More Blalock mess

by Brett Perryman on Jul 29, 2008 4:48 PM CDT Comment 55 comments

Continuing the DMN blog theme, Richard Durrett is now saying that Hank Blalock has a sore shoulder that could land him on the DL. So that's probably that for his trade possibilities, and if this winds up leading to another extended DL stay, his value in the offseason - both to the Rangers and in trade - would have to be in question.

According to Durrett, Chris Davis will be at third base tonight (assuming that Michael Young doesn't surprise everyone and play tonight).

UPDATE: Looks like Young will surprise everyone and play tonight.

UPDATE 2: Blalock is on the DL

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Blalock

Guess he’s the 2009 DH.

"You’re the only here who contributes schtick only." - brettgardner

by trza on Jul 29, 2008 4:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

for 10 games...

until he hurts his ovaries.

To be serious….at this point I don’t see how we can count on Blalock for anything next year. What he gives us should be considered gravy.

We have to make plans to go on without him.

by clinton33 on Jul 29, 2008 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

But it seems his shoulder injury is directly related to playing third base, as he said when he came back. If he’s the DH, then he probably won’t be as fragile. Maybe his offensive production would improve as well.

It still kind of depends on whether Bradley is re-signed and is capable of playing the field next season, though.

Too many maybes, I guess.

"You’re the only here who contributes schtick only." - brettgardner

by trza on Jul 29, 2008 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But he has no value as a DH, neither to the team nor as a trade chip

by Telegraph on Jul 29, 2008 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no value?

He has a little value, at least.

"You’re the only here who contributes schtick only." - brettgardner

by trza on Jul 29, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If by which you mean value for a below average DH

then I guess

by Telegraph on Jul 29, 2008 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

He’s been pretty good for the last two seasons when in the lineup. I could see him as a productive DH, if not playing the field keeps him healthy.

"You’re the only here who contributes schtick only." - brettgardner

by trza on Jul 29, 2008 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

in 2005-2006, his OPS+ was less than 100

He improved in 07 (but only 200 something ABs), and is at 104 this season. The average OPS+ for a DH is much higher. In addition, his on base percentage is low, so all this makes him an below average DH, even if he improves slightly.

by Telegraph on Jul 29, 2008 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

assuming the Rangers even pick up his option

which isn’t a given at this point

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

by DerekSTheRed on Jul 29, 2008 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure I would.

It’s been 2004 since his last good season?

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

by DJCahill on Jul 29, 2008 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You and I

...have been telling people Blalock is useless for a long time. If they picked up a six million dollar option on that guy I’d be shocked.

by Black Francis on Jul 29, 2008 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

off season

It will probably depend upon his off season workouts. Could they ask him to play winter ball?

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

by RangerMad on Jul 29, 2008 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Davis

Please lets not mess with this kids head by moving him all over the place. Last night was an isolated incident but lets get him back to 1B tonight. Vazquez can play 3B and Roberts can play SS or swap those but leave Davis at 1B.

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 29, 2008 4:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

why would it mess with his head??

most good players are very versatile. Berkman was all over the place and he’s not too bad…

You saying he’s not mentally tough?

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 29, 2008 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think moving young

players all over the field at the major league league level is bad. It’s hard enough to learn one position together with adjusting to major league pitching. The Rangers seem to be in love with everyone being able to play mutiple positions.

It is interesting that many people have already got Smoak as a major league talent and he has not even signed a contract.

by Jea103 on Jul 29, 2008 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a good point about moving young players

because man…it really screwed albert pujols over…imagine the player he could have been

by El Jefe on Jul 29, 2008 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok

since all this is going down, if i were the part of the front office, I’d suggest one of a few options. With Blalock basically done, i think it’s time to move forward at the third base, short stop, first base positions.

1. Move Young to 3rd. If he’s destined to move to third, then move him now and put Roberts at SS or call up Andrus.
2. If Young isn’t going to 3rd anytime during his career, put Vasquez or Duran over there as a stop gap until they find their long term solution at 3rd whether it be Smoak or someone else.

I think the prospect of moving Young/Davis would hinge on which position the Rangers feel they have a better prospect at. If they think their best prospect is at first (Smoak), they move Davis to third. If their best prospect is at short (Andurs), they move Young to third. But i think until Smoak is signed, i honestly don’t see a solution for the infield unless they move one of their catchers for a 3rd/1st base prospect.

by texaschief on Jul 29, 2008 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

of course

there is always the option of keeping our catchers and putting one of them at first while moving Davis to third. I think this could only build on the trade value for guys like Salty or MaxRam until Smoak is ready to take over at first. This would still allow you to trade one of your catchers while keeping the other two to play C/1B until Teagarden is ready to take over at the plate. When he IS ready, you’ve built more trade value in both those guys.

by texaschief on Jul 29, 2008 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

now I wish

I had picked Davis up on my Fantasy team. I need thirdbasemen. :-(

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 29, 2008 4:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

ooh i hadnt thought of that

I have tex at 1b so never picked up davis, who is still otu there.

but i need a 3b…. im going to go pick him up right now heh.

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

by DSheppard on Jul 29, 2008 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have

Ortiz and Connor Jackson so Davis didn’t have a spot. And I never thought he would play 3B for us. He’s not available in my league now. grrr

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 29, 2008 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

blalock

what a worthless douche

by kumizi on Jul 29, 2008 4:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Necessary?

by Droopydave on Jul 29, 2008 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

a) he’s worthless
b) from the one time i met him, im pretty sure he’s a douche

by kumizi on Jul 29, 2008 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And the one time I talked to him he was one of the friendliest athletes I've ever met.

The only reason I still like him even with his struggles.

My word against yours.

by philkid3 on Jul 29, 2008 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hm

you seem to be racking up lots of unfriendly encounters with baseball players. maybe the problem isn’t with them

""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 29, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

if young plays tonight

i wont insult him for a week.
it would be very easy to take the day off.

(although of course, if he trys and cant handle it, it doesnt speak ill of him or anything).

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

by DSheppard on Jul 29, 2008 4:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

update:

Fracture update: Michael Young will play
4:35 PM Tue, Jul 29, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Evan Grant E-mail News tips
He just told our Richard Durrett that he felt some soreness while taking some swings, but that he could play through the pain associated with a fractured right ring finger. Well, he’s done it before. He played through a fracture at the tip of a finger on his left hand earlier this year. In 2001, he played the last five weeks of the season with a fractured right finger (I believe it was his ring finger, also).

by tyd3311 on Jul 29, 2008 4:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

he certainly fractures a lot of fingers.

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

by DSheppard on Jul 29, 2008 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what a Beast

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 29, 2008 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

fool

just wants a shot at 200 hits

by kumizi on Jul 29, 2008 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or maybe he's a competitive guy that plays through pain.

Young has been one of the most durable guys in the majors the last several years, and it has usually taken a lot to keep him off of the field. I’m not going to fault any player that tries to play through an injury, unless that injury substantially hinders their performance. I really don’t see this as being a product of ego over a stat.

by Athos on Jul 29, 2008 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wait...

so Blalock’s a douche because he won’t play through injury, but Mike Young’s a fool because he will? Awesome.

by Garcia on Jul 29, 2008 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right Ring Finger...

Anyone concerned about his throws from SS?

by Topgun22 on Jul 29, 2008 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

But since he only fields grounders right at him, most throws should be easy.

by T Coleman on Jul 29, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did Evan just report

what Richard said in the blog post below his?????

Godwin's Law Version 2.0 (Rangers Edition)
"As a Ranger discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Danks, Volquez, or Young approaches one."

by LBBRangerFan on Jul 29, 2008 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

HAHAHA

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 29, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good for him

but I don’t want him to play if he is injured

by Telegraph on Jul 29, 2008 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mike Young may be way overpaid, but you definitely can’t question his professionalism…And Hank is dead to me….His name should be Hobbles

by LongviewLegend315 on Jul 29, 2008 4:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Blalock

Really sad. Seems like this guy, who is just 27 years old, is completely falling apart physically. Another extended trip to the DL would seem to throw into question whether the Rangers even pick up his option for ‘09.

by Randy Richardson on Jul 29, 2008 4:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Blalock

I don’t want to start a flame contest but could Hank’s injuries be caused from prior steroid use?

¡yo soy Horsedooty!

I soloed in the Mile High Club!

by horsedooty on Jul 29, 2008 4:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

COME ON!

So tragic.

by philkid3 on Jul 29, 2008 4:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

OT

I lol when ESPN calls the Angels ” the Best Team in Baseball.”

I know they’re talking about record, but still.

by philkid3 on Jul 29, 2008 5:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

more like

luckiest team ever.

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 29, 2008 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

more like

Wasn’t it the Angels that spent the most money in the off season upgrading nearly everything?

might have been money well spent?

¡yo soy Horsedooty!

I soloed in the Mile High Club!

by horsedooty on Jul 29, 2008 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no

Josh Hamilton is better than you.

by Longhorn on Jul 29, 2008 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

"You can't reason with your heart; it has its own laws, and thumps about things which the intellect scorns." - from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, by Mark Twain

by dstar442005 on Jul 29, 2008 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Torii Hunter must be a Leprechaun

by Telegraph on Jul 29, 2008 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

DL

Blalock to the DL to make room for Roberts.

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/07/blalock-going-on-dl.html

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

by RangerMad on Jul 29, 2008 5:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

How the mighty have fallen

It seems like just yesterday that every 12 and under Ranger fan had Blalock as their favorite. It’s really sad to see this. Now I think he has to play 1st or DH from now on just to stay healthy.

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

by DerekSTheRed on Jul 29, 2008 5:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hank is still one of my favorites.

But baseball is a business, and winning is more important than player loyalty.

by philkid3 on Jul 29, 2008 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hank

Maybe he’s faking it so he can’t get traded from the team thus pissing his wife off?

by rcreative on Jul 29, 2008 5:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Does anybody else find this odd?

Anthony Andro originally posts this addendum to his blog post:

Someone isn’t fessing up. GM Jon Daniels said the decision to say Blalock had an upset stomach came from…...Hank Blalock. Daniels hasn’t had a chance to talk to Blalock about the incident. What is going to happen is Blalock will meet with Dr. Keith Meister. Daniels also said he relayed the true story of Blalock’s shoulder to two interested teams, one today and one last night.
So who’s to blame for Stomach Gate?

Then, this comes out courtesy of T.R. Sullivan:

Blalock was scratched from Monday’s lineup an hour before the game. The Rangers announced it was because of an “upset stomach,” but club officials admitted Tuesday that was not the reason. The shoulder was the problem but the Rangers, who had been talking with other clubs about Blalock in trade discussions, thought it would be just a one-day deal and attempted to pass it off as an upset stomach.
Daniels apologized for the attempted deception and Washington said he was at fault.

Since then, that FWST snippet has been removed – quoted it for posterity over at BTiA, not that it matters, but whatever.

Strange.

Baseball Time in Arlington

by jamcadbury on Jul 29, 2008 11:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs