Ken Rosenthal: Rangers, Bosox agree on Max Ramirez/Mike Lowell trade
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 9, 2009 11:32 PM CST
421 comments
Per Ken Rosenthal, the Rangers and BoSox have supposedly agreed on a Max Ramirez for Mike Lowell trade.
Boston ownership still has to okay the deal, which would involve the BoSox paying all of Lowell's salary ($12 million in 2010).
Lowell would give the Rangers a righty bat that could play first base, third base, and DH, presumably in a David Murphy-esque 400 PA role. He's a useful part-time player, not someone you want to give 600 PAs to.
Max's star fell quite a bit last year, with wrist problems limiting him, and the Rangers not even bothering to give him a September call-up. He seemed to have plummeted in the pecking order, and the BoSox are clearly buying low on him, although if he can't stay behind the plate, it seems questionable if he'll hit enough to play every day.
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all his salary??
color me interested.
this will help make up for the “veteran leadership” that is leaving with byrd at least lol
"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09
What the hell?
"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
what?
the guy hit .290 last year and is good against lefties, plus is a viable DH option
"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09
He's only really a "viable" DH against lefties.
Overall he doesn’t produce enough to DH full-time (and if the other half of the platoon is David freaking Murphy, I’m sure Lowell will get more DH time than just against lefties).
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
We could use
a guy who can hit lefties with David Murphy. Also, so far Chris Davis has sucked the root against lefties in the majors. He hit them in the minors, so its probably still too early to write him off, its not too early to get some insurance.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
He's 36 years old
and while he’s okay v LH pitching he’s not the monster this line-up needed.
"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
i would like him too
but im doubting the Cubs will pay all of his salary
"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09
Yeah I saw several things about how they didn't have much money to spend today,
the preceding post was a great success.
Seems like you'd like a deal like this Josey...
you’ve been talking all winter about how it’s time for the Rangers to stop priding themselves so much on their top prospect system and improve the big league team. Granted, I don’t like this deal much because I think it’s selling pretty low on Max Ramirez, but it does improve the 2010 Texas Rangers.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 10, 2009 12:03 AM CST up reply actions
He dislikes it...
because (it seems) they actually did it.
by venturafearsnolan on Dec 10, 2009 12:26 AM CST up reply actions
Now we're stuck with the one armed gimp and the backup catcher of the future as our top 2 catchers
Of course, we’ll probably go out and find some smelly, worm-infested corpse to play in front of them now.
This stinks. Lowell has value as bench bat, but he wasn’t worth Max, IMO.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
I'd have dumped
teagarden for whatever you can get for him. At best he is a backup, and right now he isn’t even a good backup.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
I think max or no we were going to seek out another catcher.
the preceding post was a great success.
Smelly, worm-eaten zombie catcher > Hank Blalock, though, isn't it?
That, at least, we’ve established.
Your 2009 Texas Rangers: "Can't take a fucking to save their lives" (lisa w, 2009).
Did you really want Max...
…to play regular at catcher for the Rangers this year?
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 10, 2009 12:12 AM CST up reply actions
I had hoped, yes.
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 10, 2009 12:13 AM CST up reply actions
Because I continue to hold out hope he could still be above average offensively/adequate defensively there.
Can’t be any worse than Salty the one armed Pirate or Toothpick Teagarden.
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 10, 2009 12:17 AM CST up reply actions
Quoting Billy Beane?
It has gotten late
I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar
I think
He’s quoting about 95% of old people who’ve taken that trite expression as the sagest words available over the last year and a half.
by brettgardner on Dec 10, 2009 12:20 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Well
I think hoping Max will eventually hit is a better option than hoping Teagarden will eventually be an adequate backup.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
Remember when you loved Salty...
beyond reproach.
Where is Salty if not in the exalted arms of Baseball Jesus?
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 10, 2009 12:19 AM CST up reply actions
We broke up when he forgot how to take ball four
And his arm falling off has kind of killed my hopes that we’d someday reconcile on a beach somewhere as I looked his deep eyes of strike zone judgment and stroked the powerful arms that won him world series MVP.
But I’ll always have the memories of those times when I really though he would be the next Brian McCann.
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 10, 2009 12:24 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Is it really such a bad option for a poor team?
To play an older prospect as a temporary backup catcher to the normal backup catcher? It seems more prudent for the long-term picture, but I’m more than pleased with the transition to a win now mode.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Dec 10, 2009 12:15 AM CST up reply actions
I guess the question is...
…whether he’s capable of playing catcher at the major league level.
I know that there are quite a few doubts about that.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 10, 2009 12:16 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah
I mean if it comes out that the club has given up on him behind the plate, then that makes this make more sense.
But as long as there’s a shred of hope he could catch for us, I continue to hold onto it given our other options.
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 10, 2009 12:18 AM CST up reply actions
All of this hinges on his ability to stay behind the plate
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
Lowell
Not totally sure I like giving up on Max, but he looks like a DH right now, and Lowell hits LH well enough that he should be a solid platoon guy and cover for Young and Davis.
"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."
Is he coming with Beckett?
by Too Legit To quit on Dec 9, 2009 11:39 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Anyone here be willing to deal Lowell for Bradley now?
If the Cubs pick up a large portion of his deal?
There were rumors earlier today of Lowell/Bradley deal and the two teams where searching for a third team…
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
The Cubs have Ramirez to play 3B
why would they want Lowell?
"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
No idea,,
but then again they have been rumored on this the last few days…
My guess is that they think they can deal him easier than Bradley
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
If you're not willing to deal Lowell for Bradley, you'd be whacked
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Unless the cubs essentially pay mb's entire contract
I think i’d rather have Lowell. More defensive value, less volatility and less statistical varience.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 9, 2009 11:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Less production
Only really worth playing against lefties…
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
I think a large part of lowell's value
To the rangers is his ability to play the corner INF positions. And that he’s another one yr contract. Both of those things are going against Bradley.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 9, 2009 11:49 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
It's been a good day
Sucks how far Max has fallen in the past year
I had a paper route when I was a kid. I was supposed to go to 2,000 houses. Or two dumpsters.
I'd really like to hear a JD quote on what the exact plans for him are
Guess that will probably be tomorrow.
the preceding post was a great success.
I don't like this deal very much.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Hmm
I assume Lowell can play first base if necessary, although he never has… I don’t like it because I think we can do better, but if the team’s allergic to spending I guess It’s OK. I wasn’t optimistic about Max repeating his 2008 success.
