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Saturday morning stuff

Th_buckykatt_tiny by Adam J. Morris on

Your 2nd place Texas Rangers, at least for now.  We could be back in third place by 6 p.m. tonight, but I'm going to enjoy being in 2nd place while it lasts.

Evan Grant points out that the Rangers haven't finished above third place since 1999, making finishing in second this year a more meaningful goal than it otherwise might be.  I do think that part of what has the Rangers reluctant to just deal everyone -- and particularly meaningful bullpen arms like Eddie Guardado and Jamey Wright -- is that they want to finish the season strong, try to end up with 85 wins (if not more) and a second place finish, to give them something solid to build on for next year.

Plus, from the business side, a second place finish and 85 wins is going to mean more tickets sold in 2009 than a third place finish and 78 wins would.

Jeff Wilson says the Rangers fed off of Vicente Padilla's strong performance after a rough third inning.  This is one of those games where Padilla pitched better than the line indicates...that five run third inning included an infield single that should have been an error, and a couple of other bloop hits.  The A's should have scored just a run, maybe two, in that inning.

On the injury front...Gerald Laird will be back today, and is supposed to start tomorrow.   However, Kevin Millwood is apparently going back on the d.l. with his groin problem, and German Duran is having to have thumb surgery that will cost him 6-8 weeks. 

Evan Grant quotes Ron Washington as saying that Laird will be the starting catcher when he returns.  That doesn't bode well for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who didn't exactly seize the opportunity when Laird went down.

Of course, Laird may not be here much longer...the Reds had a scout at Friday's game in Salt Lake City to watch Laird, and T.R. Sullivan says the Reds "covet" Laird.  Sullivan says at least 20 teams have called the Rangers about one of their 4 major league ready catchers, and that the Mets have some interest in Marlon Byrd and Nelson Cruz.

Hank Blalock has drawn some interest from the Twins, Dodgers and Giants, although the Twins apparently would prefer a righty-hitting third baseman.  Adrian Beltre is mentioned, but Blalock is much cheaper than Beltre, which would seem to be a factor for a team like the Twins.

 

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Mets

The Mets really emptied their farm system in the Santana deal. I know Byrd and/or Cruz won’t bring much back, but I wonder how much the Mets have left to trade.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Jul 26, 2008 8:53 AM CDT   0 recs

They have more than enough for those guys.

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by zywica on Jul 26, 2008 10:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Level

At which level(s) do they have players that would be a reasonable return?

by Excel Hearts Choi on Jul 26, 2008 10:25 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

For those guys

You can take a low level high ceiling guy. The only guys that would warrant ML ready talent are Bradley, Blalock, Guardado and our veteran pitchers if we trade one of them.

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 10:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

spoken in a hushed tone.....

“at what level?”

It's easy to lie with stats, it's even easier to lie without them......

by red shoe ranger on Jul 26, 2008 3:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We've talked about them a bit

recently, but they have a few hitters in AA (though one of them has gotten some time in the majors) in Evans, Carp and Murphy who are well worth the role player types we’d be dealing. Murphy is the one who might have a little positional value for us, so he’d be the one I’d have the most interest in. Then lower down they have some upside guys, like Wilmer Flores (in particular) and Jefry Marte. Flores would be a coup, along the lines of picking up Beltre, although with more skill and less pure talent probably. Not much pitching, and they probably wouldn’t trade you worthwhile pitching in that sort of deal anyway.

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by zywica on Jul 26, 2008 6:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Cruz

if all we are going to get for him is a bag of balls, I’d really rather call him up and give him the rest of the season for one more ML audition.

The season he has put together is Bonds-esque, at the AAA level. I’m starting to believe that he might have figured the strike zone out.

Byrd, on the other hand, I’d just as soon give away.

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Jul 26, 2008 12:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You'd just as soon blow him away

that’s how Robert Earl Keen feels.

by tyd3311 on Jul 26, 2008 12:12 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agree

I’ll take a box of balls and a free roster spot for Cruz to get playing time down the stretch. If I have to watch one more of his at bats with runners on late in a game, I’m going to puke. It is a guaranteed first pitch jam job or softly hit out.

"So you think the Celtics will beat Detroit? Hell will freeze over before that happens, mark my words." miles 5/20/08

by badradiorules on Jul 26, 2008 12:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't see that big a difference

Struck out in 21.9% of his PAs in AAA in 2006-07, and walked in 10.3%.

