T.R. Sullivan mailbag

by Adam J. Morris on Sep 1, 2008 3:16 PM CDT Comment 34 comments

He says that, right now, Brandon McCarthy and Eric Hurley are higher on the depth chart than Kason Gabbard and Luis Mendoza in terms of being in the 2009 rotation, that bowlerdizedbowdlerized word from on high is that rumors of Nolan Ryan cleaning house this offseason are "rubbish," and gives odds on eight players whose future with the Rangers seems most up in the air being back next year.

Some good stuff this week...check it out...

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lol

Word has come from the very top that such speculation is “rubbish.” Well, the word “rubbish” wasn’t used, but you get the idea.

hicks be funny too.

"Popularity is fleeting. Principles are forever."

by Longhorn on Sep 1, 2008 3:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Cassity J., Longview, Texas

YOU are a MORON!!!!!!!!

by meatbonelefty on Sep 1, 2008 3:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I smell a Tom Hicks sockpuppet

Who else would come up with that?

by RangersOCD on Sep 1, 2008 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

"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 Sep 1, 2008 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disappointed

He thinks there’s a better chance of Kam Loe being here next season than Milton Bradley.

by Darrell McKown on Sep 1, 2008 3:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

if we can get 2 picks

and put Max at DH…i don’t think that’s THAT disappointing…

"Popularity is fleeting. Principles are forever."

by Longhorn on Sep 1, 2008 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read that its unlikely bradley will be an "A" and its probably only going to be one pick

which is a pretty disappointing return on his big season.

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

by DSheppard on Sep 1, 2008 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i don't believe that is true

where did you read that?

"Popularity is fleeting. Principles are forever."

by Longhorn on Sep 1, 2008 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember...

seeing it first as a post by Coolbean. Search “barely type b” on LSB, and you’ll find the post, presumably with whatever link Coolbean had to his source.

"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."

by benmor78 on Sep 1, 2008 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmm

that’s from a tigers blog and he has matsui over bradley? Haven’t they both missed a lot of game the past few years?

"Popularity is fleeting. Principles are forever."

by Longhorn on Sep 1, 2008 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

there is no definitive list

the formula that MLB uses is kept from the public, but several have tried to reverse engineer the formula and make predictions. Nobody really knows.

I’d be shocked if a guy in the top of the league in all the rate stats is anything but a type A.

Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.

by tricer on Sep 1, 2008 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Elias Rankings

Elias does the rankings for free agents. Here is some more info on how players are ranked. Link.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Sep 1, 2008 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disappointing

I think it’s pretty disappointing. A draft pick or two for a guy putting up an OPS greater than one isn’t a good return.

by Darrell McKown on Sep 1, 2008 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

bowlerdized

i was pretty sure you meant bowdlerized but i had to google just to make sure. First thing that came up was this post.

""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 Sep 1, 2008 3:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bob M

If watching Salty adjust his batting gloves is driving you crazy, you really need to get out of the basement and get a life. ;)

by 3bagbeast on Sep 1, 2008 4:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Drives me crazy too

But only because I only notice it after he has watched a fastball go right over the middle of the plate. It happens quite often. Don’t know about you but I don’t like seeing my 23 year old supposedly great offensive catcher whos batting .250 watch fastball after fastball go right over the plate for called strikes.

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 Sep 1, 2008 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What bothers me

more is him playing once a week. When he was getting more consistant PT he wasnt watching FB, he was hitting them. Its a timing thing, you know Steve. The glove thing I believe is him just trying to get comfortable at the plate. .254 is better than most back-ups in the league.

by 3bagbeast on Sep 1, 2008 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When he was playing consistent he was sucking

Hes played alot better of late playing very sparingly. You’re right that .254 is better than most backups in the league. But that also implies that he is nothing more than a backup. When we traded for him he was lauded as a young catcher whos offensive prowess at a young age made up for his shortcomings defensively at his age. Well since hes come here I have seen him watch far too many good pitches go right by with his bat not budge. Then he does this stupid batting glove ritual and bat flip that it seems he is more focused on than swinging the bat. Just my personal opinion but when Nomar first came up his BG rituals garnered attention but he was also hitting .300. When Salty starts hitting .300 im sure nobody will mind what he does with his batting gloves in between pitches.

