him that far.

by Inkara1 on May 8, 2008 10:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Padilla is currently

4th overall in pitches thrown this year, with 817, avg. 16.1 per IP. What I thought was great last night was how efficient he was. I’d love to see him remain among the leaders in IP, but drop in # of pitches a bit.

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

by t ball on May 8, 2008 10:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Feldman...

if he pitches well in his next start then Mendoza will be in AAA for awhile. Plus you have the Pirate who looked pretty good in his spot start and Mathis doing well in OKC.

Mendoza may not get another start with the Rangers for some time.

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

by slc ranger on May 8, 2008 9:40 AM CDT   0 recs

Mathis

He is not on the 40 man roster so he will have to really impress to jump over Murray, Mendoza and Feldman in the pecking order

by bigsteve on May 8, 2008 9:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Mendoza

Is overrated. I don’t think he’s really got anything on AJ Murray, or Scott Feldman 2.0.

Feldman 2.0 needs to remain a starter – he doesn’t look like he does as well coming out of the bullpen, but so far, starting seems to have been his magic elixur.

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

by lonestarJon on May 8, 2008 3:28 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Weren't you just saying...

2 weeks ago that Feldman sucks?

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on May 8, 2008 3:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Mendoza as overrated

I don’t think anyone views him as anything more that a potential decent #4 or #5 starter. Unless you think he is incapable of being in a rotation, that wouldn’t seem to be overrating him.

by Adam J. Morris on May 8, 2008 3:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, at the start of the season

The consensu was pretty much that Mendoza > Murray. I’m just saying that hasn’t turned out to be the case, and I don’t think he should have any edge over Murray or Feldman concerining a rotation spot when he comes off the DL

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

by lonestarJon on May 8, 2008 3:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The Rangers

apparently viewed him as a better SP option than Galarraga, and I thought that decision was dumb from the get go.

Pedro: "I wasn't cockfighting, I just have a wide stance."

by tricer on May 8, 2008 8:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Mendoza

I was just thinking this morning, he probably doesn’t have a job when he comes back. The replacements are just pitching too well.

"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 8, 2008 9:51 AM CDT   0 recs

Ponson appears to be legit,

although the sample is only 3 starts but i’m not sure Feldman will keep up the pace and we’re also not sure how Gabbard’s going to go so, personally i’m glad Mendoza is throwing well.

Also, i’m with bigsteve, thought Padilla looked gassed after the 7th.

-Brought to you by chocolate cookies with white stuff in-between.

by jcAustin on May 8, 2008 9:55 AM CDT   0 recs

Chris Shelton

How long will it be until Shelton is the new Broussard? I don’t know that they are much different. I’m not real thrilled about having Cat there either. I would almost rather have Mench at 1B rather than any of those three.

Thoughts?

I'd love for part of the "new look" to be a return to the red uniforms of the 1990s. - Ian Kinsler

by ortonius on May 8, 2008 9:56 AM CDT   0 recs

NO

I would rather have Jason Botts’ defense than Mench’s at 1B

by bigsteve on May 8, 2008 9:57 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Mench

isn’t a first baseman and can’t even hit at AAA. Why would anyone want him up over Botts, Shelton or Cat? Hopefully the Shelton/Cat tandem can hold it together until Davis is ready.

by Jack Nicholson 1974 on May 8, 2008 10:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Mench

Why would you rather have Mench at 1B than Cat?

by Adam J. Morris on May 8, 2008 10:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Probably

just to get a rise out of us…

by bhudson on May 8, 2008 10:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

same reason people wanted sosa at 1b probably

"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 8, 2008 10:14 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

almost

I would [b]almost[/b] rather have Mench at 1B rather than any of those three.

by Trosey on May 8, 2008 10:18 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Cat

For all the crap he’s gotten, he’s hit well this season.

by Adam J. Morris on May 8, 2008 10:21 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yep

cat should be our everyday 1st baseman right now.

just got ownaged

by Longhorn on May 8, 2008 10:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Absolutely agree

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

by SarasotaRanger on May 8, 2008 10:46 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Platoon 1B against righties maybe.