Just to clarify
I want Davis as the starting first baseman and Lowell at DH… but if Davis hits like he did in the first half of last year, he should be demoted again, in which case Lowell would logically take over at first.
1B
I suspect Smoak is the backup plan this year.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 9, 2009 11:44 PM CST up reply actions
And if Smoak's not ready?
Do we see if Inglett can play first?
I kid, of course, but do you want to see David Murphy back there? Or Salty converted to first base?
Based on what JD said...
about the fact they probably waited too long this past year to send Davis down I imagine the leash won’t be so long next year, If he starts off slow I think we will not hesitate to send Davis down and insert Lowell at 1B.
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.
Trade.
I’m okay with this. Not thrilled, but not unhappy either.
I’ve never thought Ramirez has that good a prospect, because I didn’t think he could stay behind the plate. I wanted us to move him last year, but unfortunately that didn’t happen.
If you combine their respective splits from last year, a Lowell/Murphy platoon would give you a .285/.360/.485 line at DH, assuming Wash would use them that way.
x
assuming Wash would use them that way.
HA
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Lowell's generally been an excellent defensive 3rd baseman
As recently as 2008 he had a UZR over 11… although It’s notable to mention that was his best defensive season. The hyper-high degree of variation in UZR is made very apparent by the fact that during ‘09, he posted a UZR of -10.4. Ouch.
I expect he’d be somewhere in between (Read: Average)
I wonder how close
To “all” they are covering…
If we get him at $2-3m or less, this could be an okay deal. Between smoak and moreland I’m okay with our future slugger options and I’m pretty pumped our FO seems so committed to winning this coming yr. We could still feasibly add another legit piece, too.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 9, 2009 11:43 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Usually "all" means everything
As in all 12 million
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.
.......
injuryexpert Remember when the Rangers had “too many
catchers?” No team has too much anything, ever.
I'm very anxious to see what Vlad gets
I think his downside is Lowells upside. But he may get more than we expect from someone still buying into him.
the preceding post was a great success.
You think thats all he will get and are at the same time don't want him at all?
If thats all he gets I would have preferred that quite a bit. He looked good in the playoffs.
the preceding post was a great success.
I really do want to know the answer to this
1 year 5 million on the table right now, this trade is the alternative. You don’t take it if you can get payroll permission?
the preceding post was a great success.
Personally
I’d probably sign Fernando Tatis for 1 year, $2.5 million, and keep Max.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 10, 2009 12:16 AM CST up reply actions
I know everyone would groan at Tatis...
but the more I look into him the more I agree that he would be a good sign for that amount.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 10, 2009 12:18 AM CST up reply actions
+1
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Dec 10, 2009 12:18 AM CST up reply actions
I've come around a little on tatis
But I still can’t understand as little as 2.5 million dollars having you favor him over Vlad who was better this year, last year and every other year, often by incredibly large margins.
the preceding post was a great success.
Vlad can only DH
Tatis gives you alternatives at multiple positions. Defensive flexibility has its advantages.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 10, 2009 12:21 AM CST up reply actions
I don't think he brings a lot to the table
I think he’s pretty close to done.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 10, 2009 12:31 AM CST up reply actions
+1
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 10, 2009 12:31 AM CST up reply actions
I'll take my chances.
He killed the ball in RBIA last season, and ended the season very well.
From the all star break through the playoffs he had around a .900 ops
In 2008 he around a .900 ops, would have been with a handful of extra bases in arlington.
And while the injuries make these past two years by far the most relevant, he was obviously extremely good prior to 2008, and his mvp level talent as a hitter has to be factored into his ability to rebound.
He may have fallen off a ton and his obp isn’t ever going to approach 400 again, but his falling off stage may very well be as good as a lot of solid DH’s primes.
In my opinion.
the preceding post was a great success.
I will
bet you 100 dollars you are atleast 3 million dollars off…
If you really want to pour you're ten dollar concession stand beer on me, I take that as a compliment.
He will
get atleast 8 million
If you really want to pour you're ten dollar concession stand beer on me, I take that as a compliment.
This off-season has the same stench
as the off-season following 2004.
Take a young team flush with success that should have much more financial flexibility and instead of real talent you bring in Pedro Astacio, Greg Colbrunn and Richard Hidalgo.
"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
The move was mitigated by the fact that we're paying Balitmore
to let Millwood pitch for them.
"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
and we are letting Boston pay Lowell 12 M to bat for Texas
what exactly is your point? IF that is a mistake by JD then that is a huge mistake for a guy that is considered the best GM in the game
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
Mike Lowell is a candidate to go Earnhart
into the baseball wall of age at any moment and at this point in his career he’s not much more than a spare.
"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
and Millwood isn't?
poor logic.
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
We're paying $3 million...
by Too Legit To quit on Dec 9, 2009 11:50 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Rich Harden is an frontline starter.
Comparing him to those players is just stupid.
Fun fact
Rich Harden lead all starting pitchers in K/9 last year.
ALL STARTING PITCHERS.
This excites me. His XFIP was 3.7… and It’s considered an off-year.
Thats what excites me the most
even with injuries and not throwing his slider he still has an awesome k/9
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
And if Maddux was to find a way to get him comfortable throwing that magical cutter?
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
What's the record for K/9 in a season?
"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
The guys at HH said that is Vlad can't get a 2 year deal
that he would just sign a value 1 year deal in Anaheim so he doesn’t have to move his mother who loves it there…
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
they probably wouldn't want their nursing home friends to make fun them
if he played in Texas anyways
by kevinkinsler on Dec 10, 2009 12:18 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
that was one of the best Ranger play's I've see live, at a game
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?'
I think of the HR he hit to tie the game to cap a big rangers comeback, in alrington
I don’t remember how the game turned out.
Jamey Wright blew it in extras
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
was at that game...
was sure max was on the verge of busting through and becoming a perminant fixture on the roster.
I like this move
gives us a very solid RH bat who does give us about as good of a veteran presence as we’d find for the amount of money we were willing to spend (all of a mil maybe)… I loved Max, but it does look like his star has fallen.
I just am going to be praying that Wash doesnt go overboard and sit Nellie on the bench for Lowell against RHP… Which Im sure might cause a virtual implosion of LSB’s statosphere
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 if Lowell plays 115 games for Texas next year
what do you get?
14 HR / 61 RBI with a .790 OPS.
Yippee.
"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
.863 OPS vs LHP
find me some better options for what we are gonna pay him with the value of Max
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?'
