Some Sunday evening stuff

by Adam J. Morris on Mar 29, 2009 6:51 PM CDT

Still more Rangers stuff out there today for y'all to check out...

Mike Hindman looks at last year's BABIPs for the Rangers pitchers, and the numbers once again illustrate that the poor infield defense had a crippling effect on the team's run prevention.

Evan Grant, meanwhile, is singing the praises of Elvis Andrus's defense, and in particular raves about a diving stop Andrus made on a ball up the middle to start a 6-4-3 DP. I know that one of the most frequent complains about the shortstop play last year had to do with the refusal to ever dive for balls, particularly on balls up the middle...it sounds like we may see more diving stops by Andrus the first two weeks of the season than we did all of last season from shortstop.

Grant also suggests that Brandon McCarthy could end up pitching out of the bullpen, rather than Scott Feldman, if Kris Benson makes the team, although it sounds like it will almost surely be Feldman who moves.

T.R. Sullivan says that Feldman's role is the hot topic right now, and Feldman has this underwhelming comment about his previous work in the bullpen:

The Rangers have thought about it and discussed it because they still have Kris Benson in camp, they are still uncertain about their middle relief and they know Feldman has been a reliever before.

"I didn't pitch very good as a reliever either," Feldman said after the Rangers 8-5 victory over the Royals.

Murray Chass writes at length on his blog about Nolan Ryan's role as president of the Rangers.

Meanwhile, over at U.S.S. Mariner, they are disappointed about both the news that Brandon Morrow is heading to the bullpen and the news that Jeff Clement is heading to AAA, speculating that Clement could be dealt before Opening Day to a team that still sees him as a potential option at catcher. I think the M's are less dangerous with Morrow in the bullpen and Clement in AAA than they are with Morrow in the rotation and Clement catching, so that is fine with me.

I did a little Q&A with the SoCal Sports Hub about the Rangers and the 2009 season, which you can check out here.

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Comments

Woooooooooooooooooo

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME???

Wow Tiger, WOW!!

Stability is key, and JD is a Beast.
Jindal - 2012
"AMMIITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHH!!!"

by Longhorn on Mar 29, 2009 6:53 PM CDT reply actions

He good.

"Come on man you have to admit the average guy in a baseball clubhouse...... is relatively a douchebag." BGL.

The 2008-2009 Dallas Mavericks are the biggest teases in the world.

by sprite on Mar 29, 2009 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions

ing about?

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Mar 29, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions

who are you talking about?

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Mar 29, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions

i cant believe i forgot to watch that

i watched like 3 hours each of the past 3 days and then just blanked on it today.

the preceding post was a great success.

by DShep on Mar 29, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions

tiger has better mechanics than strasburg...

Stability is key, and JD is a Beast.
Jindal - 2012
"AMMIITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHH!!!"

by Longhorn on Mar 29, 2009 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions

lol

"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 Mar 30, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions

McCarthy moving to the pen to start the season

would utterly shock me.

Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam

by Brett Perryman on Mar 29, 2009 6:59 PM CDT reply actions

yea

that, to me, would be admitting complete and total failure and taht you are done with mccarthy.

which even if its the case, what is to be gained by moving him to the pen?

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Mar 29, 2009 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah

i’d open up a can on somebody…

Stability is key, and JD is a Beast.
Jindal - 2012
"AMMIITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHH!!!"

by Longhorn on Mar 29, 2009 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions

The thought process appears to be...

…that McCarthy has had more success in the pen than Feldman, so he might be a better fit than Feldman there.

Just keep in mind…this is all short-term thinking. The thought process isn’t, what is best for the team long-term…it is, what alignment has the best shot at keeping us from being out of the race by the end of April.

by Adam J. Morris on Mar 29, 2009 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions

The thought process appears to be…

…that McCarthy has had more success in the pen than Feldman

not enough to make a change like that…

Stability is key, and JD is a Beast.
Jindal - 2012
"AMMIITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHH!!!"

by Longhorn on Mar 29, 2009 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Well

I don’t think he’s going to be moved. I think it is Feldman.

by Adam J. Morris on Mar 29, 2009 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions

That would be a mind-bogglingly stupid thought process

Considering Feldman had been a reliever his entire career until last year, and McCarthy hasn’t relieved since 2006.

She was a grand old lady...

by LSJ on Mar 29, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions

The difference for me being

That I dont think feldman being in the pen would hurt the rangers longterm

I’d be very displeased if mccarthy is in the pen.

the preceding post was a great success.

by DShep on Mar 29, 2009 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

Not to mention what would Bmac think?

Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."

by boomer1 on Mar 29, 2009 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions

who cares what he thinks

by blueballlefty on Mar 29, 2009 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Well considering

He is a starter and healthy for the first time since he has been here, it would be stupid to put him in the pen and make him second guess himself about being a starter.

Keith Law on Greg Golson, "He's similiar to Cameron and Hunter in that all three are black."

by boomer1 on Mar 29, 2009 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions

And he's having a pretty nice spring

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 Mar 30, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions

If you asked me to guess which starter

would have the lowest ERA this season, my guess would probably be McCarthy. It certainly wouldn’t be Feldman. Short term or not, there are just a lot of reasons that it would surprise greatly for them to do that.

Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam

by Brett Perryman on Mar 29, 2009 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions

You reckon

he’ll get injured in the first game before he allows a run?

