Some Tuesday afternoon linkaliciousness
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 6, 2009 2:45 PM CST
126 comments
With the holidays over, the DH types are starting to go off the board...
Milton Bradley, as everyone knows, is gone to the Cubs for $10 million per year for 3 years. Keith Law says:
Bradley is an excellent hitter who has power and patience and delivers lots of hard contact from both sides of the plate. He's also -- or at least was before his knee injury -- a very good defensive outfielder who's plus in a corner and at least average in center. He's at least a one-win upgrade over the players he's replacing (mostly Jim Edmonds), more if his defense hasn't slipped thanks to the knee injury he suffered at the end of 2007, but the risk entailed in giving such an injury-prone player a three-year, $30 million deal seems excessive.* * *
The Rangers will miss Bradley's bat, but they have plenty of power hitters who can play DH in their organization and could use the spot to get both Chris Davis and Jarrod Saltalamacchia regular playing time, with Max Ramirez also an option. They'll also receive a supplemental draft pick, which is quite valuable to an organization that drafts well and isn't afraid to ignore MLB's absurd slot recommendations.
You can read Al Yellon's thoughts on the signing over at Bleed Cubbie Blue here.
Jim Reeves says the Rangers couldn't risk a long-term deal with him because of his injury history, and will instead look to Nelson Cruz to replace Bradley as a middle-of-the-lineup bat.
Reeves also says forget about Andy Pettitte coming to Texas...the Rangers aren't going to pay him more (or even as much as) the $10 million he rejected from New York.
The Transaction Oracle likes the Pat Burrell signing for the D-Rays, and wonders why the Phillies were willing to pay Raul Ibanez $30 million over 3 years rather than give Burrell $16 million over two years.
I suspect that Burrell was wanting more than 3 years, $30 million at that point in the winter, and Phillies g.m. Ruben Amaro decided to jump on Ibanez at that price rather than wait for the market to shake out. As it turns out, Amaro appears to have paid top dollar, and made an already lefty-heavy lineup more lefthanded in the process.
But if Burrell were willing to take 2 years, $16 million in November, I suspect he'd still be a Phillie.
Jason Giambi is apparently on the verge of a deal with Oakland for $4 million in 2009, a $6.5 million team option in 2010, and a $1.25 million buyout. Pretty solid signing for Oakland, whose offense, with the addition of Giambi and Matt Holliday, looks to be upgraded over last season.
With the deals that are going down, Joe Sheehan says Manny Ramirez blew it by opting out of his deal rather than exercising the 1 year, $20 million option with the Dodgers. Sheehan says Manny is a damn good player, but not worth more than twice what Bradley, Burrell, and Giambi are getting.
Over at the Hardball Times, Sean Smith compares Jim Rice with Brian Downing and concludes that Downing was the better player.
J.C. Romero has been suspended 50 games, and is professing his innocence, although Will Carroll says Romero's story isn't as clean as it first appears. Sergio Mitre, a guy occasionally linked to the Rangers in rumors, also has been suspended 50 games.
Chad Cordero is throwing this week, with teams invited to come watch. The Rangers are supposedly interested in him.
Achy breaky pitcher Carl Pavano has signed a one year deal with the Cleveland Indians.
And on his blog, Mark Cuban offers his side of the story on his attempted purchase of the Cubs.
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Manny
Not better off exercising his option. Next winter he’s a year older (38), possibly hurt, possibly in obvious decline.
He’ll sign a multiyear deal this month for far more than $20m, and enjoy a gain in job security.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jan 6, 2009 2:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
He had two team options at $20 million apiece
So he had a guaranteed $40 million if he doesn’t opt out.
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 6, 2009 3:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Its simple really
Boras screwed the pooch on this one
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jan 6, 2009 3:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't know about that second option
I still agree with his decision. He’ll get two years in this next deal easily, and I’d be surprised if he didn’t make $40m. His next contract will include options too, of course.
He simply hasn’t shown enough of a decline yet. Somebody’s going to pay for the mystique of that bat.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jan 6, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fun little blurb from the BA's Phil Top 10 Chat
Q: Ben from Leland Grove asks:
Your thoughts on the Mayberry-Golson trade? Who benefitted the most, in your opinion?
