Sunday a.m. Rangers stuff
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 9:27 AM CST
Email
PrintAnother day with very little Rangers-related news out there.
Phil Rogers mentions the Rangers' ownership situation in his notes column, and says that Chuck Greenberg's group appears to be the favorite.
That's about it.
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Greenberg as the supposed front runner..
..is good enough news for today.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Cecilio's Guante on Nov 29, 2009 9:43 AM CST reply actions
I made some Evan Grant gifs for the 2010 season. Maybe Rally eating and Rally corn on the cob?
I'm just goofin' new boot goofin'
by iorange555 on Nov 29, 2009 9:59 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
that smile at the end of the one on the top is quite disturbing
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
by Cecilio's Guante on Nov 29, 2009 10:06 AM CST up reply actions
i think im going to have my therapy bills sent directly to you after that one. now im going to go rock myself to sleep with crying
Nobody is perfect, i am nobody, therefore, i am perfect
by 34express on Nov 29, 2009 10:14 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
That's creepily awesome
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
I don't know if anyone saw this but
Selig plans on stepping down in 2012.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/29/selig.plans/index.html
You know nothing!!
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
Wow
LoneStarBall....You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.
by LSBUser on Nov 29, 2009 11:33 AM CST up reply actions
This just in Farrah Fawcett has died
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
Greenberg
For some reason I really want it to be him. The fact that he has run successful minor league teams and has Ryan on board makes me think he is the guy for the job. I could be totally wrong though.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Nov 29, 2009 11:41 AM CST reply actions
How would his minor league track record have anything to do with running a major league team?
Minor league owners don’t have to put any money into payroll.
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.
Minor League Teams
I’m not sure that’s anything at all like owning an MLB franchise. The stakes are so much higher and minor league owners don’t even have a say in anything to do with baseball operations. I have no idea what to expect from this guy. On the other hand, we all know what Hicks is capable of so Greenberg almost has to be better.
by Black Francis on Nov 29, 2009 11:58 AM CST up reply actions
He (and a couple of associates)
Seem to have a good touch for marketing. Didn’t they raise their fan base the most in all MiLB?
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Nov 29, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions
That, the e-mail I sent to him
and the fact that Ron Burkle (net worth $3.2 billion) is rumored to be one of his major financial backers makes him the only logical choice in my mind.
Jimmy Johnson for GM.
OT: Football
Andy Reid loves him some opening kickoff onsides kick.
LoneStarBall....You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.
by LSBUser on Nov 29, 2009 12:42 PM CST reply actions
He does it more than any coach in the NFL
Burned his ass this time.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
Headlines for the next month
Monday: Rangers sale progressing slowly (no new trades or free agent activity)
Tuesday: Rangers sale progressing slowly (no new trades or free agent activity)
Wednesday: Rangers sale progressing slowly (no new trades or free agent activity)
Thursday: Rangers sale progressing slowly (no new trades or free agent activity)
Friday: Rangers sale progressing slowly (no new trades or free agent activity)
Saturday: Rangers sale progressing slowly (no new trades or free agent activity)
Sunday: Rangers sale progressing slowly (no new trades or free agent activity)
Repeat above 3 times
Repeat above 3 times
Repeat above 3 times
Repeat above 3 times
Done how did I ver get through that….
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
Reply button isn't my friend today...
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
rumors
•The Brewers have inquired about Kevin Millwood, but the Rangers haven’t actively tried to move the righty.
•The Giants, Rangers, and Orioles are among the teams who have Miguel Tejada on their radar.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
|Space for Rent|
What in the hell
would Tejada add?
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Nov 29, 2009 1:03 PM CST up reply actions
B12 Shots?
LoneStarBall....You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.
by LSBUser on Nov 29, 2009 1:04 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Underrated.
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Nov 29, 2009 7:12 PM CST up reply actions
RH DH who hits LHP well
And can play SS if Elvis goes down which would alleviate any concerns about your utility guy not being able to play SS for extended periods of time
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.
