Thoughts from a slient observer

by 3k on Jul 16, 2008 1:39 AM CDT

I've been reading stories and comments at lonestarball since the beginning of last season. It was a great resource for me to share my misery at the way the team began the '07 season with serious fans who understood that this team had a great core and if we could find a way to get straightened out, we had a bright future. (It was also nice because I was in Iraq, and it provided a great diversion.)

I, like every one else here, can now taste that future. WIth the Teixiera trade, we pulled in a slew of prospects that filled our minors with even more depth and excitement. In spite of that excitement, I write this fanpost with the cautious advice to my fellow Rangers fans: slow down. Now is not the time. Don't force tomorrow to come today.

Explanations (and less cliches) after the fold.

I grew up in Dallas around LBJ & Midway on the north side of Dallas. I got into baseball at an early, early age, going to Arlington Stadium to watch games with my dad and rooting for people like Pete Incaviglia. We went to the first game ever played at The Ballpark: an exhibition against the Mets. We went to spring training to see my mom's favorite player who had just left the Rangers and joined the Pirates: Lee Stevens. I got autographs from Ken Hill and Rick Helling. This isn't irrelevant nostalgia; I'm saying this to legitimize my status as a Rangers fan. I've been loyal for two decades.

That loyalty extends beyond a hot streak, beyond optimism, beyond any foolish reactionary suggestions. It's that loyalty that I hinted at in the words at the beginning of this post.

I have been surprised that the talent and potential of the team we now have has come together so quickly. Ian has turned into a superstar. Josh, well, Josh is indescribably great. And we've got so much youth on the team that can do so much in this new era of Rangers history. My point is that I fear our successes will compromise our willingness to continue rebuilding.

In one of my phone calls to my mom about a week ago, we talked about the Rangers. She's a huge Dallas sports fan; loves listening to Randy Galloway, loves her Cowboys, hates Tom Hicks. She said the one thing that I'm afraid most Ranger fans are saying: rebuilding worked, let's start winning. I tried to explain to her that yes, so far the rebuilding moves (Teixiera trade, Volquez trade) have worked wonderfully. But those moves aren't enough to warrant pushing too hard for something this season.

When we traded Tex last year, I told her that this year we needed to commit to the minors and letting the AAA/MLB prospects get some time (Chris Davis, Max Ramirez, Salty, etc.). 2009 was the year to threaten the Angels & A's; I'm still expecting a move this season and one in the offseason, hopefully including Vicente Padilla and one of our catchers. 2010 is the year to demand results.

I just fear that we're going overboard with optimism because we've played so since May. In all reality, does anyone think our rotation is playoff worthy? Is it even one move away?

We've got to hold the line. Continue to bring in youth and potential by shopping off those players who have proven themselves to desperate teams. The Teixeira trade is the prime example. It was a perfect move for the team. Don't let that success fade.

Slow down. Now is not the time. Don't force tomorrow to come today. Because tomorrow's coming soon and it's going to be great for the Rangers.

-3k

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i Hear ya

but I want to see Hicks willing to sign a Sheets or Sabathia type this offseason.

by oneman6tools on Jul 16, 2008 1:55 AM CDT 0 recs

It’ll be better than before. Yesterday’s gone. Yesterday’s gone.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Jul 16, 2008 2:13 AM CDT 0 recs

agree one hundred percent

ill never forget when JD was hired he mentioned a 1 year plan and a 5 year plan, and while have always been skeptical of the 1 year plans they have worked. but the 5 year plan sticks in my mind, its the one i have faith when it comes to winning a world series and in my mind we are in year 3 of that 5 year rebuilding plan.

i really and truly think we have a rare chance to be dominant in our division for the next decade, if we hold true and realize that 2008 and even 2009 just arent our time and continue to purge our one year deals (regardless of talent, yes unfortunately MB too) and veterans over 30 (except MY) for more top tier farm talent and hold true to the 5 year plan.

if we blow it and atttempt to compete too early i really think it could make the whole puzzle fall apart. and i hate to be so crass but, you dont wanna blow your load too early. we cant compete with the top teams for a title this season. period, but we do have a really good chance of being one of the best teams in baseball over the next decade, as long as we continue to follow the 5 year plan.

