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Wednesday morning stuff

Th_buckykatt_tiny by Adam J. Morris on

Bah.  Back to .500, yet again.  You know, I'm starting to think...maybe this is a .500 team?  That would certainly explain why the team is hovering around the .500 mark.

Evan Grant says Joaquin Benoit is a mess.  He has almost as many walks so far this year as he did all last year, as he's been unable to command his fastball, and there continue to be questions about whether he's healthy.

Benoit's latest bad outing overshadowed Eric Hurley's 6 inning, 2 run stint, although he walked 3 batters and only struck out 1.  Still, Hurley has come out and been impressive in his first few major league starts, and you have to be encouraged by what he's shown thusfar.

Josh Hamilton's knee is hurting, and he's day-to-day, and presumably will be out today.  The Rangers are already short-handed in the bullpen, with Jamey Wright having left the team to join his wife, who is in labor.

 

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Just to clarify...

I believe Jamey’s wife had the baby yesterday, and he will be out until Thursday. Or so I read somewhere else. Can’t remember where. Congratulations to him. That’s a pretty special occasion if you’re gonna miss some baseball.

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

by utlonghorn24 on Jun 25, 2008 7:51 AM CDT   0 recs

Beniot

I’m sick of seeing his face…

by clinton33 on Jun 25, 2008 8:18 AM CDT   0 recs

I think

that in a better world, Benoit would only get garbage time as the long reliever. Put him in a close game, and watch him fail.

Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes - Shaq

by DJCahill on Jun 25, 2008 9:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The bullpen has been an utter disappointment

The hitting and to little lesser degree the starting pitching have been respectable.

I thought Benoit was getting it together, given last year – boy, I guess I was wrong….

"I should apologize to girls for saying Sexson threw that helmet like a girl. I’m not even sure girls do that." - TAG 05/08/2008

by Captain Fubar on Jun 25, 2008 8:19 AM CDT   0 recs

The starting pitching...

...has not been good but has had to deal with a lot of injuries. We were supposed to have the bullpen depth to avoid this sort of thing. It just goes to show you how hard it is to predict bullpen strength.

by GhettoBear04 on Jun 25, 2008 11:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Is Benoit hurt?

He seems to really be pushing he shoulder through the throwing zone. Last year his arm was lost looser and his velocity was better. Just a thought.

by booyahcaveman on Jun 25, 2008 8:25 AM CDT   0 recs

awww how sweet...

A baby Electrician (s) is on the way! Jamey had to of blown a fuse.

by LAMuscleFag on Jun 25, 2008 8:31 AM CDT   0 recs

Everybody

Take all avaliable cash you have, hit up some loan sharks if you have to.

Bet everything on the Astros tonight. You will live in comfort for a few years.

by SaltyGoesYard on Jun 25, 2008 8:32 AM CDT   0 recs

hmmm that's not a bad idea Salts..

Big Daddy has cleared a space on the mantle for the silver boot already though which is tantamount to a Mark Conner mound visit.

by LAMuscleFag on Jun 25, 2008 9:00 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

my goodness... Big Daddy :o

after seeing that avatar. Now don’t go getting any ideas.

Long time no see… stay out of trouble up there in NYC

Over the years, my favorite pastime outside baseball is driving through a pasture looking at cattle - Nolan Ryan

by hurlerhurley on Jun 25, 2008 3:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks Hurls..

Nice to see you back…No YOU stay out of trouble wink

by LAMuscleFag on Jun 25, 2008 4:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Roster Mismanagement

O.K. its alright to let Milton rest for three or four games because his quad is hurt, but now we are in a very very bad predicament. We have three guys on the roster tonight that can play the outfield Byrd, Boggs, Murph that are respectable, and we have two first basemen who are a liability anywhere else on the field not to mention there, so by not putting Bradley on the DL when he hurt his quad we are screwed, and looking at the 40man IF Hamilton IS hurt then we are really in need of some help b/c J.Borbon is the only other freaking outfielder on the 40man. As far as the electrician goes congrats on the baby man but I think JD should have made some sort of corisponding move to get another reliever in here, THAT might have lost us the game last night, wait no, having to go to Benoit DID lose us the game last night. The way this 40 man has been managed this year has been a FREAKING joke, so your telling me you would have DFA’d Tejeda instead of just keeping Mendoza down to get some actual starts I mean what does it help to let this kid pitch once a week when he could really have been working on his stuff down at AAA and getting right. Just my morning soapbox rant let the ripping commence.

by blueballlefty on Jun 25, 2008 8:41 AM CDT   0 recs

tread lightly......

