E.G. newsletter and T.R. mailbag

Trade CD and Andrus (and possibly more) for Cain?

No thanks. Let’s develop what we have, including pitching, perhaps sign a Sheets or other FA, and not throw away future stars via trade in a haste to win it next year.

There is no such thing as global warming. David Murphy was cold, so he turned the sun up.

by SarasotaRanger on Aug 6, 2008 9:59 AM CDT 0 recs

I can't see

Tommy Hunter passing the trio of Hurley, Harrison, and McCarthy for a rotation spot in 09

"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 6, 2008 10:15 AM CDT 0 recs

did you watch him pitch last week?

while giving up some pretty rough stats, I thought on the whole he looked better than McCarthy has in the majors, just as good if not better than Harrison (in a combined average start), and just as good as Hurley.

I think he’s going to be pretty good…maybe out of the pen, but either way…

"So you have no frame of reference here, Donny. You're like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie and wants to know... "

by Walter Sobchak on Aug 6, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up 0 recs

Hurley in AAA next year?

I seriously doubt the Rangers sign a FA SP AND trade for a SP. JD and Ryan have said that the cost of SP is very expensive and they want to grow a rotation from within. 2009 rotation: Padilla, Hurley, Harrison, BMac, Hunter or Mendoza

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

by RangerMad on Aug 6, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up 0 recs

Wheres Millwood

Hurley could absolutely start next year in AAA and it wouldn’t necessarily be the worst thing for the team. Padilla and Millwood are gonna be here barring something drastic happening. I think we will sign a FA starting pitcher this winter. Whether it be Sheets, Garland, or someone else. Feldman is out of options next year so he probably has a rotation spot secure unless he implodes in ST. That leaves BMac, Hurley, Harrison, Hunter, Mendoza, and others competing for one spot. If McCarthy is healthy I don’t see Hurley beating him out.

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 Aug 6, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed

my best guess would be

Sheets
Padilla
Millwood
Feldman
McCarthy

with Hunter out of the pen and Hurley and Harrison being the first call ups when someone goes on the DL. However, if Harrison pitches the way he did last night, its gonna be tough to keep him out….

"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 6, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up 0 recs

Outfield

It wouldn’t be the worst thing to have this same group back next year, assuming you’ve done something to resolve the catching situation. I don’t want to see Ramirez stuck in AAA or playing 2 days a week if they keep Bradley as the primary DH. It would be nice if Bradley could play RF at least a couple of days a week.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 6, 2008 10:20 AM CDT 0 recs

Mailbag

Dick K. from Fort Worth got OWNED. Hahahahaha

by meatbonelefty on Aug 6, 2008 10:23 AM CDT 0 recs

and the following question

if I paid $1,000 for a ticket I’d expect a blow job or a get out of cancer free card or something.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 6, 2008 1:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

that was

greatness… hahah, wow

by blalock84 on Aug 6, 2008 1:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Feliz

in the majors this year, out of our pen…mixed emotions. I know it won’t happen, but wow if it does…!

"So you have no frame of reference here, Donny. You're like a child who wanders into the middle of a movie and wants to know... "

by Walter Sobchak on Aug 6, 2008 10:35 AM CDT 0 recs

EG makes a lot of sense to me today.

I liked his thought pattern on the OF, rotation and especially on feliz. No way you rush a talent like him, period, end of question. Develop him consistent with today’s ‘prevailing theory” and protect the talent.

As for the rotation. Does anyone really believe BMac should just be given a spot? Yes he has the talent to compete for a spot but has done nothing to be given/guarenteed a spot next season. Ditto for Hurley, Harrison, Hunter, etc. The only guys you have in the 09 rotation right now are Padilla, Millwood and possibly Feldman. We have plenty of talented options that deserve the chance to earn a spot but I would not give/guarentee a spot to any of them. Use AAA for more development until they force thier way into the rotation. Pitching is like money, you can never have too much. Even if you do have too much someone will always give you something nice in return for both pitching and money.

by Bigfan16 on Aug 6, 2008 11:12 AM CDT 0 recs

McCarthy

No he shouldn’t just be given a spot in the rotation. But if he is healthy I don’t see any way Hurley or Harrison or anyone else ML ready right now beats him out. Feldman will be out of options next year so his spot in the rotation is more secure right now.

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 Aug 6, 2008 11:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

It’s something that Connor could not do with this Rangers’ pitching staff. That is not a reflection on him, but rather the state of today’s pitching pool.

its not a reflection on him? how is shitty pitching not a reflection on the pitching coach, how is recommmending the gallaraga DFA not his responsibility, how is it that danks comes up with a cut fastball and dominates as soon as he leaves? How is his inability to connnect with young pitchers not a reflection on him?

EG: Official apologist for Mark Conner. Heck of a job, Brownie.