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 16, 2008 2:49 AM CDT 0 recs

1 yr and 5 yr

It seems the best compromise to address both the one year and the five year plan would be to not trade away any significant MLB pieces (i.e. Bradley) but also don’t trade away any vital prospects for short term help.

by northtexan95 on Jul 16, 2008 7:20 AM CDT up 0 recs

we aquired MB based on the one year plan

and you move him based on the huge return and the goals set for the 5 year plan. playoff and world series contention by the end of the 5 year plan.

the idea that MB will for some reason take a 2-3 year deal at a discount or reasonable deal to stay with the rangers, i see no evidence of (other than fans talking out their ass). i see his value sky rocketing and i see multiple teams offering him 4 years. if i can get a premium pitching prospect for him in some package, you absolutely have to do it or risk losing him and receiving 2 draft picks and worst case scenario a 1st round sandwich and a 2nd.

that would be a disaster.

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 16, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up 1 recs

That's why we try to get something done before the Trade Deadline.

If we don’t, we risk losing him to free agency, yes, but I don’t see him really wanting to go anywhere else if we pony up a fair contract offer anyway.

Ian Kinsler has finally earned the right to be the third of my co-favorite players.

by utlonghorn24 on Jul 16, 2008 2:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

Are you back from Iraq now

or still there? If you’re back, Congrats! If not, try to stay safe and God bless!

As for the Rangers, I agree we are almost there….with each passing day our bright future is that much closer. I wouldn’t blow it all up to win this season. And if we can get a Tex-type package for Bradley and a catcher, I do it!

"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005

by Agreen07 on Jul 16, 2008 8:09 AM CDT 0 recs

Not in Iraq

Yeah, I’m in Germany until November, then I move to Georgia.
I would definitely be willing to package Bradley with a catcher; the only questions are which catcher and who are you getting. But as a move for the health of the team, I can think of few better.

by 3k on Jul 17, 2008 12:34 AM CDT up 0 recs

patience is a virtue

As much as I’d love to see the Rangers make a push for the playoffs right now, I’d rather hold off and continue stockpiling young prospects. We’re not there yet, but it’s getting close. Keep trading away veterans and keep adding youngsters.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 16, 2008 8:29 AM CDT 0 recs

Why can't you

do both? Yes, the trades of 2007 have been excellent and show promise for years to come. Yes, in the past the Rangers have been in a “win now” frame of mind. Yes, the rookies from this year need more ML playing time. Yes, the minors are in exceedingly better condition than in the past.

But…at some point in time, this team will have to bring in veteran players to help stabilize the younger players and lead them through the play offs. Why can’t, as the team gets better through the latter half of 2008 and if the right trade comes JD’s way, can we not continue to build and compete. That will have to be the process in the future, build and compete or we become the Rangers of the past. No, I am not advocating trading off the “farm” for a rental. I’m talking about trade packages that bring ML ready or ML players while trading from positions of wealth, e.g. catcher and possibly low level arms. As we all know, not all of the young arms we have will make it to the ML and at some point in time some of them will have to be traded.

Maybe it is not before the trade deadline this year, but it could certainly be over this coming off season. A package for KC Greinke? A spending spree on Sabathia? Why not? Can you imagine this team with those two guys at the head of the rotation? I really like MB and hope he is a Rangers for the next 2-3 years. I am not in favor of trading him for prospects. If he does get traded, trade him for ML ready or ML player/s. Trade Byrd, Cat, Salty, Laird, or Hank, but keep the base we have now.

Give this team the opportunity to be who they can be. If the right trade comes along, NOT a rental, pull the trigger. As long as it come from a position of strength and provides player/s for the future Rangers.

Build and comptet…

"The path you choose, you also choose its destination..."

by pro82 on Jul 16, 2008 11:44 AM CDT 0 recs

Yes.

You make perfect sense, post more often dammit.

by robert_d_wilfong on Jul 16, 2008 11:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

No offense but

I completely disagree. Danks for Brandon McCarthy was our “ML ready” trade and that hasn’t worked out so well.
McCarthy struggled last year and hasn’t pitched yet this year for us. Danks, on the other hand, is 7-4 with a 2.67 ERA.
Why would you not want to trade Bradley? His value will never be higher, he’s already 30 years old, and this has been his healthiest season in a couple years.
I do question this, though:

Trade Byrd, Cat, Salty, Laird, or Hank, but keep the base we have now

Who constitutes your base? Would Hank and Salty have been in that base at the end of last season?

