Tuesday morning Rangers stuff
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 6, 2009 10:04 AM CDT
102 comments
A very quiet day on the Rangers news front today.
Evan Grant has a blog post up about the Rangers' first big free agent decision -- the future of hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo.
And that is largely it this morning.
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You need to bookmark Durrett at ESPN
http://espn.go.com/dallas/columns/rangers/blog?post=4535570&name=rangers
He’s doing a positional review series.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Oct 6, 2009 10:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ranger End of Year Press Conference
Nolan is not there?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 10:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Nevermind
Nolan is there.
Looking forward to lots of softballs from the DFW media…wonder if RG is there?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jaramillo
While I think most people’s calls for Jaramillo to get let go during this season was somewhat of an overreaction, there is no doubt that this team’s offense sucked. Most of that was a complete lack of patience and contact, which is somewhat due to Rudy’s aggressive approach, and somewhat due to the FailTrain that was Davis, Jones, Blalock, among others at times.
I wouldn’t freak out if they re-signed Rudy, but I do think it may be time for a new voice.
by FuturePants on Oct 6, 2009 10:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Rudy said some odd things this year that might make the front office think twice.
He said Chris Davis’ troubles were mental. He’s said the overall collapse of the offense is mental, and his approach is some sort of psychological evaluation of how they respond to adversity. Couple that with the fact that Chris Davis got fixed in AAA (as did Cruz) and a need to penny pinch and I could envision Rudy not coming back.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
by rooster on Oct 6, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
He did say Davis’ problem was mental, he goes to AAA, they make a mechanical change, and he hits over .300. Mental or a refusal by Rudy to recognize his instruction isn’t working?
by FuturePants on Oct 6, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think part of it was mental
You get in that bad of a slump and it starts to mess with your head. You start pressing and whatnot.
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 Oct 6, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I too think alot of his struggles were mental.
It seems that he is a VERY cerebral guy when it comes to his swing.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No doubt there was a mental element.
But Rudy couldn’t help with that, obviously, and refused to try anything mechanical. His stubbornness with Davis this summer is troubling.
by FuturePants on Oct 6, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and he is able to relax and address his issue
in AAA without the pressure of being in the big leagues and striking out more than anyone in history.
that being said, they did address something mechanical that was not addressed with Rudy.
a little OT: something that bothered me was that Kinsler did not watch video of himself and I’m not sure if Davis did either. Players need to use all the technology available to them if it can help, especially with the way Kinsler was playing. Maybe he was just waiting for his 30/30 then he’ll adjust.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 6, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Davis said earlier this year that he did not watch video....
that he didn’t believe in it. I’ll try to find the link, may have been at the DMN blog.
That was something I had a big problem with….
And I’m not saying that all of CD’s troubles were mental, I just think most of it was.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If the offense believes watching video isn't important
Then they should have a talk with pitchers about how much of a difference that can make.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Oct 6, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think Rudy is good with swings
although he messed up Hamilton and couldn’t fix Davis. Rudy doesn’t seem to be a good coach when a player is struggling. Our whole team didn’t hit in June, and for the most part in September. How many times were we shut out? Rudy’s approach does not work for winning baseball. You need to work counts and get on base, and that is not what Rudy preaches. Would Rudy coach differently if he was the hitting coach for San Diego for their park? Maybe he would, but he won’t coach differently here, and it’s time for a change.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 6, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think
Rudy sucks with swings. I think he teaches an approach that is great when you are facing 3,4, and 5 starters and back ends of the bullpen, but not aces and top end pitchers. Blalock was a all fields contact hitter who routinely hit over .300 in the minors and even as a young major leaguer before becoming a swing from the heels straight pull hitter who couldn’t crack .230. Just one example.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
Hello Win Column!!!
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Oct 6, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You think that was all Rudy?
I think it was mostly Blalock who saw his arbitration coming up and realized that homeruns, even at the expense of BA and OBP, would get him paid more than a contact hitter
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 Oct 6, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hank Blalock makes me so sad.
I hate looking at his numbers of old.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hank
signed a contract in 2004 that extended him thru this past year.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's your take on the career demise of HFB?
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're trying to start a commentary on HFB
when Adam has specifically requested this not happen but I think this can be handled in a non-confrontational manner because of the way you’ve asked the question.
I also won’t amplify on this take within this thread to discourage any fireworks that may occur.
Cliff Notes version – Wonderful physical talent early on, may have had off-field issues, always beloved by teammates / disliked by JD.
