what JD had to say
I'm not real good with prose, so I'll just scattershoot the parts of the session that I remember...
JD started by remarking that the Q&A event w/ the Newberg crowd is one of his favorite days of the year. Nice touch and good way to warm the crowd.
My favorite anecdote was when JD answered my question about the reaction in the draft room when Houston made their draft pick, which sealed the fact that Smoak was going to fall to the Rangers. He remarked that within the industry it is generally pretty well known what each team is going to do going into the draft, so once the first few picks played out, it started to become obvious to them that they would be able to land Smoak. Then he told a story about how the 2006 draft unfolded in the Rangers draft HQ. He said that going into that draft, the one team that was unclear on their intentions was SF. The Rangers had eyes for Tiny Tim Lincecum, and if he had made it past SF, then the braintrust was confident that he would be a Ranger. JD said that Lincecum's five digit draft number was something like 00605, and when the Giants announced their pick, they started by saying "six" and JD admitted that he was feeling elated, not realizing that the first two zeros are commonly ommitted.
He said that the evaluation of Galaragga was flawed, but he does not think that the Rangers evaluation process is flawed. I understood his answer to mean that he believes the team had a poor evaluation of an individual pitcher, but that it was an isolated incident. This was also my question.
Hambone extension talks have been tabled for the time being.
When Grant Schiller asked what he would guess the rotation would be in 2010, using only current members of the system. JD asked him what he thought and he said Feliz, Hurley, Hunter, Harrison, and Kiker. JD responded that those sounded good to him then remarked that some young pitchers currently in the bigs could also hold their roto spots.
Remarked that he is hopeful CJ grows into the closer role, and he said he knows that fans have been getting uneasy when the Ceej enters a game and remarked, "if you are getting uneasy when he is coming into the game, just try and imagine how I am feeling". Got a roomfull of laughs there.
When asked what advice he would give to others that could be used in coaching, leadership, business, or life in general he said, "Be brutally honest".
Said that Jon Hart is around a few times a year and admitted that he solicits opinions from him at certain times. Remarked that even though Hart had a rough go in Texas with media, fans, and on-field results, but he still has a wealth of knowledge that JD like to tap into at times.
From Will Carroll...
Said that JD is one of the GMs that he most respects in the game, but said that he has "grave concern" about the hiring of Colburn as bullpen coach. Carroll has a very low opinion of that guy.
Regarding Brandon McCarthy (my question), Carroll said that he doesn't expect him to recover. Said something about a chain of injuries from fingertips to forearm to elbow to shoulder that is rarely ever recovered from. Said some guys just aren't cut out for the act of pitching in the bigs and every time one part of the body is strengthened, another weak link in the chain brakes. He sounded very discouraging about any expectations of McCarthy lasting any length of time in a major league rotation.
He also mentioned that he has serious concerns about Clayton Kershaw's mechanics. (Gasp...the cornerstone of my keeper team!)
He has known Tommy Hunter since he was 15 years old and has always been high on him. Says he thought Hunter would end up a closer, but now thinks he may have been selling him short. He says CJ is no closer, he's a LOOGY.
Believes that if Teagarden stays healthy and hits .260 that he will be the most valuable of that group of four.
Joe Sheehan said...
When asked what pitcher would be the best FA target for the Rangers in the next few years - he said King Felix.
He also said that he thinks the talent on hand could easily lead to a run of 3 divisional titles in a 5 year time frame, beginning in 2010 with Feliz heading the rotation. Also cautioned against expecting Feliz to pitch in the big leagues before then. I guess he is saying that Feliz could top a rotation from the moment he gets called up.
Anyway, the event was great - big props to Newberg for another quality program.
23 recs |
155
comments
Comments
Great stuff
thanks for posting this
"Well, the Dallas Mavericks got beat by the New Orleans Hornets last night ending their season. Word is that someone on the team is dating Jessica Simpson." - Jay Leno
LSB facebook group ---->>> http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33345329288
by hinduplaya on Aug 3, 2008 10:03 PM CDT 0 recs
thanks a lot
I appreciate the summary.