The reality is, you can build and compete BUT this team doesn’t have the rotation to compete. Our lineup’s great and we have some likeable guys on the mound, but we just don’t pitch well enough to get over the Angels. If you can’t compete, build.

by 3k on Jul 17, 2008 12:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

Would Hank and Salty have been in that base at the end of last season?

Danks for Brandon McCarthy was our "ML ready" trade and that hasn’t worked out so well.

It is too early to tell if that trade was a loser, but just because one trade didn’t come through as you had it designed doesn’t mean you quit. As I said, it would have to be the right offer. and not necessarily before the trade deadline.

Why would you not want to trade Bradley?

I think the Rangers have a keeper for 2-3 years depending on his health, and the contract would take that into count. I think he is tired of 1 year deals and playing for teams with whom he has no “relationship.” I think he has found a home. Do I think he gives the Rangers a discount? Probably not, but he is an intelligent man and he sees what is happening here. I also think others around the league have seen it to. With this offense behind a quality pitching staff, it could really compete.

Who constitutes your base? Would Hank and Salty have been in that base at the end of last season?

Davis, Kinsler, Young, Hamilton, Murphy, Boggs, Ramirez/Salty/Laird depending on what trade package you can fit into another team, Hurley, and MB.

No, but this isn’t last season. In making the list, I figured Byrd and Cat have marginal trade value. Laird or Salty have more. Then couple one of them w/ Hank and you have a more tradeable package than you would individually if Hank comes back and shows he can play.

The reality is, you can build and compete BUT this team doesn’t have the rotation to compete. Our lineup’s great and we have some likeable guys on the mound, but we just don’t pitch well enough to get over the Angels. If you can’t compete, build.

That’s why you work a trade…pitching…pitching…pitching. We all have said it many times, and until it happens, this team will be as the Rangers of old. Who knows which pitching prospect actually makes to to the ML, and if we have an ace in the making? Trading or signing a #1 starter is going to have to happen at some point, and if you get one young enough there is no “too early” with the way this team is looking now. Just not a rental…someone who stays for years with this Ranger team.

"The path you choose, you also choose its destination..."

by pro82 on Jul 17, 2008 4:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

Nice comments

I don’t think we can go into win now mode beginning this trade deadline but it is certainly something plausible to do starting next year.
Clearly if we can go into next year and sign Sheets and trade Salty plus a Main/Beavan/Kiker for Greinke, we could be in business.

That would give us a rotation of:

Sheets
Greinke
Padilla (in a contract year)
Hurley
McCarthy/Harrison/Feldman

That is an above average rotation in my opinion and we could possibly have Feliz as a late season callup if he is doing awesome in AA/AAA.

Our offense can essentially stay the same…JD can trade Blalock and Cat but besides that our lineup is the same (we re-sign Bradley)

So we have a top 3 offense in baseball and an above average rotation…that equals playoffs!

"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005

by Agreen07 on Jul 17, 2008 12:48 AM CDT up 0 recs

Oh and when we trade Blalock and Cat and Millwood

we try to get prospects and quality relief pitchers who we can control for 2-3 years

"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005

by Agreen07 on Jul 17, 2008 12:49 AM CDT up 0 recs

hey bro

dont bogart that shit your smoking. grienke and sheets….

pfftttt

1 (just for you dirk diggler) is an injury disaster and the other is going on his 4th year of service time after this season and wasted one of them insane from the pressure of baseball and would cost a fortune to resign and a fortune in prospects to get in the 1st place. i definitely wanna tie us down financially and thin our prospects situation for those 2…

can i take a wild guess and say your one of the guys that toally ignores TT’s injury plagued career thus far and feels he will be our starting catcher for the next decade and also believe locking up injury prone MB to a long term deal will be the best thing for this club as well?

INJURY PRONE! ppl. understand it. realize the risk. realize our budget. realize our timeframe. realize the cost in prospects and salary allocation.

be f’n patient. youve been a fan of this shitty team forever and we’ve sucked forever, and now when we are right on the cusp of long term success and a chance to throttle the division for a long time, as long as we dont F it up, you guys get impatient? see the big picture.

at least you guys arent my stock broker…

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 17, 2008 2:40 AM CDT up 0 recs

Prospects

are trade chips…you don’t hold onto all of them because only a small percentage of them actually reach their supposed potential. It seems like you want to do nothing and just hold onto everyone and wait. It won’t work out. JD has to trade the ones he thinks won’t reach their potential for studs like Greinke. We can’t just sit back and relax and wait. It won’t work.

