Wednesday night linkaliciousness
by Adam J. Morris on Sep 3, 2008 9:02 PM CDT
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PrintNext time the DHL commercial on the golf course is on, could someone tell me if I'm insane for thinking that Big Love from "House" is the employee?
Some linkys for you...
Kevin Goldstein's Future Shock today has some Taylor Teagarden talk:
Taylor Teagarden, C: This is really a showcase. That, or Jarrod Saltalammachia is being showcased. Or maybe it's Gerald Laird... and oh yeah, what about Max Ramirez, who hit .347/.439/.628 in the minors this year? The point is that the Rangers have a a quartet of big-league-ready catchers, and something or someone is going to have to give. A third-round pick in 2005, Teagarden is probably the best defender of the quartet, but he also has the most questionable bat. He'll never hit for much of an average, but hopes to make up for it with plenty of walks and home runs. With a .211/.319/.374 line this year in a season that had its fair share of hiccups due to injuries and the Olympics, there is still work to be done, and the Rangers may be hoping that someone else steps forward that has the time to do that work.
Ken Rosenthal also talks about the Ranger catching:
Rangers catcher Gerald Laird remains a strong candidate to be traded this winter. The Rangers, forever trying to improve their pitching, are enamored with Taylor Teagarden's receiving and game-calling. Teagarden, a right-handed hitter, intially could platoon with Jarrod Saltalamacchia, a switch-hitter who is better from the left side. Max Ramirez, another catching prospect, could end up as a designated hitter and first baseman next season if the Rangers lose outfielder Milton Bradley as a free agent . . .
Keith Law has a chat session up...some excerpts...
Keith Law: Aaron Rowand in his last 400 PA: .258 /.328/.398. $11 million is a lot of money for a fourth outfielder ... but at least he only has four years left on his deal!
Everyone who wanted Aaron Rowand, raise your hand. Everyone who wanted Rowand and Torii Hunter, because Rowand could be our RF and Hunter our CF, go stand in the corner.
Mike (Rutland, VT): Hi Keith, Any thoughts on the performance of the Pirates' front office as it relates to the trade deadline and Alvarez contract mess? Thanks for your time.
Keith Law: I'll answer the broader question and hopefully I'll answer yours in here somewhere. The part that bothers me is that MLB unilaterally bent the rules on the signing deadline. One, they can't do that without talking to the union. Two, they never even admitted they were doing this until Boras called them out on it. And three, I'm pretty sure that these waivers were abused in at least one instance to allow for continued negotiations, not just dotting i's and crossing t's. Should the Pirates' front office be charged as co-conspirators? I don't know. If I was Huntington and the Commissioner's Office said, "Just finish the deal, don't worry about the clock," I'd finish the damn deal. By the same token, if I'm Scott Boras and my client gets a $6 million offer that I think is sketchy, I take the deal first and challenge it later so that at least my client has it in his back pocket if he decides he just wants to take the money and run.
Emphasis mine, because I wonder if he's talking about the 2008 draft or 2007. If he's talking about the 2007 draft, there immediately comes to mind a certain draftee whose announcement came real, real late, where there was a cone of silence until the next day and a major league deal involved.
Allyson, Dallas: Keith, thanks for chatting! Julio Borbon has been playing very good this year so will the Rangers look at him in CF to start the season next year?
Wow. Borbon as the possible 2009 Opening Day CF'er would cause a lot of other dominos to fall.
Allyson, Dallas: Rangers top 10 prospects - 1. Feliz 2. Holland 3. Andrus 4. Smoak 5. Main 6. Ramirez 7. Beavan 8. Borbon 9. Engle Beltre 10. Kasey Kiker. Agree?
Borbon 7 and Ross 9...very interesting picks there...
Kevin Goldstein also has a chat up, that is very Pedro Alvarez-centric, with a quick Ranger question at the top.
Columnist Bob Lutz, in a piece questioning the direction Dayton Moore is taking the Royals, questions whether Trey Hillman is all that:
As for Hillman -- is this working?
He was brought in after managing in Japan for a few years. He has been called out by Guillen (ignore) and, most recently, backup catcher Miguel Olivo (more credible).
Losing can bring out the worst in people, which is why the Royals' clubhouse in September has been a devil's playground.
Asked about whether Hillman was the right choice, Moore recently told the Star: "No question. I can't think of a better person who would have been, and remains, as committed to what we're trying to do here. He has sold out on what we're trying to do here."
OK.
* * *What does it say about the Royals that one of the most productive hitters in the minor leagues -- first baseman Kila Kaaihue (36 homers, 97 RBIs in 380 at-bats) languished at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha before receiving a September call-up?