Hank Blalock is a zombie
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?'
he hasn't had a .790 OPS since 05
and had a .879 OPS as recently as 07. why will he drop to .790 next year?
"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09
Because Josey doesn't like JD
What do voluntary mean?
well, he was perfectly suited for fenway and will probably take very little advantage
of arlingtons RF.
the preceding post was a great success.
true, i do recall seing a lot of monstaaaaa shots from lowell
"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09
Because Josey lives in bizzaro world
a place where Mike Lowell sucks and Blalock doesn’t
Go to bed old man!
Damn, it must suck to be you!
Texas Rangers, sometimes they are the windshield, sometimes they are the bug — Evan Grant
by SonnyKoufaxLSU on Dec 9, 2009 11:51 PM CST up reply actions
And how many people in here are going to rave
about all the “leadership” Lowell is going to give us?
Barf.
"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
ugh, really?
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?'
Hmm
Aren’t you the dude who’s always talking about how “the Room” will respond to things?
Seems like you’d value leadership more than most.
by brettgardner on Dec 9, 2009 11:55 PM CST up reply actions
This made me laugh.
I’m not sure I know a community that downplays intangibles/leadership as much as LSB does.
I know... its amazing the levels JW stoops to
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?'
Have you never been to Lookout Landing?
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Dec 9, 2009 11:58 PM CST up reply actions
Wanna be a leader and have The Room listen to you?
Show up on time, play every day and put up big numbers.
"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
This team is a long
fucking way from being anything close to the NY Yankees.
"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 10, 2009 12:00 AM CST up reply actions
Arod here?
You think The Room thought of him as a leader?
by brettgardner on Dec 10, 2009 12:01 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, when he was here I do.
Michael Young followed him around like a puppy.
"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 10, 2009 12:03 AM CST up reply actions
Wow.
Well, I’m pretty sure you’re totally wrong.
by brettgardner on Dec 10, 2009 12:03 AM CST up reply actions
I'm pretty sure
he isn’t.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
What color are the walls in The Room?
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?
Congratulations!
You just described Barry Bonds!
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?
Hopefully Hank showed up on time
cause he failed at the other two
Do you ever say anything positive?
I bet if Scarlett Johannson gave you a lap dance, you’d blame JD for the fact that it wasn’t Olivia Wilde.
by rlb02a on Dec 10, 2009 12:38 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
I like these series of moves.
they set up a competitive season with some high risk high reward players. But they also dont get held down to where they couldn’t spend some money next year when the F.A. pool is better.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
This blows
I still believe in Ramirez. I don’t think that he can be a star hitter, but I do think that he is a good MLB hitter in time, who can play some catcher, and I am not excited about what Lowell offers. He is not the tough out that they needed to add. He’s another sub-.340 OBP guy who doesn’t draw walks and only hits for average power.
by Brett Perryman on Dec 9, 2009 11:50 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Seriously
We don’t have anybody in our system that could match the fairly pedestrian numbers that Lowell is going to put up in Texas?
"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
Still hope
“Hedge your bets on Texas,” said a person involved in the negotiations, although it was not immediately clear whether Boston would get catcher Max Ramirez in return as reported, or another player. Boston would have to eat a significant portion of Lowell’s $12 million salary, “at least half,” and possibly more, for the deal to get done,
I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar
Trying too hard.
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Dec 10, 2009 2:33 AM CST up reply actions
* Perks up a tiny bit *
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"It's kind of a new stat that's in vogue" - Joe Buck on OPS
Salary
Lowell for $6 million is nearly as good a deal as Boston paying “all or substantially all” of Lowell’s salary.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 10, 2009 12:01 AM CST up reply actions
This doesn't necessarily mean anything, but
a lot of people said meh when I whined and whined about Adrian Gonzalez. Everyone was focued on Chris Young back then.
by Brett Perryman on Dec 9, 2009 11:58 PM CST up reply actions
x
I think there’s a pretty big difference between the two scenarios.
Give people some credit.
by brettgardner on Dec 9, 2009 11:59 PM CST up reply actions
Well, you weren't around back then, then
Very few people were worried at all about Gonzalez hitting much.
by Brett Perryman on Dec 10, 2009 12:01 AM CST up reply actions
I was on Newberg.
That’s not how I remember it at all.
Now, I don’t remember many people thinking he was going to explode, but I don’t think he was thought of as trash, either.
by brettgardner on Dec 10, 2009 12:02 AM CST up reply actions
I think there were concerns
about his power, but not his average.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
In my younger days....
I was worried we were going to include Laird…..
by groundingout on Dec 10, 2009 11:08 AM CST up reply actions
Except
Adrian Gonzalez was actually good.
I was very upset at giving him away in that deal.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 10, 2009 12:02 AM CST up reply actions
Ramirez
He’s 25, has never hit above AA, and probably isn’t a major league catcher.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 9, 2009 11:54 PM CST up reply actions
ok
We’ll just have to see. I’m not positively convinced that he’s a hitter, but I think he is a solid one. Time will tell.
by Brett Perryman on Dec 10, 2009 12:03 AM CST up reply actions
Ramirez
I think he’s a poor man’s Jack cust. His contact issues will keep him from ever being a truly good ml hitter. I love his power, but victor Diaz could also punish bad pitching.
If he can stay at catcher then he’s got some value, but if he stays at dh there will always be the delgados and vlads of the world available at the end of their careers to cut down his value
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 10, 2009 12:00 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Jack Cust has never been a truly good ML hitter?
Uhhhhh.
His 2007 and 2008 season’s would like a word.
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 10, 2009 12:02 AM CST up reply actions
He didn't say that.. he said Max (a poor mans version..) won't.
the preceding post was a great success.
Semantics I suppose.
But Cust is a guy I’d be all over if he where to be non-tendered. I think he could rebound power-wise at the RBiA, and he’s like an Adam Dunn lite plate approach-wise.
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 10, 2009 12:06 AM CST up reply actions
Actually
A Jack Cust/Mike Lowell DH platoon might get me kind of excited.
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 10, 2009 12:07 AM CST up reply actions
Ditto.
Though one has to assume that Smoak makes it up to the big league team at some point this year.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Dec 10, 2009 12:08 AM CST up reply actions
Normally
Normally I would agree, but when you need a right handed bat, have basically zero cash, I don’t see much of a better option out there than a free Mike Lowell.