"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005

by Agreen07 on Jul 17, 2008 9:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

poker analogy

you dont go all in on a bad hand. we’ve played totally over our heads and really good ball since the slow start and we are still 7.5 out, we still have a rotation in shambles and a bullpen in disarray. do you go all in with your chips given our current team as a whole?

does trading for a grienke give us a solid chance at playoff success in any form this year? no, we have too many holes. ok what if we dont really have a solid chance at playoff success this year and just worry about next year. well, grienke only has a couple years after this before he’s a FA (very key factor in why i hate this idea). what does it take for a solid chance next season if we blew all our chips on greinke and had to go for it? signing a premium FA ace. You want Sheets (whose been injury prome his whole career) so if we trade lets say salty and davis and lemon and an A ball picher for 2 1/3 seasons of greinke and then the only way we could compete is by absolutely not missing out on an ace in FA next year. you just cashed in your prime trade pieces for the concept that the only way we can compete for pennant next season is by not missing on a prime FA pitcher (we havent ever been able to convince one since nolan).

how likely do you think that those moves 1) help us win now 2) the ability and likelihood we sign an ace this offseason

answers: 1) not really still too many holes 2) i dont have remotely that much faith in a) a FA ace coming here and b) tom hicks ponying up to get one. both are pretty unrealistic expectations.

im all for making moves that help us in the long term build a champion. i realize some moves must be made at some point to fill the holes to win it all, but after playing way over our head all season and still being 7.5 out i dont see how any1 in the right mind can view this year as a year to go for it all and trade premium prospects to go all in.

and i notice you totally ignored any discussion of the injury prone aspect of my last post.

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 17, 2008 11:25 AM CDT up 0 recs

dude

read my comments before you respond to them.

You say “what does it take for a solid chance next season if we blew all our chips on greinke and had to go for it?”

Who said anything about blowing all of our chips? I even stated above that we have to hold onto some but trade some as well. So what are you talking about? I want to trade for Greinke and then lock him up long-term. Ben Sheets is injury prone….okay, do you want a cookie? I happen to think despite the injuries in the past he is a risk worth taking. He is proving he can stay healthy this year.

"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005

by Agreen07 on Jul 18, 2008 1:14 AM CDT up 0 recs

You are on fire with your 1's

I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles

by Dirk Diggler on Jul 17, 2008 11:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

Greinke, Greinke, Greinke

I still don’t get why LSB seems to love Greinke so much. I certainly don’t think his style adapts very well to the Ballpark. But that’s for another thread.
If we can get Sheets, that’d be great and a perfect move. But think about the fact that Hurley and Harrison are coming from the farm (with Feliz, Main, Beaven & Kiker a couple seasons away). Why wouldn’t you let that play? If you can package a Blalock or Bradley with one of the catchers, why wouldn’t you add some pitching prospects? It only adds to the chance of us being successful.
Damnit, now you have me thinkin about Ben Sheets being a Ranger.

by 3k on Jul 17, 2008 12:54 AM CDT up 0 recs

Damnit, now you have me thinkin about Ben Sheets being a Ranger.

dont worry, he’ll blow out his shoulder taking the trash out (or yelling at his butler to take the trash out) by the end of the season and you wont have to think about him again.

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 17, 2008 2:43 AM CDT up 0 recs

Greinke

will be one of the top 10 pitchers in baseball for the next few years, mark it down. I think being a very good pitcher profiles well for any ballpark. The opposing pitchers have to pitch there, too.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 17, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up 0 recs

so realisically

how long can you keep greinke if you made a trade today?

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 17, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

As long as you want

If he’s pitching at the level he’s capable of why wouldn’t you sign him long term?

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 17, 2008 11:44 AM CDT up 0 recs

b/c you have a cheap owner

and the big(ger) market teams will just steal him like that will steal MB.

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 17, 2008 11:55 AM CDT up 0 recs

Really?