A:
John Manuel: Honestly, I like Golson more than most. I have no reason to believe in his hit tool, but I do believe he’ll be useful. That said, I thought it made sense for both teams to give both players fresh starts, and the Rangers need a CF more than they need another corner bat. Conversely, the Phils could use a big RH-hitting corner OF, and if Mayberry comes through, then that’s what he is. It probably winds up being a wash but it will be a nice test to see if one player-development group can get more out of one player than the other org does (or did).
Q: Mike from Horsham, PA asks:
Having read that Greg Golson would rank in the mid 20’s in the Rangers system after spending years in the Phillies Top 10 made me wonder about the overall state of the Phillies’ farm system. Would Golson have ranked in the Top 10 this year, or is the Phils farm system better, even without Cardenas and Outman. Where would those two have ranked?
A:
John Manuel: Again, I like Golson more than most; he might have been No. 10 for me on this list, maybe No. 9 actually. I am a fan of his but I realize I’m in the minority. I didn’t really talk to anyone about Cardenas and Outman specifically, but Cardenas would have been in the running for No. 1, certainly top 3 or so, and Outman wouldn’t have been too far behind. Those are both prospects on par with the top 7 that I mentioned that I consider to be quite strong and almost interchangeable.
Rather surprised that JD turned Mayberry into a guy that Manuel would have had as a top 10 guy in the Philly’s system. So once again, if Mayberry some how becomes a stud, and Golson a flop, Golson was considered at the time as good if not a better prospect.
by laxtonto on Jan 6, 2009 2:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
x
I wonder where he would slot JMJ now. Out of the top 10?
by FuturePants on Jan 6, 2009 3:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I dont know
who did the Philly list at BA but their top 10 did come out and JMJ was not in it.
by Michael Cave on Jan 6, 2009 3:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ask and you shall recieve
Q: Ben from in asks:
Where would J. Mayberry Jr. rank in the Phils system? 10-15, 16-20 or 21+?
A:
John Manuel: He’s 21+, I’m just not a huge fan, don’t know many huge fans of his, or at least I haven’t spoken to them.
by laxtonto on Jan 6, 2009 3:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I wish folks wouldn't
bring up his name. I still get pissed about the selection.
A guy with a major league father, who went to a good baseball school like Stanford, and you have to completely retool his swing who really wasn’t known for his defense.
If he couldn’t hit with that background, the odds of him ever hitting were pretty long.
Get off my lawn.
by DJCahill on Jan 6, 2009 3:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn't he actually a good 1B in Stanford?
If I’m remembering it correctly, than that means we chose a college player in the 1st round who was going to have to learn a position he wasn’t used to as well as retool his swing.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jan 6, 2009 4:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
he was a good 1B there. Remember we also chose Drew Meyer with the intent of shifting him to CF.
by Michael Cave on Jan 6, 2009 4:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Anybody can play 1B
/Dan
"A ~.650 OPS from a COF should get you deported, not traded for."
- The Huntressatron
by Chase Irwin on Jan 6, 2009 7:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Guys with major league dads
I’m all for drafting them in rounds 4-5 – you get a guy who is likely polished enough to do well enough in the low minors to make a decent trade chip later (Mayberry, Lemon). But if you are first round talent, then you’re first round talent regardless of whether daddy was a ballplayer or a school busdriver.
The real problem with college guys like Mayberry is that they often have great college numbers for the same reason – coaches like their attitude so they get good playing time, they aren’t antsy and play the game well. So they look good in college against other kids distracted by all sorts of things. Add in that Stanford is one of those schools where the players are more polished than most, then you really are buying the equivalent of a crappy wine with just a fancy label.
by JBImaknee on Jan 6, 2009 5:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Mayberry
The problem is that he was not very good at Stanford. I saw him play all three years he was there (when he played the Longhorns and I was in school in Austin) and was never impressed. Jed Lowrie and Carlos Quentin on the other hand, were on the same Cardinal teams and impressed the hell out of me.
by uthornfan on Jan 6, 2009 6:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Counting on Nelson Cruz to be our mid-order right handed bat
For some reason does not encourage me. Oh, I think he’ll be much improved this year, but I’m not too certain I buy this thought that he’s magically transformed into a mid-order bat over a great AAA season and a red-hot September.