Miguel Tejada can not play shortstop any more than Michael Young can
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Enough of this bullshit ok
I don’t know who you think is available to be a utility guy or what kind of expectations you have for your backup infielder but we were very very lucky this past season to have Omar Vizquel as our utility guy. With the way the Rays in 08 and us in 09 turned around mainly due to defensive upgrades, primarily at the SS position teams aren’t going to let good defensive SS get away.
If Elvis goes down with an injury and we have to rely on our backup for an extended period we are fucked either way. If he goes down early in the year I imagine we would go look via trade for a replacement.
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 still isn't a reason not to have a backup who can play an adequate shortstop on the bench.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Tejada can play an adequate shortstop
He’d be a great UIF. He’s not going to accept a role like that at this point, though.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 7:52 PM CST up reply actions
Tejada is getting older and was utterly abhorrent at the position this year
(-13.9, -12.4/150.)
Now, UZR does say he had a good 2008 there, but he was also pretty bad in 2007, around replacement level in ‘06 and bad in ’05. So I’d say 2008 was probably a fluke and he’s a bad, bordering on terrible shortstop these days.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Okay
So what? Does that mean he’s a terrible option as a UIF?
You could get someone who is good defensively, and can’t hit, as an alternative. I don’t know that that is necessarily better, or worse, than having Tejada, who is a bad fielder but can hit better than most UIFs.
Actually, having Tejada as an option for someone who could DH against lefties from time to time or be a bat off the bench probably would have more value to this time than a good glove, no hit guy.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 8:06 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah
But like you said he’s not gonna accept a part-time role. And his offensive #‘s aren’t good enough to DH, and we’ve got no place for him to be crappy ay in the field.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
I suspect their interest in him...
…is spurred in part because of his history with Ron Washington, and with the idea that that relationship may mean that, if he doesn’t find a full-time role, he might be willing to come here and accept a part-time role.
You could do a hell of a lot worse than Miguel Tejada as one of your bench guys, and I don’t understand why anyone would be carping about the Rangers talking to him about the possibility of him coming here in such a role.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 8:16 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah
Last time we brought in a guy because of his relationship with Wash was Bradley and he turned out ok. Given Elvis and Young entrenched at SS and 3B the only way I can see Wash fucking up us bringing in Tejada is if he decides to play him as the everyday DH which is a possibility. I think if brought in Tejeda could put up solid numbers if used solely as DH against LHP and the occasional SS or 3B backup
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'm carping...
Because he’d make a below-average-to-shitty DH, and if he’s one of Wash’s guys there’s no way he’ll play just against lefties.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Ugh
we can probably afford a mediocre glove, in limited playing time, at this point. Especially if they bring offensive value.
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Nov 29, 2009 8:11 PM CST up reply actions
We only have 25 roster spots Jonny boy
You can’t have gold glove defensive replacements as backups at every position. Tejeda can play SS adequate enough for a short period which is all that would be expected of him or anyone else we have as utility guy. Because like I said if Elvis goes down for an extended period I expect us to look via trade for someone else for the remainder of the 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.
I don't want a "GG" replacement
Just someone who can play the position adequately. And I don’t think Tejada is an adequate SS anymore. If you’re gonna bring him in to be your backup SS you might as well let Young back the position up.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
You aren't bringing in Tejeda to be the backup SS
You are bringing him in to be the DH specifically against LHP. If Elvis needs a day off or goes down with a minor injury he can step in for a couple days which isn’t going to kill you.
Having him there can also allow you to be more open searching for a utility guy since SS isn’t a prerequisite for them to be able to play. Then you can get a guy who can play COF and 3B or something
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.
One would hope...
…that the team’s interest in Tejada would be as a utility infielder, and not as your primary RH DH.
Having him as a UIF who can DH from time to time or PH is one thing, but expecting him to be your DH against LHPs is another.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 8:08 PM CST up reply actions
why?
Who do you see as our primary DH right now against LHP?
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.
Well, at this point...
…the options currently on the 40 man roster aren’t good.
Presumably, the primary DH is going to be added from the outside.
I just would hope it is someone better than Tejada.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 8:13 PM CST up reply actions
Tejada
Has put up wOBA’s of .345, .313, and .344 the last three seasons. Okay for a SS, but well below average for a DH. He also literally doesn’t walk AT ALL anymore, and his career splits against lefties aren’t all that dramatic (.285/.353/.477).