What evidence do you have that Hicks is cheap? Like when he signed Arod to a $250 million contract? Or when he offered way too much money to Zito and Hunter? Or when he offered $27 mil just to talk to Matsuzaka? Or when he ponied up big bucks to sign draft picks like Teixeira, and at least a couple of over slot picks every year? Yeah, he is real cheap.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 17, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up 0 recs

see liverpool, see liverpool transfer market, see payroll of rangers, see LA FA expenditures this season.

he’s being cheap as shit right now on a club (LFC) that has a good chance too make him a fortune (100M pounds next season) if he just spends some of last years profits to get an (ace) if you will. they will make him a lot more and bring him a lot more glory than the rangers and if he doesnt spend the money by august 31 then he’s a broke mofo.

exhibit A

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 17, 2008 12:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well

tball just listed a bunch of baseball related reasons showing he’s willing to spend. I’d say they’d be more relevant considering it is a separate business entity to the Hicks Corp.

Plaschke: Scioscia, the former Dodgers catcher, is the model manager who has created an atmosphere of winning.
Junior:It's that simple. Mike Scioscia brings a Glade Plug-In labeled "Winning™" into the clubhouse and everyone who breathes it in gains 15 points in average.

by TheBZA on Jul 17, 2008 2:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

nope

in fact, the HSG is literally collateral on the LFC loan.

"Do they know who I am? Do they know my status? Thats what I thought."
-Miles 6/21/08

.501 or bust!

by Jayslick on Jul 17, 2008 3:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think the Liverpool stuff

is more an example of Hicks not understanding the business, not of him being cheap. He didn’t understand how to build a winner in baseball either, probably still doesn’t, but it doesn’t prove he’s cheap.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 17, 2008 3:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

Good stuff

I hope you are back and everythingis well. Thank you for serving our country and defending it.

"Would you mind walking a time or two so I could drive in some runs"? Milton Bradley

by boomer1 on Jul 16, 2008 1:05 PM CDT 0 recs

+1

by corbsclinton on Jul 16, 2008 3:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed

Thank you for serving! We are always thinking and praying for you guys’ safety.

"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005

by Agreen07 on Jul 16, 2008 3:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

Very nice, thoughtful post.

I disagree with the sentiment that the Rangers shouldn’t take a shot this year. Development plans do not dictate whether a team is in contention. The team’s record does.

I’m not saying give away the farm, but if a significant piece for this year and at least next can be found at the deadline, I fully support giving up quality prospects to get it.

I fully do not support a move by JD to get an 8th inning guy whose contract is up at the end of the season. Ditto middle of the order bat. Maybe I would be support of a rental reliever or bat if a significant prospect low-level prospect was thrown in.

Sure, target 2010, but don’t forget about 2008. Alot can happen between now and 2010 (Hammy could get injured, CD could be a bust, etc.) to put all your hopes on the future.

Go Rangers!

by rooster on Jul 16, 2008 6:13 PM CDT 0 recs

Their record...

...says they’re in third place, 7.5 games behind the dreaded Angels with only 66 games to play. I wouldn’t give up anything for anybody, not even a prospect in the lower minors. This team is dead last in the league in pitching, and in front of only the Pirates in the majors. You really need at least three quality starters to get through the playoffs, and they obviously do not have that. To get it, it really would cost the farm and there’d still be questions about the pen.

Even if Hamilton gets injured and Davis turns out to be a bust, the system has tons and tons of talent. Their day will be coming, and it will come on the strength of those younger players with a free agent or two mixed in when the time is right.

I’d think they could make some noise next year, but some of the young pitching has to come through since Bradley likely won’t be back, Vasquez will no longer be having his career year, Young continues to age, and they’ll be stuck with Blalock. If the pitchers start coming through next year and build upon that in 2010, I could see the makings of several playoff runs.