Which isn’t to say I think we should’ve been making a kamikaze run at Burrell or anything (and I don’t want Manny here), but I have a feeling that we might wind up just having to eat rolling with a bunch of lefties in the middle of our order (unless we commit MaxRam to the DH spot and he tears it up in his rookie season). Which, given the caliber of Hamilton and Davis, and the fact that Blalock looks improved against lefties in his last two partial seasons, might not be as bad as it sounds.
Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?
by lonestarJon on Jan 6, 2009 2:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
If we don't
sign a veteran right handed bat by ST and Max tears it up in AZ, I bet we roll with him as DH to start ’09.
by joshed on Jan 6, 2009 3:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Blalock?
Where does he go? If he’s at 1B, where does Davis go?
by FuturePants on Jan 6, 2009 3:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t see a Blalock trade before the deadline. If he stays healthy and puts up numbers near what he finished strong with last summer, he could easily be traded. To me, health is the #1 question….especially at $6+ million. That’s a big risk to get Blalock for what could be 20 games.
by FuturePants on Jan 6, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wishful thinking
hoping for pitching. I would love a healthy Blalock in the lineup but we have so many lefties. I still think it’s possible he gets dealt before the season though.
by joshed on Jan 6, 2009 3:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Even if he is though
I think the Rangers are still a bit reluctant to pidgionhole Max at DH just yet. My bet is one of the three catchers starts the year in AAA, and I think it’ll likely be Max, mainly to fine-tune his defense as much as possible (and maintain his value as a catcher and not soley a DH).
If Blalock is traded, my guess is we’d see some kind of random rotation at DH (at least for awhile) involving the outfielders (assuming we still have Byrd, Cruz and Murphy all on the roster) and Salty, possibly Tea as well. Unless we trade him, I do think Max will be up and DH’ing this season sometime, but I kind of doubt it’ll be before the trade deadline.
Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?
by lonestarJon on Jan 6, 2009 3:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point...
Probably not a good idea to label him a DH just yet and refining his defensive skills would make him more of an asset.
by joshed on Jan 6, 2009 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Cuban
That’s interesting about how Cuban’s decision came down to the fact that he can get a ROI on his cash which is much higher than on a baseball team. Interesting, because all we ever hear from every owner is that all baseball teams do is lose money. Not that anyone ever believed that, but still.
by FuturePants on Jan 6, 2009 3:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Prediction for the Yankees
AJ Burnett is the next Carl Pavano.
by 3Bagger on Jan 6, 2009 3:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Heh
I can see it…
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jan 6, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
perhaps
but I kind of doubt it. Seems like awfully different situations to me.
Pavano was a one year wonder who switched from the NL to the AL.
Burnett has a longer history of success, albeit loads of incosistency as well. Plus he’s staying within the division.
by Royal Swine on Jan 6, 2009 3:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yankee fans would riot if that came true...
In Smoak We Trust
by Smoak Some on Jan 6, 2009 4:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
damn good prediction
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
by NYTXFAN on Jan 6, 2009 5:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The Dave Cameron
article on why AJ Burnett was worth 5 years, 82 million is the article that made me realize that he’d “jumped the shark” as Bill Simmons would say.
Even though he nailed it exactly right, $16 million / year for 5 years does not adequately account for the obvious risk associated with a guy who has only started 30 games twice in his 9 or 10 year career.
by JBImaknee on Jan 6, 2009 6:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pavano-A.J Comparison
He has some points. But, go look at Pavano BEFORE the Yanks signed him. He had back-to-back 200+ inning seasons. Pavano would have priced well also the year the Yankees signed him.
They’re both similar physically, 6-5, 230—240. Burnett is 32. Pavano is 33.
Injuries are always an unknown. But, I believe in the “Emmitt Smith Theory”, it’s not the stress factors, some guys just have a way of getting hurt a lot and some don’t.
