On getting Chris Davis to the majors

by Adam J. Morris on Jun 17, 2008 10:16 AM CDT

There has been a line of thought that says that Hank Blalock's presence at first base will prohibit the Rangers from bringing up Chris Davis, which makes moving Blalock to first base a mistake.

Now, personally, I'd just as soon see Davis spend a little more time in AAA. Assuming he plays this evening, tonight's game will be his 100th game above A ball. He's only 22 years old. He's been working on plate control issues and cutting down his strikeouts. I don't think him spending another 4-6 weeks in AAA refining his approach at the plate would be a bad thing.

That being said...if the Rangers want to jump him to the majors right now, Blalock wouldn't necessarily be an impediment.

Let's say on Monday, the Rangers decide they want to activate Blalock from the d.l. and call up Davis. They could make room on the 25 man roster by DFA'ing Chris Shelton and sending Brandon Boggs back to AAA.

Your everyday lineup would look something like this:

Kinsler -- 2B
Young -- SS
Hamilton -- CF
Bradley -- RF
Blalock -- 1B/DH
Murphy/Byrd -- LF
Salty/Laird -- C
Davis -- DH/1B
Vazquez -- 3B

You have a bench of Cat, Duran, and whichever of Murphy/Byrd and Salty/Laird aren't starting.

Now...that's an extremely lefty-centric lineup, and there's almost no playing time for Cat. But that's also not a long-term lineup...it is the lineup you'd be running out there until you deal Blalock or Bradley. And it allows you to get Chris Davis pretty regular major league playing time until one of those guys is moved.

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Blalock at DH

that may be their contingency plan and one I’d support if they trade Bradley.

A lot of folks here are dead set against trading Bradley, but he is the 2nd best trade chip the Rangers have (outside of Salty, age, team control for years, health, position, etc.). Trading Blalock is probably going to net next to nothing now even if he comes back and plays well. Bradley is the best hitter in the AL and comes cheap. He’s a rental which mitigates his value a bit, but he’d still bring back a nice piece of the future.

Patience is required either way. Davis will be up soon enough. The catching situation will be resolved soon enough. Feliz, Borbon, etc. will be promoted soon enough, it’s only mid-June.

...and curse Sir Sidney Ponson, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on Jun 17, 2008 10:24 AM CDT 0 recs

I'm not sure if this is what you meant...

but even as a Rental, if Bradley continues to play at this elite level for any team he’s traded to, they’re certain to pick up two early draft picks for him, if they can’t resign him.

That is just one of the reasons it won’t hurt the Rangers if nothing happens with Bradley.

Go Vote for Kinsler, Young, Hamilton, Bradley and write in Murphy. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ballot_reg.html - Vote up to 25 times on as many email accounts as you can think of!

by tdi1985 on Jun 17, 2008 10:48 AM CDT up 0 recs

Except with those 2 picks

you’ll be lucky to get one decent (probablynot great) player. Generally, its better to trade for value than settle for draft picks.

Sharky said it, I believe it, that settles it

by DJCahill on Jun 17, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up 0 recs

Sorry

Draft picks are not nothing, actually.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jun 17, 2008 10:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

There not nothing`

but they are significantly less than trade value most of the time. You are probably much better off trading for a player who is close to the majors, than getting 2 draft picks who may or may not get close to the majors. If you look at all picks from 16 to the end of the sandwich round, you will see a whole lot of failed bits in there.

Sharky said it, I believe it, that settles it

by DJCahill on Jun 17, 2008 10:59 AM CDT up 0 recs

there vs they're...

... and i thinkt he picks are significant for the team we are trading the game to… enough to mitigate the players they’ll have to give up to get him and his OBP…

To be fair... You are a fan of School of Rock so your ability to judge anything is VASTLY overrated!!!!
~King Billy Royal, Minor League Ball

by ivysafety39 on Jun 17, 2008 12:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah, I'd rather

get someone much closer to the majors than a draft pick. You know so much more about a player who has been a pro for a couple of years than you do about draft picks, it’s a much smarter bet.

...and curse Sir Sidney Ponson, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on Jun 17, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up 0 recs

I agree with that

but my point was more along the lines, that it’s not a complete loss… especially for a team that trades for Bradley and can’t resign him.