Meanwhile, Hillman spent much of the season penciling in the soft-swatting Gload, who has all of three homers, at first base.
Jim Callis also did a chat...lots of Alvarez, no Rangers.
Shysterball rakes Rick Reilly over the coals for making a stupid, populist anti-steroids/lawsuit argument.
Stephen A. Smith says black people have better things to do than nerd out playing fantasy sports...
John Barten has his latest edition of the THT Awards up...
Jacoby Ellsbury since June 1: .259/.295/.336. Ouch.
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Borbon
That would be interesting….. Guess it would be Borbon in Center, Hamilton in Right and a platoon of Murphy and someone in left…. I think the best solution for the LF platoon is for JMJ to split time with Murph.
"Mr. Hicks, you watch, I'm going to be a leader on this team." Kinsler
OF
I wouldn’t mind a Murphy/ Borbon/ Hammy OF. Boggs as the 4th OF. Trade Byrd. Let JMJ be in OKC as the injury callup guy.
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.
I leave Borbon in OKC...
as the callup guy. I start Hamilton in CF, Murphy in LF, and assuming Cruz doesn’t amaze everyone this month you have JMJ, Boggs, or Byrd in RF.
I would like to move Byrd and try and package JMJ with other prospects for pitching but we shall see. I think there are going to be some deals for the Rangers this winter. There is a excess of catching and outfielders that should be moved for pitching, but only for the right deal.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Why not just leave cruz in right for a month or two in 09,
and when he bombs, because he will, move Hammy over there and call up Borbon.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
Yep
Totally down with it, bigsteve…
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Sep 3, 2008 11:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm a huge Borbon guy,
as I love having a center fielder with actual honest to gosh center fielder range out there, but unless he just absolutely blows everyone away with his greatness in ST next year I’d wait a month or so into the season before bringing him up.
The way I see it is that unless we make some really huge moves this winter we’re not likely to be a playoff team next year, so we’re playing for ’10 and beyond and if we keep him down even one month into the season we get an extra year out of him.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
+1
To clarify I wouldn’t want Borbon up here in April unless he absolutely goes bonkers in ST and forces his way on the team. Boggs as the 4th OF makes most sense because of his versatility. I don’t see JMJ being anything other than a RF. SO its hard to plan for him to be the “utility” OF. If Byrd starts off strong next year he becomes a great trade piece since he will probably be a type A with another good season.
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.
+1 for the use of the word bonkers
The comedic impact of that word is so underrated.
And re: Mayberry – I know he was playing LF in OKC while Cruz was there, but can’t he also play a little first base still? Personally, I kind of see him becoming a younger version of Brad WIlkerson, a good platoon player who can fill in on the corners and play first base when necessary. He even has a 1.094 OPS against LHP in OKC this year, which would make him seem like the perfect candidate to platoon with David Murphy (although Brandon Boggs historically kills lefties as well).
We need to hire Chuck Norris to kick the ass of any Ranger fan caught booing one of our young pitchers at the RBiA.
by LSJ on Sep 4, 2008 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions
interesting you mention byrd
in that sense. he has revealed himself to be a quality, yet extremely streaky hitter. last year he started off monstrously but languished in the middle months, only to finish strong in september to claim a .307 average. and .814 OPS
this year its been reversed: before the all-star break he hit .246 and after it he’s hit .338 including .393 in august.
if we aim to trade him (and it would make sense since he’s approaching FA, we probably wont be in contention next year, and we have a handfull of young guys beating down the door to join this outfield), let’s hope he goes on one of his tears in advance of the deadline so we can maximize our return. he should be movable, as a solid bat who can play all 3 outfield positions. ive enjoyed byrd a lot, but it seems logical that we would try to move him next year.
by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Sep 4, 2008 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Law
showin some love to Main and Ross. Good to hear
"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
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Aaron Rowand
I wanted the Rangers to sign Rowand, but I guess everything turned out way better.
In Rowand’s defense, though. SF’s lineup is one of the weakest ones around. They have a 22-year old rookie catcher batting 3rd these days.
This note on Michael Taylor especially caught my eye
Which I highlighted earlier:
Michael Taylor (Clearwater, FL): What light came on that allowed me to start hitting like I have been? Where was this at Stanford? And how does a guy who is 6′6″, 250 have the speed and athleticism to be a decent outfield glove and steal bases? Maybe I grow up to be Corey Hart with an extra 30 pounds of muscle?
