Former agent Gilbert emerges as surprise favorite to buy Rangers

by ncrangerfan on Dec 2, 2009 6:58 AM CST Comment 53 comments

Per SI

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/12/02/rangers.gilbert/index.html

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Gilbert

He worries me…..

“Gilbert…..will be expected to be a hands-on owner. "

“His bid for the Rangers has been boosted by the support of baseball commissioner Bud Selig and Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf.”

So we could be looking at having a hands-on owner who’s buddies with Jerry Reinsdorf. We’ve already had one episode of Reinsdorf getting involved in a change in Rangers ownership, which wasn’t really for the betterment of the Rangers.

I know I’m in the minority here, but I don’t think the Tom Hicks of 2006-08 was a terrible owner. I hope this doesn’t turn into a case of the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/12/02/rangers.gilbert/index.html#ixzz0YXOd9PQn
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by Darrell McKown on Dec 2, 2009 7:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

The fact that he applied for the Dodgers GM job is really scary

by tyd3311 on Dec 2, 2009 7:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

This at least, offsets that somewhat ominous statement though:

Assuming the deal goes through, Gilbert is expected to retain the current baseball operations department, led by bright young GM Jon Daniels.

Of course, it won’t matter if the current operations hierarchy is maintained if Gilbert dictates their every move…

I failed my LSB ethics test.

"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS

by lonestarJon on Dec 2, 2009 7:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't say anything about business operations, ie Nolan.

I keep thinking back to that piece by Reeves’ article regarding JDs presentation to the prospective buyers and the absence of Nolan from that process. My take was that Reeves was more concerned about Nolan being left out of the loop and possibly not carried forward by new ownership by virtue of his absence at those meetings.

I wonder if this makes Reeves even more paranoid, and I wonder if we should also read into the non-mention of Nolan that there is a real possibility that Nolan wouldn’t be back under Gilbert.

Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.

by rooster on Dec 2, 2009 9:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So, I see bdavidson's comments about Nolan being in Gilbert's group. That had slipped my mind.

Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.

by rooster on Dec 2, 2009 9:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

oops. Now I see bdavidson's correction.

So, I’m back to asking the same question.

Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.

by rooster on Dec 2, 2009 9:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

From Tom Hicks to Chris Chris

Just freaking great.

Favorite bumper sticker of all time, seen on a VW bus:
"Gas, Grass, or Ass. Nobody rides for free"

by tricer on Dec 2, 2009 7:37 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

We all know Hicks sucks

But I think we might have a case of being more comfortable with the devil you know than with the devil you don’t.

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Dec 2, 2009 7:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Probably

But can you really feel comfortable with an owner who is endorsed by the owner of the white sox and bud selig, who will be more hands on? It also worries me he’s been tied to Towers

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Dec 2, 2009 7:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I like

He has Ryan in his group and said he wouldn’t change a thing about current leadership. That’s about all we can ask right now.

Also, what buyer isn’t going to say they will be hands on before the purchase is made?

by bdavison94 on Dec 2, 2009 7:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ryan

Greenberg’s group has Ryan as part of it, not Gilbert.

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Dec 2, 2009 8:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

oops

misread that in the article. Too many G names.

by bdavison94 on Dec 2, 2009 8:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that's what I mean

The unknown is pretty scary, even after what Hicks has done here. I’m not saying I want Hicks over him — it’s just I don’t how I feel about it just yet.

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Dec 2, 2009 8:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We have had THE worst owner in MLB

for the last 10 years.

Gilbert could be a mediocre owner and he’d be a major upgrade over the lying sack of shit known as Tom Hicks.

What happens to the team long-term is a lot more important than what happens to Jon Daniels.

If your boy is truly worthy, he’ll prove it.

"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 2, 2009 8:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

my boy?

"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan

by Dirk Diggler on Dec 2, 2009 8:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you worried that Gilbert might not keep Nolan on board?

Legitimate question, not poking at the JD Dirk’s Boy comment.

Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.

by rooster on Dec 2, 2009 9:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I prefer that Nolan stay on with a new ownership group because he obviously brings a lot to the table.

If Gilbert et al come aboard and Nolan decides to leave, I won’t be as worried because those are people with baseball experience.

My worry was JD being left to the job without competent supervision and what we saw happen to This Thing from October 2005 thru 2008.

"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 2, 2009 9:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Can Gilbert really be worse than Hicks?