Pitching in NYC is stressful.
by 3Bagger on Jan 6, 2009 6:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
One large difference
is what Royal Swine points out above. Pavano had his success exclusively in the NL East. Joe Sheehan wrote a great article that spring about how you can expect Pavano’s numbers to fade badly (I think he predicted a 1.5 difference in ERA just based on the translation) outside of the factors that Pavano and Burnett would have in common. The big advantage that Burnett has in comparison with Pavano is that he has had success in this division.
by Brett Perryman on Jan 6, 2009 6:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
"Emmitt Smith Theory"
(trademark pending)…this theory must be applied to A.J.
“Players with injuries in their past become players with injuries in their future.”
Z, your point is very valid. His previous history in the league trumps Pavano’s.
I hate the Yankees.
by 3Bagger on Jan 6, 2009 6:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Burnett is definitely a better pitcher than Pavano
I think the comparison is weak, because Pavano was both injured most of the time and bad when he wasn’t. Burnett will be very good when he’s healthy.
The problem is that its unlikely he’ll be healthy for 5 straight seasons. I’d set the over/under on the number of games started at around 110. $80 million for 110 starts is money I’d give to Johan Santana and not many other pitchers.
by JBImaknee on Jan 6, 2009 7:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
the Bleed Cubbie Blue link
sent me to the S-T blog
by Randy Richardson on Jan 6, 2009 3:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Organization that drafts well...
Not a bad rep to have.
by Michael Cave on Jan 6, 2009 3:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Law
<
There also is some risk of a recurrence of the behavioral problems that cost Bradley playing time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and earned him tickets out of Montreal and Cleveland, but other than the 2007 incident (in which he was taunted and cursed at by umpire Mike Winters, who’s still working in MLB), he has stayed out of serious trouble for a few years. <
I guess having to be restrained outside the Royals tv booth by the manager and gm doesn’t count as serious.
by Randy Richardson on Jan 6, 2009 3:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Did it turn into something?
No. Therefore it wasn’t serious.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jan 6, 2009 4:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Being restrained...
by your manager and gm makes it serious.
by smalls on Jan 6, 2009 4:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
well,
he has a history of losing self-control, last year being no exception. I think he benefitted from the protection of Washington and JD last year. He’s going to be under a much bigger spotlight with less forgiving media and fans.
by Randy Richardson on Jan 6, 2009 4:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
wish we had been in on Pavano
But i wouldn’t have wanted to pay more than the tribe is paying and he probably would pick a better pitchers park if all was equal.
"Never go with a hippie to a second location."
by jcAustin on Jan 6, 2009 3:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Pavano
Hes a huge risk to sign. He’s been injured on and off again over the past 3 years, and his only good year really was his contact year with the marlins way back when. Seems he really couldn’t handle the spotlight of New York, and is better suited for a # 3 or 4 pitcher type.
But, for a 1 year deal for 1.5 million, that’s a good deal for the tribe. He can try and work back to the pitcher he was in Florida
In Smoak We Trust
by Smoak Some on Jan 6, 2009 4:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
$1.5 Million
It is cheap. But, I think he’s done. Although, he’s only 33.
by 3Bagger on Jan 6, 2009 6:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
low risk, high reward
and a plausible stopgap to get to Holland or Feliz. He had two good years with FLA.
"Never go with a hippie to a second location."
by jcAustin on Jan 6, 2009 6:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
no worries
we still have the inside track on jason jennings…
by Goyogringo on Jan 6, 2009 5:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
We're getting ownershipped super hard by the A's this off season.
They’re addressing their weaknesses and getting better and we’re doing a combination of jack and shit.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jan 6, 2009 3:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Are you saying you want Giambi?
And if so, why? I think my problem is 1) that we exercised Hank Blalock’s option. If we didn’t have Blalock there, I would have no problem with Giambi here for one year for $4 million for a 1B/DH option. Actually, I think I would dig that.
by FuturePants on Jan 6, 2009 3:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Is Giambi that much of an upgrade than Blalock though?
In Smoak We Trust
by Smoak Some on Jan 6, 2009 4:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Nope
Just a little better bet to stay healthy. When healthy they are both very good offensive players
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 Jan 6, 2009 4:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Kidding?