I wouldn’t want to see him against lefties though.

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

by DJCahill on May 8, 2008 10:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep

Cat and Shelton platoon at 1B is the best option.

by Adam J. Morris on May 8, 2008 10:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

That should have been the way it shook out this offseason.

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

by lonestarJon on May 8, 2008 3:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Cat started off really slow

But he’s picked it up again. Still don’t want him in the OF ever again, but at 1B he’s our best option.

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

by lonestarJon on May 8, 2008 3:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, he's fairly nauseating

in the OF. However, 1B is almost like DH, so he should be fine there. His noodle arm shouldn’t cause many problems.

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

by DJCahill on May 8, 2008 3:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Botts

He sort of looks like the org’s tossed off one-night stand at this point, but I’d be deeply delighted if he becomes the best option at 1B, over Shelton and Broussard (poor bats) and Cat (poor D).

Probably won’t, but man I’d like that to happen.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on May 8, 2008 10:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd be surprised

if he got another shot. AAA is filling up with folks who are probably more likely to get called up.

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

by DJCahill on May 8, 2008 10:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Mench is only hitting .267 at AAA

He doesn’t deserve a shot with the big club right now. Mench is done.

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

by lonestarJon on May 8, 2008 3:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

that's just what I was thinnking

Time for Nate Gold…Shelton can move on

by SanDiegoKev on May 8, 2008 3:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Shelton

Is useful, because he can be a third catcher. What makes everyone think Nate Gold, who has never had an MLB at-bat, is going to be better than Chris Shelton, who currently is only going to be the right-handed half of a platoon anyway?

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

by lonestarJon on May 8, 2008 3:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We don't need a 3rd catcher

I would put Gold there and see what he does and if he doesn’t pan out either, he can join the list of DFA’d and cut. If he never gets a MLB at-bat, we won’t ever know anything. maybe, he’s not better and if he’s not, they can all go!!! bring them up, try them out, and do something.

by SanDiegoKev on May 8, 2008 3:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If Salty...

is going to get any DH at bats, we could use an emergency catcher.

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on May 8, 2008 3:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Can a DH be moved to a postion during a game

if the catcher goes down, can the DH be moved to catcher?

by SanDiegoKev on May 8, 2008 4:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No.

If the DH catches, the pitcher has to hit.

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on May 8, 2008 4:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

IC

well, that does help Shelton’s case, but if all he can do is hit 079, maybe a pitcher could do as good.

by SanDiegoKev on May 8, 2008 5:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Nate Gold

the last thing I want is another guy who can’t hit in the majors with a bunch of people whining that he hasn’t had enough at bats yet to prove himself.

Lets limit the people on the roster to those that can actually contribute to this organization in a non-trivial way

by JBImaknee on May 8, 2008 5:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Which sure isn't

Broussard or Shelton, then who?

by SanDiegoKev on May 8, 2008 6:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What's the point in rebuilding

if they never try any of these guys out?

by SanDiegoKev on May 8, 2008 6:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Nate Gold

If I’m going to build a house I want bricks, not straw or twigs. He is not part of the future, or even the present. He’s just an organizational soldier good for emergency injury replacement.

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

by t ball on May 8, 2008 7:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Cutting both Broussard and Shelton

I never was in favor of either of these guys from the beginning. This would then make an emergency-to-fill-postion at 1st B.

by SanDiegoKev on May 8, 2008 7:34 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Why would we try out Gold?

He hasn’t hit well enough in the minors to show that he warrants getting a serious look in the majors.

by Adam J. Morris on May 8, 2008 7:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Because...

...he’s not a good player.