I don’t have the energy to list all of Mr. Hicks’ atrocities, but look at the clusterfuck that this franchise is currently mired in.

My prefered cliche in this situation:

“Well, it can’t get any worse.”

by ncrangerfan on Dec 2, 2009 7:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's not a cliche, it's a jinx.

I failed my LSB ethics test.

"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS

by lonestarJon on Dec 2, 2009 8:00 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

hahaha

we’re going to get a worse case scenario.

"Clearly, I've been wrong. VY is awesome." - AJM

by Longhorn on Dec 2, 2009 8:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

The Rangers win with Gilbert or Greenberg as the new owner.

Both guys come from the baseball world and have current connections or involvement.

The devil-owner the Rangers seem to be avoiding is the random oilman who “wants hisself a big league sports team” but knows nothing else other than what he sees on TV.

by 3hacks on Dec 2, 2009 8:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

x

Former agent Gilbert emerges as surprise favorite to buy Rangers

If he’s boys with Reinsdorf AND Selig…how is it a surprise?

This annoys me…this guys seems like a Daniel Snyder type.

"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz

by Ryin A on Dec 2, 2009 8:22 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

the Daniel Snyder

who spends copious amounts of money and who cares deeply if his team wins? If anything, he may be a little like Mark Cuban, who seems to have a better grasp on what it takes to build a professional sports team and who has more patience when building something special, and I’d take that.

What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.

by clark on Dec 2, 2009 8:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is something to truly be "excited" about and if Gilbert

brought on Roger Staubach to be a part of THIS group, I’d be pumped.

From what I’ve read, Gilbert is going to want to desperately succeed which means your boy Daniels better have his stuff together quickly.

"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 2, 2009 8:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No, the Daniel Snyder who spends a lot of money but whose franchise is a laughing stock.

I would love to have a Cuban type who as you said, has patience.

"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz

by Ryin A on Dec 2, 2009 8:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

JD has been here 4 years so he's had time

and an owner with more than enough patience.

For this team to get where it needs to go, JD needs to be a lot better at his job.

"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 2, 2009 8:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Same can be said for any GM in baseball....

….but thanks for injecting some JD hate in a JD-less (sub)thread.

"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz

by Ryin A on Dec 2, 2009 9:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is not hate for JD.

He’s been here 4 years and somebody else is going to be evaluating him. To survive a new ownership, he’s going to need to be much better at his job.

If he’s as good as most of the LSB Nation believes, he’ll be just fine but the luxury of bullshitting a baseball dumbass like Tom Hicks will be gone.

"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 2, 2009 9:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cuban has patience?

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 2, 2009 9:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cuban has patience with people who are competent.

"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 2, 2009 9:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nelson Jr has been around forever

as has the core of the team.

What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.

by clark on Dec 2, 2009 9:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And Cuban didn't fire Nelson Sr. (when he may have had grounds to do so)

when he bought the team.

Cuban started making suggestions (those early 00’s didn’t play good enough defense to win) but he also gave this team the cash infusion it needed and also demonstrated to the fans he cared about winning.

There’s nothing wrong with a good hands-on owner and I much prefer that to what Tom Hicks has been.

"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 2, 2009 9:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup.

Very, very few owners would have retained Nellie.

by jthig32 on Dec 2, 2009 9:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He may not be the most patient human around, but he seems more patient and a better decision maker than DS...

…that’s what I meant.

I don’t know Cuban’s history, bc I really don’t give a pooh about basketball.

"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz

by Ryin A on Dec 2, 2009 9:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

there is nothing about that article that worries me

the only red flag, if it can be considered that, is that it says he will be a “hands on owner,” but then it immediately says he wants to keep JD and NR around in their same capacity.

So what am I missing…why could this be a “worst case scenario” for the team. I believe Hicks regaining control was the utter definition of said scenario.

What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.

by clark on Dec 2, 2009 8:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Gilbert has no experience but has been around the game

as a player or agent for 30 something years.

That’s not a bad thing (having 40 years of experience in the game seemed to serve Nolan well).

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"

"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09

by Josey Wales on Dec 2, 2009 8:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So if Gilbert wins the bid,

and Nolan leaves, and the Rangers win the West next year-

Will it be because of the residual awesomeness that Nolan left on this team, or the presence of a new owner holding JD’s hands as he crosses the street?

Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law

by Keynes on Dec 2, 2009 9:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Impossible to tell...

but Little Boy Donuts needs to do a much better job if he wants to survive a new ownership.

