Davidoff: Nick Johnson heading to New York
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 17, 2009 6:46 PM CST
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PrintKen Davidoff is reporting that Nick Johnson is about to sign a one year, $5.5 million deal with the Yankees.
This bothers me.
Johnson, of course, started his career with the Yankees, and I would wager that, money being equal, Johnson would prefer to play there, for the defending World Series champs, rather than for the Rangers, the defending second place A.L. West team.
That being said...would Johnson have signed with Texas instead of New York if Texas had offered, say, $6.5 million? $7 million?
The difference between Mike Lowell and Nick Johnson is not insignificant, and an extra $3.5-4 million for Johnson would have been money well spent. He's actually a DH who is a really good hitter, as compared to a DH who is a decent hitter for a third baseman.
This frustrates me. And I'm not sure if this is a situation where the Rangers just simply couldn't afford him, in which case my frustration is with Tom Hicks (which, of course, is just a drop in the bucket overall), or a situation where the Rangers just decided that Lowell at $3 million was a better deal than Johnson at $6.5 million (for example), in which case my frustration is with Jon Daniels and the rest of the front office.
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Johnsons lack of power is why I don't really mind us not going after him
Even if it was only for 6.5 or 7 million
Lowell for 3 million plus his veteranness is better for this team than Nick Johnson IMO. 2010 is not going to depend on who our DH is. We could have Babe Ruth in his prime and if Hamilton, Kinsler (I know his overall numbers were ok but I want more consistency), and Davis don’t bounce back we are gonna have trouble scoring runs.
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 silly
The 2009 Rangers, with Babe Ruth in his prime as DH rather than Andruw Jones and Hank Blalock, would have made the playoffs.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 17, 2009 6:56 PM CST up reply actions
I was being slightly overdramatic
But I thought that was rather obvious
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.
bigsteve meant
“…Babe Ruth is his pitching prime…” :)
AJM, it is really pointless to let this team frustrate you by the moves or lack of at this time. The team will be sold soon.
|Space for Rent|
It's only sane to be frustrated right now.
Remember the 5 step plan that JD and Thad had laid out? This is supposed to be the season that the missing pieces are added and we finally take our place atop the division. Excuses be damned, I’m frustrated.
Well I don't know if 5 years ago JD could have forseen these financial problems being the way they are
I understand the frustration but there are alot of things out of his control
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 not saying JD is to blame...
…I am saying that a fan has every right to be frustrated with This Thing right now.
We don't need another lefty
Adam,
We are already too Lefthanded. We need a RH DH. Plus we need somebody to back up MY at 3B.
This may have already been addressed below – I haven’t scanned.
Jack Daddy
You have a lot of wrong opinions
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
How dare I talk bad about your mancrush Nick Johnson
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 thought he moved on to Cust
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
There's that
And there’s the fact that any assessment that says Mike Lowell > Nick Johnson as a DH is simply wrong.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Lowell at his price plus his veteranness (which I know you hate because you can't look at any of your geeky stats)
Is better for this team IMO
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.
Wildly incorrect.
The guy who hasn’t posted a wOBA below .370 since 2002 is far, far better for this team even if you want to argue that intangibles mean something.
’Cause Nick Johnson is a veteran presence too, and he provides it while also providing you with a shit-ton of OBP and production, which at the end of the day is always better than being able to back up third base.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
The last time Johnson was in any type of competitive environment was 2003
Since then hes languished away in Montreal and Washington before being shipped to Florida this past year where he promptly got injured like normal.
Lowell has been in Boston the last 4 years making the playoffs each of the last three including winning a World Series
Like I said you hate when people mention veteranness or intangibles or anything some weird stat can’t tell you. If the Rangers were full of 28, 29, 30+ year olds then yeah I wouldn’t mind Johnson but given our youth and inexperience give me Lowell.
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're insane.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Not to jump in, but how is that insane?
Do you think that Omar Vizquel had no impact on Elvis’ development?
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"The purpose of life is to have a fucking good time." - Albert Ellis
by Cecilio's Guante on Dec 17, 2009 7:33 PM CST up reply actions
LSJ doesn't believe in any aspect of baseball that some stat can't show
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 just don't believe
that there is any direct correlation between the number of world series rings a player has and the amount of wisdom and leadership by example he can provide for the younger players.
how many WS rings did Eddie have? Zero. How about Omar? One. I have been pushing for Jermaine Dye this offseason and he’s got one as well. So let’s add “veteran savvy” to his value as well.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
THANK YOU!