Go Vote for Kinsler, Young, Hamilton, Bradley and write in Murphy. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ballot_reg.html - Vote up to 25 times on as many email accounts as you can think of!

by tdi1985 on Jun 17, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

I was looking at draft picks more from that angle.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jun 17, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ah, yes

Well, a win-now team might take that into consideration. And with Bradley, being a rental might be preferable given his injury history.

...and curse Sir Sidney Ponson, he was such a stupid git.

by t ball on Jun 17, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up 0 recs

of course

it all hinges on him continuing to play this well. From what I remember, Gagne was only a type-B this off-season.

Go Vote for Kinsler, Young, Hamilton, Bradley and write in Murphy. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ballot_reg.html - Vote up to 25 times on as many email accounts as you can think of!

by tdi1985 on Jun 17, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up 0 recs

right.

is it a foregone conclusion that he’s an A?

what is the criteria – exactly?

by sam in so cal on Jun 17, 2008 11:43 AM CDT up 0 recs

The criteria is that he is in the top 30 percent

of players at his position category (OF, DH, 1b).

How Elias does those ratings I’m not entirely sure, but considering his OPS+ last year was 153 and this year is 191, he’ll certainly be a type A, regardless of how he finishes this year. Remember Gagne was injured most of the year before, so he must not have had the cumulative stats necessary.

by JBImaknee on Jun 17, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up 0 recs

injury

Gagne missed practically the entire year two years ago which affected his FA status. MBs year last year was good enough that along with this he will be a type A

Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.

by bigsteve on Jun 17, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up 0 recs

Gagne also tanked in Boston

for whatever that’s worth

by MeanMr.Mustard on Jun 17, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

i agree with ya Tball

but only b/c it works best for the club right now in its current situation and its long term plan. if we were in Seattle’s situation, id be more inclined to take picks, and if i were a contender with a deep system id prob take the picks. but we are starting to see young kids on this club and they need help in the next couple seasons to bridge the gap to our A ball guys. thats what makes prospects more valuable to me than the picks.

"There is no reason for me to move to third base," Young said.
-FOTF 5/20/2008

"Well, we are one of the cheapest teams in Major League Baseball"
-Tom Hicks 4/8/2008

by Jayslick on Jun 17, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up 0 recs

You also don't know what draft picks you are getting.

The Rangers have been lucky in recent years to lose guys to good teeams. This results in getting the teams’ 1st pick (16-30) and a supp pick (say mid 40s). Draft picks are great if you know that a team in the top 15 of the league will sign him. But if he goes to a Kansas City, Pittsburgh, or San Diego (a strong possibility), he would end up netting you a 2nd rounder (50-65) and a supp pick (31-50). I’d be very wary of saying that two extra picks between 31 and 65 are worth getting very excited about. Take prospects unless you KNOW he is going to sign with a good team next year.

by JBImaknee on Jun 17, 2008 11:55 AM CDT up 0 recs

San Diego?

Im pretty sure Milton has had enough of San Diego. Trusting a coach who tore your ACL is pretty hard to do.

baseBALLIN!

by kevzta on Jun 17, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

again...

...the only way Bradley should be traded is for an elite pitching prospect in the upper minors.

by oc on Jun 17, 2008 12:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

It will be interesting to see

what Milton’s value is to other teams. I am not sure his value is not perceived to be quite a bit higher by the Rangers than by some other teams. He can not play the outfield on a regular basis yet and rightly or wrongly has his past to live down. I am not sure many teams would be interested in giving him a long term contract for double digit millions or trading a top prospect for him. Just hope it works out best for the Rangers and Milton.

by Jea103 on Jun 17, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

well said.

by oc on Jun 17, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Bradley

He has the highest EQA in baseball.

In 61 games: .329 | .451 | .630 OPS

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jun 17, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

american league.

Bring up Justin Smoak

by DSheppard on Jun 17, 2008 3:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

How about

we cut Cat and keep Boggs up instead if this were to happen. Cat will never be used in the outfield with Byrd and Murphy available and will never be the DH for this team. What if any trade value does he have?

by meatbonelefty on Jun 17, 2008 10:25 AM CDT 0 recs

You make a good point

he doesn’t have much value with Hamilton and Murphy as the left-handed hitters in the OF, and then you’ve got Davis and Blalock playing 1B/DH, both LH. There really would be very few opportunities to play him. The only reason you keep him on the team right now is out of respect.

