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JD-
"We've said all along that when you go with young players who you've committed to and have had some level of success, there will be growing pains," But at some point, you have to look at each individual and decide what's in the best interests of the individual and the team."

On a demotion to AAA-

"It's come up," Daniels said. "When you've got young players struggling, you're always evaluating your options and what's the best way to put a player in a position to succeed. I can't put a timeline on it. This is not the first time or the last time that a young player who is a big part of the future has struggled.

9 months ago Prince_tiny sprite 209 comments 0 recs  | 

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Its gotta be coming up

I just can’t imagine he lasts past the All Star break if he doesn’t show signs of life before then.

This offense needs a shot in the arm, and the easiest shot in the arm to give it is to remove the black hole of suck that CD has brought to the plate this year.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 28, 2009 4:44 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Who do you replace him with? . . .

I think we can all agree that Blalock hasn’t been that much better. Jones isn’t an everyday first baseman. Max Ramirez has too much value at catcher to play first base. Smoak hasn’t even been a professional for a year yet.

I’m not saying that we should overlook Chris’ struggles and just blindy stick with him, but before something is done, shouldn’t the team make sure another viable option is in place?

If after reading LSB, BBTiA, Newberg, Inside Corner, etc you STILL want to read more about the Rangers, check out "Hello Win Column": http://texasrangerbaseball.blogspot.com

by John Paul on May 28, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

We can sign Ben Broussard

In all seriousness, it isn’t that hard to find someone who can put up better numbers at first than Davis has this year.

And it isn’t at all obvious that developmentally going down to AAA isn’t the the best thing for Davis either. Maybe he needs to go somewhere where mean people like Cahill and I won’t mock his swings routinely. People have been rushed before, I don’t know why we can’t admit that maybe, just maybe, Chris Davis was rushed as well and needs more time.

I have an irrational hatred of Chris Davis because his Ks are way too ugly and irrational liking of Matt Harrison because he's a lefty - deal with it.

by JBImaknee on May 28, 2009 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nate Gold!!!!!!!!!!!

"I saw your act, just didn't make it for me. Just a lot of fluff."

by scoop16 on May 28, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Blalock has been

significantly better offensively.

100+ points of OPS isn’t nuthin. Moving Blalock out of the cleanup hole and moving Cruz there will probably also have his OBP rise based on his previous experiences when Blalock bats cleanup.

Also, this opens it up for Andruw Jones to play every day.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 28, 2009 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And I have a hard time believing Blalock will continue failing with a poor approach

I expect some adjustment, especially after what can almost be called a benching.

by tyd3311 on May 28, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If given an entire season at 1B

What do you expect Blalock’s OPS to be at the end of the year?

by Telegraph on May 28, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

850ish

if he stays healthy. With a higher OBP.

Hopefully CD is able to pull his head out of his ass in the minors and can come up later.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 28, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Blalock

Davis is actually a good bit better than Blalock versus lefthanders.

Any solution that involves Blalock playing every day is a horrible solution.

by Darrell McKown on May 28, 2009 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

What do you mean, who?

Considering Davis has been about the worst hitting 1b in baseball this year, isn’t anyone a “viable” option..

Hell, trade for fucking doug mientkiewicz..

by BillyG on May 28, 2009 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I looked at that Avatar and freaked out

I thought you were Nadine for a second. Hilarious.

Your 2009 Snow Monkey Ambassador

by Parman on May 29, 2009 7:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nadia.

And, me too.

I got all giddy for about half a sec.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.

by thedirkatron on May 29, 2009 7:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I read the posts, and then saw the avy and went "oh shit" for a minute.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 29, 2009 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Trade Fail

Mientkiewicz isn’t a viable option at all. He’s on the DL, and probably out until August at least.

"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky

by RCCook on May 29, 2009 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Blalock is better than Davis offensively

And Jones is better than Blalock so it would be an improvement offensively.

The crux is defensively. Will the increase in offensive production offset the dropoff defensively. I think thats the question that is the hardest to answer and once it gets then we will find out if Davis is going to OKC or not

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 May 28, 2009 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

The team finds itself in the midst of a pennant race, and it probably can’t afford a year of Davis doing what he’s done so far. I’m still a believer in him, and his defense has been pretty spectacular, but a demotion may be for the best right now. I imagine Jones can handle first base well enough.

"Was this really necsarry?" - cowpoke/hurler hurley

by trza on May 28, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Did you see Jones play 1b the other day?

Jones at first scares the hell out of me.

2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009

by boomer1 on May 28, 2009 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Didn't see it

But recently Davis batting has scared the hell out of me. Not in a good way.

"Was this really necsarry?" - cowpoke/hurler hurley

by trza on May 28, 2009 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I saw him at 1B

and I feel the exactly the way you do. If our defense declines at 1B, our overall defensive numbers will decline. I don’t feel like holding my breath every time someone throws over to first.

by cspott on May 28, 2009 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

IMO

I Jones plays first we will give up more runs than we will get with his bat in the lineup every day.

2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009

by boomer1 on May 28, 2009 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bull fuckin shit

People act like Jones is a retarded moron

1b is the easiest position in baseball and i promise you he knows how to catch a baseball

furthermore, dont you think his D improves if he plays there everyday

lastly, why do people defend davis and his sub .200 BA so vehemently?

by Horns130 on May 28, 2009 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Did you see him at first base the other night in Houston?

He was clearly out of place, and didn’t really know what the hell he was doing. Just because first base is supposedly the “easiest” defensive position doesn’t mean that you can take an outfielder and stick him there and not have it bite you in the ass.

