Thinking about the Oliver signing and its impact on the pitching staff
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 21, 2009 2:30 PM CST
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PrintOkay, Darren Oliver is apparently going to be a Ranger. There's been talk since the offseason started about C.J. Wilson getting a look in the starting rotation, and with Oliver joining the team, I think the assumption has to be that Wilson will be a starter in 2010...signing Oliver doesn't make any sense, given the makeup and needs of this team, if Wilson is in the 2010 bullpen.
So...what does the rotation for 2010 look like? Presumably, we have Rich Harden, Scott Feldman, Tommy Hunter, C.J. Wilson, and either Brandon McCarthy or Derek Holland. McCarthy is supposedly being shopped, so it could be that the Oliver signing is a precursor to a McCarthy deal, which would mean Holland is in the rotation at the start of the season. Otherwise, given that Holland has options, if the Rangers don't move anyone else and everyone in the rotation is healthy to start the season, I think Holland is in AAA and McCarthy is in the rotation.
Moving to the bullpen...I'm going to assume that the Rangers are going to go with a 7 man bullpen. There's been talk that they could go with a 6 man pen, but I think that is unlikely at this point.
Four of the seven spots seem set -- Frankie Francisco, Darren Oliver, Darren O'Day, and your LOOGY, who is probably either Clay Rapada or Ben Snyder. Then you have your long man, who is probably Dustin Nippert, who is out of options. If you want to go the two long men route, then you take Doug Mathis as well. And if Chris Ray is healthy, he's presumably making the bullpen out of spring training.
In which case, barring injury, the only real question for the bullpen is, who gets that 7th spot? Mathis? Neftali Feliz, as the power setup guy? Luis Mendoza, who is out of options? Someone else, like an NRI or a Guillermo Moscoso or a Warner Madrigal?
This also, of course, assumes everyone stays healthy, which is a dicey proposition...but it appears that there's a real good chance, given this move, that Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland both start the season in AAA, most likely in the rotation, waiting for an opportunity to come up and replace someone.
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I don't know
You always hear Daniels talking about taking his best 25 players out of spring, and considering, this is a competing year not development year, there is no doubt Feliz will be on the 25 man roster come April 1st, I think.
Exactly, you simply don't put away your best arms out of camp in AAA simply because they have options left.
by TooLegitToQuit on Dec 21, 2009 2:46 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
what about limiting innings
keeping them in the pen for a month or two?
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Dec 21, 2009 4:28 PM CST up reply actions
Bullpen
Levine was just on MLB Home Plate and had some stuff to say about Feliz:
- Asked to come to camp to compete as a starter
- Will only see 30 to 40 more innings this season, so will start in the bullpen before going to the rotation
- A playoff race could keep Feliz in the pen.
- There are some coaches and people within the organization would like to see Feliz stay in the pen.
I have a FanPost up with the entire recap.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Dec 21, 2009 3:24 PM CST up reply actions
ugh
I’d rather see Holland/Feliz continue to grow than experiment with CJ in the rotation. I really don’t get the fascination with making him a starter.
I think it is CJ that will be traded
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
Could be CJ wants to get rich
If you reach your FA years without establishing yourself as a closer or a starter, you ain’t gonna get rich. Since, CJ couldn’t nail down the closer role, he figures he’ll establish himself as a LAIE at worst and get $10M+/season offers when he hits the FA market down the road. JD’s options may be to either let him try with the Rangers or get harangued into down-value trade by his agent. Wondered about that anyway.
That theory cannot be proven.
/High Greggo
"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.
That theory cannot be proven.
/High Greggo
"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.
by Rodney on Dec 21, 2009 3:09 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
That theory cannot be proven.
/High Greggo
Frankie Francisco. C.J. Wilson. Neftali Feliz. Darren O'Day. Pedro Strop.
American League Teams simply know them as "The Basterds."
by YourNameHere on Dec 21, 2009 3:10 PM CST up reply actions
That theory cannot be proven
\High Greggo
I thought it be all warm and shitty, but it just tasted like normal beer. It was still cold.
I think that's exactly it
He’s said many times he wants to either start or close since that’s the way you make money as a pitcher. I don’t really blame him at all — but I also don’t think he’s going to be successful at starting.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Dec 21, 2009 3:42 PM CST up reply actions
Thats not what he said
He said that he’s not worried about money since he’ll get paid regardless of what role he has as long as he gets the job done.
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
Not what I saw
He said (paraphrasing): “everyone knows what positions on the staff get paid”
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Dec 21, 2009 6:37 PM CST up reply actions
The more I think
about the rotation and bullpen options the more i don’t know what to think. I could see it developing in about a dozen different ways.