LSB is “owned and operated” by Wonderboy operatives…....

Please forgive any and all typos, mispellings, etc.
Your kindess in this matter is appreciated.

by red shoe ranger on Jun 25, 2008 9:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wonder boy

The one area I definitely have an issue with when it comes to Daniels is roster management. I hope he’s learning from the roster issues of the past couple years (going back to when Buck was still around). I can deal with losing a relative nobody like Tejeda, but I will be awfully distraught if roster mismanagement causes problems for the wave of talent arriving in a couple of years.

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

by t ball on Jun 25, 2008 12:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

roster management

Other than letting Galarraga get away what roster mishaps has he made? Im not being a smartass just really curious. The way I see it he has cleared room on the 40 man for some young guys we will have to put on in a couple months and other than letting guys like Botts and tejeda go there haven’t been really any huge roster flubs.

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 25, 2008 12:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Interesting.....

The 3 guys we have on the team that have had injury problems in recent years are the same 3 guys who are hurt right now…......I’m not surprised. That’s why they are here and not on a good team.

Hamilton, Bradley, Blalock

Who didn’t see this coming?? Even when we have a good thing going, the baseball gods punish us!!

Sports are such a love/hate relationship!!

"GO RANGERS!!!" - bspate

by bspate on Jun 25, 2008 8:51 AM CDT   0 recs

"That’s why they are here and not on a good team."

You really think there are not good teams out there who wouldn’t trade for Josh Hamilton or even Bradley? Blalock is one thing but Hammy and MOB could easily be on a ‘good’ team.

by Melmart1 on Jun 25, 2008 9:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

BoSox

If only JD Drew was desirable to a winning team

by bushe on Jun 25, 2008 10:58 AM CDT to parent up   1 recs

No, Spate

The Rangers are a love/hate relationship and they give me ulcers.

Just keep your mask on and umpire the game! - Tom Grieve, 5/25/08

by EssBee on Jun 25, 2008 11:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Cruz

With Hamilton and Bradley dinged, why not give Cruz a shot here before the AS break? If nothing else, you let some prospective trade partners get a look at him in the bigs before the trade deadline…although, that might not be a good thing?

I guess it was the beatings made me wise. But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize.

by TheJeezus on Jun 25, 2008 8:58 AM CDT   0 recs

I'm Ron Burgundy?

I guess it was the beatings made me wise. But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize.

by TheJeezus on Jun 25, 2008 9:00 AM CDT to parent up   1 recs

+1

I saw what you did there. Nice.

Physician: Primum non nocere

Batter: First, make no out

by Chad Crudup on Jun 25, 2008 9:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's just a shame that we didn't move Hamilton

before the inevitable dinging.

Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes - Shaq

by DJCahill on Jun 25, 2008 9:05 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm tired

from last night’s game. That should have been Bradley.

Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes - Shaq

by DJCahill on Jun 25, 2008 9:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think

they can get value for Bradley given his history. Better off keeping him unless a team steps up with a great offer. Dump Shelton, trade Cat, but keep Bradley.

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

by t ball on Jun 25, 2008 9:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and to clarify

I’m not saying sign Bradley for a multi-year deal, just keep him the rest of the season and think about re-signing him then.

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

by t ball on Jun 25, 2008 9:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not a fan

of keeping any player to the offseason and then thinking of re-signing him then.

Either extend them a contract offer, or trade them. That would be the way to maximize value. You normally get more for a player by trading them than by letting them go for draft picks.

Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes - Shaq

by DJCahill on Jun 25, 2008 9:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I tend to agree with that...

...2-3 year quasi-team friendly deal or take the best offer at the deadline.

Milton is just the type of hitter this team should value but there are too many other factors at play here, not the least of which is the team is supposed to be still in the rebuilding process.