Our defense is the reason this pitching staff looks as good as good as it does, and Chris Davis is a large reason why Elvis Andrus has looked as good as he has too. If you take Jones and stick him there, you’re looking at throwing and picking errors galore between Andrus and MY.

And as to why people defend Chris Davis: he’s 23 years old. He has a ton of power, and plays great defense at first. That’s a huge future asset to your team, the kind of asset that needs to be given every chance to develop.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 28, 2009 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

of course he didn't see him play.

"Anyone that isn't pro-choice never met you" ~Brian Thomas on Seth...

by ivysafety39 on May 28, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Everyone on this board could throw a FB buy him right now

as for the D, you just wont convince me that defense at 1b is that difficult or that important

why dont you go on a campaign telling all these coaches and managers how stupid they are for putting their worst defensive players at 1b…im sure theyd love to hear you inform them of this fact

1b is always the place where you put a shitty defender in baseball b/c it is easy as shit to hide them

and if youd read underneath this, i would like to see smoak have a chance if you send davis down, his D would be similar to Davis’ imo

by Horns130 on May 28, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

...

So your end-all logic regarding first base is: just because first base is where you put big guys who don’t move too well (which doesn’t necessarily mean they’re your “worst defender”, just that they’re too slow to play the OF and not nimble enough to play 3B), anyone can pick up a mitt and play the position acceptably?

That’s really dumb.

Sorry, but it is.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 28, 2009 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

1b

 pujols and teixeira are awful players they have to be hidden at first.

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

by rentz on May 28, 2009 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

correct

neither are able to play any other position at a Major League level, therefore are left to either play left field if their arm is decent enough (which it isnt or they would be at 3b still, generally of course) or 1b/DH if their arm isnt strong enough

every 1b is a 1b b/c they werent good enough to werent accurate at 3rd, or they were tall and lefty, or their arm is too weak for the OF.

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 28, 2009 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I gotta disagree about the Doucheira's

D at third. IIRC, he was pretty handy at third, but Blalock was blocking him(who at the time looked like a quality 3B). Therefore, the team moved him to 1B where is pretty OK on D.

Your 2009 Snow Monkey Ambassador

by Parman on May 29, 2009 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

where "he" is pretty OK on D.

Shitty sentence, but at least I made it readable.

Your 2009 Snow Monkey Ambassador

by Parman on May 29, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

he won a GG at 1b

he is a really good 1b, not CD good, but good.

as for 3b, im pretty sure his arm wasnt accurate enough to play there.

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 29, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tex was a pretty bad defender at 3b.

Who knows if he could’ve improved enough to be passable, but I doubt it.

Blalock was clearly the better 3b defender when they were first coming up and playing in Arlington.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.

by thedirkatron on May 29, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

he had never played it

and as bad as he did or didnt look, the only reason anybody is saying that is b/c he tried to catch the ball and put the glove on the base in one fluid motion. he was a GG CFer for almost a decade, meaning the guy understands routes and best way to handle a ball, that mental aspect doesnt radically change by moving around the field defensively.

 As great as Davis has been he has only saved less than 4 runs, so the question ends up being if Andruw can earn you 18 runs offensively and lose ya 5 defensively, it comes out much better to have the shitty fielding hitter you can count on to produce. (I cant believe im saying that you can count on AJ) That is why a ton of teams dont give 2 craps about the 1b defense if he can remotely produce. right now an average replacement will produce more runs than CD no matter how great his D is at 1b. its just the truth of the matter.

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 28, 2009 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The plus 3.4 runs Davis is at first base is the best in the entire major leagues

That’s not an “only”.

And yes, understanding routes and how to handle a ball does change radically when you go from the outfield to playing a COF position. It’s a completely different concept, having to catch the ball in the air and having to dig it out of the dirt. Andruw is not a first baseman, and he should not be playing there in the major leagues, save for a drastic emergency.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 28, 2009 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

3.4 thats the point

as awesome as that is for a 1b, we need a guy who offensively can be +18 just to be good, and that guy could be terrible on defense and in the end, we are better off as a team going that route.

why is that so hard to understand?

and yes, i get that having a 1b who saves crummy tosses is handy as hell, but a lot of that needs to be on our infield guys to make good throws and not make sloppy tosses expecting a CD replacement to bail them out.

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 28, 2009 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't expect Davis to be this bad offensively forever.

And I’m not very excited about our other options offensively either (namely Blalock, I don’t consider Jones and option at first). So I don’t get the hurry to chuck him off to AAA without a truly viable backup plan.

His power is still there (despite how horrible he is offensively right now, his ISO is only down 10 points from last year). He’s playing great defense. If it’s between playing Blalock at first base and giving Davis another month to figure things out in the majors, I vote for giving Davis more time.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 28, 2009 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey, if Ron Wash can teach Scott Hatteburg to play first

he can teach Andruw Jones as well.

She say she are the manager.

by rockin_rangers on May 29, 2009 8:20 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ill ask again

All these teams and baseball people who bury bad defensive players at 1b are stupid?

I want you to actually say that you are smarter than they are, I want to see that arrogance and ignorance come out of you

It is an easy position to play that holds little defensive value so you put an offensive player there.

This is what happens when you dont use common baseball sense and instead you sit and look at a spreadsheet for 10 hours

by Horns130 on May 29, 2009 12:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dude, you're missing my point

Even bad defensive players that get buried at first base have learned to play the fucking position.

