Friday morning Rangers things
by Adam J. Morris on Jul 3, 2009 8:31 AM CDT
181 comments
A surprisingly large amount of news after an off-day (and for those who weren't scoreboard watching last night, the Angels won, so the Rangers are now a full game back of Anaheim)...
The Rangers have signed international free agent Jurickson Profar and fourth round draft pick Andrew Doyle. Profar, I think most folks know about by now, a guy highly regarded as a pitcher but who wants to play shortstop, and the less heralded of the two international players the Rangers have been closely linked to for months (the other, of course, being Guillermo Pimentel).
Jeff Wilson writes that Josh Hamilton is expected back this weekend, and while there are a lot of expectations that his return will help jump-start the slumping offense, Wilson notes that there are no guarantees that that will happen.
There's a lengthy article on Brandon McCarthy's injury situation in the S-T. The stress fracture plaguing McCarthy is apparently rare in pitchers -- Eddie Correa and Kurt Ainsworth are the two pitchers mentioned in the article who have dealt with that issue -- but when McCarthy returns, the plan is to completely overhaul his mechanics, abandoning the "inverted W" that has caused so much controversy and changing his arm slot in an effort to reduce the stress on his body his delivery causes.
Wilson writes that all Rangers employees have been paid, and while I guess that is bad news, when the fact that you've met your payroll obligations is news, it doesn't bode well for your financial future.
Kevin Sherrington writes that Hicks' financial problems could spell big problems for the Rangers going forward if he doesn't find a buyer fast, and raises the question of whether MLB is going to continue to make funds available to the Rangers if they are planning on giving their top two draft picks slot-busting signing bonuses.
Inside Corner is hosting a couple of get-togethers for Rangers fans in mid-July, with one being at Pappasito's (with Jon Daniels and Ron Washington expected to attend), and another being at the Rangers game, with seats in the All You Can Eat Section of the Home Run Porch being available for $25.
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New arm slot....
So is BMac going to be coming from a lower 3/4 delivery?
the side, straight sidearmer?
Or like O’day (joking), although that would be kinda sweet.
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Ryin A on Jul 3, 2009 8:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What are the odds all that works out for McCarthy?
I’m supposing he should not be counted as a rotation cog for 2010, if ever. Good luck with that, Brandon, sucks to start over.
As for the team finances, I’m going to go ahead and optimistically assume that the team has borrowed money from the league against future revenues, and thus the league does not control how they spend it and it will not affect the draft signings. I’d bet the Rangers do everything they can to sign their top two picks, but maybe let some lower picks who want overslot money go.
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by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 8:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Pretty good actually.
Mechanics have nothing to do with talent, and when you’re working with an actual athlete, they aren’t terribly hard to change.
by NoNameOnCard on Jul 3, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe he can learn new mechanics and pitch
I just don’t believe (even more so after reading your bit over at BBTiA) that it will really solve the problem.
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by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even more so?
Why? Based on what?
by NoNameOnCard on Jul 3, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well,
they’ve already changed his mechanics and it hasn’t worked. And he’s been pitching this way for how many years? Habits are hard to replace, and even if he is successful in creating a new set of habits to overwrite the old, how long before they are consistent enough to be effective, and how small a chance is there that those habits will mean no injuries? Will his new delivery take care of that recoil you don’t like?
Like is said in a different dialogue in this thread, they have nothing to lose, but that doesn’t mean a win. I’m all for this idea, but I’m still of the mindset that we should all just be pleasantly surprised if it all works out.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Calling them habits isn't necessarily correct.
People dramatically over-estimate how difficult it is for pitchers to change their mechanics. McCarthy’s problem isn’t recoil, and you can’t tell what a guy is going to look like based on a vaguely written newspaper article. For all I know, his mechanics will be a hell of a lot worse.
Also, the Rangers have never made any significant changes to McCarthy’s mechanics.
It’s like I said in that other dialogue… it’s like some people just want to hate the guy no matter what he does. You’d think fans of a team with Scott Feldman wouldn’t freak out like this. I really just don’t understand the negativity surrounding this. It’s asinine for people to think that it’s a better idea for McCarthy to stick with his old mechanics and hope that he stops getting injured.
by NoNameOnCard on Jul 4, 2009 3:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Settle down
I don’t hate McCarthy, but right now, as I said above, this seems like a good idea and they have nothing to lose making the changes. But I see no reason to be optimistic that these changes will mean he won’t get injured again, or be all that effective when healthy. He’s been through a lot, and I think it’s going to take a long time for him to just trust his stuff and new mechanics enough to pitch effectively. There’s nothing about that opinion that strikes me as being hateful or asinine, or even all that negative.
Nowhere here or anywhere else have I said he should stick with his old mechanics and hope. Don’t lump me in with your frustration at the general attitude towards McCarthy here.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jul 4, 2009 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn't lumping you in with those people.