"The idea that the Rangers are going to be a solid contender for a number of years is a fantasy." - Adam J. Morris

by DJCahill on Mar 30, 2009 7:48 AM CDT up reply actions

me too

by Mike E on Mar 29, 2009 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions

also

is there anyone out there who actually thinks that jojima is going to be better next year or in 2 years than clement? lol

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Mar 29, 2009 6:59 PM CDT reply actions

Everyone in Japan

by JBImaknee on Mar 29, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions

lol

well i meant what decision making person on a major league team

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Mar 29, 2009 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions

im pissed because now i need to find another catcher for my team!
on the bright side i gained a closer

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Mar 29, 2009 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Varitek

is still out there I think.

"Come on man you have to admit the average guy in a baseball clubhouse...... is relatively a douchebag." BGL.

The 2008-2009 Dallas Mavericks are the biggest teases in the world.

by sprite on Mar 29, 2009 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions

i want more bench spots!

Stability is key, and JD is a Beast.
Jindal - 2012
"AMMIITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABHH!!!"

by Longhorn on Mar 29, 2009 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions

i wish we had more

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Mar 29, 2009 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I dearly wish the M's would deal Clement

He could still be beastly with the bat irregardless of whether or not he sticks at catcher. Considering the dismal status of the Seattle offense, you would think they’d be better off keeping Clement around even if all they’re going to do is DH him.

She was a grand old lady...

by LSJ on Mar 29, 2009 8:01 PM CDT reply actions

i just dont g

et it

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Mar 29, 2009 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions

let him be 1b or DH if not C

hes better than how many of the other guys you got out there

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Mar 29, 2009 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Benson...

will go out tomorrow and give up 7 runs. I don’t see any reason to bump Feldman from the rotation for Benson. I don’t think by putting Feldman in the ’pen that the Rangers bullpen issues are any better.

I guess I don’t really care either way though, I don’t think Feldman will be a rotation option after this year anyway.

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

by slc ranger on Mar 29, 2009 8:03 PM CDT reply actions

AJ

So what are the current odds of Andruw Jones making the team? Cat has been hot with the bat this week. He is also proven PH. Davis had a good week vs LHP. Wasn’t his HR today off a lefty? There really is no need to sit him vs any pitcher. Someone needs to hide Blolocks gloves. He should only play the field in an emergency. I think Byrd also had a good week a the plate. What did Andruw do this past week to help himself win a roster spot?

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year

by RangerMad on Mar 29, 2009 8:10 PM CDT reply actions

McCarthy to the bullpen

Not news to me…

"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 octoberty on Mar 29, 2009 9:10 PM CDT reply actions

CJ vs FF so far in spring training

CJ:

7.1 IP, 8 SO, 2 H, 2 BB, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 HB
ERA 0.00

FF:

10 IP, 4 SO, 10 H, 1 BB, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 HR, 1 HB
ERA 4.50

I think CJ’s numbers are more indicative of a dominant closer than FF

by eclou on Mar 29, 2009 9:54 PM CDT reply actions

I like this

But everyone on here will say ST numbers don’t mean anything and C.J. blew it last year. Blah, blah, blah.

-- Micah
Baseball Is My Boyfriend
I want to be the next Annie Savoy.

by The Best Micah on Mar 29, 2009 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Frankie earned the right to keep it, as well.

by octoberty on Mar 29, 2009 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep.

It’s his to lose this year, just like it was CJ’s to lose last year. Hopefully for us, Frankie won’t pull a CJ.

She was a grand old lady...

by LSJ on Mar 30, 2009 12:10 AM CDT up reply actions

kind of like young earned the right to keep the SS job?

"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg

by rentz on Mar 30, 2009 5:12 AM CDT up reply actions

how did he "earn" it?

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Mar 30, 2009 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions

one name to watch

in the coming days is Geoff Geary. The Astros, despite their atrocious start this spring, actually have some bullpen depth and have been looking to deal Geary, who is one of their more expensive BP arms. He would be locked up through 2010. I doubt a highly subsidized Cat would be enough for him, but I have obviously have no idea.

by clark on Mar 30, 2009 8:19 AM CDT reply actions

i would rather have merkin valdez

and looking at cots

its just through 2009

1 year/$1.7M (2009) ~~- re-signed by Houston 1/26/09 (avoided arbitration, $2.1M~~$1.425M)

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Mar 30, 2009 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions

1 year/$1.7M (2009)
re-signed by Houston 1/26/09 (avoided arbitration, $2.1M-$1.425M)

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Mar 30, 2009 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions

that just means he doesnt have the contract for 2010 yet

He has a little over 4 years of service time, hes still under control for 2010.

the preceding post was a great success.

by DShep on Mar 30, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions

"Blog"

Murray Chass would never let himself be associated with something as vulgar as a blog. It is a “site for baseball columns,” as he smugly puts it.

http://www.murraychass.com/?page_id=23

"I think we have avoided a recession." -- Jim Nussle, White House Budget Director, 31 July 2008

by Lucas on Mar 30, 2009 9:28 AM CDT reply actions

Classic:

Otherwise, this site will most likely appeal primarily to older fans whose interest in good old baseball is largely ignored in this day of young bloggers who know it all, and new- fangled statistics (VORP, for one excuse-me example), which are drowning the game in numbers and making people forget that human beings, not numbers, play the games.

So curmudgeonly. He actually used the term “new-fangled.” Hilarious. I’m surprised he didn’t put some sarcastic quotation marks around “statistics.”

I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.

"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales

by Brian Thomas on Mar 30, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions