Friday morning Rangers stuff
by Adam J. Morris on Jul 10, 2009 9:13 AM CDT
147 comments
I'm not really that upset about last night's loss. It was disappointing, sure, but the Rangers were running a rookie out there against one of the best pitchers in baseball. King Felix was great last night, and it was only by some remarkable good fortune that the Rangers scored a run.
Tommy Hunter was terrific, so you have to feel good about that. And C.J. Wilson, who has been great this year, just left a pitch up to Franklin Gutierrez. Yeah, I think it would have made sense to bring Frankie Francisco in in that situation...but then, Francisco hasn't exactly been sharp of late, he's been homer-prone recently, and since coming off the d.l., I think the Rangers are trying to be cautious with him, and use him for fewer 4 out saves.
I probably would have preferred to have seen Francisco face Gutierrez in that situation, but I can understand leaving Wilson in there. And Junior Griffey deserves a ton of credit for fouling off a bunch of pitches and working a walk against C.J. right before the homer. That, to me, was a huge at bat, and a guy C.J. needed to get.
Jeff Wilson's game story focuses on the Griffey walk, with Ron Washington saying it was the key AB of the night.
Despite the quiet night from the bats last night, the offense has awakened since Josh Hamilton's return from the disabled list.
Nelson Cruz apparently isn't thrilled that he's sat three straight days, but is going to keep working and preparing as if he's starting, so he'll be ready when he goes back out there.
Richard Durrett has some thoughts on last night's game, as well.
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i felt the same way
i was happy to see hunter do so well, but felix definitely outpitched him. i feel like our only chance to take that game (aside from having a clean 3 innings from the bullpen) was if we could have gotten to him in that 6th for a few more runs and maybe bounced him from the game.
by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Jul 10, 2009 9:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think in addition to Hamilton
just getting Davis out of the lineup is huge. Suffering through 3 non productive spots in the lineup due to defense may be too much to bear (SS, C, 1B). The old offense was just reminiscent of the Astros, where you basicly are conceding 3 innings a night.
"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 Jul 10, 2009 9:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm surprised
they have sat Cruz three times without a hint of injury. I wonder if there is an inside the lockerroom story we haven’t heard.
"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 Jul 10, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
there was a hint of injury
his last AB he was pulled with a back tightness or something, hasnt played since
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
by Jayslick on Jul 10, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
IIRC, he played the next day.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In fact that was July 1.... and he played the next 4 games
unless he got pulled from another start that I don’t know about.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
It’s kind of hard to argue that he should be playing right now over Byrd and Murphy right now, but it is kind of irritating that if Marlon Byrd goes through a two month slump we see him out there day after day, but when Cruz hits a prolonged rough patch he finds himself benched for three games.
Byrd and Murphy have been pretty insane lately though, and Andruw Joneslock is on quite a little longball roll. But if Murphy plays instead of Cruz against Washburn and Bedard this weekend, I’ll be plenty ticked.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And regardless of slumps
A player on pace to have a 40/20 season with plus range (apparently) in RF should not sit 3 straight games against divisional foes
by BuckyB on Jul 10, 2009 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can and will argue...
that he should be playing over Byrd right now.
Byrd /Murphy should be a platoon as long as Jones is hot.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Jul 10, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, the only problem with that is Byrd has a .232/.275/.476 line against lefties this year
But I would tend to agree with you just based on the fact that Marlon Byrd is far less important to this team’s success both next year and in a playoff run than Nelson Cruz.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hey stat guys
can someone quickly tell me where to find stats for distribution (LF, CF, RF) of a player’s balls put in play?
Thanks
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
by willamos2 on Jul 10, 2009 9:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well
http://firstinning.com has spray charts on their player pages. I also think MLB.com has them too.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
muchos gracias
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
by willamos2 on Jul 10, 2009 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hunter was terrific?
I know a certain Great Game deity who would disagree.
by brettgardner on Jul 10, 2009 9:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought he was better the start before last night, myself.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
wasnt he pretty badass then too?
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
by Jayslick on Jul 10, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Game score of 67 man
What a performance in the show that many thought should be in the bully.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jul 10, 2009 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where do you find game scores?
Or are they easy enough to just compile yourself?
"[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 Jul 10, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Easy to calculate
I just googled how to do it..lemme find the link….
http://www.ehow.com/how_2066829_calculate-game-score-baseball.html
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jul 10, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
BR has them in their gamelogs, I think.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm they say it was a 65
Guess I messed up the calc…
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jul 10, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Surely somebody can find a stat
to prove that Hunter was totally, undeniably, 100% terrible last night
Baseball announcer utters expletive on TV broadcast to describe Hideki Irabu’s ineptitude – network gets zero complaints
by TomLovesHideki on Jul 10, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He didn't win.
Gracchus (about Obama): I think he knows what America is. America is the mob. Conjure money for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar. The beating heart of America is not the paper of the Constitution, it's the power of the media. He'll bring them debt - and they will love him for it.
by Aquaman56 on Jul 10, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bingo
DFA his ass
Baseball announcer utters expletive on TV broadcast to describe Hideki Irabu’s ineptitude – network gets zero complaints
by TomLovesHideki on Jul 10, 2009 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hope Cruz is in there tonite, Murphy looked bad last nite.
On a different note we really struggle in parks that it is hard to hit a ball out.
by diamond_dave on Jul 10, 2009 9:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
To be fair
not many ppl looked terrific last night. I dont mind having Murphy in against a righty. I would have preferred Cruz over Byrd. IF Murphy starts against a lefty in place of Cruz then we have a big problem.
by Michael Cave on Jul 10, 2009 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is more likely the case tonite (and that is fine).
Just get him in tonite. Is Kinsler ever going to get another hit? a line drive? a ground ball?
by diamond_dave on Jul 10, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He did go opposite field twice list night
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Poor IKE
He has hit just .201 with a .688 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in 44 games since May 20.
"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 Jul 10, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least he's better than Chris Davis was over the same period
.181/.235/.346 .581 ops
Go Rice Owls!
by JBImaknee on Jul 10, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
New Camera system coming to help with defensive stats
A new camera and software system in its final testing phases will record the exact speed and location of the ball and every player on the field, allowing the most digitized of sports to be overrun anew by hundreds of innovative statistics that will rate players more accurately, almost certainly affect their compensation and perhaps alter how the game itself is played.
Which shortstops reach the hard-hit grounders up the middle? Which base runners take the fastest path from first base to third? Which right fielders charge the ball quickest and then throw the ball hardest and most accurately? Although the game will continue to answer to forces like wind, glaring sun and the occasional gnat swarm, a good deal of time-honored guesswork will give way to more definite measurements — continuing the trend of baseball front offices trading some traditional game-watching scouts for video and statistical analysts.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jul 10, 2009 9:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks again computers.
We couldn’t do it without you.
Your 2009 Snow Monkey Ambassador
by Parman on Jul 10, 2009 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No kidding, pretty soon we won't even have to watch the games...
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see the downside
other than costing jobs for some of the bottom rung scouts who gave dubious input anyway.
"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 Jul 10, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The downside is....
….that the computers become self aware and fucking launch a nuclear first strike and wipe us out. Haven’t you seen Terminator? Skynet is coming for us all!
Who is making this AI system? Cyberdine?
by FuturePants on Jul 10, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I for one
welcome our new range factor overlords.
Purgatory's kind of like the in-betweeny one. You weren't really shit, but you weren't all that great either. Like Tottenham.
by TheJeezus on Jul 10, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
+1
Gracchus (about Obama): I think he knows what America is. America is the mob. Conjure money for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar. The beating heart of America is not the paper of the Constitution, it's the power of the media. He'll bring them debt - and they will love him for it.
by Aquaman56 on Jul 10, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A bigger worry
the computers become self-aware and start kicking everyone’s ass in fantasy sports.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jul 10, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now I see a positive
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You'll know when the team name is something along the lines of:
X6soe9385Xwwpgt
Gracchus (about Obama): I think he knows what America is. America is the mob. Conjure money for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar. The beating heart of America is not the paper of the Constitution, it's the power of the media. He'll bring them debt - and they will love him for it.
by Aquaman56 on Jul 10, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i always liked it when idiots were clueless though
let the MY is a GG SS guys live in their own world.
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
by Jayslick on Jul 10, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Awesome
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They would have had it ready sooner
but FOTF kept breaking in at night and sabotaging the equipment.
Purgatory's kind of like the in-betweeny one. You weren't really shit, but you weren't all that great either. Like Tottenham.
by TheJeezus on Jul 10, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yankee fans won't like it.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
by RangerMad on Jul 10, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You mean ESPN?
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure ESPN
will find some totally useless application for the data.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jul 10, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm just looking forward
to Joe Morgan trying to explain what it does.
Purgatory's kind of like the in-betweeny one. You weren't really shit, but you weren't all that great either. Like Tottenham.
by TheJeezus on Jul 10, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joe Morgan will stick his head in the sand
and pretend it doesn’t exist. He played the game. He doesn’t need programs written by Billy Beane to tell him who can field their position. He won Gold Gloves. He played for The Big Red Machine.
"What is that — five out of six? The numbers say what they say. They own us." -- Torii Hunter, 07/01/09
by NorCalRangersFan on Jul 10, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
This can't get...
…rec’d enough. Bravo.
I have no objection to man walking on the moon.
by Chad Crudup on Jul 10, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Have you seen that commercial...
…where Joe Morgan is promoting a product – some kind of hitting system – which is a baseball attached to a tee on a weeble wobble, so you hit it, and it bounces back up? Oh my god so terrible. The whole commercial comes off as almost on the level of an SNL parody commercial, he says stuff like, “Take it from me, Joe Morgan!”
by FuturePants on Jul 10, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pure gold.
Purgatory's kind of like the in-betweeny one. You weren't really shit, but you weren't all that great either. Like Tottenham.
by TheJeezus on Jul 10, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lineup without Cruz
Preview of the outfield after Cruz is part of a Roy Halladay package……
by Darrell McKown on Jul 10, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
No way they would want Cruz
with Wells, Rios, Lind, and Snider
by Michael Cave on Jul 10, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't even think about that
so right… for that matter why would they be interested in Borbon? I feel like we would value him a lot higher than they would.
by BuckyB on Jul 10, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unless Wells is also coming to Arlington
Salary dump (Jays’ priority). Rangers may be the only team with sufficient multiplayer packaging to pull off a blockbuster (not saying I’d like that!) Then again, Roy H can basically stop any kind of deal if he won’t come here.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Jul 10, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dont think that is happening
in terms of Wells. If it did not it seems like we would have to get rid of Padilla and Blalock in that deal. Almost in a basketball-eque fashion. Give away expiring deals for a longer one.
by Michael Cave on Jul 10, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I forgot about Snider
So, yeah, that probably doesn’t work unless they want to move another OF.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 10, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How come we haven't seen Arlington J. Murray this year?
He is doing really well at OKC and we really could use another lefty in the pen.
by diamond_dave on Jul 10, 2009 10:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Because...
Eddie Gaurdado is the clubhouse comedian.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
More importantly
Because Eddie Gaurdado has a 3.15 ERA since April, and Derek Holland is already a third lefty in the bullpen. Three seems like plenty.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 10, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Derek Holland should not be a third lefty in anybody's bullpen.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nobody puts Wonderboy in the corner!
"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky
by RCCook on Jul 10, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
agreed!
Eddie ERA is very mis-leading. Wash cannot and doesn’t put him in any competive situation!
by diamond_dave on Jul 10, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gaurdado
Since April, Gaurdado has pitched in 22 games. 12 of those games were 3-run games or less. The Rangers are 13-9 in those 22 games.
