T.R. Sullivan: Harden deal done, pending physical
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 9, 2009 6:22 PM CST
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PrintPer T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers have a deal done with Rich Harden, pending a physical.
That's expected to be a one year deal with a club option.
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Can he pass a physical?
LoneStarBall....You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.
by LSBUser on Dec 9, 2009 6:25 PM CST reply actions
I assume he will,
but it would be funny if he is this year’s Sheets.
“See, we tried to sign someone!”
-Rangers front office
option
I am surprised Harden is going with a team option for 2011. I thought he wanted a 1 yr deal to establish himself for the 2011 free agency.
|Space for Rent|
I'm wondering about that as well
maybe the shoulder isn’t ready to go and we need a option to make sure he isn’t finally pitching healthy in 2011 for someone else…
The team option is for 11.5 million
That’s not bad money. That’s likely what he’d get as an annual salary on a multi-year contract and he can still go into FA again before his 30th birthday and hope for some big money.
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
That's what I was going to say.
He made around $7M last year, so that’s a nice bump from $7.5M if he proves himself healthy and effective in 2010.
"If this video was an ice cream flavor, it'd be pralines and dick." Clark
re: Matthew Wilder-Break My Stride, 4/17/09
Here's Harden's thoughts on the option
“Sheeeit. It took these guys a whole day of wheelin, dealin and searching the couch cushions just to come up with $7.5MM. No way they come up with $11.5MM. This is a one year deal.”
It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it, rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops.
YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"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.
Finally something to talk about
besides the ownership situation
That's why they call them business sox
Christ got nothin to do with it
It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it, rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops.
Nope, just checked, he still doesn't.
"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
x
"Stats are like a woman in a fine little bikini. You can see a lot, but you can't see everything." -Dirk A. Tron
by coolaid on Dec 9, 2009 6:27 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
VICTORY!!!!
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
by Gdawg on Dec 9, 2009 6:32 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Hot damn! I echo your sentiments,
and give salutation to your bombastically epic Drama photo…
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
Hi, Keith. Is this the year Edinson Volquez finally wins RoY?
That's one my favorite scene in the entire run of the series
The epic opening strains of Cream’s “White Room” just make that scene so perfect.
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
This is exactly what I did when I read the news
"You'll meet them again on their long journey to the middle." -Lester Bangs
by BAC on Dec 9, 2009 7:59 PM CST up reply actions
Me too. haha
"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
What I just posted in another, now obsolete thread
I think he’s worth what they’re paying him, but Harden is no ace. Some are saying he is but aces pitch more innings than he does. The kids in the rotation really need to step up next year.
He's closer to an ace than Millwood ever could pretend to be
and I think that is how you have to look at him.
Go Rice Owls!
"Ace" and "workhorse" aren't always the same thing
Harden is the guy you would count on if you have a one-game playoff for the division title or something. Millwood is “more” “reliable” to make all his starts and eat up the innings.
By this definition,
Feldman was definitely the ace last year. Here’s to hoping he matches that this year.
"If this video was an ice cream flavor, it'd be pralines and dick." Clark
re: Matthew Wilder-Break My Stride, 4/17/09
i mean, that's just semantics
an ace for me is the quality of pitcher, not the number of innings – mainly because it isn’t a given that he’s only going to give us 120 IP.
I agree, I would just say hes an injury prone ace...
Ace nonetheless.
the preceding post was a great success.
He needs to be healthy and he needs to pitch well...
but he’s a guy you can hold your head up high about starting game one or two of a playoff series.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 9, 2009 6:37 PM CST up reply actions
Think about it like this.
If Harden regains his 2008 form, which isn’t hard to imagine, we’ve gained two wins over Millwood, even if the rest of those 50 innings or so we give up are pitched at replacement level, which is pretty bad. We’ve also added a reliever to the mix with the money too, so there’s a good chance we come out 2.5 to 3 wins ahead today.
a reliever who can't get anybody out.
The Rangers have a whole bullpen of guys ahead of him on the depth chart.
I know Harden’s good, and yeah there’s a possibility he repeats his 2008 season. I’m very glad they got him, but think it’s a shame that they’re probably not going to bring someone in to pitch a ton of innings.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 6:41 PM CST up reply actions
Who would you want?
You want a Jon Garland type coming here?
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
Anybody I'd want
…is too expensive for the Rangers, which is my whole point. It’s great they pulled this off, but kinda sad they can’t even get a Jon Garland.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 6:50 PM CST up reply actions
I don't want a Jon Garland though
What’s the point of throwing in a guy who is average if that to take up the innings. We’ve got plenty of guys that can just pitch and use up innings but not nearly enough that can be counted to be successful in those innings. Getting rid of Millwood shows that the Rangers are finally done spending money on mediocrity. Its all about getting the high ceiling guys now.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
Well
Your high ceiling guys are pretty damn young and we all know that youth is very unpredictable.