The last paragraph can stand alone, but when you said you’d be “pleasantly surprised” if he succeeds, that implicitly says you expect him not to succeed. I had to lump you in with the pessimists.
by NoNameOnCard on Jul 4, 2009 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Revising B-Mac's mechanics
I assume this is going to add to his return timetable, isn’t it? Not that taking away his sickening scap load could possibly be a bad thing in the long run though…
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 8:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't be surprised if they are going to move him to the bullpen fulltime
I’m calling a full on sidewinder when he comes back. Book it.
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Ryin A on Jul 3, 2009 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, from what the article indicates, it sounds like they'd like him back as a starter
But if he’s gonna change his arm slot and go sliding right back into the rotation I’d imagine that it’ll take a few starts in the minors to get him there, at the very least. And if he comes back and struggles for the rest of the year, be it in a rotation or bullpen role, I wouldn’t bet against him being a non-tender candidate this winter.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I bet they're just saying that now so
they don’t get into Bmac’s head.
That guy would freak if he was told he was going to the bullpen full time while trying to work on his mechanics.
Atleast that’s what I think, so…..
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Ryin A on Jul 3, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, right now they just want to get him healthy and transitioned
It’s probably too soon for them to make any judgments on his role one way or the other at this point, really. But just based on practicality… yeah, I would think a bullpen role would at least be easier for him to transition back to with a new delivery.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think there is a set plan on where McCarthy will pitch in the future
If he takes to his new mechanics well and can start, he obviously has more value there. If he can even be a back of the rotation guy, I think the Rangers would take that for now instead of sticking him in the bullpen. Down the road, it might be another story, but McCarthy also isn’t likely to be here for much longer if he doesn’t become an effective starter or reliever.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jul 3, 2009 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i wish he could pump it up in the high/mid 90s
then we could defput him in a pen
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.
-
"Call up Joaquin Arias? He had a legit spring training and seems to have cooled off a little bit in OKC but still a DH option. " -- kch tx
by knockoutking on Jul 3, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If McCarthy ever pushed his fastball into the mid-high 90's, his arm would probably snap in two.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Upon further review Danks/Masset for McCarthy
was a heckuva trade.
So, uh…., does Ichabod go to the bully since it’s fairly apparent he can’t take the bump every 5 days?
"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 3, 2009 9:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You need to come up with a new nickname for BMac. Ichabod doesn't roll off the tongue like it should.
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Ryin A on Jul 3, 2009 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but he sure looks like Ichabod
That trade frustrates me to this day.
by GhostofGaryHogeboom on Jul 3, 2009 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought it made sense at the time, myself.
It’s just gone horribly wrong in hindsight.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
masset
was so good that the year before he was traded he was dropped from the 40 and NO ONE TOOK HIM
you have an arguement regarding danks/mccarthy
but to argue for masset is stupid.
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.
-
"Call up Joaquin Arias? He had a legit spring training and seems to have cooled off a little bit in OKC but still a DH option. " -- kch tx
by knockoutking on Jul 3, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those were the pitchers involved in the trade, ko king
Eliminating Masset when talking about it doesn’t make me feel any better about it.
"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 3, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
fair enough
lol
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.
-
"Call up Joaquin Arias? He had a legit spring training and seems to have cooled off a little bit in OKC but still a DH option. " -- kch tx
by knockoutking on Jul 3, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think we can basically close the book on McCarthy
He doesn’t strike me as the type that would be able to completely rework his delivery and make it work for him at the ML level. I don’t think he will ever be a significant contributor, in any role.
There's more to the picture than meets the eye.
by tricer on Jul 3, 2009 9:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Tricer
What about a shot in the bully?
"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 3, 2009 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A bunch of time in Surprise
Then figure out where what you got might fit? I have to sort of chuckle at the vision of a 6’7 pure sidearmer wheeling pitches in from the third base line. I wish they could get him to use the Warren Spahn motion and delivery – tallish guy able to throw cutters or sliders from a wide angle.
"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 3, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
warren spahn
had a great delivery, and i’m not talking about his arm angle. guy could pitch all day.
el foldo
by SteveP on Jul 3, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where's the bully and why should he be shot there?
Remember Red, hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.
by WyoRanger on Jul 3, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree.
Seems like a lot of work…to totally over haul ones mechanics, including arm slot.
Although Scott Feldman did it…..but BMac is 6’7", seems like it would be more difficult for him.
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Ryin A on Jul 3, 2009 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another thing is Feldman had an entire offseason to work on changing his arm slot
And it still took him a full season of starting to really find his pitches, it would seem. McCarthy won’t have that luxury.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
but feldman went the other way
i would think it would be much easier to go from over to the top down to 3/4 than from sidearm up to 3/4
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.
