Wednesday a.m. Rangers stuff
by Adam J. Morris on Jul 22, 2009 9:36 AM CDT
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PrintThree game winning streak, and a chance to sweep Boston today. Nice, nice...
Jeff (the writer) Miller says that Tommy Hunter has impressed this summer, showing that he's learned from his experience up here last season and putting himself in contention for a permanent rotation spot.
As I've mentioned before, the Rangers could have some interesting decisions to make, particularly if Ben Sheets signs here. Sheets, Kevin Millwood, Scott Feldman, Hunter, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, and Neftali Feliz would all seem to be prime candidates to start 2010 in the rotation...and that's before we consider Eric Hurley, or Guillermo Moscoso, or Brandon McCarthy, or any of the other fringier guys.
Jeff Wilson says that good baserunning led to all the runs the Rangers scored yesterday.
Andruw Jones is 2 for 25 since his three homer game a couple of weeks ago, although Ron Washington says he still supports Jones. However, with Nelson Cruz apparently likely to play today, I'm guessing Jones will be sitting against Boston starter Clay Buchholz.
The Rangers are contemplating adding a bench player to the roster before today's game starts. The Rangers were basically down to a one man bench yesterday, with Omar Vizquel having "flu-like symptoms" and Cruz still dealing with his fractured finger. The three man bench was already leaving the Rangers short-handed, so a move is likely to come sooner or later.
Gil LeBreton has a column up praising Hank Blalock's play this month, and saying that he's been worth the $6 million he's getting paid this year.
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Comments
Hunter
I love how well he’s playing right now, his value is probably pretty high. How interested would Toronto be in acquiring him in a deal for Halladay? Would Feliz, Hunter, and Beltre get the deal done?
I also feel we need
to trade a Harrison or a Hunter by the start of next year. I don’t think JD will give up on BMac just yet because of the hit he’ll get by trading Danks for nothing. As of right now we could possibly be seeing
Millwood, Sheets, Feldman, Holland, Hunter, Harrison, and BMac as possibly rotation spots.
i would MUCH rather trade holland
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
You'd rather trade Holland than Hunter?
Why?
by Adam J. Morris on Jul 22, 2009 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions
I think he meant...
deal Holland rather than Feliz.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
no chance
that gets it done
more like feliz, andrus, beavan, + would be my guess
I'd rather hold onto Hunter
not if it was a deal breaker for Halladay, but I want to find a way to keep him. He and Feldman could really bolster the rear of our playoff staff rotation for years to come…
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jul 22, 2009 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Why are the Angels winning so many games?
Eff me I hate that GD team. They aren’t this good, period.
Last night I was sitting near CF, so can someone explain what exactly was up with that weird double play where Young was caught on the basepaths? What about the one where Elvis got almost all the way home? It didn’t appear to be good baserunning by me, but I was far away.
elvis's
running around and around allowed mike to get to second. then hammy got a hit and since mike was at 2nd he scored. but yeah, elvis may have got caught in the cookie jar a little, but he did enough to get mike in scoring position
Michael Young > Steve Garvey.
Nelson Cruz >Greg Nettles.
Elvis Andrus > Willie McGee.
Ian Kinsler > Darryl Strawberry.
i dunno, that's just really random.
Elvis was running on contact
He was aware enough to realize that he was gunned down at home, getting caught in the rundown allowed Franchise Face to make it into scoring position.
There's more to the picture than meets the eye.
Well
It was some heads up baserunning by Young, but from my seat, that Elvis stop-dead-in-his-tracks-2-feet-from-home-and-turn-around move was just….weird.
Not really
Elvis saved MY’s ass there.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Jul 22, 2009 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions
no, its a simple baseball play
Elvis was told to run on contact of a GB in hopes that it would be hit slightly to the left or right of a fielder making it really hard to be thrown out at home. Unfortunately, it went right to the SS who had Elvis out at the plate. Elvis was smart enough to get caught in a rundown and allow MY to get to 2B for Hammy’s RBI single
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
What I meant...
…was that to say that Elvis’s move “saved MY’s ass there” is extreme. I understand the play of running on contact.
by FuturePants on Jul 22, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
MY choked again with a guy on third with less then 2 outs
Elvis bailed him out some by leting him get to second there.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Jul 22, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions
im a pretty big FOTF hater
started off looking up his late and close stats
and noticed this:
as goes michael young, as go the rangers:
career in wins:
.350 BA
.400 OBP
.534 SLG
.934 OPS
career in losses:
.251 BA
.294 OBP
.356 SLG
.650 OPS
thats in over 2800 ABs each (for wins and losses)
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions
This year he's 2-18 with guys on 3B and less then 2 out.
and hitting about .180 with RISP.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Jul 22, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
so teams
generally win when their 2 hole shortstop plays well, thats a revelation
by kevinkinsler on Jul 22, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I think he was partly surprised.
On replays, Jed Lowrie was right on the infield grass, fielded the ball quickly, and threw home.
announcers said it was a good idea to run hard to home
in case they bobbled the ball…and of course once he knew he was out, THAT’S when it was a good idea to get caught in the run down to allow Young to advance
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jul 22, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions
be patient
we’ll get our chance at the Royals soon enough..
'Howard makes me fear the NKoreans less... If they shot anything at us, he’d be there to block it." - Aquaman56
"Also Ian’s season is following the same pattern as Ricky Martins Career. Both needed another hit, bad." - SaltyGoesYard
But
They just swept the Yankees; they are playing some good ball. They just aren’t this good and it’s frustrating as hell.
by FuturePants on Jul 22, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
we just beat Beckett
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jul 22, 2009 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions
It is a specfic play that was on for Elvis.....
With the infield in….the baserunner is either told to hold on a sharp groundball or go on contact.
If the baserunner goes on contact, the idea is that it puts pressure on the defense to field the ball cleanly and make an accurate throw to home. If that happens the runner is going to be out, but instead of running right into the out the runner should try to stay in the run down as long as possible so that the batter can make it to 2nd.
Your basically giving up one base to try to score the run knowing that a 2 out hit will score the new runner at 2nd anyway.
by death of the cool on Jul 22, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Cool
Honestly, I was not paying enough attention to see if the infield was playing in. I’m just trying to see what’s happening; those CF bleacher seats are far away! Not a big fan of those.
by FuturePants on Jul 22, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
blah
you guys say they arent that good
you guys say their pythagorean expected wins dont add up
i just see a team that is a winner
dontyakow
the angels lead the league in players with the good face as well in clutch+ and GRIT+
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Its funny how teams that are just winners
Always end up losing in the playoffs.
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
At least they get there.......
Godwin's Law Version 2.0 (Rangers Edition)
"As a Ranger discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Danks, Volquez, or Young approaches one."
by LBBRangerFan on Jul 22, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions
The point is
That saying a team wins because they’re a bunch of winners is dumb. Do they just forget how to win in the playoffs or something?
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
So are you disgregarding their 2002 season?
Because, winning 1 World Series in the past 7 years and making the playoffs 6 of the last 7 isnt too bad to me. I would trade that in a heartbeat plus one of my arms.
Elvis has "shook up" Arlington!!
You're missing the point completely
There is no “knowing how to win”. You’re either good enough to win, lucky enough to win, or you’re losing. The Angels don’t have this mysterious aura where they can get victories at will.
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
hank seems
to have become adequate with the glove.
Michael Young > Steve Garvey.
Nelson Cruz >Greg Nettles.
Elvis Andrus > Willie McGee.
Ian Kinsler > Darryl Strawberry.
i dunno, that's just really random.
who fuckn cares, he's contributing more than davis and his "great defense" was
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
Forget it, he's
rollin’ channeling.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
When shown on TV last night, Buchholz
looked like a dooshy mental midget. I hope the Rangers make him cry tonight.
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"you gonna lose your horse. seriously." FX2
Yes we can! November 04, 2008
Who knows, but
Given our financial situation, I’m not sure that signing Sheets is worth our resources. He’s been injury prone for quite some time now.
by BuckyB on Jul 22, 2009 9:46 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
he's worth it.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jul 22, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions
So...
What other Jeff Miller is there?
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
A pitcher for the Tigers
It automatically links to that player’s page, if I don’t put something in between Jeff and Miller.
by Adam J. Morris on Jul 22, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Ah.
I take it there’s no way to turn it off.
I figure it’s in the developmental stages, but it’s a pretty lame feature of SBNation right now…
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on Jul 22, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
Users should be able to disable those links, and content posters should be able to disable them as well.
Ah
Glad to know, because that was annoying.
by brettgardner on Jul 22, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
yeah I had no clue what the origin was
and I thought I missed it. Good to know.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jul 22, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Hmmmmmmm, Wash tries to explain why Blalock is hitting so well...
“Washington carried that thought even further, saying that Blalock’s fielding has helped his hitting.
“It makes a big difference, because when you’re DHing, you have nothing to get that frustration out of you,” Washington said.
“Now, if he makes an out, he gets out on the field and he knows he can still contribute. Playing a regular position, I think, has had a lot to do with Hank’s hitting.”
Wash, it has nothing to do with playing a regular position in the field and everything to do with playing him 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?"
agreed
Wash, it has nothing to do with playing a regular position in the field and everything to do with playing him every day.
Wash really thinks he is smarter than he is.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
It may not have anything to do with him playing a regular position in the field
… but Washington isn’t the only one with the team who believes this. Doesn’t Hamilton say something to the same effect?
I’m not saying it’s right, but it seems to be something that some ballplayers believe.
i believe hamilton said it has to do with the fact
he cant get in a groove/into the flow of the game
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, that's it.
And that is somewhat distinct from what Washington is saying about Hank getting his frustration out through contributing on the field. I do think the two fit together into a larger pattern of feeling/belief/thought on the part of some in baseball, and I can imagine how players and coaches could perceive this to be true even if it is not borne out by statistics (whether it is or not IDK)
FWIW: I would not be surprised if some of the out there things that Washington says have a lot to do with being unwilling to air his real reasons or thoughts in public.
the “guT” haha
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions
It has everything to do
Blalock being a streaky hitter and mashing righthanders.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Wrong, tball
it has everything to do with him playing every day and not being platooned so CDavis could play every day.
I read and hear AJones taking a lot of crap (Newberg said in the podcast “I’ve seen about enough of Andruw Jones”) but he’s having a better year at the plate (with about 30 more plate appearances) than Josh Hamilton.
"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 Jul 22, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Meaning that I was correct all along on Blalock
and that tball should stfu?
"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 Jul 22, 2009 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions
You notice how
he is brandishing this “i was right on blalock” yet whenever i point out that he predicted this team to win 73 games he gets all pissy. Pot meet kettle.
You are obsessed with bodily wastes A turd being held under my nose, this team being a steaming pile, Jonny Donuts having a stinky diaper, the front office pissing themselves, the team crapping the bed…
I think you should seek counselling.
(AJM to Josey Donuts)
by Michael Cave on Jul 22, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't get
pissy about predicting the team to win 73 games this year. I’m glad that I was probably wrong.
"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?"
You know
Since Davis went down and Blalock’s had the constant shifting/dumbassery by Washington taken away, he’s 3-17 against lefties with 7 Ks. .176.
Nobody’s saying he’s a bad player, just that he mashes righties and sucks against lefties.
by brettgardner on Jul 22, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions
And given how well Blalock hit v leftys in 2007 & 2008
I wouldn’t dismiss him doing much better than he has this year with every day ab’s.
Blalock most assuredly did not suck v leftys from 2007-2008.
"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 Jul 22, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions
What about prior to 2007 Josey?
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.
The thing is
I distinctly remember you saying something to the effect of “I thought Blalock sucks against lefties?!?!?” when he hit that homer off Bedard. That’s your problem: you read into these minuscule sample sizes whatever you want.
It seems like the only reason you want Blalock to do so well is to give you some other reason to bitch about Daniels when he lets him walk.
by brettgardner on Jul 22, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Blalock v. lefties (OPS)
09 – 77, .595
08 – 83, .903
07 – 47, .796
06 – 162, .596
05 – 194, .584
04 – 195, .780
03 – 139, 540
02 – 30, .243
Just saying…many more low numbers than high
You are obsessed with bodily wastes A turd being held under my nose, this team being a steaming pile, Jonny Donuts having a stinky diaper, the front office pissing themselves, the team crapping the bed…
I think you should seek counselling.
(AJM to Josey Donuts)
by Michael Cave on Jul 22, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes I know.
He sucks against lefties. That’s fine—all it means is he’s not a superstar.
by brettgardner on Jul 22, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Not attacking you at all
just responding to the whole thread and your response was the lowest.
You are obsessed with bodily wastes A turd being held under my nose, this team being a steaming pile, Jonny Donuts having a stinky diaper, the front office pissing themselves, the team crapping the bed…
I think you should seek counselling.
(AJM to Josey Donuts)
by Michael Cave on Jul 22, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Understood
Didn’t mean to sound defensive by any means—we’re agreeing, after all.
by brettgardner on Jul 22, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Very true
At this pt in his career he would be a dynamite platoon guy but playing everyday passed him by when he decided to sacrifice his decent approach at the plate.
Also blalock has not walked vs. a lefty this and has struck out 21 times.
You are obsessed with bodily wastes A turd being held under my nose, this team being a steaming pile, Jonny Donuts having a stinky diaper, the front office pissing themselves, the team crapping the bed…
I think you should seek counselling.
(AJM to Josey Donuts)
by Michael Cave on Jul 22, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I have plenty of other reasons
to bitch about Little Boy Donuts (wouldn’t it be nice to have Adrian Gonzales playing 1B right now?) without worrying about Blalock.
"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?"
Josey
Things could be worse for you. You could be a Pirates fan.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
Fans of the Texas Rangers should not be
laughing at anybody else in MLB.
"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?"
Another Blalock nugget -
He’s been very, very good in July and “sorta contributed” by carrying the offense at a most critical time.
The only time in the month he struggled came after he had four days off (AS Break) in a row.
"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?"
Pitching
As I’ve mentioned before, the Rangers could have some interesting decisions to make, particularly if Ben Sheets signs here. Sheets, Kevin Millwood, Scott Feldman, Hunter, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison, and Neftali Feliz would all seem to be prime candidates to start 2010 in the rotation…and that’s before we consider Eric Hurley, or Guillermo Moscoso, or Brandon McCarthy, or any of the other fringier guys.
Furthur reasons why I think Feliz stays in the pen permanently.
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.
We have a ton of pitching
The Rangers may feel Feliz will have a greater impact on the club as a late inning reliever than in the rotation since we have so many starters in the upper levels who are near ML ready.