This has nothing to do with spreadsheets to stats, this has to do with the simple fact that just like any other position, you still have to learn how to play first base before you can play there full time. This isn’t a videogame where you can take an outfielder and stick him at first base and expect everything to be hunky-dory. You don’t seem to comprehend that.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 29, 2009 12:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

for all the AJ could never dare play 1b talk

people seem to be forgetting that other than the one error where he was trying to catch the ball with glove and place the glove on the base for an out in one fluid motion and it didnt work, the guy didnt look totally incapable of learning the position, and the error i just described may have the chance of occurring 10 times in a season max. bet he never has another problem with a similar ball.

This is the position that David Ortiz excelled at and the Position Cecil Fielder played. Raffy moved to 1b from LF in one spring training and he ended up ok. This shit isnt impossible and we have people who are very good at helping teach positional defense that i have faith in a lot more than what any of you guys firmly believe.

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 29, 2009 1:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fine

Let’s assume that AJ could be moved to first, given enough time and reps. Do you still want to do that in the middle of the season?

If we’re not willing to put up with Davis’ offensive struggles at first because it’s “keeping us from being a playoff team” or something, I don’t see why we’re even talking about letting a guy who’s never played there before this year learn the position on the fly.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 29, 2009 2:15 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

kinda curious

i wonder what the worst defensive valued 1bman is in the league. just to kinda see relative to a guy learning,

 i just dunno why the same people who are so anti Andruw are pro Hank at 1b (not saying you are) b/c its not like Hank has weeks and weeks of 1b experience.

honestly as awesome as we’ve done, i wasnt realistically expecting to be in this race at all 2009 and now we have a chance to make some games on some teams and be in it for a while, i just dont see how, no matter how fantastic CD’s defense is, we can stay in it for a good while unless we have an average bat, at the beginning of the season i woulda told ya i was totally cool just suffering through the dev process of these guys. Hell, im still not sold that even if we are in 1st after the AS break we dont dump Hank, Marlon, and any other non compensation FA’s and just let the kids like bourbon and smoak and feliz come in and play. Hell i’d be content to run CD out there the whole season if i didnt think he may turtle and go david clyde on our ass.

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 29, 2009 2:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hank at least spent his months on the DL last year learning the position

Whereas Andruw has something like three or four games there for his lifetime.

But I’m not pro-Hank at 1B either, which is why I’d rather give Davis more time to get the bat going. I don’t really see Hank or Andruw as that much of an improvement, myself.

As for the bottom 1B’s in baseball in UZR, Prince Fielder (-3.3) and Aubrey Huff (-3.2) are the only guys who have been 3 or more runs below average, and Nick Johnson (-2.9), Justin Morneau (-2.8) and Joey Votto (-2.2) are the only others 2 runs below average. So despite what you’d think, there’s not that many truly horrible defensive first basement running around out there.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 29, 2009 6:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

When you compare those numbers

to -6.6 RARP for CD’s bat, you can see why JD is starting to look at a timeline to make a move.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 29, 2009 6:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

According to Fangraphs, Davis is -5.0 offensively

I don’t know where you’re getting -6.6 from.

Blalock is only 0.7 above average offensively himself. A lot better than Davis, but that would still be 6th to last among MLB first baseman. The real interesting thing is if you go by WAR, Blalock is a 0.2 player, while Davis is a 0.1.

So I’m just not seeing where this huge, keep-us-in-the race upside in swapping CD for Blalock at 1B is.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 29, 2009 6:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I got it

from BP

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 29, 2009 6:55 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Jackass

Because 1b is an offensive position

go through the lineups in baseball and look at the big bats playing 1st

it is an absolute embarrassment and a joke to have a 1b hitting like CD

how can you not understand this

by Horns130 on May 29, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You act like he's been hitting this way his entire career

He had an excellent debut last year after crushing minor league pitching for a year and a half. He’ll hit them again if he can get his head straight.

But you want to chuck him after two months of struggling in his sophomore season? Grow a brain.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 29, 2009 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Considering

he’s played more games this year than he did in AAA and about the same number he did in AA, why not?

Tough to call small sample size, when his whole minor league career over A ball is small sample size. Its not exactly chucking him to send him to the minors and have him work through his slump there.

"Guillermo Moscoso despite his stunning game yesterday, is not a legit prospect. He is simply too old, too skinny, too weak, and lacks the fastball to make it at the professional level. ." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 29, 2009 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

you have a rookie SS and a guy at 3B still learning the position

that makes 1B defense VERY important. How many times has CD made an out on a throw way off the bag because he can adjust to errant throws? If this infield were any other infield in the AL, you would have a point… but at this point in time, you can’t have some guy who can catch balls thrown right at him, you need someone who can make adjustments and give you stellar base coverage… and right now that’s CD.

I hate his bat right now, though… and while I’m not willing to give him several months to work it out, I value his defense enough to give him a little more leeway – but not forever.

Grieve: The Yanks have struggled so far. - Lewin: Yeah, cry me a bag of money.
Dykstra has all the money!
ElectricOkra.com

by WhipSmart on May 28, 2009 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Amen to all of that.

+1.

The Davis defending is insane at this point.

Jones is a 10-time gold glover and a far, far, far better hitter at this point.

Playoff teams don’t have automatic strikeouts (against playoff level pitching especially) in the line-up.

by Texas_Dawg on May 28, 2009 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

10 time gold glover

at a totally different position.

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

by rentz on May 28, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nevermind that gold gloves are a shitty way to judge defensive ability.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 28, 2009 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

but michael young is a gold glove winning SS!!

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

by rentz on May 28, 2009 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

Except AJ actually was a good defender so it renders your point moot.

by Horns130 on May 29, 2009 12:37 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

So what?