Goldstein: As far as where this was at Stanford, ask Stanford. Scouts talk a lot about "the Stanford swing" which is single-place and designed for contact and not a one-size-fits-all solution. Taylor is now away from that and good things are happening for him. As far as how a 6-6, 250 guy has that kind of athleticism — you just need to see him. He’s not some massive hulking guy one-dimensional stiff, he’s ripped like a football player.
Am I the only person who had never heard of the “Stanford Swing?”
In any event, that reminded me of JP’s lengthy post on Junior Mayberry back in early July, which seemed to be especially prescient – he’s regressed significantly since the All-Star break (.237/.279/.414 in 169 AB) and will be 25 on Opening Day, so the Jermaine Dye comps are starting to lose relevance.
So yeah, there’s that.
Law must be very high on Main...
To have him above Holland, or just down on Holland, though every other source I see is very high on Holland.
Law has always been high on Main but putting him there could slot him as a top 40 prospect atleast.
Main over Holland
That was the thing that caught my eye, yeah. I don’t even think I’d slot Neftali ahead of Holland right now.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Sep 3, 2008 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions
It may be because Holland is basically a one-pitch guy right now
I know his breaking ball and change show promise, but if they never develop he is a reliever. On the other hand, Main already has a nice assortment of pitches and just needs experience. Or, it could just be that he is really high on Main. After all, it is not like Main is just getting by with a mid 80s heater and deception.
I love me some Main,
he really has a better future I think, then Holland.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
+1
ive liked him more than most in our system
"I don’t know of a single thing Obama’s done except talk and write." - Newt Gingrich
by knockoutking on Sep 4, 2008 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
wow.
I love Main too, but check these numbers comparing Feliz (easily our top prospect overall) in his 11 outings (including playoffs) vs. Holland and his 5 outings (including playoffs):
Feliz numbers at AA this year: 5-3, 2.59 ERA, 37 hits and 25 walks given up and 58 strikeouts in 52 innings, .210 opponents’ batting average
Holland’s numbers at AA this year: 4-0 , 0.82 ERA, 16 hits and 7 walks given up and 34 strikeouts in 33 innings, .160 opponents’ batting average
I would say that these numbers, while granted small in sample size, show that Holland might not only be as good or better than Feliz, but that he’s reaching “untouchable” proportions, and that Main, while starting out with a higher profile at a younger age than Holland in our system, has QUITE a lot of work to do. The jump from A (low A at that) to AA is after all considered to be the most difficult, right? And Holland is absolutely dominating, without a hiccup.
"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 5, 2008 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions
did you post on espn under this name or another one?
"I don’t know of a single thing Obama’s done except talk and write." - Newt Gingrich
by knockoutking on Sep 4, 2008 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Borbon
Another guy I wouldn’t be surprised seeing with the ML guys on Opening Day.
By the way, Adam, are you referring to Porcello? Or Borbon? Didn’t get that ref…
Go Strangers.
Borbon
I'm undefeated in fights. Have I been in any? No. Thats because people know my f'ing status. Don't mess with the elite. - Miles
by Dirk Diggler on Sep 3, 2008 11:27 PM CDT up reply actions
The Rangers announced the Borbon signing 15 hours after the deadline last June
Word came down that a deal was nearly done at around 10 AM on the 16th, but that the holdup was whether or not he was going to get an ML deal.
Wow, that's a lot of stuff
Thanks. Wow on ranking Ross that high. It would be awfully exciting if he justified that next season.
I’d be excited to have Borbon’s defense next April, but I sure wish he’d walk a bit more. If he hits .280/.315/.380 is that good enough with solid defense? Because I think that’s about what we can hope for.
I’d be down with a Tea/Salty platoon, with Max at DH.
O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.
Tea/Salty platoon w/ Max at DH
That is a lot of assets devoted to what amounts to about 1.5 spots in the lineup, especially with the holes that we have elsewhere. Plus, all those players have high ceilings and deserve full time ABs to develop at the ML level.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
To clarify
I’m making Max pretty much the fulltime DH, with spot rest for Hamilton and others. and I’m not planning to keep both Tea and Salty forever. I think that platoon gives you time to test Tea’s durability and Salty’s development and you can move one later. I just do not see the Rangers trading two catcher this offseason.
O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.
not a bad idea
but it just seems like an awful lot of talent to have stockpiled at one position with such obvious weaknesses in other spots on the roster.
I think the ideal plan would be something like:
1. trade Laird for whatever you can get
2. install Max as primary DH/3rd catcher
3. target a particular young pitcher that the organization likes the best and is obtainable for one of TT/Salts and make that deal.
4. leftover catcher from #3 is your starter.