Physician: Primum non nocere

Batter: First, make no out

by Chad Crudup on Jun 25, 2008 9:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Also with the Angels

playing hot baseball, this thing is pretty much done. Keeping him the rest of the season adds zero value that I see.

It seems to me your plan of holding him to the rest of the season and then thinking of re-signing him is the worst possible plan the more I think about it. Sign him long term now, or trade him.

Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes - Shaq

by DJCahill on Jun 25, 2008 9:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Draft picks

You keep forgetting the draft compensation if we keep him and he signs elsewhere. If JD can’t get an offer greater in value then the 2 firsts, you’re better off keeping him.

Derek

Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!

by DerekSTheRed on Jun 25, 2008 10:48 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't forget that at all

its just that those 2 picks likely end up being 1 fairly mediocre player, and if you can get two AA or better prospects that are likely to make the majors, its a much, much better deal.

Sometime, go through old draft lists and look at the list of picks 16 through the end of the sandwich rounds, and figure the odds. The odds of those 2 picks being 2 top prospects isn’t particularly good.

Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes - Shaq

by DJCahill on Jun 25, 2008 11:06 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

IF

Yes the draft is a crap shoot and guys flame out. That’s why I said you only deal him if you can get more value then the draft picks. In addition, the Rangers have drafted really well the past few drafts. I would rather have TT, Kiker, Beaven, Main, and Smoak then some other 4A player of which we have too many.

Derek

Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!

by DerekSTheRed on Jun 25, 2008 11:09 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Obviously,

I wouldn’t trade him for nothing.

But almost any midseason trade is better than the 2 draftpicks. I see very few trades for a Class A free agent where that isn’t the case. People trying to fill a hole for a playoff push generally ante up more.

Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes - Shaq

by DJCahill on Jun 25, 2008 11:16 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

almost any trade is worth more

than 2 picks, but I’m saying that unless you’re getting at least the kind of high-ceiling players you would draft in return on trade, you don’t deal him. You certainly don’t deal just because you’re not contending, it’s not that bloody simple.

My contention is that because of his history, teams are going to offer much less than a player with that kind of bat should bring back, and trading Bradley for a couple of ho hum Joes is stupid. I’d rather roll the dice with the draft picks, and keep a popular player around. It certainly doesn’t hurt the overall philosophy they’re trying to install to have the young players see him up there working the count.

Everything hinges on the value of the trade offers, obviously.

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

by t ball on Jun 25, 2008 12:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Angels playing hot baseball?

Their pythagorean is 41-37 (their record is 48-30). Are you saying that you expect their pitching to get better through the rest of the season?

by jwiscarson on Jun 25, 2008 12:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Their pitching can't get a whole lot better

Their hitting certainly can.

I was browsing Halos Heaven a day or two ago and Rev showed his complete inability to do any sort of real analysis besides “wins good, losses bad” when he made a post about how the bullpen has nine of the team’s 30 losses. Other posters there pretty much pwned him, posting stat analysis such as how the Angels’ probability to score a run after the seventh inning is less than the bullpen’s probability to allow a run, but the bullpen’s probability to allow a run is pretty good compared to the rest of the league. That all comes into play when the score is tied at 2-2 after seven innings every night.

by Inkara1 on Jun 25, 2008 1:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh, certainly.

I went with pitching instead because they have a few young pitchers, but their offense (or the Hunter/Guerrerro/Anderson/GMJ portion) is pretty old. Do you think their young guys will progress that much?

by jwiscarson on Jun 25, 2008 3:13 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

it doesn't have to get better.

If the Angels play .500 ball the rest of the year, they end up 90-72. For the Rangers to end up 90-72, they have to go 51-33, in other words, play the equivalent of a 98 win pace.

So yes, the Angels played hot enough baseball to bury us. Barring any 2 week winning streak from the Rangers starting right about nowish, its time to sell.

Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes - Shaq

by DJCahill on Jun 25, 2008 4:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes bring up Cruz.

I agree bring up Cruz and see if he finally found it. I also say put Benoit on the DL and send him to th eminors for some rehab work. We could really use last years Benoit.
On a side note I appreciate the note from the Newberg report to make my baseball pants go crazy this early in the morning. Ben Sheets will test the free agent market this winter and he currently lives in Dallas. Nolan Ryan work your magic.

by Ranger Capt on Jun 25, 2008 9:07 AM CDT   0 recs

I say let him go

be a stud somewhere else, if we do call him up and he starts off 2 for 10 then we will just DFA him and he will succeed elsewhere

by blueballlefty on Jun 25, 2008 9:12 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

R.A. Dickey

Pitched a 7 inning shutout against the Mets last night.

Let the constant Ranger pitching bitchslap continue.

by SaltyGoesYard on Jun 25, 2008 9:17 AM CDT   0 recs

Are you crying?

Over R.A. Dickey?

Seriously?

by Melmart1 on Jun 25, 2008 9:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I will be

When he shuts our ass out.

by SaltyGoesYard on Jun 25, 2008 9:23 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't say that too loudly...

...if Showalter hears you he will track you down and punch you in the “good face”.

Physician: Primum non nocere

Batter: First, make no out

by Chad Crudup on Jun 25, 2008 10:18 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

Showalter hates me because I don’t “look like a ballplayer.”

by FuturePants on Jun 25, 2008 11:06 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes but wasn't Showalter in charge when...

...he got way too many opporunities at the major league level?

Specifically he should never have broken camp on the big league roster that year.

Physician: Primum non nocere

Batter: First, make no out

by Chad Crudup on Jun 25, 2008 2:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

Yeah…he was coming off a streak of 7.1 innings where gave up 14 runs…

I guess it was the beatings made me wise. But I'm not about to give thanks, or apologize.

by TheJeezus on Jun 25, 2008 9:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1000

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

by SarasotaRanger on Jun 25, 2008 10:30 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

That says more about the sad state of the Mets right now than it does about R.A. Dickey.

Anyone else notice that Felix Hernandez hit a grand slam off Johan Santana, and it pretty much made the season for our friends at LL?

by Inkara1 on Jun 25, 2008 1:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Here we go

For all you crybabies out there who bitch and moan about giving up Volquez tonight is your chance to see what this team would look like without Hamilton and Bradley. Without Hamilton everybody in the lineup suffers and with Bradleys injury history you knew he would miss some time this year even if it is only a few days. Tonight we get to see exactly how wonderful it would look to see a lineup featuring Marlon Byrd at cleanup. Volquez has been great but without Hamilton you could run 5 Cy Young winners out there and this team would still suck.

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 25, 2008 9:31 AM CDT   0 recs

I dont think....

........ anybody except Cahill has griped about that trade I might be missing something but I dont think anybody has a problem with the Hammy deal. Now if he misses an extended amount of time this year and next then people will have a big problem with it.

by blueballlefty on Jun 25, 2008 9:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and now

Cahill even took that back.

by blueballlefty on Jun 25, 2008 9:35 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Volquez

I guess I am just tired of hearing how great the guy is doing and that we always trade away our pitching. Seems people forget who we got back in that deal alot of times. Like Hamilton just appeared out of nowhere and put on a Texas uni. I would love to have Volquez don’t get me wrong but what he can do for us every 5 days does not measure up to what hammy does for the entire team every night

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 25, 2008 9:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I totally agree

...... and I LOVE HAMMY, but this deal will be heavily rediculed if Hammy is consistently hurt.

by blueballlefty on Jun 25, 2008 10:00 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Consistantly yes

But if he misses a few games here or there it will still be a win in my eyes.

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 25, 2008 10:11 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Cahill

has always been strongly in favor of the trade. You can’t do much better than a CF who hits like an elite COF. Thats a rare commodity.

Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes - Shaq

by DJCahill on Jun 25, 2008 9:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

well

if Volquez was on the mound we would only need to score 2 runs.

Oh wait….hed only go seven and then the pen would come in and blow the game.

At any rate Volquez would be more valuable to THIS team than Hamilton. Quick, everyone run to their pythagorean and win shares formula to “prove” me wrong.

Please forgive any and all typos, mispellings, etc.
Your kindess in this matter is appreciated.

by red shoe ranger on Jun 25, 2008 9:46 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I doubt it

any starter going every 5 days with this bullpen would have problems winning without Hamilton’s offense.

Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes - Shaq

by DJCahill on Jun 25, 2008 9:49 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

correct on the pen issue

wrong on the offense. This would still be an above average offense without Hamilton and more than enough for a CY Young candidate to win games

Please forgive any and all typos, mispellings, etc.
Your kindess in this matter is appreciated.

by red shoe ranger on Jun 25, 2008 9:51 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No it wouldn't

Why do you think MB is having not a career year but an out of his mind career year? Its because of Hamilton. Bradley gets the luxury of hitting either with nobody on base because Hamilton has knocked them in so he can be selective. Or he has plenty of guys on base because of the three guys in front of him in the lineup. Hes in one of, if not the, best positions in a lineup in all of baseball right now. Hamilton is that kind of force that he affects the entire lineup from leadoff to #9. And with Bradleys injury history without both of them you will get to see tonight how pathetic our offense is going to be. Oswalt should eat this lineup alive tonight.

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 25, 2008 10:10 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

you're kidding me, right?

you are against the hamilton trade?

Rare Gnats Sex

by ab03 on Jun 25, 2008 10:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

not kidding....

I’d take Volquez back for Hammy right now, straight up. Problem with that is Cincy wouldnt even think about it.

Please forgive any and all typos, mispellings, etc.
Your kindess in this matter is appreciated.

by red shoe ranger on Jun 25, 2008 10:23 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Neither team

would undo that trade right now, you fool. This deal has worked out spectacularly for both teams. The Rangers would not be in contention with Volquez but without Hamilton; they’d still be a .500 club.

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

by t ball on Jun 25, 2008 12:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

which drop-off is greater?

the difference between: Josh Hamilton and Marlon Byrd, or

Edison Volquez and Jason Jennings?

I would have rather started the year with Eddie V and Byrd rather than Jennings and Hamilton, and you’d still have Galarraga to boot.

Lets see….if you dont make the trade your rotation would currently be:
1-Volquez
2-Millwood
3-Padilla
4-Galarraga
5-Feldman or Gabbard
with Hurley waiting in the wings.

If Hamilton helps the entire lineup 1-9 than I would certainly say having Volquez at the top of the rotation makes your entire staff stronger as it pushes every one down a slot and the pen gets either Gabbard or Feldman in long relief.

Please forgive any and all typos, mispellings, etc.
Your kindess in this matter is appreciated.

by red shoe ranger on Jun 25, 2008 2:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

you're not going to win this argument, Shoe...

...but, i didn’t want to trade Eddy V. either…

by oc on Jun 25, 2008 2:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

it's the blind....

leading the blind.

Please forgive any and all typos, mispellings, etc.
Your kindess in this matter is appreciated.

by red shoe ranger on Jun 25, 2008 2:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not an either-or argument, though

If Volquez stays in Texas maybe he doesn’t make the arm angle adjustment and doesn’t pitch as well. Meanwhile, the Rangers still have a deficient outfield, both offensively and defensively. Would it be nice to still have Volquez? Of course, but you have to give to get, and I still say neither team would undo that trade. Everyone in baseball thinks that, from MLB people to local and national media. It’s not controversial to say that both players are having great seasons and the trade has worked out for both sides.

And the Rangers have more pitchers with a chance to contribute than they do outfielders that can play CF well. I doubt any of those arms does as well as Volquez, but you can be damn sure none of the outfielders close to the majors is going to do as well as Hamilton. The long term plan is served at least as well by having an MVP caliber player in CF as it is by having Volquez in the rotation, all things considered.

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

by t ball on Jun 25, 2008 3:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

does it mean anything...

...that a young pitcher can go somewhere else, free to toss the ball any way he wants… devoid of any arm-angle requirement set upon him by an organization… and be as effective as he has?

by oc on Jun 25, 2008 3:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

so

you wouldn’t trade Hamilton for 5 cy young winners. got it.

by SteveP on Jun 25, 2008 9:47 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Why does everyone keep bringing up the trade right now?

Look, the season isn’t even halfway over yet, and we’ve been making arguments as to who won the trade. Let the season play out, and if Volquez continues at the CY Young pace, and Hamilton continues on the MVP pace before this recent streak, then we might have an argument