While he clearly has pitched in some non-pressure situation, to say he doesn’t pitch any competive situation just isn’t true.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 10, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What makes you think we would use Murray any differently than we are using Guardado?
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 Jul 10, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Guardado has a 1.109 OPS against LHB
He might as well be right handed.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eddie's WPA is lowest on the team.
Is WAR is 0 – here are the other pitchers with zero – Eyre, Nippert, Mendoza, Rupe, Madrigal, Benson. With the exception of Nippert all of those guys have been sent down. Of the pitchers currently on the roster is FIP is 5.04 (lowest on the team). His value to this team isn’t pitching, no matter how you want to look at it. It is with stuff off the field – clown, leader, mentor. Maybe that is important – I don’t know. But it is taking a roster spot and we have lots of kids coming. Just this year we probably need to see AJ and possible Neftali. Harrison will be back and McCarthy?
by diamond_dave on Jul 10, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That doesn't answer the question though
The question being what makes you think we would use Murray any differently than we are using Eddie? Eddie isn’t killing this team and from all accounts is a great clubhouse presence which this club has put a priority on. I don’t think they are going to dump him just for the sake of dumping him unless he is pitching poorly and there is a clear cut better option that they are comfortable using down in the minors. I don’t feel they are comfortable using AJ Murray in any role more significant than what Eddie currently is doing so they aren’t gonna get rid of the clubhouse presence
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 Jul 10, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What is wrong with Derek Holland in the bullpen?
I don’t like Nippert in the rotation, because he’s a bad pitcher, but what is inherently wrong with having Holland in the bullpen?
by Darrell McKown on Jul 10, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't trust Ron to use him correctly
He’s been inserted into too many messes of other peoples making this year, rather than low-leverage situations where he can work on his secondary stuff.
I’d rather see him starting in OKC than at Ron’s disposal in the bullpen.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn't he inserted in bases loaded jams in first 2 appearences!
Not a way to work on secondary stuff – al all.
by diamond_dave on Jul 10, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He wasn't brought up to work on secondary stuff..
He was brought up to help the team win.
Does he NEED to work on his secondary stuff? Clearly. But that wasn’t why he got the promotion, and it isn’t Wash’s primary responsibiity.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was he brought up to help the team win now or in the future?
I know Wash thinks short term (he has to) but was that the FO plan? I hope not.
by diamond_dave on Jul 10, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Both, but let's not pretend that this is all about his development.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So that somehow makes it okay that Wash keeps marching a rookie pitcher out there into situations he (by your definition) is probably not equipped for?
That doesn’t help either the team or the player.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jon Wails is quickly becoming your new nickname.
"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 Jul 10, 2009 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, I'm right about this one and it's not just a subjective assessment.
The evidence is right below.
Unless some ground rules are instituted to prevent Wash from using him as some kind of a fireman, Holland is never going to improve his secondary pitches coming in with men on base every time out of the ’pen.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
EVERY time??
Get a grip and check back in.
It’s 6 out of 10 appearances, and 2 of those 6 were a single runner.
He IS weaned from the teat, isn’t he??
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And another note..
In 2 of those 3 bases-juiced appearances, he either kept them from scoring or only allowed 1 run. That is BOTH helping the team AND helping his education.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of his 10 appearances out of the bullpen
He’s been brought into the middle of an inning with me on base 6 times, and of those 6 times 5, where with RISP, 3 with the bases loaded.
That’s not putting a young pitcher in the best situations to succeed or work on his game at all.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
His stats in those 6 games??
8.2 IP, 10 H, 3 ER
Sounds to me like he’s learning to succeed just fine.
Meanwhile, his line in his starts??
39 IP, 50 H, 27 ER
I don’t see where putting him in higher-leverage situations is setting him up to fail at all.