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Last year we weren't supposed to be a competitive team
So we didn’t necessarily need veterans with playoff experience because that aspect wasn’t going to come into play most likely.
Next year we do look to be at least in the playoff hunt which I believe means a guy with playoff experience and WS rings does make a difference.
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
So we didn’t necessarily need veterans with playoff experience because that aspect wasn’t going to come into play most likely.
Except we went out and got guys like Vizquel, Guardado, and Jones because we supposedly wanted veterans with playoff experience.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 17, 2009 7:52 PM CST up reply actions
They all have "playoff experience"
Vizquel none since 2001, Guardado since 03 and Jones since 05
Lowells recent success I think does make a difference especially since Johnson has played for some of the worst teams in all of baseball for the last 5 years
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 not really the point, WS rings.
Hate to get drug into a BS argument, but I do think experience in the playoffs is worth something to a team of perennial losers.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
I agree
but to me the issue is how one quantifies the value of experience, and frankly I think it doesn’t have anything to do with playoff experience.
People made a huge deal of how much of an impact Kevin Millar made to the 2004 Red Sox, and he was a lifetime journeyman who had never been in a meaningful playoff environment.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Arguing for veteran presence is one thing.
But arguing that one guy’s veteran presence is meaningless because he supposedly “wasn’t in a competitive environment” while claiming going to the world series makes another guy Baseball Gandhi is fucking insane.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
The 2010 Texas Rangers are supposed to be fighting for a playoff spot correct?
I would much rather have a guy whos been to the playoffs recently and had success in the playoffs than a guy who hasn’t sniffed them in almost 7 years.
This isn’t a veteran presence on a rebuilding young team. This is veteran presence on a young competitive team supposedly which are two different things
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 I'd rather have the better player
Because, you know, better players will play better.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Dec 17, 2009 9:58 PM CST up reply actions
A lot of people actually.
Like 99% of the baseball world.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
Competing means that they'll FIGHT for a spot.
The club won 87 games last year, I don’t think 89 will get you in, but around 95 will. Which isn’t a stretch for any team other team than oakland
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
89 games...
could win the west next year. Somewhere around 89-92 wins would be my guess.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 18, 2009 3:02 AM CST up reply actions
Tell me where they found it last season?
Basing that prediction entirely off WAR is stupid. Especially for a team that was a bit unlucky last year. The team won 87 games last year, and IMO they’ve gotten better so far this off-season.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
Really?
I would argue that experience doing something, achieving something, counts for a lot. 162 games is a mental and physical grind, and if you do not know how to handle it, or can solicite advice from someone who has, you may be at a decided disadvantage.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
But what does going to the playoffs have to do with hadling 162 games?
Experience is experience, and Nick Johnson and Mike Lowell both have quite a bit of it.
You’re not, however, going to tell me that mike Lowell’s experience is automatically worth more than Nick Johnson’s leadership because he’s been to the world series and Nick Johnson hasn’t. That’s bullshit.
Real leadership isn’t about where you’ve been or what you’ve done, it’s about how good an individual is at communicating and actually helping/leading other people. And we really have no way of knowing or quantifying one way or the other if Mike Lowell or Nick Johnson is a better leader.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Really?
You are telling me if you were Elvis Andrus or Ian Kinsler and we were neck and neck in the AL West with a week to go in the season Nick Johnson could give you as good of advice as Mike Lowell?
No. As a soldier if I am going to war and I have to go ask a fellow soldier what to expect I am not going to go ask a SFC whos been in the Army 13 years but hasn’t been deployed. Im gonna go ask the SFC whos been in 13 years but has done 2 tours and been there done that.
Experience is the ultimate trump card in terms of leadership.
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 telling you I don't think it matters.
Nobody is going to come in here and dispense “how-to’s” on the playoffs that will automatically make the team perform better. And as such, I don’t think Mike Lowell vs. Nick Johnson in the clubhouse is not going to make a tangible difference in how this team would collectively deal with being in the playoffs for the first time.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
well that does it
you’ve convinced me. i am going to write a letter to Topps asking that they add a column counting playoff appearances for a player.
Maybe they’ll call it “tours of duty” or “hair on his chest” or maybe just “ball sack”. then fangraphs will have to find a way to incorporate it into a player’s value.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
oh, well I can see your point there, I was going more for veteran presence....saying that it is something rather than nothing.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"The purpose of life is to have a fucking good time." - Albert Ellis
by Cecilio's Guante on Dec 17, 2009 7:54 PM CST up reply actions
What makes Lowell
More veteran savvy than Johnson?
Plus, if we had signed Nick, I would have had an excuse to pull all my “big Johnson” t-shirts out of the closet.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 17, 2009 7:16 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Johnson hasn't seen playoff intensity since 2003
This past season when he was traded to a potential playoff team he went out and promptly got hurt again.
Lowell has been in the playoffs each of the past 3 seasons, playing in one of the biggest baseball towns, won and won a WS in 2007. They may be close in terms of years in the league but Lowell has Johnson beat by a mile in veteran savvy
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.
Wow
I just looked it up. Do you realize that in a little over a year and a half, you’ve posted over 11000 comments??
Then I looked up Baseball Jesus, cuz i figured you two would be neck and neck, since you both weigh in over and over on everything.
Nope.
LSJ crushes Bigsteve in the battle of the grandiose verbose. 34000+. In yo face, Bigsteve! In yo faaace!!
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
Hi, Keith. Is this the year Edinson Volquez finally wins RoY?
by Brian Thomas on Dec 17, 2009 7:18 PM CST up reply actions
thanks for the update
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.
Keep it up, you're making gains!
By my calculations, you are +5 in this thread alone.
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
Hi, Keith. Is this the year Edinson Volquez finally wins RoY?
by Brian Thomas on Dec 17, 2009 7:20 PM CST up reply actions
veteranness
I wish I could make up words to support my claims.
I would have loved to sign Johnson, but sadly, that is not the case anymore. I really hope they add another bat other than just Lowell, though with the way things are and ownership still not being completely resolved, I don’t see it happening.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
As long as we're making up words to describe players, I got one for Johnson
Achy-breaky-vagintisnessness…
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
Hi, Keith. Is this the year Edinson Volquez finally wins RoY?
by Brian Thomas on Dec 17, 2009 8:56 PM CST up reply actions
I believe
he was out with that in September this year. The guy does always seem to be ailing or out.
Absolutely agreed.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Ugggh
Sounds like another great deal for the competition (though I guess the Rangers prolly are competing mainly for the AL West crown).
I think Seattle had a coup with the Lee deal, and the Yankees are doing pretty damn well with this deal….
The only weird deal I see from our competition was the Lackey deal in Boston….
R
Aye
(though I guess the Rangers prolly are competing mainly for the AL West crown)
One step at a time, buddy. Though I like the optimism.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
Are they?
Besides, there are still a lot of attractive free agent names out there.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 17, 2009 7:19 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
How is Beltre a good fit?
We have a 3b very much entrenched.
I’d be just as happy with Dye or Vlad.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 17, 2009 7:24 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I've been drinking
It’s the holidays. Don’t judge me.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 17, 2009 7:27 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I care
because he is so good defensively. Hope he doesn’t end up in Oakland.
"Stats are like a woman in a fine little bikini. You can see a lot, but you can't see everything." -Dirk A. Tron
Or back in Seattle.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
less
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Dec 17, 2009 7:08 PM CST up reply actions
yes
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Dec 17, 2009 10:27 PM CST up reply actions
If there is anybody that could find a way to spend half the season on the DL playing DH
it would be Nick Johnson.
He should get the anti-Ripken Tin Vagina Award.
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
Hi, Keith. Is this the year Edinson Volquez finally wins RoY?
which is why i dont mind this
we dont need another player with a 50% chance of spending half the season on the DL
Fuck Mike Estabrook
I really hate the quotes that have come
from the Rangers FO in parts of this offseason saying “it’s business as usual” etc etc.
That is so full of crap, gets on my nerves when obviously we are not only restrained by Hicks’ ineptitude but MLB and Selig placing restrictions on what we can do. Propaganda crap.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
ROW ROW FIGHT THE POWAH!
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
eh
If this means that we can get Vlad or Dye for around that same amount, or even a little less considering their ages, I am all for this deal for the Yanks…
In my mind, we are looking for a 4 or 5 hole hitter, and those are the only two guys I would trust in that role.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
DH options remaining
Thome, Dye, Vlad, Tatis, Garko, Glaus, possibly Lowell via trade.
who else would we want here. I’m not a fan of alot of those guys on the list.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
My order of preference
Lowell
Vlad
Thome
Dye
Glaus
Garko
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
Thome
Garko
Glaus
Lowell
Vlad
Dye
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
If we're all gonna join in, how bout a tiered ranking
Primary DH candidates:
Cust > Glaus > Thome > Vlad >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Dye
Platoon/bench additions:
Garko > Lowell
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Same player as Vlad last three years, only less gimpy.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Also lefthanded
And even though he’s “less gimpy” than Vlad, if they raced around the diamond 4 times, Vlad would end up lapping him.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 17, 2009 8:29 PM CST up reply actions
...