I’d rather have the best pitcher we can get, I’m not so worried about keeping the best catcher.
But I guess your idea would be okay, if there isn’t a market for either of TT/Salts, but that would fly in the face of the “catching has premium trade value” mantra so often heard on LSB.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
So, left out of your numeration
is acquiring an anonymous backup catcher. This plan would be ideal if it all worked out. I just get this gut feeling that only one catcher will be traded this winter.
O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.
Anonymous
backup catchers always seem to be available. Often, they don’t seem to be significantly worse than the average to below starter that teams use.
"Oh well, McCain is pretty communist anyway,... we can be 70% communist with McCain,"-Sharky
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say he steals 50 bags
and winds up with 90 runs out of the # 9 spot for half of the year and then moves into the leadoff spot in the 2nd half , moving Kinsler to 3rd, Hamilton to 4th, Bradley to 5th (Young stays 2nd) and Davis to 6th. mix in the most triples on our team and quite a few doubles that should’ve been singles.
I’d take it. not saying it’ll happen, but I’d take it.
"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 5, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Wow. Borbon as the possible 2009 Opening Day CF'er would cause a lot of other dominos to fall.
I think the dominos that would fall wouldn’t be all that bad. Hammy moves to right, borbon in Center, MaxRam as the DH, and Bradley will net a draft pick or two. Its actually one of the better scenarios going forward.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
How would Borbon cause Max to DH?
The domino I see falling due to that is Byrd being moved and JMJ staying in the minors. It wouldn’t affect Bradley at all.
Plus again what is this fascination with Max at DH next year? What has he done above AA to show he should be our DH next year? He had a phenominal year in AA this year there is no denying that. But I would like to see him do it at a higher level before leaving a roster spot reserved in his name.
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.
Not Max to DH
…that doesn’t seem to make sense for me, but if Borbon is the starting everyday CF, Hamilton obviously moves to right with time as DH, left field will be some combo of Boggs/Murphy/Byrd, so obviously someone in LF has to go. Then the other DH could, I suppose, be Max, could be Milton if he re-signed, could be an unknown. Who knows. Not sure what JD’s opinion of Boggs is, but I do not think that he is Washington’s favorite player out there. For whatever reason.
Max is perfect for DH
Next year should be another rebuilding year with PT for high ceiling young players the top priority. Why offer a multi year deal to an iffy, declining vet to fill a spot on a rebuilding team with a perfect option already in house?
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
Max
He very well may be perfect for the DH role down the road. But until he shows something at a higher level than AA I don’t think think we should be penciling him in just yet. I know hes been injured and its a small sample size but he hasn’t exactly lit AAA on fire in his time there yet. Thats where he should start next year not only for offense but defensively as well. If he goes on a Davis-esque tear and starts hitting .350/.400/.600 then yeah we can bring him up. I would go into the offseason looking to resign Bradley, who by the way isn’t really declining, to a 2-3 year deal and if Max does what we think he can do then we have a great situation on our hands. We could either trade Bradley or Max. But lets not put all our eggs in Maxs basket when he hasn’t shown much above AA so far.
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.
When rebuilding, you need to play young players
And Max has 37 at bats in AAA, stop acting like he was a big failure there.
Dude is the best hitting prospect in the entire Texas League and next season is perfect opportunity for him to get his feet wet. I don’t see any need in spending millions on a multi-year deal on a frail DH that will be either injured or declining by the time the team gets enough pitching to compete.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
Texas League
Thats AA right? I know its a small sample size. But between the small sample size here in Arlington and the small sample size in OKC I don’t think he is ready to be the full time DH in Arlington next year. It may be a rebuilding year but it should be a competitive rebuilding year. If we can resign Bradley for a 2-3 year deal that is ideal. Let Max start in AAA and if he forces his way to Arlington then we can make a decision on what to do. But right now I don’t want to think about Max Ramirez as the DH next year for the Texas Rangers. Im sorry I just don’t.
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.
Yes, the Texas League is AA
If you think that a frail mid-thirties DH is what this team needs to be investing its resources in, when an elite prospect that needs the ML exposure and is available to fill the same role, then we just have fundamentally different ideas on where this team is and what needs are most important.
I’m wondering what you are planning on doing when Max forces his way onto the roster and Bradley is on the DL?
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
Bradley
If hes on the DL there is nothing to worry about. Max comes up and can play. But if Bradley is in the lineup I don’t see him regressing that much. I can live with him playing 120 games a year. That leaves plenty of games off for Hammy, Kinsler and Young at DH.