I don’t see why you’ve got such a hard-on for a declining 36 y/o who really shouldn’t be playing SS anymore.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Where do you get that I have a hard on for the guy?
I don’t think hed be a bad guy to bring in under the right price to be your RH DH against LHP and be there to backup Elvis if he needs a day off now and then or gets a minor injury.
For a full season everyday would I want him at SS…no. But a couple dozen games at most spread out over 162 games isn’t a big deal to me.
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.
Well, you seem pretty danged adamant about wanting him here.
I just don’t see why you think he’d be such a great DH, because he hasn’t been that great a hitter for 3 years now.
Furthermore, as a guy who doesn’t trust Ron Washington to maximize Nelson Cruz’s splits, I don’t see why you have this idea that we’d maximize Tejada’s value by playing him primarily against lefties. I think you and I both know theres no such thing as a platoon DH as long as Ron’s the manager.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Where did I give off the vibe im adament about bringing him here
I started off by saying what I thought his role would be if brought here and then got fed up when you started on your “he can’t play SS” bullshit. You can pretty much throw UZR and whatever else defensive stats out the window when you are talking about a guy who would only be asked to play 12-20 games during the season there at most. Like I said if Elvis goes down I don’t think we would simply plug Tejade into the everyday position.
For his career hes hit LHP better than RHP and last year was no different. I think this offense could use a mid 800s OPS against LHP.
As for how Wash would use him thats the wildcard. If he was used properly he could be a pretty nice piece for us. And because of that I am not opposed to bringing him in especially since he would probably fit into our budgetary constraints
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.
See, I don't see why hitting LHP is such a big thing
If that’s all he’s good for. And, aside from maybe being a crappy infield backup, that would really be all Tejada would be good for (much like Adam’s Jonny Gomes proposal).
Overall crappy offensive players who only crush lefties don’t do much for me. If we’re gonna go rooting around the bargain bin, I’d rather have Troy Glaus, who is at least a good offensive player if you can get him healthy again.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Glaus is fine too
But then you are still in need of a backup MIF
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.
x
But then you are still in need of a backup MIF
How about Miguel Tejada as your backup MIF then? I think he’s a free agent.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 8:36 PM CST up reply actions
Like you said
He probably won’t accept that type of role
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.
Plenty of MIF backups out there
Eric Bruntlett, Alex Cora, Nick Green – shit, maybe you could even get Adam Everett to accept such a role.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
And there you were
poo pooing Tejada? Those names would fit in a nice big pile of shit.
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Nov 29, 2009 8:38 PM CST up reply actions
As a backup MIF?
Who gives a shit?
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
yet you give so much shit about our backup SS?
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 give a shit about my backup SS's D.
Not so much his hitting. I really like what Vizquel did in the field for us this year, not just at SS. And considering a guy who can play SS okay is likely gonna be better at 2B and 3B too…
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
why?
Why is a backup shortstop’s defense so much more important than his offense?
If you have one guy who is 10 runs below average defensively and average offensively, and another guy who is average defensively and 10 runs below average offensively, why would the second guy be preferable as a backup SS?
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 8:45 PM CST up reply actions
And when you condense the sample size to a dozen games or so
The guy with better offense is going to be more valuable more likely
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.
That's a good point
I might as well concede that. Tejada would be fine as a backup INF.
But I don’t think he’d ever be used soley in that role, and I don’t think he’s good enough to be used beyond that role. So I don’t really want him on my team.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
And like I said earlier
With the way our emphasis on defense and the Rays emphasis on defense in 08, especially at the SS position, helped turn around our club I don’t see teams letting guys go ike they have in the past.
And plus when you are talking about a dozen games UZR and whatever else really doesn’t matter.
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.
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Nov 29, 2009 8:40 PM CST up reply actions
Wait
Are you saying you’d rather have Cora or Green or Bruntlett as your UIF than Tejada?
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 8:46 PM CST up reply actions
That's why I'm laughing.