-
"Call up Joaquin Arias? He had a legit spring training and seems to have cooled off a little bit in OKC but still a DH option. " -- kch tx
by knockoutking on Jul 3, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
McCarthy has that same luxury
I don’t think they’re expecting him to start pitching like an ace from Day 1. I think any additional Major League time he has this season would be more to try and get him used to his new mechanics with the goal of expecting on the field results from him next season.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jul 3, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No...
but since you asked, I"m sure he’s 6’6"
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Ryin A on Jul 3, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
MLB lists him at 6' 5"...
but I’m pretty sure he’s been listed taller than that.
by NoNameOnCard on Jul 3, 2009 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
fwiw, I don't hate BMac
I just think that he’d have a harder time at switching mechanics.
Lots of knees and elbows flying everywhere.
Feldman seems more “put together” if you look at them…..basically meaning he isn’t all arms and legs like BM.
Do you think it would be more difficult to make the switch going from sidearmer to overhand or overhand to sidearmer?
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Ryin A on Jul 3, 2009 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The speculation that McCarthy will be throwing side-armed is a little weird to me.
The arm actions in the two deliveries are almost the same. It’s just a matter of body positioning and trunk tilt.
Overhand deliveries engage the triceps brachii more, so it’s physically easier to throw side-armed. Forearm flyout is a problem for side-armed throwers that overhand throwers don’t have to worry about.
by NoNameOnCard on Jul 3, 2009 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not that I think he's a guarantee to return and reach his potential, but...
What about him strikes you as the type that wouldn’t be able to rework his delivery and have some success in the Majors?
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jul 3, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, tricer has a history of hating McCarthy, IIRC
But with all the struggles McCarthy has gone though here in Texas just trying to get his normal delivery right, I have to admit I don’t have much confidence in him completely changing things up and then coming back and being effective either. I’ve been about as hopeful when it comes to B-Mac these past couple years as anyone can, but this seems like the beginning of a death knell to me as well.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe they should send him to Lincecum's dad
If nothing else, video the proceedings-it might be funny as hell seing 6’7" trying to make that move
Definiton of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results
"Introducing your 2009 Texas Rangers-Built for Insanity!"
by randyd on Jul 3, 2009 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking of sending him to Dale Hellestrae.
by shroomer on Jul 3, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be a long snapper
or a color analyst?
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by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he's not athletic
There's more to the picture than meets the eye.
by tricer on Jul 3, 2009 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think this is the best approach
for him to have sustained success. i’m actually pretty excited for him. wish i knew more about what he’s changing. i wouldn’t think he’d be back this year if he’s completely changing his delivery. you’re changing years of muscle memory, and the stress of playing in a game makes it a challenge to not revert to your old ways.
el foldo
by SteveP on Jul 3, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about him strikes you that way?
You think he lacks the ability to completely rework his mechanics and be successful? Seems like there’s a lot of guess work in a statement like that.
by NoNameOnCard on Jul 3, 2009 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s not athletic nor very coordinated and I think that would make it difficult to learn and maintain a new pitching motion, especially when he had loads of trouble keeping everything in check with his mechanics that he had been using his whole life.
Maybe there is guesswork in that statement, but after watching him for the first few months he became a Ranger, I’ve been right in everything that I’ve observed about him – so I’ve got that going for me.
There's more to the picture than meets the eye.
by tricer on Jul 3, 2009 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
On what do you base your assessment of his athleticism and coordination?
The way he looks when he throws? His inability to repeat his mechanics? If you’re basing your assessment on his mechanics, that’s like watching Bachelor Party and telling me Tom Hanks is a terrible actor. Any application of these mechanics to future mechanics is only relevant if he decides to keep parts of the old delivery.
Those mechanics were awful from the beginning, and he had no trouble “keeping everything in check” until he started getting hurt.
I’m not saying you’re wrong or that you will be wrong, any guess to his future level of success at this point would be purely conjecture.
When’s he’s healthy and pitching, people piss and moan about how soon he’ll be injured again. When he makes a change for health reasons, the same people bitch about how hard they think it will be for him to change his mechanics. It’s lose-lose for him, and it drives me nuts.
by NoNameOnCard on Jul 4, 2009 2:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sherrington's article is terrible!
People were saying 11 yrs ago Hicks was broke? They were already digging around to find out if the team missed payroll when it came out? Sure they were….
Article I saw yesterday said each team has about $20mil set aside, par tcame from the sale of the Expos. It’s their money, they can access it and use it when and how they need it.
Definiton of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results
"Introducing your 2009 Texas Rangers-Built for Insanity!"
by randyd on Jul 3, 2009 9:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lets hope Tommy Hunter
has a good game tonight and continues to do so. Where has the SP depth gone to?
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
by RangerMad on Jul 3, 2009 9:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Makes you really miss Eric Hurley.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 9:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I want Tommy to stick
around but if we need another guy I’d like to see Moscoso given a shot. He or Nippert are not bad 7th, 8th, or 9th starters on the depth chart.
by Hull Fan on Jul 3, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, if Padilla's shoulder thing turns into a DL trip
We could very well wind up seeing a skeleton rotation with both Hunter and Moscoso/Nippert.