So?
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
So
Given the choice between the two of them, I’d probably go with Vlad. I also think Vlad has more bounce-back potential than Cust.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 17, 2009 8:44 PM CST up reply actions
I think Vlad is gonna wind up gimped up or on the DL for a good part of 2010 again
Cust on the other hand would be helped more by our park, is healthier and provides the middle of the order with some patience.
It might be a toss-up though, if what they’ve done recently is any indication.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Cust
Isn’t a viable option. You basically have one addition you can make now, and it needs to be a RH hitter who can hit LHP, has a relatively high floor, and can fill in at a couple of positions. Cracker Jack misses the profile on a couple of counts.
"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 Dec 17, 2009 8:58 PM CST up reply actions
We've got two open 40 spots
Why can’t we get both the platoon guy and upgrade the Murphy half of the platoon?
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Well that could happen
But I think the club is shopping for a catcher. Compound that with the need for a UTIL INF, and one or the other would grab the non DH slot, no ?
"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 Dec 17, 2009 9:02 PM CST up reply actions
I'd just as soon roll with the catchers we got
Because I don’t really see any catchers out there that are worth anything more than an NRI. Same with the UT position, which (according to TR Sullivan recently) isn’t that high a priority for the Rangers right now.
I just think a guy like Cust or Thome could impact the team a lot more than another scrub catcher or utility guy.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
I think you missed his point.
The team is in need of those things. And they’re pretty much must haves to have a functional team for 162 games a year. Cust or Thome would just be a luxury.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
Yeah especially if Salty is going to miss time at the start of the season
I don’t think you want to have Kevin Richardson as your backup catcher for any length 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.
Like I said, I'm meh on adding another catcher.
I’m consigned to getting zero production from that position next year period.
UTL infielder who can play SS, ok, that’s a need. The Rangers don’t seem too interested in that right now, though (if you believe TR anyway).
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
and even if we add a catcher
the 40 can easily be adjusted by dropping Arias or Mendoza, allthough there seems to be some Dozer love from the org. I assume that’s just more propping someome up etc
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Also
We’re looking at the 25 moreso than the 40, relative to the added bat.
"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 Dec 17, 2009 9:03 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think you are being practical
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 17, 2009 9:35 PM CST up reply actions
Well
You might have to acquire Amezega to make it work. But it could work.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
This seems to be driven...
…by your desire to find a way to justify getting rid of Murphy.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 17, 2009 10:49 PM CST up reply actions
What?
No, not really.
Not that I don’t still see him as good trade bait, but keeping him around would ensure us a fallback option should our high-ceiling DH acquisition fail (or should Hamilton implode again).
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Could you imagine how frustrating it would be if Elvis
or any other player in the Rangers lineup for that matter, came to bat and hit a gapper for XB’s while Cust was on 1st?
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
Can't be anymore frustrating than when Byrd or Kinsler was on first
And they managed to get themselves run down between third and home or something.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
........how often did that happen?
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
Way too often.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Uh.....proof?
Until you provide it, your argument holds as much weight as BigSteve’s “veteranness” argument.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
I don't know.
I was mostly kidding, because of your “clogging up the bases”-esque comment.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
it probably wouldn't be any different than Lowell
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
his numbers have declined each yr
I’m only lukewarm on him. I know he’s got walks and HR going for him, but damn those strikeout numbers…
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
are you considering their supposed price tags
when you do this ranking?
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Hmm...
Glaus
Garko
Vlad
Thome
Dye
Tatis
Lowell
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
i just wish we had the resources to add to the payroll
and trade for a guy like Dunn, although any addition right now, I’d be excited about because I don’t really expect much
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I heard the Nationals won't part with Dunn.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
which would be stupid
they need to build for the future. they were the worst team in baseball two years running. A guy like Dunn – who is only going to be around for them this year should get traded if they were smart (they would get more value now than in midseason). Of course, if we don’t trade for him – he is definitely on my short list of guys I would really love to sign here.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I know.
I thought they should have flipped him last year, but whatever.
Since the Rangers will most likely will have that payroll flexibility around the deadline, I think he should be #1 on our board, unless I’m missing someone. Wonder what he’ll cost.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
Around the deadline last summer.
I was wondering why Dunn’s name wasn’t brought up, and Gammons said that the Nationals weren’t interested in flipping him.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
Well, the deadline last summer was the deadline last summer.
I’d really be stunned if the Nats wouldn’t part with Dunn to get sum pitchin’ up thar.
Aye, which is why he is on my list of go-to-guys at the deadline.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
The Mariners just got Cliff Lee
an Ace, for a couple really good prospects and a meh guy. Dunn’s value takes a big hit because he can’t play the field, and Washington is forced to play him in the field in the NL. His -38.2 UZR/150 in LF and -43.2 in RF is the worst in baseball, and his -25 at 1b is not that much better. The Nationals are really hurting themselves by having this guy in the field, and sure it’ll take a couple prospects, but it shouldn’t take any of our top guys.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
@jonmorosi Lowell trade should be resolved “one way or the other” by the weekend. Update at FOXSports.com.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
If it goes through....
I sure hope we still have room for Vlad or Cust…otherwise ugh.
by death of the cool on Dec 17, 2009 8:10 PM CST up reply actions
Vlad in a Rangers uniform would be......odd to say the least.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
Why woulld we do that?
Get Lowell then sign one of those guys? Youve got your back up middle infielder already here, you got lowell to play 1st/3rd and DH and yourve got murph, boggs to backup outfield… If you go get another guy like vlad or cust then whats the point?
TCU Frogs- #3
"THAT WAS MY SPECIAL MONDAY MORNING TAPE, SPECIAL, FOR YOU!
It's fucking Monday afternoon, you should get out of bed earlier."
by FormerLSBUser on Dec 17, 2009 8:22 PM CST up reply actions
To increase the ceiling of your primary DH to something that could provide real impact
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Why would we sign Vlad and Lowell both?
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 17, 2009 8:28 PM CST up reply actions
We would sign Vlad and Lowell because of a compact disc?
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
I thought he was talking about a bank account...
…where you can’t remove your money for a fixed period of time.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 17, 2009 8:44 PM CST up reply actions
You are right
we would never get both…I am just not feeling Lowell regardless
by death of the cool on Dec 17, 2009 9:34 PM CST up reply actions
Any interest in Dumpmaster coming back?
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
Who is that?
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
Mark DeRosa
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
He's basically a younger, healthier, more versatile Mike Lowell.
Might be too expensive though, and I’d still rather have Garko. But add yet another name to the “better than Mike Lowell” list.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
This was my thinking as well
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
I'm pretty sure he wants to start.....somewhere
I believe I read that recently..
So who's todays mistress? They're coming out of the Woodswork!
He could start at DH
And back up almost every position if needed.
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
He'd only be starting at DH 28-30% of the time though
Well, SHOULD only be starting at DH that often. Just like Lowell, his real value is as a bench player.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
start as in start as a position player
So who's todays mistress? They're coming out of the Woodswork!
veteran bat
When is the last time the Rangers brought in a veteran hitter and they made a difference?
|Space for Rent|
The whole key is bringing in a GOOD veteran bat, like Bradley.
You bring in Hidalgo’s, Sosa’s and Jones’s, well… you deserve what you get.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
I remember being on board with Hidalgo.
That was at at time when this team had no OF, and it was reported that he could actually play the field pretty well and had a cannon for an arm. I thought he might be able to hit. God Almighty was I wrong. He sucked.
by Black Francis on Dec 17, 2009 9:28 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think Hidalgo was brought in to be a veteran
that is revisionist history when people say that. He was brought in because this team’s OF was horrendous and he was the “best” free agent option out there. He had been really up and down the few years before, but at his worst he was league average, and when he was very very good. When he got to Texas, he was just horrendous. That never made sense to me.
Go Rice Owls!
Sosa was a good veteran bat against lefties
In fact, 2007 Sammy Sosa is exactly what this club needs right now.
Go Rice Owls!
Yeah, Sosa was blatantly misused and it destroyed his value
But that’s also another reason why Mike Lowell doesn’t excite me, because that’s probably exactly what will happen with him, too.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
good point
And the only reason they got Bradley was because of his knee injury (maybe temperment also.)
I guess DeRosa could be included with Bradley. Off the top of my head their seems to be 3 groupings. Since 2004…
1. Bradley, DeRosa,
2. Sosa, Jones, GMJ, E. Young
3. Hidalgo, Fulmer, Broussard, Nevin, Jordan
|Space for Rent|
I'd much rather have Davis, fwiw.
I think Davis will end up being pretty solid. Just didn’t belong on the team in the 2nd half of 2009 given how historically badly he failed the team in the first half.
by Texas_Dawg10 on Dec 17, 2009 11:07 PM CST up reply actions
Ben is falling down on the job.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Still scared of me, huh?
I don’t blame you I guess. I definitely make you look your age after all.
by Texas_Dawg10 on Dec 17, 2009 11:21 PM CST up reply actions
It appears he is only a mere shell
of his old self. What a shame.
"BIg whoop, wanna fight about it?"
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
by lost in space on Dec 18, 2009 3:22 PM CST up reply actions
Johnson is good...
but like BT said above, I have zero faith that the guy can make it through a season healthy. He’ll miss more games than he actually plays in.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
And yet you put Troy Glaus as #1 on your DH list.
Not trying to start a fight, just pointing it out…
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Yeah...
Glaus has had his injuries, no doubt. However he has also had 7 years where he has played in about 150 games too.
If he passed a physical and can show he has recovered from last years injury then I think there’s a pretty good chance he would be fine in ’10. I could be wrong though, it happens fairly often.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Nick Johnson
This is very annoying.
What does this need in general? People who get on base.
What position is our biggest hole right now? DH
With Smoak hopefully ready to play fulltime by 2011, how long a contract should be commit to a 1B/DH? One year
What is Nick Johnson? An on-base machine DH who is apparently signing a one-year contract.
I would have gone 1 year, $7.5 million for him.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 17, 2009 11:35 PM CST reply actions
lol
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
And yet you agree with me below...
Odd post, imho.
by Texas_Dawg10 on Dec 17, 2009 11:41 PM CST up reply actions
The Rangers don't have that kind of money right now.
Selig isn’t going to give the nod on a contract like that until the sale goes through.
by Black Francis on Dec 17, 2009 11:38 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, I realize that.
That’s why I’m annoyed by it.
If Johnson could have been had on a one-year deal in the $7 million range, this might be the first time our financial condition really prevented us from making a deal that could have realistically been made or signing a player for an amount that really made sense.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 17, 2009 11:50 PM CST up reply actions
Well who knows
…what other deals could have been made before now if the team weren’t in dire straits. I would think there would have been more than a few, though.
by Black Francis on Dec 17, 2009 11:54 PM CST up reply actions
Ryan Doumit, for one.
Not that I think Doumit’s all that great, but…
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Doumit
I would exclude him under the “really made sense” clause.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 17, 2009 11:58 PM CST up reply actions
Given our catching depth I think it would've made sense
If we weren’t financially hamstrung.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Doumit
Committing $9.15 million for two years to a below-average defensive catcher who had a .714 OPS last season doesn’t make much sense to me.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 18, 2009 12:08 AM CST up reply actions
I beleive he was hurt this year
And he did OPS 813 and 858 in 2007 and 2008.
It’d have some boom/bust potential, but I think it would make sense for a team that has the money.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
That's true....
Let’s just say it might be the first time our financial condition really prevented us from making a rumored deal that could have realistically been made or signing a player for an amount that really made sense
by Darrell McKown on Dec 17, 2009 11:57 PM CST reply actions
For a guy with 13 HRs over the past two seasons....
…Johnson is getting a crazy amount of love in this thread.
Yes, his OBP is very attractive, but he brings no defensive depth to the team. Read between the lines in the JD interviews, he basically said there are a few DH types that they like, but Lowell can play 1B/3B too so that puts him over the top. When you’re working with no money, you GOTTA target the multi-positional guys.
Yeah
Because a 36 y/o with a gimp hip and a zombie-thumb who has played a total of four games at first base in his pro career just has ton of defensive value.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
He's gonna struggle mightily at 1st just like Blalock
Just like Blalock, were gonna be f’d by the defensive difference between he and Davis.
You seem to have a double standard
when discussing the merits of other players vs. your mancrush.
Nick Johnson has been available in 57% of his team’s games the last 8 years and, as Tex pointed out, has little or no defensive value at all.
by robert_d_wilfong on Dec 18, 2009 9:31 AM CST up reply actions
I don't really give a shit about defensive value
I’m just pointing out Lowell doesn’t have that much, either. He’s also a much worse hitter than Johnson, so arguing that being able to marginally play third base makes him better than Johnson is pretty silly.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
The injury issue was the primary issue
You talk about Lowell’s “gimp hip” and “zombie-thumb,” yet Nicole Johnson has played a little more than half of games in his career.
by robert_d_wilfong on Dec 19, 2009 11:32 AM CST up reply actions
Nick Johnson is a much, much better player than Mike Lowell
That is the primary issue.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
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