T.R. Sullivan is cantankerous today
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 15, 2009 8:59 PM CDT
66 comments
T.R. Sullivan has a new mailbag up, and man, does he seem grouchy...some excerpts:
I always try to see the positive notes of Vicente Padilla, but it seems the Rangers want to get rid of him because of his attitude and approach to the game.
-- Carlos O., Managua, NicaraguaFunny, when you're a big winner like Roger Clemens or a Hall of Famer like Don Drysdale, Bob Gibson or Early Wynn, you're considered "tough" and "mean" when you have the bravado to throw a baseball at 95 mph toward a hitter's body. Your reputation is admired far and wide. But when you're a 14-game winner with an ERA around five, then you're a troublemaker. The Rangers need Padilla this season to win the division.
* * *
Look, the Rangers really miss Josh Hamilton. All this blather about them winning without him is just that.
* * *
Now that the Draft is over, do you think the Rangers will sign Ben Sheets and how soon could he help this club?
-- Pam P., Fort Worth, TexasNo. He has not begun a throwing program and he is unlikely to help any team at all this year. Sheets is not going to ride to the Rangers' rescue.
I just read a short article on a young prospect named Guillermo Pimentel. It said the Rangers have been the front-runners in the expected signing of this 16-year-old.
-- Jake L., Houston, TexasPimentel has left-handed power. He does not have speed. He is not a center fielder. The Rangers are not the front-runners by no means. Some of the media reports have been exaggerated as to this kid's ability.
T.R. putting the smack down...
Anyway...the thing that really jumped out at me is Sullivan saying that the Rangers are contemplating putting Jason Jennings back in the rotation. He was used in a three inning stint the other day, and that could well be a prelude to Jennings eventually being stretched out and plugged in there.
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I take that to mean
That the Rangers are in fact the front runner.
by brettgardner on Jun 15, 2009 9:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Heh
yep.
I think JD’s doing this to spite all the "when we gon’ get sum pitchin’ in here" idiots.
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"~ RCCook.
by Kinslerhomer on Jun 15, 2009 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah. smoke screen was my first thought.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
by rooster on Jun 15, 2009 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A swap between Jennings and Holland
doesn’t seem too bad now does it? Although having said that Holland was pretty good in the bullpen and Jennings sucked in the rotation (last year). Now Jennings is pretty good in the rotation and Holland sucks in the rotation (which is what young kids do). Maybe we’re just trading one kind of rotation pain for another?
by macromorgan on Jun 15, 2009 9:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes I read it earlier
and thought the Jennings part was interesting as well. Normally I stay away from TR’s mailbag trash.. but the Jennings thing was the title of it so it drew me in.
by Mike E on Jun 15, 2009 9:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
TR doesn't make trash
he burns it
That's why they call them business sox
by egriffey on Jun 15, 2009 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jennings
If they do move him into the rotation, Holland needs to go to Oklahoma to get consistent innings.
by LiamP on Jun 15, 2009 9:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This.
I’m convinced the reason Holland’s secondary pitches are so bad right now is this stupid BS of dragging him into the bullpen before he was really ready. Whether it’s the majors or the minors he needs to be starting.
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 15, 2009 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holland's secondary pitches aren't his biggest problem
Losing his fastball command and still constantly relying on that fastball is what has gotten him into trouble. His secondary pitches are looking pretty good right now, for the few times when he throws them.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jun 15, 2009 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He can't seem to throw them on a consistent basis though
Which, you would think, is probably why he doesn’t throw them much. Once he gains the ability and confidence in his secondary stuff to utilize it more I think it’ll make improving his fastball location and command a lot easier.
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 15, 2009 9:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think its that he can't throw them
I think he just needs to learn when is a good time to throw them and that when he is in trouble, they can work for him rather than having to rely on his fastball each time.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jun 15, 2009 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
why?
whats wrong with leaving him in the pen
by erikj07 on Jun 15, 2009 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It allows him to rely to much on his fastball
His inability to effectively throw his secondary pitches is his biggest problem right now, and we already know coming out of the bullpen he hardly ever threw his changeup, which was supposed to be his second best pitch. Now it’s his least effective pitch, according to Fangraphs pitch values.