Feel free to try and make a better case for coddling him. I think he’s handling his education pretty well. Granted, he has allowed 6 of his 11 IRs to score, but that IS part of his education.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Coddling him"?
Please. I don’t want to coddle him, I want him to START. He’s not a freaking fireman reliever, and he shouldn’t be used as such.
He needs to improve his secs so he can become an effective starter, which means he either needs to start or work multiple-inning outings out of the bullpen that are free of other peoples inherited runners. If he’s not going to get to work on that in the big leagues, then he should be sent to AAA where he can.
I’m all for winning the division this year, but I’m not for stunting one of your top prospect’s growth as a starting pitcher to help do it.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK, then chew on this...
5 out of his last 6, and 7 of his last 10, appearances were starts. Are you REALLY suggesting that he’s somehow getting stunted??
Looking at his arc this year, it looks like he came up and got acclimated in the pen (perhaps faster than many would have liked), and then began a fairly long run of starts punctuated by the occasional bullpen appearance.
That, to me, sounds exactly like the “spot starter” role everyone envisioned for him when he got called up. Would I rather see him start than Nippert?? Hell yes, but I’m not going overboard in my distaste for it.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm concerned because his schedule keeps getting jacked around.
Like Z said in his DMN entry the other day, it’s not good business to keep jacking a pitching prospect back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen like this. They need to either pick a role and stick with it, and since he’s been continually misused out of the bullpen I think that role needs to be starter – either here or in AAA.
Furthermore, I actually think myself he’s fairly close to finding himself as an effective major league starter. Two out of his last three starts have been good, and his sec’s have looked a lot better his last two appearances. He’s finally starting to become less fastball-reliant. I think myself he could wind up being a better rotation option in the second half than Matt Harrison.
But instead of picking a role and sticking with it, they keep fucking with things, moving his starts back and waffling on whether he’s going to start or relieve. If you needed a spot-starter in Nippert this week, fine, but there’s no reason to put Nippert, who isn’t any better than Holland in terms of stuff, control or MLB success in the rotation ahead of a younger, better pitcher who might be on the verge of figuring things out in the starting role.
Either start him here, or send him to AAA and start him. Bottom line, that’s where I’m at.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holland should be ina rotation.
Either Texas or OKC.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
by RangerMad on Jul 10, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, as long as your other rotation option is
Dustin Nippert or Doug Mathis or someone of that ilk, I definitely agree that Holland should be in the rotation.
If we had a good rotation option, I’d have no problem with Holland in the Bullpen.
"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 Jul 10, 2009 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's my point
I conceptually have no problem with Holland in the bullpen.
I do have a problem with Nippert in the rotation, but that’s because Nippert sucks, not because Holland just has to be in a rotation somewhere.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 10, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Nippert is still in the rotation in two weeks, I'll agree with you...
But Oh My Most Merciful Sweet Clean Jesus Lord, it was a whopping one start.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holland will probably get more innings out of the pen in the next month than he would as our 5th starter
Which is why I have no problem with the move back to the pen
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 Jul 10, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why?
The Rangers have one off-day between the All-Star break and August 10.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 10, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you check out how those days fall..
The 5th starter will get 3 starts max according to what I’ve read. For the generic 5th starter, that 18(ish) innings, right? It’s close, but he could get in 6-7 appearances in those 26 games.
When I heard all the talk about how the 5th started wouldn’t get used much for a while, I had assumed more than 1 open date from the ASB to early August, so the logic may be flawed.
Like I said earlier, if Nippert is still starting in two weeks, I’ll be pissed unless he’s pitching great.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can count, dude...
So that’s 3 times through the rotation for everybody, plus 2 more times for just the 1-4 starters. The off day, falling after 7 games, IIRC, will let them reset/skip the 5th guy once. Then the rotation takes 3 turns, then the frontend guys get the other extra start.