Basically the difference between Feliz and whoever is your 5th starter pitching every 5 days may not be as much as the difference between Feliz in the pen and whoever would be there and he can help your ballclub in key situations.
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.
Neftali Feliz transcends our pitching glut
Basically the difference between Feliz and whoever is your 5th starter pitching every 5 days may not be as much as the difference between Feliz in the pen and whoever would be there and he can help your ballclub in key situations.
Initially, maybe, but you have to think about the bigger picture. You put Feliz in the opening day rotation next year, and hope that on opening day 2011 he is your Ace.
I don't think hes gonna be ready for the rotation at the start of next year
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.
How about putting him in AAA
until May of 2010 nad hope he is your TORP in April of 2011.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
Or just leave him in the pen and he helps out from day one
In April 2011 I think our pitching will be the least of our worries.
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.
the value of a TORP over a back of the bullpen piece is immense
i dont think you worry about the wait if it takes him longer to get there… That value difference is so much, you take your time
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
Whats the difference between a TORP and a above average 5th starter?
And then whats the difference between an average late inning reliever and a shut down late inning reliever?
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.
as shown by the WAR of david wells vs mo rivera
a good middle of the rotation guy can have as much effect, WAR-wise, as the best late inning reliever (probably) ever. certainly of our generation.
now show me one that compares say clemens to rivera or even someone like josh beckett to rivera and i would be interested
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Its not comparing the two players
Its comparing the TORP to the 5th starter vs comparing the average middle reliever to the lights out late inning man.
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.
Just take a look at Fangraphs for a quick and easy look
TORP are worth at best about 4 more wins than average starters and even more if you’re just talking about 5th starters. The top relievers aren’t even worth 4 wins and are more likely to be worth just a couple of wins over the average middle relief guys.
So if we had a choice between trying Feliz out in the rotation to get that TORP (pushing out a lesser pitcher), it would be worth a hell of a lot more than sticking him in the bullpen and taking out one of the average arms we have there.
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
we have plenty of pitching...
but not plenty of high end pitching. Sheets, Feliz and possibly Holland are the only names in that piece that could front a rotation. If you have one Ace, you’re doing well. If you have 2 or even 3, you’re going to win championships.
This isn’t the Red Sox with Beckett, Lester, Smoltz, Penny, Dice K, Wakefield, Buchholz. This is the POSSIBILITY of Sheets, Millwood, Feliz, Holland, Hunter, Feldman, Harrison, plus…you tell me which rotation you’d like to have more.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jul 22, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
it could be like what they said with Papelbon
Do you let the guy become an ace in your rotation or the next Maraino Rivera? Obviously, Feliz is still far away, but he’s definately has the potential to do either, although I’d personally rather have him starting.
'Howard makes me fear the NKoreans less... If they shot anything at us, he’d be there to block it." - Aquaman56
"Also Ian’s season is following the same pattern as Ricky Martins Career. Both needed another hit, bad." - SaltyGoesYard
Do you let the guy become an ace in your rotation or the next Maraino Rivera?
You let him become an ace in your rotation.
"[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 22, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
If you only have a couple good pitchers then absolutely
But if you have 5+ quality starters then you have a serious decision to make
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.
How bout we work on getting to the playoffs first
Then we can worry about winning in the playoffs
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.
You're always working toward building a championship roster
And to do that, you need pitchers with big time stuff to front your rotation
I would argue...
This team doesn’t have 5+ quality starters.
Feliz needs to be given every chance possible at the rotation. Closer is a backup plan.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
I agree he needs to be given every chance as a starter
But then why move him to the bullpen in AAA?
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.
He couldn't have kept starting and still had an immediate impact this year?
Is moving him to the bullpen in AAA gonna make his already 100 mph fastball 105 mph?
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.
Getting ready as a starter and warming up as a reliever
are really two different routines. They just wanted to get him used to getting ready quickly.
I think it is much ado about nothing. I believe that he will help out in the bullpen this year and then transition into starting next ST.
Godwin's Law Version 2.0 (Rangers Edition)
"As a Ranger discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Danks, Volquez, or Young approaches one."
by LBBRangerFan on Jul 22, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Dont starters normally throw in between starts?
They throw ~100 pitches in their start and then a couple days later throw a bullpen session so I don’t see how throwing ~20 pitches one day and a day or two later being asked to do the same is that big of a stretch.
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.
Dude
it is a BIG BIG difference. Throwing a bullpen and throwing in the game are two ENTIRELY different things. Also usually on bullpen days starting pitchers can take their time warming up. Do some shoulder exercises, take it easy. if you are in the pen, basically it is go get hot in 3-5 mins.
You are obsessed with bodily wastes A turd being held under my nose, this team being a steaming pile, Jonny Donuts having a stinky diaper, the front office pissing themselves, the team crapping the bed…
I think you should seek counselling.