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Nov 29, 2009 8:48 PM CST up reply actions
There is no perfect solution under the team's constraints.
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Nov 29, 2009 8:36 PM CST up reply actions
No, but that doesn't mean you go out an get yourself a shitty solution.
Like Miguel Tejada.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Or like Alex Cora.
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Nov 29, 2009 8:39 PM CST up reply actions
Why is Nick Green a better option than Tejada?
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 8:39 PM CST up reply actions
Nick Green isn't going to be freaking DHing.
I suppose Tejada’s fine as a backup infielder, if you don’t care about the defense.
But I’m talking about a DH. Tejada would make a shitty DH.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Bruntlett's line in the NL
For perspective:
.171 .224 .238 .462
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Nov 29, 2009 8:43 PM CST up reply actions
Tejada as strictly a DH....yeah we could do better
Tejada as strictly a DH against LHP…yeah we could probably do better
Tejada as strictly a backup MIF..,.yeah we could do better
But unless we are going to get a roster exemption to be able to carry 26 or 27 players Tejada fills all those roles pretty decently and he fits into our budgetary constraints which is the key thing here
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.
You won't convince me Tejada would ever DH soley against lefties
With Captain Sunflower Seeds running the show.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Any argument against a player...
…in which you invoke the “Ron Washington is too dumb to use him right” clause is specious.
If he’s too dumb to use him right, Wash needs to be fired, or Daniels or Ryan needs to tell him to play him correctly, or Ryan needs to fire both of them.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 8:46 PM CST up reply actions
See, that's just it: I beleive Wash does need to be fired
And I do think our FO is somewhat suspect for allowing him to manage this team.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
And you are letting that cloud your judgement on whats best for the team
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.
x
I think this offense could use a mid 800s OPS against LHP.
Except I think expecting Tejada to do that if he played for the Rangers in 2010 is rather optimistic.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 8:29 PM CST up reply actions
Any particular reasons you think that?
Career 831 OPS against them and he had a 831 against them last year.
I would think coming to Arlington and if he was given the extra time off you could see an uptic to 845 or 850 rather easily
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 think the change in leagues...
…more than offsets any park advantage, given that he’d be going to the tougher league.
And he has been in a great home park for him the past two seasons…his road OPS the past two years has been 709 and 701. So I don’t think coming to Arlington helps him…it probably hurts him.
And he’s going to be 36, which means expecting him to match what he’s done against LHPs for his career is, again, optimistic.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 8:34 PM CST up reply actions
I would be more concerned about switching leagues if he had never been in the AL before
And I don’t see what his road splits mean since he wouldn’t be playing in those road parks anymore.
So since he has been in a great home park and would be coming to a great home park I would think his OPS’ of 859 and 879 in 2007 and 2009 sandwiched around his horrible 2008 would be a decent expectation.
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.
The road splits are meaningful...
…because he has been playing in a park that is very hitter-friendly, particularly for RH power-hitting pull-hitters like Tejada.
It suggests that his numbers have been bolstered to a greater degree by his home park than one would expect the average player’s numbers to be bolstered.
And the issue with switching leagues isn’t a lack of familiarity, but the simple fact that the A.L. has higher quality teams, which means that a player switching from the N.L. to the A.L. is going to see his numbers suffer because he’s facing higher competition.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 8:44 PM CST up reply actions
ok I see your argument
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.
Except...
…from a practical standpoint, you aren’t going to move Young to SS every time you give Andrus a day off.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 29, 2009 8:06 PM CST up reply actions
Heh, if only
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Nov 29, 2009 8:12 PM CST up reply actions
Tejada
He would be a great guy to add to this team, if you built the rest of the roster correctly.
He would be the best back-up 2B/SS/3B in the AL, and using him as the DH against LHP would be fine provided you used the roster spot that would free up (by making him both your DH vs. LHP and utility infielder) by adding a guy who could platoon with Davis at 1B. You would essentially get a free roster spot to use to fill another hole.