See how that might work?? ;-) Again, it’s what I’ve heard will happen, but we’ll see. Given that many days, it’s FAR more likely that bullpen load will control the 5th starter slot more than any planning will.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Nippert is going
Sunday. Honestly, that bugs me. If they put Holland in instead, I’ll be much happier.
"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 Jul 10, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I read today that they haven't named the Sunday starter yet
They are apparently waiting to see what the next couple of days does to their pen.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully,
they don’t use Holland between now and then. I can maybe see Nippert be a good bullpen arm someday. Don’t see him being a starter though.
"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 Jul 10, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jinx Alert
With Feldman and Millwood starting the next two nights, it’s quite possible that Holland won’t have to be used.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Bullpen was good enough for
Pedro Martinez
Johann Santana
Kenny Rogers
Nolan Ryan
Roy Halladay
Roy Oswalt
Andy Pettite
Derek Lowe
Carlos Zambrano
etc.
Those guys turned out alright.
"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 Jul 10, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
are there are many others that never made a relief appearance
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
by RangerMad on Jul 10, 2009 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In the last two decades
yes. Before that it was pretty common to start out in the bullpen.
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by t ball on Jul 10, 2009 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's face it
if Holland hadn’t sucked as a starter, he’d probably still be in the rotation.
Oswalt started out as a reliever his first 8 appearances, and 4 of his first five starts as a starter were quality starts, and he really never looked back. Johann Santana got cuffed around some of his first few starts, and was back in the bullpen.
As much as people think you have to be patient with young players and let them suck for months at a time in the role you eventually envision them in, its just not reality in major league baseball. Some of the best pitchers in baseball were jerked around to the bullpen when they weren’t getting it done as starters at the beginning of their careers.
"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 Jul 10, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Maybe not.
I’m sure there are pitchers that got yanked around and turned out fine, no doubt. So I go to Fangraphs to see if the top pitchers got yanked around. I expected to see about half get yanked around but that wasn’t the case. Of the Top 12 pitchers they made 298 starts in 327 appearances. Only 2 had more than 2 bullpen appearances. So as a general rule, the top pitchers in the game today, their managers were patient with them. People think you have to be patient with young players because, as a general rule, they’re right.
by diamond_dave on Jul 10, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus, AJ is not on the 40
The 40 trumps all!
"andruw jones hits 3 HRS at LA of Anaheim last nite after hitting zero at LA of LA as Dodger in all of '08. thats nuts." SI_JonHeyman
by WestTxAg06 on Jul 10, 2009 10:28 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Well, if Guardado goes, that kind of takes care of itself.
And there’s really no need to call Murray up unless Guardado where gone.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eddie role seems to be that of a mentor not a pitcher.
Just hire him for that and lets get a pitching prospect in here.
by diamond_dave on Jul 10, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep,
this seems like the ongoing attempt to feed more mediocre rookies into a team in the middle of a playoff run.
"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 Jul 10, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And because Murray
has been alright, but hardly dominant, and is not on the 40-man. I hate to add a guy to the 40 just to be a LOOGY.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jul 10, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think
we should try to get some french fries for him
by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Jul 10, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What has AJ done
to make anyone think he will be better than Guardado?
"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 Jul 10, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's got a 2.67 FIP between AA and AAA this year with his new arm slot
Considering Guardado has an FIP of 5.04 and has a 1.109 OPS against LHB, basically rendering him useless as a LOOGY, I’d say there’s plenty of reason to take a look at AJ Murray.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
by lonestarJon on Jul 10, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
CNBC Interview of Dykstra
http://www.cnbc.com/id/31833973/
No talks of cheddar, but he does off up this gem:
And when I asked him where he plans to be financially in a year, he said, “I’ll be living the dream.”
by GregoryM on Jul 10, 2009 10:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think his plans are
to continue with ridiculousness and hope for a gig on WWE
by BuckyB on Jul 10, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rich and Mike
are talking about him on the Ticket right now
Purgatory's kind of like the in-betweeny one. You weren't really shit, but you weren't all that great either. Like Tottenham.
by TheJeezus on Jul 10, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just heard that as well
It is really an interesting phenomenon to hear about all these former athletes who are broke. It is sad and infuriating at the same time. Some are just stories of dumb athletes, some are stories of very dishonest advisors.
by Michael Cave on Jul 10, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And in this case it seems to be that Dykstra is both...