They need a bat
not a right handed bat. They have Young, Kinsler and Cruz, who are definitely three of their five best hitters. And Lowell isn’t the style of hitter they need.
by Brett Perryman on Dec 10, 2009 12:04 AM CST up reply actions
I think what he's saying is
We need a good overall high OBP hitter, period. Fuck righty or lefty, what we need most is overall production in the OBP department.
From that standpoint Mike Lowell does not fill such a need.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
I think its time to face facts
JD Doesn’t give a flying fuck about OBP. The reason this team didn’t have a good OBP last year wasn’t so much Rudy as the roster.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
If that's the case
I’m worried.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
+1
Though I find it hard to believe. Going for someone who is not necessarily an OBP machine does not mean one doesn’t care about avoiding outs.
Yeah
JD recognized multiple times last year that the team was not getting on base enough, so I doubt he’s blind to it.
However, Cahill has a point about how it was our roster construction that failed our offense this year. And whether it’s because of our financial crunch or not, it seems like we’re relying more on the same core of that roster to simply get better at avoiding outs next season than we’re doing as far as adding players who avoid outs. Which does bug me a bit, but the offseasons not over, obviously.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Look at our roster
top to bottom. Do we have any OBP machines?
Look at our minors. Smoak might be one, and who else? Max might have been one, of course, after his last injury plagued year he might be nothin’.
It’s real difficult to believe that OBP is a priority for Daniels given the players he acquires. Most players have below average OBPs, and below average OBP-BAs. I know a lot of folks always blamed it on Rudy, but other than Milton Bradley a couple years ago, what high obp players has he acquired?
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
Agree
I dont like giving up max, I’d still like to see what he can do. And what does Lowell really give the rangers that blalock or jones didnt? Only thing I can see is the ability to play the corners in the infield, but how effectively can he even do that anymore?
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
Well, hitting lefties
But you take one look at that face of his and know Wash isn’t going to be able to sit him against all those righties
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
I'm fairly unexcited also.
Lowell may be useful just because even with zombie Blalock leaving, this team still has a few guys who are bad or suspect against lefties. However, I really wanted to see Max as insurance, because I don’t think there is much chance of Teagarden even being an adequate backup and Salty will struggle to be an average catcher.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
Re-Posting:
Sure, Lowell for free is a decent player. The past two years, he put up OPS’s of .798 and .811 and wOBA’s of .344 and .346. It’s not a bad hitter, but it’s not a great hitter either. I’m higher on MaxRam than most, but I think he could have given you similar numbers at the major league level towards the end of this coming year. Even if he doesn’t, this seems more like a raising the floor move than a raise the ceiling (like Harden was), and MaxRam seems a steep price to pay for that.
This suggests two things to me. First, the Rangers have plans to bring in another catcher considering Salty’s injury situation (and the rumors that are leaking out about Navarro, Kendall, etc) and not roll with Teagarden and MaxRam and an emergency option in AAA while Salty is out. Second, the Rangers are in win now mode. They leveraged their starting pitching depth to raise their No.1 starter ceiling with the Millwood-Harden swap. Now they are leveraging a decent trade piece (or late 2010 DH option) to make sure that there is a better DH/backup 1B option. If they still planned on building/developing in 2010, this move doesn’t make sense.
One of the main positives outside of the obvious salary ramifications that are driving this is that Lowell hits lefties better than righties. Assuming that will be his main use, it’s not quite the disaster my initial impression was.
2009 splits: (AB-AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS)
LH: 153-.301/.363/.503/.866
RH: 302-.285/.324/.460/.784
That’s a small sample size though. Here’s the last three years combined:
LH: 392-.314/.381/.500/.881
RH: 1061-.294/.344/.474/.818
Still, he’s a soon to be 36 y/o who will have to DH most of the time and has had some pretty significant hip issues. MaxRam seems steep; the Rangers must not value him the same way that we (I) do.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
solid, solid pick up if we use him properly
combining him with a D-Murph/Hambone DH platoon gives us a pretty solid 1-2 WAR upgrade IMO.
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?'
Uninspiring
It depends on whether you think its uninspiring but solid or bad. I lean toward uninspiring but solid.
What do voluntary mean?
a one win upgrade could mean everything
we’ll see, I hope it works out and we actually maximize Lowell’s value as a LHP masher
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?'
We just traded Ramirez because we have no money.
I’m torn. On one hand, I’m happy because we improved the team today without raising payroll. On the other hand, we could have REALLY improved the team today if we had $10 million to spend.
Our baseball people did a good job today. Still sucks though.
Well
He got more for him than we would next year when he ran out of options.
by Darrell McKown on Dec 9, 2009 11:58 PM CST up reply actions
Probably depends on how its set out in the contract.
I’d bet they can set it up anyway they want to. From forwarding enough to cover each pay period to an upfront lump.
What do voluntary mean?
x
jonmorosi Trade of Soriano to #Rays nearly complete. Jesse
Chavez, acquired from the #Pirates for Iwamura, is likely headed to #Braves.
all kinds of deals going down
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?'
Poor Jesse chavez
He’s the Clarence “Frogman” Henry of baseball.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 10, 2009 12:03 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Don't know why that's worth it for the Sox
They must really, really want Adrian Beltre.
by Conjunction on Dec 10, 2009 12:02 AM CST up reply actions
which is quite sad honestly
to pay $12 mil + beltre’s salary for a guy who hasn’t hit over .276 since his 48 homer year in 04
"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09
They play a different off season game then all but 2-3 teams.
What do voluntary mean?
still you gotta have your limits
why would they be going so hard after a guy who is so obviously past his prime
"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09
There is a pretty decent case to be made for Beltre..
It may not have been a huge effect, but safeco did hurt him. Great defense of course.
As long as they don’t give him too many years, I doubt they regret it.
the preceding post was a great success.
They may feel that Max Ramirez is worth paying $3-5 million to get
Depending on how much of Lowell’s salary they have to eat, and how much they’d have had to eat if they just gave him away.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 10, 2009 12:10 AM CST up reply actions
The Sox's thinking
is that they’re looking at the 3B position for the next few years. They have no one in the farm system for 3B, and Beltre is probably the best FA option for the next few years, not just this year. There’s no way they’ll want Lowell in 2011, and the pickings will be slim.
Theo loves defense, which supplies a large chunk of Beltre’s value, but his swing is much more suited to Fenway, so any non-park adjusted projections need to be considered in that light.
"I'd like to f*ck Sandra Bullock." - Pedro Martinez, explaining his secret ambition to Sports Illustrated for Kids.