All that said, I highly doubt that Miguel Tejada is going to sign anywhere as a utility infielder, nor do I think we currently have the budget to add him.
by Darrell McKown on Nov 29, 2009 9:21 PM CST up reply actions
I have a feeling
we are going to move Millwood. We just seems like a luxury at this point. We have enough arms to fill a rotation and it is hard to make a compelling case that his likelihood of outperforming the likes of Matt Harrison is worth the multiple of Harrison’s contract that he gets paid.
Of course, there is no way he is going to be worth a whole lot on the open market, so it really depends on in the Rangers can afford him. If keeping Millwood means we can’t go after anyone besides NRIs this year, then trading him for a return like Carlos Villanueva might not be that horrible.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
I'd Rather Not
I’d rather not move Millwood because he will soak up a bunch of innings. If you are breaking in young arms and pitchers with injury history, Millwood will be valuable. But your right, moving his contract would allow the team to be more active this winter.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Nov 29, 2009 3:47 PM CST up reply actions
I don't see why the Rangers wouldn't look into trading Millwood now
Sure, its nice having that veteran presence in the rotation, but Millwood just isn’t any kind of great bet to stay healthy and effective all season. He’s coming off a good season and is only signed for one more year so this is an ideal time to trade him.
With that said, I wouldn’t trade him without getting something this team needs in return. The money is a problem now but Hicks isn’t keeping this team and the new owner won’t buy a team just to slash payroll. The only way his contract is an issue is if there is someone JD wants to get right now who won’t be available when the ownership situation gets straightened out.
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
Besides Millwood, the only pitcher on the roster that's tossed more than 140 innings at the ML level
is Scott Feldman. With the tender age of the rest of the rotation, I doubt the Rangers are planning on any of the young guys logging 200 IP in 2010. With Millwood gone, that puts the pitching back in the same predicament it was in prior to 2009 in having to rely on too many innings from the bullpen. For that reason, I don’t see the Rangers in any hurry to deal Millwood. And I don’t see why he would be any more likely to not be healthy in 2010 than anyone else on the staff.
I don't think the Rangers would try to limit
their young SP innings on a per game basis.Maybe their total innings but not per game.
|Space for Rent|
In the long run, it's the same thing.
if you extract 200 innings from the current rotation, somebody has to pick them up. That means you either go to the 6th, 7th ot 8th best starter you have or you rely on the bullpen to absorb the innings. Either way, it’s rope-a dope.
In this case though
the 6th-8th starters or a combination of them and the bullpen could provide you 200 better innings than the 200 innings you could get with Millwood in your rotation. Millwood has also yet to reach the 200 inning mark since his first year with Texas and in the 2 previous seasons to last year, he averaged only 170.
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
No, I don't think they can.
Millwood had a sub 4 ERA in 2009 and that ain’t too shabby for a guy making half his starts at BPiA. Millwood was 4 outs shy of 200 innings last year, so your comment about 200 innings loses more than a little steam and even at 170 IP, only Feldman has reached that level. If you’re going to get pissy about Millwood being 4 outs shy of 200 innings, what do you have to say about nobody else on the staff ever coming close to that plateau?
I'd say its dumb to assume that these guys
can’t pitch full seasons. I understand with some of them like Harrison and Hurley, that they are coming off full season injuries but both are looking like they are full recovered. Then you got McCarthy who you probably have the best point about with him needing to prove he can do it. Other than that, the other options have all shown at least in the minors that you can expect them to get around 150 innings if not more than that. I’m not too worried about finding quality arms to put on the mound with this defense behind them. That’s a pretty big reason why Millwood was able to go from a 5.07 ERA to a 3.67 ERA despite walking more hitters, allowing more HRs, and striking out fewer batters.
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
Are you the guy...
who said Feliz would be “something special” pitching 150+ innings as a major league starter next year?
I'm not a fan of looking at guys
who are 35 years old and assuming that they’ll keep doing what they’ve done before in their careers. Millwood throwing over 140 innings at the ML level isn’t some guarantee that he’ll do so next season and its definitely no guarantee that he’ll do so and give over 140 quality innings (which is more important than just getting the innings).
