An idle thought on a possible bench addition
by Adam J. Morris on Jul 6, 2009 10:38 AM CDT
81 comments
Chris Davis has been sent down.
Julio Borbon is up, but he can't be expected to stick on the 25 man roster the rest of the way and play once a week.
What this team really needs is a righty four-corner bench bat, someone who could play 1B against LHPs and play some 3B if need be.
Which leads me to think about the Scott Hairston trade.
The A's have added Hairston, and are quite a ways out of the division race. They are going to be looking at younger guys who will be around for the future.
Which leads me to wonder if the Rangers might not look at adding Nomar Garciaparra, who doesn't seem to have a place in Oakland, and who isn't hitting well anyway.
He crushed lefties last season, isn't hitting them this year, didn't hit them in 2007. And he's old and he might be done.
But he's cheap (owed just $1 million for this season, with incentives based on games on the roster that could earn him an extra $250K or so), and I can't imagine the A's would want much more than a Mark Hamburger-type for him.
He could play first base against lefties, fill in at third base in a pinch, and gives you the type of veterany-goodness the team seems to want in its fringy guys.
Just a thought.
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I'd rather have Andruw Jones.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"Young is the Good version of David Eckstein. Grossly overrated because of grit. He can move one step to the right, and a half step to the left whereever you put him in the field." - DJ Cahill
by lonestarJon on Jul 6, 2009 10:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It isn't either/or
It is, do you want Garciaparra or Borbon.
by Adam J. Morris on Jul 6, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Garciaparra sucks.
Call up Greg Golson to take Borbon’s place, Ron seems to want a speedy dude on the roster anyway.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"Young is the Good version of David Eckstein. Grossly overrated because of grit. He can move one step to the right, and a half step to the left whereever you put him in the field." - DJ Cahill
by lonestarJon on Jul 6, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
DeRosa like?
Is there a fresh face version of 2005 Mark DeRosa we don’t know about?
Why not Arias over Borbon?
by 3Bagger on Jul 6, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe if Arias
had an OPS over .560.
I’d rather release Arias, add Stevie German to the 40, and put him on the team for Borbon.
"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 6, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
me too, but i think he's talking about someone to take Borbon's spot on the roster
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
by blalock84 on Jul 6, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
makes sense
but id have to think the value added by Nomar would be negligible.
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
by blalock84 on Jul 6, 2009 10:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
makes sense
but id have to think the value added by Nomar would be negligible.
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
by blalock84 on Jul 6, 2009 10:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Do you usually repeat yourself?
The value would be in Borbon playing fulltime down in AAA. Nomar himself brings very little.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
by RangerMad on Jul 6, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seems like LSB is a little nutty this morning.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"Young is the Good version of David Eckstein. Grossly overrated because of grit. He can move one step to the right, and a half step to the left whereever you put him in the field." - DJ Cahill
by lonestarJon on Jul 6, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's no reason to bring in a player on board
If Borbon needs consistent playing time in AAA (which I think he does), then you do that and worry about your 25th man spot afterwards. With Nomar being unable to hit anything this season, I don’t think he adds anything of value to this team that we couldn’t get from some minor league veteran. If we’re talking about a guy getting 5 ABs a week and maybe some late-game defensive innings, we don’t need to pay that guy a million dollars to do so.
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 6, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with that.
JD needs to go find a RHB firstbaseman with a good glove. Someone who could be a late inning defensive replacement and occasional starter.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
by RangerMad on Jul 6, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He done!
Definiton of insanity-doing the same thing and expecting different results
"Introducing your 2009 Texas Rangers-Built for Insanity!"
by randyd on Jul 6, 2009 10:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
i suggested adding him in the offseason
on multiple occasions for the reasons you listed above, but was roundly scoffed at, and honestly, i came to agree with the scoffers. I have a feeling Smoak will be up in a month or so, so it doesn’t seem like it fills much of a need.
Pass.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Jul 6, 2009 10:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll pass on Garciaparra
What about Jeff Bailey of the Red Sox?
He can’t play 3B, but he righthanded, makes the minimum, and had made a minor league career of putting up OPSs over 1.000.
He’s certainly no long-term answer, but he would be an upgrade over Blalock against LHP.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 6, 2009 10:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Now I kinda like that idea.
1.220 OPS against lefties in SSS in the majors this year despite really sucking against RHP’s. .964 career MiLB OPS against lefties too. Looks like he’d fill the need for a platoon partner for Hank perfectly.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"Young is the Good version of David Eckstein. Grossly overrated because of grit. He can move one step to the right, and a half step to the left whereever you put him in the field." - DJ Cahill
by lonestarJon on Jul 6, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just bring back
Sosa!
"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 6, 2009 11:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Actually
The 2007 version of Sideshow Sammy would help this team, especially if he could play 1B.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 6, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah,
too bad its ’09, but a guy who could bring a 1.000+ OPS against lefties would be Gold on this team.
"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 6, 2009 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If used correctly.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"Young is the Good version of David Eckstein. Grossly overrated because of grit. He can move one step to the right, and a half step to the left whereever you put him in the field." - DJ Cahill
by lonestarJon on Jul 6, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Always an issue
when talking about a RWash team.
"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 6, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder
Would the RSN start rooting for Texas if Nomah came on board?
"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 6, 2009 11:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wait a second
We’d have Omah and Nomah!!!! I’m on board with this move and would like them both to be starting everyday.
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 6, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Omah god, we don't have Nomah offense!
Get on base or die, Salty.
"Young is the Good version of David Eckstein. Grossly overrated because of grit. He can move one step to the right, and a half step to the left whereever you put him in the field." - DJ Cahill
by lonestarJon on Jul 6, 2009 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
What about Garko from the Indians?
They might be in sell off mode and he’s pretty cheap with a .318/.400/568 line vs LHP this year and a career line of .315/.393/.510 vs. LHP.
He might be more expensive than a Nomar in terms of prospects, but he’s a better bet at producing…
I dunno, probably not likely.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jul 6, 2009 11:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Nah
If you’re gonna go after Garko, you might as well go after Willingham, who has killed lefties this year and can hit righties too.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"Young is the Good version of David Eckstein. Grossly overrated because of grit. He can move one step to the right, and a half step to the left whereever you put him in the field." - DJ Cahill
by lonestarJon on Jul 6, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
Although he hasn’t played there much recently.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"Young is the Good version of David Eckstein. Grossly overrated because of grit. He can move one step to the right, and a half step to the left whereever you put him in the field." - DJ Cahill
by lonestarJon on Jul 6, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just like Garko's offense better
but I’ve always been a small Willingham fan, every since he was my catcher thee years ago on mlb 2k and hit like 30 HR’s
by blueballlefty on Jul 6, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Garko would fill the need of lefty-killer just fine, don't get me wrong
But he has a .727 OPS against righties this year and a .761 OPS against them for his career.
I’m just thinking that if you’re gonna go after a guy who you think will cost you something of any value in prospects, even if it’s just Kiker or something, you might as well go and get the guy who can provide you with more value than just a lefty-killer (Willingham).
Get on base or die, Salty.
"Young is the Good version of David Eckstein. Grossly overrated because of grit. He can move one step to the right, and a half step to the left whereever you put him in the field." - DJ Cahill
by lonestarJon on Jul 6, 2009 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Garko
He was the other guy I thought of when I suggested Jeff Bailey, but I think he would cost a little more in terms of players. I would like to avoid trading something like Kiker for a one-year platoon 1B option.
As far as getting something more than a who is more than just a lefty-killer, I think that gets more expensive that I’d want to, unless you are really loading up for something like Brad Hawpe. Against RHP, I think we can go with Hamilton, Blalock, Murphy, Cruz and Byrd and be okay at the 1B/OF/DH spots.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 6, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Willingham is significantly more expensive
$2.95M to $441k.
We’ve already heard there will be no significant salary added — for that fact alone I think Garko is more likely than Willingham.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jul 6, 2009 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmn, good point.
A week ago, I wouldn’t have though of 2.95 mil as significant salary, but now… yeah.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"Young is the Good version of David Eckstein. Grossly overrated because of grit. He can move one step to the right, and a half step to the left whereever you put him in the field." - DJ Cahill
by lonestarJon on Jul 6, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The flip side to that is
Garko goes to arbitration next year I believe, so he’d likely get more expensive.
But, I doubt he gets more than Willingham or anything like that.
I dunno — he might not even be available. He was just one guy I thought of….
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jul 6, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Garko, Willingham, et al
Any of those guys you pick up, I think would be likely non-tenders in the offseason. With Smoak and hopefully Davis in the lineup in 2010, I don’t think you go to arbitration with someone like that, particularly Willingham.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 6, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dont know why you non tender those guys
they prob aren’t going to rake in arb. and can both play COF
by blueballlefty on Jul 6, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Arbitration
Willingham would get $3.5-$4.0 million in arbitration next season.
He’s making almost $3 million as a first-year eligible guy.
Garko would make a lot less. Whether or not you tendered him would depend on the overall budget.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 6, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, that's true
I don’t know how likely all this is anyway. I just like the idea of Garko alot more than Willingham.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jul 6, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Excellent thought.
He is Elvis lite against righties; .248 .337 .390 .727 , makes only $446k this year, and is going to arb after this season.
"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 6, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nomar
I would take Mia Hamm over Nomar.
I soloed in the Mile High Club!
by horsedooty on Jul 6, 2009 12:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If he could stay healthy for more than two weeks in a row I might even consider this. But grabbing a spot on the 40 for someone who is going to be on and off the dl three times betwen now and the end of the season (by all accounts the calf problems are chronic and likely to recur) doesn’t make much sense to me. Pass.
by Dalman on Jul 6, 2009 12:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thank God for Davis' Sake
That poor guy was just getting destroyed by pitchers. He needs to go back and get a fresh start in AAA. It’s a bummer it took the Rangers so long to send him down.
by GhostofGaryHogeboom on Jul 6, 2009 12:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What would Mark Reynolds cost?
I know I know, that may be reaching a little high, but would you give up Arias, Boggs, and Kiker for him? who says no? you still control him for 3 years after this one, and he has MONSTER OBP and OPS numbers I think I would do it, maybe you replace Arias with Moreland or Smith
by blueballlefty on Jul 6, 2009 12:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Arizona says no.
Without a doubt.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 6, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
why? just wondering not wanting to fight
by blueballlefty on Jul 6, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because he's probably their 2nd best hitter
behind Upton
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jul 6, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reynolds
He’s 25-year old, has a .920 OPS, and they control him for three more seasons.
Arias has minimal value now. He doesn’t help any trade proposal at this point.
I like Boggs, but I think he topps out as a potential platoon OF. I don’t think other teams would value him much.
Kiker isn’t a good enough pitching prospect to lead the package for a guy like Reynolds.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 6, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If the baseball diamond had 2 first bases then go for it
But controlling him for 3 more years means we will have 3 1B for that long for 2 spots (1B and DH)
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
by bigsteve on Jul 6, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he could play third in a pinch
and could play left field also, plus we have three catchers right now that should be starting on a ML team
by blueballlefty on Jul 6, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Four corner bench bat. Isn't that sitting in AAA?
Steve German.
"We're One Nation Under a Groove"
- Ayjayem
by Chase Irwin on Jul 6, 2009 1:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
that would be the first
guy I would give a shot to
by blueballlefty on Jul 6, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
doesn't play 1B
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
by RangerMad on Jul 6, 2009 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pfffffffffffft
"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 6, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
generally, I'd agree
but the guy is listed at 5’9". That is pretty short for playing first.
There's more to the picture than meets the eye.
by tricer on Jul 6, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
although you could
play German at third and FFace at first against lefties.
There's more to the picture than meets the eye.
by tricer on Jul 6, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He could add to the Gold Glove collection!
"We're One Nation Under a Groove"
- Ayjayem
by Chase Irwin on Jul 6, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You'd pick up some throwing errors
by FFace and Elvis, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world.
"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 6, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who are you talking about?
Esteban German?
He’s got a .740 OPS vs. LHP this year in AAA, and .644 vs. LHP at KC last year.
I don’t see how that helps anything.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 6, 2009 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's basically Vasquez with a better glove.
Perfect role for the 25th man.
"We're One Nation Under a Groove"
- Ayjayem
by Chase Irwin on Jul 6, 2009 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
25th man
I would argue that Vizquel is the 25th man, or at least should be.
This roster needs someone who can play 1B and hit LHP.
by Darrell McKown on Jul 6, 2009 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chris Davis
would be perfect, eventually. He plays 1st, 3rd.
No? Okay.
by 3Bagger on Jul 6, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We'd have to give up prospects to a rival.
If he played outside the division then maybe, just for his postseason experience, but the A’s are not far behind us as it is in terms of their farm system. I’d rather not add to it.
by BoReed on Jul 6, 2009 1:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
NOMORRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE
Defending Big D | TheStarsFans | But a Hawks fan since 1989
by Brandon Bibb on Jul 6, 2009 1:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
smoak/davis
does davis play DH in AAA?
Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan was on the same pitching staff with Danny Darwin during the 1986 through 1988 seasons. Both were described by Milo Hamilton as "tall, tough Texans." It was a source of debate amongst Astros players and fans over who would win in a fight, Ryan or Darwin. Though Astros pitcher Bob Knepper attempted to set up a fight between the two during spring training in 1988, manager Hal Lanier stopped it before it could commence. Many experts, including Astros shortstop Rafael Ramirez, felt that Darwin would win because he "looked like someone no man would want to mess with."
by gossamer on Jul 6, 2009 3:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think they are gonna alternate between 1B and DH
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
by bigsteve on Jul 6, 2009 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nomar got traded to Boston
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Jul 6, 2009 5:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
eh?
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jul 6, 2009 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess so
OTM’s GDT has “Nomar’s home” but I can’t find a link anywhere.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland - 2009 Rangers Minor League POY
by RangerMad on Jul 6, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Via mlbtraderumors.com
Roy Halladay might be the best pitcher in the game; he’s definitely the best pitcher on the trade market. Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he’s ready to listen to offers for his ace pitcher.
“We have to see what’s out there,” Ricciardi said. “I’m not saying we’re going to shop him. But if something makes sense, we at least have to listen. We’re more toward listening than we’ve ever been.”
by tyd3311 on Jul 7, 2009 8:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Pass.
Get on base or die, Salty.
"Young is the Good version of David Eckstein. Grossly overrated because of grit. He can move one step to the right, and a half step to the left whereever you put him in the field." - DJ Cahill
by lonestarJon on Jul 7, 2009 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How cool would it be though
to have Chuck announce Nomar’s name when he comes to bat for the rangers
Nomar GARciaPARRA!
that’s the only reason i’d want him though
"I hope a bartender appears, with a shot and a beer everytime ya holler, cause yeah man, that's lucky"-Pat Green
"I want to be wearing the red, blue and white."-Matt Purke
by JustinH89 on Jul 7, 2009 4:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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