All I want is Max to do something above AA before we start penciling him in the starting lineup in the majors. This year Davis started in AA and then went to AAA before coming up. Why can’t Max do like Davis did and pound AAA before we bring him up?
Plus I don’t like pidgeon holing a young player like Max as a DH at such an early age. If he has any hope of being a ML catcher then thats where he should be playing in 2009. Whether thats in OKC or Arlington I don’t care.
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.
"This year Davis started in AA and then went to AAA before coming up."
Aren’t you glad that he wasn’t blocked by a thirty something on a multi-year, multi-million contract?
Rebuilding teams need to play young players. The Rangers are still rebuilding and need to commit resources into shoring up the worst rotation in baseball and one of the worst defenses in baseball, rather than committing those resources to a frail DH.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
Let me ask you this
Since we obviously are just gonna have to agree to disagree.
Who protects Hamilton next year in the lineup? Hank? Davis? Murphy? All those are lefties. Byrd? Do we move Kinsler down to cleanup? We need a RH power bat in the middle of the lineup. I don’t want a rookie with 50 at bats above AA in that position. I don’t care how big a hitting prospect he is. Thats just setting him up for failure.
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.
let me ask you this
what did lineup protection for Hambone get this team this year?
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
Are you serious?
Where do you think this team would be without Bradley and Hamilton this year?
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.
yes, I'm serious
we aren’t talking about Hamilton’s presence next year, we are talking about Bradley.
And without Bradley, this team would be somewhere below .500, which just so happens to be where they are anyway.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
Without Bradley
Without Bradley it is completely feasable to think this offense that is #1 right now would be middle of the road and instead of being right around .500 we would be fighting Seattle for 4th place.
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.
right, but what is your point
If the goal is to string together several more seasons of seventy something wins while posting one of the best offenses in the league, then by all means resign Bradley and bury Max in the minor leagues. Might as well trade some of the minor league arms to shore up 3b while we are at it.
However, if the goal is to actually field competitive teams that might even make some playoff appearances, then we need to break in the elite talent in the minor leagues, shore up the defense, and concentrate foremost on improving the rotation. Signing Milton Bradley doesn’t help with any of those 3 objectives, and most likely would sap resources that could have been used toward that end, rather than assembling the best offense on a losing team – again.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
Max
How does Max shore up the defense?
And we can break him in when hes ready. Again let him show something in AAA before we start calling him our starting DH.
If Milton is gonna cost 12 mil per year and wants 4 years minimum then yeah we don’t need that. But I think he could be had for a reasonable contract that wouldn’t prohibit us from going out and acquiring a pitcher. If we can sign him for 9 mil a year on a 2 year deal with options then I say we have to do it. Max Ramirez be damned.
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.
"How does Max Ramirez shore up the defense?"
Putting him at DH, rather than MB, gives the team an extra $12 million or so, over the next 3 years to address areas of concern – like pitching and defense.
Why don’t you wander over to a KC Royals board and ask them how they feel about signing an aging DH similar to Bradley to provide lineup protection for a rebuilding team.
How are you gonna feel in 2010 or 2011 when John Lackey or Felix Hernandez are on the FA market and we can’t afford to make a play for them because we have a mid thirties Milton Bradley clogging up the payroll and the disabled list while Max is raking at cleanup for the league minimum for someone else.
Bradley might make the team marginally better next year, compared to Max. But a marginal improvement next year should not be the goal. This team is rebuilding, there is not nearly enough pitching to contend next year. Rebuilding teams need to play young players and avoid albatross FA contracts. What you are suggesting is the exact opposite – block young players and sign vets to fill short term holes.
Warner Madrigal makes Ezequiel Astacio look downright handsome.
Bradley
Bradley is not Sammy Sosa. He is only 30 years old. And if you sign him to be your DH it is very likely he could play another 5-6 years. Maybe not 162 games a year but from what we have seen if he can play 120-130 games a year this club would benefit from that.
Detroit was in much the same position we were before 2005. Rebuilding but rebuilding with competition in mind. Granted they had more good young pitching than we do but you know who they signed? Mags Ordonez. Coming off a pretty bad knee injury. He was brought in as a veteran guy who could bat in the middle of the lineup. Hes worked out alright I would say.
The middle of the lineup is not a place I want my young guys batting. Thats why i am perfectly happy seeing Davis at the bottom of the order right now. Next year I think hitting 6th would be best for him. Maybe the occasional 5th but only sometimes. Max couldn’t step in and bat 4th.
Hicks has come out and said if he needs to increase payroll and the player is worth increasing payroll he will do it. I don’t see a 4-5 million raise for Bradley as hamstringing us in 3 years. And until Max proves himself in AAA I will continue to rather have Bradley and his 5 million dollar contract this year or his 9 million dollar contract next year over Max and his $400,000 one.