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Jul 10, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am very close to my CPA
and then about 2 yrs away from my CFP. Eventually going to get the ol CFA designation as well. My dream (pretty down the road) is to open up a boutique advisory firm specializing in professional athletes. May never take because it is all about the clientele but there is a strong need for it IMO
by Michael Cave on Jul 10, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And then you can publish a magazine.
And buy a jet.
And then….oh wait, you are Lenny Fucking Dykstra!
"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 Jul 10, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good luck with that CFA
It’s a mf’in bitch
Baseball announcer utters expletive on TV broadcast to describe Hideki Irabu’s ineptitude – network gets zero complaints
by TomLovesHideki on Jul 10, 2009 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
CJ didn't just leave a pitch up...
He walked a .217 hitter in a lefty-lefty situation.
by tyd3311 on Jul 10, 2009 10:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
OT: Brewers' pick turns down team offer -- after they agreed to his demand
According to Keith Law, Kentrail Davis has turned down the Brewers even after they agreed to his number. Melvin must be ready to choke him and Boras.
http://twitter.com/keithlaw/statuses/2560076761
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by t ball on Jul 10, 2009 11:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This seems exceptionally dickhead-ish
Even for him.
Purgatory's kind of like the in-betweeny one. You weren't really shit, but you weren't all that great either. Like Tottenham.
by TheJeezus on Jul 10, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
that was my thought
Give a team a number, they agree, then say “sorry, changed my mind”, that’s just beyond the pale. I am all for Boras getting the most money for his clients, but the team met your demand. It’s as if when the team agreed he realized he hadn’t asked for enough.
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by t ball on Jul 10, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's just bad business
I don’t see Boras doing something that egregious. Something else must be up.
Go Rice Owls!
by JBImaknee on Jul 10, 2009 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could be like the kid the Yanks drafted last year
They gave him his number, and he decided, I changed my mind, I want to go to college.
It happens.
by Adam J. Morris on Jul 10, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
could be
a blow for the Brewers if so.
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by t ball on Jul 10, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was he a compensation pick?
Do they get it back next year?
Purgatory's kind of like the in-betweeny one. You weren't really shit, but you weren't all that great either. Like Tottenham.
by TheJeezus on Jul 10, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, "I want to go to college"
is a legitimate reason for not following through. Of course, by definition he’s calling off all negotiations at that point, not trying to squeeze more out of them.
“Oh, they accepted? We must have requested too little – we want more!” is not a valid reason, and I don’t see Boras doing that. He’s tough, but he doesn’t seem to negotiate in bad faith.
Go Rice Owls!
by JBImaknee on Jul 10, 2009 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well,
maybe the assumption is that everyone has a price.
For instance, I say I don’t want to gargle glass but what I really means is that I wouldnt’ do it for under $2M.
Maybe this kid really did have a change of heart and now wants to go to college. But really, he still has a price. If you gave him eleventy billion dollars, he wouldn’t want to go to college anymore. So he’s just really being more honest (or complete) than the guy who just went to college when he says that the price offered no longer suits him but he’s still at the negotiating table.
"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 Jul 10, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Among hitters with at least 10 jacks, only Albert Pujols and Raul Ibañez have homered in a higher percentage of their plate appearances.
usa
by Longhorn on Jul 10, 2009 12:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Who is this talking about?
Blalock? Jones?
Gracchus (about Obama): I think he knows what America is. America is the mob. Conjure money for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar. The beating heart of America is not the paper of the Constitution, it's the power of the media. He'll bring them debt - and they will love him for it.
by Aquaman56 on Jul 10, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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