But it’s way too early this year. I haven’t looked at the numbers but I doubt there’s more than one pitcher who’s going to give them 160 innings. That’s not a playoff team. If these guys could get deeper into games the bullpen numbers would likely settle down, but I’m not sure about Wilson at closer. Maybe he’s the guy, maybe he’s not. The Rangers can certainly hit and it turns out they can play a little defense, too, but damn they suck at pitching. I mean there’s positive signs out there but numbers are what they are: they simply give up way too many runs.

by Black Francis on Jul 16, 2008 9:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hypothetical

What if the only thing you can get for Blalock is a half-year rental 7th/8th inning guy? Do you pull the trigger or keep Blalock around for the rest of the year and decline his option?

by robert_d_wilfong on Jul 16, 2008 11:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Blalock

There’s no way I’m touching that option, so sure. Trade deadline’s two weeks away, though, and unless he comes back on a tear nobody’s going to give anything for him, I don’t think.

by Black Francis on Jul 17, 2008 12:41 AM CDT up 0 recs

word

we’re in total agreement. Except on Chris Davis. 6 HR in his first 17 games. Ugh, I hate unrealistic expectations and his pre-break power didn’t help. I still think he’s going to be a perfect fit.
At least I’ve got someone that is eyeing 2010 with me.

by 3k on Jul 17, 2008 12:50 AM CDT up 0 recs

Davis

I really doubt he’ll be a bust. Looks like a good hitter to me.

by Black Francis on Jul 17, 2008 1:17 AM CDT up 0 recs

Worry Not

Nolan is JD’s Yoda.
He will teach the young lad about the importance of pitching.

I am The Red Finger Stealer!

by Clueless on Jul 17, 2008 10:27 AM CDT 0 recs

So

JD is going to be our #5 starter next year? I wonder if he negotiates the contract with himself….

by TheBZA on Jul 17, 2008 2:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Keep tryin' boy-yo!

Soon you’ll be too clueless/stupid to type, much to the delight of all.

"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," Bo Diddley

by Rodney on Jul 17, 2008 3:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

Thoughtful reply

boy-yo?

I Stole The Red Finger !

by Clueless on Jul 19, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

good write-up

But is rebuilding for 5 years worth contentding for 1 year. what if someone gets hurt then its all over and we start the rebuilding plan.

IMO we should trade our hitting, solid veterans or highly touted prospects, for pitching. i mean we should just overload on pitching then once we have tons and tons of pitching we will all see that rudy jaramillo will still make our offense in the top 5 in the AL. i know this wont happen but chris davis, joaquin arias, and nelson cruz for kershaw and a bullpen pitcher?

i really like what JD is doing with rebuilding but we shouldnt do what miluakee is doing and just unload all our prospects for rental pitchers even when they are 5 games out.

we need to sign veterans but not for too much money and draft, develop, and then win. once we start winning we need to still focus on the farm system and continue to win year after year

Kinsler is the best player on the rangers(done), BENOIT SUCKS(done), bring up Harrison(done),new: Put Nippert in rotation, Mendoza to the pen, get Feliz to AAA by the end of the year, trade cat

by nice hands on Jul 18, 2008 12:18 AM CDT 0 recs

in other words we should be the twins but a playoff-competing twins

Kinsler is the best player on the rangers(done), BENOIT SUCKS(done), bring up Harrison(done),new: Put Nippert in rotation, Mendoza to the pen, get Feliz to AAA by the end of the year, trade cat

by nice hands on Jul 18, 2008 12:22 AM CDT up 0 recs

Your trade-off is unrealistic

what if someone gets hurt then its all over

If you rebuild right, one person getting injured isn’t a team killer. Look at the Red Sox; Ortiz goes down, but the team goes on. If your rotation is solid, one injury won’t completely derail your season. I’d love to get Kershaw, but not for Chris Davis unless it’s straight up, like the Hamilton/Volquez deal.
And I disagree about signing veterans. You don’t sign vets until you’ve got the team filled; Yankees & Sexson, Cubs & Harden, etc. If we start pulling in veterans, we’re stacking for the now. If we’re bringing in youth through the draft, that’s a 5-year plan starting all over. We need to bring in High-A and AA prospects.
It’s working; don’t let it go to waste now that we’ve tasted the small bit of success we’ve seen so far.

by 3k on Jul 18, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

who said i wanted to compete this year??

and how can you compare us to the red sox

im saying that we shouldnt just rebuild for one year, we should build for every year
and then trade our good hitters for good pitchers and to get the hitting back just sign a couple of free agents because all hitters love to hit in texas

Kinsler is the best player on the rangers(done), BENOIT SUCKS(done), bring up Harrison(done),new: Put Nippert in rotation, Mendoza to the pen, get Feliz to AAA by the end of the year, trade cat

by nice hands on Jul 18, 2008 2:02 PM CDT up 0 recs