Struck out in 20.6% of his PAs this year, and walked in 14%.

Yeah, the walk rate is up a little bit, but still…

I don’t see, at the end of the day, what you really do with him. Let’s say he comes up and hits .275/.350/.450 in 100 PAs, about half and half between LHPs and RHPs.

What do you do with him next year? Make him your 4th outfielder? He can’t really play CF. Have him platoon with Murphy? Make him your starting RF’er?

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 26, 2008 12:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

seems like a significant improvement

in IsoP and walk rate to me.

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Jul 26, 2008 1:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Isn't

A differential of 6 a helluva lot better than a differential of 12 ? At least I’d think so.

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

by Ed Coffin on Jul 26, 2008 1:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

k/bb ratio

Yeah, he has improved from a 2.13 last season to a 1.47 this season, a 31% improvement.

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Jul 26, 2008 2:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

AdMo and I are beating the same drum on Cruz

I say trade him for a low minor prospect and be done with it already. Was it TR that said they were fishing for a major league ready guy? Please. I would rather have Bradley on the roster playing the OF when he can and murphy and boggs on the team.

by Goyogringo on Jul 26, 2008 2:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

2004 Flashbacks

I remember when everyone got all excited about finishing in 3rd place only a few games out and how that would carry over to 2005. Especially with the infusion of young guys like Teixeira, Blalock, Mench, Nix and Francisco. Plus, we had the 2 veteran guys at the top of the rotation to stabilize everything for the next wave of young pitchers like Dominguez, Rodriguez, and Young.

Good times…

Let me have a diablo sandwich, a Dr. Pepper, and make it fast I'm in a God damned hurry!

by DaheelzCM on Jul 26, 2008 9:16 AM CDT   0 recs

value...

...what prospect would we have to package with laird to get homer bailey from the reds?

and what kinda return could we get from/for:
hank to minnesota
byrd/cruz to nym

I blame it not on Ron Washington, but on society. Society is to blame. And Ron Washington. ~Ken Tremendous on Ron Washington sac bunting in the 11th vs LAA

by ivysafety39 on Jul 26, 2008 9:27 AM CDT   0 recs

JMJ or Borbon

Teamed with Laird would probably get you Homer, though I think Laird straight up for Daryl Thompson and a B prospect would be more likely to happen.

by sggut95 on Jul 26, 2008 1:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i thought they were going to change that to an error..

lewin said something about it…

no error raises padilla’s era 1/3 a run.

the preceding post is not nearly as negative or insulting as you think it is

by DSheppard on Jul 26, 2008 9:50 AM CDT   0 recs

Jaramillo out for a while

and Boulanger and Narron taking over in his stead. I think Boulanger is a smart guy, and he’s obviously done some good work with the prospects. Glad he’s getting this opportunity to work with, well, actually, he’s working with some of the same guys he tutored in the minors with so many rookies up.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 26, 2008 10:00 AM CDT   0 recs

A bit misleading

Adam said:

Sullivan says at least 20 teams have called the Rangers about one of their 4 major league ready catchers

Actually the comment made (per TR) was:

The Yankees are looking for a catcher and have asked about both Laird and Saltalamacchia. The Rangers have their eyes on some of the Yankees young pitchers in the Minors, including right-hander Daniel McCutchen. The Reds also covet Laird, but aren’t willing to give up their top young Minor League pitchers. At least 20 teams have asked about at least one of the four Rangers catchers.

Wonder which comment is true? If we have 20 teams asking about just one of our catchers I think its a sure thing he (whoever it is) will be gone.

by 3bagbeast on Jul 26, 2008 10:03 AM CDT   0 recs

That's probably

parsing words just a bit too much.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 26, 2008 10:06 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I dont think so

20 teams asking about 1 catcher is alot different than 20 teams asking about all 4 catchers, no? Anyway reporters are good at parsing words.

by 3bagbeast on Jul 26, 2008 10:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think there is a middle ground

that was intended, between those two statements…

20 teams have been calling and asking about at least 1 of the 4 catchers, with different teams expressing interest in different catchers.

Not that they’re all calling and asking about only Laird, or that they’re calling and asking about all 4.

"that suzuki guy should go back to making cars" - My girlfriend after C.J.'s close in game 2

by tdi1985 on Jul 26, 2008 11:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Right

I thought that was clear. Maybe not.