The reason I value the average/mediocre guy to come in and absorb innings is that I think the Rangers offense will improve this year, so they should be competitive with this mediocrity on the mound. If the mediocrity has the ability to go deep into games, you can rest a lot of your bullpen.
On the other hand if the starting pitcher is coming out after the fifth all the time, even a talented and deep bullpen is going to suck by August. The Rangers need them sharp through August, September, and hopefully October.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 7:48 PM CST up reply actions
Career ERA+ 104
Yippee fuckin’ skippee…not.
"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.
Well...
…let’s see what the pen’s cumulative ERA+ is if they have to pitch 4 innings per night and occasionally more than that. I’d go higher than 104.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 7:52 PM CST up reply actions
I'll trust the Rangers options over guys like Garland
Between Holland, Feliz, Hunter, McCarthy, CJ, Hurley, Harrison, and whoever else I might be forgetting right now, you’re going to get at least the 200 innings of average performance that you’d want out of some “proven” veteran. Also, when you give guys like Holland and Feliz an opportunity to succeed, you can end up getting a whole lot more than just a LAIE out of them.
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
what makes you so sure
…that those guys will give the Rangers league average performance? I like most of them in terms of talent but for 2010 my confidence isn’t very high. Could they do it? Yeah. Each and every one of them have the ability. But actually doing it is another thing.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 8:04 PM CST up reply actions
Hi Debbie. There are some snacks over at the whiner table, and you look hungry.
Seriously, the team signs arguably the best Ranger pitcher in years, and you’re looking for problems. This just in, we exchanged Millwood for Harden, Ray plus a couple of million which seems like yeoman fucking work on JD’s part considering the circumstances. If I was a GM and JD called me, I’d hang up because I know I would just get fucked. My man crush for JD officially knows no end.
Your 2009 Snow Monkey Ambassador
Did you read the subject line?
Not that it’s any of your business.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 8:37 PM CST up reply actions
I'm surprised you didn't have a post in AJM's recap of the day
complaining about no “after the jump” type of post
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Dec 9, 2009 10:17 PM CST up reply actions
I've made my point on that.
But honestly, I wasn’t bothered with that one. It wasn’t that long, and I figure a lot of traffic will come in to read his take.
by brettgardner on Dec 9, 2009 10:36 PM CST up reply actions
I think he's looking at things rather objectively.
"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
Like Brett is saying I'm not attacking you Francis
Here is something from a Fangraph Article on Harden
Harden strikes me as the ideal middle-round target. Yes, there are three things that you can guarantee in life: death, taxes and a Rich Harden DL stint. But 125-150 excellent innings from the free agent hurler may well be more valuable than 175-200 frames from a more mundane starter. There’s risk, to be sure, but snatching up a top-shelf talent at a reduced price is worth the trouble.
Frankly, this is exactly what I hoped (short of acquiring Halladay). JD making smart deals involving players not poised to contribute to the team going forward. I’m dancing for glee and you’re claiming “irrational exuberance”(using poetic license). Come on and drink the coolaid.
P.S. I’ve been around for years.
Your 2009 Snow Monkey Ambassador
yea, Exactly, the extra innings Millwood would provide us would not likely
be better than his 4.80 FIP he posted last year. Id be ok with 90 IP from Nippert and 120 from Harden
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?'
The odds are in the Rangers favor
Tommy Hunter gave the Rangers 112 IP last season in 19 starts with a 113 ERA+. Derek Holland gave the Rangers a less impressive 138.1 IP but with a 7 K/9 and only a 3.1 BB/9. If his HR rate improves, then Holland’s a great bet to give you a solid sophomore season. Neftali Feliz is the guy that started his career with a 19:1 K:BB ratio. And I can do this for each of the players I mentioned. Each one of them has performed to the point where you can look at them and see a way that they’ll give you league average performance or better. When you put 3 of them in the rotation with Harden and Feldman and leave another 5 or 6 guys around as back-ups, the odds are in your favor that you’ll get 200 IP with a 100 ERA+ from one of those rotation spots.
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
Do we need that?
We need wins, not innings. And I’m not talking about a pitcher getting 18 wins, I’m talking about replacing players with more valuable ones. We did that in the mix of deals today. We had a good day, and we can still move a Brandon McCarthy. We now have a mix like this:
Harden-Holland-Feliz-Feldman-Hunter-McCarthy
Plus Nippert or whoever else you want to throw in that conversation at the back end. That’s a solid rotation. Very young, but better than last year.
McCarthy
I would keep him now. Harden is significantly better than Millwood, but he’s likely to miss a few starts. Having McCarthy and Harrison around to backfill for Harden and possibly limit Feliz’s innings is, I think valuable.
Our depth of good options for the 4/5 spots in the rotation makes Harden a much better fit for us than a lot of other teams whose number six starter is something like Kris Benson.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 9, 2009 6:50 PM CST up reply actions
Agree
The fact that the Rangers can pair with Harden six or so potentially legitimate rotation options, some of which have options, is one of the main reasons to be optimistic about them. I wouldn’t want to give that up, especially after downgrading the number of innings the #1 will probably pitch.
by Brett Perryman on Dec 9, 2009 6:53 PM CST up reply actions
But if keeping him keeps you from upgrading the bullpen...