Go Vote for Kinsler, Young, Hamilton, Bradley and write in Murphy. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ballot_reg.html - Vote up to 25 times on as many email accounts as you can think of!

by tdi1985 on Jun 17, 2008 10:50 AM CDT up 0 recs

we don't

want to eat his contract this year and next. It sucks because he can contribute, but he’s a puzzle piece that just hasn’t found its place. Thank God we had him though or BB would probably still be with us…

by corbsclinton on Jun 17, 2008 10:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

He probably can contribute more

elsewhere. He doesn’t fill any defensive slots, and he can only hit righties, and the lineup is stacked with guys who can only hit righties.

If you could trade his contract and get a Dr Pepper and a bag of cornnuts in return, it would be a good deal.

Sharky said it, I believe it, that settles it

by DJCahill on Jun 17, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

Better be

jalapeno corn nuts.

I was looking for some action, but all I found were cigarettes and alcohol.

by Escher on Jun 17, 2008 11:04 AM CDT up 0 recs

BBQ

To be fair... You are a fan of School of Rock so your ability to judge anything is VASTLY overrated!!!!
~King Billy Royal, Minor League Ball

by ivysafety39 on Jun 17, 2008 12:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ranch

by MeanMr.Mustard on Jun 17, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

+1

by Kinslerhomer on Jun 17, 2008 3:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Or you could trade

Cat for the unfathomable riches a 750 OPS, non defensive player would bring.

Sharky said it, I believe it, that settles it

by DJCahill on Jun 17, 2008 10:25 AM CDT 0 recs

some guys are sluggers, some guys arent.

cat isnt a power guy, but as a lefty coming off the bench, im not sure there are other guys id rather have with a bat in their hands.

"There is no reason for me to move to third base," Young said.
-FOTF 5/20/2008

"Well, we are one of the cheapest teams in Major League Baseball"
-Tom Hicks 4/8/2008

by Jayslick on Jun 17, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up 0 recs

Back in the days

when he was a .370-.400 OBP, that might have been true. Now he is a .350 OBP guy with limited power, and he only can hit righties. Which would be fine, if we needed guys who could hit righties. This lineup really needs guys who can hit lefties. Sammy Sosa would be a better fit for this club than Cat.

Sharky said it, I believe it, that settles it

by DJCahill on Jun 17, 2008 10:36 AM CDT up 0 recs

Sammy Sosa

there aren’t many things that Adam will ban people for, but saying the Rangers should have Sosa would probably tempt him. (I happen to agree with you though – this team is pathetic against lefties, and Sosa was quite dominant against them last year…)

by JBImaknee on Jun 17, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

LOL

It would be tough to argue that a guy without much defensive value who can hit lefties isn’t worth a ton more to this team than a guy without much defensive value who can only hit righties.

Cat was a bad signing, he has been in decline, and the way the team has developed has made him superfluous even if his bat recovered.

Sharky said it, I believe it, that settles it

by DJCahill on Jun 17, 2008 1:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

Trading

Some interesting thoughts

by Zack Morris on Jun 20, 2008 2:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

Like a week or two ago

he was a 370 OBP. So it was true a week ago but not now?

by zywica on Jun 17, 2008 4:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

You really think

at the end of the year, he is a .370 guy?

Sharky said it, I believe it, that settles it

by DJCahill on Jun 17, 2008 4:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm not sure

I think he could be if he got the right kind of PT, almost all of the time against RHP and almost no ABs against lefties. I wouldn’t bet my car on it though.

by zywica on Jun 17, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Put him on Waviers soon

and take the best offer.

by SanDiegoKev on Jun 17, 2008 5:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Murphybyrd and Saltylaird

Murphybyrd sounds like a city to me.

Q: Where do you live?
A: I live in Murphybyrd, TX.

Saltylaird sounds like some sort of drink or some weird pretzel type thing.

Q: What can I get you?
A: I’ll have a Saltylaird and a bowl of peanuts please.

I was looking for some action, but all I found were cigarettes and alcohol.

by Escher on Jun 17, 2008 10:28 AM CDT 0 recs

bradley

you can’t pencil him in every day at RF. At least I’m pretty sure you can’t. Which is fine, it just means that Davis is going to be sitting a bit more than you make it sound

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jun 17, 2008 10:31 AM CDT 0 recs

bradley in RF or gone

those are his 2 options. its very obvious that the rangers are pimping himm out in RF right now to prove to potential buyers that he can play their regularly without any negatives. i tend to think he goes, but if he doesnt he cant just be a DH

"There is no reason for me to move to third base," Young said.
-FOTF 5/20/2008

"Well, we are one of the cheapest teams in Major League Baseball"
-Tom Hicks 4/8/2008

by Jayslick on Jun 17, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up 0 recs

really?

the guy is leading the league in every ratio stat and you don’t want him because he can’t be an every day fielder?

i have no problem with the current DH situation of bradley tearing it up and then occasionally playing badass defense.

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jun 17, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up 0 recs

i love what bradley has brought and MB said himself he wants to play in the field every day as he gets healthier

but other than the last 11 weeks, he has been an injury prone emotional and mental trainwreck his whole career. Its like buying an old car that was in a barn for 200 bucks and selling it 2 months later for 1M buck. ifor the rangers this is as good as it gets.

now you guys can all get attached, you can ignore history, you can ignore that he’s been hurt his whole career, you can ignore that he’s been run out of 7 teams in 9 seasons or something like that, as well as ignore that he’s playing way over his head so far this season. sell me and yourself on how great having MB around for the rest of his career as a ranger . but your just lying to yourself if you expect it to work on any level long term.

get MB regular time in the OF and show he can be healthy and effective there and trade him for some good young pitching.  trade TT and Duran and a High A arm for another high tier young pitcher.

thats how this team is gonna win. scoring runs isnt the problem and wont be in the future. the other team scoring lots of runs, thats the problem and its why until we get good pitching we dont have much of a chance at all.

but by all means, sign MB long-term and who needs pitching?

"There is no reason for me to move to third base," Young said.
-FOTF 5/20/2008

"Well, we are one of the cheapest teams in Major League Baseball"
-Tom Hicks 4/8/2008

by Jayslick on Jun 17, 2008 10:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

supposed to say (after the weird coding happens)

for some young high quality pitching, trade a TT and a duran and a high A arm for another young high quality pitcher.

"There is no reason for me to move to third base," Young said.
-FOTF 5/20/2008

"Well, we are one of the cheapest teams in Major League Baseball"
-Tom Hicks 4/8/2008

by Jayslick on Jun 17, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

i don't see what your post has to do with keeping Bradley at DH

if the rangers trade him, they trade him. if they don’t, there’s no reason he needs to also be able to play RF. He’s just fine as an everyday DH, occasional RF.

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jun 17, 2008 11:48 AM CDT up 0 recs

the problem with bradley at DH...

he goes to the clubhouse and watches the home teams’ broadcasts…

by sam in so cal on Jun 17, 2008 11:50 AM CDT up 0 recs

Two Questions

That I really do not know the answer to.

Is Texas currently the most left-handed lineup in MLB? Would it be with this proposed lineup?

Is it possible that Bradley’s value is so high based on performance right now, that it may not be possible to get equal return? This is a though that I had from the pitching thread. If a player is good enough to be of equal return for Bradley, that player is probably considered untouchable, right? So how do you get a value return for trading board game?

Go Vote for Kinsler, Young, Hamilton, Bradley and write in Murphy. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ballot_reg.html - Vote up to 25 times on as many email accounts as you can think of!

by LBBRangerFan on Jun 17, 2008 10:33 AM CDT 0 recs

equal return

There are lots of ways for equal return. You have to give variables like years until free agency, level they are currently playing at, stats at that level, position played vs need, etc. a value and then equate it to the player proposed. obviously not an exact science, but usually the reason why its never a 1 for 1.

by corbsclinton on Jun 17, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up 0 recs

But that is kind of my point

a few posters have said that they would like a ML ready #2 starter for Bradley. I would agree that this would appear to be an even trade, however, I do not think that there is a team out there that would do this. So, I guess, I am asking, what would be a reasonable trade return for Bradley that is somewhat feasible and would not make most of the posters here at LSB go bananas.( Tough order I know.)

Maybe ML ready bullpen arm and another AA starter? I honestly do not know.
I am just curious what the expectations are for the potential return for Bradley are.

Go Vote for Kinsler, Young, Hamilton, Bradley and write in Murphy. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ballot_reg.html - Vote up to 25 times on as many email accounts as you can think of!

by LBBRangerFan on Jun 17, 2008 10:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

yeah I would think

a team with excess bull pen arms would be a good place to start. As far as getting the starter I would think they would first look at guys that started this year at AA and got promoted based on performance to AAA (like Harrison) and work their way down. Best guess if they were looking for a young starter and a MLB bullpen arm in return which I think would be close to equal return.

by corbsclinton on Jun 17, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up 0 recs

According to B-R.com

Texas is third in plate-appearances by left-handed batters:
(team, PA, AB)
NYY: 1661 1478
NYM: 1660 1462
TEX: 1537 1362

Lucky for me (without a B-R subscription) Texas is in the top 3 for that category, when sorting by teams.