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 Sep 1, 2008 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just a thought on Salty's

batting glove ritual. Before gloves, hitters used to step out and knock non-existent dirt off their spikes or pick up dirt and rub their bats. I think it’s just a nervous mannerism and he really does not take up a lot of time doing it. He is back in the box fairly quickly. Most hitters have some little ritual between pitches.

by Jea103 on Sep 1, 2008 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wasnt implying

that he was a backup. Thats just how he has been treated since coming here. When Laird was on the DL he more than held his own, only to be pushed aside once again in favor of Laird (who is in a defensive and offensive nosedive) being named the starter. BTW When has he ever had consistant PT since he has been here?
Also, remember Wash emphisized defense NOT offense with him and he has been working on what has been asked of him. Funny, when he does well offensively you cry his defense sucks and when he does well defensively its his offense that sucks. I am beginning to believe the best thing for him would be to get traded so he could move on to a successful career like so many other ex Rangers have done in the past.
As far as the Nomar comment, you are right , he was hitting .300 but that wasover a 680 AB 153 game season. His 1st season in the show was worse than Saltalamacchia so not really relevant.

by 3bagbeast on Sep 1, 2008 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Salty

During the period Laird was out (June 20- July 27) Salty had an OPS of .622. He did not “more than hold his own”.

Is this your new screenname 525DP? Thats what it sounds like. Are you really saying that Nomars not relevant because of 24 games as a 22 year old in 96. I was expecting it to be a full year when you made your argument. Nomars first full season he hit .306 so my point was very valid.

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 Sep 1, 2008 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice try

I thought it irrelevant that a comparison be made between the two. Play Salty a full year and then you can compare. I still think the glove thing is a pretty petty thing to complain about but hey, everyone has opinions and thats OK.

by 3bagbeast on Sep 1, 2008 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

x

I am beginning to believe the best thing for him would be to get traded so he could move on to a successful career like so many other ex Rangers have done in the past.

I had been thinking that you were a relative. Given that quote, I certainly hope I’m wrong about that.

by Adam J. Morris on Sep 1, 2008 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

won’t be the first time or probably the last. Meh.

by 3bagbeast on Sep 1, 2008 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cat

has a better chance coming back than Byrd or Bradley? Didn’t see that one coming…

"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 Sep 1, 2008 4:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

contracts

Cats under one for next year. Bradleys a FA and Byrd is arbitration eligible. Depending on what the Rangers want to do roster wise they may decide to let him walk and not offer it or try and work out a 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.

by bigsteve on Sep 1, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But

is Cat really worth a spot on the 40 anymore?

"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 Sep 1, 2008 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Probably not

But unless some team wants to take his contract or we are forced to cut him I don’t see Hicks eating the remaining salary

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 Sep 1, 2008 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hicks did pay

3.85 million for Broussard’s contract when he was DFA’d. That makes me think he may take Cat’s at 4 million

"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 Sep 1, 2008 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt he'd just be released

If the Rangers took on, say, half of what he’s owed, someone would take him.

He won’t be flat cut.

by Adam J. Morris on Sep 1, 2008 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Catalanotto

I could see him traded for something like a middle reliever with a similar contract.

by Darrell McKown on Sep 1, 2008 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cat

I won’t believe his Rangers career is ending until I see Davis back next year.

Still kind of think Beasticon II’s going to headline a deal for pitching.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Sep 1, 2008 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Considering we are stuck with his contract

Id lay big odds on him staying.

"Oh well, McCain is pretty communist anyway,... we can be 70% communist with McCain,"-Sharky

"I just hope enough dumb oversexed over self-esteemed American public educated female liberals (yeah, you know the type) vote for a woman because she has a vagina, to swing some things."- Sharky.

by DJCahill on Sep 2, 2008 7:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if Bradley leaves

we will not get significant value in return via the draft, and this offense will sputter in comparison to this season. I think Josh Hamilton becomes a .280 hitter with 25 HR and 100 RBI next year with Bradley gone, and I think Kinsler goes from a 150 run season pace to 110. this is all just my own personal speculation, but I truly think Milton brings a huge presence to this lineup, and if we replace him with MaxRam and fail to find a 3B (or 1B if Davis stays at 3rd) that provides power hitting, average and patience at the plate, our lineup is in trouble. this is all in comparison to this year, so we’ll probably still put a good offense out there, just not one that can change the outcome of every game, like I felt this offense could for the first 2/3 of the season.

"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 Sep 2, 2008 9:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs