Saturday morning Rangers stuff
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 19, 2009 9:57 AM CST
Email
PrintNothing much out there right now.
Jeff Wilson says that Mike Lowell will be in Arlington today for a physical, which should allow resolution to the much-discussed Lowell for Max Ramirez trade by Sunday, one way or the other.
99 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
What is the timeline on finalizing the sale?
This is one time in which rushing the sale may be a very good idea.
You think Oakland is better, as well?
I’m just kidding. I’m actually of the mind that all three teams — Seattle, Texas and Anaheim — are probably pretty close together.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 19, 2009 10:04 AM CST up reply actions
I agree more to that
I just found it amusing that Milton Bradley caused people to jump off bridges into the sea of assumption.
I'm just goofin' new boot goofin'
look at his history
that is highly unlikely to repeat itself, especially since he knows he’s getting paid for the next two years. Maybe in ‘11, he’ll be a force again because he’ll be playing for a contract.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Looking at his history....
2008 161
2007 154
2006 114
2005 118
2004 108
2003 147
What are you talking about?
he can get on base
but he also will be lucky to be healthy for even 3/4 of a season. OPS+ is mainly driven on his OBP, which we all know he is good at getting on base.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
well, has he reached 161 OPS+ other than 08
what did he do in 09?
07 is SSS, then you have to go back to 03 where he was at 147+, but again that was only 377 ABs. come with something stronger. 2008 was his best year by far when you look at all his numbers. It is unlikely to repeat itself
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I'm not a Murphy fan here
I think he should be a bench player at best, but that wasn’t the case being made.
I just think we should get over MB. The Mariners are hoping for lightning in a bottle there, much like what happened in TX when he came here. I don’t think they’ll get it even if he does play in the same amount of games, especially when you take in park factors. RBiA vs Seattle will in itself create a difference in production.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I don't think they are
They aren’t expecting a career year like in Texas but he’s a well-above average hitter who if healthy will be a good addition to their lineup.
its pretty freakin relevant.
though i do think it was a good trade for them.
the preceding post was a great success.
But Anaheim is going to do more to help
their team. They have money and an owner who cares about winning.
Definitely a transition year of sorts for the Angels but they’re not done shopping or trading.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Dec 19, 2009 10:11 AM CST up reply actions
By all accounts
Neither are the Rangers.
by brettgardner on Dec 19, 2009 11:35 AM CST up reply actions
The ownership situation and timing of approval makes it murky
but my take on what Greenberg had to say is that we won’t be seeing any splashes in free agency until after this upcoming season.
If the sale becomes final in early January, why does MLB wait until mid March to give final approval?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Dec 19, 2009 11:40 AM CST up reply actions
Well
If by “splashes” we mean Dye or something, then I think that’s a good thing. I’m not ruling out the possibility of some pitching help via trade, though.
Harden, Feldman, Hunter is a damn solid 1-3, but if you could use some assets to trim the fat at the bottom end and add some muscle at the front, that’d be pretty salty.
by brettgardner on Dec 19, 2009 11:46 AM CST up reply actions
F Lowell and go get
Glaus. Yeah, you gotta sell him on coming here but he’s somebody who needs to re-establish his market value and what better place to do that as a hitter in Texas? Give him $ 3 million with incentives he can reach and tell him he’ll see 30-40 games at either 1B or 3B (yes, that means Young DH’s 15-20 games).
Seeing Murphy/Byrd hitting 3/4 made me vomit last year. Glaus is younger and better than Lowell. He’s also an experienced clean up hitter who gets on base and mashes LH pitching. He’s exactly what we need.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Dec 19, 2009 11:52 AM CST up reply actions
“I’m a huge Mike Lowell fan,” Young said. “I’ve gotten to know him personally. He can hit, has great hands and he’s a pro. The guy has two rings. That’s two more than pretty much everybody in our clubhouse. He’d be a great addition to our team.”
Troy Glaus has a ring
and in 5 different post-season (84 plate appearances) rocks an OPS of 1214 with 9 HR & 16 RBI..
I thought somebody said LSB was so sophisticated that they collectively give small merit to bullshit contributions like leadership and value actual production much more?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Dec 19, 2009 12:31 PM CST up reply actions
you mean "swolt"
"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 19, 2009 4:47 PM CST up reply actions
XM Radio said this morning they've heard on the inside
that Lowell is pissed about this deal and doesn’t want to come to Texas.
Seattle has acquired Lee, Bradley and Figgins and the only player they coughed up from last year’s 85 win team was Silva.
Beltre is still out there so they may lose him but that bald motherfucker has money is still shopping.
Interesting team because they played 10 games above their pythag last year. They’re probably now a legit 85-90 win team.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Dec 19, 2009 10:09 AM CST up reply actions
They "may" lose Beltre?
Beltre is gone.
I don’t think it is any secret Lowell doesn’t want to come here, and that, as much as the thumb thing, could end up queering the deal, I think. If he gets down here for his physical and makes it clear he doesn’t want to be in Texas, the Rangers may decide it isn’t worth doing.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 19, 2009 10:12 AM CST up reply actions
You realize the word queer…
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 18, 2009 2:57 AM CST on Chris Davis – is one of sports illustrated pictures of the year
means odd or unusual, right? And that queer also isn’t a race, yes?
As a verb...
it can mean spoil or ruin, however.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 19, 2009 4:54 PM CST up reply actions
Thought I read yesterday somewhere that
the Ms may bring back Beltre (sending Figgins to the OF) and that they’re also kicking the tires on Damon.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Dec 19, 2009 10:16 AM CST up reply actions
Figgins
Figgins was on XM radio last week and said the M’s talked to him about moving to 2B if Beltre were to come back. Nothing was said that left me with the impression that the M’s are going hard after Beltre though.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Dec 19, 2009 10:37 AM CST up reply actions
Nothing was dreamed up.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Dec 19, 2009 10:42 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah...
they aren’t going to do that. I doubt they bring back Beltre too, but if they did they could move Figgins to 2B and deal Lopez.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Doesn't Lowell have a no-trade clause?
If he doesn’t want to come to Texas, then why doesn’t he do us all a favor and veto the deal?
I'm with you let's just blame Hicks for everything
And throw in the towel now since we haven’t signed as many players as Seattle. If I remember correctly the whole point of building up young guys through our system was so that we wouldn’t have to spend shit loads of money on Free Agents, and If I remember correctly 2010 was our year solely because of our young guys. I don’t remember people putting a disclaimer that read “Only if we sign more free agents than Seattle, and only if Hicks is gone, and we have more money”
Just because they have signed those three players doesn’t mean they’re going to be any better. Bradley you can’t trust him more than you could trust Josey Wales with a spoon. I don’t know if you remember something about baseball, that the players still have to play, and play well. Just cause they signed them doesn’t mean they’ll help, it’s like what people thought with Oakland last year.
We still have all our young guys, and they’ve had experience now we got Rich Harden which may work for us, who knows. If Hammy pulls his head out of his ass, and hits like he did two years ago that’d be like picking up a free agent. They still have to play baseball.
That’s just how baseball go.
I'm just goofin' new boot goofin'
HAHAHAH
“If I remember correctly the whole point of building up young guys through our system was so that we wouldn’t have to spend shit loads of money on Free Agents”
We haven’t spent ANY net money this offseason. What are you talking about?
Which is what you're constantly whining about.
And I’m saying we don’t need to do that.
I'm just goofin' new boot goofin'
When have I ever whined about the fact that
the team doesn’t spend a “shit load” of money? You’re making stuff up now…just stop.
You're focusing too much on the term "shit load"
Try dumping off your breakfast in the toilet, and read it again.
I'm just goofin' new boot goofin'
Your words not mine bro
and if I want to be pissed about Tom Hicks’ attempt to ruin the 2010 season I will be.
If you REALLY want to build a consistent winner
you balance it with building an internal core of players you develop and keep, make some bad-ass trades and then sign the right free agents when they come available.
The best case scenario for doing it that way is Minnesota but if they make it to post-season it’s usually a quick exit. Trying to win by developing your own without making bad-ass trades or using free agency doesn’t work if you want to win consistently.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Dec 19, 2009 10:27 AM CST up reply actions
Whose to say Rich Harden can't be the trade we needed? Whose to say we don't add another bat who helps?
i refuse to use “bad-ass trades” and you should also stop using that. Minnesota has a bunch of good young guys we have the potential to have a bunch of great young guys.