(AJM to Josey Donuts)
by Michael Cave on Jul 22, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I understand its a big difference
I just don’t think its such a big difference that you have to move him to the pen in AAA to get him used to it. That could have very easily been done his first couple weeks in Arlington with little to no effect on things and it would make me feel a hell of a lot better about his future as a starter if they had left him as one in OKC
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 wastes a ML bullpen spot though
to bring him up knowing full well that they wouldn’t be able to use him on back to back nights for a while. This way they can train his arm and get him used to it and when he’s ready, as soon as they need someone, they’ll call him.
Very true
You are obsessed with bodily wastes A turd being held under my nose, this team being a steaming pile, Jonny Donuts having a stinky diaper, the front office pissing themselves, the team crapping the bed…
I think you should seek counselling.
(AJM to Josey Donuts)
by Michael Cave on Jul 22, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions
it'll get him experience
to know when to use that 100 MPH heater vs. the 89 mph change or 85 mph curve…against big league pitching…which will be HUGE when he does start.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jul 22, 2009 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions
How?
Hes gonna be brought in to high pressure situations and will most likely throw 90+% fastballs. I am envisioning a Joel Zumaya type outting where the fans know whats coming, the announcers know whats coming, the batter knows whats coming, and people watching at home know whats coming but it still comes and they still can’t hit it.
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.
fair enough. you know it all
and nobody else knows anything about Feliz. I defer to your vast understanding of all things Feliz. I will humbly bow out and move onto things I do understand.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jul 22, 2009 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions
are you serious?
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
i disagree totally
if he fails as a TORP you can put him in the bullpen fairly easily
but going from bullpen —> rotation is a different story
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
papelbon
i thought part of the reason he was still in the pen is taht his arm couldnt hold up to pitching every 5 days or something like that
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
B-Mac needs to go to the pen too
It might mitigate his natural frailty.
That's why they call them business sox
I would like to see that...but what would he top out at?
he used to have a #2 ceiling right? I see him as a long man in the pen. Never a closer…probably not a setup man.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jul 22, 2009 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions
That's one of the dumbest things I've read today.
You do not put Feliz in the pen because you have “too many” other starting pitchers. You put him in the pen if you think he isn’t going to make it as a starter.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
I agree
Although that’s basically the decision that the Red Sox made with Papelbon. I think it had less to do with a decision that he couldn’t hack it as a starter and more to do wtih the fact that he was an exceptional closer. Not saying it was the right decision, but it does happen, occasionally.
"Was this really necsarry?" - cowpoke/hurler hurley
Right
if you feel that Feliz can be a bigger asset as a late innings guy and eventual closer than a starter you make the move. But the Rangers don’t exactly have the Red Sox rotation blocking him long term. A bullpen “ace” does have some correlation with winning teams and I feel they may think Feliz is that guy.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
If we had Beckett, Lester, Matsuzaka fronting our rotation, with Buch at AAA, and Smoltz and Penny as "fliers"
I would think it would be worth considering, but you don’t leave Feliz in the pen for Feldman or Harrison or Hunter.
(I know you agree, this is more to Steve’s point)
Big Steve is frickin loco.
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 Jul 22, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions
See
I think if you have Millwood, Holland, Sheets fronting your rotation with Feldman, Hunter, Harrison, Hurley, Bmac all filling in the last couple spots with guys like Poveda, Moscoso, and Kiker in AAA and guys like Beavan, Main, Perez, and Scheppers on the not too distant horizon it does make it a tough choice.
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.
no it doesn't.
even with a bullpen that isn’t as deep or talented as Boston’s – that has obvious needs for another electric arm.
I’d rather have Feliz, Sheets, Holland, Millwood and another arm in 2010, and Feliz, Sheets, Holland plus 2 more in 2011 and beyond…and then plug the bullpen with the “other arms.” Any day of the week.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jul 22, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Omar has flu-like symptoms?!?
FRAAAAAAAANKIIIIIIE!
"I love winning." - rockin_rangers, on May 16, 2009
It's an epidemic!
Quick, build a wall around the ballpark before it spreads!
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
"After intense analysis, I have come to the conclusion that Neftali Feliz throws fucking hard." - John Sickels
looking at all the possible
rotation candidates for next year makes me wonder when I am going to wake up and realize this is 2006.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
Thought this was funny
The Teixeira deal from the Braves perspective.
by GregoryM on Jul 22, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions
LOL
Braves fans are sure in denial over that trade.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Jul 22, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
A comment from one of the readers:
I’m pretty glad to see that they’ve all been about average, I think too many fans freaked out over that trade but now looking at the stats it’s not THAT bad.
by TagDon'tTweet on Jul 22, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I am not sure the author has watched Elvis play defense.
To wit:
While [Elvis is] still considered to have vast potential, he has been erratic defensively with 12 errors, tied for the second most in the majors among shortstops.
by FuturePants on Jul 22, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Or knows anything about defensive statistics, or how to quantify defensive ability period.