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 26, 2008 11:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I guess his complaint

is that you didn’t use the phrase “at least” in front of “one of their 4”
but yeah, that is definitely parsing words, it’s not like the way you phrased it was disingenuous or criminal

"that suzuki guy should go back to making cars" - My girlfriend after C.J.'s close in game 2

by tdi1985 on Jul 26, 2008 11:54 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Was'nt meant

to sound like an accusation towards Adam guys. Chill. I was just curious as to what was going on.

by 3bagbeast on Jul 26, 2008 12:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Joba Chamberlian is now my new favorite non-ranger.

Eff you Youkilis.

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 26, 2008 10:03 AM CDT   0 recs

i hate youk

not singlehandedly responsible for a 1-0 game last night taking over 3 hours, but he is the leading contributor – and complains that people want him to take less than 70 seconds between pitches. heard him on the radio arguing his case. what an a-hole.

by sam in so cal on Jul 26, 2008 10:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

jealousy

i love it.

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 26, 2008 10:46 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Youkilis

My sister told me about going to his brother’s wedding, where her friend was the bride, and some a-hole who played pro baseball got up for the toast and started talking about winning the World Series.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Jul 26, 2008 10:45 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I have not heard...

...many good things about Youkilis off the field…

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 26, 2008 11:17 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Youkilis

is a punk

When he can come to the plate without the giant pad on his elbow, i might get some respect for him.

by tyd3311 on Jul 26, 2008 11:02 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

his stuff is nasty

there’s an ace for you. ESPN slowed down a bunch of his pitches last night and the spin and action on those things was just evil. The hitters looked like grade-schoolers.

by Goyogringo on Jul 26, 2008 2:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Someone go dig up...

...the, “Joba isn’t enough for Salty” threads from this spring…

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 26, 2008 2:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Lonestar Jesus was prominently involved

And I was just as involved… as the party who made fun of LSJ.

Here you go.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

by thedirkatron on Jul 26, 2008 3:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hopefully, when the rangers' minors is

deep at all levels next year, they can take a chance on some injured studs in the top three rounds like Boston and the Yankees seem to do every year. Wasn’t Joba one of those? Injured and fell in the draft? Hunter and Scheppers were those guys this yearr.

by Goyogringo on Jul 26, 2008 2:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think the knock on Joba going into the draft

were weight and health concerns. And it seems like he was one of those guys whose stuff really improved in professional ball. I don’t remember him “falling” in the draft, I don’t think he was ever really regarded as early first round talent.

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Jul 26, 2008 2:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Tv Coverage

why is it that every year the rangers have at least one game (always in oakland) with no tv coverage.
why must the a’s refuse to move the game to a slot that is outside of fox’s domain

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Jul 26, 2008 10:13 AM CDT   0 recs

speaking of which

i cant remember, but does anyone remember if we get highlight video later?

obviously there isnt a full production going on, but it wouldnt be that hard to run a couple cameras so we can see anything particularly good later…

the preceding post is not nearly as negative or insulting as you think it is

by DSheppard on Jul 26, 2008 10:24 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

the whole thing is weird.

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 26, 2008 10:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Plus, from the business side, a second place finish and 85 wins is going to mean more tickets sold in 2009 than a third place finish and 78 wins would.

if by that you mean allowing the team to raise ticket prices i agree

by sam in so cal on Jul 26, 2008 10:35 AM CDT   0 recs

Reds

If they want Laird…..its going to cost them Homer Bailey. I am willing to package a few minor leaguers to make it happen….but it will not be anyone signifigant.

Matt Maloney is now there top pitching prospect still in the minors, and he is a Kason gabbard starting kit…..at best a 4th or 5th starter.

I would be interested in Drew Stubbs, but we already have Juilo Borbon in AA and CF is really not a need at this point.

by clinton33 on Jul 26, 2008 10:48 AM CDT   0 recs

Homer

So Laird, Arias, and low level arm for Bailey?

by tyd3311 on Jul 26, 2008 10:59 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If they really covet Laird

I would try a Laird, Arias for Bailey first.

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

by boomer1 on Jul 26, 2008 11:33 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

c'mon guys

There is no freaking way that any package with Laird as the centerpiece is going to land Homer Bailey. Not going to happen, not even going to be discussed.

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Jul 26, 2008 12:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Then....

their is nobody in the reds system that excites me…

so they don’t get laird.

by clinton33 on Jul 26, 2008 12:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

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 12:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+2

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

by boomer1 on Jul 26, 2008 12:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

We have the prospects

to get a deal done.

The question will be whether we can agree on who to give up.

by tyd3311 on Jul 26, 2008 12:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If they "covet" Laird

The we are the ones in the position of strength here. We shouldn’t have to pile on prospects to get Bailey especially with the way their farm system is. If they truly covet Laird and want him bad enough they will give up Homer in a one for one swap. Otherwaise they can go after the Miguel Olivos and Rod Barajas’ of this world

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 12:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep

That is what I’m saying also. I would also like to get the Yanks involved for Ian Kennedy for Laird +.

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

by boomer1 on Jul 26, 2008 12:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Then they don't get him

Whats so hard to understand about that. We don’t have to add on prospects to get Bailey. We aren’t the ones “coveting” him. Its simple supply and demand. They want one fo our catchers so we raise the price to their top pitching prospect. They don’t want to pay we keep and they can eithet go to an inferior catcher or relent and pony up Bailey.

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 12:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Why

I don’t think you understand how things work. We don’t have to meet their demands for Bailey for them to get Laird. They have to meet our demands for Laird to get him. Otherwise they can go ahead with their Paul Bakos or go get Miguel Olivo or Rod Barajas. But Laird is arguably the best catcher on the market, under control for two more seasons, and that is gonna cost them.

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 1:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Plus

I think you seriously overvalue Bailey. He hasn’t exactly lived up to his top billing.

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 1:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I understand

If Bailey is as good as some people seem to think, you don’t give a take it or leave it offer of GERALD LAIRD, thats laughable. Im not saying you dump a bunch of prospects at them either. But if they do “covet” OMFT, then that’s a big plus and a good start to a deal..

I dont overvalue Homer, but i guess a lot of knowledgeable baseball people do.

by tyd3311 on Jul 26, 2008 1:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not to mention

The Reds are down on him right now.

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

by boomer1 on Jul 26, 2008 1:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And

that’s the only reason we can even come close to entertaining a deal involving him and OMFT.

But not down enough to do a one for one. That’s ridiculous.

by tyd3311 on Jul 26, 2008 1:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree with that

It would have to be Laird + some but I don’t think much more.

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

by boomer1 on Jul 26, 2008 1:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

wait

till Connor gets a hold of him…..

It's easy to lie with stats, it's even easier to lie without them......

by red shoe ranger on Jul 26, 2008 3:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Plus...

The thought of Kennedy pitching in Arlington. I think he’d get bombed.

by sggut95 on Jul 26, 2008 1:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hannibal Lecter says...

“What need does he serve by killing? He covets!”

by Adam J. Morris on Jul 26, 2008 12:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What does he covet,

Clarice? Those lines, and the one about the fava beans always made me chuckle for some reason.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 26, 2008 2:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and a nice glass of Chianti

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Jul 26, 2008 2:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Daryl Thompson

is more highly regarded than Maloney. I’d take him for Laird if his arm is okay.

Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return

by zywica on Jul 26, 2008 1:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Breaking: Yankees-Pirates Deal Reconfigured
By Alejandro Leal [July 26 at 10:59am CST]

The LoHud Yankees Blog reports the Xavier Nady, Damaso Marte deal has been reconfigured:

The Yankees are sending RHP Dan McCutchen, RHP Jeff Karstens, OF Jose Tabata and RHP Ross Ohlendorf to Pittsburgh for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte.
LHP Phil Coke and RHP George Kontos are not in the deal.

        
      

      
      

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        damn
      

  
      

        
what the hell happened? Pirates figured they got owned and wanted something different when the trade was already agreed upon??

        
          
Josh Hamilton is better than you.
 
 
        
      

      
      

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        Casey Blake to the Dodgers per ESPN
      

  
      

        
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3506150



	
Believed to be for Class A catcher Carlos Santana and AAA RH Jon Meloan

        
          
After the show I want Greg Oden to tuck us both in and tell us stories about the old days.  -  Will Ferrell
 
 
        
      

      
      

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        what the hell is going on??
      

  
      

        
JD needs to figure out we’re not in this thing and do something. Meloan and Helium? WE should have been in on that with Blalock…

        
          
Josh Hamilton is better than you.
 
 
        
      

      
      

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        You know
      

  
      

        
Maybe, just maybe, the Dodgers didn’t really want Hank. I love how people think it only takes one side to make the trade.

        
          
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.

 
 
        
      

      
      

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