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.
Bradley will get a similar contract to Guillen
3 years, 36 million.
At a minimum.
"So he tore it up in AA. Yippee. ...Max Ramirez be damned." - bigsteve
an analogy
I work for a small company. If my boss decided that he was going to use this years profits by throwing a company Christmas party and hiring a bunch of $10,000 a night whores and buying a couple kilos of cocaine, I’m sure it would be a great night – but I’d also realize that those profits weren’t going to go into my 401k, and they wouldn’t be invested back into the company. There is only so much money, and once it is spent for one thing it can’t be spent for something else.
I realize that I’d be better off with him using those funds with the long term picture in mind, even though we would all miss out on a helluva party that wouldn’t make a real positive difference in the long term profitability of the company.
Same thing with Bradley. The worst pitching and worst fielding team in the league doesn’t need to commit $30 million a year to Michael Young and Milton Bradley – two guys that don’t make any impact on the teams big weaknesses.
"So he tore it up in AA. Yippee. ...Max Ramirez be damned." - bigsteve
You really need to get your priorities straight
You could always compromise with some 500-a-night whores and a nice case of 18 year old Bushmill’s.
Compromise, baby, compromise.
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
I talk a good game in September
but when December rolls around and the whoas show up, I’m signing away my 401k.
"So he tore it up in AA. Yippee. ...Max Ramirez be damned." - bigsteve
Thats a bad example IMO
But whatever.
I just don’t believe Max is ready to be the starting DH in the heart of the order on Opening Day next year. In fact I don’t think he will be ready to be that until the end of next year at the earliest. I fully realize how good of a season he had this past year in AA and how highly touted and thought of he is as a prospect. But MB is a sure thing. He will give you a great middle of the order bat. A RH bat that we don’t have. A guy that takes pitches, draws walks and gives the middle of the order the presence it needs. FA pitching is the biggest crap shoot there is. We aren’t guaranteed to sign any of those FA pitchers and teams have shown that the best way to get a good rotation is to grow either from within or make trades for good young pitchers. I have looked over the payroll for next year. If we give Milton a 10 million dollar contract we can still go out and sign one of the top FA pitchers to a 17-20 million dollar a year contract and have a payroll around 100 million. Hicks has said he will do something like that if it is in the best interest of the team. Sign one of those top pitchers and resign Bradley. Let Max force his way onto the club and when/if he does then we can make a decision. he could be used to obtain that good young pitcher or Bradley could be dealt for prospects.
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.
Jacoby Ellsbury since June 1: .259/.295/.336. Ouch.
and he’ll still finish #2 in ROY voting. I’m very happy Longoria is going to win it
Alan (Bristol, CT): what is the realistic chance that Pedroia will win MVP? I know people don’t want to give scrappy second baseman the MVP award…but c’mon. Voters are automatically going to look at the HR’s and RBI’s and say he doesnt have enough. This kid does everything and is absolutely the heart and soul of that team right now
Keith Law: I’m not sure if that’s a $5 fine or not. As for Pedroia’s MVP chances, he’d be probably 6th or 7th on my ballot now … not that I have one, which is fine, because when would I have time to fill one out with all the baseball games I go to? In terms of Pedroia’s chances to win, I’m seeing a head of steam building behind his campaign, like Shannon Stewart in ’03. The MVP vote is often like a political campaign – writers pen impassioned pieces in favor of their pet candidates, and other voters are somehow swayed.
hes not even the best 2b in his league lol
"I don’t know of a single thing Obama’s done except talk and write." - Newt Gingrich
He's not?
He and the Kinz are mighty close in pretty much every category, plus Pedroia been injured less, which does come into account in an argument as to who’s been more valuable to his team in a given season.
Personally I don’t think either of them is the MVP, but Pedroia has been every bit as crazy good as Kinz this season.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You hate Kinsler
and probably hate freedom too.
"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.
"JD is a great GM if you ignore the giving away pitching and handing out horrible contract stuff."-Tricer
Actually
Since Kinsler went on the DL, Pedroia has passed him in VORP – his is up to 58.5, thanks to the fact that he has hit an insane .374/.422/.609 since the ASB, and .529/.550/.1000 in the month of August. Kinsler had been sitting at a 54.9 VORP, which is every bit as incradible in itself, but Pedroia has gone absolutely batshit crazy in the second half. If the Red Sox catch the Rays, he will have been one of the biggest reasons why.
