Saturday morning Rangers things
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 28, 2009 9:42 AM CST
120 comments
Rangers are now 1-2 for the spring. Clearly, the season is over. Fire Daniels, fire Washington, fire Maddux, burn down TBIA.
Scott Feldman wasn't good yesterday. Luis Mendoza was, though. Meanwhile, Jeff Wilson says Andruw Jones looked fine defensively in center field, but ran his strikeout streak to six before getting an infield single. Jones might start again today, while Marlon Byrd will sit before making his spring debut tomorrow. And Derrick Turnbow is set to make his spring debut today, as well.
Wilson also writes on Brandon McCarthy's need to stay healthy and productive this year, with some quotes from McCarthy and talk about the mechanical adjustments he has made and the weight he's put on.
Randy Galloway writes about Chris Davis being part of the first wave from a promising Ranger minor league system, but also makes a John Danks reference and whines about Doug Melvin getting fired. And credits Melvin (incorrectly, I think) with building a great Milwaukee farm system...Melvin, in reality, inherited a strong farm system in Milwaukee, much like he inherited a bunch of talent in Texas.
BBTiA has a projected Frisco roster up, and it is pretty nice collection of talent.
Nelson Cruz is heading out to play in the WBC, but Ron Washington insists that being gone for 3 1/2 weeks won't impact Cruz's spot in Texas.
T.R. Sullivan says Mendoza's outing yesterday was a step towards winning a roster spot. Personally, I don't want to see Mendoza win a roster spot...I want to see him spend the year, or at least the first several months of the year, pitching in AAA, working on his breaking ball, and getting his confidence back.
Ron Washington is emphasizing defense this spring. Of course, it seems like every team at this point in the spring is emphasizing defense, but clearly, this is one of the biggest areas for improvement between last year's Ranger team and this year's Ranger team, and if they are going to finish above .500 for only the 2nd time in the last 10 years, the defense has to get better.
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Projected Frisco roster...
So does Holland still start in AAA if he struggles all spring? Is it possible he stays with Frisco for a couple months to start the year?
If Golson and Vallejo start in Frisco how long ‘til they are up to OKC? I assume Vallejo has to start in AA because Andrus will be in AAA for the first month or two, or at least that’s what I hope the Rangers do.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Feb 28, 2009 9:54 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Conner bashing
His bullpen sessions have been sharp, and his focus has been on the mechanical adjustments he made at the suggestion of team president Nolan Ryan.
By keeping his hips going down the line, McCarthy takes strain off the elbow while increasing his velocity.
Has it been concluded that Conner was the one responsible for screwing up his mechanics?
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on Feb 28, 2009 9:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Conner
If i remember right he’s the one who pushed him to “pitch tall” and use his height to his advantage. Which made his mechanics go all wonky.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Feb 28, 2009 9:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't Melvin draft Fielder, Golardo,
Braun, Weeks, Laporta?
Didn’t Melvin takeover a team that lost 100 games in his first year and have them at .500 within 3 years not to mention winning 90 games and getting into the playoffs within 5 years?
Just checking.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Feb 28, 2009 10:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
what does this have to do with what i said??
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Feb 28, 2009 10:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
josey is the only person that has a problem with using the reply button too much
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 10:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
So you consider Melvin
a good GM. If the Rangers make the 2010 playoffs are you going to sat JD is a good GM?
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on Feb 28, 2009 10:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well
Melvin took over the Brewers after the 2002 season.
They lost 94 games his first two seasons, then were .500 in 2005.
They then won 75 and 83 games before making the playoffs in his 6th year at the helm.
He did not draft Fielder. He did draft Braun (#5 overall), Weeks (#2 overall), and LaPorta (#7) overall, along with Gallardo.
So, after 6 years, you want to do backflips over Melvin getting a stud with the 5th pick, and okay player with the 2nd pick, a very good 1B prospect with the 7th pick, and a very good young pitcher who has been hurt a fair amount?
Just checking.
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 28, 2009 10:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Look at the major league product, Adam.
They have this cool thing called “standings.”
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Feb 28, 2009 10:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And in the standings...
…Melvin’s teams lost 90+ games two years in a row, then were a .500 team, then lost 87 games, in his first four seasons.