"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005
by Agreen07 on Aug 3, 2008 10:07 PM CDT 0 recs
nobody responded to my offer
and I worked a deal w/ the g/f.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
by tricer on
Aug 3, 2008 10:15 PM CDT
up
0 recs
kershaw
I saw him in high school, and it kinda looks like he short arms the ball.
by cashman on Aug 3, 2008 10:08 PM CDT 0 recs
I went 2-2 against Kershaw in high school
sorry I have to brag about that whenever I get the chance. :)
thanks for the summary tricer…hopefully I’ll be able to make next years event.
by Butters on
Aug 3, 2008 10:15 PM CDT
up
0 recs
He's the #1 prospect in baseball
and you’re commenting on this blog…life isn’t far.
"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005
by Agreen07 on
Aug 3, 2008 11:00 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Nice
So that isn’t you in that picture then, ah.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on
Aug 3, 2008 11:47 PM CDT
up
0 recs
he didnt say let him go
he said trade him for a big haul, there is a difference there
by blueballlefty on
Aug 3, 2008 11:23 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Just going by what Sheehan said (via tricer).
When asked what pitcher would be the best FA target for the Rangers in the next few years – he said King Felix.
Either way, you’d have to give up the mother of all trade packages to get him if you were to deal for him. He’s about as close to untouchable as there is. He’s all they got up there, and he’s still young enough for them to be able to build around him.
by LiamP on
Aug 3, 2008 11:35 PM CDT
up
0 recs
yeah he was asked what free agents
but when he talked about King Felix he said he said, that the Mariners would have to make a decision on him soon and if he were the Rangers he would try to trade for him, because he thinks the Mariners should/will end up trying to trade him. I didnt read all of Tricers post, but he did a great job from the parts I read. The initial question was about the free agent pitcher he would sign and then he turned it to he would try to trade for King Felix
by blueballlefty on
Aug 4, 2008 12:05 AM CDT
up
0 recs
jd is such a beast
The Rangers had eyes for Tiny Tim Lincecum, and if he had made it past SF, then the braintrust was confident that he would be a Ranger.
a change in philosophy most definitely.
Josh Hamilton is better than you.
by Longhorn on Aug 3, 2008 10:18 PM CDT 0 recs
even with that
man, what a great draft JD’s first could end up being.
Josh Hamilton is better than you.
by Longhorn on
Aug 3, 2008 10:21 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Yeah
Putting Lincecum with Davis, Holland, Lemon, etc. would be something.
I’ve mentioned before that in addition to Lincecum virtually every pitcher who went before Texas was a slam dunk pick and has been successful. Just unfortunate in their slot and hopefully Kiker will come through.
Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return
by zywica on
Aug 3, 2008 10:24 PM CDT
up
0 recs
holland in the 25th round
what a great steal
Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future
by Steal Home on
Aug 4, 2008 1:39 AM CDT
up
0 recs
didnt know that. well so far its payed off
Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future
by Steal Home on
Aug 4, 2008 2:27 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Why is that so great?
A lot of people though highly of Lincecum. Some people only questioned his weird mechanics and whether it would be able to hold up…I don’t think anyone ever questioned the fact that the kid has a lot of talent.
"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005
by Agreen07 on
Aug 3, 2008 11:01 PM CDT
up
0 recs
u must have forgot john hart's draft philosophy
Josh Hamilton is better than you.
by Longhorn on
Aug 4, 2008 12:16 AM CDT
up
0 recs
thanks tricer
I disagree with both Carroll and Daniels on Wilson. He is clearly more than a loogy, but I have no idea how Daniels thinks that he’s going to "grow" into the closer’s role. He doesn’t have the stuff to dominate RHB, and closers have to dominate RHB. If he had that, he might as well be in the rotation, because with his other stuff he’d be a legit #2 or #3 starter.
Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return
by zywica on Aug 3, 2008 10:22 PM CDT 0 recs
Nevermind.
Saw him post that 7 times in succession, refreshed, and it’s normal now.
by LiamP on
Aug 3, 2008 10:27 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I just accidentally said “agree” rather than “disagree” so I deleted and replaced it since I can.
Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return
by zywica on
Aug 3, 2008 10:34 PM CDT
up
0 recs
So...
zywica what do you feel CJ’s best place is on the team?
by clinton33 on
Aug 3, 2008 10:27 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Probably LH setup
I’ve thought that he should get a shot in the rotation, when they were pretty low on candidates. That seems like will be less and less the case moving forward, though.
I don’t think he’s a playoff caliber closer, but you need at least two excellent late guys anyway, preferably three, and I think he can be one of those.