And Millwood alone isn’t making or breaking this bullpen. Assuming a rotation of Millwood/Feldman/Holland/Hunter/McCarthy right now, you can plug Feliz, Hurley, or Harrison into that first rotation spot and I’d feel confident projecting them to give you within 20 innings of what Millwood would. Is 20 something innings spread over an entire season really going to destroy this bullpen? The difference between the 09 and 08 bullpen is 87.2 innings. Losing Millwood alone isn’t going to come anywhere close to taxing the bullpen like that. Furthermore, it wasn’t just innings that caused the 08 bullpen to suck. It was CJ pitching through an injury. It was giving Rupe and Wright a combined 173.2 innings when neither of those 2 should have been relied on for maybe half of that. It was Benoit either pitching through an injury or just being lousy like he was throughout most of his career. You can rely on a good bullpen for plenty of innings. You can’t rely on a bunch of scrubs and injured pitchers for that many. In 2010, the bullpen will look a whole lot better than the 08 bullpen regardless of number of innings thrown.
As for his health, I don’t expect Millwood to miss an entire season with an injury, but I’m not counting on him making more than 30 starts next season. The only reason he had 31 this past season was because he pitched in games when he likely should have been resting on the bench. I have more faith in the younger guys who are in better shape and don’t have 2300 innings on their arm to be able to pitch a full season than I do with Millwood.
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
Yea, let's go with a rotation including Holland (who was mostly bad in '09), Feliz (who has never started a game in the ML's)
McCarthy (who’s history would not predict 140 innings), Nippert (who is better out of the pen), Harrison (who knows what he’ll be in 2010), Hurley (will he ever start another ML game). Yep, let’s throw Millwood under the bus, we ton’s of have quality ML pitching up the ass and don’t need him anyway.
Trading Millwood would make more sense if we knew the team intended to pick up a FA like Sheets or Harden
But I’d agree with you, there’s no reason to be in a rush to trade Millwood right now. Beyond Hunter, Feldman (both of whom could be due for regression in 2010) and Holland there’s really not too many guys who can be counted on to provide the innings Millwood will eat up.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
If those guys can't manage to pitch well next season
the Rangers are going to be pretty screwed regardless of having Millwood in the rotation. If 4 out of 5 games are going to see a scrub performance, than Millwood is going to have to be perfect in each of his starts.
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
you forgot
Feldman and Hunter.
they only won 26 games between them last year, despite that neither started the year in the rotation.
You go into the year with Feldman, Hunter, Holland, McCarthy, and Feliz in the rotation with Harrison and Hurley at AAA and Nippert as your long man ready to take over when McCarthy goes down. With the way they handled Feliz in the pen last year (averaging over 1.5 innings per appearance) I’m assuming that he’s going back into the rotation this year. If they’d planned on making him a reliever they would have stuck to 1 inning situations alot more.
The guy hasn't thrown only 140 innings since 2004 as a 29 year old.
Since then hes averaged 189 innings per year.
And if you think this club has any shot at the playoffs next year with Scott Feldman as the veteran of the staff you are delirious. Millwood isn’t great im not arguing he is but to expect us to simply plug Feliz or Harrison or Hurley or whoever into his spot in the rotation and expect them to give you what Millwood by himslef could is crazy.
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.
Millwood isn't a great bet to stay healthy?
Compared to who? The guy has averaged over 30 starts a season here in Texas.
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.
Great
Ben Sheets has averaged nearly 28 starts a season over his career yet people talk about him as a lock to miss at least 15 if we sign him. Are they wrong or do they just understand the risks involved with certain pitchers despite what they have done in the past.
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
Well
For three years in a row Sheets had start totals of 22, 17, and 24. So yes I do think there is probable cause to believe he would miss significant time. Not to mention the fact he missed the entire 2009 season.
Millwood has started less than 29 games once in the last 8 years. So while yes there is a risk with a 35 year old pitcher when you weigh his history against others to say you expect him to only throw 140 innings is dumb
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.
And in 2008, Sheets made 31 starts (the same as Millwood in 09)
Yet he missed all of 2009 anyways. Past years aren’t a guarantee that the pitcher will be healthy. Look at the risk factors with Millwood such as his age, his questionable ability to stay in shape, and that he has gone through some nagging injuries each of the past 3 years. These are the reasons that I would be worried about Millwood still having good value by the trade deadline next season or that he will be a needed piece for a late season run.