Then it’s time to let a McCarthy go. That’d save us somewhere in the neighborhood of $600K if you acquire a cost-controlled player for him. Harrison/Hurley/Mathis etc. can fill in those needed innings just as well as McCarthy, if McCarthy’s healthy.
McCarthy
I would rather use him in the bullpen, and then keep the flexibility to swing him into the rotation if necessary.
A bullpen of Francisco, Wilson, O’Day, Ray, Harrison, McCarthy, Mathis and Nippert (that’s actually an extra guy) would be okay with me.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 9, 2009 6:59 PM CST up reply actions
If that was our group...
I’d option out Harrison to OKC. Rapada’s also out of options. Madrigal is down to 1. Moscoso and Strop are still available, too. See what I mean about the extra arms, though? We can afford to deal out McCarthy, have room in the bullpen, still have decent arms for the extra starts at the back of the rotation, and either upgrade our first base/designated hitter situation or our bullpen.
When we gonna get some pitching up in here?
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
Yeah, that's a fair point
I love to be able to package two or three arms for a better arm, but that’s hard to do given that the guy we would get back would need to be pre- or early arbitration eligible.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 9, 2009 7:16 PM CST up reply actions
Youth
You just don’t see many contending teams do it that way. I’m not saying it can’t be done.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 6:56 PM CST up reply actions
decent article
arguing that his 08 and 09 seasons weren’t that different from one another:
http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/harden-on-the-market
Little nervous
Rich is an extreme fly ball pitcher (his 49% FB rate in 2008 was highest among starters tossing 140+ IP)
Well, if you have a decent offense they don't.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 6:52 PM CST up reply actions
Getting groundball pitchers never worked out real well for us
the preceding post was a great success.
From what I've seen of him
Those fly balls don’t usually go far enough to really worry about.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 6:52 PM CST up reply actions
When he's also striking out 10-11 per nine you can tolerate flyballs
The flyball pitchers we’ve been killed by are the ones who generate flies AND don’t strike anyone out.
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
Yes, Harden controls his baserunners just a tad better than some of our old friends
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
Yes, but he's a lot better than a regressing Millwood.
Harden is an attempt to catch lighting in a bottle, but I like that a lot better than consigning one spot to a mediocre Kevin Millwood who has zero chance of repeating what he did in 2009.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 6:44 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not arguing that this was a bad move
I’m very happy to hear that they got him. A hell of a lot better than getting Sheets. Harden is definitely a big upgrade over Millwood as long as he makes more than 20 starts.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 6:49 PM CST up reply actions
What a day
a revenue neutral significant boost to this club. Along with a huge boost in variance. But that is better than the boring near-mediocrity that comes with Millwood.
I think that the Rangers, with their depth of potential #4/#5 starters, is the perfect team to take a risk on Harden. Some people will argue that the downside risk for him is that you get nothing, but really the downside risk is that you get Harrison, BMac, Nippert, or Feliz in that spot. Considering that those guys are themselves guys with potential to surpass Millwood’s numbers, you’re in good shape.
Go Rice Owls!
I just worry about innings
Show me a serious contender who didn’t have a couple of guys around 200 IP and another at over 150. The Rangers have maybe one guy I’m confident about going more than 150. Luckily the Rangers seem to have a lot of bullpen depth, but we know how that can go.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 6:34 PM CST up reply actions
Good chance Hunter gets up there
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
hunter and feldman will seem to be the horses this year
holland might be ready for that jump too… Then we have harden who is an injury concern, but will be dynamic. The final spot will be McCarthy/Feliz/Harrison which will be more than adequate…
"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09
by Jason Brynsvold on Dec 9, 2009 6:39 PM CST up reply actions
Either way
Kris Benson isn’t going to touch a ball for us
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
thats the difference between this upcoming year and the last 10 years or so.
we have so many qualified starters some deserving people are going to be left out. feels so so so good.
"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09
by Jason Brynsvold on Dec 9, 2009 6:41 PM CST up reply actions
ur right
and who would have thought the Braves would have people step up like Glavine and Smoltz after years of mediocrity?
2 in 2009
Well one is gone and hasn’t been replaced. I think Feldman can do it again but he won’t give you 200. Maybe Hunter and Holland can get to 150, I don’t know. That’s a lot of maybe.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 6:39 PM CST up reply actions
i dont see why Holland can't get to 150.
he threw 138 last year with some bullpen time and minor league time…
"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09
by Jason Brynsvold on Dec 9, 2009 6:40 PM CST up reply actions
Holland probably will get at least 150 (if he's healthy of course)
He averaged 5.6 IP/start so give him a full season and he’s going to be around 175 if not more.
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
He's real talented
…but he may get lit up so much he doesn’t make it to 150.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 6:45 PM CST up reply actions
Not really
I’m being realistic.
I think Harden is a great addition and I’m tired of MIllwood’s fat ass. But I’m still wondering who’s going to go 7 or 8 innings. Somebody tell me who on this team is a good bet to do that.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 8:07 PM CST up reply actions
Scooter?
"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'm a huge Feldman fan
…but he’s no workhorse. How many times did he show up in the eighth innning last season?
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 8:08 PM CST up reply actions
Not very many.
But I would settle for 6-7 from him. I get where you’re coming from, and I understand that you want an innings eater. I honestly don’t think it would hurt to find another veteran pitcher for the rotation. If something goes down, we have talented backups.
"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
True
but he hasn’t been a starter all that long — which could work as an argument on both sides of that point. On the one hand, he will be more stretched out this year, and have most of a season as a starter under his belt. On the other, he changed his repertoire last season, so hitters will have a whole lot of film to study on him.
That's why they call them business sox
Feldman went into the 8th inning twice last season
He also made 7 starts of at least 6 IP here he had less than 100 pitches on the day. Now he’s entering his 3rd season as a starter and has shown Wash that he can stay in games longer than just 90 pitches. I also don’t understand why you’d be so picky in requiring pitchers to go to the 8th inning. Personally, I’ll take the guy that goes 7 innings more often and lets the bullpen close the games out rather than do what Millwood would do where he’d veteran his way into the late innings only to struggle.
Also, Hunter made 2 starts where he went into the 8th inning out of 19 total starts for the rookie. Holland went into the 9th twice in his 21 starts as a rookie. Harrison also went into the 9th twice in his 11 starts. For rookies or near rookies, that’s pretty promising. My guess is you won’t find many rookies going deep into games.
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
Getting into the ninth...
…in 2/19, 2/21, etc, doesn’t mean much to me. I don’t care so much that they get to the 8th, really. I want them to go beyond six, though, and nobody currently on the staff has done it. You cite Feldman as an example but there’s a different way to look at those numbers. How many starts did he not get beyond the sixth? And this guy is your best bet, in my opinion.
People are thinking I’m some kind of downer but I want to reiterate that I am not. I’m very happy with what transpired today. In the second half Millwood didn’t look like he was every going to have another 190+ inning season again. Good riddance. Harden is a hell of a replacement. I just lament the fact that the team is so broke it couldn’t hire Jon Fucking Garland if they wanted to. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a guy like that around. Obviously most of you disagree. I’m cool with that. I hope all of you are right and I am wrong.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 8:44 PM CST up reply actions
The ultimate goal for any given day's pitching should be
Get at least 6 good innings from the starter and before he gets tired, go to your set-up men/closer to finish the game off. Since Feldman made 12 starts where he at least came out for the 7th and only failed making it to the 6th in 5 of his starts, I think he’s a great bet to be a horse for us next year. Remember that last year was only his second season starting as a pro player. This was the same basic thing I was saying last offseason when people just glossed over what Feldman did in his first year starting since college. He’s made massive improvements as a pitcher in a short period of time.
As for the others, Holland made 12 starts where he entered the 6th; Hunter had 14 starts. As rookies, this isn’t something to just gloss over either. The potential is there and I’d rather take my chances with potential than settle for mediocrity just because Player A has done it before while the young guy hasn’t.
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
As I pointed out below
Our bullpen looks to be configured with alot of guys who won’t have any options left. What that means is that if our starters don’t go deep into games and we tire out our pen we won’t have the flexibility to just bring guys up for a fresh arm.
The way it looks right now is FX2, CJ, Ray, Rapada, Nippert, and assuming we get a reliever in the rule 5 all will not be eligible to simply send down to get a fresh arm.
O’Day has options I believe but if hes pitching like last year I don’t think you want to have him be the shuttle guy.
Its something I think we may encounter especially during the summer when starters generally tire a little earlier and the pen gets used more
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.
First of all, that's not really much of a problem
You are looking at possibly 10 games throughout the season where its a serious issue and then those games have to see the rotation struggle too. There’s always the DL to hide someone ineffective or give someone some time off and lets face it, our bullpen members don’t have the best injury history. Its just a non-issue IMO
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
haha
You don’t have to tell me about Feldman. I’m a huge proponent and have been since 2008 when he made a few starts. In 2009 his pitching was dramatically better…seldom did anybody hit anything hard off him. I think there’s a good chance he’ll continue to get better in 2010; most people seem to think he’ll regress.
As for the rookies and sophomores, you just don’t usually see three of them in a playoff team’s rotation. Realistically when Harden is missing time you could see four of these guys behind Feldman. I think you can probably see why I’m uneasy with this, even if you don’t agree. Individually I really like most all of them, but you know how young pitchers can go haywire. You have several at once go haywire and suddenly there’s no stability in the rotation, the bullpen is taxed, and the offense is playing from behind all the time and with this team that likely means they get overanxious and try to do too much. Then again, if you are right and things go well, yes it’s better than having a Jon Garland or someone of that ilk. It’s a lot better. This is the best group of young Rangers pitchers I can remember. Hopefully they will step up.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 9:02 PM CST up reply actions
Just what is everyones expectations of the 2010 Rangers?