Offense doesn't doubt me, but my first and primemost thing is defense and punt return and kickoff return
by zywica on
Aug 3, 2008 10:33 PM CDT
up
0 recs
So, the role he played last year
If he could perform like that again, I’d be ecstatic with him.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Stuff-You-Need-Brett-Favre-action-figure-bench?urn=nfl,93739
by BudLight on
Aug 3, 2008 10:43 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Thats what i figured....
CJ would be best just facing lefties in key situations late in games.
I was wondering if you felt he should be in the rotation, but that won’t change his inability to get right-handers out or throw strikes.
by clinton33 on
Aug 4, 2008 5:14 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Thanks Todd
Really wish I coulda made it this year. Will Carroll is greatness, no?
What was that, two years ago mebbe, when Will was kinda bashing JD…and JD was waiting on the entrance ramp to walk in? lol
"...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 Aug 3, 2008 10:35 PM CDT 0 recs
* sore subject for him I'm sure
"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005
by Agreen07 on
Aug 3, 2008 11:02 PM CDT
up
0 recs
the trade
was adressed and he just said that they thought Bmac had gone through his lumps and was prime for a break out year, he did thank the kid that asked it and was very open for any questions and answered them the best he could, he obviously was very hopeful that BMac would come back this year and really contribute!
by blueballlefty on
Aug 3, 2008 11:27 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Gracias Tricer
I completely agree with the what the principles had to say about both McCarthy & Teagarden.
McCarthy’s body is rejecting the notion that he’s a pitcher. Said so back in March.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Aug 3, 2008 10:52 PM CDT 0 recs
thanks for the post
how long does seattle have control of him?
Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future
by Steal Home on Aug 3, 2008 10:55 PM CDT 0 recs
he will be arb eligible
the next three years then eligible for FA at age 26.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
by tricer on
Aug 3, 2008 11:21 PM CDT
up
0 recs
+Rec!
Only 6 so far…huh???
"...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 Aug 3, 2008 10:58 PM CDT 0 recs
One other thing
JD said that he voted against an international draft at last years GM meetings. Feels that the Rangers have a competitive advantage that would be mostly negated if the international guys were subject to a draft.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
by tricer on Aug 3, 2008 11:23 PM CDT 0 recs
did anyone ask him
how they managned to whiff on this years international free agents despite this competetive advantage? Did he comment on Oakland’s Inoa swindle or the Suero near-swindle last year?
Oh, and thanks for the transcript- great stuff!
by Goyogringo on
Aug 4, 2008 12:14 AM CDT
up
0 recs
yes he commented on Inoa
he was obvioulsy very peeved about it, and said that the rules where very easily bent and in some cases (Inoa) Shattered. It almost was like they were just learning all the “ropes” down there.
by blueballlefty on
Aug 4, 2008 12:23 AM CDT
up
0 recs
JD
he is so AWESOME, I truly feel we are very lucky to have him. He is truly the anti-john hart when it comes to public relations. The guy was sincere and VERY attentive to all questions, when you asked him a question, he looked you stright in the and gave you the whole answer. I have changed my opinion in the last two years, but after tonight I am a JD SUPPORTER!
The Carroll opinions on Jim Colburn are VERY TROUBLING, he said he didnt agree with what he did in Pittsburg with there pitching staff and said he thought he really hurt some of there young arms in a number of different ways (SCARY SCARY SCARY). and AJM and the rest of LSB is so worried about Nolan, looks like they have another guy that is scarier!
by blueballlefty on Aug 3, 2008 11:33 PM CDT 0 recs
Additional notes...
—From JD
1. He is obviously still upset about the Inoa signing, but he just said the Rangers have let their feelings be known about the process.
2. He said he doesn’t listen to or read Galloway, but he finds it very curious that he never sees him around the ballpark.
3. He clarified the role of Nolan Ryan regarding the team…doesn’t seem to be a power struggle, like it appeared earlier in the season. JD said Nolan’s duties as Team President are far more widespread than any regular fan realizes, in addition to his other business interests. JD said there’s always an adjustment period when someone gets added to a management team, but his experience with Nolan has been nothing but positive. Key quote: “If our young pitchers wont listen to Nolan Ryan, then we need some new pitchers.”
4. JD said the team provides a myriad of legal nutritional supplements for players at every level, in addition to having a S&C coach at every level, which some teams do not. The organization likes to send pitchers to extended ST to allow them to get all their innings and finish the season strong, instead of start the season strong and then fade off. With hitters, they dont mind their fatigue, as it helps them understand the grind of a full season.