Finally, in his 6th season, he got the Brewers to the playoffs, although they’ve now lost their 2 top starting pitchers and seem unlikely to be a playoff team in 2009.
I don’t see that that warrants the beatification of him that goes on in the D/FW media.
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 28, 2009 10:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Perspective justifies it
I like JD a lot, but objectively, our franchise is pathetic… although he does get more media BJs than he deserves
by BuckyB on Feb 28, 2009 1:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Why are we also forgetting about 2007?
That team went 83-79.
Doug Melvin took over a team that lost 106 games and had them at .500 in three years. They took a step back in their fourth year but a big step forward in their 5th yeaer and an even larger step forward in their 6th year.
Doug Melvin is a helluva lot better GM than Boy Blunder …case closed.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Feb 28, 2009 6:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Such a compelling argument you put forth
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 Feb 28, 2009 6:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
standings
Avg wins Melvin’s first 3 years – 72
Avg wins Melvin’s 6 years – 77.3
Playoffs in 2008 with 1 win
Avg wins JD’s first 3 years – 78
Josey: If JD leads the Rangers to a playoff win in his first 6 years will you admit that he is a good GM?
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on Feb 28, 2009 10:54 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
slightly related
are people going to judge success by playoff appearances or the ridiculously stupid playoff wins?
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 11:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Plenty of people screw up top ten draft picks, AJM.
I agree that knowing Ryan Braun was going to be a good player at #5 isn’t as impressive as snagging a Der-Hol in the 125th round as a DaF or getting Crush Davis in the 5th, but there’s something to be said for not blowing your dunks.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"I don’t have any respect for anybody on here. Everyone on here is a fucking asshole who thinks they’re god compared to everyone else." -iorange555, throwing one of his patented sandy-vagina'd hissy fits.
by thedirkatron on Feb 28, 2009 10:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Brien Taylor was by most acounts a great draft pick.
Phenomenal talent. IMO, you can’t call a kid a bad draft pick when he’s the consensus top talent but then goes out and injures himself in a trailer park brawl.
A bad draft pick to me is drafting Matt Bush because Drew and Weaver want too much money, or picking Bullington over Upton cause Upton wanted too much money, or drafting Corey Meyers #4 overall cause he’s a local boy, or drafting Drew Meyer because he’s plays the game the right way, or drafting Daniel Moskos at all, really.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"I don’t have any respect for anybody on here. Everyone on here is a fucking asshole who thinks they’re god compared to everyone else." -iorange555, throwing one of his patented sandy-vagina'd hissy fits.
by thedirkatron on Feb 28, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Or picking Mark Rogers...
…because Weaver and Drew want too much money?
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 28, 2009 10:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Mark Rogers was the highest rated high school arm on the board.
He had ridiculous ceiling.
Maybe money played into that pick (he did sign for 100k less than the other super duper high school arm picked to spots lower than him in that class, Homer Bailey), but I always got the feeling they really, really liked Rogers.
The Padres were locked into Weaver and Drew from what everyone was hearing. Those were the two guys they liked better than everyone else. Then they decided those two were too expensive and drafted a local boy who had no business going #1 overall cause they knew he’d sign cheaper.
That’s a much bigger sin than what the Brewers did taking a big time high ceiling high school arm, imo.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"I don’t have any respect for anybody on here. Everyone on here is a fucking asshole who thinks they’re god compared to everyone else." -iorange555, throwing one of his patented sandy-vagina'd hissy fits.
by thedirkatron on Feb 28, 2009 11:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well
BA had Rogers ranked as the 13th best prospect in the draft, Bush as the 8th.
Weaver, Niemann, Drew, Nelson, and Humber were the top 5, per BA.
Not that BA’s rankings are the be-all end-all, but it seems like Rogers was as much a whiff as Bush.
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 28, 2009 11:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm... okay.
I had been remembering that BA was all over Rogers jock. Perhaps I was wrong.
My point was I guess that you could look at Milwaukee’s selecting Rogers and say that maybe they actually just liked him the best, whereas with SD it was pretty obvious to everyone (from the things they said leading up to the draft and even the negotiations they started with both Weaver and Drew) that Bush was not their guy and that they only went with him for the money.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"I don’t have any respect for anybody on here. Everyone on here is a fucking asshole who thinks they’re god compared to everyone else." -iorange555, throwing one of his patented sandy-vagina'd hissy fits.
by thedirkatron on Feb 28, 2009 11:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i don't see why that's necessarily better on MIL's part
if you are evaluating the moves from a “who has better management perspective,” it is somewhat forgivable that SD takes lesser talent because of money issues because often those things are influenced by ownership (not necessarily the case here but just saying).
