New T.R. Sullivan mailbag up

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 1, 2008 2:32 PM CDT

T.R. Sullivan has a new mailbag column up...

Some interesting responses on Nelson Cruz's future, C.J. Wilson's best role, and the Justin Smoak signing timetable...

Check it out...

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Blalock comment

His health issues have rendered his trade value far below his value to the Rangers.

If Blalock stays at 1B, does he have any value to the Rangers?

Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY

by RangerMad on Jul 1, 2008 2:40 PM CDT 0 recs

Asst. Trainer?

He has lots of medical experience now.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 1, 2008 2:43 PM CDT up 0 recs

why again is it

that Blalock can’t be our 3B?

W: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

by hubcityraider on Jul 1, 2008 3:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Arm shot, little range to start with, injury prone.

Hasn’t had a good season since ‘04.

"And I stopped beating my wife just a couple of weeks ago." -John McCain

by DJCahill on Jul 1, 2008 4:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

Other than those reasons...

...he is George Brett, Wade Boggs and Brooks Robinson rolled into one!

Physician: Primum non nocere

Batter: First, make no out

by Chad Crudup on Jul 1, 2008 4:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

Don't care.

Stick him at 3B and dump him at the end of the season.

by MeanMr.Mustard on Jul 1, 2008 8:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

As if

he is ever gonna be off the DL.

"And I stopped beating my wife just a couple of weeks ago." -John McCain

by DJCahill on Jul 2, 2008 7:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

The Rangers will be a team to watch at the deadline, acting as both a possible buyer for bullpen help and seller of veteran talent. Right-hander Vicente Padilla, the subject of inquiries from the Mets, Yankees and Brewers, among other clubs, is perhaps their most intriguing commodity. The Rangers, however, only would move Padilla if they received quality young pitching in return.

Padilla, who turns 31 on Sept. 27, is on pace to produce 14-plus wins and 200-plus innings for the fourth time. His contract — $11 million this season and $12 million next season with a $12 million option for 2010 — isn’t terribly excessive for that type of performance. And his makeup, an issue in previous stops, has not been a problem in Texas.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8301638/Red-Sox-might-be-wise-to-wash-hands-of-Manny?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=3498#

by laxtonto on Jul 1, 2008 2:44 PM CDT 0 recs

that sounds good

hopefully some of those clubs will over-value him. I have a feeling JD would “settle” for a Matt Harrison type of AA pitcher for Padilla and I would be OK with that.

W: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

by hubcityraider on Jul 1, 2008 2:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

I really don't think so....

I think its going to take more than a “Harrison type prospect” to pry Padilla from the Rangers.

We could easily keep him and have a solid #2 starter for the next 2 seasons…and by the looks of this team this year we will be looking to compete in both 09 and 10.

Its not like this team has quality pitching that throws 200 innings and gives you a chance to win falling out of trees.

I think it will take a teams best pitching prospect to get a deal done for Padilla….and I do not see anyone reaching that price, which means Padilla is not going anywhere.

by clinton33 on Jul 1, 2008 4:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

i probably don't give Padilla enough credit

The results have been there this year and his stuff can be nasty, but I’m not a believer and hope we get something with upside for him. I have my eye on 2010 and think JD could sell pretty high on Padilla right now. However the season’s going well enough that I don’t think the Rangers will stomach the bad PR unless someone just over pays for him.

W: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

by hubcityraider on Jul 1, 2008 11:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Dodgers and LHB

Rosenthal states the Dodgers are looking at Matt Stairs to be a lefty off the bench. I would think that the Rangers could jump in with Cat. There is a money difference, which I am sure the Rangers could work out (Stairs gets $1 million in ‘09 while Cat gets $4 million plus a $2 million buyout for ‘10). What is holding up the deal is the fact that the Blue Jays are not ready to concede that they are out of the race. Trading Cat now, I think, won’t have a huge negative effect on the way this team is playing.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Jul 1, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

LaPorta?

Any chance we can get Matt LaPorta in a Padilla deal?

by Monkey Brain on Jul 1, 2008 3:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

Would have to say no

How about Jeffress as a part of that deal? Two guys I like a little who aren’t real high on prospect lists and fit our needs to a degree: Taylor Green and Alexandre Periard

by zywica on Jul 1, 2008 3:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Zach Braddock!

I have to mention him in every potential trade with the Brewers.

by Butters on Jul 1, 2008 3:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

He's struggled a little

in jumping to High A. I’d take him for sure, but I’d prefer Periard and I have to wonder if Braddock’s drop in performance from Low A to High A doesn’t illustrate how scouts were right that his stuff probably won’t hold up enough for him to be a big prospect.

by zywica on Jul 1, 2008 3:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Green

I like that plate discipline, and with Gamel they might be willing to part with Green. I am not a big believer in Whittleman so I’d be pretty stoked if they found a worthwhile 3B prospect, though obviously, they should go for the best talent package in any deal.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 1, 2008 4:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

Where would Laporta or Gamel play even if we got either? I know thw mantra

get the best talent, but i would prefer talented pitching if possible

by laxtonto on Jul 1, 2008 4:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Huh?

