Saturday a.m. Rangers things
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 6, 2009 9:19 AM CDT
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PrintNice to finally win one at Fenway, for the first time in a while.
Evan Grant says that Eddie Guardado's contributions yesterday were huge, both with his performance in the 8th in relief of Kevin Millwood, after Millwood got into some trouble, and afterwards, talking to Frankie Francisco about dealing with the sore shoulder that kept Francisco out of last night's game.
Francisco couldn't get loose before yesterday's game, so the decision was made that he wouldn't pitch yesterday, even though he called the dugout in the 9th and said he wanted to pitch. The last time Frankie made that call, of course, he ended up on the d.l. after he was used, so it is just as well he wasn't pressed into service in a 4 run game.
Jeff Wilson also has praise for Guardado, as well as for Elvis Andrus, who had a great 2 out at bat against Brad Penny that ended in an RBI single, and set the stage for Ian Kinsler's 3 run homer that broke the game open.
Vicente Padilla cleared waivers, and will start for the Rangers against Boston this weekend. Andruw Jones and Brandon Boggs will also apparently start today, against lefty Jon Lester, in place of Hank Blalock (579 OPS against LHP this season) and David Murphy (262 OPS against LHP this season). Given Blalock and Murphy have struggled badly against lefties both this season and historically, this seems like a pretty obvious move, but I suspect there will still be complaining from that contingent who still think those two need to be every day players, rather than platoon players.
Evan Grant has some notes up, including Tom Hicks saying it will be business as usual for the Rangers in the draft this year, despite his rather well-known financial problems. Despite Hicks' comments, I'll be surprised if the Rangers take Matt Purke or Donovan Tate at #14, given their exorbinant bonus demands.
Chris Davis says going three days without playing, and using the time to work on his mechanics with Rudy Jaramillo, has helped him get straightened back out at the plate. Yesterday's game was only his second 3 hit game of the season.
Richard Durrett runs down the candidates for the team MVP over the first third of the season. To me, it would clearly be either Ian Kinsler or Nelson Cruz...both have hit very well while playing great defensively.
Barry Horn has a story on Eric Nadel's detached retina situation. Horn also mentions in his TV/radio notes that the Rangers ratings on FSSW have almost doubled this season from 2009. Amazing how much more interested folks are in watching a team that is winning...
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Does Any Pitcher?
Or do you believe an MVP needs to come from the lineup?
I'm not AJM, but I'd pick the Grink as the MVP over Kinsler and Cruz if he were on this team doing what he's been doing this year.
Halladay, too.
Maybe Verlander, though that’d be closer.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.
Hilarious.
He was asking if AJM believed an MVP needed to come from the lineup, and I listed some starters who I’d give the team MVP award to if they were on this team as a way of answering the question.
But, yah, LOL!
Those players don’t even play for this team, LOL!
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.
Well, shit ... LOL!!
¡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 inactive lsb user on Jun 6, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
I might, too
There are definitely some pitchers that should come under consideration on some teams. OTOH, I can’t argue with Kinsler or Cruz for this team. The thing I find most interesting is how Cruz was so often maligned as “nothing more than a AAAA player” not that long ago.
I'm a firm believer that the 4A player is largely a myth.
Most players who dominate at AAA can succeed at the major league level.
The difference between the two levels is pretty big, but in most cases it’s not so big in most cases that a guy is utterly dominant in AAA and then shitty in the bigs.
There are some exceptions, obviously, but I believe most (75-80%) if the guys who get slapped with the dreaded 4A label are cast aside needlessly due to scouting predjudices.
See guys like Nelly Cruz, Jack Cust and Russel Branyan.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.
I don't have a firm opinion on the AAAA player one way or another
I just remember how much Cruz-bashing was taking place at LSB as recently as the beginning of last season. It happens to a lot of players; they struggle to acclimate, and people get impatient. If Cruz continues to play the way he is right now for the rest of the season, he becomes the poster child for being more patient with players like Chris Davis.