I'm just goofin' new boot goofin'
Outlaw if you are so effing smart
why aren’t you a GM of a team instead of an internet douch bag?
Who gives a shit what Josey says.............................
by Lil' Jonny Donuts on Dec 19, 2009 11:51 AM CST up reply actions
Hell he couldn't handle his paper route
Could you paperboy. I guess the short bus didn’t go down every street where he had an account.
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 agree
there were maybe 4 or 5 guys who I would have been excited to see in a Rangers uniform this offseason. Obviously two of them (Bay and Holliday) aren’t coming here. Nick Johnson signed elsewhere. Harden signed here.
If the Rangers signed Vlad, Thome, Cameron, Glaus – they’d be just as likely to go Hidalgo on us as Lowell. They are all old, risky players. And they’d cost more money. Sure they wouldn’t cost a mediocre minor leaguer whose prospecty-ness peaked 2 years ago; but what can you do…
People just want to whine and complain this offseason.
Go Rice Owls!
Seattle
They were a 75 win team last year (Pyth w/l).
They lost Beltre, Washburn and Bedard (and Washburn and Bedard were pretty good for them last year).
They added Figgins, Lee and Bradley.
I’ve backed off a little in terms of how much better I think they are, compared to last season, because at the end of the day, Figgins 2010 shouldn’t be any better than Beltre 2009, and Lee 2010 probably will have a similar ERA to Bedard/Washburn 2009, in a similar number of aggregate innings.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 19, 2009 10:15 AM CST up reply actions
Still
let’s say it’s a wash. The fact that they have just replaced Beltre, Washburn and Bedard’s production so quickly is rather impressive.
No question
They’ve got deep pockets and a very good g.m. They’ve had a great offseason so far.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 19, 2009 10:17 AM CST up reply actions
Jack Z
The most praise I heard about Jack Z when he took the job in Seattle was his ability to evaluate players to take in the draft. As such, I figured the M’s were in for a some bad years as they rebuilt through the draft. I had no idea how good he would be in getting the M’s into a position to compete for the division so quickly.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Dec 19, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions
Expected
That’s kinda to be expected, especially after the Bedard trade. Jack Z has had only one draft, which won’t change much of anything.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Dec 19, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions
Bingo.
If the M’s have one or two hammy’s tweak or an arm or two goes rubbery, they have no one to replace them sufficiently. They have to play well AND stay very healthy.
Give me team chemistry and emotion over stats any day. Do you think 34,000 Ranger fans were screaming their asses off over Pudge and his .275 OBP?
They lost both Washburn & Bedard in late July and Beltre missed three months
when one of his nuts exploded.
They still went 32-27 the last two months of the season (244/246 run differential).
Over the top favorite? Not yet but I think they’re a decent bet for 85-90 wins.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Dec 19, 2009 10:21 AM CST up reply actions
They've held their own on pitching
but their biggest issue was fixing the offense (namely their paltry .314 OBP) and they’ve done that so far plus they are still shopping.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Dec 19, 2009 11:48 AM CST up reply actions
85-90 wins
That’s a 10-15 win upgrade over last season’s performance.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 19, 2009 12:02 PM CST up reply actions
Adam
That team made a lot of changes in late July.
Not only did they lose Bedard, Washburn and Beltre (for a while) they plugged in Morrow as a starter plus Jack Wilson became their SS. Ryan Rowland Somesuch and Snell were also plugged into the rotation in the last two monts.
I look at the team they had the last two months of the season (essentially .500 given the run differentials) as the baseline.
That may not be correct but that’s how I view them and I could easily see a 4-9 win upgrade on the team they had the last two months.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Dec 19, 2009 12:12 PM CST up reply actions
That may be the case
As I said before, I think all three of the teams in the A.L. West are clumped together.
At the end of the day, the biggest question for the Rangers success or failure for 2010 will likely be Chris Davis and Josh Hamilton.
If they hit like they did in 2008, this team should make the playoffs.
If they hit like they did in 2009, this team is likely going to be on the outside loooking in.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 19, 2009 12:31 PM CST up reply actions
Figgins isn't Mike Schmidt.....