Go Vote for Kinsler, Young, Hamilton, Bradley and write in Murphy. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ballot_reg.html - Vote up to 25 times on as many email accounts as you can think of!

by tdi1985 on Jun 17, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

Thanks

Go Vote for Kinsler, Young, Hamilton, Bradley and write in Murphy. http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2008/ballot_reg.html - Vote up to 25 times on as many email accounts as you can think of!

by LBBRangerFan on Jun 17, 2008 11:04 AM CDT up 0 recs

Modification

Vs. Lefties:
Blalock 3B
Davis 1B
Bradley DH
Boggs RF
Cat Trade/DFA

Is that possible, or are the Rangers pretty dead set on not playing Blalock at 3B at all, even if it would be beneficial to the team in a temporary Vasquez platoon situation?

by MeanMr.Mustard on Jun 17, 2008 10:47 AM CDT 0 recs

Except Blalock

has never been particularly good against lefties. This team could really use a guy on the bench who can hit lefties.

Sharky said it, I believe it, that settles it

by DJCahill on Jun 17, 2008 10:49 AM CDT up 0 recs

true

but short-term I think we’re kind of locked into him playing every day. I don’t expect Blalock to be here at all past this year.

by MeanMr.Mustard on Jun 17, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up 0 recs

Random thought

How much bonanza could well played trades of Saltalamacchia and Bradley get you?

Between Boston, with some injury question marks for both Papi and Manny, and Tampa, which could use some offense, I think there’s a nice market for Milton.

Saltalamacchia’s market I’ve given less thought to.

I’m just luxuriating in the thought of two well executed trades.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jun 17, 2008 11:12 AM CDT 0 recs

Salty at this point is clearly still a bit of a work in progress

So to that end, could we trade him for an established pitcher that could help immediately at the deadline? I know we aren’t trying to win now – nor do I think we should – but it seems like a trade like this would have obvious benefit to us (and a rebuilding club in need of a franchise catcher) while kind of reassuring fans (and Michael Young) that we’re serious about contending very soon.

If we brought back a MLB-ready pitcher for Salty, I think you could more easily justify a Bradley trade to the fanbase and to the team, although I personally would rather see him extended.

by MeanMr.Mustard on Jun 17, 2008 11:17 AM CDT up 0 recs

Do you trade Boston

Salty and Bradley for Buchholz and a couple of their young kids on the farm?

A few weeks ago this was discussed, and it was kind of a mixed response. I seriously think about that deal at this point (the Rangers aren’t winning this year, and we do need to unclog some of these areas), and I’m sure that they may consider it as well – the Yankees are vulnerable but looking to make a big move for a Burnett or Sabathia, and TB has held in there – Boston may feel necessary to compensate for the loss of Ortiz with a big move of their own…

by JBImaknee on Jun 17, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

I don't think they do Salty and Bradley for Buchholz

if they would, we do that in a heartbeat…

by Agreen07 on Jun 17, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Interesting...

If they throw in another highly regarded arm (Masterson, Bowden), I’d do it. So, model it on the Detroit/Florida deal this past winter.

That’s a lot of good pitching depth, ostensibly enough to turn some of it around again if need arises.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jun 17, 2008 12:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Not that it's illogical...

But I think it’s interesting that Adam thinks that one of Blalock or Bradley is getting traded. Sure, it makes a lot of sense, but you could make arguments against both (Bradley being too valuable to the team and Blalock not having enough trade value).

What I would love to see happen is them to trade Bradley and then sign him to a 2 yr (option 3rd) in the offseason. Trading him means that the Rangers most likely won’t finish in the top 15 teams, which means the first round pick is protected. And the next 2-3 years is when I really want him, not necessarily this year. This is supposed to be a rebuilding year.

by GhettoBear04 on Jun 17, 2008 11:43 AM CDT 0 recs

I'm starting to think

that trade value or not, Blalock is not likely to build much more trade value before his contract with the Rangers expires, and, because he has become injury prone, its not worth the $6.5 to re-sign him next year, so you might as well get whatever you can for him.

Sharky said it, I believe it, that settles it

by DJCahill on Jun 17, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up 0 recs