"I’m sure you’ve seen Kiker before but I’ll just reiterate that the kid is mean on the mound. He is only 5’10’’ but he is an intimidator. He looks like he hates hitters. He has the juice for pressure situations."
-Jason Parks on Jul 22, 2008 10:08 PM

by Jayslick on Aug 6, 2008 11:22 AM CDT 0 recs

09 rotation

So let’s go with Ben Sheets (I’d still rather have CC Sabathia and his track record, but he’s liable to cost more than $20 million per year and Sheets lives in Highland Park, so let’s go with Sheets on a four-year, $62 million deal), Zack Greinke (I still believe the Royals would be open to a package that starts with Elvis Andrus, includes a catcher and a pitcher not named Neftali Feliz), Vicente Padilla, Kevin Millwood and Scott Feldman. If the Rangers and Royals don’t make a deal, then let’s move everybody behind Sheets up a spot and I just dig Tommy Hunter’s approach, so let’s put him fifth.
You would love to have a lefty in there and Kason Gabbard, if healthy, is a wild card. Luis Mendoza and Brandon McCarthy pitch out of the bullpen. Eric Hurley and Matt Harrison go to Triple-A where the Rangers hope they dominate and are ready to replace Padilla and Millwood for good after 2009. Doug Mathis and A.J. Murray (if healthy) round out the Oklahoma rotation and all would be acceptable replacements if the Rangers had an injury in the rotation.

I think this really makes a lot of sense for next year and is really probably the most likely scenario. The only thing I question is McCarthy in the bullpen.

by 6th street on Aug 6, 2008 11:26 AM CDT 0 recs

and

I dont see them trading Elvis for Greinke. at least not in the offseason. I could see them making that trade midseason or at the deadline if they end up competing for the division the whole year next year. otherwise, I think they would really like to hold onto Elvis.

by 6th street on Aug 6, 2008 11:28 AM CDT up 0 recs

That makes no sense at all

McCarthy is not a bullpen pitcher. If he is healthy he is better than Hurley, Harrison, Feldman, Mendoza, Hunter, Gabbard, and any other young ML ready pitcher we have right now. Feldman is out of options so he has a little more security than guys with options but if we had Sheets, Greinke (I seriously doubt we will come anywhere close to getting him), Padilla, and Millwood, and the final spot was between Feldman and BMac based solely on performance and potential there is no way Feldman beats out McCarthy. Now we may keep Feldman in that scenario because of his roster situation but that would be the only way I can see him being kept over McCarthy.

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 Aug 6, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up 0 recs

bigsteve you are correct

when you say that BMac beats out the others competing for a rotation spot. But IMO he still has to outperform the contenders and prove he can live up to his tremendous potential. I did not see Feldman performing as he has this year but he has. If the same thging happens in ST then I go with the one getting the job done.
Potential is great but is only useful when realized.
I feel the same way about Salty and Laird. On potential I favor Salty, on perfromance I go with Laird, so right no I say go with Laird.
As far as the rotation I may just have a wet dream if the Rangers added Greinke and either Sheets or CC. Can not remember the Rangers EVER addressing pitching issues with that level of a committment (dollars and propects) in one off-season. It would be awesome but I simply can not let myself get excited about fixing the pitching problems in rangerland.

by Bigfan16 on Aug 6, 2008 1:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

adding Greinke and Sheets...

thats a sweet recipe for long term success….

thanx EG, never thought of that.

ben sheets is a walking train wreck of an injury history, but we should sign him up!!! b/c the 98mph lefty will just cost way too much. ignore the sheets injury history, he will save us 4+M bucks we can spend to re-up cat to an extension or resign ben blewhard. after that we can trade 3 of our top prospects for 2 seasons of a guy who has missed time for being nuts and doesnt exactly have a track record of innings eater.

that definitely screams recipe for success.

"I’m sure you’ve seen Kiker before but I’ll just reiterate that the kid is mean on the mound. He is only 5’10’’ but he is an intimidator. He looks like he hates hitters. He has the juice for pressure situations."
-Jason Parks on Jul 22, 2008 10:08 PM

by Jayslick on Aug 6, 2008 11:35 AM CDT up 0 recs

CC Sabathia

will not be a Ranger next year. Sorry. Next question.

by JBImaknee on Aug 6, 2008 11:42 AM CDT up 0 recs

fine i accept that

but dont make arguments that sheets is the better option. he isnt the better option, he may be the cheaper option, he may be the more likely option, but he isnt the best option and id make a strong argument that sheets shouldnt even remotely be considered given his history at 4 years 62M.

"I’m sure you’ve seen Kiker before but I’ll just reiterate that the kid is mean on the mound. He is only 5’10’’ but he is an intimidator. He looks like he hates hitters. He has the juice for pressure situations."
-Jason Parks on Jul 22, 2008 10:08 PM

by Jayslick on Aug 6, 2008 12:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

4/62

He’ll get more than that.

I’d be ecstatic if we could sign him at that price…

Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.

by Brian Thomas on Aug 6, 2008 2:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Millwood

if the Rangers were to somehow acquire Sheets AND Greinke, then I think you’d see Texas trade Millwood and pay a big chunk of his salary to someone for a bag of baseballs…

by JBImaknee on Aug 6, 2008 11:41 AM CDT up 0 recs

From TR's bag;

“Why do the Rangers and Blue Jays have a “much strained relationship” when it comes to trade talks?”