I’d bet Nippert goes into the roto as soon as they can get him stretched out though. He performed well there last year, and he’s definitely got the stuff to be a potential surprise.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"He performed well there last year"
You have a pretty low “performing well” threshhold.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
by RangerMad on Jul 3, 2009 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought he showed some promise at the end of the season
His first start against the Rays where he got pounded kind of skewed his starter #’s, because he had a 4.18 ERA and held batters to a .255/.333/.391 line in his final 5 appearances of the year.
Nothing spectacular, but I’d take that from an injury replacement/5th starter any day of the week.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Watching Dusty Tits (and all pitchers like him)
makes my skin crawl.
"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 3, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
id rather see moscoso out there than nippert
but both are better than seeing mathis, can we agre 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.
-
"Call up Joaquin Arias? He had a legit spring training and seems to have cooled off a little bit in OKC but still a DH option. " -- kch tx
by knockoutking on Jul 3, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hunter is at least as good as hurley.
at least.
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.
-
"Call up Joaquin Arias? He had a legit spring training and seems to have cooled off a little bit in OKC but still a DH option. " -- kch tx
by knockoutking on Jul 3, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
FYI, the surgeons
They embedded a nuclear-powered piston with turbo boost control in Hurley’s shoulder.
yep
by shroomer on Jul 3, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now see, I would've imagined that would be something you'g get implanted in your wang
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i would think that i should probably never speak badly of him again if thats the case heh
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.
-
"Call up Joaquin Arias? He had a legit spring training and seems to have cooled off a little bit in OKC but still a DH option. " -- kch tx
by knockoutking on Jul 3, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
international free agents
I can only presume the Rangers are also scouting in Asia, but as far as I know we haven’t heard any names bandied about yet.
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by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 9:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Aren't Pacfic Rim Prospects usually signed late in the season?
Seems like Ahn wasn’t signed til late in September.
"Thats all we got? One goddamned hit?" - Harry Doyle
"You cant say god damn on the radio."- Colorman
"Ehhh, who cares...nobody's listening!"- Harry Doyle
by awillis111 on Jul 3, 2009 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds right
and if I remember correctly we really didn’t hear about him much if at all before they signed him. Seems to be the way with most Asian signings, nowhere near the press that the Latin kids get.
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by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone else concerned
about Josh’s rehab performance so far? Do they bringhim back if he is still hovering around the Mendoza line?
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
by RangerMad on Jul 3, 2009 9:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
They've rolled with a 1B who has had his OPS hover
around (and mostly below) .700 all season.
If Josh is healthy, he’s coming up to The Show.
"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 3, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Josey
Any thoughts on this article?
by Adam J. Morris on Jul 3, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Feisty Hillmans aren't playing well, Adam.
They don’t have much to begin with and losing Crisp & Gordon killed them. Jeeez, they’re running Bruce Chen out to the mound every 5 days, what do you expect?
I’m not a fan of the team nor do I follow them so I’m not sure what their biggest problems are but I don’t think it’s Trey Hillman.
I do follow the Texas Rangers and I’m a fan. One of the biggest problems this thing faces is trying to constantly outrun the incompetence of Ron Washington.
"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 3, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
bruce chen isnt horrible
the guy obviously has some talent to keep getting chances
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.
-
"Call up Joaquin Arias? He had a legit spring training and seems to have cooled off a little bit in OKC but still a DH option. " -- kch tx
by knockoutking on Jul 3, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the other hand
he’s been on 10 teams, and not a single team has taken him back. The only reason he gets so many chances is he is a lefty.
"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 3, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
partly true, yea
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.
-
"Call up Joaquin Arias? He had a legit spring training and seems to have cooled off a little bit in OKC but still a DH option. " -- kch tx
by knockoutking on Jul 3, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's what I don't get
They are the worst team in baseball when it comes to base running and defense.
Those are two of the key things you’ve pointed to as being indicative of a bad manager when you are bitching about Ron Washington.
But when it comes to Trey Hillman’s team, he gets a pass?
Come on…just admit it. Hillman is a lousy manager.
by Adam J. Morris on Jul 3, 2009 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or
Admit that Washington isn’t.
Seems right that it can’t be both.
by brettgardner on Jul 3, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
bgardner & ajm
Given the talent on hand and injuries they’ve endured, what do you think the KC Royals should be this year?
"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 3, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You sound like one of those 2008 Rangers fans with their heads in the sand
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jul 3, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
RC Cook
How did “head in the sand, asses in the air” not make the board game?
That’s a timeless classic (every see the Mushmouth Mike avatar of genius).
"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 3, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rangers have also had as many if not more injuries
I’m not a huge fan of RW, but game managers aren’t that important in baseball, imo… just sayin
by BuckyB on Jul 3, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Adam
Were the Texas Rangers a good baserunning/defensive team in Ron Washington’s second season as manager of the team?
"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 3, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And you killed Wash for it ALL YEAR LONG...