I strongly doubt it's all
Most reports say more than half or most of.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 10, 2009 12:04 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
And please, do not plug him into 5th every day for being a veteran.
the preceding post was a great success.
yea, thats what im scared of
Thats when we pray and hope that Wash’s love for DMurph is enough to keep Lowell on the bench against alot of RHP… What will really make me mad is if Wash finds a way to sit Cruz down for Lowell against RHP, putting Murph out in the field
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?'
5th?
That’s already reserved for Murphy. You must mean fourth. Fourth is where the veterans bat.
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 10, 2009 12:08 AM CST up reply actions
It's already confirmed that Hamilton is hitting 4th.
1.Borbon
2.Kinsler
3.Young
4.Hamilton
"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
But that was before we accquired Mike Lowell and his gritty goatee.
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 10, 2009 12:10 AM CST up reply actions
Doesn't Young vocally dislike the 3 spot?
Kinsler’s power seems to make sense there. Though, if it were me, I’d put Hamilton 3, Cruz 4, and Kinsler 5th.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Dec 10, 2009 12:10 AM CST up reply actions
It's Dec.
And Ron Washington is the manager. He’ll put Lowell fourth or fifth more often than not, I bet.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 10, 2009 12:11 AM CST up reply actions
Right, but unless said otherwise, that should be the perceived lineup.
"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
Kinsler wants to bat 3rd beween Face and Hamilton
I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar
Well, if that's how it turns out to be, that's fine.
That’s where I wanted Ian to bat in 09 anyways.
"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
Did he actually say that or is it an obscure joke, heh.
I’d prefer that lineup.
the preceding post was a great success.
He said he needed the "protection"
I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar
Well, Wash gave that lineup with Borbon leading off pushing everyone else down
who knows if he will stick to it.
the preceding post was a great success.
So in summation, was $ 6 million for signing Kenny Lofton a smart move by JD?
We get one year of a 36 year old Mike Lowell in decline.
Awesome.
"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 10, 2009 12:10 AM CST up reply actions
Just wondering...
…do you get the notices when I flag him? Do I need to write something in the comments every time, or is it just understood?
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Dec 10, 2009 12:12 AM CST up reply actions
That deal is absolutely irrelevant at this point...
Let the healing begin.
by N41D on Dec 10, 2009 12:16 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
what an absolutely retarded approach to compare baseball moves, years apart
"The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble by us; and I for one must be content to remain an agnostic" - Charles Darwin, you know who he is...
Please!!!
@Ken_Rosenthal Lowell hip, thumb issues could derail trade to Texas. “This thing could still blow up,” one source said.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
Oh snap, And it gets even awesomer
I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar
This thing=Lowell's hip?
I think that’s the biggest issue. It’s not the age or the want for something better, it’s that there’s a decent chance he needs constant hip injections to even play at all.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Dec 10, 2009 12:13 AM CST up reply actions
I'm still on the fence about this.
I’m not a big believer in MaxRam, but I think I could end up being surprised. I’d rather the team focus it’s efforts on another bat, honestly.
"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 ambivilant here
It all depends on how much they salary they cover. One yr of Lowell at 2-3m or so is a decent value. One yr at 5-6m isn’t worth maxram.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 10, 2009 12:15 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
So
Apparently he’s got as many dings and dents as Hideki Matsui’s face?
Great.
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 10, 2009 12:15 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I need to go to sleep
But I’m afraid if I do, we’ll trade for Roy Halladay at 2 a.m.
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 10, 2009 12:17 AM CST reply actions
We're doing our best to pack an entire offseason into a 24 hour period.
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 10, 2009 12:19 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Remember nolan being mad about nothing happening at the meetings last year?
He must have enforced his will this year, heh.
the preceding post was a great success.
Somebody really needs to do a Nolan-as-Obama poster
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 10, 2009 12:27 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Maybe Nolan
will win the Nobel prize for baseball
And the way today is going....
It would either be for Smoak, Holland and Borbon or Hunter, Font and Mitch Moreland.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Dec 10, 2009 12:19 AM CST up reply actions
You shut your mouth right now.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Excuse me
At LSB, the appropriate phrase is “shut your piehole.”
by Adam J. Morris on Dec 10, 2009 12:22 AM CST up reply actions
Do we pronouce it like Felix Pie's name though?
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 10, 2009 12:27 AM CST up reply actions
I was always partial to this one myself:
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/cityofate/Nolan_Ryan.jpg
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Dec 10, 2009 12:28 AM CST up reply actions
Kinda sexy.
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 10, 2009 12:29 AM CST up reply actions
Feliz, Perez, Smoak and the statue of Nolan at the Ballpark...
for Lincecum at 4:20 AM.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 10, 2009 12:22 AM CST up reply actions
This trade aside
Of all the rh bats out there I think I like dye the best. Ppl are making a big deal about his post asb numbers but the guy has been pretty solid for a long time now and I would be okay with sticking him in the middle of our lineup at the 4 hole. Lowell is more of a 6 hole guy.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 10, 2009 12:18 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Clark may have nailed it best.
Lowell is a 6 hole guy (plus he’s old) and that’s not what this team needs. I guess his offensive numbers are supposed to give us what Byrd gave us last year.
It’s a very underwhelming move and I thought Max would bring back much more than a spare vet in decline.
"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 10, 2009 12:21 AM CST up reply actions
Why do we need a 4 hole guy?
Hamilton/Cruz/Kinsler 3-4-5 is pretty nice
Young/Hamilton/Cruz 3-4-5 is pretty nice
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.
and we have Smoak
who should make his debut next year if Davis can’t cut it.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
So, what do you guys think Thome would get in FA?
He’s my bat of choice, I suppose. Much better option than Matsui.
"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
Thome is not a better option than Matsui
I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar
Why do you say that?
Neither one of them are going to play in the field.
Thome in the past 3 years has posted a line of .256/.380/.516 OPS+ 130
Matsui: .284/.368/.479 OPS+ 122.
"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
Given that hes mostly useless to the national league...
not much. he looked pretty bad late in the year, and his baserunning needs to be factored in at this point..
the preceding post was a great success.
Fwiw
Yanks are said to be taking kroenke, a lhp in their own system, w the first pick tomorrow. Then IRS the pirates, said to be looking at position players and then us.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 10, 2009 12:23 AM CST via mobile reply actions
The Rangers will take Chuck Lofgren
I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar
I think Lofgren
would be a nice pick up too.
by Randy Richardson on Dec 10, 2009 12:30 AM CST up reply actions
Lots of interesting names
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091209&content_id=7783398&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 10, 2009 12:37 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
CJ Tweets about this tonight...
Lowell replaces A-Jones and Hank as the DH, and will play some 1B if wash wants to sit davis against LHP. seems good
busy last few weeks: out- omar, jones, hank, millwood in- lowell, harden, ray where does the byrd man land?
also out- pudge, grilli in- new owner? this is all too much to follow; the reason why I go racing instead of watching espn in the fall
Red Sox Nation never sleeps. except when it’s been drinking all night at Daisy Buchanan’s
TCU Frogs- #3
"THAT WAS MY SPECIAL MONDAY MORNING TAPE, SPECIAL, FOR YOU!
It's fucking Monday afternoon, you should get out of bed earlier."
by PM Productions on Dec 10, 2009 12:26 AM CST reply actions
Guess everyone had the wrong Texas team in those rumors
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 10, 2009 12:31 AM CST up reply actions
I'm telling you guys
Ray will outperform lindstrom this yr.
Book it.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 10, 2009 12:33 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
From TR's story
Ray is a hard-throwing right-hander who was the Orioles closer in 2006, when he went 4-4 with a 2.73 ERA and 33 saves. But he came down with elbow problems in ’07, and after going 5-6 with a 4.43 ERA in 16 saves, he underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery on Aug. 16 of that year.
He missed all of 2008 and was 0-4 with a 7.27 ERA in 46 games for the Orioles in ’09. His ERA was the sixth highest for all Major League pitchers with at least 40 innings pitched, but he had a 4.88 ERA over his final 26 games.
One Major League scout said Ray probably should have started last season in Triple-A and be brought along slowly instead of starting out in the big leagues.
“He might have thrown too hard too early and lost his command and release point,” the scout said. “He just had erratic command and control. I would anticipate he would be a lot better being one more year away from Tommy John surgery.”
Ray will be used as a right-handed setup reliever behind closer Frank Francisco. If he comes back at full strength, he could give the Rangers the option of moving right-hander Neftali Feliz or left-hander C.J. Wilson to the rotation. The Rangers are also exploring the possibility of signing left-handed reliever Darren Oliver.
“It’s all connected,” Daniels said. “The more we strengthen the bullpen, the more it’s easier to do that. We’d like to have options in both places. We want depth in the rotation and depth in the bullpen, then we’ll step back and see what’s best for the ballclub.”
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Dec 10, 2009 12:55 AM CST up reply actions
Evan Grant suggests Boston is paying $8 million.
If that’s the case, I’m switching sides. That $4 million, combined with a trade of McCarthy, would free up enough money to sign Guerrero.
Why do you sign Bad Vlad
if you have Lowell?
"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 10, 2009 12:34 AM CST up reply actions
Lowell is owed 12 million... if the Red Sox pay 8, that leaves the Rangers to pay 4.
He’s saying instead of paying the 4mil for Lowell, just sign Vlad with it. And trade McCarthy for the rest.
Got 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 10, 2009 12:37 AM CST up reply actions
Giving up max
For the chance to pay Lowell 4m for a season is less sexy. Why not just bide you time w the guys on the market?
I think jd might be riding a high that’s affecting his decisions right now.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 10, 2009 12:36 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Yes, let's pray this deal falls apart.
Every penny counts!
Trading Max for Lowell
means JD isn’t thinking too much past 2010.
"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 10, 2009 12:37 AM CST up reply actions
Could just mean that
the orginization doesn’t think Max is ever going to amount ot much in general.
What do voluntary mean?
If Gilbert buys the team
He doesn’t need to.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Dec 10, 2009 12:38 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Max ain't that great.
He’s old, regressing, and doesn’t have a position. This is hardly mortgaging our future. I don’t think Max is a part of it, honestly.
this is literally the most ridiculous thing i have heard in weeks
JD isn’t thinking past 2010?? are you out of your mind?
"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09
What's Lowell going to be doing in 2012?
What’s Max going to be doing in 2012?
"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 10, 2009 12:44 AM CST up reply actions
They may both be done?
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Dec 10, 2009 12:45 AM CST up reply actions
weren't you the guy clamoring for us to not sit on our butts this offseason
and turn our prospects into 2010 help? Now getting rid of a once good prospect for Mike Lowell is going to mortgage our entire future? Insane.
"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09
You just got done...
bitching about how Lofton brought nothing but some 25 year old who hasn’t done shit above AA. Now that they deal him, you bitch about what he’s bringing back.
You’re an idiot.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Sounds to me like you think...
Max Ramirez is pretty pointless anyway and certainly not a mortgage of the future if suddenly not around.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 10, 2009 12:43 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah he will stay away from that one...
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
Josey, your rebuttal?
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?
Why?
Smoak should be ready by 2011 so either he or davis should step into the DH role. Where was Max gonna play in 2011?
We have done alot of stuff hopefully to make 2010 better without touching our top tier of prospects. In fact I would argue max was toward the bottom of the 2nd tier if not in the 3rd tier of prospects in our system
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
you are such a hypocrite
one minute JD doesn’t do anything to address the major league roster, and when he does, you’re concerned about how we will do in 2012?
flagged as troll
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
He's NEVER given credit to JD for thinking beyond the present year
And when JD makes a “now” move, boy he changes positions as fast as possible.
I hope Josey sits at home and laughs at his idiotic flip-flopping like we laugh at it.
"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
I think it is good to trade prospects for
players that can actually help the major league team win but Mike Lowell is largely a spare in decline, not much more than a 6-7 hitter on a good team and there’s a reason the Red Sox are getting rid of him.
"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
You know, the Red Sox aren't always right?
Just like Billy Beane.
Plus, just because Player X isnt right for the Red Sox doesnt mean he’s not right for another team.
"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
And since we shouldn't need anything more than a 6-7 hitter he fits just fine
Most likely he will be placed 5th because Wash wants Cruz to hit 6th and I imagine Davis will hit 7th. But I think ideally you have Cruz either 4th or 5th, Kinsler 5th if Cruz is 4th and Lowell 6th
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Like I said before, how does the money transfer work?
This move could give us more immediate cash capital to work with
I would imagine it wouldn't trade hands until the season starts and teams actually have to start paying players
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.
Yeah that hurts, just because that money alone is enough to get in on some
similar quality names without losing a prospect, even if I don’t particularly care about him anymore.