We need to hire Chuck Norris to kick the ass of any Ranger fan caught booing one of our young pitchers at the RBiA.
by LSJ on Sep 4, 2008 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Yuppers
I’ll still take Kinsler going forward cause I believe he’s more skilled and will end being the better player over the long haul, but you can’t ignore what Pedroia has done this season. Batshit crazy is a good way to describe his second half. It’s just been bonkers.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Question for the Prime Minister of Hateopia
If ol’ SlapnScurry Borbon hits to the tune of say 277/300/370, is his plussy plussy defense enough to overlook that?
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
Question
what about Julio Borbon makes you think he’ll hit .277/.300/.370
Other than the fact that he apparently killed your father, of course.
Fair enough
Let’s get your prediction down then.
Lay it on me.
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
Is that really what you think Bourbon's major league numbers will be?
.277/.300/.370?
That’s hateful, Sauce.
Even for you.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Not necessarily
I was primarily trying to determine how shitty his offensive production has to be before all of you that are so enamored with his one tool would sour on him.
I don’t think he’ll do that poorly, but typically, you always strive to think the worst of somebody. E dirkatratus hatus.
I do, however, think you are overestimating his walk totals. I’ll go out on a limb right now and bet you a steak dinner that Ol SlapnScurry’s OBP isn’t 50 points above his average. No fuckin way, Broheim.
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
x
I was primarily trying to determine how shitty his offensive production has to be before all of you that are so enamored with his one tool would sour on him.
Are you talking about his defense?
As far as his walk totals, I agree, I think he’ll put up a 30-40 point spread between average and OBP. I do this he can give you a 100-120 ISO, though.
by Adam J. Morris on Sep 4, 2008 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions
His speed
That’s mostly what he’s got.
His defense isn’t good b/c of his arm or any supadupa route running ability.
Yes, he hits for average, but when a guy has little power and no eye, don’t you have to be a little dubious of him maintaining that against big boy pitching? Witness how his steal percentage has come crashing back down to earth after hitting AA.
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
x
That’s mostly what he’s got.
His defense isn’t good b/c of his arm or any supadupa route running ability.
Yes, he hits for average, but when a guy has little power and no eye, don’t you have to be a little dubious of him maintaining that against big boy pitching? Witness how his steal percentage has come crashing back down to earth after hitting AA.
Actually, the guys who usually crash at the major league level are the guys who, at the minor league level, hit for a decent average, walk a ton, but have no power. Pitchers in the majors discover they can just challenge them, because they can’t do anything with a hittable pitch, and their walk totals crater.
by Adam J. Morris on Sep 4, 2008 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions
So, if I'm a big boy pitcher
And I see a guy who sniffs the warning track, and is allergic to bases on balls, I struggle in what way?
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
Well
Lets see we have already have a guy who was supposed to be a great offensive player who takes a bunch of walks. Too bad now that he is in the majors he is only hitting .250 and very little power.
Why not go the opposite and get a guy who doesn’t walk but hits .300. If they both get on base at a .340 clip does it matter if its via hit or walk?
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.
i'd like your posts a lot better if you axed the deliberately stupid vocabulary.
Hey, you suck McBain.
by oc on Sep 4, 2008 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Note to self: More capital letters in posts
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
by Brian Thomas on Sep 5, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
you ask yourself
what the fuck Juan Pierre is in the batter’s box and what happened to this Julio Borbon guy that was in the lineup that your manager gave you.
Question, what does he have to slug before the “no power” label comes off. He’s at .459 in AA to end the regular season, does he have to break .500?
"no eye"
guys with no eye tends to strike out quite a bit, Borbon’s BB% is pretty low, but so is his K%. That and his .122 ISOP makes it unlikely he’s a guy with no eye as so much he’s a guy who doesn’t really like to work the count. For my guess, I’ll go
.320/.360/.450 at his prime years
.290/.330/.430 for next year
If he produces those numbers, I promise to shut the fuck up
And I’ll be the first to tell you and Huntressa I was dead wrong.
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
That seems pretty optimistic
I’d bet more like .300/.330/.440 in his prime and .270/.300/.400 next year. My less optimistic projection would still be alright, though, if he’s everything we hope on defense.
O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.
And fwiw...
Borbon probably scores well in 3 of the 5 “traditional” tools categories…
by Adam J. Morris on Sep 4, 2008 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Speed, like arm strength, needs to stop being included with power, average, and defense like it is equally important
It isn’t.
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
That's fine
In that case, he has 2 of the 3 important tools.
by Adam J. Morris on Sep 4, 2008 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Not really, except under the traditional, not very good 5-tool formula
Plate discipline should be one of the most essential implements in any player’s shed.