With MIL , they blew the pick exclusively because their scouting sucked, made more painfully obvious since they went against the grain and picked someone nobody thought was that good (what makes the Drew Meyer pick so bad).
Now, maybe money factored in to MIL’s decision as well but if it didn’t, I feel like that is a worse fuckup, not better.
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 11:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Um, lots of people thought Mark Rogers was going to be good.
If we’re going to say that every team who picks a highly rated high school arm who doesn’t pan out did so because their scouting department sucks… then every team’s scouting department sucks.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"I don’t have any respect for anybody on here. Everyone on here is a fucking asshole who thinks they’re god compared to everyone else." -iorange555, throwing one of his patented sandy-vagina'd hissy fits.
by thedirkatron on Feb 28, 2009 5:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
On the other hand, the Rangers haven’t had a pick that high since Mark Teixiera in 2001.
Weeks hasn’t exactly been great value with the #2 pick. He’s basically an average major leaguer.
They whiffed with the #5 pick in 2004 in taking Mark Rogers.
They hit on Braun, but their first round pick in 2006 was Jeffress, who is a cipher.
And the farm isn’t exactly stacked right now…nor are they getting quite the bounty of picks they thought they would get this offseason with Sabathia and Sheets leaving.
Melvin has done a nice job, but he inherited a solid collection of talent, and had some terrible teams that resulted in some premium draft picks early in his tenure.
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 28, 2009 10:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Why is Jeffress a cipher?
We’re backing Daniels’ job primarily based on adding quality talent that hasn’t proven itself in the majors. Jeffress has had walk problems but he is a top 100 prospect in most lists. I’d love to have him in our organization even if it means only having a promising reliever.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 28, 2009 12:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Jeffress
He seems to have moved back up this season. I seem to recall last offseason there being major questions about him.
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 28, 2009 12:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He was one
who got one of the suspensions, so that wasn’t good. And his numbers have been inconsistent.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 28, 2009 12:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I was just looking at where different people have him
and the five that I compiled do have him on their lists, but Law’s ranking of him does seem a tad questionable:
BA: 100
BP: 72
Law: 49
Sickels community: 74
TPA: 83
I don’t recall whether Sickels himself had him on his 50 pitchers, but he’s probably the least likely to have someone like Jeffress ranked highly.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 28, 2009 12:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Jeffress was the #27 pitcher on the Sickels list.
One of the highest grade B pitchers.
by Andy Seiler on Feb 28, 2009 1:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
der hole is not a good nickname
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 10:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You're right.... It's a fan freaking tastic nickname.
Der-Hol.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"I don’t have any respect for anybody on here. Everyone on here is a fucking asshole who thinks they’re god compared to everyone else." -iorange555, throwing one of his patented sandy-vagina'd hissy fits.
by thedirkatron on Feb 28, 2009 11:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Let me rephrase
that is the worst nickname ever uttered on this board. The ratio of terrible nickname to awesome player is off the charts.
First, it perpetuates that stupid First syllable-First syllable trend but that is sometimes forgivable since it might sound cool (MaxRam). But Der Hole sounds like something a hillbilly third grader came up with. The syllable “der” is what people use to communicate mental retardation. If Einstein’s reanimated corpse was talking to you and called Josey Wales a Der Hole, you would automatically think less of him. If we had super prospect pitcher who was a guaranteed ace coming up named Asdrubal Hatardo and you wanted to call him As-Hat, Der-Hol would still be worse.
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 11:31 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs
Der is German for "the"
and Hol is German for, umm, “kick-ass pitcher”. Yeah, lets go with that.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Feb 28, 2009 12:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
"Der Hol" in
Dutch = stupid nickname.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on Feb 28, 2009 12:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Naw, it's still awesome.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"I don’t have any respect for anybody on here. Everyone on here is a fucking asshole who thinks they’re god compared to everyone else." -iorange555, throwing one of his patented sandy-vagina'd hissy fits.
by thedirkatron on Feb 28, 2009 5:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i like how .500 is some sort of benchmark
as if 79 games is so different than 82.
but, if Melvin is some measure of success, I guess JD still gets to hang on to the team till 2010 no questions asked.