"You know, I’m playing entirely too much." - Andruw Jones
"After intense analysis, I have come to the conclusion that Neftali Feliz throws fucking hard." - John Sickels
x
If there is something that will gain my respect by a writer, it’s evaluating a player’s defensive ability by citing errors and no other metrics.*
*To be considered sarcastic.
by FuturePants on Jul 22, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
I think the rotation will work itself out...
Hurley will most likely be at AAA working himself back…BMac will be hurt….Feliz most likely will not start in the rotation if he doesn’t get some starts up here this year, and who knows if we will really sign Sheets.
or maybe a few of those guys are traded for Halladay (i know….I’ dreaming)
by death of the cool on Jul 22, 2009 10:12 AM CDT reply actions
most likely?
how so
we have yet to have it comfirmed from the org. that it was only a rotator cuff injury (which is pretty big in and of itself) but if its a labrum injury the odds of hurley (or anyone else) being even an average AAA starting pitcher less than a year after having surgery i would think is very slim to none
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
I think he meant not to count Hurley's egg hatched yet
not so much that we’re guaranteed he’ll be back ready at AAA
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jul 22, 2009 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Tommy Hunter
Game Scores of 50+ in 4 of 5 starts this year including a salty 61 v the Bosox last night.
He doesn’t need to be bumped from the rotation any time soon.
"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?"
he wont get bumped, and i love the dude and want him to stay, but i bet he isnt gonna finish the year with a better ERA than Feldman
we have to expect some regression, but with Tommy, I hope he does what scotty does and runs out there for 6 innings giving up around 3 runs every time.
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
Next year's rotation
Millwood
Feldman
Sheets
Holland
Hunter/Harrison
(bullpen/AAA: Feliz, McCarthy, Moscoso, Hurley, Kiker, Poveda)
Locks would appear to be Millwood, Feldman, Holland.
I think Feliz gets the 2009 Holland treatment…some bullpen leading to fill-in starts, and then a roto spot when injury hits.
Sheets isn’t signed and sealed, but I bet he gets done.
That leaves #5. I see Hunter and Harrison duking it out in Spring Training, with Harrison losing traction if he’s ineffective these next couple months.
Guys like McCarthy, Moscoso and Hurley can fill in when the above guys falter.
I anticipate Poveda and Kiker in bullpen roles by next July.
"[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 22, 2009 10:12 AM CDT reply actions
yep, I agree, but i really am having a hard time seeing a scenerio where we sign Sheets
maybe if he shows himself to be completely healthy
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
not that i think hes a lock here
but if hes semi healthy, there is no reason not to sign him to an incentive laden contract + maddux being here
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions
just as a note
sheets, if hes healthy is way better than feldman in every way possible and is also better than millwood, even if he only goes 6 IP every game
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions
Kiker.
In the Feliz/Holland/Perez/etc. hubbub, he’s kind of gotten lost, but his numbers in AA are pretty salty.
"I love winning." - rockin_rangers, on May 16, 2009
His numbers are great...
but he just doesn’t have the stuff those three guys have.
I still think he could be a rotation guy though in the bigs. I don’t buy into the talk that he will have to go to the ’pen.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Stuff is only good if you can pitch with it
As MJH, Parks, and Cole discussed in their roundtable Kiker has lit up the radar gun at times this year but overall he is pitching at lower velocities which may make him look rather pedestrian but hes becoming a better pitcher because of it.
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.
Well
I dont think Holland is a lock at this point…i think the only locks are Millwood and Feldman…and who knows, maybe theyll go sign Sidney Ponson and move feldman to the pen
Holland is most certainly a lock
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 Jul 22, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Hunter
I’ll freely admit that I’m not a saber-metric crazed baseball fan so maybe I just don’t get it, but what exactly does Tommy Hunter have to do before he nails down a spot in the rotation?
Has his minor league experience been that underwhelming that his five starts this season just seem like a mirage or what? Or are there some peripheral stats that suggest that he can’t maintain this level of success?
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
nope
just feed ron the right food so the guy says “leave him in the rotation”
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions
I think the lack of strikeouts make his amazing success unsustainable, but I think his profile both from the minors
and what he’s done so far seems to suggest he certaintly can be a solid rotation horse who with our defense can manage to have similar success to that of Feldman. Maybe a 4.00 ERA guy who you can really count on to make all his starts and pitch pretty deep into games
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
ok that makes some sense
Millwood’s K/9 is about a strikeout higher than Hunter’s (5.43 vs. 4.66) but what’s a average to slightly above K/9 for a #1 or #2 starter?
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
I would say north of six.
It’s also important to consider K/BB ratio. Hunter’s sits at 1.5 right now, and anything below two is generally considered mediocre at best.
8
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 Jul 22, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions
He had a .290 batting average against in the minors this year, .270 last year.
.234 so far in the mlb, unsustainable for his pitching approach/stuff.