I don’t want to lose b-mac with all young and or injury prone pitchers though.. i still like him as depth.
the preceding post was a great success.
Looking over our roster, he's out highest-paid, expendable player.
Gotta love being a small market team. We’re scrappy.
A small market team playing in a Big Market City.
Hmm
by Too Legit To quit on Dec 10, 2009 2:15 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Trading McCarthy to get salary relief?
Seriously?
by NoNameOnCard on Dec 10, 2009 3:31 AM CST up reply actions
trading McCarthy to get a good player
bonus: salary relief…
I guarantee McCarthy will not be salary-dumped
What good player is going to make less than McCarthy?
McCarthys only gonna make 1-1.5 million 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.
No.
I want a list of guys making less than $1M-1.5M who are better than McCarthy and can be considered someone that might actually be traded for McCarthy.
The cost-to-potential-benefit ratio for McCarthy is ridiculous. Trading him does not make sense.
by NoNameOnCard on Dec 10, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions
Obviously the package would be "McCarthy +"
I think it makes perfect sense to combine {McCarthy + Harrison + Moreland} (or whatever) for a young, cheap starter
Dumb.
McCarthy has a high variance right now. It’s probably one of the worst possible times to consider selling low.
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Dec 10, 2009 3:56 PM CST up reply actions
You're dumb.
You don’t think other teams value “high variance”
you are acting like another team is going to value him as worthless….
he actually has value right now bc he pitched really well at the end of last season and we are still semi-close to the time when he was a highly rated prospect
That’s the whole point of risk…. if he pitches horribly this year and we can’t use him in the rotation or bullpen, then he becomes officially valueless. As of right now, however, he has value.
I actually don’t understand what you’re saying at all. “McCarthy has high variance so other teams value him at 0, but we are the only team who realizes that he might get good at some point”?
I actually don’t understand
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Dec 10, 2009 6:29 PM CST up reply actions
Since he's going to make like $1.5M or less...
The only reason to trade him is if you can get someone better. That’s just not going to happen.
His injury history is going to keep teams from speculating on him. The best you could hope for is acquiring a guy like Millwood, where some team needs to dump a contract. Unfortunately, the Rangers can’t take that contract.
The only plausible (and simple) scenario right now is to trade him for a position of need, like a catcher. Even then, you have to ask yourself if that guy is going to be an upgrade over Saltalamacchia and/or Teagarden.
Trading him to free up salary is just an absurd idea all the way around.
by NoNameOnCard on Dec 10, 2009 7:03 PM CST up reply actions
I guess I overestimate his trade value, then
If I were a fan of another team and I got a package of youth including McCarthy, I’d be excited
Oh god...
that must be terrible.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 10, 2009 12:46 AM CST up reply actions
They let him do it occasionally.
Staying on topic with this; I was really shocked when I flipped to ESPN to find Johnathan Coachman doing CFL.
"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
That seems like...
an improvement for him at least.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 10, 2009 12:48 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, going from interviewing fat men in tights
to a nice anchor position must be great for him and his family.
I honestly don’t know how any self-respecting person could get involved in professional wrestling.
"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
@MFollowill A very random fun fact about new Ranger Rich Harden. One of 40 pitchers ever to throw a 9-pitch, 3-K half inning. http://bit.ly/MIBj
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
Cool
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
by lonestarJon on Dec 10, 2009 12:49 AM CST up reply actions
Did we mention his contact rate?
From Fangraphs
Harden’s 67.3% contact rate ranked tops amongst all starting pitchers with at least 140 innings. In fact, over the last three seasons, Harden is the only starter below 70%.
"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
8 a.m. CT
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Dec 10, 2009 12:50 AM CST up reply actions
It would be funny if it where at 5 o'clock
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
by lonestarJon on Dec 10, 2009 12:50 AM CST up reply actions
@espnrangersblog Rangers’ Washington sits down with ESPN Dallas: Ron Washington sits down to talk with ESPN Dallas’ Richard Durr.. http://bit.ly/7GaOX0
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
"We can keep Cruz down in a comfortable spot... 6th..."
Sigh.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
by lonestarJon on Dec 10, 2009 12:59 AM CST up reply actions
When he's not resting him four days a week...
for Joe Inglett.
by ghostofErikThompson on Dec 10, 2009 1:03 AM CST up reply actions
I know I shouldn't be, but...
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
Alright, safe to say the Halladay trade isn't about to go down.
When I check tomorrow morning I hope for some telling comments about the Rangers exact plans for Lowell and if we have spent all of our money for this offseason beyond some scrub backup catcher.
the preceding post was a great success.
Wait, remember when Will Carrol said he knew of two big things that would happen this week?
Was he bluffing? Or did they just not happen.
I know of two HUGE announcements coming at the Winter Meetings. I expect both will be bigger than any player signing or news made during
"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
At second thought, one might be Gammons moving to MLBN.
Someone help me out.
"Blister please, with those wings in your spine.
Love to be with a brother of mine.
How he'd love to find your tongue in his teeth,
In a struggle to find secret songs that you keep,
Wrapped in boxes so tight, sounding only at night as you sleep." ~Jeff Mangum; Neutral Milk Hotel
The other one was Wash deciding Borbon is ready to play CF
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
No, I asked him if one involved the Rangers ownership situation.
He said “no”.
"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
Damn.
I was hoping. I have no idea on the other one then, the Gammons thing sounds right though.
Jimmy Johnson for GM.
That 3 team blockbuster...
kind of a big deal
by nathanbaum09 on Dec 10, 2009 1:43 AM CST up reply actions
Maybe
He said they would be bigger announcements than any player signing. Who knows.
Jimmy Johnson for GM.
My guess is:
1. The Gammons thing.
2. Bloomberg supplying the stat for MLB (instead of Stats Inc/ Elias).
"I'd like to f*ck Sandra Bullock." - Pedro Martinez, explaining his secret ambition to Sports Illustrated for Kids.
One of them was this...
Bloomberg Enters Baseball Stats
Not nearly the “HUGE announcement” that I expected. We’ll see what comes of the second. You can read more about Bloomberg’s plan here.
by Stephen Rushin on Dec 10, 2009 4:11 AM CST up reply actions
Bloomberg & Gammons
Those were the two announcements Will was alluding to.
"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."
I'm seriously impressed by JD
It’d be easy for him to justify doing nothing with the given ownership situation and lack of salary space, and I wouldn’t blame him.