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 10:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
correction - 2011
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 10:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
People want to know why the Brew Crew drafted so well
His name is Jack Zduriencik. The guy has a hell of a resume on the scouting side. I am glad to see him get a GM job, but pissed to see him in Seattle.
The same can be said for Daniels. Ron Hopkins has greater impact on he direction of the ball club than people realize.
It is not like the GM is making the picks after the first few rounds. At that point it is based on scouting reports and the hierarchy of talent built by the scouts. There may be a few questions about budget, and Daniels gets the final word, but the expect the GM to be in charge of the entire draft process is a big stretch of logic.
Should Melivin get credit for Mil building through the draft? Sure he should. He had the right people in place to do so, even though Jack Z, had been there since 99, and did not change a working system. To expect that trend to continue even though the Brewers lost one of the better talent evaluators in the game is stretch. I have not followed the attrition rate from Mil to Sea, but you can guarantee some of the Brewers top scouts went with him.
I hope Melvin luck, very nice man. That being said, he is not the driving force behind all the young talent. That has been and will be the scouting and development staff.
by laxtonto on Feb 28, 2009 11:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Except McCarthy's mechanics were all wonky to begin with.
I find it amusing that we are entering our third year of this and are still tinkering with his delivery.
The truth is McCarthy’s mechanics have never been sound. As a White Sock or a Ranger.
I have fulfilled all my prophecies; all my predictions are up to date.
My train is right on schedule.
by oc on Feb 28, 2009 2:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
fwiw
http://www.minorleagueball.com/story/2005/11/15/162047/59
McCarthy is 22 years old, listed at 6-7, 180 pounds. He is quite tall and lanky, but unlike many tall pitchers, his mechanics are clean and relatively consistent, which helps him maintain good control. His fastball comes in at 90-93 MPH, depending on his grip. He also has a good curveball and changeup, although he will go through phases when he doesn’t use the changeup enough. He kept the ball down well in previous seasons, but pitched up in the strike zone more often in ’05, resulting in more home runs than in the past. He has been durable so far, without any serious health concerns.
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 28, 2009 3:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I have a Sickels' article telling me that his mechanics are clean for his height, and a theory that Conner tried to get McCarthy to 'pitch tall' and use his height to his advantage.
Doesn’t make sense.
According to Chris O’Leary, McCarthy has been an accident waiting to happen.
I have fulfilled all my prophecies; all my predictions are up to date.
My train is right on schedule.
by oc on Feb 28, 2009 4:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Saturday a.m. notes, Surprise edition:
While Jeff Wilson travels to Tucson, I and some of the other Rangers are still back in Surprise. Marlon Byrd said he’s not 100 percent yet but will play Sunday because that’s the only way he’ll be able to tell exactly where he is. Omar Vizquel has been bothered by a sore lower back he hurt during batting practice. He said he feels better and expects to make his exhibition debut Sunday. Jason Jennings is scheduled to throw a simulated game Sunday and hopes to be pitching in exhibition games Wednesday or Thursday.
- Anthony Andro
"It doesn't look like he's trying. It kinda pisses me off," "He could throw 110 if he tried. The way it explodes out of his hand is really something special." ~ B-Mac on Feliz.
by Kinslerhomer on Feb 28, 2009 10:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Milton Bradley is already hurt
I am shocked!!!!
LoneStarBall....You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.
by DaheelzCM on Feb 28, 2009 10:24 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
it should be added
to make three certains in life:
death
taxes
milton bradley’s hammy will go out
by 34express on Feb 28, 2009 10:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
just holding him out for precautionary measures
it will be nice for cubs fans to see that 50 times this season.
sad, Bradley could be a quality DH maybe averaging 120 games these next few years.
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 10:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
“I felt the best course of action was to let them know right now. If it was April 6, I’d play.”
OF COURSE, PLAY HURT! THAT ALWAYS ENDS UP WELL!
I have fulfilled all my prophecies; all my predictions are up to date.
My train is right on schedule.
by oc on Feb 28, 2009 2:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
re: "...if they are going to finish above .500 for only the 2nd time in the last 10 years, the defense has to get better."
Of course I already knew all about this bad run we’re in, but it just sounds depressing when you put it down in writing like this.
We’ve sucked for a long, long time.
Here’s to better times in the future, fellas.
I’m gonna go cry now.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"I don’t have any respect for anybody on here. Everyone on here is a fucking asshole who thinks they’re god compared to everyone else." -iorange555, throwing one of his patented sandy-vagina'd hissy fits.
by thedirkatron on Feb 28, 2009 10:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
yeah, i didn't need to read that line
10 years. where’d the go? 10 years. i don’t know. i sit and wonder…where they’ve gone.
i’m going for a walk.
by SteveP on Feb 28, 2009 10:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Can you imagine what it'll feel like to watch a Rangers' playoff game again?
It’s been so long.
I don’t even want to think about how I’ll react.
I’m gonna be such a nervous wreck.
I honestly don’t know what I’ll do.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"I don’t have any respect for anybody on here. Everyone on here is a fucking asshole who thinks they’re god compared to everyone else." -iorange555, throwing one of his patented sandy-vagina'd hissy fits.
by thedirkatron on Feb 28, 2009 11:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The last time I watched a Rangers playoff game...
…I was barely a 1L.
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 28, 2009 11:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
OT: Posada
His shoulder is hurting. I think it is very unlikely that he catches more than about 50 games this year. They could really use Salty.
Doctor please. Some more of these.
by tricer on Feb 28, 2009 12:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think they could use Tea
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Feb 28, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Posada
will get more ABs as a DH this than as a C. The Yankees can afford to carry Molina as thier primary catcher.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on Feb 28, 2009 12:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
They will probably come calling around the trade deadline
When they’re in 3rd place in the East.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Feb 28, 2009 12:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Teaarden and Poveda for Hughes?
I am waiting to see the Yankees and Redsox get into a bidding war over the young Catcher crop.
Lets wait until right before the season and if both Posada and Varitek look done, it could get interesting.
by laxtonto on Feb 28, 2009 12:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Poveda
Poveda is the kicker everyone wants to add to the catcher trades, but I just don’t see that he has enough value to make that much of a difference.
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 28, 2009 12:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Poveda
I think he is under-rated with a good chance to be a productive ML starter.
This article talks about how pitchers that feature a plus changeup (especially those without blazing FB velocity) are often under-rated while prospects. I immediately thought of Poveda.
Doctor please. Some more of these.
by tricer on Feb 28, 2009 1:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
So theoretically you'd like to add a pitcher somewhere in between Poveda and Main.
Kiker?
I have fulfilled all my prophecies; all my predictions are up to date.
My train is right on schedule.
by oc on Feb 28, 2009 2:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Even with Kiker
a team is not going to say, I would trade __ for Kiker and a catcher, but not just a catcher. The pitcher would have to be meaningful enough to make that distinction. When you’re talking about pitchers that this board has thrown around or who are more valuable than a Saltalamacchia, such that you have ot add to him, that means a pretty significant arm.
Now, maybe three months from now Kiker will have raised his value again. But as we sit right now I think that you would need someone more valuable. And I don’t know exactly who that would be. I’m not sure that Beavan or Boscan is enough, depending on who the pitcher you’re getting is. That certainly still wouldn’t be enough for one of the studs thrown around here. Like Kiker, if Beavan is throwing 93 in April, that’s a whole other deal, of course.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 28, 2009 2:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Someone posted a picture of Main going through an an ugly, 'inverted-W'-looking wind-up the other day.
Is there any belief that Main is a ticking time-bomb? If so, is he worth packaging to bring in another injury-risk like Hughes?
I have fulfilled all my prophecies; all my predictions are up to date.
My train is right on schedule.
by oc on Feb 28, 2009 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I've not heard one word of that kind of talk
by Brett Perryman on Feb 28, 2009 2:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m no pitching coach, but this picture doesn’t look so good.
I have fulfilled all my prophecies; all my predictions are up to date.
My train is right on schedule.
by oc on Feb 28, 2009 3:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If you and NoName tell me I have no reason to worry, I will believe it.
