Roster moves, June 26
by Inkara1 on Jun 26, 2009 5:12 PM CDT
68 comments
Per Jamey Newberg: (haven't seen this on other Rangers blogs yet):
- Willie Eyre recalled from the 60-day DL
- Brandon Boggs sent to Okahoma City
- German Duran put on release waivers
So I guess now we won't ever get to hear Josh Lewin's "Hungry Like the Wolf" references anymore. But at least now if Millwood doesn't give us a complete game, we'll have someone available to pitch a few innings.
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Duran
I have to assume he’s headed to Japan…don’t know why they’d put him on release waivers, as compared to DFAing him and trying to deal him or outright him, if he wasn’t.
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 26, 2009 5:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I disagree with this move...
He’s just a huge question mark, with all the off time from injury and sitting on the bench.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on Jun 26, 2009 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've never understood the interest
he looks like a guy who is, at best, a utility player. I suppose he would have cleared waivers.
I just don’t know what you do with him. He has no trade value, Vizquel is a better option this year, and maybe even next year. Vallejo and Lemon are coming up and will be better options in future years.
"I saw a soldier try to dig a foxhole with his bare hands. He didn't notice that he'd torn off all his fingernails. I got him out of there quickly; not for his sake, but for ours. Fear is poison in combat...destructive, contagious." - Band of Brothers
by DJCahill on Jun 26, 2009 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Osuna as well
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 Jun 26, 2009 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
At one point...
…he seemed like a second baseman with a nice bat.
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 26, 2009 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For one year
in 2007 when he showed a little extra pop. Almost reminiscent of Jason Romano, but Duran had his one year at a higher level than Romano. Not a great defender, not a guy who was ever gonna have much of an OPB.
All that being said, I’m sure he is now gonna have one big year like Scott Podsednik, and we can be treated to much wailing and gnashing of teeth for years afterwards.
"I saw a soldier try to dig a foxhole with his bare hands. He didn't notice that he'd torn off all his fingernails. I got him out of there quickly; not for his sake, but for ours. Fear is poison in combat...destructive, contagious." - Band of Brothers
by DJCahill on Jun 26, 2009 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He had that breakout year and then was dumped on the end of the bench for most of 2008
It was terrible for his development. Thats one reason why I hate to bring up young guys to just sit the bench. Not saying he ever would have became anything special but its unfair to do what we did to a guy like Duran
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 Jun 26, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
22 HR
Jose Vallejo would love to have the age-22 season Duran did, all the way back in 2007. And he won’t come close.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on Jun 26, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Neither Vallejo nor Lemon...
… has ever put together anything close to a season as good as Duran had for Frisco in 2007.
Lemon will have to develop some pop to have a career as a major leaguer but he’s definitely got to be considered a better prospect than Duran at this point.
As for Vallejo, I’m not sure why anyone considers him a prospect at all. His track record This is his 5th year in the organization and he’s hit about .275/.315/.350 every year, including this year between AA and AAA. His bat isn’t going to play in the majors.
A least Duran had the one huge season that made people stand up and take notice. His struggles this year which have led to his release are unexplainable, and I’d rather see someone else get cut, but it’s not that big a deal. I wonder if he’s having some personal problems or issues that’s are contributing to his lackluster performance, or if maybe he did or said something to one of the Rangers top brass that specifically pissed he wrong person off. Or maybe his agent got him a nice contract offer with a Japanese team and he’s not important enough in the Rangers long-term goals to warrant putting up any sort of fight if he wants to leave.
by brianphayes on Jun 27, 2009 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was surprising
I think he’d clear waivers, surprised they’d just dump him.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jun 26, 2009 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They're not
According to Andro, they’re going to re-sign him if/when he clears waivers.
I assume they timed this move to make sure it occurred a day before he had to come off the 7-day AAA DL after his appendectomy. That way, he’s more likely to clear since anyone claiming him on release waivers off the Rangers 40 would have to utilize a major league DL spot for his major league contract and couldn’t just sign him and option him and then place him on the AAA team’s 7-day DL.
by brianphayes on Jun 27, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not that surprising.
Arias and Vallejo pretty much squeeze him out of playing time in AAA, Vizquel squeezes him out from MLB for this year, and maybe next, he doesn’t have much trade value.
I think with a deep system, we are going to see a few OK, but not great prospects get squeezed out. I assume it was dump Arias or dump Duran Duran.
"I saw a soldier try to dig a foxhole with his bare hands. He didn't notice that he'd torn off all his fingernails. I got him out of there quickly; not for his sake, but for ours. Fear is poison in combat...destructive, contagious." - Band of Brothers
by DJCahill on Jun 26, 2009 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would have preferred Arias, myself.
At least we know he has a bag.
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
by Chase Irwin on Jun 26, 2009 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Either one
wouldn’t have bothered me much. Having both on the 40 was a little silly.
"I saw a soldier try to dig a foxhole with his bare hands. He didn't notice that he'd torn off all his fingernails. I got him out of there quickly; not for his sake, but for ours. Fear is poison in combat...destructive, contagious." - Band of Brothers
by DJCahill on Jun 26, 2009 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd have preferred Arias, too.
I assume he stays because he plays SS.
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on Jun 26, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
probably...
…although they’re probably better off trying Vallejo at SS full time because he’s not likely going to have enough bat to carry any other position in the majors.
It also may have come down to attitude. Arias has been out there busting his ass and getting his uniform dirty while being terrible at the plate and not having the arm for SS but he’s trying his best and doing it with a smile on his face. Duran spent most of the year in the majors last year and you wonder if Duran effectively losing his AAA job after 87 AB this year to a couple players who he probably feels he’s better than had him moping around or bitching or perhaps just not exactly the best team player these days. That’s probably human nature but it nevertheless could have landed him in the front office’s doghouse, in which case the decision over which one of Duran and Arias to jettison probably wasn’t too difficult.
by brianphayes on Jun 27, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Arias
there were whispers of makeup issues/concerns about Arias during his “injury” so extolling his virtues as a human being is really based on nothing but supposition. Maybe he was batting 150 because he was pouting about not making the big club who knows…
by Goyogringo on Jun 27, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah strange move
smells likes some other mitigating factors led to this.
by Goyogringo on Jun 26, 2009 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you're going to be shuttling an OF
wouldn’t you rather just have Golson up?
That was a complete waste with Boggs — no purpose. The guy has value on a major league club. Let him continue to develop in AAA instead of diminishing his value by doing nothing.
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
by Chase Irwin on Jun 26, 2009 5:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Agree 100%
Although I guess the reasoning could be that Boggs has reached, or gotten pretty close to his ceiling so playing everyday isn’t going to help him improve as much as it would Golson. I still would have called up Golson instead of Boggs though.
This is weird though. Are we going with an 8 man pen for awhile or are there more moves to come?
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 Jun 26, 2009 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boggs is going to eventually be a good player
on a major league roster but he needs to play every day and that wasn’t going to happen with this manager.
I love the kid because he’s obviously a smart player. Unless there are lots of injuries to players perceived to be better than him with the big club, it’s not going to happen here.
A smart GM from another team would make a play for him.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
" I don’t feel like arguing with laxtonto about it for the same reason I wouldn’t argue with him if he said the earth was flat. He’s a person who is happy with his head up his ass so why should I make him sad?"
by Josey Wales on Jun 27, 2009 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He could be
a useful trade piece, probably a decent 4th OFer if given the chance.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jun 27, 2009 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's better than a 4th OF
High OBP with good defensive skills and highly intelligent but he needs to play every day to truly understand his value.
Knowing what this team lacked in June, I look at Boggs (who is a player on the doorstep of his prime) and look at Byrd (32 years old in August, piss poor OBP & defensive skills) and seriously wonder what the f we are doing.
It’s crap like this that seriously makes me question some of the powers that be in Arlington. The kid pissed off somebody who is a decision-maker because he should be playing more than he is.
A smart GM is going to get him cheap.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
" I don’t feel like arguing with laxtonto about it for the same reason I wouldn’t argue with him if he said the earth was flat. He’s a person who is happy with his head up his ass so why should I make him sad?"
by Josey Wales on Jun 27, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree he should be playing much more
but I’m not sure I’d want him as one of th top 3 on a winning club. On this team, he should definitely be getting more time. I’m not as high on Boggs as you and Mike Hindman are, but I certainly agree he should be getting more at bats, even if just to showcase him for a team who might like him more than the Rangers apparently do.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jun 27, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd put Boggs in the line-up not for showcase purposes
but for “it gives me a better chance to win” purposes.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
" I don’t feel like arguing with laxtonto about it for the same reason I wouldn’t argue with him if he said the earth was flat. He’s a person who is happy with his head up his ass so why should I make him sad?"
by Josey Wales on Jun 27, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He gives you a better chance to win
over a Murph/Hambo/Cruz lineup? Or heck even a AJones/Hambo/Cruz lineup? Don’t think so.
by behindthebag on Jun 27, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
behindthebag,
I dunno because I didn’t get to see him play other than in token appearances.