I thought about creating a fanpost and asking this question but it should probably wait until Feb. I personally think 2010 the 50% contending and 50% development. So I have no problem dealing Millwood for an high risk Harden. Let the rookies, sophmores and other young players continue to develop. I think 2011 is the year the Rangers are s significant contender in the AL and not only AL West.
|Space for Rent|
I don't know what to expect.
They exceeded my expectations last year, that’s for sure, and based upon last year it looked like they were poised to make a lot of noise in the coming year, not 2011.
Adam just made a post. It’s not that far off from my line of thinking.
Back to your question, if the young starters come through half as well as people in this thread are predicting, they improve over last year. I think the offense could use some help but almost has to improve over last year’s painful exhibition. If I had to put a number on it, I’d say 90 to 95 wins if the young pitchers are good, and somewhere around .500 if they are not.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 9:23 PM CST up reply actions
A lack of experience doesn't mean that a pitcher isn't good
I’m sure there are times when an inexperienced rotation went to the playoffs, but the reality is that you can’t view each of these guys as a whole group. If Holland has a 50/50 shot at being above average next season, then there’s a 50/50 shot we have a third guy behind Feldman and Harden. He’s not less likely to do well because Hunter might not work out and the Rangers will have to get number 6 on their depth chart some innings.
The stability of the rotation is going to be dependent on how well they pitch and how healthy they are. Is the rotation automatically better by replacing one of those guys with a 10 year veteran?
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
Harden's gone 150 these past couple of seasons
well, 148 and 141but close enough. Who knows, maybe this is the year he finally breaks the 150 mark again.
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
I'll drink to that
The guy can pitch, that’s for sure.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 6:45 PM CST up reply actions
I hear you
I would love to have a couple of 200IP guys with sub-3.00 ERA potential as well.
But there aren’t too many of those guys out there. Millwood pitched a lot of innings, but they were pretty much league-average innings. And I’d rather have 140 Rich Harden innings than 200 Kevin Millwood innings (though obviously there is a break-even point).
The other options, like Josh Johnson, are going to cost you something like Feliz and Smoak (or a lot of other nice prospects). Few of the free agents are better options than Millwood in that regard. Would a better world have been to be able to keep Milly and sign Harden anyway? Probably. But given this situation and the breadth of the Rangers pitching staff (a lot of guys with potential to match Millwood’s productivity), I am not too worried about losing him.
Go Rice Owls!
Millwood has some huge variance in his performance too
In his first season with Texas, he was an LAIE. Then he had 2 years filled with suck. Then last year he had a great first half while stumbling to finish the season with a good line. I’d say that next year, Millwood could be anything from absolute crap to a good LAIE.
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
if I were snide and a pessimist
I’d say ‘60’ since he’ll be on the 60man DL before we know it.
Go Rice Owls!
Adam
you have yet to opine on any of the moves. There’s probably a big post on the way but care for a preview. Would like to know what you think of Chris Ray’s potential or that trade in general
(also goes out to Brett)
My how times have changed
A potental front-line starter actually wants to come to Arlington?
(Brick mysteriously appears in back of jeans)
by eric_hurleys_rotator_cuff on Dec 9, 2009 6:35 PM CST reply actions
Yup - where's the money whippin?
It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it, rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops.
I'm really glad that this happened guys.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 9, 2009 6:36 PM CST reply actions
I enjoy this
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
I live a few houses down...
from Bubb Rubb, sucka.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 9, 2009 8:09 PM CST up reply actions
Yes sir...
I’ve seen him a few times but I’ve been too afraid to talk to him because I’m a nerd from the Internet.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 9, 2009 8:17 PM CST up reply actions
ZOMG YOU MUST CONFRONT HIM AND TAKE A PICTURE WITH HIM
What do tigers dream of when they take a little tiger snooze? Do they dream of mauling zebras, or Halle Berry in her Catwoman suit?
Dude!
You need to be best friends with that guy. Bring him a sixer and tell him you just moved to the neighborhood. Then make a buddy movie.
That's why they call them business sox
Lord knows I want to and would...
but he’s a rabble-rouser from what I know and I’m a gentle southern boy from Louisiana on a misguided mission for love.
God…this is a buddy movie.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 9, 2009 8:38 PM CST up reply actions
The whistle tips...
have gone out of style in the Bay Area but it’s okay, the horrible screech of the BART zooming by is enough to keep us all up sposed be cookin’ breakfast.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 9, 2009 8:39 PM CST up reply actions
This just makes me greedy for more.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
I soooooo can't wait
when rich harden is holding his texas ranger jersey up and posing for the cameras.
Always drinking one for the Rangers!
by mchang4 on Dec 9, 2009 6:38 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
“The Texas Rangers are pleased to announce the signing of Rich Harden to a 1 year deal, with a club option for a 2nd year. This couldn’t be done without the work of Nolan Ryan, Jon Daniels and Thad Levine”
“With that said, let’s give a warm welcome to te newest Texas Ranger, Rich Harden” *Grabs blue Ranger cap and white Ranger jersey—holds it up with Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan to his left and right—
by TooLegitToQuit on Dec 9, 2009 6:44 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
For
those who don’t consider Harden an ace and injury prone, read this.
"Stats are like a woman in a fine little bikini. You can see a lot, but you can't see everything." -Dirk A. Tron
That's some interesting shit.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 6:47 PM CST up reply actions
They have rattlesnakes in Texas!
Funny…
"Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol' storm right square in the eye and he says, "Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it."
and funny...
uhhh…bitter, party of 22, your table is ready….
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Dec 9, 2009 6:51 PM CST up reply actions
The Lackey GIF is serously hilarious
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 6:54 PM CST up reply actions
So do we still focus on Sheets here? Or does this eliminate that.
the preceding post was a great success.
Well, considering we just spent most of the 9 mil we're saving on Millwood next year
Probably so.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 6:51 PM CST up reply actions
Sheets
I think we are done with him, unless his reported asking price is accurate, then there’s a change he’s still out looking for a job in late February and maybe our ownership situation is cleared up and we get him on the cheap.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 9, 2009 6:51 PM CST up reply actions
How much is he going to command in salary?
Wouldn’t it be worth it to take a flier on the guy if you can get him cheap?
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Dec 9, 2009 6:52 PM CST up reply actions
We don't have anymore significant salary to shed that I can think of
So if we are involved, I’d guess it’d wait until the new owner comes in
Anyone know when we can hope for the sale to go through?
I know it will take months but I can’t remember how many the other recent sales took.
the preceding post was a great success.
It is next week for deciding who to sell too, I mean until
all the paperwork goes through and they actual have control over everything and can approve signings.
I need to actually read all these ownership articles, heh.
the preceding post was a great success.
No
“sometime next week” is for the winning bid to be selected.
The sale won’t go through for several months after that.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 9, 2009 7:00 PM CST up reply actions
I kinda doubt it takes that long
The books have been and are very open here, not too many details left to review.
"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.
well if its quick maybe Sheets will still be around
If wants half of what hes asking for its going to take until hes throwing off a mound.
the preceding post was a great success.
it's more about making sure all the creditors are lined up
and the winner is then approved by MLB, the NHL, the banks etc
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Well, we've got enough starters to go without him, he'd be a luxury you hope comes through
Which yeah as it stands pre-sale I suppose thats not what they can be thinking about.
the preceding post was a great success.
I said this in one of these threads, but it fits here too
I don’t think Sheets is getting the money he’s looking for so he’s not going to be signing any time soon. That gives the ownership situation time to get straightened out to be able to afford adding Sheets. I think getting Harden here also makes it a guy like Sheets more important to get. Getting Harden is a sign that this team isn’t expecting to just lay down next season. Take 2 gambles on talented, but injury prone, pitchers and then you can afford to lose 30 starts between the two while still having a good rotation.
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
IT would be nice to have that
I would bet that Sheets ends up with a 4-5 million one year deal with a team option that locks in at an amount based on results.
What do voluntary mean?
Our pitchers have some filthy stuff
I’d (personally) love to see a rotation that looks
Harden – Feldman – Feliz – C.J. – Holland
Tommy Hunter
would like to have a word with you.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
I'd rather CJ in the bullpen and Tommy Hunter at #5
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 6:53 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, that's probably going to be the better move
I would just love to have C.J. come out blazing at ST, earn the staff job, and keep it
Hunter will get in eventually on injury, I’m sure…. I just think that’d be an exciting-as-shit rotation
Kam Loe, Jamey Wright and Kris Benson all say hi
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 7:16 PM CST up reply actions
CJ Wilson
…has more talent than those three put together.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 7:17 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah
I think CJ will do just fine in the rotation.
I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar
I think he'd hold his own too
But I also think we have more than enough guys who can hold their own in the rotation while CJ makes the back of the ’pen nasty as heck.
I don’t particularly expect O’Day to be as awesome as 2009 again, so without CJ the guys right behind Fx2 look kinda ehh.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 7:22 PM CST up reply actions
agreed
His is also going to make ~$5M next year, his second arb year. He is the setup man, backup closer and likely closer in 2011 after Frankie walks. Do you really want him to learn how to be a SP again when your team is a legit contender and has other legit options for the rotation?
|Space for Rent|
He won't make 5 mil next year
3-3.5 I imagine
Relievers, especially setup men, don’t get huge paydays in arbitration
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'd put extra emphasis on being able to go deep into games for the undecided spots
Given that between Harden and the 2009 debut guys there are going to be a lot of short outings.
That doesn’t fit CJ. Of course it may not fit any of the options. Maybe we should get millwood back =p
the preceding post was a great success.
well, one thing is for sure
Nippert’s job is safe. This team needs him as a long-man. For a guy who no one wanted and seemed to just hang around for the last two years, he sure has lucked into a decent gig.
Go Rice Owls!
Nips deserves his spot though
He has started to live up to his potential, no?
"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've always liked him.
He looked real good at times last year.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 7:54 PM CST up reply actions
He certainly deserves as much consideration for the roto as BMac
Just based on FIP/tRA
4.27 FIP, 4.70 tRA to BMac’s 4.70 FIP and 5.41 tRA.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 7:56 PM CST up reply actions
I really like what Nip did for a stretch there
it really seems like his CU has come on, that pitch was nasty at times… Of course his control still can be totally whack
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 mean, C.J. Wilson has dominated hitters for 2 years now
so it’d be about handling the innings without problem… it’s not like we’re pulling him out of no where
true, but I just love the way our pen sets up with O'day CJ and Frankie
hopefully Ray will come back healthy and give us a good MR arm and then the search is on for that ever elusive Lefty specialist… at least it wont be Eddie again
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?'
Replace CJ with Hunter on that list and load up the buses for spring training...
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Dec 9, 2009 6:54 PM CST up reply actions
Load 'em up for Late October run
baby
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?'
So what does salary flexibility look like now?
about 5-6 million left to play with?
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Nobody knows, but that sounds about right
Since JD mentioned that a main priority was to get a bat and some bullpen pieces, I assume that they still have some money left to do that, but given that they had to move Millwood in order to afford Harden’s $7.5 million, that “some” is probably “not much”.
So we still need:
Bat
Catcher
Bullpen people
Ummm….
A bat is the priority, right?
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Dec 9, 2009 7:02 PM CST up reply actions
Most likely
but I would think that no matter what happens, the catcher and bullpen people are going to get done since those constitute very urgent needs and probably won’t require a large amount of money
The bat, on the other hand, depends on how much money they have.
Chris Ray is a bullpen people
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 7:03 PM CST up reply actions
Chris Ray
and Clay Rapada?
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Not last year anyways
he was decent in 2006, and maybe the extra year from TJ will help him out?
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
He was coming back from TJ this year I believe
And he had .402 BABIP.
He can still strike people out though, so there’s the potential for him to be a solid 6th/7th inning type guy. He’s better than Grilli was, that’s for sure.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 7:09 PM CST up reply actions
It's interesting
I think it’s pretty clear that they had a choice, and picked Ray with that choice. In other words, Orioles didn’t force them to take Ray and his salary back as a part of the deal. The deal could have easily been done as a simple salary dump without any return.
However, they chose to pick Ray – which means they think he is worth that million that he will get. You can get a lot of NRI bullpen people for $1 million nowadays, so the club must think Ray has some value.
Sign Thome...give TT the everyday job and let MaxRam or
Richardson back him up…
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Dec 9, 2009 7:04 PM CST up reply actions
Yup
Thome or Glaus are probably the only really worthwhile bats still in our pricerange.
None of the catchers on the FA market really represent an actual upgrade over Teagarden, so I’d just as soon roll with him.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 7:06 PM CST up reply actions
I disagree
I think Vlad Guerrero has much more upside than either.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Agree but I don't think we have the $$ to sign Vlad
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Dec 9, 2009 7:07 PM CST up reply actions
I think his contract is the hardest to predict out of the
general DH group.
the preceding post was a great success.
It seems
that the market is pretty dead for OFs right now, especially with Bay and Holliday both on standby. I think we’ll start to see stuff move once Holliday signs.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
I prefer Vlad of the current options too
lsj is not a fan =p
the preceding post was a great success.
He knows that
He tried to bust my balls the last time I said I didn’t like Vlad, so he’s baiting me again.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 7:11 PM CST up reply actions
heck yeh...Big Daddy Vladdy will rake ...
So who's todays mistress? They're coming out of the Woodswork!
Well
We saved 9 million dollars on Millwood by switching to Chris Ray. Turned around and gave Harden 7.5 of that for next year. So 1.5 mil left over from dumping Millwood, plus whatever pocket change we where shopping with at the meetings beforehand.
Still need to sign Glaus or Thome, so hopefully you’re correct.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 6:58 PM CST up reply actions
td;lr
The trade is good because the Rangers used that money to sign Harden. Chris Ray is a decent gamble that might allow Neftali Feliz to pitch in the rotation.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
He thinks we got good value for Millwood
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
It was posted in the earlier thread
"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.
Okay
So now it’s time for — you guessed it — Harden predictions!
What do you think Harden will give the Rangers in 2010?
I gotta say 145 ip, 3.70 ERA, 130 H, 65 BB, 180 K
It’s fun to guess.
If the dude throws 11.4 K/9
Even Josey would have to come around
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Yeah I didn't actually do any math.
Those numbers came from me arse.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 7:09 PM CST up reply actions
Not unreasonable
He had close to 11 Ks per 9 last year I think.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Boom!
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?'
interesting
It’s interesting to revisit this thread from back in April and see what people’s thoughts were towards Harden signing with the Rangers this offseason.
http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/4/29/858729/wednesday-a-m-rangers-news#14997579
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
Stumbled on this thread, poor Eric Hurley
I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar
I guess theres player to be named with the millwood deal
any guess who it might be?
Always drinking one for the Rangers!
I think we are allowed to choose one from a list: Wieters, Markakis, Matusz, Tillman, or Jones
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
lol, i dont know why, i glanced by this before, didn't read the whole exchange, maybe i'm tired
but this really made me laugh
what's your source?
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Dec 9, 2009 10:26 PM CST up reply actions
Luke Scott
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 7:12 PM CST up reply actions
Here's a name
Josh Perrault, RHP, BAL
I have been discriminating against older pitchers, but I’ll make an exception for the 27 year old Perrault. Baltimore selected Perrault in the AAA phase of the 2008 Rule 5 draft from Washington. He put up an impressive season in relief between AA and AAA in 2009, with a 2.12 ERA, a 9.2 K/9, and a 2.0 BB/9 in 72 innings pitched. That includes 32 innings in AAA with a 2.53 ERA, a 9.3 K/9, and a 2.5 BB/9 ratio.
I’m not sure I’d take Perrault with the number two pick, but with the Pirates looking for cheap bullpen options, he could be a good gamble for a second Rule 5 selection. Worst case scenario is that he doesn’t make the team out of Spring Training and gets sent back to Baltimore. Perrault pitched in the Arizona Fall League, throwing 89-91 MPH, with a 3.38 ERA, and a 6:5 K/BB ratio in 10.2 innings pitched.
Relief arm, rule 5 exposed, plenty of opportunity to be scouted by the Rangers.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
One more reason to love the
Harden signing is that we won’t have to face him three-four times.
He would make our hitters look stupid, striking out a dozen or so batters.
"Stats are like a woman in a fine little bikini. You can see a lot, but you can't see everything." -Dirk A. Tron
8-9 WAR
If Harden is worth 4-5 wins, then us getting him instead of Seattle equals
8-9 Wins Above Rival
Does this make us THE team to beat in the West? Or just put us about on par with the Angels?
by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Dec 9, 2009 7:20 PM CST reply actions
We still have no DH
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 7:23 PM CST up reply actions
Angels make offer to Halladay
7:19pm: The Angels have made an offer, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun. They’d give up Joe Saunders, Erick Aybar and Peter Bourjos for Halladay. Saunders and Aybar are set to become free agents after 2012. Halladay, of course, would have to approve any deal, but one unnamed executive implies the Angels believe Halladay would accept.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
|Space for Rent|
For the Jays
Awful return on Halladay.
I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar
If the Toronto GM takes that deal
he needs to be fired. And then JP Riccardi should be banned from Canada.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
I can't believe
Eric Ayabar has become a deal breaker for the Angels.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Yeah
I would be so sick to my stomach if I were a Blue Jays fan and they dealt him this winter for that pile.
by Brett Perryman on Dec 9, 2009 7:29 PM CST up reply actions
.281/.354/.423/.778 as a CFer in AA last year
32/44 in SBs
"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.
So less awesome Julio Borbon?
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Just heard on MLB Radio that the Angels have offered...
Aybar and Saunders and a couple of spares for Halliday
Ephesians 3:20-21...and I can only imagine
I doubt they spend the 2 months talking deals last season
and then accept the first offer made to them in December… especially as underwhelming a deal as that is
They're in a hard place right now
the Yankees just blew their prospect load, the Red Sox seem passive, the Dodgers can’t add money to the payroll, and everyone else is kind of just standing around. That + Halladay’s demand to be traded before spring training might mean some team steals him.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
They're not going to let some team steal him
They’ll tell Halladay to suck it up and wait.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 7:38 PM CST up reply actions
Weird
The Angels have already lost Figgins, why would they take out another bat in Aybar for Halladay since they already have a solid rotation?
Their rotation as it stands
is Ervin Santana, Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, X, X
That’s not solid.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Ouch
And the Lackey bridge has been burned.
"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.
Yep
It’s pretty questionable but those fucking Angels will come up with something. I hope to God it is not Halladay.
by Black Francis on Dec 9, 2009 7:43 PM CST up reply actions
Totally forgot about him
I haven’t seen anything baseball related for like 3 months
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
Joe Saunders is about as worthwhile as a garbage dumpster in the sahara
and Santana and Kazmir aint the safest arms to bet on… I hope they all get hurt in ST, but im sure they’ll still find three spares to win 10 + games for them
Feliz says his greatest thrill was striking out Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz, one of his heroes. Yet, when he called to te