This is news to me. Since TR answered both the dude’s questions without actually saying anything, can someone fill me in?

Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.

by Brian Thomas on Aug 6, 2008 2:21 PM CDT 0 recs

Maybe because J.P. Ricciardi is a giant douche.

Sorry that’s all I got.

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 Aug 6, 2008 2:43 PM CDT up 0 recs

Maybe JD told a "big scnazz" joke

JP Ricciardi’s beak is so big, he buys his kleenex at the Big and Tall shop.

Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.

by Brian Thomas on Aug 6, 2008 2:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

DaMurph!!

“I’d say David Murphy fits into the Ranger outfield plans for a long time to come. He began Tuesday 9 for 22 against lefties after a 2 month slump against them.”
“It’s a pretty good bet he will set the record for most RBI’s by a rookie” surpassing Inky and Tex…woot!!!

Thanks Evan that made my day!!! DaMurph = Beast

I've never seen a pitcher with "bone spur" issues throw 96 mph. The only spurs I'm aware of are the spurs that Wash has buried in C J's ass as he rides him. I love ya C J but welcome to Wash's DOGHOUSE.
.

by LAMuscleFag on Aug 6, 2008 3:41 PM CDT 0 recs

Devil's advocate

Matt Kata could get 70 RBI with this bunch hitting ahead of him.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 6, 2008 3:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

Murphy has been OK at best...

...and I’m not that excited about him going forward since he’s an almost 27-year-old COF with an OPS+ that hovers between 95-105.

He’s cheap and sort of versatile, but considering how little value RsBI have when evaluating true performance let’s stop the “Rusty Greer Part II” celebrations.

Physician: Primum non nocere

Batter: First, make no out

by Chad Crudup on Aug 6, 2008 4:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

If you believe in BABIP and expected BABIP...

Murphy’s been unlucky to the tune of 20 points of batting average this year.

.273/.319/.464 isn’t a bad rookie line—bump each number up by .02, and it’s a pretty fantastic rookie line. I would much rather see him walk more than 4.6% of the time, though.

by jwiscarson on Aug 6, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

They are very good comparisons

Rusty came up at the age of 25 and put up an OPS+ of 131 in 80 games.
Murphy came up at the age of 25 and put up an OPS+ of 144 in 46 games

At age 26 Rusty put up and OPS+ of 100 in 131 games (his first full season)
At age 26 Murphy is putting up an OPS+ of 107 in 107 games so far (his first full season)

Their batting averages are almost identical, Rusty had a better OBP but Murphy has a better SLG. Of course only time will tell but for reference Rusty put up an OPS+ of 128 the next year his breakout year. If Murphy does that this club will be scary good.

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 Aug 6, 2008 4:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

Rusty

had better numbers all the way around in the minors and a better OBP everywhere. If Murphy hits like Rusty’s 3rd year next year he’s officially a freak.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Aug 6, 2008 4:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

minors numbers don't mean shit

Once you get to the bigs your minors numbers mean zero. Those numbers may get you the initial shot but if you can’t hack it once you are up you are useless. Look at our very own Botts, tejeda, and Cruz. Guys who pitched or hit extremely well in the minors but couldn’t duplicate that in the majors. So what if Murphy wasn’t a AAA hall of famer. he has proven he can perform in the majors. Thats more than Botts or Cruz could say. he was a 1st round pick so he was obvisouly highly thought of by someone. Rusty was a 10th round pick so the argument could be made he outperformed his hype. All I care about is what he does in the majors for me. If he doesn’t turn out to be another rusty Greer thats fine. But right now he has had a similar career so far to Rusty. Thats all I was trying to point out.

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 Aug 6, 2008 5:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Minors numbers

They are usualy an excellent predictor of success in the bigs.

Hopefully, Murph is atypical.

Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.

by Brian Thomas on Aug 6, 2008 7:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yep

But then again there are a bunch of guys who tear up the minors and can’t do anything in the majors. To me minor league numbers get you the shot in the bigs and can help you stay around if you struggle for some time but after awhile if you can’t hack it you can’t hack it. Murphy has been up now for a year and has done pretty damn well. Can he maintain this and grow like Rusty did? I don’t know. Thats the question. But right now he is on the same path Rusty was on in the majors. Only time will tell if he continues on Rustys path or if his path stops and this is all we got, which by the way is not too bad.

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 Aug 6, 2008 8:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

and he was on steriods.

"I’m sure you’ve seen Kiker before but I’ll just reiterate that the kid is mean on the mound. He is only 5’10’’ but he is an intimidator. He looks like he hates hitters. He has the juice for pressure situations."
-Jason Parks on Jul 22, 2008 10:08 PM

by Jayslick on Aug 6, 2008 5:14 PM CDT up 0 recs