Until Davis struggles for 2 straight years then he and Nelson are really nothing alike
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.
It can be tougher
for a Cust who really doesn’t have a defensive position. Its so much easier to put up with someone who is not hitting, but is bringing some plus defense. For guys like Cust or Botts who can’t really play defense, its pretty damn tough for teams to be patient when they aren’t hitting. They just bring nothing to the dance.
"He (Padilla) shouldve gone back to Venezuela and watched on his Direct TV waiting to find out who his new team would be!!. ." - crops.mlblogs.com
I don't think the pitchers on this team have been that good
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 6, 2009 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Well
Feldman as a starter has thrown only 48 innings, is averaging less than 5 Ks per 9, and has a K/BB ratio of about 1.5.
He has a FIP of 3.97 as a starter, which is very good, but he hasn’t thrown a ton of innings as a starter, and you can’t just ignore what he did in the bullpen.
And even a full season of starting with a FIP of 3.97 is, I think, less valuable than what Kinsler and Cruz have done thusfar.
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 6, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Still makes
For a smaller sample size and less IP
I had a paper route when I was a kid. I was supposed to go to 2,000 houses. Or two dumpsters.
I don't disagree
I just wondered if it was these specific circumstances, or if you are one of those people who just don’t think pitchers should be considered on principle (only play every five days, etc.). If Feldman continues pitching the way he has as a starter through the rest of the season, I think he would garner some consideration. But that’s a very big if.
I think a pitcher can be an MVP
I think it is just difficult for a pitcher to be as valuable as the best positional players.
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 6, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions
Feldman
He’s got a BABIP of .218 as a starter, which isn’t sustainable, so I don’t think it is realistic to expect him to maintain a 2.50 ERA as a starter the rest of the season.
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 6, 2009 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah . . .
. . . like I said, it’s a very big if. I like Cruz for the first third, myself.
He might have been a good MVP last year
For as bad as the pitching situation was, just how far up shit creek would the Rangers have been if not for what he did last year?
I don't think so, no.
As good as he’s been, Cruz and Kinsler have both been beastly as hell on both sides of the ball as everyday players, and that wins out over situational relievers every time, imo.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.
two-frank?
"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller
ghey
"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller
Your Dad is what?
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.
by thedirkatron on Jun 6, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions
indian
"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller
I vote for
Dirty Frank to catch on as a nickname
I had a paper route when I was a kid. I was supposed to go to 2,000 houses. Or two dumpsters.
I like Elvis as the team MVP
well, maybe not, but his effect on the team’s defense (and indirectly, the pitching performance) cannot be overstated.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
Sure it can... by saying he's the team's MVP ;)
But, yah.
His defense up the middle has been a revelation.
Although the defensive stats (I know, I know… “defensive stats”) at Fangraphs have Nelly Cruz being a better RF’er as compared to average than Elvis has been compared to average at SS.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.
Young
Your comments about Elvis at SS got me thinking about Young at 3B. Fangraphs does not show many 3B with a UZR/150 greater than 0. Is this just a statistical aberration, or is the play of 3B just that bad this year?
by Excel Hearts Choi on Jun 6, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions
What do you mean?
I count 13 qualified 3B with UZR/150 >0 and 12 with UZR/150 below 0
Less Than 50%
That would mean less than 50% of MLB teams have an above average 3B. I’ve never bothered to check this out before, and I just wonder if this is normal.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Jun 6, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Odd numbers will do that
Plus, you’re only counting qualified 3B while replacement level stats are calculated from the whole group.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Fangraphs actually has Andrus as the 3rd most valuable position player on this team
And that is all fielding.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Of course after Kinsler and Cruz there aren't a lot of real good position players on this team.
There are plenty of contributors, but those two are the real studs and after them it’s a pretty steep dropoff.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.
by thedirkatron on Jun 6, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
Now I'm sad about Hamilton
He’s a 1 win player in 35 games and that was with a -1.5 bat.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
I nominate Ed Coffin to lead an investment group to buy the Rangers.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
You don't want a bunch of ex-CIA types and S. American dictators
owning this team.
by Black Francis on Jun 6, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
eff that m-effer
"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller
First Place Mother Effin' Texas Rangers!!!