I have fulfilled all my prophecies; all my predictions are up to date.
My train is right on schedule.
by oc on Feb 28, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Trip knows more about pitching mechanics than I do
but when I saw Main this fall his mechanics were clean. He’s extremely athletic and can make the necessary adjustments if his mechanics do in fact get a little funky. I wouldn’t worry unless more inverted arm photos start to surface.
by jparks77 on Feb 28, 2009 3:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Also
Hughes as an injury risk is misleading. He’s a risk to strain an oblique or something. When you say that a pitcher is an injury risk, people are going to be prone to take that as an arm injury risk.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 28, 2009 2:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think he has much value plus
I really would hate to see us trade him unless we are getting a huge steal.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Feb 28, 2009 2:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The Boston regime is comfortable enough
I don’t think they will be making any panic moves.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Feb 28, 2009 12:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I've thought for a while...
…Salty to NY was a good fit. They were after him when he was with Atlanta. I guess they want to see how Posada’s situation shakes out, though…
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 28, 2009 12:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It may be just as well that Cruz goes to WBC
They probably need to just put him in the lineup and not overthink it, so not having the temptation to obsess every day about his performance along with the other OFs is just as well. And on the other hand, it probably would be a good thing to see Jones on the field. Of course Byrd and Boggs being healthy is a part of that equation as well.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 28, 2009 12:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
Jones is looking like he’s gonna need every at-bat he can get to have the possibility of righting his ship.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Feb 28, 2009 12:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i'm pretty sure that ship has sunk
1-7 k’s?
by 34express on Feb 28, 2009 12:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
exactly
7
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
by tyd3311 on Feb 28, 2009 12:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
7
you must be a genius if you can evaluate a player in 7 AB’s (without actually seeing them)
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 1:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well
Jones needed to prove this ST that he can still hit, that last year was all because of a bad knee that isn’t a problem anymore. He’s going to need to start doing something in ST other than showing “great batspeed”
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Feb 28, 2009 2:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It's a little foreboding
When combined with his performance the past 2 seasons
by BuckyB on Feb 28, 2009 3:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It will also
give more playing time to Borbon and Golson.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on Feb 28, 2009 12:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
well
they don’t really need the marginal number of ST AB’s they’re going to get.
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 1:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
disagree
They need every ST at bat they can get. Jsut how many ABs does Hamilton, Byrd and Murphy need?
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on Feb 28, 2009 1:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
why
what does 20 AB’s in march get them?
They will get plenty of AB’s during the season
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
it's not even 20
most likely it’s the difference between 20 and 30
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 1:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
reasons
1. ABs vs mostly ML caliber pitching
2. The coaching staff gets to see thier ABs and position play.
3. The season doesn’t start until April 6th.
4. I want to see how they do.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
by RangerMad on Feb 28, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
ok
1. ML caliber pitching in march. and most likely 1AB against ML pitching per game (if that) – so a total of like 7 AB’s against ML pitching
2. coaching staff – meh. they can watch them a lot when they come up and that’s why you have a Minor League coaching staff
3. i don’t know what this means but if you’re saying time isn’t precious, then i generally agree except the point is that borbon, golson aren’t really benefitting all that much by getting those AB’s
4. meh.
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 2:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
and you could make the case that
the ML talent needs the AB’s more so they can get into game shape where W-L’s actually matter.
But again, we are talking about 10-15 AB’s.
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 1:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Dr. Zoinks
How much credit should Jack Zduriencik get in the success of the Brewers? Sure Melvin kept him around, but Zduriencik was in charge of all scouting, domestic and international.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Feb 28, 2009 1:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Crap
Laxtonto already beat me to this. Please ignore the above post.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Feb 28, 2009 1:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sorry, but
I can’t see this McCarthy thing working out. It’s all about injuries with this guy and he’s not very good to add on to that. It’s sad the Rangers dealt for him because he had one great outing against them. It’s just depressing to even have to hear news about him because he will not be a part of making this team any better.
by Slick-ish24 on Feb 28, 2009 1:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Injuries
The funny thing is he never had much of an injury history before he came to texas. Also, it wasn’t based on one good outing. He was a highly regarded player around the league. Reports were that the nationals wanted McCarthy for Soriano and were turned down.