Tried to play thru injury which began a domino effect and caused string of very silly injuries.
This year he started off well, began to press when getting dicked around, relaxed after July 1, body began to wear down when playing every day in field.
Started to press again with injuries to Kinsler & Cruz and altered approach. This was augmented with string of bad luck and knowledge that JD was itchy to replace him whenever he had a chance.
Don’t know where he goes next year but he’s younger than Nelson Cruz, was never drowning or overwhelmed at plate (approach was biggest problem) and I fully expect him to recover and do very well.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn't intended as a Hank v. CD discussion...
Just curious.
What do you mean by “off-field issues?”
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hank was going thru a divorce this past year
I think it got kinda messy. Friend of mine worked at a bank where Hank came to set up a new account. That’s where I got this info from.
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 Oct 6, 2009 12:24 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Where does your theory that JD dislikes Hank come from?
If he disliked him that much do you think he would have exercised his option?
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 Oct 6, 2009 12:23 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
EG...
seems really out of touch with what this team really needs imo. I respect him a lot for the work he does in covering the Rangers, but disagree with him strongly in many ways…
1) Feliz shouldn’t be left in the ‘pen. That’s the worst decision this organization could make right now.
2) The Rangers should let Byrd go, he will command too much $ on the FA market.
3) His opinion, and that of most in the media, towards Nelson Cruz.
4) Perhaps he didn’t see this offense suck quite enough this year, but Board Game is well worth the risk if the Cubs are going to eat the majority of his deal.
5) Jaramillo doesn’t need to be brought back. The approach at the plate from the offense this year warrants the Rangers letting him go.
I know you read LSB from time to time Evan. I would really like to hear more about your thoughts on any of these things.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Oct 6, 2009 10:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
agree on each point
EG mentioned the organization is down on Cruz because he is a streaky hitter. Are they down on Kinsler?
Feliz is a starter. He is not a max effort guy, and is better suited for starting. A starter can effect 3xs the innings as a reliever, and relievers can always be found, much like O’Day this year. You can even use Grilli as an example there before he got hurt.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 6, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope Feliz starts the year in the pen
just to limit innings. I don’t think there is a tremendous rush to move him to the rotation.
Johan Santana wasn’t a fulltime starter until his 5th year in the league, when he was 25. Santana had a nice ramp in the 4 previous years, where he had some starts, but his innings were limited to 86 IP, 43 IP, 108 IP and 158 IP before he was a 200+ IP starter.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
by DJCahill on Oct 6, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wish I had enough faith...
in the team that if they started him in the ‘pen that they wouldn’t leave him there. As you say, it would be a great way to limit his innings for the first couple months of the season. I just have a bad feeling that if they start him in the ’pen, and he does what he did this year, that Wash will fight tooth and nail to keep him there.
What the Rangers did with Holland this year gives me some hope. If they did that with Feliz next year I’d be happy. However I think they see Holland and Feliz differently and think Feliz may be best suited for the ‘pen. I don’t like the idea of that at all.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Oct 6, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Feliz may pitch less innings from the pen
but Wash would use him way too much and the guy would pitch every other day. That wears on your arm as well. Wash has said as much that he prefers Feliz in the pen because he can pitch him 4 xs a week. Stupid logic from a stupid manager.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 6, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
agree with all except bringing
Uncle Milty back. Grant is in a slump of opinions.
by jcAustin on Oct 6, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Once I saw EG in the booth with Tom and Josh.....
and then doing post game shows……I knew he could never have a differing opinion from what the management and coaches had………..sad.
BIAS!!
Wash is an idiot!!
by bspate on Oct 6, 2009 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Evan's chat from yesterday.
The Rangers are totally blowing it on the Cruz front. If they want to get high value for him this offseason, they should be singing his praises and talking about how he’s a cornerstone player. I have this feeling of dread about Cruz that I had about Chris Young.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
by rooster on Oct 6, 2009 10:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Chris Young is a cornerstone player?
For who?
by FuturePants on Oct 6, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crap.
The Ticket bailed 20 minutes into the press conference to talk about Tony Romo and 105.3, the Ranger home station is talking to Cuban about the Mavs.
Ranger website doesn’t carry audio either.
Somebody over there needs to get their head out of their ass.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 10:31 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Dammit JD!!!
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like the president needs to do his job
and start talking about moving contracts.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
by DJCahill on Oct 6, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In all seriousness,
that is absolutely ridiculous.