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
I think your initial assumption is incorrect
Yes, CJ might end up in the rotation, but he still has to win a job. I think JD is bringing in Oliver as a sure bet to be in the bullpen in case CJ does do that. But if the team determines that CJ is a better fit in the bullpen, is it really so crazy to have CJ & Oliver in the pen?
Oliver in the pen, to me, does not = CJ in the rotation.
but it probably does indicate a trade is coming, either way
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Dec 21, 2009 4:30 PM CST up reply actions
Triple-A...
If Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland wind up Triple-A to start the year, I might want to take a few road trips to Oklahoma City and watch the pitching there. Feliz, Holland, Matt Harrison, Omar Poveda, Guillermo Moscoso make a pretty good starting rotation. If Eric Hurley is healthy to begin the season… Pedro Strop and Warner Madrigal as the top two guys out of the bullpen…
Frankie Francisco. C.J. Wilson. Neftali Feliz. Darren O'Day. Pedro Strop.
American League Teams simply know them as "The Basterds."
Kiker?
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.
Don't know...
I guess Kasey Kiker will be in Double-A, unless the Pacific Coast League starts mandating doubleheaders twice a week. Michael Kirkman could also be looking over some guys’ shoulders there as well.
Frankie Francisco. C.J. Wilson. Neftali Feliz. Darren O'Day. Pedro Strop.
American League Teams simply know them as "The Basterds."
by YourNameHere on Dec 21, 2009 2:52 PM CST up reply actions
I think Kirkman definitely starts in AA
Of the two I would say Kiker deserves the bump to OKC more than Poveda does
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've wondered if Holland isn't getting shopped.
Gotta believe he’s got sick value, and with all the starting opions arriving over the next coupla seasons thru prospects and CG’s boosted payroll maybe they figure Holland is the dude to trade to build a better line-up.
I don't see that ever happening
Given the history of trading young pitching here.
"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.
if he's getting shopped
I’d imagine the return we’re seeking would make me go bug-eyed
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Dec 21, 2009 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
CJ, McCarthy, and Moreland
what could that fetch us in terms of a big bat?
it had better land a top 10 bat
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Dec 21, 2009 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
Not much more than CJ by himself could
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 21, 2009 7:28 PM CST up reply actions
I think we're about to see some guys
such as BMac, CJ and a younger minor leaguer get traded for a bat.
She say she are the manager.
man, for that 6 or 7 start strech last year
i really thought he had a spot locked down for the next few years.
2 straight complete games
1 a shutout, 23 scoreless innings, FB 92-96, flashing 98. Yeah, back rotation talent indeed…
So you thought he had a spot locked down for years based solely on those games?
by brettgardner on Dec 21, 2009 3:01 PM CST up reply actions
It merely confirms his ceiling
reaffirming his solid rookie debut and improving upon it while illustrating that he’s a legit #3 candidate for next year’s roto when healthy….
And oldie but a goodie
:)
"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 see
Harrison either starting in the rotation at AAA or in the pen if wilson is in the rotation
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
Realistically
What do you think McCarthy can fetch in trade? Who might be interested?
I don’t really see many teams calling on McCarthy. His injury history and numbers don’t really seem like a guy that most teams would seek out.
I have no idea what his value is?
Throw out a deal from any team just to get an idea of what would satisfy you
If you can't get a guy that you would be comfortable batting fifth...
why trade CJ? I was thinking someone with only 1 year left before they hit FA, like Hawpe.
What a drag it is being broke.
He's a master alright...
of making my Twitter feed suck balls.
by cmkelly29 on Dec 21, 2009 2:55 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Who we trade will be dependent on what other teams are willing to pay
..for different guys like harrison, Bmac or CJ.
If pitching is the new currency, we should be able to get a pretty good bat in return. Let’s not forget, we have a huge 40-man crunch coming next off-season. Might be wise to package a guy or two to add overall value to the deal.
"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
Lots of tough decisions on the 40 next year
moreland,kiker,font, boscan,beltre, and lemon just to name a few. I believe there is even more than that
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
Part of me
thinks that the talk of CJ moving to the rotation might be a ploy to drive up his value
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
I think the opposite might happen
His value is that of a late inning RP and/or closer. Having him struggle as a SP wouldhurt his value. IMHO
|Space for Rent|
My rotation, per this team and what they've got:
Harden
Feldman
Wilson
Hunter
Holland
The bullpen:
Rapada
Feliz
O’Day
Oliver
Mathis
Nippert
Ray
She say she are the manager.
or dead?
