Okay

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 25, 2008 5:39 PM CDT

I had a hearing today. Thought I'd be done by noon. I wasn't. So I ended up not being able to blog today. Sorry.

Meantime...Joe Sheehan has a chat session up with several Rangers items. Among other things, he thinks Ian Kennedy alone isn't enough for the Yanks to get Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Jayson Stark says Hank Blalock and Vicente Padilla are both Plan B or C for most teams with some interest in them. With the Dodgers hot to move Andy LaRoche, I wonder if a deal centered around Blalock and LaRoche could work.

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Blalock and Julio Borbon

for Laroche and Elbert?

Where is Elbert’s stock at?

by tyd3311 on Jul 25, 2008 5:43 PM CDT 0 recs

Borbon

Julio Borbon signed on August 15 last year, so he’s not eligible to be traded until that date this year.

Texas Rangers Analyst

by Andy Seiler on Jul 26, 2008 7:10 AM CDT up 0 recs

He can

As the “Player to be Named Later”

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 Jul 26, 2008 10:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

Major League Contract

He’d have to pass through waivers to be able to be traded, since he’s on the 40-man roster.

Texas Rangers Analyst

by Andy Seiler on Jul 26, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

It might be tough...

for the Rangers to move Salty right now. I think they would be selling low on him. I think the Rangers should move OMFT (who’s stock I don’t think will get any higher) and then if they are overwhelmed for Salty that’s fine. They would still have TT and MaxRam for next year.

It pains me to say it, but I think any reasonable offer for Hank should be accepted. They should be able to get a decent prospect from one of the Twins, Dodgers, or Giants for Blalock.

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

by slc ranger on Jul 25, 2008 5:46 PM CDT 0 recs

Hank

Why is that? Who do we have to play there everyday next year that we would rather have than the potential of Hank at a very reasonable 6.25 mil. Duran….I think his development was stunted by spending so much time on the bench and plus I don’t want him manning 3rd everyday in any situation. Vazquez….Does he have another career year left in him? Or are we most likely getting a .250 guy who is 32 years old. Metcalf…may not stay on the 40 past this winter.

The way Hank has come back and has basically not missed a beat from the start of the year makes me think that it would be best to keep him and take the chance that he can stay healthy most of next year.

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 Jul 25, 2008 6:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

who would you rather at 3B...

for 09? Hank or LaRoche?

"They shouldn't throw at me. I'm the father of five or six kids."
-Tito Fuentes, after getting hit by a pitch.

by Haeger Champ on Jul 25, 2008 6:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

Honestly

I would rather take my chances with Hank. Still young, playing for his one big FA contract. Plus if the plan is to move Young to 3B when Andrus is ready is it wise to go get a young 3B who is under club control for awhile? Hanks situation works perfectly with our timeline which is another reason we keep him in my book

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 Jul 25, 2008 6:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

i dunno

I just wonder if we’re done seeing a healthy Hank. If he can’t give us 500 ABs, then we’re talking Duran/Metcalf for much of 09. And I can see that really hurting our playoff chances (even if the rotation/bullpen are improved).

"They shouldn't throw at me. I'm the father of five or six kids."
-Tito Fuentes, after getting hit by a pitch.

by Haeger Champ on Jul 25, 2008 6:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

we haven't missed Hank's production all year and

If we resign Bradley and have Davis for a full season we wouldnt miss it next year either. we could survive with a third base platoon, but i would only want to do it if the defense would be top notch. Vazquez and metcalf could pull that off, and duran has a strong arm and good range but not much practice at that spot.

by Goyogringo on Jul 25, 2008 6:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Never have too much offense

With our pitching you can never have too much offense. I mean seriously how awesome would a lineup of

Kinsler/Young/Hammy/Bradley/Davis/Hank/Murphy/Salty/Boggs

kick ass.

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 Jul 25, 2008 6:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Pitching

Maybe the pitchers look bad because the left side of the infield has no range.

Maybe the pitchers are concerned about throwing inside because any ground stands a good chance to be a base hit.

Yes, I’m a little over-the-top, but the point is that it might be acceptable to sacrifice a little offense on the left side of the infield to get a few more outs on ground balls.

I just can’t believe that the Rangers record winning record without Blalock and losing record with Blalock the last two seasons is a coincidence.

by T Coleman on Jul 25, 2008 8:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Remember

LaRoche is available because the Dodgers have a third baseman they like, in Blake DeWitt. They’re not looking for another third baseman. So the earlier post suggesting Blalock for LaRoche is way off base.

by sggut95 on Jul 25, 2008 7:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

Blake DeWitt

.257 .324 .364 this year.