Very annoying.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
Every one of those stations play very fucking one of the Cowboys press conferences every GD day but they can’t play one ONE! Rangers press conference at the end of the season. What a joke.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Oct 6, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yep
and they complain that no one goes to the games. I wonder why the average fan doesn’t go?
I hate the cowboy biased media. I’m a cowboy fan, but part of me can’t help but root against them because of this.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 6, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some of this is on the Rangers.
They could stream this from their website.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Makes too much sense.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The President
really needs to get off his ass and address this.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
by DJCahill on Oct 6, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Prez did a damn good job
in bumping up attendance this year and also kept the stupid sonofabitch underneath him from trading young talent for more bags of shit out of somebody else’s front yard.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So it was a good thing we didn't trade away our young talent?
But weren’t you calling JD a dumb sonofabitch for not trading for VMart or Nick Johnson?
SO JD failed at addressing this teams needs via trade yet Nolan did a good job by keeping JD from trading our young talent away?
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 Oct 6, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The difference between the Rangers sitting at home this week
and Boston going to the playoffs is that our GM’s strategy at the trade deadline was “hope” while Theo Epstein went out and traded for VMartinez.
Hope is not a strategy.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But the problem with your logic is this
JD failed by not trading away young players to get VMart or whoever yet Nolan succeeded by not allowing JD to trade those young players. Which is it? Did Nolan not allow JD to make those trades? If so then he obviously cant get the blame for not getting a guy like VMart.
Or did JD just not want to trade those young guys for a guy like VMart who didn’t guarantee us a playoff spot? If so then Nolan doesn’t get any credit for keeping JD from trading those young players. In fact he may get a little blame because if the deal was really that good or would have done enough to guarantee us a playoff spot then he should have forced that stupid sonofabitch to make the 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 Oct 6, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trading for VMart wouldn't have guaranteed anything
but he also would have filled a need this team has for 2010.
So now what do we do after not acquiring VMart and not making the playoffs?
Go to the cutout bin and hope we find somebody to resurrect like Andruw Jones, Brad Fullmer or Phil Nevin while VMartinez continues to fill the need for the Red Sox?
Really wonder why we’re sitting home this week?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
but
we would have had to trade young talent to get VMart. Again, it’s not MLB 09 where you can get VMart for Esteban German.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
Hello Win Column!!!
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Oct 6, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What would have been a comparable package for the Rangers?
It’s the one non-move that really stands out for me.
by other_shoe on Oct 6, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nolan clearly shit the bed on that one.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Oct 6, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you feel that way about Nolan
what do you think Little Boy Donuts does all day?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nolan should fire his ass.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Oct 6, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously
Jay Donuts has become so over the top, and since I don’t actually believe he is mentally handicapped, it has to be just an act at this point. No sense in responding because I doubt even Jay believes the bullshit that he types at this point.
by FuturePants on Oct 6, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think AJM and da' Berg
take turns writing under JW just to drive up their respective hit counts….however that works.
If true, that would be legendary.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not to mention...
AJM said he would delete Josey’s rants on Blalock vs. Davis, but Josey continues to spew his normal BS about those two and AJM never deletes such posts.
by FuturePants on Oct 6, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You
are full of shit, gossip queen.
A comment might be made regarding one of the players but anything overtly confrontational has been taken to the proper thread.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, in Josey's defense...
…that thread has dropped off the rec fanpost section…
But I hear you for sure.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he has, I missed it
But I’ve put up a 2nd FanPost.
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 6, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Motion to extend the numbet of topics confined to that fanpost
by LiamP on Oct 6, 2009 1:00 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
You'd think
he’d just fire that stupid sonofabitch. Surely he won’t keep that incompetent around this year.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
by DJCahill on Oct 6, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Cruz situation
from a baseball perspective – you keep Cruz because he is the better player over Byrd.
from a business perspective – you keep Cruz and don’t sign Byrd because 1 will cost you 400k while the other will cost you 7M over a few years.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 6, 2009 10:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not strictly apples to apples
Its really not cruz versus byrd. I’d assume if they want to keep Byrd, its because of CF concerns.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
by DJCahill on Oct 6, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It seems like this is how it is being played out
but I don’t think it is CF concerns as much as I think it is that Wash wants him because of his “leadership” (blah blah) that gets us all of 2nd place.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 6, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the CF issue
could be a real concern.
I obviously don’t trust Hamilton to get through a full season at CF.
Borbon could easily slump like Davis, or have defensive issues due to his arm or other concerns.
Murphy is a fairly terrible CF.
I don’t know what the backup plan is to CF here. Boggs?
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
by DJCahill on Oct 6, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Borbon will be prone to slumps like Davis
his swing is much shorter to the ball and when you’re that fast a little grounder can work out for you.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 6, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
From what all we've heard over the last couple weeks
I’m very nervous heading into next season……
Is this off season make or break? Or am I overreacting a bit?
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 10:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
maybe
make or break for JDs career. New owner is more likely to keep him if they are in the playoffs in 2010 is my belief.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
by DJCahill on Oct 6, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Overreacting
but its ok. This is the internet, we do that here.
Godwin's Law Version 2.0 (Rangers Edition)
"As a Ranger discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Danks, Volquez, or Young approaches one."
by LBBRangerFan on Oct 6, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's not make or break
unless a new owner comes in and blows this team up and trades our farm. I thought 2011 was always more realistic because you’ve got to get your Hollands and Felizs time at the major league level before they really start to flourish. There are adjustments that need to be made. That can go for Borbon and Andrus as well as Hunter etc. This year may have helped to teach them what it takes to win in September.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Oct 6, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I could very easily see a new owner coming in
a la Jerry Jones blowing out everybody (including our great Prez) and wanting his own people in place.
I also question if Nolan is going to want to work for somebody he doesn’t know or trust.
JD could get run on lack of performance alone -
He took over a very young team 13 months removed from winning 89 games, was given a major bump in payroll, has yet to equal those 89 wins and nobody is expected to come up from the minors in 2010 and make a major contribution.
He’s up against it this year and his weakness (identifying and trading for major league talent that can help the major league team win immediately) needs to become his strength.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love how you say he took over a team 13 months removed from 89 wins
Yet fail to point out that when he became GM the Rangers were coming off a season where they won 79 games. John Hart was the GM in 2005 when the Rangers went from 89 wins to 79 wins yet Daniels gets all the blame.
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 Oct 6, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The team JD took over in October 2005
had almost all of the same players that won 89 games in 2004 with a few exceptions.
The core talent was all there plus they had a nice young pitcher in Chris Young and most importantly, that team had some very nice talent in the pipeline about to barge thru the door of The Show.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But they also had the same players that won only 79 games in 2005
Yet that gets hardly any mention from you.
Fact is JD took over a 79 win team after 2005. Since then hes only had one season where they didn’t win at least that same 79 win total. Hes had two seasons with more than 79 wins and one with the same amount.
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 Oct 6, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And we're sitting at home once again
in October and the immediate future of This Thing is murky at best.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
murky
99% due to Hicks and not JD.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
by RangerMad on Oct 6, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
This is the part of the equation that really makes me nervous. No matter your feelings on Ryan or JD they make a pretty good team right now. I just hope the new owner realizes how much of an opportunity they could have by just buying the team and letting the baseball men do their respective. That being said, I am getting pretty worried about Washington as a mgr. He seems to largely ignore numbers and the whole they play hard for him argument sure didnt work in September.
08/03/2009 A day that will live in infamy for the rest of the AL West.
by Michael Cave on Oct 6, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But JD hasn't ever done a good job of assessing
the weaknesses of his own team and then fixing those weaknesses with major league talent.
The ownership issue makes things murky but there’s a chance we get the Mark Cuban-type owner that cares about winning and growing the product.
The GM issue is what makes this truly murky because there’s nobody coming here from the minors next year and improvements are going to need to be acquired via trades of magic beans or present talent on the major league roster.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So...
If an owner that cares about winning buys the team, he’ll clean house in the front office?
by Adam J. Morris on Oct 6, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Depends on the owner, ajm
but Little Boy Donuts shouldn’t depend on what the team has done at the major league level during his tenure as a reason to bring him back.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
The team winning and looking to have a bright future with lots of players acquired by Daniels is certainly an indictment.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Oct 6, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Winning" ??
One year in four above .500 after taking over a young team that won 89 games and getting a major bump in payroll isn’t a bullet point.
Then there’s the loss of nearly 600,000 fans before Nolan saved the day a new owner would have to consider.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Oct 6, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, you win
I just can’t deny all the detailed evidence you gave that the team isn’t headed in the right direction, hasn’t made huge strides in talent acquisition, and exactly how Ryan single-handedly increased attendance.
More posts like that and someday the Wales fan club might have two members.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Oct 6, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Classic Josey Contradiction
In practically one breath he says:
1) The team is headed in the right direction and Nolan is to be praised.
2) The team is headed in the right direction and JD is to be fired.
It’s so stupid that it’s not even worth arguing. Jay even acknowledged yesterday that in the face of being presented with his logical failures, he just ignores it.
by FuturePants on Oct 6, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can you explain to me exactly how Nolan saved the day in the
attendance area? Considering team advertising and media revenue is down, doesn’t that show poorly on the Team President?
Isn’t it more probable that the attendance spike is due to a better product on the field and more importantly some form of playoff chase?
Your hate has twisted you to the point that your circular arguments are transparent.
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
by laxtonto on Oct 6, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i want to see a specific example of how Nolan "saved the day" in attendance
I think it was the winning product on the field and the playoff chase that did that, but what do I know?
Also, the Rangers only started winning this year because of the strategy JD used. He didn’t have the resources to go out and get big name free agents or take on big contracts in trades, so he rebuilt through the farm system. Sadly, that strategy takes longer to succeed, but we saw it this year with an 87 win club. This team is built for success in the next 5-7 years and that is because of the work Daniels has done.
Did I really have to explain that?
"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09
by Mizzou12 on Oct 6, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
x
Please don’t dominate the rap, Jack,
if you’ve got nothing new to say.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
outstanding
I spent a little time on the moutain, I spent a little time on the hill.
I saw things getting out of hand, I guess they always will.
Now I don’t know but I been told
If the horse don’t pull you got to carry the load.
I don’t know whose back’s that strong, maybe find out before too long.
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
by tricer on Oct 6, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
MLBTR Blurb...
ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote yesterday that “rival executives are already speculating about Kevin Towers’ possible connection to the Texas Rangers if — and it’s a big if — Dennis Gilbert’s group wins the bidding for the team.”
So… Would this mean no more Nolan? Or a possible restructuring of the whole front office? Or a John Hart type gig? If a new ownership comes in and dumps Daniels the entire International and Domestic scouting staff will probably go with him. That would be a disaster.
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
by laxtonto on Oct 6, 2009 12:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I would think Nolan would walk before the new ownership had a chance to "restructure."
I think he likes where he’s at and doesn’t want to take a backseat to anyone.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Rangers are on the cusp of seriously contending
in the AL West for only the second time in thier existence. Something has to happen to fuck it up.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
by RangerMad on Oct 6, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now see ...
it’s just really hard to emotionally invest in the Rangers right now with all these balls in the air.
Shifting to wait and see mode until the balls start landing.
by shroomer on Oct 6, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeh no shit....it's a big ole mess at the moment.
If one ball is dropped it ruins the whole bit.
HH is that a sock in your puppet or are you happy to see me?
by BigGuns on Oct 6, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't really care about the hitting coach situation.
Not because I like Rudy, but because I don’t think there is a hitting coach the rangers would hire that would make the waves required to try to really alter anyones approach, which probably wouldn’t work anyway.
I assume Rudy still works with them on their basic hitting mechanics that can get thrown off and thats all I think the hitting coach really does.
But I certainly won’t be complaining if they replace him.
the preceding post was a great success.
by DSheppard on Oct 6, 2009 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
x
According to Jayson Stark, the Mike & Mike trivia question this morning was that there are only 7 MLB teams to have not won a post-season game since 2000. What are they? I would guess:
Rangers
Pirates
Royals
Orioles
Brewers?
?
by FuturePants on Oct 6, 2009 12:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Toronto is the other I believe
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Oct 6, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cincinnati instead of milwaukee?
I believe the Brewers won last year
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Oct 6, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Brewers won a game last year
The Blue Jays are another team. I don’t recall the other two even though I listened to it this morning.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
by RangerMad on Oct 6, 2009 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nationals/Expos
It's baseball. You don't always get what you want, and you don't always want what you get. --Ed Coffin
by txranger7 on Oct 6, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank You!
Now I will be able to sleep tonight. :)
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
by RangerMad on Oct 6, 2009 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rudy......
needs to be a for-hire guy to DH types at the end of their careers……instead of an everyday hitting coach for one team.
He doesn’t seem to know how to create an all around good hitter, only a power hitter.
He sits around the batting cage watching the guys have a contest to see who can hit the farthest HR instead of telling them to work on different things. This activity has been talked about from players from other teams watching their batting practices……and that’s disturbing to me.
Wash is an idiot!!
by bspate on Oct 6, 2009 5:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If true...
..that is disturbing.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Ryin A on Oct 6, 2009 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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