I thought it be all warm and shitty, but it just tasted like normal beer. It was still cold.
Oh shit. Frank is in there, of course
I’m just dumb
She say she are the manager.
by rockin_rangers on Dec 21, 2009 3:18 PM CST up reply actions
Brandon McCarthy...
Do you have him getting traded? He might have an option remaining, but I’m not certain of it.
Frankie Francisco. C.J. Wilson. Neftali Feliz. Darren O'Day. Pedro Strop.
American League Teams simply know them as "The Basterds."
by YourNameHere on Dec 21, 2009 3:19 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, I think the FO can couple him with some lower-tier minor leaguers for a bat.
She say she are the manager.
by rockin_rangers on Dec 21, 2009 3:20 PM CST up reply actions
I see...
It’ll be interesting to see about Clay Rapada and Ben Snyder. Rapada just cleared waivers, so I believe he can be in Triple-A until the end of the year or until an injury opens a space in the Majors (If I understand correctly, the Rangers would have to add Rapada to the Major League Roster before some date in October to prevent him from becoming a Free Agent). Snyder was added to the team in the Rule V draft, so he’d have to be offered back to his original team before the Rangers could send him to the minor leagues.
Frankie Francisco. C.J. Wilson. Neftali Feliz. Darren O'Day. Pedro Strop.
American League Teams simply know them as "The Basterds."
by YourNameHere on Dec 21, 2009 3:25 PM CST up reply actions
I assume McCarthy is traded
and Harrison is in AAA in your scenario. And where is Frankie?
The way I see it as of now is
Harden
Feldman
Hunter
McCarthy
Holland
Francisco
Wilson
Oliver
Oday
Ray
Snyder
Nippert
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
Yeah, my leaving out Frankie was a brain-fart.
She say she are the manager.
by rockin_rangers on Dec 21, 2009 3:19 PM CST up reply actions
But where's Feliz? AAA?
She say she are the manager.
by rockin_rangers on Dec 21, 2009 3:19 PM CST up reply actions
I had my own brain fart there.
I would replace him with snyder
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
Snyder gets outrighted?
She say she are the manager.
by rockin_rangers on Dec 21, 2009 3:20 PM CST up reply actions
in that scenario
i laid out that would be the case. I wouldn’t be surprised either way.
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
The makeup of the rotation
If young, injury prone, and can’t go deep into games. I can see a premium being placed on upgrading the pen rather CJ is in it or not. Someone who thinks they have a slot would probably get bumped.. but i mean.. so?
Money wise.. i mean there are only a couple of DH options that cost a lot of money. If they have indeed moved on and are down to the cheap platoon righties Oliver might be their preferred use of the bulk of the remaining money.
Of course, CJ certainly could be moved into the rotation or traded. Definitely a possibility. I just don’t think it should be assumed yet.
the preceding post was a great success.
Lots of teams wanting pitching on the cheap.
Milwaukee, LAD, SD come to mind immediately. I’m sure Daniels is burning up the phones to see what’s available.
"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
I think you're making things up that just arent gonna happen
Derek Holland will almost certaintly be in the starting rotation out of ST, Feliz as the 1st one up in case of injury. Ceej will be interesting, it might come down between him and Feliz in the SP/bullpen. We have great depth.
But I highly, highly, highly doubt that Daniels would make a move that would knock DH out of the rotation. That seems completely conter-intuitive to what the Rangers have been doing for the last several years, and of all our pitchers, I think JD knows that DH has one of the highest cielings for performance next year.
Feliz says his greatest thrill was striking out Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz, one of his heroes. Yet, when he called to tell his parents, his mother had a request: Strike out New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, too.
"So when I did that," Feliz says, "I told my mom, 'There you go. There's your present. Don't ask me to strike anyone else out, OK?'
I would argue Holland in AAA is right where he should be
The guy showed moments of dominance, but overall he did not show he had the command of his pitches to dominate at the majors. He can work on that command (as can Feliz) in AAA where good teams their high upside but not quite ready pitchers. Rangers fans fascination with promoting their young high potential guys works when they are planning for a developmental year, but not when they want to win. Let Feliz and Holland start out in AAA, limiting their innings and get the call up in June when the first starter goes down.
I'm with you bubela
Good take.
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 21, 2009 7:33 PM CST up reply actions
Derek Holland will have a perfect game in 2010.
You heard it here first.
She say she are the manager.
Tommy Hunter, traded?