Instead, without adding a dime of salary (potentially), he has upgraded our #1 SP, added a power righty bullpen arm, and given us a veteran LHP-hitting 3b/1b/DH (which happen to be the positions we need most to obtain backups/situational hitters for).
Fuck Hicks
I'm watching the old old old version of family feud with richard dawson
My god people were embarrassing back then.
I'm just goofin' new boot goofin'
I've always felt Family Feud would be more fun if they actually left the families fight each other
Instead of points, the questions could be to earn weapons – starting off with swords and machetes, and working up to pistols, assault rifles, and eventually flamethrowers.
I failed my LSB ethics test.
"WHAT A SHITLOAD OF FUCK" - LL's "Poochie" on Rich Harden signing with Texas over Seattle
OMFG
Name something you pass around at a party, and someone already said food/snacks
Yet the family said three more fucking times "Cheese, Desserts, and candy.
FUCKING IDIOTS!
I'm just goofin' new boot goofin'
and here i thought
it was going to be a quiet Winter Meetings for the Rangers.
BWAHAHAHAAHAHA.
JD Beast.
"Clearly, I've been wrong. VY is awesome." - AJM
Didn't they say something like
“We don’t plan to do too much, just sit and wait to see what happens.”
Then boom, all this.
Remember to retire Fin's number, Mark.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but
But Wasn’t the real reason Max wasn’t considered for a September callup this year because he wasn’t healthy?
I am guessing this deal means the Rangers don’t see Max as a viable catching option anymore, however. If they did I don’t see why they’d be dealing from our non-existent catching depth if they really thought he was potentially a better option than Tea or Salt.
I thought it was more because he wasn't really healthy
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Dec 10, 2009 8:01 AM CST up reply actions
Why do I find that gif of Lackey saying the f word
over at LL incredibly funny?
It’s like that one-second youtube video of DJ Mbenga saying “taco”.
Remember to retire Fin's number, Mark.
x
My simple take: http://tinyurl.com/yzhqwfl
And for actual content, Jon Heyman reported around 2 a.m. that both clubs were still mulling the deal and that Boston would be sending $8-9M if the deal gets done.
by Joey Matschulat on Dec 10, 2009 4:57 AM CST reply actions
One thing that hasn't been mentioned
Maybe the FO thinks super-highly of Mitch Moreland as our all-bat, good-arm, no-glove prospect hotness, and that made Maxie expendable
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Valid point
Its not like you can use too many of those
Yeah, that's a very valid point that I didn't think about
Further evidence is that Moreland has made some noise amongst the prospect analysts lately.
I’d be fine with Moreland being developed as our DH-type for beyond 2010.
"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
Rangers pick LHP Benjamin Snyder
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
Rule 5 pick is Benjamin Snider from the Giants
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
looking for a scouting report
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=paZ06017&position=P
best I can find is from 08
The 2006 fourth round pick is your classic lefty… Ben Snyder has a mid- to high-80s fastball with a good change-up and an OK breaking ball. He has done nothing but succeed in pro ball, unlike his brother (and former first round pick Brian Snyder). Snyder won 16 games last year in Low A-ball but should have been promoted mid-season because he was obviously better than the competition. He currently has a 2.00 ERA in 85.2 innings and has allowed just 79 hits. He has allowed 18 walks and 73 strikeouts. Snyder is probably due for another promotion.
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
I like this pic based on those numbers
Thanks for looking them up, tyd.
"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
Last year in AA
WHIP 0.80
7:1 K/BB
over 10 K/9
BAA .178
FIP 2.50
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.
Why did you just copy tyd3311's post?
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Dec 10, 2009 9:37 AM CST up reply actions
Stupid government computers
For some reason sometimes it won’t auto refresh so when i started typing those his wasn’t up. I had to go do something, came back and still nothing. After I posted and went back to the main page it fixed itself
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.
Perfect.
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Dec 10, 2009 1:28 PM CST up reply actions
I rather
have Max DH’ing and playing first than Lowell at this point but hey what do I know.
"Stats are like a woman in a fine little bikini. You can see a lot, but you can't see everything." -Dirk A. Tron
Mike Lowell at 36 years old and getting paid $ 12 million per year
is a pretty big bag of shit in somebody’s front yard and while Max hadn’t done anything yet in The Show and was never going to play catcher, I still had the window open for him as a hitter.
We now own the big bag of shit that was in Boston’s front yard.
"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
The Rangers aren't paying $12M for Lowell
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Dec 10, 2009 8:49 AM CST up reply actions
I think $ 4 million for Lowell is too much.
We’re talking about a player who is not going to play more than 120 games IF everything falls right.
The numbers he is going to give this team are going to be very pedestrian. He’s going to be much closer to Brad Fullmer and Phil Nevin than Milton Bradley.
"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
What would you rather do with the $4M?
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Dec 10, 2009 8:55 AM CST up reply actions
And how long will it be
before we hear praise for JD in here because he picked up what may become a nice trading chip in Mike Lowell….as if that was the plan all along?
"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
To save everyone some time...
…but I thought this was the off-season Nolan was going to Implement Change on the offensive side of the equation…the front-office dumbassery stopped when he came in to babysit JD…blah, blah, blah, Jonny Donuts, dumbass, stupid sonofabitch, Hicks, Lewinskys, blah, blah, blah, bag of shit, incompetence, This Thing, sleeping giant, Hank’s balls.
"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."
by RCCook on Dec 10, 2009 9:02 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Wait, so JD did get something in return for Lofton.
Remember to retire Fin's number, Mark.
Me Rikey
As a Ranger fan, I’m tickled pink. A steady veteran righty bat is what the Rangers needed. FWIW, Lowell says his hip is better than it has been in a long time.
Max has really battled with injuries the last year, and has shown real deficiencies with his glove. He’s got real pop in his bat, no doubt, but he was buried behind two other young catchers on the Rangers depth chart (who didn’t hit AT ALL), and still couldn’t pass them.
I think this is a win-win, frankly. We got a proven righty bat who could feasibly really enjoy hitting in Arlington (for one year, mind you – this is obviously not your long term fix). You get a good prospect who (if he can figure it out) will ‘max’ out at a good major league hitter with somewhat below average defensive skills at 1st.
Lowell's hip
looked better at the end of the season, and his defense seemed to be pretty improved. His speed was always glacial, so it’s hard to use that as a basis for his health.
"I'd like to f*ck Sandra Bullock." - Pedro Martinez, explaining his secret ambition to Sports Illustrated for Kids.
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