….but surely he will give them something better than what Beltre gave them in 2009: 111 games, .265/.304/.379 with an OPS+ of 82
I agree with your Lee-Bedard/Washburn opinion, though.
Welcome to the half full side
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
Should read Beltre missed 3 weeks.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
"when one of his nuts exploded"
That’s a phrase I never want to hear…I cringed just reading it.
"I’m not in the meetings and not part of the discussions; it’s not my responsibility. . My responsibility is to go out and win tonight. My focus is to win tonight. The club has to look at more than just this year." -Michael Young
So I went to Billy Bobs last night to see Randy Rogers Band
Randy’s been a great friend of mine for many years so my wife and I were backstage hanging with random people. I hear this older man next to me talking and realize its George Dunham. Met him, really nice guy.
Then I look up and Chris Davis walks in with Travis Metcalf and Craig Gentry. Got to meet Chris and take a picture with him. Nice guy and he had some really nice eye candy with him.
CCR is supposed to be playing at BB's tonight aren't they?
Give me team chemistry and emotion over stats any day. Do you think 34,000 Ranger fans were screaming their asses off over Pudge and his .275 OBP?
Chris Davis, Travis Metcalf, Craig Gentry
They all seem like country western singer names.
by Black Francis on Dec 19, 2009 11:27 AM CST up reply actions
OT
Officiating in Maverick game last night was one of the worst cluster-fucks I’ve ever seen and I’m not one to use officiating as an excuse (opponents to Texas Longhorn football team is exception to this rule) for losing.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Dec 19, 2009 11:59 AM CST up reply actions
I look up and Chris Davis walks in with Travis Metcalf and Craig Gentry.
he had some really nice eye candy with him.
by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Dec 19, 2009 11:57 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, that's how I read that too
So texasraider thinks Craig Gentry is pretty hot?
"we’re a bunch of knee-jerking yahoos who like new and shiny things." -- FirebatM3 July 10, 2009
well yeah, Travis had an awesome foux (sp) hawk and sweet tats
but yeah, I was more talking about the various blonde and brunette chicks
I was at the final home game of the season
this year, and there was some blondie that came and sat on my row near the end of the game making herself all up and talking to her friend about davis.
She was either trying to hookup with him, or already had.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
I look up and Chris Davis walks in with Travis Metcalf and Craig Gentry.he had some really nice eye candy with him.
Like a Japanese cartoon
"If this video was an ice cream flavor, it'd be pralines and dick." Clark
re: Matthew Wilder-Break My Stride, 4/17/09
btw, EG thinks Byrd is headed to the Cubs
The Cubs were interested in both Byrd and Mike Cameron, but had to deal Bradley before they could act. While the Cubs were stuck, Boston signed Cameron, leaving Byrd out there. Looking for confirmation on a deal, but Byrd does appear to be the next domino to fall once the Cubs finalize the Bradley deal.
http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/
|Space for Rent|
You can't replace Byrd--Jub jub
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 think you guys are overreacting to the M's here.
Yes, there’s no question they improved themselves, but they still have holes in the lineup and the bullpen. If Holland, Hunter and Harrison (or Feliz) take the next step then we’re better 3-5 in the rotation. If Harden can make at least 25 starts we’re in an even better place.
Seattle replaced Bedard with Lee and have lost Washburn. They’re also replacing Branyan with Bradley and are unlikely to re-sign Beltre. Where have they improved themselves as much as everyone thinks they have?
I’d also like to point out the Rangers have young talent all over the diamond, something Seattle and Anaheim do not have, so of course they’re going to make the flashy moves.
We all knew 2010 would would down to the young players taking the next step, so nothing has really changed here.
I hope Pete is right.
Trading for Lowell is a bad move. He would be a waste of space on the 25. That being said, if they can find another minor leaguer the Red Sox will send for Ramirez, I have no problem with that. He has little future potential to star with the Rangers.
by Mark from OC on Dec 19, 2009 8:55 PM CST up reply actions
JD dodged a bullet . . .
Now if he can only keep Nolan off/out of his jock.
For my substantive comment:
The M’s have a lot of holes to fill before we start talking about them being able to challenge for the West. ( I realize this has been said before.)
And for those that want to bitch about Lowell’s leadership. Leadership and intangibles are overrated.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