I’d like to see if his nearly .800 OPS last August or .405 OBP at OKC had some depth and could play in The Show.
I know the offense I saw from this thing in June was a giant bag of suck.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
" I don’t feel like arguing with laxtonto about it for the same reason I wouldn’t argue with him if he said the earth was flat. He’s a person who is happy with his head up his ass so why should I make him sad?"
by Josey Wales on Jun 27, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the real question to me
is does he give you a better chance than a Cruz/Borbon/Hamilton starting OF
and I think that could go either way
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jun 27, 2009 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess there aren't any smart GMs out there, then
Since no one has made a play for him in the past year plus.
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 27, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
AJM
So you think Boggs can’t play in The Show if given an opportunity to play every day?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
" I don’t feel like arguing with laxtonto about it for the same reason I wouldn’t argue with him if he said the earth was flat. He’s a person who is happy with his head up his ass so why should I make him sad?"
by Josey Wales on Jun 27, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What?
Hes 26 years old repeating AAA, come on. I bet he would prefer to sit on the bench in the majors and I doubt it has any effect at all on his future either way.
the preceding post was a great success.
by DSheppard on Jun 26, 2009 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's not ALL his fault he's still in AAA
he’d have been given a chance at 2B if there wasn’t a fella by the name of Ian in front of him
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jun 27, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why Golson? What's he done to merit being re-called?
He’s gotten worse each month as the season has progressed and he strikes out nearly once a game against AAA pitchers.
They may not even call up an OF until Hamilton comes back but if they do, it should probably be Borbon, who could be given some of Byrd’s playing time against RHPs so that we all may re-live the glory of Tom Goodwin. One thing in Borbon’s favor is that he puts the bat on the ball and isn’t gonna strikeout too much. He’s probably capable of making lots of “productive outs” – Angels style – which might go over better right now than another hacker like Golson.
But the guy they should call up to replace Boggs is definitely Steve German. He’s already demonstrated the ability to get on base in both the minors and the majors and he can play any position other than catcher. The Rangers might could help the offense a little if Washington got creative and figure out a way for German to fill some sort of Tony Phillips-lite type role, starting somewhere everyday against LHPs and occasionally against RHPs.
by brianphayes on Jun 27, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why Golson?
Because if you are going to have someone come up and just sit on the bench as the 25th man until Josh Hamilton comes back, might as well be Golson.
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 27, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Esteban German?
On second thought, you’re right.
"We're One Nation Under a Groove"
- Ayjayem
by Chase Irwin on Jun 27, 2009 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
how far off is nippert
from returning? i know he pitched 4 innings in frisco last night
go here to view my blog: http://dirtfromd.blogspot.com
by studcrackers on Jun 26, 2009 5:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Pinella and Bradley had a moment today...
Watching the Cubbies postgame.
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Ryin A on Jun 26, 2009 5:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lou was unclear
but did mention it had something to do with Bradley throwing bat/helmet, then beating on a water cooler.
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Ryin A on Jun 26, 2009 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh
and said they had “words” as MB went up the tunnel to the clubhouse.
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Ryin A on Jun 26, 2009 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So...he's gonna be dumped this winter to an AL team,
for less than real value, with the Cubs picking up some of the contract, IMO. He won’t get another multi-year contract.
"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 Jun 26, 2009 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Would you take him back...
and plug him back in full-time at DH down the stretch, assuming the price were right?
by N41D on Jun 26, 2009 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
naw, too injury-prone
Ephesians 3:20-21...and I can only imagine
by TedFord on Jun 26, 2009 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes
absolutely. Cubs take Blalock and say a pitching prospect for Bradley with Chicago picking up part of his salary through next year.
by Hull Fan on Jun 26, 2009 6:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
blalock cubs
No way he’s beating out Lee and even if the Cubs did consider him still viable as a 3B, A-Ram should be back soon. He can’t play outfield, so Blalock would be strictly a pinch hitter for the Cubs and they’ve already got a similar but more versatile player on their bench in Micah Hoffpair.
That said, the Cubs would likely trade Bradley for Blalock straight up if they could, just to get out from under that ill-conceived contract. But there’s no way the Rangers would consider adding any additional salary in a move like that even if the Cubs were willing to throw in several mil per year towards MB’s salary.
And a healthy Bradley playing like he’s capable of during the 2nd half could still be a big factor in improving the Cubs enough to win their weak division. Blalock probably wouldn’t even improve their bench.
a pinch hitter.
by brianphayes on Jun 27, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hell to the YES!!
with this caveat: a sit-down beforehand, explaining he is a full time DH, and a 5th OF at best. If he’s ok with it, pull the trigger.
Definiton of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results
"Introducing your 2009 Texas Rangers-Built for Insanity!"
by randyd on Jun 26, 2009 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Depends what the Rangers ahve to give up
Smoak/Davis is still the long-term plan for 1B/DH playing time with Smoak looking like he’ll be ready by next season. I’d love to have Bradley back and DHing everyday, but I wouldn’t want to give up much now that we know how close Smoak is.
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 26, 2009 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
are you kidding
after he admittedly dogged it here last year? no way we bring him back
by blueballlefty on Jun 26, 2009 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
absolutely
if they take a healthy portion of that contact. no doubt.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jun 27, 2009 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I approve.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Jun 26, 2009 7:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Duran
Im surprised by the move but it’s not a world ender.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Jun 26, 2009 10:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Has anyone noticed
that Duran’s line at OKC this year is .149/ .185/ .207/ .392?
by twinkilling on Jun 27, 2009 12:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
yikes
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jun 27, 2009 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes
but it’s only 90 PA. He (was) on the AAA DL and hadn’t played in nearly a month and hasn’t had a hit since May 11th. The Rangers more or less gave all his playing time to Vallejo in early May and you wonder if Duran’s been the happiest campier in Oklahoma City locker room since then .
His extreme awfulness this year is probably a combination of small sample size fluke, physical injury or illness, and possibly a personal issue or something. His complete lack of playing time is probably due to the Rangers liking Vallejo and Arias better as MI prospects and wanting to keep Steve German sharp and playing every day since he’s the one guy down there right now who could be a viable replacement fill-in starter if one of the major league IFs got injured.
Personally, I’d just as soon cut bait with Arias than Duran. Arias’s .250/.260/.280 or whatever line has come in 3 times as many PAs than Duran’s. He’s not a good enough defender at SS to have any sort of major league future that I can see.
by brianphayes on Jun 27, 2009 10:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
appendicitis
probably had something to do with that .392 OPS thru 87 at-bats so far.
by brianphayes on Jun 27, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
that info about the DL stint changes everything, sounds like he’ll stick around.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jun 27, 2009 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And some clarification:
The reason Duran was placed on release waivers is because he was currently on the DL (following an appendectomy) at Oklahoma City. By rule, an injured player can’t be outrighted from the 40 while on the DL. He must be released.
Psst…The 40 Trumps All!
"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 Jun 28, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Arias' arm strength
is the only concern regarding his defense; he was regarded as plus-plus before his arm issues. I like still like Duran and think he can have a good second half – maybe he should be sent down to short season to get his confidence back first. Regarding Duran’s injury woes this season, and bolstering your speculation (though not about his attitude), Duran was floored by a severe respiratory infection just before or just after the season that affected him during the first month of the season. So, it has been nothing but misfortune for the kid so far.
I also think Vallejo should be switched to shortstop or at least platoon there as that is likely what his future will be unless his power #s start to resemble his 1/2 yr in HighA last year. I for one did not think he merited a promotion to AAA this year as his #s were down from last year in AA.
by Goyogringo on Jun 27, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the other hand
If you are talking about utility IFs, which is all we are talking about, defense is as important as offense, because they are going to be versatile enough to play multiple positions.
No one is seriously suggesting that any of these guys has a career as a legitimite starting player in the majors, are they?
"I saw a soldier try to dig a foxhole with his bare hands. He didn't notice that he'd torn off all his fingernails. I got him out of there quickly; not for his sake, but for ours. Fear is poison in combat...destructive, contagious." - Band of Brothers
by DJCahill on Jun 27, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
on Duran
http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/06/an-explanation-of-the-german-duran-move.html
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on Jun 27, 2009 10:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm going to miss him if he's gone
but who’s honestly going to pick him up?
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jun 27, 2009 3:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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