Who will play the most games at 3B for the Rangers in 2009?
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 9, 2009 11:00 AM CST
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PrintOkay, not much going on today, let's do a poll...
Who will play the most games at 3B for the Rangers in 2009?
Cast your vote...
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I guess I'd say Metcalf, but
can he put together a full season? Offensively, this team shouldn’t worry. His D is average and better than Hanks or Davis’ was. No need to find a stop gap cause Metcalf is that guy.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
I think it depends on where his OBP is. If he stays at 270s for long hes going to be replaced pretty quickly by someone else. Average glove added to negative bat doesn’t equal play. Incredible glove added to negative bat can play for a while.
What we have to decide is this, do we think we have a shot at the division this year. If we do I don’t think we can actually run Metcalf/Duran out there. I could almost accept either of them if they were a top notch defensive SS, but I still suspect that either of them is going to be a a negative if they hit like they are likely to.
Crede
I voted Crede. I’m probably only about 20% on my thoughts that the Rangers are seriously interested in Crede AND can get a deal done, however I feel that this guess is as good as any on that list. My other vote would have gone to Blalock. I don’t feel Metcalf/Duran will hit well enough to keep them on the roster for a significant enough time. If either play the most games at 3b I’m guessing it will max out around 60 games. I’d feel much more confident in bringing in a quality Defensive asset like Crede on a shorter contract. Worth the injury risk IMO.
"You taste like a burger. I don't like you anymore."
I hope Crede
depending on Blalocks outcome, I think it could be davis. If something could click for him at the hot corner, a DH bat would be easier to come by with him holding down third and blalock at first. Also, with Smoak beating down the door, figuring out finally if Davis and Smoak could be our long term corner infielders will clarify what needs to be done when the question of who to keep around ,Davis/Smaok/Ramirez in ’10 and beyond, comes up
Here is what I see happening
Metcalf for the first month or so. He can’t hit, and Duran is tearing up AAA, so Duran comes up and provides adequate 3b until the end of July.
If the Rangers are competing, then we may see a trade for Beltre. At which point he’s the 3b on out
If the Rangers aren’t competing, Duran stays at 3rd until September, when Young plays a dozen or so games over there to give Andrus some time at SS.
If Duran is in AAA, who is our utility infielder?
I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for a ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have... are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let Buchholz go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you. I will find you.
And I will kill you.
by oc on Jan 9, 2009 11:42 PM CST up reply actions
Ew.
I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for a ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have... are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let Buchholz go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you. I will find you.
And I will kill you.
by oc on Jan 9, 2009 11:57 PM CST up reply actions
Hope not
Because our utility IF would then be a guy who could only play 2B.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Vallejo needs more time in the minors
he won’t get the job ahead of Duran.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Well, supposedly his arm has improved
But I don’t think he can play 3B.
Then again, if he can play SS, then he should be there full time, with MY at third. Why? Because, if you’re gonna have one of your full-time players on the left side of the infield OPS in the low 700’s or below, you might as well maximise the defensive value you’re getting out of said player.
Did Jon Daniels downsize your old position at Dunking Donuts?
We really don't need a utility IF
If you really think about it. Kinsler and Young, if healthy, play everyday. They don’t DH they play the field. I think CD should play the field everyday if healthy as well. That only leaves 3B. So do you keep a guy like Duran up here like we did last year and only play sparingly or do you let him play everyday in the minors and call him up when either injury or poor performance arises? I would say send him to OKC to play everyday, roll out an IF everyday of Dvis, Kinsler, Young, and Metcalf. If Davis gets injured during a game Cat or Hank can slide in there. If Metcalf gets hurt in game then either Hank can slide in to 3B for a few innings or davis can slide over and either Cat or Hank plays 1B. If Young or Kinsler get hurt in game then Arias can take over. Then after the game you make the necessary roster move to bring up someone.
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.
lol
who voted whittleman?
i think metcalf gets some time there but i like duran’s chances to impress in the utility role like DeRo and Vazquez did and I think he will utlimately get the job.
by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Jan 9, 2009 11:51 AM CST reply actions
2 Polls
You shouldve done 2 polls…1 for who you expect to play and 1 for who you want/hope is playing 3rd
i dont think anyone really wants Metcalf to be the starter, but most have accepted that will be the case
There seem to be a fair amount of folks...
…who believe Metcalf can put up a 775 OPS and give you plus defense at 3B.
That seems unlikely to me, though…
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 9, 2009 1:24 PM CST up reply actions
I am confident
he can put up a 675 OPS with average defense.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
What is it that makes people see him as more than an orginizational player right now? Is it just lack of other in house options? Is it hoping for the best?
Former Minor League Player of the Year
He was a guy that was one of our better prospects before we turned around the system. He’s got the power and the fielding reputation, but a lot of that is optimism (hoping for the best, like you said). He’s really struggled in the upper levels of the minors, so it’s more about not having anyone else above him on the third base depth chart. Here’s what Sickels wrote about him before his awful 2006 season in AA:
An 11th round pick out of the University of Kansas in 2004, Travis Metcalf has made a
successful transition to pro ball and qualifies as a sleeper prospect. Offensively, he features
above average power as his main asset. His swing can get long, and breaking pitches may be a
challenge at higher levels. His OPS was decent in the California League at +8 percent, but
he’ll have to show that he can get on base sufficiently against better pitchers. The Rangers
will be patient with him, due to his outstanding glove at third base. He has excellent range for
a big guy, soft hands, and a strong and accurate arm. He also has good "situational
awareness," in the sense of making the quick reaction play successfully, showing leadership
on the field, etc.. At age 23, he will need to establish himself quickly in Double-A, but I saw a
lot of him in college and I think he is a sleeper. The Rangers agree, and named him their
Minor League Player of the Year.
Gave him a C+. Hasn’t done much of anything since.
I just don't see a better option
than Metcalf. Don’t expect much from him, but OTOH if he’s 8th or 9th in the order, gets on base a little, and hits the occasional dinger, the rest of the lineup is good enough to make pitchers glad to see him – - which is usually a pitcher’s mistake. Remember how often the opponents’ #9 hitter messed things up for the Rangers at times?
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)
by Ed Coffin on Jan 9, 2009 8:18 PM CST up reply actions
I think its Metcalf
I don’t think he’ll last the entire season, but I think he gets the majority of the starts at 3B at least before the AS Break. The leader in games played at 3B next season could end up with something like 75-80 games.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
My hope is a ridiculous trade for Adrian Beltre.
With what the Mariners appear to be doing, that’s probably not possible.
After that, I’d like a reasonable contract for Joe Crede. That doesn’t seem likely, either.
So, my vote is Travis Metcalf. I will be unsurprised if it’s Davis or Blalock, though.
Hope it isn't Davis or Blalock
Davis looked good at 1B last year, and mediocre, at best, at 3B. Blalock is DH or useless. I’m for giving Duran a shot.
Write in vote:
You’re crap Yer dammit…
Your Mom!
"...my balls are really like a veiny flesh color" blueballlefty on Jun 4, 2008 7:44 PM EDT
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
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