Hes gotten lucky. Of course, he doesn’t need to have an ERA in the low 2’s to be useful, and with a good defense behind him he may be able to stick longterm…. but honestly I still see him as someone who will be in and out of the rotation.
the preceding post was a great success.
Ok.....another stupid question alert
I’d assume that pitcher’s can have some early success until there’s a book out on them for everyone to see (ala Chris Davis) and then the league catches up to them a bit. Could that be part of what Hunter’s success has been to this point or is it just five starts that he’s playing out of his mind?
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
I havn't seen any real convincing numbers either way.
It seems fairly random, lots of rookies get lit up when they first appear, Hunter himself was absolutely crushed in his brief time last year. And although obviously nothing beats facing a pitcher they still have scouting reports on him.
Hunter is pitching well right now but I do think he has gotten away with an abnormal ammunt of his mistake pitches so far.
the preceding post was a great success.
I thought that the league would adjust eventually
him having a new cutter and all. But three maybe four starts is a large enough sample for big-league hitters. I just don’t know. He locates well, has an out-pitch in that curve, and uses the cutter effectively. That being said, there’s nothing overwhelming about his stuff. He’s just one of those guys that has to mix his pitches and locate, or he’s screwed. So far so good though.
That's why they call them business sox
I think he's our new version of Rick Helling
and I’m fine with that.
Longtime lurker
if he turns into rick helling
to say im excited wouldnt be enough
if he turns into millwood (this years version) im happy with that
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Helling was a flyball pitcher, IIRC
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 Jul 22, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Murphy has a .412 BA in July
2nd highest in the league behind Aybar. Needs to play everyday!!
we're from Texas
CJ says "Relax"
Yes.
He’s getting better against lefties with more opportunity. Murph>Byrd, Jones, even against lefties. I love his approach. He’s the one guy that won’t first-pitch swing. He’d be a great leadoff hitter.
That's why they call them business sox
whats his BABIP?
equally, whats his splits vs RHP and LHP?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Adam Laroche has apparently been traded
Rumors this morning and now hes been taken out of the lineup unexpectedly.
I’ll be curious to see what it took, not that great of a player but he has consistently been a second half player.
the preceding post was a great success.
I wonder who pulled the trigger
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
La Roche for Blalock?
and AJ? Maybe add in Mendoza?
This is going to be one boring trading deadline. Teams are not wanting to give up prospects. Seems to me it could be a buyers market.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
x
jperrotto: Still waiting on LaRoche announcement. Buzz is Giants, which makes sesne because they have a need and expressed interest as far back as May.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Jul 22, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
fail
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Jul 22, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Just heard on XM
that LaRoche has been sent to Bosox.
Youk to Toronto?
"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 Jul 22, 2009 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Youklis to the Blue Jays
is probably about teh only thing the Jays would take to trade Halladay within the division. But that would never happen
Go Rice Owls!
no reason to trade him at all
youk that is
move him to 3b, laroche to 1b, maybe lowell is a throw in/“bosox pay for him” dump for the rest of this year (isnt he a FA after this year?) to someone?
also laroche can keep 1b warm for anderson/someone else
youk is about as valuable a player as they have right now i would tink b/c of his ability to switch btwn 1B and 3B
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Ricciardi
is sabermetric savvy and the Youk is The Greek God of Walks.
"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 Jul 22, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
DShepp
I think the Red Sox love Youk but Halladay isn’t coming for free.
"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 Jul 22, 2009 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Well, both teams are saber savvy
and Youk is just as valuable as Halladay as a 7-win guy. I don’t see Boston doing that.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
They picked up LaRoche
for a reason…I’m just trying to do the math because that’s an extremely odd pick-up when they have Youk (unless they’re moving him to 3B).
"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 Jul 22, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Highly doubtful
but do they flip LaRoche to Toronto?
You are obsessed with bodily wastes A turd being held under my nose, this team being a steaming pile, Jonny Donuts having a stinky diaper, the front office pissing themselves, the team crapping the bed…
I think you should seek counselling.
(AJM to Josey Donuts)
by Michael Cave on Jul 22, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Why would Toronto...
want LaRoche?
He’s a FA at the end of the season.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
I have no idea
this trade is curious to me excepting for the fact that it came so cheap in prospects
You are obsessed with bodily wastes A turd being held under my nose, this team being a steaming pile, Jonny Donuts having a stinky diaper, the front office pissing themselves, the team crapping the bed…
I think you should seek counselling.
(AJM to Josey Donuts)
by Michael Cave on Jul 22, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions
They got LaRoche for insurance
in case Lowell gets hurt again or Papi goes into another slump.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
Thanks
None of us knew any of that.
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 Jul 22, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions
No
Lowell sucks. Youk to 3B would be my guess.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Jul 22, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Lowell has a higher ops than laroche, heh.
I’d rather have laroche for the rest of the season but its fairly lateral in general if no other deals are lined up or anything.
Youk isn’t going anywhere though… their offense is struggling they arn’t getting rid of one of their best and most popular hitters.
the preceding post was a great success.
Boston would be insane to trade Youkilis.
his wOBA this year is .423, and he’s on pace to be about a seven WAR player.
for
12:05pm: Speier reports that the Pirates receive pitcher Hunter Strickland and shortstop Argenis Diaz.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
wow
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
The 2010 rotation will work itself out
Millwood – Feldman – Holland – Hunter – Harrison are the starting 5. Hurley can start in the minors to get his stuff together after a year off and can wait for a turn in the rotation. Feliz can start in the ML bullpen if we need him there or he can be in OKC making the hitters there look like little leaguers. Same with Moscoso though likely to a lesser extent. With McCarthy, it depends on what he looks like when he comes back this season. And Sheets has to sign here first before we start wondering about where he fits in.
Plus, there is the possibility that Holland, Hunter, or Harrison don’t cut it in the ML rotation and some of their replacements won’t either. None of those guys have done much to prove themselves in the rotation and can still be moved down to the minors if needed.
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
I wouldn't bet on it right now
I think by the end of the season, we’ll know if there’s even a spot to win in ST.
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
I'm not sold on Harrison
When he was on, it was great. But who knows if he can sustain any kind of success. He’s a bullpen possibility in my mind, especially if he can’t stay healthy. He and McCarthy.
That's why they call them business sox
Also would like to add one more thought on the 2010 rotation
If there truly is that many quality arms in our rotation, I’m sure it shouldn’t be hard to trade a half season of Millwood next summer where we can probably afford to trade for more prospects or fill whatever current need the team has for a playoff run.
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
Rangers need another bench player-
please don’t bring up Borbon and ruin his developement. Cause it really messed him up last time.
lwill likely be German
he can play three IF positions and the OF.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
I was joking
but didn’t know German plays the outfield, good stuff
by corbsclinton on Jul 22, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
he's hitting almost .378 in AAA....what does he have to do to be ready?
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Have one of Marlon Byrd or Andruw Jones get traded.
We have too many outfielders right now. If we move one or both of those guys (ideally the latter), we can shift Hamilton off center and replace him with Borbon
I don't think moving AJ would get borbon in there
He would still be the 5th OF.
the preceding post was a great success.
I meant more that moving both Byrd and Jones would get him in the mix.
Realistically speaking, Murphy should be our fourth OF, provided Cruz continues to do well.
I was also saying that I don’t think Borbon necessarily needs more development time, just that we don’t have a spot for him in the majors.
look i know i have been a hurley hater
but can someone, anyone, explain how people are already saying that he is going to be in the talks for a rotation spot next year or in AAA next year considering that we dont even know what his injury really was?
if it was a labrum tear, thats a pretty big thing
if it was a rotator cuff injury, thats still not a minor thing, but is much less of a “big deal” than labrum problems
i have been too hard on hurley in the past, but have i missed where his injury has been confirmed one way or another by the org. or someone in/near the org?
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
I'm pretty sure we know what his injury was
And it was posted in on of the CPP threads that you posted this exact same thing in.
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
1) that story was posted jan 26
2) the quote from the story is (from trip)
Eric Hurley. (Source: Jason Cole, LoneStarDugout.com)It has become somewhat fashionable to blame Mark Connor for Eric Hurley’s shoulder problems – a torn rotator cuff and frayed labrum
the question is how frayed was the labrum and was it a true “SLAP tear”
see a PM productions post lots of good tlak in that article
if it was a SLAP tear, which we do not know for sure one way ora nother if it was “frayed” or a full blown SLAP that changes things
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm certainly not counting on him
next April. Midseason seems like the earliest we should even contemplate him returning until and unless we hear different. I have my doubts he ever returns to form.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
side note
whiskey tango foxtrot
Rosenthal says Russell Martin wouldn’t qualify as the centerpiece of a Roy Halladay trade because he’s faltered offensively and the Jays have J.P. Arencibia in the minors.
oh, you mean the guy hitting .244 in 300 ABs at AAA with 68 Ks and 16 BB and an OBP under 300 (although he is 23)
over this guy
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
the Arencibia part is dumb
But I’d hesitate to deal an ace for a package centered on Russell Martin.
His slugging pct the last 3 years: .469, .396, .314. That is troubling.
There's more to the picture than meets the eye.
well that was more my point
that the JP Arencibia part was dumb
Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.
-
"Taking steroids is only gonna make him whiff on those sliders in the dirt with more fury." -thedirkatron
by knockoutking on Jul 22, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
You're being unfair
Arencibia is also a horrible defensive catcher, you forgot that part.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
insane...
Padilla scratch with flu…
http://insidecorner.dmagazine.com/2009/07/22/rangers-scratch-vicente-padilla-from-wednesday-start/
"[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
Someone needs to Lysol the clubhouse ASAP
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.
Damn
I’m glad we have a day off tomorrow. We could burn out our bullpen tonite. If it’s a close game, does Warsh use CJ for a 4th consecutive nite?
FELIZ!?!?
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jul 22, 2009 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions
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