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
Im much more confident in expecting Millwood to make 30+ starts given his track record and his recent track record than Sheets
Both could go down with injury. So could anyone. But given their track records give me the guy who has consistently done it (Millwood) over the guy who did it once in the last 5 years and is coming off an entire missed season (Sheets)
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.
more Millwood rumors
Earlier today, it was reported that the Brewers have inquired about Kevin Millwood’s availability. MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy says that while that may very well be true, it hasn’t been anytime recently. According to McCalvy, Rangers GM Jon Daniels says he hasn’t spoken with Brewers GM Doug Melvin in weeks.
What about Thad Levine?
While many teams would like to try to pull Tommy Hunter or Derek Holland away though, the Rangers would be more inclined to deal someone like Brandon McCarthy, writes McCalvy.
Duh!
Texas would like to add a right-handed bat, but the best Milwaukee will be able to offer is Corey Hart, who is coming off a disappointing 2009 season.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
|Space for Rent|
Heh
While many teams would like to try to pull Tommy Hunter or Derek Holland away though, the Rangers would be more inclined to deal someone like Brandon McCarthy, writes McCalvy.
No fuck
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Nov 29, 2009 5:28 PM CST up reply actions
What would you think about a deal that sends Millwood and receives Hart?
As the link notes, Hart had a down 2009 so he’s a potential rebound candidate. He’s got a good power/speed combo and would be a versatile OF/DH piece for us. Not sure of his platoon splits, but he’d certainly be a guy to investigate IMHO.
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
by WestTxAg06 on Nov 29, 2009 5:38 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I'd be intrigued by it
as long as they take on Millwood’s full salary.
I would do
a Millwood for Hart swap. Hart mashes LHP and would be a good platoon partner with Murphy in LF. Hart is in his 2nd year of arb and will likely make $12M over the next two years so the money is sort of a wash.
|Space for Rent|
Hart
Had a down 2008 too. In fact, he’s only had one above average wOBA in his entire career, and that was 2007. He had a career year in SLG and ISO that season and hasn’t been anywhere near those levels in any other season
He also has a career .326 OBP and a career 6.6 BB%.
PASS.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
He's also a sucky defender in RF, the only position he has more than 50 games worth of sample size to go on.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
but we can play
“I wear my sunglasses at night” every time he comes up, like they did when he visited Frisco with the Brewers’ AA affiliate.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Then its totally worth it
And have Chacaron follow it
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
True fantasy baseball story
Last year I’m matched up for the week against my best friend, the only other member of my league who appreciates baseball and the 80s at similar levels that I do. I beat him for the week on a Sunday afternoon by Hart that included like 2 hrs, 5 RBI and a stolen base or something equally ridiculous, so I called my buddy and left him a voicemail consisting of nothing but the sweet sounds of Cory Hart’s “Sunglasses at Night.”
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
by WestTxAg06 on Nov 29, 2009 7:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
UZR disagrees.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 1, 2009 7:29 PM CST up reply actions
I would rather see us
take back minimal salary and then reallocate that money to make a run at a guy like Dye or Matsui. The truth is, in this market, 12 million could probably allow us to add three impact players if we wait out the market and make shrewd decisions.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Scott Lucas weighs in on Millwood
Idon’t think anyone would be upset/disappointed/surprised if Millwood was dealt. It is not like they would be dealing a true TORP and replacing him with a 5th starter type of SP.
Millwood is a known entity, and there’s value in a pitcher who can reach 190-200 innings with a 4.75 ERA. I’m not averse to Millwood pitching for Texas in 2010, even for $12 million, but expecting another sub-4.00 ERA, or even sub-4.50, is foolhardy.
http://rangers.scottlucas.com/
|Space for Rent|
If Millwood would post another sub 4 ERA next season
I would think that’s a result of the defense which means you can likely replace him with anyone and expect them to pitch over their heads.
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
Yay, another rumor that includes us being in on a fucking terrible player
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Check that, TWO fucking terrible players
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
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