AJ was a good defender in the outfield for many years. So go find his UZR at Fangraphs and quote that, instead of using a fairly meaningless award as a qualifier.

Furthermore, who gives a shit if he was good in the outfield a few years ago. That doesn’t mean he can play first base.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 29, 2009 12:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dont go piss'n off Julio, LSJ

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 29, 2009 1:56 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

at a much, much, much harder position.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on May 29, 2009 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

might be harder but its still different

you cant expect a gold glove catcher to play gold glove D at RF or 2b.
having a gold glove doesnt mean jack when it comes to switching from the of to the if.

Now i’m not saying jones couldnt learn the position well enough, but the argument that he’s won a gold glove just seems stupid.

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

by rentz on May 29, 2009 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

almost as stupid

as the argument that he somehow can’t play 1B adequately, or that a much better bat at the position would be negated by 5 runs saved with the glove.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on May 29, 2009 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah all positions are the same

a gold glove at one means good at another…makes perfect sense!

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

by rentz on May 29, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's hardly

what I was saying. But to say that 1B is even remotely difficult is stupid. Jones can play 1B adequately. Davis’ bat is so bad right now he’s a replacement level player EVEN WITH league leading defense. Jones’ bat is more than enough better to make up for what you would lose for the glove.

And look, no one is thinking that Jones or anyone else would be playing 1B for the rest of the year. We’re talking about a couple of weeks or so while Davis gets his legs under him in AAA. This is a ridiculous overreaction by everyone here. Yes, Davis’ defense is nice. No, the team will not collapse without it.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on May 29, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fair enough

And it’s not necessarily that I though you particularly were suggesting it, but it was alluded to in comments above.

I get defensive about davis when people start writing him off as if he has no merit being with the club.

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

by rentz on May 29, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I suspect

that Davis himself will make all of this discussion moot soon.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on May 29, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

one way or another

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

by rentz on May 29, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

If you don't believe, you can alays trade him to good old Uncle Dirkatron.

I’ll give him a good home.

Honest injun.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.

by thedirkatron on May 29, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

good post tball

i dont remember a 1b in ranger history pulling off those moves defensively, but do we really wanna risk turning this guy into (pitcher mental basketcase) rick ankiel so we can save 8 runs this season?

anyway good post

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 29, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

its defense at 1b..

who really cares, and how can it possibly make up for being worthless at the plate?

by BillyG on May 28, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"who really cares"?

This is a joke right? Do you know how many runs a good defensive 1b saves not to mention the amount of pitches the pitcher has to throw.

2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009

by boomer1 on May 28, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

sure.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=9272&position=1B/3B#fieldingSays his defense has been worth 3.4 runs so far this year.. Woooo what a stud, who cares if his bat fails to touch a ball ever again.

by BillyG on May 28, 2009 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

How is defense at 1B different than defense elsewhere?

A run saved is a run saved, no matter where you are. First basemen gets fewer chances, so a top defensive 1st baseman might save 50% to 75% of the runs that a top defensive player at other positions, but over the course of a season, that’s still around 10 runs. 10 runs is not a small number at all.

by Telegraph on May 28, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Considering

Chris is already 6.6 runs below replacement at 1B, I don’t think it will be that hard to make those 10 runs up.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 28, 2009 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, but that doesn't mean the defense is worthless

If he isn’t 3.4 runs above average defensively, he might have been sent down already.

by Telegraph on May 28, 2009 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not saying defense is completely worthless

I’m saying that CD has been such an amazing colossal bag of suck offensively this year that he can’t possibly offset it with defense. No amount of defense is gonna offset striking out 40% of the time or making an out in 3/4 of your plate appearances.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 28, 2009 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

and I like the fresh smell of daisies on a Saturday morning

Sure, but I’ve said nothing about how fantastic Chris Davis has looked at the plate so far. Our good friend BillyG was nice enough to suggest that nobody cared about 1B defense, and I was humbly trying to point out how astronomically stupid that was.

But since we are at it, let’s talk about it. I figure there are three ways to approach this: from an immediate performance point of view, nobody in their right mind would make an argument to keep Davis here. If you want greater run production at 1B, you can put Blalock at 1st base, who is so far about 6 runs better than Davis (according to fangraphs) on offense – assuming both hit exactly like they have right now, while Davis is 3.4 runs better than Blalock on defense assuming Blalock plays exactly average 1st base. Let’s say you play Blalock for 150 ABs at 1st base, you should get a 3 run improvement. Then you have Andruw Jones DH, and if he puts up the numbers in his 150 AB that Blalock has so far, it’s a 3 run net improvement for the move, possibly more (up to 6 if Blalock and Jones both perform better than anticipated). So, sending Chris Davis down for 150 ABs will get you an additional 0.5 to 1 win than keeping him up here.

The other way of looking at it is a developmental one: which is better for Davis – sending him down or keeping him up here. That’s the much harder question in my opinion. If you send him down, chances are that he will have more success, but I don’t know whether he will learn anything because most minor league pitchers will probably not have the same ability to throw the combination of pitches that has caused him so much trouble at the major league level. On the other hand, if you keep up here, he will continue to face the pitches that gives him trouble, which should give him a better chance to figure things out, or at least more opportunity to do so that he will not get at the minor league. So if you think that his problem is caused by something concrete, like mechanics, timing, pitch recognition, then keeping him up here is a better choice. On the other hand, if you think his problem is all mental, sending him down to give him a chance to recollect himself is a good idea too.

