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Ken Rosenthal: Rangers, Bosox agree on Max Ramirez/Mike Lowell trade

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

by Jason Brynsvold on Dec 9, 2009 11:36 PM CST reply actions  

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

by Josey Wales on Dec 9, 2009 11:37 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by Jason Brynsvold on Dec 9, 2009 11:38 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 11:39 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by DJCahill on Dec 10, 2009 7:06 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by Josey Wales on Dec 9, 2009 11:40 PM CST up reply actions  

who else do you want

for FREE

"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09

by Jason Brynsvold on Dec 9, 2009 11:40 PM CST up reply actions  

excuse me

for MaxRam

"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09

by Jason Brynsvold on Dec 9, 2009 11:41 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by Jason Brynsvold on Dec 9, 2009 11:47 PM CST up reply actions  

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 vfn 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

by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 11:36 PM CST reply actions  

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

by DJCahill on Dec 10, 2009 7:06 AM CST up reply actions  

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).

by Snark on Dec 9, 2009 11:48 PM CST up reply actions  

Heh

True.

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 11:49 PM CST up reply actions  

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 LSJ 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 LSJ 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

by sprite on Dec 10, 2009 12:18 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by DJCahill on Dec 10, 2009 7:08 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 LSJ 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 LSJ 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

by laxtonto on Dec 9, 2009 11:37 PM CST reply actions  

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."

by RCCook on Dec 9, 2009 11:37 PM CST 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

by laxtonto on Dec 9, 2009 11:40 PM CST reply actions  

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

by Josey Wales on Dec 9, 2009 11:41 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by laxtonto on Dec 9, 2009 11:42 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 11:41 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 11:54 PM CST up reply actions  

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.

by TheBZA on Dec 9, 2009 11:40 PM CST reply actions  

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.

by DShep on Dec 9, 2009 11:41 PM CST reply actions  

I don't like this deal very much.

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

by slc ranger on Dec 9, 2009 11:41 PM CST reply actions  

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.

by Conjunction on Dec 9, 2009 11:42 PM CST reply actions  

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.

by Conjunction on Dec 9, 2009 11:43 PM CST up reply actions  

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?

by Conjunction on Dec 9, 2009 11:46 PM CST up reply actions  

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.

by bigsteve on Dec 10, 2009 8:28 AM CST up reply actions  

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.

by Darrell McKown on Dec 9, 2009 11:42 PM CST reply actions  

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

by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 11:43 PM CST up reply actions  

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)

by Conjunction on Dec 9, 2009 11:44 PM CST up reply actions  

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.

by bigsteve on Dec 10, 2009 8:30 AM CST up reply actions  

No one has said "all"

“Nearly all” would be an exact quote

by octoberty on Dec 10, 2009 8:32 AM CST up reply actions  

.......
injuryexpert Remember when the Rangers had “too many
catchers?” No team has too much anything, ever.

by octoberty on Dec 9, 2009 11:43 PM CST reply actions  

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.

by DShep on Dec 9, 2009 11:44 PM CST reply actions  

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.

by DShep on Dec 9, 2009 11:50 PM CST up reply actions  

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.

by DShep on Dec 10, 2009 12:15 AM CST up reply actions  

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.

by DShep on Dec 10, 2009 12:20 AM CST up reply actions  

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  

+1

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 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.

by rclarkjd10 on Dec 10, 2009 12:35 AM CST up reply actions  

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.

by DShep on Dec 10, 2009 12:39 AM CST up reply actions  

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.

by miles on Dec 10, 2009 12:19 AM CST up reply actions  

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.

by miles on Dec 10, 2009 12:23 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by Josey Wales on Dec 9, 2009 11:47 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by Josey Wales on Dec 9, 2009 11:48 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by laxtonto on Dec 9, 2009 11:49 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by Josey Wales on Dec 9, 2009 11:51 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by laxtonto on Dec 9, 2009 11:59 PM CST up reply actions  

Rich Harden is an frontline starter.

Comparing him to those players is just stupid.

by rclarkjd10 on Dec 9, 2009 11:48 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by rentz on Dec 10, 2009 7:02 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by Keynes on Dec 10, 2009 7:05 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by WestTxAg06 on Dec 10, 2009 8:36 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by laxtonto on Dec 9, 2009 11:48 PM CST up reply actions  

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?'

by blalock84 on Dec 9, 2009 11:49 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 11:52 PM CST up reply actions  

was at that game...

was sure max was on the verge of busting through and becoming a perminant fixture on the roster.

by jacksastud on Dec 10, 2009 1:19 AM CST up reply actions  

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?'

by blalock84 on Dec 9, 2009 11:48 PM CST reply actions  

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

by Josey Wales on Dec 9, 2009 11:49 PM CST up reply actions  

.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?'

by blalock84 on Dec 9, 2009 11:50 PM CST up reply actions  

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?'

by blalock84 on Dec 9, 2009 11:53 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by Jason Brynsvold on Dec 9, 2009 11:51 PM CST up reply actions  

Because Josey lives in bizzaro world

a place where Mike Lowell sucks and Blalock doesn’t

by rclarkjd10 on Dec 9, 2009 11:52 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by Josey Wales on Dec 9, 2009 11:52 PM CST up reply actions  

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?'

by blalock84 on Dec 9, 2009 11:54 PM CST up reply actions  

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.

by LiamP on Dec 9, 2009 11:57 PM CST up reply actions  

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?'

by blalock84 on Dec 9, 2009 11:58 PM CST up reply actions  

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  

Oops.

Ok, they’re first.

by LiamP on Dec 10, 2009 12:00 AM 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

by Josey Wales on Dec 9, 2009 11:57 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by DJCahill on Dec 10, 2009 7:11 AM CST up reply actions  

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?

by ghtd36 on Dec 10, 2009 12:04 AM CST up reply actions  

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?

by ghtd36 on Dec 10, 2009 12:00 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by NYTXFAN on Dec 9, 2009 11:49 PM CST reply actions  

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

+1,000

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 11:53 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by Josey Wales on Dec 9, 2009 11:56 PM CST up reply actions  

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,

x

I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar

by sprite on Dec 9, 2009 11:53 PM 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

by LSJ on Dec 9, 2009 11:56 PM CST up reply actions  

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

by DJCahill on Dec 10, 2009 7:14 AM CST up reply actions  

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  

This

That's why they call them business sox

by egriffey on Dec 9, 2009 11:59 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 LSJ on Dec 10, 2009 12:02 AM CST up reply actions  

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 LSJ 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 LSJ 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.

by jf55510 on Dec 10, 2009 12:00 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by LSJ on Dec 10, 2009 1:49 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by DJCahill on Dec 10, 2009 7:16 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by LSJ on Dec 10, 2009 7:35 AM CST up reply actions  

+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.

by philkid3 on Dec 10, 2009 7:50 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by LSJ on Dec 10, 2009 8:13 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by DJCahill on Dec 10, 2009 11:21 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by rentz on Dec 10, 2009 7:05 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by Keynes on Dec 10, 2009 7:06 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by DJCahill on Dec 10, 2009 7:14 AM CST up reply actions  

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.

by GhettoBear04 on Dec 9, 2009 11:51 PM CST reply actions  

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?'

by blalock84 on Dec 9, 2009 11:57 PM CST up reply actions  

Uninspiring

It depends on whether you think its uninspiring but solid or bad. I lean toward uninspiring but solid.

What do voluntary mean?

by JKolar on Dec 9, 2009 11:57 PM CST up reply actions  

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?'

by blalock84 on Dec 9, 2009 11:59 PM CST up reply actions  

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.

by cstorm15 on Dec 9, 2009 11:52 PM CST reply actions  

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  

All of his salary?

That’s amazing

That's why they call them business sox

by egriffey on Dec 9, 2009 11:52 PM CST reply actions  

Question?

How does it work when a team sends another team cash? Is it a lump sum payment?

by octoberty on Dec 9, 2009 11:54 PM CST 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?

by JKolar on Dec 9, 2009 11:55 PM CST up reply actions  

It could.

I doubt we will ever know exactly when the cash is getting put in though.

What do voluntary mean?

by JKolar on Dec 9, 2009 11:57 PM CST up reply actions  

x
jonmorosi Trade of Soriano to #Rays nearly complete. Jesse
Chavez, acquired from the #Pirates for Iwamura, is likely headed to #Braves.

by octoberty on Dec 9, 2009 11:54 PM CST reply actions  

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?'

by blalock84 on Dec 9, 2009 11:55 PM CST up reply actions  

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  

ALL of his salary?

Holy hell.

Jimmy Johnson for GM.

by TXHC on Dec 9, 2009 11:58 PM CST 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

by Jason Brynsvold on Dec 10, 2009 12:03 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by Jason Brynsvold on Dec 10, 2009 12:05 AM CST up reply actions  

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.

by DShep on Dec 10, 2009 12:07 AM CST up reply actions  

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.

by OCD SS on Dec 10, 2009 7:22 AM CST up reply actions  

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  

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?'

by blalock84 on Dec 10, 2009 12:08 AM CST up reply actions  

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 LSJ 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

by jdh90 on Dec 10, 2009 12:09 AM CST up reply actions  

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 LSJ 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

by jdh90 on Dec 10, 2009 12:12 AM CST up reply actions  

Kinsler wants to bat 3rd beween Face and Hamilton

I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar

by sprite on Dec 10, 2009 12:11 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by jdh90 on Dec 10, 2009 12:12 AM CST up reply actions  

Did he actually say that or is it an obscure joke, heh.

I’d prefer that lineup.

the preceding post was a great success.

by DShep on Dec 10, 2009 12:17 AM CST up reply actions  

Kinsler's words.

I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar

by sprite on Dec 10, 2009 12:18 AM CST up reply actions  

He said he needed the "protection"

I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar

by sprite on Dec 10, 2009 12:25 AM CST up reply actions  

But he had AJ!

the preceding post was a great success.

by DShep on Dec 10, 2009 12:29 AM CST up reply actions  

er.. MY.

the preceding post was a great success.

by DShep on Dec 10, 2009 12:29 AM CST up reply actions  

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.

by DShep on Dec 10, 2009 12:09 AM CST up reply actions  

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  

Come on.

He doesn’t give a fuck. That much is obvious by now.

by LiamP on Dec 10, 2009 12:20 AM CST via mobile up reply actions   2 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...

by 8legs2fangs on Dec 10, 2009 7:09 AM CST up reply actions  

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.

by Kinslerhomer on Dec 10, 2009 12:11 AM CST reply actions  

Oh snap, And it gets even awesomer

I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar

by sprite on Dec 10, 2009 12:12 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by jdh90 on Dec 10, 2009 12:14 AM CST up reply actions  

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 LSJ 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 LSJ 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.

by DShep on Dec 10, 2009 12:21 AM CST up reply actions  

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 LSJ on Dec 10, 2009 12:27 AM CST up reply actions   1 recs

Maybe Nolan

will win the Nobel prize for baseball

by BEW on Dec 10, 2009 7:35 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by slc ranger on Dec 10, 2009 12:21 AM CST up reply actions  

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 LSJ on Dec 10, 2009 12:27 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 LSJ on Dec 10, 2009 12:29 AM CST up reply actions  

Done.

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?

by ghtd36 on Dec 10, 2009 12:23 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?

What would you expect a 25 year old 1b/DH prospect coming off a broken wrist to net you?

What do voluntary mean?

by JKolar on Dec 10, 2009 12:22 AM CST up reply actions  

and $8-12M

"Elvis Andrus has just preformed a MIRACLE!"
-Eric Nadel, 5/4/09

by Jason Brynsvold on Dec 10, 2009 12:24 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.

by bigsteve on Dec 10, 2009 8:44 AM CST up reply actions  

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.

by NothinG on Dec 10, 2009 9:01 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by jdh90 on Dec 10, 2009 12:18 AM CST reply actions  

Thome is not a better option than Matsui

I think Luke French has a lot of potential. TORP potential.-Dstar

by sprite on Dec 10, 2009 12:23 AM CST up reply actions  

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

by jdh90 on Dec 10, 2009 12:28 AM CST up reply actions  

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.

by DShep on Dec 10, 2009 12:24 AM CST up reply actions  

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  

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 FormerLSBUser on Dec 10, 2009 12:26 AM CST