So why does Hillman escape the iron fist of Josey Wales?
by N41D on Jul 3, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry Buck,
I’m just not a fan of the Royals…talk about something deeeeeeep from the files of who cares?
They’re currently 33-45 and I’m not sure how much better they’re supposed to be than that. There was some buzz that they might press .500 this year but I don’t know of anybody that looked at that roster and thought it was a given.
"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 3, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are about the only person left...
…who still thinks Trey Hillman is a good manager.
He’s going to be fired after the season. Should the Rangers bring him on board to replace Washington?
by Adam J. Morris on Jul 3, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Adam,
Where did I ever say that Trey Hillman was a good manager in the first place muchless say that I STILL think he’s a good manager?
That’s something you’re making up. I will go toe to toe with you on just about anything you wanna discuss related to the Great Game but don’t make things up or use the chickenshat lawyerly tactic of putting words in my mouth.
It’s difficult to truthfully evaluate Hillman because his team is 600 miles north and in another division. I’m not going to hit him with the same vitriol I hit Wash with because I don’t follow that team at all.
Last year I took note of how the Royals made progress and thought that issuing fewer walks/committing fewer errors was a big reason why but I’ve always thought that Hillman went to war every night with a much shorter stick than just about every team he faces.
I said that more time is needed to evaluate Hillman because that is one of the toughest jobs in baseball but that when last season was over, he had made progress and done a good job.
You never answered my question on what you think the Royals (currently 33-44) record should be this year.
"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 3, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
x
You’ve said repeatedly that Hillman is much better than Washington, and that Hicks/Donuts should have hired him instead.
Unless your argument is that we should have hired a manager who’s not good, I don’t see your defense holding up.
by brettgardner on Jul 4, 2009 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha, you don't have to apologize
logic has kicked my ass before, too, no worries
by BuckyB on Jul 3, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, when you keep throwing injured players out there to play everyday
then you run into serious injury problems.
Team is last in baseball in OBP, has the second highest error total in the AL (one less than Seattle), and is by far the worst in baseball at baserunning. But none of that is Hillman’s fault while last year’s Rangers team had many of the same problems and it was a direct result of the brain dead manager.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jul 3, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who knows, but rushing him back isn't going to save the offense.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Welcome Back, Josh
If he can get back to his ’08 levels, the offense will be so damn much better.
by GhostofGaryHogeboom on Jul 3, 2009 9:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
But he won't....
The league has figured him out and he is a one trick pony like Blalock and Davis. They are awesome batting practice hitters with their perfect looking swings when the pitch is down the middle, but look like pony league hitters when they have to adjust their swings. They are mistake pitch hitters only.
Josh will never be anything more than what he has been this year.
If we lose first place......we ain't gonna get it back.
by bspate on Jul 3, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow, just wow
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jul 3, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it would be nice if teams other than the rangers......
WOULD BEAT THE FUCKING ANGELS.
Since June 11th they have swept San Diego, Arizona, and San Fran, and took 2 of 3 from colorado.
they have only lost a series to LA and Texas.
In fact if you throw out the Ranger record against them they are 42-29
by death of the cool on Jul 3, 2009 10:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think the key to your observation there is
San Diego, Arizona, and San Fran. And now Baltimore. The situation has kind of been reversed from earlier in the year, now they’re the one’s enjoying the soft schedule while we deal with injuries and outright suck.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The schedule is no excuse
The Rangers have played all of those teams except Colorado.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jul 3, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, not for us.
But hopefully the Angels will go back to looking as weak as they really are when they face some better teams.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The budget problems have gotten to the point of being ridiculous
players are having to pay for their own replacement jerseys
we're from Texas
CJ says "Relax"
by eclou on Jul 3, 2009 10:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Two things
Yet another Profar/Hicks-centric article (with the obligatory quote from Professor Parks on the meaningfulness of large international signing bonuses), and Trip Somers/NoNameOnCard has weighed in with his thoughts on McCarthy’s mechanical alterations.
by Joey Matschulat on Jul 3, 2009 10:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice read
I’m very skeptical this will pan out, but as Trip says, to try doing the same thing over again is useless so they really have nothing to lose (except a lot of money while he figures this out.)
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A lot of money?
He’s making like $850K this year. Worst case for next year is about $1.5MM.
by NoNameOnCard on Jul 3, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My point was they have nothing to lose except money.
I was thinking in comparison to other pitchers rehabbing, like Eyre and Hurley who are doing so at cheaper salaries. No, it’s not a ton of money, but right now everything seems a lot. Yes, it’s worth the cost, and I was in no way trying to make a point about it being a waste of money.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok.
It sounded a lot like another argument from someone who suggested McCarthy wasn’t worth the “tons of money” he’d get paid over the next couple of seasons.
by NoNameOnCard on Jul 3, 2009 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OT - Firefox 3.5
I upgraded last night, and this thing is working like an absolute charm. Helluva lot faster and smoother and FF 3.0 – apparently it’s got a new Javascript engine or something, so maybe I won’t have to rely on Opera for the GDT’s anymore, we’ll see.