If he’s healthy and has good command of his change he most certainly can be a part of making this team better.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Feb 28, 2009 1:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I've never understood this 'highly regarded player' argument. So many highly regarded players have gone on to become busts.
I have fulfilled all my prophecies; all my predictions are up to date.
My train is right on schedule.
by oc on Feb 28, 2009 2:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
he was highly regarded at a pretty advanced age
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
by ab03 on Feb 28, 2009 2:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
the comment in this instance
was to refute the thought that they saw 1 good performance and decided to trade for him.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Feb 28, 2009 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And how many players
become significant contributors to the ML team without being “highly regarded”?
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Feb 28, 2009 2:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
oc is intelligent
he just gets bitter/jaded at times.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Feb 28, 2009 3:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I was neither at the time I made that comment. I don't even have to piss anyone off anymore to be called a stoner. I can just you know make a comment about baseball and people will call me a pothead anyway.
I have fulfilled all my prophecies; all my predictions are up to date.
My train is right on schedule.
by oc on Mar 1, 2009 4:22 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Yes, people throw the pothead label
at you too quickly and too often, but you bring a lot of this on yourself. You piss all over multiple threads some days with nothing but anger and petulance and rants against something so innocuous as +1. How do you expect people to respond to that?
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Mar 2, 2009 10:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You say that as if its some kind of insult to be called a pothead or a stoner
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Mar 2, 2009 10:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You are way off
McCarthy is a very talented pitcher who if healthy would easily be our best pitcher.
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 Feb 28, 2009 2:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That's not saying much.
I have fulfilled all my prophecies; all my predictions are up to date.
My train is right on schedule.
by oc on Feb 28, 2009 2:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It is when it applies to everyone within two years of the majors not named Holland or Feliz
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 Feb 28, 2009 2:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
you're not saying much
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Feb 28, 2009 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
What is there to say? The McCarthy debate is pretty much sitting on a shelf collecting dust.
I have fulfilled all my prophecies; all my predictions are up to date.
My train is right on schedule.
by oc on Feb 28, 2009 2:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
it gets brought out too often to collect dust
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Feb 28, 2009 2:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And we always end up right back where we started.
If he can just stay healthy, McCarthy has the potential of being good
-vs-
He can’t stay healthy, and hasn’t shown himself to be all that when he is
So yeah, I’m not saying much, but neither are you.
I think we can both agree however that this is a very big year for him, and if he has any intentions of proving himself to be worth a damn to this rotation, he better step-it-up.
I have fulfilled all my prophecies; all my predictions are up to date.
My train is right on schedule.
by oc on Feb 28, 2009 2:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
"He can’t stay healthy, and hasn’t shown himself to be all that when he is"
the problem here is he did stay healthy before coming to texas, and he did look pretty good when he was.
But yeah, this is a HUGE year.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Feb 28, 2009 3:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
x
It’s sad the Rangers dealt for him because he had one great outing against them.
This is the first time I’ve heard this. What is that based on?
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 28, 2009 4:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
7.2 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs... Aug. 30, 2005.. 8-0 White Sox
And I was exaggerating with the comment. It’s just frustrating that the Rangers have so much trouble developing young pitching or having good young pitchers.
by Slick-ish24 on Feb 28, 2009 5:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Certainly frustrating
but it seems like someone who is knowledgeable about their troubles developing pitching would also be excited about the fact that they have the best young pitching right now that the franchise has ever had. If guys like Feliz and Main start falling by the wayside, I will become very disillusioned. But I can’t see how someone who is a sincere and knowledgeable Rangers fan isn’t more excited than anything else. When I see someone make exclusively derisive comments right now, I have to suspect that they are either not a sincere fan (in other words, that they are the sort of fan who’d rather just rail on a team than engage in the fun side) or that they are not knowledgeable. Because there is too much to be excited about for that to not be the overriding feeling right now.
by Brett Perryman on Feb 28, 2009 6:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I am excited
About our pitching prospects right now. I’m just ready for one to blossom in the Majors for the Rangers is all. I am excited to see how Holland, Main, and Feliz develop over the next few years.
by Slick-ish24 on Mar 1, 2009 12:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I wil gladly admit my mistake if that is to happy bigsteve
I just don’t see it
by Slick-ish24 on Feb 28, 2009 2:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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