5. Rangers have not decided who they are sending to the Arizona Fall League, or whether or not they will participate in the Hawaii League. The Hawaii League can be good for some guys in that it allows them to be “pitched backwards” by all the breaking balls they see from the Japanese prospects.
6. JD said there were people in the organization (not him) who really thought Hamilton could have an MVP-type season. It appears Hicks had to sign off on the Hamilton trade, perhaps due to his previous history and baggage.
7. He seemed to mention Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz more than any of the other pitching prospects.
8. He said the Rangers don’t have any specific limitations regarding their draft philosophy and players they will target. Key quote: “If you don’t draft tiny pitchers, you miss Tim Lincecum. If you don’t draft HS pitchers, you miss (someone)”
9. JD said we were in serious discussions to land a significant SP who would be under control past this year (gotta be Greinke, right?)...
Carroll and Sheehan
1. They both said they wouldn’t spend the money or commit the years to Sabathia or Sheets…too risky.
2. Carroll is apparently doing a study for the D-Backs over Max Scherzer…
3. Carroll thinks the Yankees overtake the Red Sox for the WC and TB holds onto the AL East title…
by txtwstr7 on Aug 3, 2008 11:42 PM CDT 5 recs
Thanks for the notes.
VM!
"...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
Aug 3, 2008 11:47 PM CDT
up
0 recs
thanks
I think we can safely say thad jd will get grienke this winter. What jd wants in a trade, jd gets…
Josh Hamilton is better than you.
by Longhorn on
Aug 4, 2008 12:13 AM CDT
up
0 recs
good stuff!
by Goyogringo on
Aug 4, 2008 12:20 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Any word from JD
on how the draftee negotiations are going?
WC’s comments on BMac – weird considering those very thoughts – BMac’s TOAST – sat down to camp out in my mind just a few hours ago.
by shroomer on Aug 3, 2008 11:47 PM CDT 0 recs
Carroll on BMac
Still thought that was harsh.
Seems like a weird time for the wheels to fall off, 24 years old, but going back on thebaseballcube there are conspicuous low-inning years. I don’t know his Minors injury history well.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on
Aug 3, 2008 11:54 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I just can’t see him going into this offseason with very good memories of the 2008 season. Perhaps in the final weeks he can grit together a decent short outing as a tease. But, when opening day 2009 hits I don’t know how you can expect much out of a guy who has strung together back-to-back disaster seasons – or a poor season followed by a disaster season. I’m thinking the looming glory of the Ranger future has passed him by.
by shroomer on
Aug 4, 2008 12:12 AM CDT
up
0 recs
i wonder if its a balance thing..
.. he’s so tall and lanky, i wonder if he learned to land the front foot in order to have better control. Whatever the reason, this isn’t the first photo that shows the “landing-the-front-foot-before-the-arm-going-forward” problem.
by mattrpav on
Aug 4, 2008 12:54 AM CDT
up
0 recs
I believe you've misunderstood something.
It’s physically impossible to move your arm and shoulder forward (in relation to your body) with any kind of force while you only have 1 foot on the ground.
It's filed under 'D'... for donut.
by NoNameOnCard on
Aug 4, 2008 3:37 AM CDT
up
0 recs
His arm appears to be in line with his shoulders.
You can argue that his shoulders shouldn’t have that huge angle to them, but there’s really nothing wrong with his arm.
It's filed under 'D'... for donut.
by NoNameOnCard on
Aug 4, 2008 3:38 AM CDT
up
0 recs
we should send Beverly23 out on assignment...
...close up photos of McCarthy’s pitching motions during his next rehab start.
by oc on
Aug 4, 2008 4:10 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Doesn't look like an arm slot problem...
His elbow is above the shoulder which puts less stress on the shoulder and it appears his hand is outside his elbow which puts less stress on the elbow. Maybe he would benefit from more of a 3/4,sidearm slot (Randy Johnson) as long as he keeps the elbow up.
by slimshadty12 on
Aug 4, 2008 10:06 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Elbow above the shoulder is bad. Hand outside is bad, too.
It puts stress on the labrum and the biceps tendon while preventing the rotator cuff from rotating. This is especially bad when a pitcher has a pronounced scapular load like McCarthy does. The only time the elbow should be above the shoulders is shortly before and shortly after release when the shoulder is essentially done accelerating the arm.
As for the hand, it’s all about leverage. The further the hand gets from the body (outside the elbow), the more work the shoulder and elbow have to do to accelerate the ball. For example, throwing with a completely stiff arm gives the elbow no flexibility and completely removes the triceps muscle from the acceleration process.
If you bring your hand too close to the body (inside the elbow), your triceps muscle has to do too much work to maintain good acceleration. This often leads to triceps tendinitis, even when pronation occurs, because it stretches the tendon around the elbow and then rapidly contracts.
If you’re spitting out what a pitching coach has told you. It’s time you get a new pitching coach.
It's filed under 'D'... for donut.
by NoNameOnCard on
Aug 4, 2008 12:52 PM CDT
up
0 recs
yeah and it is a forearm injury
and a pretty weird one too. Doesn’t sound like it would be a chronic thing. But then, I thought the same about Blaclock and his weird syndromes….
by Goyogringo on
Aug 4, 2008 12:22 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Not A JD Fan
I wish I could agree that JD knew what he was doing and the future looked good for this team. But I think JD has proven repeatedly that he is not up to the job. I believe it is because he has been so bad in his trades and his free agent signings mostly unproductive that he has retreated to the “plan” of buidling for the future. So we see lots and lots of really young prospects who are supposed to take us to the promised land in the same way that the DVD trio was supposed to be the core of the 2008 rotation. The good stuff is always going to be just around the corner. Any example you can site in his favor is marginal in terms of seeing a contending team. Will it happen in 2010 – don’t think so. It’s true the farm system is much better, but it’s at about the same level as the A’s and the Angels. But the A’s will develop their pitchers in a way the Ranger’s never have. The Angels will use their top prospects and make strong trades and free agent acquisitions in a way the Rangers, again, never have under JD. How does any of this translate into the Rangers being a contender in 2010 or beyond. I wish it were not so but I think what you will see is a continuation of the frustration we have seen for the last several years until JD is ultimately fired and we begin again. Don’t forget, JD got this job by convincing Hicks that he was going to build the new Rangers around pitching and defense – how’s that working for us? I do admire JD’s survival skills. He didn’t deliver on his promise to Hicks and every time he makes one of those “this is a must win for JD” decisions like Danks/McCarthy or hiring Washington he just seems to be able to ride it out. I don’t dislike JD, I’ve met him and he’s a nice and smart young man, but he’s not GM material and organizations usually don’t prosper when weak at the top.
Foolish consistency is the hobgobblin of little minds - Emerson
by RangerEddie on Aug 4, 2008 12:01 AM CDT 0 recs
Yes, JD's survival
skills are to be admired. Very good post, Ranger Eddie but they may not elect you mayor in here for saying the emperor is not wearing any clothes.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on
Aug 4, 2008 12:09 AM CDT
up
0 recs
yep in 2010 we'll be talking about 2012
Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future
by Steal Home on
Aug 4, 2008 12:22 AM CDT
up
0 recs
I actually think
2012 is about the earliest time we can make plans for success and that’s IF…..IF some of the magic bean pitchers prove to be close to as much as they have been hyped.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on
Aug 4, 2008 12:32 AM CDT
up
0 recs
if we only we had tons of money
Feliz and Hurley. The 1-2 punch of the future
by Steal Home on
Aug 4, 2008 12:33 AM CDT
up
0 recs
I actually think you're not like others here
who try to be negative to piss people off. While I am a fan of what JD is doing I do believe you have some legitimate points. Specifically “But the A’s will develop their pitchers in a way the Ranger’s never have”. This is absolutely true and this is a fear I as well as a few others possess. I think firing Connor was the right move and a good step. They need to find a solid replacement thought…one who has experience in working well with you pitchers.
"Sooner or later, prospects kill you, because you hang onto them." - Greggo, 11/22/2005
by Agreen07 on
Aug 4, 2008 12:35 AM CDT
up
0 recs
the thing about
"But the A’s will develop their pitchers in a way the Ranger’s never have". is what pitchers has JD brought in that he hasn’t developed. the guy hasn’t been here long enough with his GUYS developing pitchers to be labeled that way.
by blueballlefty on
Aug 4, 2008 12:40 AM CDT
up
0 recs
I know I cant figure out the stupid bold thing, I forget you have to do it twice
hope thats what your talking about haha
by blueballlefty on
Aug 4, 2008 12:46 AM CDT
up
0 recs