I don’t understand why you’d bring him up when he isn’t a good defensive first baseman and is only putting up around an 850 OPS in the PCL.

by Adam J. Morris on May 8, 2008 7:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd rather look at him

then one more day of Broussard or Shelton

by SanDiegoKev on May 8, 2008 7:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Gold

You realize he’s older than Shelton? Only by a couple of months, but still…

by Adam J. Morris on May 8, 2008 7:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah, well

give him a few hundered at bats, if he sucks he can join the other two on the unemployment line.

by SanDiegoKev on May 8, 2008 7:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I just realized...

Lost in all the hoopla of an awesome win…

Mark Connor actually visited the mound, and the visit was followed by success.

by bhudson on May 8, 2008 10:08 AM CDT   0 recs

Metcalf

Begins a rehab assignment tonight.

If he’s ready before Blalock’s back, would he displace Duran?

Thoughts? I lean towards playing him and sending Duran back to AAA.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on May 8, 2008 10:38 AM CDT   0 recs

Metcalf

I think as long as Duran is holding his own and able to play everyday up here the Rangers will just send Metcalf to OKC and let him get started there. He’s missed a lot of time so plugging him directly into the major league lineup would be kinda difficult. Also since they added Duran to the 40 thus burning an option you might as well see what the kids got.

by bigsteve on May 8, 2008 10:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Meh

I’m underwhelmed by Metcalf.

by Adam J. Morris on May 8, 2008 10:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

Don’t really get all the hype for Metcalf.

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 May 8, 2008 2:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Isn't he on the 60 day DL?

Would he even be eligible to return before June?

by JBImaknee on May 8, 2008 10:54 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Late May

He will probably take the entire 30 day rehab assignment since he hasn’t played since spring training.

by bigsteve on May 8, 2008 11:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I would think they would option him...

...when he’s eligible to come off the 60. That way he will not be earning major league pay or getting ML service time (as he does while on the 60).

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 May 8, 2008 2:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Metcalf

isn’t on the 60-day DL. Rheinecker, Diamond, and McCarthy are the three Rangers that are on the 60-day DL.

by Randy Richardson on May 8, 2008 3:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Anyone notice

that Teixeira still acts like an 8-year old in a toy store everytime the Braves win or he does something good?

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

by SarasotaRanger on May 8, 2008 10:52 AM CDT   0 recs

offseason

Too bad he will leave them in the offseason.

by Excel Hearts Choi on May 8, 2008 10:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd like to see my players

excited when their team wins or they do something good.

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

by DJCahill on May 8, 2008 10:54 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well

we never really saw that from Teixeira while he was in Texas. Glad that he’s happy now. I’m happy with him being in Atlanta

by JBImaknee on May 8, 2008 11:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Deliberate

Maybe I’m cynical, but the newfound excitement may be a way to sell yourself as a passionate player and clubhouse motivator. With Teix, I think everything he does is for the purpose of getting a larger contract.

by Jack Nicholson 1974 on May 8, 2008 12:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Who cares

He was the best player on the club, when he was here, and he played to win.

It really gets tiresome to hear the bitching about players who realize that baseball is in fact a business, and their business dealings in the game are the most important decisions they will make in their lives.

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

by DJCahill on May 8, 2008 1:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not me

I don’t care – I was just offering a possible explanation on the subject matter of the original post. Settle down.

by Jack Nicholson 1974 on May 8, 2008 1:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed...

...that line of thinking always bothered me, especially when all A-Rod did while he was here was be a perennial MVP candidate.

Personally I feel Teixeira is a douche but the guy was a great player here and I wish there was a way he could have spent his entire career here.

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 May 8, 2008 2:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Salty

is very impressive behind the plate. Love seeing the big guy get small back there with that low target.

by SteveP on May 8, 2008 11:15 AM CDT   0 recs

Yah

His work behind the plate has arguably been on par or better than Gerald Lairds of late. The only problem is, his hitting is all of a sudden on par with Gerald Laird’s, too.

A Lonestar in California - 2.0

by lonestarJon on May 8, 2008 3:33 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Laird...

is hitting better, actually.

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on May 8, 2008 3:54 PM CDT to parent up