OPS+ Giambi Blalock
2005 161 93
2006 148 86
2007 108 (254 ABs) 134 (208 ABs)
2008 128 121 (258 ABs)
by robert_d_wilfong on Jan 6, 2009 6:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
OK
Last two years they’ve been equal when Hanks been healthy. Isn’t that what I said. Giambi is a better bet to stay healthy but when healthy they are very similar.
Also Giambi is almost 10 years older than Hank which plays into it alot
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 Jan 6, 2009 6:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well
I’ll disagree. Blalock put up good numbers when he only got ~250 ABs the last two years. The two years before that, when he had ~500 per, he was bad.
Giambi’s only sub-par year was when he was injured in 2007.
As far as age goes … for some reason, Blalock’s body acts 20 years older than Giambi’s. So age really doesn’t matter.
by robert_d_wilfong on Jan 6, 2009 9:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
yep
It’s disheartenting for a 27yo athlete to have carpel tunnel among other ailments.
Also, Blalock was having a mediocre year, numbers wise, until the last ten days of the season.
by Randy Richardson on Jan 6, 2009 9:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
$2.5 million cheaper
And healthy. Bottom line, we know nothing about Blalock’s ability to play in 80, much less ~140 games. I’d love to see the guy healthy and productive, but as they say, I’ll believe it when I see it.
by FuturePants on Jan 6, 2009 4:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
I thought the option was a bad idea at the time, because it seemed to lock up too much in financial resources (my suggestion was to take the buyout, and then offer him something lower)… and the way the market’s shaping up, I believe I was right.
by venturafearsnolan on Jan 6, 2009 4:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It sure seems we could have had Blalock for a K plus buyout at less than $6 million plus.
by FuturePants on Jan 6, 2009 4:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not a huge upgrade
but cheaper, and a slight upgrade.
Get off my lawn.
by DJCahill on Jan 6, 2009 4:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If he did come here...
You think that the Golden Thong would come as well?
In Smoak We Trust
by Smoak Some on Jan 6, 2009 4:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
God, hopefully.
He was mighty good for that month or so.
by FuturePants on Jan 6, 2009 4:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well
It’s easier to sign 38-y.o. Jason Giambi than it is to get a young starter under control. The Halliday pickup could go a couple different ways, but alright.
Aren’t they still looking for MI help?
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jan 6, 2009 3:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not too concerned
They still aren’t really ahead of us in the division IMO and I think its going to be a 3 way battle between the non Mariners teams for the division.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jan 6, 2009 4:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
All of their fixes
are short term. Nothing they have done scares me as a Ranger fan.
Lets assume the Rangers and A’s farm systems (AAA and below) are equal. Their major league clubs are probably roughly equivalent (~78-85 win teams). But most of the talent on the A’s major league roster (especially offensively) are guys who won’t be around for much longer. So what if the A’s have a great farm system, they’ll need it to replace all of their departing talent
Whereas the Rangers are stacked with offensive youth not accounted for on prospect lists (Davis, Kinsler, Salty), but that will still be around when those prospects arrive.
Put another way, the Rangers should still be fairly good in 2010-2012 if most of their prospects falter. The A’s would be in horrendous shape if those guys don’t reach their potential.
by JBImaknee on Jan 6, 2009 6:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with your point
that the advantage Oakland is gaining is largely confined to 2009, but I don’t understand how the Rangers can be expected to be good in 2010 and on without any boost to the rotation from the system. Are you assuming that they would get that help from outside the organization, while Oakland couldn’t do that positionally? That what Texas has is going to play up significantly?
by Brett Perryman on Jan 6, 2009 6:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Oakland
Oaklands offensive players aren’t nearly as good as the Rangers. Therefore it won’t take as good of pitching to subdue them. The rangers offensive players will need far superior pitching to hold them down. I think our pitching is/will be good enough to hold Oaklands offense down but Oaklands pitching won’t be able to hold our offense down in the long run
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 Jan 6, 2009 6:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Bingo Zywica.
This team is acting like 2010 is not going to happen.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Jan 6, 2009 11:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
This needed to be said.
"A ~.650 OPS from a COF should get you deported, not traded for."
- The Huntressatron
by Chase Irwin on Jan 6, 2009 7:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, the smugness
I’ll leave it to you guys to think up some captions.
Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?
by lonestarJon on Jan 6, 2009 4:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Looks like he just arrived from an episode of Happy Days.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jan 6, 2009 4:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He's almost doing a Laird ice cream face in the second picture.
Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?
by lonestarJon on Jan 6, 2009 4:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Judging by his goofy smile
he reminds me of a kid that’s graduated to the big boy school and can now play with the manly A-Rod.
"Losers assemble in little groups and bitch about the coaches and the system and other players in other little groups. Winners assemble as a team."
- Bill Parcells
by Taylor on Jan 6, 2009 5:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My thought:
“I pooped the potty!”
"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."
by benmor78 on Jan 6, 2009 5:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i guess all he has to look forward to now
is a divorce…
"I may not be a class act, but I'm an American."
-- Ron Artest on wanting to play for the Olympic team
by zkmavz on Jan 6, 2009 5:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Another one
Is it just me, or does Hal look kind of stoned?
Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?
by lonestarJon on Jan 6, 2009 5:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It's just you
Girardi looks more blazed than anybody else. Probably is.
"A ~.650 OPS from a COF should get you deported, not traded for."
- The Huntressatron
by Chase Irwin on Jan 6, 2009 7:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He always looks like this, but if you’re just going by the picture, something definitely looks wrong with Cashman. Crack withdrawal?
by Brett Perryman on Jan 6, 2009 8:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He has Van Gundy syndrome.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Jan 6, 2009 8:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Tex
How does someone like Tex, who looks like a dork in half these pictures, pull off a hot wife like that. I need to start learning how to play some baseball then…
In Smoak We Trust
by Smoak Some on Jan 6, 2009 4:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
shes not that great
budddddyyy
"I may not be a class act, but I'm an American."
-- Ron Artest on wanting to play for the Olympic team
by zkmavz on Jan 6, 2009 5:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
She's okay
Might be the hair, but she kinda reminds me of an ex-girlfriend.
Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?
by lonestarJon on Jan 6, 2009 5:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
x
Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?
by lonestarJon on Jan 6, 2009 5:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Tex? How about Rod freaking Barajas/??
Stability is key, and JD is a Beast.
Jindal - 2012
by Longhorn on Jan 6, 2009 5:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
2nd from right
Stability is key, and JD is a Beast.
Jindal - 2012
by Longhorn on Jan 6, 2009 5:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I was going to
ask if they were his exes. And do they live in Texas. :)
Mitch Moreland - Rangers 2009 Minor League Player of the Year
by RangerMad on Jan 6, 2009 5:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fucking Rod Barajas.
Can’t wait to see him in hell.
/Jealous rant.
"A ~.650 OPS from a COF should get you deported, not traded for."
- The Huntressatron
by Chase Irwin on Jan 6, 2009 7:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ruben Amaro
should give JD a call if he gets bummed about his shitty debut as a GM.
Also, I think there is a pretty good chance Blalock outproduces Giambi this year, although only the first half will be as a Ranger. I am going to have to agree with Josey’s stance on this in that I think Blalock playing exclusively as a DH will allow him to be healthy all year.
by clark on Jan 6, 2009 4:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Giambi is on base machine with a loft-inducing power swing that's made for our stadium.
He’d be a good bet for .260/.385/.525 here.
If Hankles can really beat that, then more power to us, I suppose.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jan 6, 2009 5:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
In the end his numbers look good
but he’s so damn streaky.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Jan 6, 2009 6:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Cycle on / Cycle off
Make sense?
;)
"A ~.650 OPS from a COF should get you deported, not traded for."
- The Huntressatron
by Chase Irwin on Jan 6, 2009 7:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You may be on to something here.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Jan 6, 2009 7:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Giambi in Texas
I agree that he could post a .260/.385/.525 line here. The thing is, we have a defensively challenged young player that would make the rookie minimum, that I think could also post that line, possibly better. Why can’t we just let Max get 500 ML plate appearances next year?
"I see their [Angels] rotation as John Lackey and a bunch of decent starters." - AJM
by tricer on Jan 6, 2009 7:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Max is a catcher and needs to be a catcher going forward.
I don’t want him DH’ing here.
With Salts and Tea here I think Max needs to be in AAA starting behind the plate every single day.
He’s a catcher.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jan 6, 2009 10:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
agreed
Putting him at DH only diminishes not only his value but potential trade partners. And every year he stays at DH and doesn’t catch the possibility of him being a viable catcher to a NL team drops dramatically
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 Jan 6, 2009 10:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
if he hits like I expect him to
then damn his trade value, play him at DH where he can be a huge asset. I think this offseason gives an indication that the whole “catchers have premium trade value” thing is largely a myth.
"I see their [Angels] rotation as John Lackey and a bunch of decent starters." - AJM
by tricer on Jan 6, 2009 10:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
What do you expect? 300/400/500?
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jan 7, 2009 12:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Proof instead of indication
“I think this offseason gives an indication that the whole "catchers have premium trade value" thing is largely a myth.”
At least the Rangers got a AA relief pitcher in return for Laird after 1 1/2 years of building up his trade value.
by Trosey on Jan 9, 2009 7:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
First and foremost, he's a hitter
He’s never going to make an impact with his glove, but when he gets the chance, I think he will make a huge impact with his stick.
"I see their [Angels] rotation as John Lackey and a bunch of decent starters." - AJM
by tricer on Jan 6, 2009 10:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
But you're losing about 30 runs of positional value moving him from catcher to DH.
He’s below average with the glove behind the plate, but he’s not Piazza or anything.
He’s so much more valuable as a catcher it’s not even funny.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Jan 7, 2009 12:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think that's being pretty optimistic
The OBP is probably accurate, but I don’t think he would have that much power to go with it.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jan 7, 2009 12:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I hate TEX !
Thanks for the photos of his introduction press confrence
Tex stinks up the joint with that ugly wife of his.
I cant wait to see how this blows up in the Yanks face him and A-Fraud on the same team AGAIN ! wow. Its almost like counting down the days till TO’s next blow up !
PAVANO. I have to agree I like this signing low risk low money average reward typle deal.
The Rangers shouldve been all over it. But the Indians have a real GM. I really liked the steal the Indians pulled off late last year by getting Anthony Reyes from the Cards. They gave up nothing and Reyes regained a little of that magic he seemed to have lost in STL. I also think they stole Derosa from the Cubs as we all know Derosa was a GREAT utility player.
by camsdad on Jan 6, 2009 4:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'll be praying
for Cam.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jan 6, 2009 5:40 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
i
do agree that the indians GM is a good one, Shapiro knows what he’s doing. That D-Ro deal was a freaking steal.
by blalock84 on Jan 6, 2009 7:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
The Casey Blake trade looks like highway robbery too.
by Brett Perryman on Jan 6, 2009 7:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Law
Keith Law is less than impressed with what Shapiro has done.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Jan 6, 2009 7:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
OT ... But any particular reason the Rangers haven't been in on Randy Wolf?
by MeanMr.Mustard on Jan 6, 2009 6:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe because he's an old mediocre N.L. pitcher?
by Kinslerhomer on Jan 6, 2009 6:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?
by lonestarJon on Jan 6, 2009 6:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Whenever I think of Giambi
I think of that bases loaded, grand (rape) slam that he hit against Mendoza I believe.
I just remember hearing it and seeing it leave his bat and being like “holy shit.”
by SaltyGoesYard on Jan 6, 2009 6:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Whenever I think of Giambi...
I think, “does wearing pinstripes make you look old, or does wearing pinstripes mean you are old?”
"I know you're a bit dense but no, it doesn't. Obviously lying isn't a problem for me."
by benmor78 on Jan 6, 2009 6:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Whenever I think of Giambi
I think
(On a side note, damn I wish I had found this GIF during last season when Vazquez was hitting well)
Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?
by lonestarJon on Jan 6, 2009 7:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ok...
I dare you to post something without using a GIF…go.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Jan 6, 2009 8:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Heh
What would you like me to post?
Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?
by lonestarJon on Jan 6, 2009 8:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I was just being a smart ass...
seems like all your post have pics, that’s all.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Jan 6, 2009 8:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
lol, I know
They’re the closest thing I have to schtick, I suppose.
Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?
by lonestarJon on Jan 7, 2009 1:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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