It seems the makeup of the personalities on this board largely fall into the seamhead category. However, wouldn’t everyone agree that Hunter pitched better last year than his talent ceiling would indicate? I LOVE Tommy Hunter, but if you are a believer that (a) this team has an impending 40 man crush (after 2010) , (b) they have a SP surplus, © they have a significant hole in the line up (power RH bat), and © they have limited funds to pursue a big $$ FA, THEN, isn’t smart to expect that either Hunter (or Feldman) would get moved? Won’t they attact the biggest bat? Wasn’t just last year that people were saying Hunter and Beavan were equal comps? Wasn’t it just last year that Feldman was the long man? Wasn’t his ERA over 4, in spite of what would be considered a great season?
If a trade is happening, it probably isn’t involving McCarthy – he has more value to us as depth than anything he would bring in trade. It might involve FF, might. But I see Hunter, Murphy and a young arm being moved for a significant bat that is no more than an ARB1.
Thoughts? Oh, I guarantee Holland will open in the rotation, barring injury.
Jack Daddy
I agree that either hunter or feldman has more value
than McCarthy on the market and that is the reason why we won’t see them traded. The way I see it feldman is the #2 and hunter the #3 and that has more value than a DH/1st baseman batting 5th in the lineup.
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
I totally agree with you. Trade players who outperformed their ceilings, and keep players whose value is down. This is how people get rich on Wall Street, and this is how the rangers should do it as well. I would be completely in favor of a Hunter or Feldman trade if they can be the centerpiece for BJ Upton, Billy Butler, etc.
yep, pretty awesome
Feliz says his greatest thrill was striking out Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz, one of his heroes. Yet, when he called to tell his parents, his mother had a request: Strike out New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, too.
"So when I did that," Feliz says, "I told my mom, 'There you go. There's your present. Don't ask me to strike anyone else out, OK?'
Hopefully it won't turn out like last year and the catching.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
If they were going to be 2 and 3 would agree
but I believe CJ, Holland and Feliz would all rate higher in their 2010 performances. Feldman/Hunter to me are more 3 and 5 or 4 and 5.
My Rotation would be:
Harden
Feldman
CJ
Holland
Feliz
Trading Hunter and McCarthy to either middle relief or in AAA, getting ready for when Harden gets hurt.
Jack Daddy
Harden
Feldman
Hunter
Holland
Happy happy
That would be my starting 5. Hunter and Holland will eat innings.
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
There is zero chance Feliz isn't on the 25 man
the first time a reliever blew a lead, he’d be up so what’s the point? If this is the year to compete, then you compete. He’s one of your best players, so he makes the team. Right now, he’s a top 20 reliever. They need to find out if he’s a top 10 starter. But I suspect to keep his innings down, they start him in pen and have him ready for inevitable injuries that will beset your starters.
Holland in minors would be less of a shock (they aren’t going to mess with him in pen again) but would be mistake. He get’s 8-10 starts rope. If he’s pitching well he sticks, if not, he goes back to AAA to refine. Guys like Hunter and McCarthy and Harrison are the kind of guys that supply depth. Not potential #1, #2s like Holland.
Jack Daddy
I think we are reading into this too much...
Oliver was signed to improve the bullpen. I don’t think CJ will start or be traded.
I think at the start of the year we will see:
Frankie
Feliz (yes I think he starts in the pen)
CJ
Oliver
O’Day
LOOGY (Rapada/Snyder)
Nippert
Then I see our rotation as:
Harden
Feldman
Hunter
Holland
McCarthy
I see Ray starting in the minors unless he blows people away in spring training. Then we still have Mathis
by death of the cool on Dec 21, 2009 4:33 PM CST reply actions
Ray
He has to clear waivers to be sent to the minors.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 21, 2009 5:34 PM CST up reply actions
Ray has two options left according to Newberg
Though the 27-year-old debuted in the big leagues in 2005, I believe he still has two options, and so unlike a pitcher like Luis Mendoza or Clay Rapada or the Rule 5 pick Snyder, Ray isn’t a "use it or [potentially] lose it" case. There’s plenty of upside here, and particularly given the plan to provide Neftali Feliz and C.J. Wilson opportunities to win rotation jobs, adding another high-ceiling arm like Ray builds the staff’s depth and flexibility even further.
Unless we learned something new since then, I thought he could still be option to the minors to start the season.
by Stephen Rushin on Dec 21, 2009 5:47 PM CST up reply actions
Three years after you make your major league debut...
…if a team tries to option you, you must clear waivers to be optioned.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 21, 2009 6:31 PM CST up reply actions
huh?