From what I understand, he’s viewed as a stopgap, nothing more.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 25, 2008 7:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Numbers Aside

Torre is clearly not impressed with LaRoche, and he let DeWitt play a lot this year. Can’t think of any other reason LaRoche would suddenly be available, considering he was one of the Dodgers’ most prized hitting prospects the last couple years.

by sggut95 on Jul 25, 2008 7:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

The Dodgers are weird like that

they randomly have prospects fall out of favor…or at least it gets reported that way. LaRoche is one of those guys and Blake DeWitt is not stopping them from looking for an everyday 3rd baseman. If DeWitt is in their plans, it would more likely be as Jeff kent’s replacement at 2nd.

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 25, 2008 7:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

agreed but I'm on metcalf than most...

I think he is and has been the best defensive 3rd baseman in the system since he was drafted. If he hits 250 like last year and plays stellar defense i will talk him (and duran and vazquez) and a AAA stud SP if he can be had. Otherwise, just keep hank- you can still trade at next years deadline…

by Goyogringo on Jul 25, 2008 6:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

that should be "higher on metcalf than most"

by Goyogringo on Jul 25, 2008 6:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

right,

sure

by tyd3311 on Jul 25, 2008 6:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well...

I just can’t see Hank staying healthy. If he is going to start next year you better have a guy that can come in and play a lot if he gets hurt. I really like Hank, but it’s all health concerns from me.

As far as who plays 3B next year, I don’t know. Get a one year stop gap guy ‘til MY can move to 3rd in 2010 when Andrus is ready to take over at SS. Maybe that is Hank and they pick up his option. I’m just not confident in the guy anymore like I used to be.

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

by slc ranger on Jul 25, 2008 6:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Im not either

But we do have viable options should he go down again. Duran showed he could play there for a little while, like a 15 day stint. And Metcalf can come up and play if its a long term issue. I would just rather take the gamble on Hank and his fall back options rather than go straight to the fall back options by dealing Hank.

Now if a good deal comes along you have to trade him. Just don’t do it for the sake of trading him.

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 Jul 25, 2008 6:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

Salty

he really needs to go. He sucks and is a cancer in the clubhouse

by meatbonelefty on Jul 25, 2008 5:49 PM CDT 0 recs

And you know this how?

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

by boomer1 on Jul 25, 2008 5:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

that is bull honkey

by tyd3311 on Jul 25, 2008 5:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

I know a guy

Okay seriously, before my game today this guy came up and talked to us about the rangers for a little bit. He’s really good frends with Duran and Teagarden. He said Duran told him that Salty was an absolute dick to everyone and management is trying to trade him.

by meatbonelefty on Jul 25, 2008 5:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

you know a guy?

by tyd3311 on Jul 25, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

I know a guy, his name is Reggie

He lives down the block and is good at fixing lawn mowers.

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

by boomer1 on Jul 25, 2008 6:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hillarious.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jul 25, 2008 6:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

+ 1

There is no status, except for me. Because I am who I am.

MILES

by LAMuscleFag on Jul 25, 2008 6:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

lol

by tyd3311 on Jul 25, 2008 6:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

yea i know a guy

I don’t know who he was but he was a stud at Creekview a while back. He said that about Salty and also said Duran told him Milton was the best player he’s ever played with clubhouse wise. Oh and said when he talked to TT he said Street just wants to come back to Texas and hunt and play for the rangers or astros

by meatbonelefty on Jul 25, 2008 6:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Umm...

“yea I know a guy, I don’t know who he was but…”

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

by slc ranger on Jul 25, 2008 6:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well

I won’t discredit that “off the record” hearsay. No point ridiculing about it.

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

by Ed Coffin on Jul 25, 2008 6:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

I just thought that was kinda funny

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

by slc ranger on Jul 25, 2008 7:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

bob sacamanto?

""If they'd have told me you can make the team but you've got to shine the shoes, I'd have been there shining shoes." -Bradley

by ab03 on Jul 25, 2008 8:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

If you can get Ian Kennedy for OMFT + a low level prospect

I think you do it.

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

by boomer1 on Jul 25, 2008 5:55 PM CDT 0 recs

There

is no way the Yanks do that…

Im sure they are still really high on Kennedy.

Just like most of us are still high on Salty’.

by tyd3311 on Jul 25, 2008 5:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

What is Sheehan smoking?

Salty for Kennedy and Edward Ramirez???

Umm no, that isn’t going to happen. First off, Sheehan claims that Kennedy’s value has decreased significantly this year. While it has gone down some, he’s still sporting a 2.16 ERA in AAA this year and was one out away from a no-hitter in his most recent start.

As for Ramirez, he has been one of the most dominant relief pitchers in professional baseball the past two years. His minor league numbers last year were absolutely dominant (had trouble in limited action in the majors last year) and this year has been great in the majors. He has closer stuff and I’d want to go in next year with him as our closer and CJ setting up in the 8th. BTW Max Kellerman loves him some Ramirez.

But all in all I think this has about a .1% chance of happening. No way the Yanks give up that much for Salty. If they do, I will never question JD ever again.

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

by Agreen07 on Jul 25, 2008 6:09 PM CDT 0 recs

yeah seems crazy, I haven't smoked ganja that good, since, well....

since I sparked one up with meatbonelefty about an hour ago.

by Goyogringo on Jul 25, 2008 6:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

BTW

I’d trade Salty straight up for Ramirez. Ramirez would be the hands down closer on this roster for years…

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

by Agreen07 on Jul 25, 2008 6:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

Honestly

I’m still flipping out about Sheehan’s suggestion that Kennedy and Ramirez might not be enough for Salty…Sheehan shouldn’t mess with my mind like this.

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

by Agreen07 on Jul 25, 2008 6:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

The Blalock/LaRoche thing

What exactly what such a deal do to the seemingly inevitable MY-to-3B move?

Something else to consider: LaRoche is less than three years younger than Hank, and will turn 25 in August.

Baseball Time in Arlington

by jamcadbury on Jul 25, 2008 6:18 PM CDT 0 recs

but LaRoche...

is significantly more likely to get you 500 ABs next year.

Deal with that if/when Andrus is pushing Mike out at SS. It won’t be 09. If it’s beginning of the season for 2010, I’m pretty sure LaRoche will be moveable.

"They shouldn't throw at me. I'm the father of five or six kids."
-Tito Fuentes, after getting hit by a pitch.

by Haeger Champ on Jul 25, 2008 6:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

yep

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 25, 2008 6:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

It will be 09

Probably around the ASB next year the whispers will start. I don’t think Elvis sees Arlington until September at the earliest but if you think we will need a 3B for more than just next year you are severly mistaken

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 Jul 25, 2008 6:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think that's a fair assessment

I guess I was thinking LaRoche had some chronic back problems, but apparently he’s moved past those concerns.

Is there any particular reason why Colletti and Co. are in such a rush to move LaRoche? I ask this honestly, since I don’t pay terribly much attention to the Dodgers.

Baseball Time in Arlington

by jamcadbury on Jul 25, 2008 6:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

People not watching fanposts...

Beau got the promo to Frisco; Swanson’s rehab is over, he’s a Blaze…

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jul 25, 2008 6:28 PM CDT 0 recs

coooll

i look for Swanson to carve up the Cal League.

by tyd3311 on Jul 25, 2008 6:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

Way to go Beau.

He deserved a promotion!

"They shouldn't throw at me. I'm the father of five or six kids."
-Tito Fuentes, after getting hit by a pitch.

by Haeger Champ on Jul 25, 2008 6:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

Thanks Smitty!

by Goyogringo on Jul 25, 2008 6:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

Beau

Hes gonna stay in the pen right

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 Jul 25, 2008 6:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

Oh yeah.

by LiamP on Jul 25, 2008 6:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

by tyd3311 on Jul 25, 2008 6:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

pitchers only

Hank, Salty or anyone JD trades ahd better be dealt for pitchers.

"An effortless 98" - Scott Gardner after Neftali Feliz's first AA pitch

by RangerMad on Jul 25, 2008 6:49 PM CDT 0 recs

Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Yankees

BP reports it

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 25, 2008 6:50 PM CDT 0 recs

Interesting

Who’s going the other way?

by tyd3311 on Jul 25, 2008 6:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

No word yet

I would think Kenedy and one of Tabata/Jackson as the main pieces

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 25, 2008 6:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

I would say

Kennedy only would be fair, no way Kennedy and Jackson, but Tabata definitely.

by tyd3311 on Jul 25, 2008 6:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sorry, that should have read "or" not "and"

meaning it would be centered around one of those three guys

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 25, 2008 6:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

Oh okay

agree

by tyd3311 on Jul 25, 2008 6:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

Update: Peter Abraham is reporting via his blog that Phil Coke, a pitcher at Double-A Trenton has been pulled from his game. It’s expected, but not confirmed, that he is one of the players headed to Pittsburgh. I’ve also just learned that Ross Ohlendorf and at least one other player, perhaps two, will be the cost of Nady and Marte.

by tyd3311 on Jul 25, 2008 7:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Tabata, Ohlendorf, Coke and someone else.

Think the Pirates won this one.

by LiamP on Jul 25, 2008 7:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

I am in the crowd that feels Tabata is horribly overrated

and if you’re the Pirates and selling two of the best chips on the market…and in one deal, no less…you have to get one of Ian Kennedy or Austin Jackson…

"Here comes the version of Benoit that lets the other team put it out of reach. I hate that version."
-Athos

by SaltyDawg on Jul 25, 2008 7:11 PM CDT up 0 recs