Julie no gotty. In descending order: PD, power, defense. Borbon has the third one, but he gets an incomplete for arm strength. And anecdotally, FWIW (which isn’t all that much), when I saw Borbon Murphy appeared to cover alot more ground.
Let’s hear your Borbon prediction then, Adam.
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
avg/obp/slug
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
by Brian Thomas on Sep 5, 2008 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions
For when?
2009, in the majors?
Or over, say, a 3-5 year peak period?
by Adam J. Morris on Sep 5, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
There should be two tools: Defense and hitting.
Bourbon’s got the potential to be a huge asset defensively at a premium position while holding his own at the plate.
Don’t see what all the hate is about.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I think he'll be a lot closer to a 5% bb rate than he will the 2% you're predicting
And what kind of steak dinner are we talking here? I’m not your wife so don’t expect to close any deals by taking me to the Sizzler.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Please, Bdiddy doesn't roll with business class, much less Greyhound class
You name it.
And i already told you that wasn’t my prediction, that was only a possibility that I think isn’t out of the question.
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
It's a deal then
5% or greater bb rate at the big league level or you get one delicious steak dinner on me. Not that we’ll ever take each other up on said offer since we live several states apart and I hate you, but, still… It’s on.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Of course we will
Unless your some antisocial hermit, I anticipate we’ll be having cocktails together at some point.
Especially now, we’re not that far apart, hatressa (herr herr snap, did you see what I did there, I name-melded you, yay me).
You are welcome in casa Tomas anytime.
As soon as your sister gives you permission.
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
I prefer misanthropic recluse, thankyouverymuch.
The cocktails sounds like a plan though. Who knows, maybe the Rangers will actually make the playoffs again in our lifetime and we can watch a playoff game as I digest that $59.99 steak you’ll end up buying me cause you’re as wrong about Julio Borbon as you are about Rufus Wainwright and Million Dollar Baby.
Assuming the NSA gives you permission to leave the compound that is.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
That would be fine
if hes in the 9 hole.
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.
Sub 700 OPS should never be acceptable, doncha think?
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
If he plays GG caliber defense
I think I can handle it from my #9 hitter. All 9 guys don’t have to be silver sluggers.
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.
I guess it depends on how "plussy-plussy" his defense is, Sauce
If he’s a true rally killing extra base thief out there, then I guess I could live with that in the 9-hole for a year as he learns on the job, though I’d prefer something better.
But what on the flying spaghetti monster’s green Earth makes the disreputable Mr. Carter-Thomas think Bourbon would post such numbers?
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You too
Let me hear your median numbers for Ol’ Un hombre, un herramienta.
Last week I took a pleasure trip. I drove my wife to the airport.
For what?
His peak years? Or for next year?
If we bring him up right away next year I think he’ll struggle a bit and you’re probably looking at .290/.335/.400.
Once he hits his stride I think you’re looking at a .300/.350/.425-type guy year in and year out. A poor man’s Kenny Lofton due to the lower walk rate. There’s some value in those types of numbers when they come from a plussy-plussy defensive center fielder, though I know your hardened hateful hater heart would rather see us continue to run out good hit/bad field center fielders cause their offensive stats look all shiny and purty when you look them up on your home office computer machine.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Borbon's translated AA numbers
Per BP: .291/.326/.414, .252 EQA.
High-A: .254/.288/.332, .226 EQA
Carlos Gomez has a .233 EQA this season, and is 21 runs below average for CF in 535 PAs. However, per Dewan’s +/-, he’s +26 plays defensively, which means that, on the season, he’s been a roughly average defensive CF’er (since even if they were all singles, using linear weights, 26 singles translates to 18 runs saved).
If Borbon gives you a .240 EQA next season, I think that his defense is enough to make him no worse than slightly below average.
by Adam J. Morris on Sep 4, 2008 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions
curious
what are Max’s translated numbers from AA?
"So he tore it up in AA. Yippee. ...Max Ramirez be damned." - bigsteve
Wow.
That’s nice. I really don’t see the point in spending millions on Bradley. Roll with Max at DH, spend elsewhere.
O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.
Roll with Max at catcher
and Bradley at DH.
You can never have enough great hitters in a lineup.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I would guess
that is probably the best translated EqA in all of the minor leagues. That is an amazing number. The dude can rake.
"So he tore it up in AA. Yippee. ...Max Ramirez be damned." - bigsteve
Not quite
PCL: Aaron Cunningham (.347)
Jeff Clement (.344)
Brett Carroll (.333)
Eastern League: Matt Wieters (.342)
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