I thought it was until you had accrued 5 years of service time you had no choice as long as you had options left.
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.
Would you mind showing where you got that info
Everything I can find only has the caveat about 5 years of experience giving you the right to veto. Other than that its out of the players 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.
Ummm...
Then you’re wrong. Or did the Ranger slide Brandon McCarthy through waivers when they optioned him last year?
When did they option McCarthy?
They put him on the 60 day DL and had him doing rehab…
Hmm. You may be right. That may be a bad example.
Still, I’ve never heard of this three years from date of debut thing.
Darren Oliver
Leads the league in butt.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
And you noticed...
Zing!
"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.
They could be the butt bros with no hos
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
Oliver makes sense even with Wilson in the pen
I don’t think Oliver makes Wilson superfluous. If this team signs say Vlad Guerrero and calls it an off-season, I think the addition of Oliver makes this team better.
Let’s assume that the Rangers believe that Wilson is not going to be a 2 WAR starter, so they leave him in the bullpen (where he was a 2 WAR reliever last year). Presumably Wilson and Francisco are your primary 9th and 8th inning relievers. That leaves Darren O’Day and Darren Oliver to man the middle innings.
The last three years, Oliver has been around a 1 WAR reliever, topping out at 1.5 WAR last season. He has been worth between $2.9 and $6.8 million dollars. I think it is safe to say he will be an above average reliever next season and probably earn his $3.5 million paycheck. And no matter how you break it down, this bullpen is better with four quality, experienced relievers in Francisco, Wilson, Oliver, and O’Day. Plus, if we are worried about getting enough innings from our young and injury prone rotation, it makes sense to invest some money in improving the bullpen depth.
Since Ray has options (according to Newberg) there is no reason to start him in the bullpen at first. The same goes for Mathis (who has options) and Rapada (who was successfully slid through waivers this month). Ray, Geary, Mathis and Rapada are pretty solid depth at AAA. So long as this team still has the money to sign a Guerrero/Garko/Thome type DH, then adding Oliver is going to improve this team. I think we are getting ahead of ourselves to assume that this signing will somehow impair our ability to sign/trade for a DH. The Rangers front office knows as well as anyone that they need a RH hitter; they identified that weakness from the very beginning.
Secondly, I don’t think Holland and Feliz have a good chance of starting in AAA. I think part of the reason that Texas felt comfortable signing Harden was because they knew they needed to limit Feliz’s innings. He is not going to start the year in the rotation, but he could very well be used in long-relief for the first month until someone gets hurt.
And I can’t envision Texas starting Holland at AAA. Given his high upside, I think they want to start him in the MLB rotation. Plus his 5.12 FIP is probably as good or better than they could expect from McCarthy/Harrison/Moscoso/etc. Texas let Holland take his turn in the rotation last year, good or bad, and I don’t think they will back off that commitment now, barring some unforeseen circumstances.
And Daniels already said in a chat session that even if Feliz didn’t make the rotation, he believes in taking his best 25 men to opening day. I can’t imagine Feliz and Holland not being part of that group.
well said...
I agree with everything. You can never have too much depth in the bullpen.
From what Levine said we are adding a bat for the middle of the lineup…so the money will be there to sign someone.
by death of the cool on Dec 21, 2009 8:38 PM CST up reply actions
I'll take a guess...
Rotation :
Harden
Feldman
BGL
Hunter
Holland
’Pen :
Fx2
Feliz
Oliver
O’Day
Ray
Snyder
Nippert
Minors : Mathis, Harrison, Rapada, Strop, Madrigal, Moscoso, Hurley.
Traded : McCarthy
Released : Mendoza
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
They are not going to give up on Dozier just yet
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
Hes out of options I believe
So if he doesn’t make the 25 man out of spring training he has to be DFAd
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.
Only if tdy3311 is secretly JD
"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.
What does the 3311 mean, anyway?
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 22, 2009 6:27 PM CST up reply actions
In the rotation
“BGL” is CJ.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Sorry...
I still refer to him as BGL (Blue Glove Lefty) from his days posting here at LSB.
Of course you would have known that Coolbean, had you read the User’s Guide to LSB 2.0. I’ll forgive you, but just this one time.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Keep CJ Out of the Rotation
We tried him as a starter years ago and he got shelled like Omaha beach. He’s grown a bit as a pitcher, but still has his insane meltdowns.
Greetings from the Humungus, the Ruler of the Wasteland, the Ayatollah of Rock and Roll-A. I laugh at your puny plans.
Just two in fact.
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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