He needs to start, whether it’s majors or minors so he’ll be forced to use and improve his secondary stuff.
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 15, 2009 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fangraphs pitch values
All his pitches suck right now because he hasn’t been very good. I wouldn’t put too much stock in those yet
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jun 15, 2009 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe, but the change is pretty clearly behind his other offerings if you look at them per 100 pitches.
I don’t know how reliable the pitch values are either, but that’s what they’re indicating.
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 15, 2009 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i disagree
In his last start what killed him was fastball command. I don’t think his development would be hurt in any way by working on all his pitches out of the pen. That argument doesn’t make sense to me.
by erikj07 on Jun 15, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's just it, he doesn't throw his secondary pitches out of the 'pen
And Ron doesn’t put him in situations where he can work on them when he brings him out of the bullpen, either. That’s really the biggest problem, Ron thinks he’s supposed to be a power arm out of the bullpen and he’s not. And I don’t want to see Holland at the mercy of a manager who who either doesn’t use him at all or puts him into impossible positions.
And, like I said above I think the key to improving his fastball command is not to make him throw more fastballs but to get him enough confidence in his secondary offerings that he’ll throw them more (and like Gdawg said, learn when to throw them as well). That’ll allow him to pick his spots for the fastball a bit and at least keep hitters from just sitting on it. Or at least you would think it would, anyway.
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 15, 2009 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because constantly jerking a kid from the rotation to the bullpen is a fantastic way to stunt his development
And his control of his secondary stuff isn’t there.
by LiamP on Jun 15, 2009 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
jennings
that is ridiculous. he huffed and puffed his way through three innings. and there is no way his stuff will be good the second or third time through the order. and if it is just to replace holland , that’s just dumb. however, i wouldn’t mind if it is just that he’s the 7th man in line
"I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the [MLB] for guys to fall in love with [the Rangers’s] sloppy seconds." (thanks cstorm)
by ab03 on Jun 15, 2009 9:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You got the title wrong
T.R. Sullivan is cantankeroustoday
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 15, 2009 9:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I could understand why they might want Jennings available for an emergency start
But losing Jennings in the bullpen hurts the team a lot and with his past injuries, moving to the rotation and having him throw 100+ pitches a start could see him gone completely. Then there’s the whole effectiveness issues too. Holland has struggled and would be able to add another solid arm to the bullpen, but it just doesn’t seem like this move does much to help the team while there is a lot of risk in making that switch. Like I said, I hope its just in case of emergency, they’d be considering it.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jun 15, 2009 9:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jennings and El Duque
are just insurance in case of more injuries, Holland continued struggling and whatever else might happen to the rotation.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
by RangerMad on Jun 15, 2009 9:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't understand the Jennings to the rotation idea.
Maybe they think Holland will adjust his mechanics better in short spurts, but, usually, the mantra for young guys to work things out is “get him some innings”.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
by rooster on Jun 15, 2009 9:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I like Jennings just fine where he is.
I think his greatest value for us is in the bullpen
by tyd3311 on Jun 15, 2009 9:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What I'm worried about is Jennings getting hurt pushing himself into the rotation
And we lose one of our few decent relievers altogether.
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 15, 2009 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jason Jennings -- rotation savior!
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
"Anyone who hangs themself during autoerotic asphyxiation is free game." - Curmudgeon
Colloquially, a person engaging in the activity is sometimes called a gasper.
by Chase Irwin on Jun 15, 2009 9:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jason "Jesus" Jennings:
Let me tell you something, pendejo. You pull any of your crazy shit with me, you flash a bat over the plate, I’ll take it away from you, stick it up your ass, and spin the fucking handle until it sticks.
Nobody fucks with the Jennings.
by Snark on Jun 15, 2009 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
shutup
I'm just goofin' new boot goofin'
by iorange555 on Jun 15, 2009 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The bottom feeders of the NL west seem to have cured the Angels problems.
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 15, 2009 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Torii Hunter down hurt after smacking into the wall.
by Texas_Dawg on Jun 15, 2009 10:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Why shouldn't the Rangers take a look at Pedro Martinez?
by Texas_Dawg on Jun 15, 2009 10:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Because he's not the Pedro of old
And probably too expensive for a guy who’s not what he used to be.
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 15, 2009 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because they don't have any money to spend
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 15, 2009 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And what money they do have needs to go to Purke and Scheppers.
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 15, 2009 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, don't you worry about how I know
I just know.
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 15, 2009 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eh.
That’s standard operational stuff.
by Texas_Dawg on Jun 16, 2009 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, TR didn't answer this question at all
Elvis Andrus started playing professionally at the age of 16, which seems almost impossible. What can position players do at such a young age to garner so much attention from Major League scouts?
— Kolter H., Abilene, Texas
Players in Latin America not subject to the Draft are signed at age 16. Scouts start looking at them at age 13-14. American players are subject to the Draft and don’t get taken until after their high school careers are over. But many start getting scouted when they are sophomores.
The guy asks about what these players do to get that much attention at a young age and TR says scouts look at them at an early age.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jun 15, 2009 10:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Somewhere, a single tear of pride and kinship just rolled down Joe Morgan's cheek.
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 15, 2009 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
T.R., ace Latin American talent scout, apparently
Arlington, TX: home of The Blue Blur
by Brett Perryman on Jun 15, 2009 10:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if he saw MJH's video?
I thought GP3 looked like Hammy does in those old pics and viddies of him as a teenager.
Man among boys.
by shroomer on Jun 15, 2009 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If we're looking for an extra
starter and want Holland to go back to OKC to work on his pitches how about Moscoso? He hasn’t been great but he’s been a starter, his stuff moves and he’s shown flashes of some nasty pitches. In a year that’s supposed to be about development give it to the younger arm rather than retread Jennings who looks like he might stroke out during a fourth inning.
by Hull Fan on Jun 15, 2009 11:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
good point re padilla
Man, I love winning! You know? It's like better than losing!
by SteveP on Jun 16, 2009 12:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Why would anyone care what TR Sullivan has to say about anything?
This guy has been mailing it in for so long I almost don’t remember when he used to be good.
Seriously, the guy’s a joke.
He should retire and stop causing Rangers fans misery with his ignorant old man ramblings.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Everyone needs to drive a vehicle, even the very tall. This was the largest auto I could afford. Should I therefore be made the subject of fun?
by thedirkatron on Jun 16, 2009 1:14 AM CDT reply actions 4 recs
It reaches disturbing levels
when his writing becomes a distraction from the modicum of substance at hand.
If you’re going to spare it up, at least dress it up.
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
"Anyone who hangs themself during autoerotic asphyxiation is free game." - Curmudgeon
Colloquially, a person engaging in the activity is sometimes called a gasper.
by Chase Irwin on Jun 16, 2009 1:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup.
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 16, 2009 1:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like the new sig.
Where’s it from?
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 16, 2009 1:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Simpsons episode
It’s this guy
Arlington, TX: home of The Blue Blur
by Brett Perryman on Jun 16, 2009 2:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think I've seen that one.
If you can't watch Holland and see that he's going to be awesome, you probably shouldn’t be watching baseball. - Section 339
by lonestarJon on Jun 16, 2009 4:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you find something comical about how i look in my car?
This is the biggest car I could afford on my salary..
A Cowboy fan from Dallas residing in enemy terretory since 1990..
by Jtiner09 on Jun 16, 2009 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Padilla
Tortilla
"I hope a bartender appears, with a shot and a beer everytime ya holler, cause yeah man, that's lucky"-Pat Green
"I want to be wearing the red, blue and white."-Matt Purke
by JustinH89 on Jun 16, 2009 1:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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