The last way is from the organization point of view – in other words, where does Davis fit in with the future of the franchise. Suppose you send him down, and he does better but continues to struggle when you call him back up – which is a distinct possibility, what do you do with him next season? What do you do with him when Smoak is ready to go? What do you do with him if he smashes AAA after that? If you keep him here for the entire year and then the beginning of next season, you should at least get a better idea of what you need to do with the guy, and whether he is cut out to be in your plans or not. This comes back to the Botts and Cruz thing all over again (I will never get over this). If you think a player might be something but are not sure, then find out right away. It’ll save a lot of hair pulling that you have to worry about in the future.

I go back and forth on this issue, but I would keep him up here for the entire season, plus up to June of 2010 (when hopefully Smoak is ready). No questions asked, even if he hits .200 the entire season. If he is still like this when Smoak is ready, replace him with Smoak and stash him at AAA for the rest of the year, and keep him there until he has an entire year of Cruz-like numbers. Then if there is a DH opening, consider him again, otherwise he is organization filler to me. I will take the loss of 1 win, even if that’s what separates the team from the playoffs. If we can’t make the playoffs in 2010 and beyond, a playoff this year is meaningless to me. Instead, you get to find out exactly what Chris Davis is, and makes all of your future decisions easier.

by Telegraph on May 28, 2009 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

A playoff to me

is worth more to me than figuring out where CD fits in our plans this year. Whether we figure that out this year or next year or the year after is fairly irrelevent.

Because I know for a fact, that even if he fails in the majors all this year, he will still get next year in either the majors or minors to make good. We have 3 years of options to find out where CD fits in our plans. Whether we send him to the minors or not, we have 3 years of options to find out where CD fits in our plans. If he doesn’t make it in those 3 years, we will know.

I think sending him down to the minors will scar him no more than it scarred Nelson Cruz.

I also think that he doesn’t need to go down today. However, if the Rangers were to send him down, I don’t think it would say anything about CD’s longtime prospects.

I just think that CD’s window to get it going without being sent down is closing, and I don’t see that as a bad thing. Hopefully he starts a big hitting streak tomorrow, and saves his spot, but I just can’t see him keeping his roster spot indefinitely unless he does pick it up.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 28, 2009 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

the minors

the thing everyone keeps forgetting is that Davis has barely been there. Why are people so quick to assume that he has learned all he could learn in AAA?

I have an irrational hatred of Chris Davis because his Ks are way too ugly and irrational liking of Matt Harrison because he's a lefty - deal with it.

by JBImaknee on May 28, 2009 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I never understood that.

He has played, what, 100 ABs at AAA and about the same at AA?

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 28, 2009 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

less than 90 games above A ball before he hit the show

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 28, 2009 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

But, but, but.....

Davis isn’t going to strike out 40% of the time.

Somebody told me that major league hitters just don’t strike out that much!

So it MUST be true!

What I don’t get is why he hasn’t chimed in the same way here. It couldn’t because he’s scared to be proven wrong, is it?

Nah, nobody would EVER be that way…..

R

by Requiem on May 28, 2009 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You say that now

but every ball that is put in the dirt will end up in an extra base. I’m still shocked you made that comment. Davis has save Elvis and MY too many times to count this year.

by cspott on May 28, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

this

2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009

by boomer1 on May 28, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

How many runs were not scored

because his OBP is so abysmal?

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on May 29, 2009 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't have numbers, I'm just going off of every game I've seen this year

I think somebody found the numbers earlier…

If you want greater run production at 1B, you can put Blalock at 1st base, who is so far about 6 runs better than Davis (according to fangraphs) on offense – assuming both hit exactly like they have right now, while Davis is 3.4 runs better than Blalock on defense assuming Blalock plays exactly average 1st base. Let’s say you play Blalock for 150 ABs at 1st base, you should get a 3 run improvement. Then you have Andruw Jones DH, and if he puts up the numbers in his 150 AB that Blalock has so far, it’s a 3 run net improvement for the move, possibly more (up to 6 if Blalock and Jones both perform better than anticipated). So, sending Chris Davis down for 150 ABs will get you an additional 0.5 to 1 win than keeping him up here.

by cspott on May 29, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Norm was advocating acquiring some Cub AAA guy.

Jacob Fox.

In ’09:

.423 40 149 40 63 14 2 17 50 132 17 28 2 1 .503 .886 1.389

In ’08, AA & AAA:

.287 134 505 93 145 39 2 31 105 281 48 104 7 2 .364 .556 .921

"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008

by Rodney on May 28, 2009 5:33 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Oh, I know, he's a butcher even at 1st.

He could be a trade target if Davis were moved, however.

"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008

by Rodney on May 28, 2009 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You know Rodney, he would be a DH? :0

2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009

by boomer1 on May 28, 2009 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can't imagine they'd trade much in the way of players

for a DH.

My guess is they go with Blalock at 1B, and Jones at DH, and hope either CD finally pulls his head out of his ass in AAA or hope Smoak starts looking like he is ready for a callup.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 28, 2009 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree with you there.

But, teams have inquired about CD, if we are to believe the rumors. Perhaps they could snag a player who would be an asset to an AL club, and flip CD for some pitching. BTW, he is a 6 year guy this offseason.

"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008

by Rodney on May 28, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You can't get a front line starter for CD

and it isn’t worth trading for a LAIE.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 28, 2009 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think he's a Front rotation starter

and I don’t think you get him for CD, either.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 28, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Did you read what Sabean said?

Seems like a #2 in the making, to me.

by tyd3311 on May 28, 2009 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah he said "no comment"

Because if he said “yes” or “no” then it would be illegal I believe. You can’t openly talk about players under contract with another team.

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 May 28, 2009 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

XX

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/extrabaggs/2009/05/27/some-badly-needed-perspective-on-dan-uggla-matt-cain-and-the-trade-market/

Rodney if I had known you were going to get a mohawk, start wearing gold chains, call everyone fool, and re-name yourself Mr. R I may not have been so generous with the work-out tips. I'd re-think all that big guy.

by BigGuns on May 28, 2009 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I bet Elvis could play first

AND second!!!

She say she are the manager.

by rockin_rangers on May 28, 2009 5:43 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

All by himself!

2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009

by boomer1 on May 28, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Frustrating..
“I’m not concerned or frustrated by the strikeouts,” Davis said.

by BillyG on May 28, 2009 5:45 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

a broken bat says otherwise

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY

by RangerMad on May 28, 2009 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Chris Davis Sent Down?

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 28, 2009 6:09 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

aw man

those were the good old days. I haven’t seen that movie in forever.

my sig is better than yours

by hinduplaya on May 28, 2009 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have it recorded on my dvr

I'm just goofin' new boot goofin'

by iorange555 on May 28, 2009 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

1b

Id like to see how many runs better blalock is at first when offense and defense is averaged in.
I’d guess that when you factor in defense davis is worth about the same.

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

by rentz on May 28, 2009 6:29 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

that's kinda my thought

are we ready to make Blalock our full time 1B?

Man, I love winning! You know? It's like better than losing!

by SteveP on May 28, 2009 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

But if Davis/Blalock is a wash

And Jones/Blalock at DH is an improvement then what do you do?

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 May 28, 2009 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

these things are discoverable

CD is -.6

Hank Joe is +.7 (although i dunno if his sparse action at 1b is able to be attributed accurately but its how it looks right now

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 28, 2009 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd say the lack of time at 1b has something to do with it

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

by rentz on May 28, 2009 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

ASB

The all-star break would be a good time to send him down if he continues as is. He would only miss ~10 games. Not insignificant when you factor in the other 1B options but in the long run it would pay dividends.

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY

by RangerMad on May 28, 2009 6:43 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

CD is far and away a better defender at 1st base

than anyone else the rangers have available right now, as for his production numbers the guy has 12 HRs and 20 something RBIs, give him some more time, i guarantee if the rangers trade him you will see him become another Adrian Gonzalez or Carlos Pena (2 other 1st basemen we gave away) and look at them now, patience is a virtue, give him time.

Larry Parrish Was Da Man!

by TRFAN on May 28, 2009 7:47 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Dude

Carlos Pena sucked for about five other teams before the Rays.

Go Rangers...don't suck...

by Kinslerhomer on May 28, 2009 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

What is he doin now...........

DUDE

Larry Parrish Was Da Man!

by TRFAN on May 28, 2009 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

playing on his 3rd contract since we woulda lost his rights even if we had never traded him?

you do realize the guy couldnt find a gig for most of the last decade right?

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 28, 2009 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Carlos Pena

we got Gerald Laird for him

I have an irrational hatred of Chris Davis because his Ks are way too ugly and irrational liking of Matt Harrison because he's a lefty - deal with it.

by JBImaknee on May 29, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

can anyone kindly point me in the direction of the quote the SF GM made?

Kinda fit to an imminent trade to Tex?

Am I dreaming this?

I'm Ron Burgundy?

by Ryin A on May 28, 2009 7:48 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

He said basically Cain is available for a power hitting young player

When asked specifically about Davis he said “no comment” which has people thinking it could and should be done. In reality if he says anything other than “no comment” then it could be considered illegal and he gets fined or something. You can’t talk about players under contract with another team.

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 May 28, 2009 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

IF that was all he said, then it wouldn't really be a big deal.

Sabean described Chris Davis,

Listening to KNBR 680am radio, the SF Giants flagship radio station and THE Sports Talk Radio (their self description):

Brian Sabean, Giants GM described the type of player the Giants would trade Cain for in a one for one deal— "young, power hitting, good glove first baseman who needs to learn patience"- Talk Show host said it sounded like Chris Davis of Rangers to which Sabean said "no comment"

by tyd3311 on May 28, 2009 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Now that would be a definate suprise

what else would needed to work that deal out on both sides

by laxtonto on May 28, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

of course it's no comment

"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller

by Longhorn on May 28, 2009 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cain

There’s no way the Giants trade Cain with Davis as the key player coming back.

If the Rangers could deal Davis and Harrison and Matt Cain, you make that deal in about two seconds.

by Darrell McKown on May 28, 2009 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

what about sanchez

sanchez and alderson

"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller

by Longhorn on May 28, 2009 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sanchez and Alderson

I’m not high on Sanchez and I doubt they would trade Alderson.

by Darrell McKown on May 28, 2009 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah..........

That’s be like, totally, a dream come true. The baseball gods don’t like the Rangers enough for a Davis/Cain deal to go down. Of course, Sabean is a historically bad GM – if anyone would do it, he would.

I have an irrational hatred of Chris Davis because his Ks are way too ugly and irrational liking of Matt Harrison because he's a lefty - deal with it.

by JBImaknee on May 29, 2009 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cain

I’ve never understood the fascination with the guy

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

by rentz on May 29, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

and will be an FA in like 2 seasons

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 29, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And half as good.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on May 29, 2009 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

For those of us who are confused, what are our options?
  • Send him down, Hank plays 1B and Jones becomes the everday DH? Who becomes the back-up?
  • Call-up Smoak?

Any chance this team tries trading for a Nick Swisher-type?

I know Bradley wasn’t worth the trouble, but until we get a bat of his caliber to hit in the heart of the order, this offense remains fairly predictable

by oc on May 28, 2009 8:10 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Who becomes the backup?

Are you talking about the backup 1B or backup DH? Because if Hank gets hurt and is out then you simply call Davis back up. If its a one game thing then you can roll with either Jones or heck you could play Salty there in an emergency.

Backup DH I am not worried about

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 May 28, 2009 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Swisher'd be awesome for this team this year.

Unfortunately he gets expensive real quick after this season and I still think Davis/Smoak is our 1b/DH combo for the next half decade going forward.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.

by thedirkatron on May 29, 2009 6:15 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Chris Davis is so two true outcomes it's kinda funny.

He almost has a 50/50 chance of striking out ALMOST.

You got slurved!

Free Tommy Hanson! Free Jeff Clement! Free Michael Saunders!

by Slurvey on May 28, 2009 8:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

davis + ? for cain?

"Anyone that isn't pro-choice never met you" ~Brian Thomas on Seth...

by ivysafety39 on May 28, 2009 8:29 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Feldman?

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 28, 2009 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can we talk about Smoak some?

My recollection is that he did just fine during Spring Training, both offensively and defensively. He’s having an impressive year at Frisco with a great walk/SO ratio. Could it be he is ready? Even if he’s short on experience, the lineup would profit from his plate discipline, and there might not be any drop-off defensively from Davis.

II Cor. 4:17-18

by TedFord on May 28, 2009 8:33 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

+1

I’d loooove to have Nick Johnson. He’d have to DH though, if you want him to stay healthy.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 28, 2009 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Which is perfectly fine

as long as his price is reasonable.

"Hustle doesn't cost a dime and it looks good." - Pete Rose as Channeled by Marcus Lemon

by FirebatM3 on May 28, 2009 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Seeing the Delcarmen rumor

CJ is the first one that I thought of. Don’t know if I’d do that.

The CJ hate is getting old.

"We love Wash.....As a team, we want Wash as the head of that team." Hamilton

"The NFL made me undergo a psychiatric evaluation......Please. It was an accident. If I wanted to post a picture of my penis I wouldn't have been all hunched over."- Chris Cooley.

by sprite on May 28, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Considering he's one of the two semi-reliable bridges to Fx2 right now

I would say he’s probably more important than a half season of Nick Johnson at this point.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 28, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

if anything the team needs MORE bullpen help

not less.

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

by rentz on May 28, 2009 10:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You don't rush Smoak just because Davis is struggling and Blalock is... Blalock

That would be the equivalent of calling up Neftali Feliz to replace Matt Harrison.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 28, 2009 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

more like the equivelent

of calling up feliz because of holland’s last outing.

smoak needs more time. on norms’ show this week vasik(spl?) said he had talk to some baseball people and smoak still needed some time working on his strike zome discipline. while his numbers look good, waiting till august couldn’t hurt.

"Anyone that isn't pro-choice never met you" ~Brian Thomas on Seth...

by ivysafety39 on May 28, 2009 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dont rush Andrus

Hes not ready and we need to be patient and let him play in AAA…….that sound fuckin familiar?

sometimes it is good to test guys and im always in favor of pushing and testing polished college guys

also, smoak would solve the issue over shitty D since i think he would be solid in that regard

by Horns130 on May 28, 2009 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

you are assumig smoak comes up and hits well

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

by rentz on May 28, 2009 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

right...

what im saying is, he isn’t likely to hit much better so whats the point?

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

by rentz on May 28, 2009 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why would you say that?

CD is 6.6 runs below a replacement level 1b. Don’t you think Smoak can hit near replacement level?

A replacement level 1B would be a big upgrade. An average hitting 1B would be a massive upgrade.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 28, 2009 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

no, im not sure that smoak can hit replacement level

he’s barely out of college and there is no need to bring him up.

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

by rentz on May 28, 2009 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm pretty confident Smoak could hit that well

but I’m also pretty confident that it’d be better for his development to leave him down there a little longer. I might promote him to AAA real soon, leave him there for about two months and take a look at the options then.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on May 29, 2009 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

you may be on to something

JD has said they would promote Smoak at the minor league ASB. If they do it sooner, like in the next 7-10 days, that may indicate that they feel he may be an option for 1B if they decide Davis needs to go down to AAA.

Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY

by RangerMad on May 29, 2009 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

you really think he cant hit fuckin 200?

furthermore, im confident that smoak will at least draw some walks even if he isnt hitting

right now Davis is 3 fastballs and get your worthless ass back to the dugout..

by Horns130 on May 28, 2009 9:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah, his hitting ability

has shriveled like Andruw’s did the last 2 years.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 28, 2009 11:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

To be fair

he’s still hitting home runs.

It’s just that he’s flailing at a lot more stuff.

Andruw was flailing at things, AND his power dropped off a cliff. At least his walk rate was still fine, but even then, he was 10 runs below replacement last year.

R

by Requiem on May 28, 2009 11:49 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

NOOOOOOOO

Again, he hit 2 homers b/c yankee pitchers lost fucking minds

he hasnt hit a FB in a long time

When he starts hitting FBs again, ill start having more faith

by Horns130 on May 29, 2009 12:39 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Andrus was not brought up for his bat

He was brought up for his defense, which is a much different expectation than expecting a guy to hit Major League pitching right off the bat because he’s ripping up AA. The fact that Andrus has risen to the challenge of hitting big league pitching so far is a slightly astonishing plus, but it’s not a reason to start skipping other guys over AAA, no matter how polished you may think they are.

At least let Smoak tear up PCL pitching for a month or two like Davis did last year before bringing him up.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 28, 2009 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You can do that with SS's

Because its a defense first position. 1B should be an offensive first position with defense being an extra.

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 May 28, 2009 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Would it really be "rushing" him?

The 40 Trumps All!!!

Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.

by thedirkatron on May 29, 2009 6:17 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Smoak?

Well, all I know is he’s still reportedly working on his strike zone judgement, ext, even as good as his numbers have looked. I have no real problem with him being brought along like Davis was last year, but he has yet to even see AAA pitching. Which, as Max Ramirez has proven since his ascent to OKC, can still be an adjustment.

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 29, 2009 6:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This situation reminds me of Bishop's speech in "Waiting."

Crush is struggling, which is leading to a lot of strikeouts, which in turn is leading to a lower morale for him, which is leading to more struggling, so on and so forth. A downward spiral.

He needs to invent a penis-showing game.

She say she are the manager.

by rockin_rangers on May 28, 2009 9:57 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Give him the next 6 weeks

Chris Davis wil hit ML pitching and hit it well. He has shown that ability and he will show it again. Yes “K” Davis is frustrating beyond belief and the Mendoza line performance is maddening but don’t throw him out just yet. I’ve seen some encouraging signs as of late. On one K the other night the ptches were clearly outside the zone but still called strikes… Davis was clearly frustrated and the next time up hit a line out to left field. The two homers were nice as well even though they were off-speed pitches. Let there be no doubt he’s going to see fastballs all the time now until he proves he can hit them which I believe is sooner than later.
He has a slight hitch right now where he seems to be taking two steps to get the bat back into his launch position as oppsed to one. Rudy’s approach is for the hands to move back while the foot moves forward. It appears to me that Chris is pulling the bat back and then up before he swings when he should be pulling it straight to the slightly elevated position. I think this is the cause for his missing pitches and definitely being late on fastballs. The slight adjustment is likely throwing his swing plane off enough to miss balls he’d foul and foul balls he’d drive. I also think this is why his contact % is down so drastically from last year on fangraphs.
I’m encouraged because II don’t believe I saw the two step launch on his last ab (the line out to left) but it was one AB and it may have very well been there… hence the fastball lined to left although is was on the outside part of the plate. Here’s hoping.

by bstair on May 28, 2009 10:42 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I thought this a few weeks ago too

Im just not sure i still do…

He still swings a huge bat and he can definitely figure it out.

Again though, why not in AAA when we are actually a team winning the division this year…that may be my only complaint….anyone who says we should just get rid of him should have their posting privileges revoked

That swing has just been soooo long lately

by Horns130 on May 29, 2009 12:43 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's always darkest before dawn

Davis is on the verge of coming out of this crap, book it. He’s going to have a 3-hit game this weekend and take off.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on May 29, 2009 12:14 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Amen, brother.

Patience isn’t really a strong suit amongst internet message boardies, though.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.

by thedirkatron on May 29, 2009 6:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

DFA HIS ASS!

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

by rentz on May 29, 2009 7:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

DFA EVERYONE!!!

The 40 Trumps All!!!

Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.

by thedirkatron on May 29, 2009 7:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

TRADE FOR CLIFF LEE AND VMART!!!1!!

"Hi, I’m a fucking horsefaced moron." - John Lackey to Ian Kinsler, 5/16/09

"That start was like somebody on a deathbed suddenly jumping up and doing the Lindy Hop, then speeding away on a pogo stick while playing the fiddle." - Telegraph on Matt Harrison

Hello Win Column

by lonestarJon on May 29, 2009 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

don't forget to burn down the stadium

that is ESSENTIAL for every DFA outburst…

Grieve: The Yanks have struggled so far. - Lewin: Yeah, cry me a bag of money.
Dykstra has all the money!
ElectricOkra.com

by WhipSmart on May 29, 2009 8:38 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

and salt the scorched earth where the stadium once stood

"He's old school in that he give up his groin like that. It hurt me when he do that" -- Worsh on Chris Davis' stretch at first base to end the game vs. the Angels on 5/16

by tricer on May 29, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

A series of graduating steps

culminating in the earth hurtling into the sun is necessary and unavoidable.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on May 29, 2009 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Considering

the Rangers saw enough in him in 46 games at AA to promote him
and the Rangers saw enough of him in 31 games at AAA to promote him

I don’t thinks folks are being any less patient than the Rangers were promoting him up going off of 45 games this year.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 29, 2009 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think I heard that

a month ago.

"I'd praised catcher Max Ramirez two weeks ago, but after his continued struggles I'm increasingly convinced he's not going to pan out." - crops.mlblogs.com

by DJCahill on May 29, 2009 6:22 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not from me

I’m psychic, and Miles’ sources in Cincinnati told me.

G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....

by t ball on May 29, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I bet

Davis has more K’s than hits in the next 3 games.

I have an irrational hatred of Chris Davis because his Ks are way too ugly and irrational liking of Matt Harrison because he's a lefty - deal with it.

by JBImaknee on May 29, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think Davis is at the point now where he would strike out

at the All-Star game home run derby

If you want some slack, bring your own rope.

by rangerfaninva on May 29, 2009 9:42 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

.

The 40 Trumps All!!!

Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.

by thedirkatron on May 29, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I dropped Davis for Loney

in my fantasy league….usually when I do something like this, the player dropped gets hot…let’s hope it works!

by cspott on May 29, 2009 12:45 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

how the hell is loney around in your league?

mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.

by Jayslick on May 29, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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