"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 6, 2009 9:54 AM CDT reply actions 8 recs
DraftI think they will take either of those guys if they fall
Because if they stick to their high demands and we can’t afford them then we can let them go to college and we get a comp pick in next years draft. And with our record our 1st round pick next year most likely won’t be protected so if we find a type A FA we want we won’t have to worry about not having a 1st round pick.
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.
so...over/under: 15 picks
before Sickels gets upset that the ‘organization directors’ are taking too long making their picks?
"if my kid said 'uhh' that much, i would say, Hey! ... stop saying 'uhh' that much..." - dennis miller
The picks shouldn't take more than a few seconds.
Have a spreadsheet or piece of paper with a numbered list to the final number you pick, and automatically pick the top player on the list.
MLB Bonus Baby - A Draft Blog - Author
First Inning - Amateur Draft Contributor
The picks shouldn't take more than a few seconds.
Have a spreadsheet or piece of paper with a numbered list to the final number you pick, and automatically pick the top player on the list.
MLB Bonus Baby - A Draft Blog - Author
First Inning - Amateur Draft Contributor
Good ot see a win in Boston.
They’re the one team I really can’t stand. Besides the loss streak in Fenway, it seems like the 4-5 games I’ve gone to in Arlington since 2005 vs. the BoSox in Arlington have ended in losses.
I had a paper route when I was a kid. I was supposed to go to 2,000 houses. Or two dumpsters.
Don't know if anyone has said this yet
but for MVP Andrus has to be in consideration, he has swung the bat decent but how just adding him to the infield has made our defense significantly better he has to get some votes
"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards
by nicholas.rodriguez on Jun 6, 2009 10:29 AM CDT reply actions
NVM.....just read willamos' comment
"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards
by nicholas.rodriguez on Jun 6, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Fenway was a fun experience..
It was my first time. It was cool to see Yankee Stadium one night and Fenway the next. Fenway is charming and all but I sure did miss that Yankee Stadium main screen that must be 5 or 6 times larger than Bostons. Not only that but Boston doesn’t play nearly as many re-plays as they do in New York. The Boston fans were soo incredibly loud. When Big Papi got that single to right I felt like my eardrums were gonna bust. Great experience! I highly recommend it, that and the lobster club sandwich at Legal Seafoods. To die for!!
Also kinda cool is that street that you walk out as you leave the stadium with the dance clubs and all, kinda reminds me of New Orleans.
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.
Rangers MVP list...
1) Cruz
2) Kinsler
3) Millwood
4) Andrus
5) MY
6) Two Frank
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
I'd flip-flop Cruz and Kinz at the top, and I'd have 2Frank at 5 and Feldman at 6 ahead of Face, but that's a pretty good list.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.
by thedirkatron on Jun 6, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Ian >> Nellie
Come on homey.
He’s mo mo better.
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Jun 7, 2009 12:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Hard to pick MVP
There are lots of good choices. The bird in me wants to say Byrd, but that makes little sense so I’ll ignore it.
After last night, it’s difficult not to think of Millwood. Yes, the defense is the biggest reason the pitching looks better, but in the past the pitching would have found a way to fail. This year they have not, and I think a large part of that has to do with a resurgent Kevin Millwood, a guy who’s finally taking his job seriously. I’m sure the other guys look at his turn around and draw inspiration from it. The guy has gone from scrapheap to a real solid guy in one off season. It’s a big deal.
When I look at the season as a whole and how it’s turned out and why, it’s really hard not to choose Andrus. I think his presence looms large over that gaudy record they have. Doesn’t all show up in easily quantifiable numbers. It may not really show up in ANY numbers. He does, however, personify the defensive improvement and that’s what I guess I’m getting at. The pitching and hitting have merely been adequate to good. The defense is what stands out, so Andrus gets consideration from me.
Frank Frank’s another who deserves a look. He has put up incredible numbers, and what stands out to me is that he put up a lot of those numbers when almost everyone else who came out of the pen was turrible. He was a stabilizing presence. The only one you could look to out there as a sure thing. After the starter came out, you only had to make it through to the ninth. If you could get there the game was won.
But in the end I guess I’d have to go with Cruz. The man has been an offensive force and plays a mean right field. I think that outfield defense is often overlooked in favor of the infield, but it’s pretty damn important to have guys who can run, catch the ball, and throw out there. Cruz is exceptional defensively, and is one intimidating son of a bitch at the plate.
So good for him.
well the geeks
(and i say that lovingly) are telling us that the pitching is as awful as it was last year, so I can’t see how Elvis wouldn’t be the MVP by a landslide.
Man, I love winning! You know? It's like better than losing!
Seriously?
You can’t see why a great defensive player, but more or less average offensive player isn’t the MVP in a landslide? The Rangers have 2 great defensive players who are also among the best in the league offensively . The conversation should be Kinsler and Cruz with everyone else fighting for 3rd place.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
I didn't mention Kinsler
…only because that should be a given. Considering the position he plays, how he plays it, and what he’s able to do with that bat, to me he’s the automatic choice. I just wanted to look at non-Kinsler MVPs I guess.
by Black Francis on Jun 6, 2009 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
x
are telling us that the pitching is as awful as it was last year, so I can’t see how Elvis wouldn’t be the MVP by a landslide.
Because the defensive improvement owes as much to Kinsler and Hamilton improving as to Elvis.
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 6, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
That's some flawed logic right there, broseph.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
Chris Davis will be fine. Relax.
Andrus' AB was great
but that AB doesn’t happen if Chris Davis doesn’t get a hit after falling down 0-2 in the count in his AB. That was an at-bat that would have easily ended in a K just a week ago and those 4 runs don’t happen. It’ll be huge if he can continue to right the ship. Ever since he threw his bat into the stands, and has been using the new bat, he’s actually made contact with the ball.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Warsh artictle.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=bryant_howard&id=4231138
Pretty interesting read. Sorry if it’s a repost.
This was discussed in-depth yesterday
Not rubbing your nose in it…just if you want to scroll down and read about the discussion, Adam has it on the main page.
by Black Francis on Jun 6, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Thanks for pointing that out Butters.
Now I must play catch up in the other thread.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
"but I suspect there will still be complaining from that contingent who still think those two need to be every day players"
I wonder if anyone has ever complained all year about either sitting vs a lefty.
the preceding post was a great success.
I'm just glad
that were able to sit CD down for those 3 games. His ABs have definitely looked better. Surprised it took them as long as it did to get him out of the lineup to work it out in BP.
"He (Padilla) shouldve gone back to Venezuela and watched on his Direct TV waiting to find out who his new team would be!!. ." - crops.mlblogs.com
It would make me very
happy to never see Murphy have another at-bat against a lefty for the rest of his Rangers career.
"A good start would be not giving up 900 runs again." -Jon Daniels
by Randy Richardson on Jun 6, 2009 1:15 PM CDT reply actions
or
Blalock.
"He (Padilla) shouldve gone back to Venezuela and watched on his Direct TV waiting to find out who his new team would be!!. ." - crops.mlblogs.com
I bet Murphy could strike him out.
Somebody just needs to teach him a slider. He doesn’t have to throw it well…just kind of outside and Blalock will swing and miss trying to hit it four miles.
by Black Francis on Jun 6, 2009 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Murph
Not sure why, but lately, I’ve really felt the urge to kick his cheese-eating teeth in…
I'm Matt mutha-effing Bush, bitches, and mutha-eff East County.
"I'm as passionate and knowlegeable as any fan out there." Josey Wales
by Brian Thomas on Jun 7, 2009 12:07 AM CDT up reply actions
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