Pretty much all my plugins where compatable, too. Not that I’m a computer genie, or anything, but based on what I’ve seen so far I’d recommend those that haven’t make the upgrade, myself.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 10:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
suck it firefox
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.
-
"Call up Joaquin Arias? He had a legit spring training and seems to have cooled off a little bit in OKC but still a DH option. " -- kch tx
by knockoutking on Jul 3, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
opera blows
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jul 3, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It really does.
I hate it, it’s just the only browser I have that doesn’t run slow when I’m running 400+ comment GDT’s.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also
Nobody’s given me an answer on whether or not Hank F Blalock will be in the line-up tonight & Saturday.
That’s the story that nobody (Hello, Evan Grant) is covering in the local media.
"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 3, 2009 10:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's because it's not a story
It’s a gametime decision.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not even that
Blalock shouldn’t play against lefties. Its common sense at this point.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jul 3, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
Jones hasn’t exactly filled the role of platoon DH, but he can at least take a walk. He just shouldn’t be hitting anywhere near cleanup against lefties like he has been.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Jones not being able to hit lefties well sucks
We need to find a 25th man who can hit lefties well at least.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jul 3, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like I've said before
When Ham comes back, I’m for DHing him, sending Davis down, getting rid of Jones and platooning Hank and Royce Huffman at first base. Yeah, Huffman’s four-A, but he’s been insane against PCL lefties this year.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You really have a tendency..
…to get hung up on what people have done so far in the current season.
by Adam J. Morris on Jul 3, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Smoak
.208/.269/.333 against lefties in Frisco this year.
.231/.333/.385 against lefties in Clinton last year.
So… no. Not him.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's not going to be your 25th man who hits lefties.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
NOT until he proves he can be somewhat successful against lefties.
We do not need another platoon situation.
Definiton of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results
"Introducing your 2009 Texas Rangers-Built for Insanity!"
by randyd on Jul 3, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
rgaava
Andruw (I am hiiting like it is 2008) Jones will probably DH both games. I guess it is possible for Hank to play 1B in one of the games vs LHP.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
by RangerMad on Jul 3, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, it's possible Wash might keep Hank in the linuep
Because he’s clearly now on a tear through the league after having one big game for the first time in a month.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nehi
Blalock went 2 for 4 with dinger, walk and sac fly last Friday night v. the Padres.
Then he went 0 for 8 (the rest of the team sucked dick as well in those games) and was out of the line-up on Monday so Borbon could DH.
The Blalock I saw on Wednesday played like he was pissed off, but in a good way. He needs to be in the line-up every day until the AS Break and see if he can handle leftys. Seeing if Blalock could handle leftys is not like trying to bring Farrah Fawcett back to life. Blalock has had a recent history of success v. leftys in limited ab’s and it might be worth seeing if he can do it again.
I fully expect Wash to put KKKKris Davis (.148 v leftys) in the line-up because that’s how he rolls but it’s another bad and inexcusable decision.
"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 3, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
*eye roll*
Blalock has had a recent history of success v. leftys in limited ab’s and it might be worth seeing if he can do it again.
You do realize that the 83 AB’s he had against them last year are the only time in his entire major league career he has put up an OPS over 800 against lefties for a season, right? Blalock is hitting .200/.214/.364 against lefties this year. Two hundred, two fourteen, and three-sixty four. The only thing playing him against lefties does is decrease his overall value and numbers.
If you really think however, that two good games on last Friday and Wednesday preceded by a month of total suck and interspersed between two games of suck constitutes some kind of a “hot streak” then I have news for you, my friend: you are thinking like Ron fucking Washington.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I tend to agree with JW on this one.
He can NOT possibly be worse than Davis at this point in time. I felt Davis should have been sent down several weeks ago, but just my opinion. Maybe, just maybe, Hank can get on a roll like he did at the end of last year.
Not likely, perhaps, but maybe sitting a lot has made him more agreeable to the idea of going the other way vs lefties. It can’t hurt-this is not Instructional League, this is the big leagues, and they are seriously in the hunt, so give your team the best chance to compete.
Definiton of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results
"Introducing your 2009 Texas Rangers-Built for Insanity!"
by randyd on Jul 3, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I agree that Davis needs to be sent down
But Hank has a 576 OPS against lefties, Davis a 510. Considering Davis playes much better defense than Hank could hope to, and Hank just put up a .593 OPS in June, I’d rather have Davis out there at first base because against lefties Hank doesn’t really provide much of an advantage, if any.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would disagree-against these two lefties the team is about to see.
I don’t think Davis has a chance vs Kazmir and Price. Too much heat.
Definiton of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results
"Introducing your 2009 Texas Rangers-Built for Insanity!"
by randyd on Jul 3, 2009 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He doesn't really have much chance against anyone these days, really
But as bad as Hank’s been against lefties himself, I’d just accept that I’m going to have a hole in my lineup one way or the other, and hope to at least use the hole to squelch runs in the field.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am not a Blalock fan at all-I hate the kind of hitter he has become, but the biggest problem for several weeks has been the offense, and I'm for doing anthing possible to plug that hole.
Definiton of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results
"Introducing your 2009 Texas Rangers-Built for Insanity!"
by randyd on Jul 3, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And FWIW, another thing to consider is
Wash won’t bat Davis as high in the lineup as he would Blalock, said hole might also not bat as many times or in as many key situations.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Hank were to play vs lefties
he should be lower in the order, for sure. Maybe regular PT would help shake him loose. It’s worth the gamble, at least to me.
Definiton of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results
"Introducing your 2009 Texas Rangers-Built for Insanity!"
by randyd on Jul 3, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
YES!!! You are correct sir (in my best Ed McMahon voice)
Until he gets it together, Blalock needs to be hitting 7th or lower v leftys.
At this point, given our options it’s something that should be tried until we get thru the AS Break and then reevalutate.
Maybe it’s just the way the rotation of opponents has fallen but it seems like teams are throwing every lefty they can at us because that’s our Kryptonite. They know Wash is gonna run Davis (and that gawdawful .148 average) out there every night.
"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 3, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nehi
The deep recesses of my mind wanna tell me that in 2007 Blalock had an OPS v leftys of something close to .795 or somesuch (which is why you chose the arbitrary figure of .800).
Regarding the Blalock possible hot streak, it would seem to be a much better option than Kris Davis’ current 2 for 18, his .148 batting average v leftys or the fact that his OPS has hovered (mostly below) around the .700 mark for the season.
"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 3, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hank had a whopping 47 AB's against lefties in 2007
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that doesn’t mean too fucking much.
Again man, you have no idea how much you sound like Ron Washington when you try and defend Hank.
“He had recent small sample size success!”
“He played like he was pissed off, but in a good way!”
He had two good games recently, and the rest of the offense sucking in the others as well somehow invalidates the fact that he sucked in the rest of his games!"
Why don’t you have some sunflower seeds, Josey, and KMA.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
Greatness
“Why don’t you have some sunflower seeds, Josey, and KMA.”
I think I have my first sig.
by JimBonnick84 on Jul 3, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So the 47 ab's in 2007 are meaningless but the 50+
ab’s he’s had this year are meaningful?
You do realize his OPS was over .900 v. leftys last year.
Why not combine the nearly 200 ab’s he’s had over the last 2.5 seasons to determine if he has it in him to hit leftys better than Kris Davis has?
"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 3, 2009 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
His career OPS agaist lefties is .600, ya numbskull.
His OPS against them this year is in line with his career average, while his OPS against them last year was a one-time deviation from the norm.
Guess which one I’m more inclined to take as a reliable number?
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So you believe his 50 something ab's v leftys are meaningful
and that his nearly 150 plate appearances v leftys from 2007-08 (when he wasn’t being platooned like he is this year) are not meaningful.
And you would rather watch Kris Davis shit his pants every night against all pitching, including the epic green nuclear takes-15-minutes-to-change-him shits he takes against leftys?
Got it.
"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 3, 2009 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, he didn't.
No matter how you slice the stats, Blalock doesn’t hit lefties.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
..and neither does Davis.
I’m ready to shake the tree a little and see if something good falls out. I know Hank is not the future, and maybe Davis is, but they are in a race that they have a chance to win. To me, it’s worth a shot for 10-14 days to see what happens.
BTW-I am not a Blalock fan.
Definiton of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results
"Introducing your 2009 Texas Rangers-Built for Insanity!"
by randyd on Jul 3, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I suspect
they’re looking at the all-star break as a time to make changes, Davis needs to get going if he wants to stay on the 25-man.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
seems to me it would be better
to send him down now, with the idea of bringing him back after the break for a second-half push(if he gets going in the minors)
Quick question-how does Moreland hit lefties, b/c Smoak isn’t right now?
Definiton of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results
"Introducing your 2009 Texas Rangers-Built for Insanity!"
by randyd on Jul 3, 2009 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't call up Moreland
yet, no reason to put him on the 40 yet.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
not suggesting it
Just wondering how he hit against them
Definiton of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results
"Introducing your 2009 Texas Rangers-Built for Insanity!"
by randyd on Jul 3, 2009 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
speaking of
I’d really like to see Smoak start to hit lefties soon.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only 38 ABs
0.342 0.375 0.395 0.770
"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 3, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Buckyb,
Who got served?
"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 4, 2009 12:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In a word, yes
Because he hasn’t ever hit lefties during a full season in his career. And with his horrible numbers against them this year, there’s absolutely no reason to think he’s going to start now, either.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"I don’t think we ever envisioned that anyone could shut this offense down to one hit" - Ron Washington
by lonestarJon on Jul 3, 2009 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
lineup
Jones in LF, Blalock the DH
http://insidecorner.dmagazine.com/
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
by RangerMad on Jul 3, 2009 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oi vei
Blalock hitting 5th (i’d feel better 7 or below v Kazmir) along with Kris Davis and his .148 average v leftys batting 8th.
If nothing else, move Tiny E up to 8th and make Davis hit 9th.
"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 3, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
OT. Jays call up Dellucci
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Jul 3, 2009 11:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ms get Pimentel, as expected
@jorgearangure Trainer confirms OF Guillermo Pimentel signed with #Mariners for $2m. Contract was signed as the clock struck midnight on July 2
"I will hit you, emo boy." -- my wife to a pedestrian, 8 May 2009
by Lucas on Jul 3, 2009 11:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
OT - Neti Pots are good.
Just bought one yesterday.
My sinus infection is no more.
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Ryin A on Jul 3, 2009 11:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ive found them to be hit or miss
I prefer the power sinus rinse thing, sometimes it helps sometimes it makes things worse.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Jul 3, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me too.
I tend to have blockages way up, and while the pot and the rinse can help they do sometimes make things worse.
by Black Francis on Jul 3, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And with enough pot...
you really don’t care if you have a sinus infection or not.
by Redcaps on Jul 3, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you really had an infection
a neti pot would not cure it, nice as they are.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well maybe it was just a ridiculous allergy flare up
whatever it was it usually kicks my ass for a week per year, but it’s gone now.
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Ryin A on Jul 3, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
neti pot definitely helps
I’ve also had good luck with echinacea tea (drink a ton of it right when the flare up starts).
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jul 3, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
amen!!!
"The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble by us; and I for one must be content to remain an agnostic" - Charles Darwin, you know who he is...
by 8legs2fangs on Jul 3, 2009 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Via NBC News
The Rangers are the General Motors of baseball
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
by Jayslick on Jul 3, 2009 12:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Obama will turn this team around.
by Black Francis on Jul 3, 2009 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't click that link,
it’s a really stupid 100 words.
"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 3, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
additional tidbit - players can no longer get their pay via direct deposit
and they had to change banks altogether due to the lack of team financial credit
we're from Texas
CJ says "Relax"
by eclou on Jul 3, 2009 12:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
where are you getting this stuff?
by Black Francis on Jul 3, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would like to know when Miles told eclou this too.
"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 3, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
from the horses' mouths
we're from Texas
CJ says "Relax"
by eclou on Jul 3, 2009 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rangers captain is full of information!
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Jul 3, 2009 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ian has a bit of a problem with the local media, ha.
“Someone who never comes in the clubhouse” seems to be aimed straight at Grandpa Urine. Says they definitely do respect certain members of the local media.
"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 3, 2009 1:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I got a strange question
but didn’t the team already know this was going to happen when they finished the refinancing earlier this month? I know the $15 to 20M was set aside by the MLB quite a bit of time ago from the Expos sale, and Hicks would deem it a piece pf equity he was “due” that would not be included in the sale of the franchise.
By being unable to pay the payroll, HSG would get access to those funds that they otherwise could not.
Would it not make the most sense, from Hick’s point of view, if he is going to sell to get as much out of the franchise as possible. If he knows he is going to take the hit on the value of the franchise when he tries due to the economy, why not recoup 15M more from the Expos sale that he would not normally see to offset the loss and move on.
In a slimly crooked way, it makes a lot of sense to me. Hicks get access to money he never could have otherwise, he gets offset some of the loss in value of the franchise by redirecting that money to his refinancing problem, the team still gets to keep its LA and Draft budget for the most part and the team gets to continue day to day operations till he sells. Sounds like a win-win for Hicks at the point.
Does that make sense to any of the rest of you guys?
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
by laxtonto on Jul 3, 2009 1:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The part about the Expos sale
From what I understand, the money is coming from future revenues from things like MLB Network and all that stuff. I’m confused about the part you’re talking about with the Expos sale.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jul 3, 2009 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The money's left over from the Expo's sale
was put into a special “reserve” for each team in the MLB.
The sport’s central office routinely withholds $15 million to $20 million owed each team from central revenues and the sale of the Montreal Expos, and teams may borrow from that with the permission of commissioner Bud Selig.
Lets not forget that the Expos where sold for 450M, and the the proceeds where not directly turned over to all of the teams.If it has not been dispersed, where did it go? It instead went into a kinda slush fund. It was one of the problems areas when the MLBPA wanted to look at MLB’s books during the last labor negotiation. The money is sitting there in a just in case mode, as a contingency plan if the economy fell apart. To me it almost seems that Hick’s just found a way to tap into it before he sells.
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
by laxtonto on Jul 3, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes it does make sense
In a slippery way. I’ve no idea if that was the course of action (or is the course), but it certainly seems do-able.
"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 3, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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