I’m pretty sure you could find a place for guys of that caliber. Who would you hesitate to misplace for them? There certainly isn’t anyone in Gamel’s way in the minors right now, and the organization isn’t exactly crawling with great corner bats.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 1, 2008 4:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

All reports suggest

the only reason gamel hasnt been called up is because his defense is atrocious at 3b. I’m talking extraordinarily bad and he is going to have to move to the outfield if he sticks in the NL.

"Why do you need the stereo and the tv on?"
"Cause I like to pawrty."

by rchawk12 on Jul 2, 2008 1:14 AM CDT up 0 recs

In the case of Milwaukee

I think that the dropoff from those two to Jeffress or whatever other pitcher you like is great enough that you’re best off taking the top asset and potentially spinning it or whoever they would replace for the pitching. It doesn’t matter though, we won’t be trading anything valuable enough to receive Laporta or Gamel.

by zywica on Jul 1, 2008 5:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

Do the Rangers take...

Jeffress plus 2 other guys like a Braddock or Periard for Padilla?

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

by slc ranger on Jul 2, 2008 1:55 AM CDT up 0 recs

D-Backs

Rosenthal also mentions the D-Backs could use a hitter vs. righties a la Cat.

Derek

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

by DerekSTheRed on Jul 1, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ha Ha Mike F. from Oregon got punked byt TR:

Can you please let me know the last time the Rangers came out ahead on a trade? It seems we always get the losing end of the deal.
—Mike F. Eugene, Oregon
You want David Murphy or Eric Gagne?

W: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

by hubcityraider on Jul 1, 2008 2:49 PM CDT 0 recs

that guy probably posts on the ESPN boards

I can’t believe the number of imbeciles that post over there. According to them, the Rangers don’t try to win and are sellers each and every year. Apparently they forgot about the Carlos Lee trade less than 2 years ago. I can see why Ed left that board. What really irks me is the new moderator is a damn Yankees fan.

by Butters on Jul 1, 2008 3:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

ESPN boards

for just about every sport have been trash for years and years

by Dirk Diggler on Jul 1, 2008 3:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

yep

the ESPN boards in general are garbage. Although the Rangers board was much more tolerable back when Ed was the mod. It was much better than having to deal with the douches on the official board.

by Butters on Jul 1, 2008 3:47 PM CDT up 0 recs

+1

except for that last sentence. Not sure exactly what you are implying by the official board. I remember the espn board days and ed was one of the few reasonable voices on there. Then in about ‘99 I found out about the newberg report and eventually lsb and everything changed.

"Why do you need the stereo and the tv on?"
"Cause I like to pawrty."

by rchawk12 on Jul 2, 2008 1:16 AM CDT up 0 recs

yeah

Mike F certainly sounds like the “typical rangers fan” who makes message boards dumber everywhere.

W: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

by hubcityraider on Jul 1, 2008 3:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

I would have gone with max ram or kenny lofton.

2 games over 500 please.

by DSheppard on Jul 1, 2008 5:27 PM CDT up 0 recs

Me too

But some people just refuse to accept value in a player unless he’s performed at the major league level. And something tells me that this guy is one of those people.

by zywica on Jul 1, 2008 5:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

No trade acquistion has value until he has had long term success at the ML level

Didn’t you get the juryistilloutrealbaseballmanmemo?

Duh.

Don't knock masturbation, it's sex with someone I love .

by Brian Thomas on Jul 1, 2008 8:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

Those are the most aggravating people

regardless of what the situation was, regardless of what that player became, regardless even of if that minor league player is a major part of another deal, unless they produce big for the Major League team, that deal is a loss.

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg1 on Jul 1, 2008 10:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

Loved his answer to the last question

by Taylor on Jul 1, 2008 3:39 PM CDT 0 recs

Pitching

I ope some of the fans or Texas sport jocks can give me an honest answer-The Dallas A.M. News sports writers and teh Rnagers Web site wont.
Here goes-I like the Rangers and we have had spring training season tickets for the past several yrs. We sit in asn area frequented by scouts-their chatter and my observation confirms their season so far. No pitching-yes that’s not news BUT kind reproters indicate maybe they only need a starter or a bit of bullpen help. Come on folks ollk at the staqts. Padilla isn’t but he is no “ACE” anyway but Texas, there appears to be no one coming down the immediate pike from the minors, the GM fails to get quality pitching when it is avail via free agency and trades??
What gives in Texas—cheap, dumb or what? You have the hitting now to swap a guy or two (and not be hurt) for some pitching-what’s the deal?
Best,
SCW

by scw on Jul 19, 2008 6:40 PM CDT 0 recs