"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 2, 2009 9:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, he was just wholly endorsed by the new ownership. Looks like he's off to a good start

at doing a better job.

Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.

by rooster on Dec 2, 2009 9:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I would think that means he's not being shown the door

but to keep his job he’s going to need to be much better than he was from October 2005 thru 2008.

"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 2, 2009 9:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You have now said virtually the same thing

in 8 different posts on the same thread. Good job.

by UNTJosh on Dec 2, 2009 11:27 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

He has said...

virtually the same thing in hundreds of posts in dozens of threads.

It’s really nothing new for the village idiot.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Dec 2, 2009 8:23 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

What's worse than "worst case scenario?"

That’s what it would be if Tom Tom remained in power.

"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz

by Ryin A on Dec 2, 2009 8:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Gilbert said that he wants to keep Nolan

but he’s also said that he wants to be “hands on”, I’m not sure that Nolan would be willing to work for the man. I think there is a reason that Nolan tied himself to Greenberg.

Another thing that worries me is the ties to the White Sox organization. I’d guess that Gilbert is going to want to bring plenty of his cronies along for the ride, and even if he keeps JD, I’m afraid that he would force his people into the organization which would probably force JD’s people out.

Favorite bumper sticker of all time, seen on a VW bus:
"Gas, Grass, or Ass. Nobody rides for free"

by tricer on Dec 2, 2009 9:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Nolan Ryan

was needed here when he came in because JD was in over his head and turning the franchise to shit and pissing fans off at an alarming rate (lost 600,000 fans in 3 year period and in 2008 the team had lowest attendance in 20 years).

JD needed somebody who knew what the hell they were doing and Ryan filled that role perfectly. We haven’t seen any more typical Ding Dong Ranger moves since February 6, 2008 and it hasn’t been a coincidence.

If Ryan has to leave to bring in a new owner, I’m okay with it because A) Tom Hicks will be gone B) I know JD will be surrounded by experienced baseball people and if he does a terrible job, he’ll have his ass run out of town.

"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 2, 2009 9:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But I thought

JD did a ding dong thing by not replacing Milton’s bat and not making a move at the deadline? Now you are saying he hasn’t done anything dumb since February of 2008. I’m so confused Josey, please explain your position…

"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)

by Arlington Stadium Legend on Dec 3, 2009 9:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

how deep are Gilbert's ties to the WS org

beyond the owner? I’ve heard ties to Towers, but I could see him being brought in as a consultant while he waits for another GM job to open up.

What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.

by clark on Dec 2, 2009 9:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Crasnick

has the Rangers linked to Bret Myers and JJ Putz in his latest ESPN insiders blog.

What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.

by clark on Dec 2, 2009 9:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

blech. NRIs I hope.

But, then again, I could see Wash being really excited about Myers in the #5 forcing Feliz back to AAA, which I think would be a bad thing. I could think about Myers in a bullpen role… a new career for him. I just think Myers is screwed up in his head to the point his talent will remain completely untapped. I’d much rather let Feliz take his lumps than go with the veteran Myers.

Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.

by rooster on Dec 2, 2009 9:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I would be very on board

with either of those two guys on incentive laden deals. And it fits JD’s MO, which is to go after high risk/high reward players on one year deals. I’m surprised we’re not hearing more about Duch as well.

What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.

by clark on Dec 2, 2009 9:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Myers is still a decent pitcher

Although his tRA and FIP this year where utterly horrible, probably due to an insanely high HR rate. I do like the fact that he can limit walks and K his share of guys, though the K rate dipped a little this year too.

He’d be a guy I’d love to add to the bullpen, with the potential to start if we need him to. And although I totally get the concern about him or someone like him blocking Feliz, it’s worth remembering that Feliz shouldn’t be starting the season in the majors, not if he’s starting again. He still needs to stay in AAA for a couple months to limit his innings, due some fine tuning, and if I’m not mistaken, also delay his service clock.

I failed my LSB ethics test.

"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS

by lonestarJon on Dec 2, 2009 6:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Brett Myers

I don’t think there is another pitcher in the big leagues that more resembles Vinny Padilla. I liked Padilla, so I’d be ok with Myers if the price is right. But for those that were infuriated with Padilla, I think you’d have the same emotions with this guy.

Favorite bumper sticker of all time, seen on a VW bus:
"Gas, Grass, or Ass. Nobody rides for free"

by tricer on Dec 3, 2009 10:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs