Wednesday morning Rangers things
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2009 9:31 AM CDT
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PrintBack into a tie for the Wild Card lead.
Anthony Andro says the Rangers pitchers were due to have a bad night, and it happened last night, with Scott Feldman and Jason Jennings both struggling.
It put a damper on the return of Pudge Rodriguez, who is apparently going to start tonight. I suspect the ovation when he comes to the plate for the first time will be one of the loudest that TBIA has ever heard.
Also in Andro's notes are updates on Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who won't need surgery and who hopes to return this season, and Jason Grilli, who is going on a rehab assignment this week and hopes to be activated this weekend.
Pudge coming to Texas means Kevin Richardson heads back to the minors, although Richardson says he understands that getting Pudge improves the team, and that's what it is about.
Kevin Sherrington says the Rangers blew it with Matthew Purke, that a team just can't afford not to sign its first round pick.
Mike Heika writes that Tom Hicks has until August 1, 2010, to satisfy creditors, rather than the October 1 date initially thought, so while the Rangers still apparently are likely to be sold, it isn't likely to happen until farther into the offseason.
Randy Galloway has a pretty remarkable column, stating that Matt Purke didn't sign with the Rangers because MLB wouldn't let it happen:
As of Tuesday, Purke was being hammered by some team apologists, and called greedy for going to TCU after reportedly turning down $4 million from the Rangers. And there are also organizational voices talking bad about him and his father, attempting to save their own butts. Not any of those voices, not that I heard, belonged to anyone on the Rangers’ baseball side. They know the truth.
The Rangers did make a $4 million offer to Purke, but without the approval of MLB. When the final word came down from MLB, the Rangers were told they could not pay the kid more than $2.3 million. Period.
Since Hicks no longer has the purse to control the purse strings, he has no say. And he also asked Tuesday not to be quoted publicly on any of this stuff, although his paid mouthpiece blogged in sympathy for Tom.
But even if the $4 million offer to Purke had been valid, it was a grandstanding gesture.
Purke was going to TCU, unless the team that drafted him paid in the $6 mil range. That was understood in June. If you don’t like it, don’t draft him.
There's also some stuff in there about the sale of the team, with Galloway saying both Hicks and MLB are insisting on $600 million (MLB doesn't want the price to go down and hurt the value of the other teams), and indicating that David McDavid is out and there appear to be no other interested groups on the horizon at that price, meaning that the Rangers would be a ward of MLB through next year.
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First!
Is where we should be!
Now we’re 5 1/2 back in the West and tied for Wild Card b/c Jason eff Jennings can’t keep his shit together
She say she are the manager.
That RG column is pretty crazy
I wonder how much of it is really true?
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
Galloway
I hated reading that column, because it confirms our worst fears of the budget trouble Hicks is in, and how it’s affecting talent acquisition. We should probably retract at least some of what we said about Purke in the last 36 hours. It raises a couple of troubling questions beyond the obvious ones:
- is there some sort of communication rift between the baseball side and business side of operations? According to Galloway’s column the business side may have been less than forthcoming about the money available to sign draftees.
- if what I’ve just supposed is not true, then why did the baseball side not draft accordingly, taking a less risky pick? Hoping for the best? A serious miscalculation if they knew about the MLB limits, bad luck if it was simply a case of the situation worsening significantly since draft day.
This makes me very sad when I consider how hamstrung the front office may be in the offseason in planning for next year. Pray the rookies continue to shine, and pray for the front office to continue it’s recent success in acquiring cheap contributions from the likes of O’Day.
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How much of the Galloway article
are we to believe? He does have a bit of an agenda against Hicks
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
I don't know
But he’s reporting from sources, it seems, not just pontificating.
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No he's not
When many were buying “the default was to bring lenders to the table crap” I said all along the Hick’s was screwed.
But who gives a shit. Right here, right now, our Rangers are in a playoff race and tied for the wild-card. AND ITS WITH THE TEAM WE GOT. I’m past Purke.
Why don’t you write about that Grandpa Urine.
by corbsclinton on Aug 19, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Infamous, un-named sources
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
I never believe Galloway 100%
but he didn’t simply make all of that up. Someone told him that number. Maybe they were covering their ass or making it up, but I just don’t think RG made it up all by himself.
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Sure.
Source: “MLB doesn’t want the Rangers paying more than $2.3M.”
RG: “Wow. So the Rangers weren’t even allowed to give Purke more than $2.3M yet they still drafted him? This is big news. Thanks for the scoop. Gotta go…”
Source: “Umm…”
If that's the case
then again, I’d like to hear someone from the team deny it publicly. If it’s bullshit he needs to be called out for it.
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and apparently a bit of an agenda against someone else..
I don’t recall seeing that much personal vitriol thrown down by Randy towards anyone not firmly in a management position with a team.
That being said, the suggestion regarding the hard budget cap being imposed on the Purke deal is hard to simply hide under the “rug of personal bias”. That would be far too easy for someone to kneecap him over if it were patently false. I’m afraid that there is fire behind that smoke, and it pisses me off greatly, since we were explicitly told that the money issues would in no way hinder our draft signings.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
When was this supposed $2.3M cap expressed to the Rangers?
Before or after they drafted a player demanding $6M?
It was after the draft
when the Rangers ‘needed help making payroll’ right?
" I have no faith in the GM making a move to help the big club but I’m on board."
Josey Wales on the 2009 Rangers. A team with 18 active players acquired by the current GM.
MLB has known about the Rangers financial problems since well before the draft.
Whatever. Galloway is just simply wrong. Purke had a solid $4M offer.
that from all account the MLB wouldnt approve do to the league bankrolling the club earlier this season
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
The Rangers took an advance payment on revenues they
are entitled to. That is not MLB “bankrolling the club” (i.e. taking over financial decisions).
I believe you're right
So if Galloway’s right and MLB said “$2.3MM. Period.” that seems to implicate some antitrust issues.
Remember Red, hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.
Well, I'd take that to mean
something more like they simply would not approve an overslot contract for the Rangers, and that would not necessarily mean an antitrust issue.
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Disapproving of and actually vetoing (the latter of which
Galloway is alleging) are two very different deals.
But MLB has to approve
contracts. They have the power to say no, don’t they? It’s not an antitrust issue.
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its an issue though
and i think if there was any truth to this the MLBPA would scream bloody murder, the rangers would scream bloody murder and the agent — most of all — would scream bloody murder.
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 Aug 19, 2009 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree, if only
because other clubs had overslot deals approved.
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just seems very strange
and not everything “fits” together.
the agent is losing how much money on that kind of deal? a pretty substantial chunk of 4 mil i would think and he would be pissed im sure
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 Aug 19, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions
How so?
IF, and a big emphasis on the I and F, MLB is controlling the purse stings of the Rangers, how are there any antitrust issues? They did it with the Expos and no one tried to shut down baseball. No one has announced that the Rangers situation is as bad, but if MLB has to continue making pay roll moving forward, then yes they will make financial decisions for the club.
by Mark from OC on Aug 19, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
MLB actually assumed ownership of the Expos in the Lurie(or was it Loria) swap...
Clearly taking a team over and conducting behind-the-scenes machinations are two entirely different things.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
You're right, they are clearly two different things;
however, at what level does MLB control the Rangers now? Has anyone made any public announcements on this? At least once this year, MLB had to make payroll for the Rangers. Has it happened again? Have the Rangers gone over the limit of their share of the individual teams’ money held in reserve by MLB? Lots of unanswered questions.
by Mark from OC on Aug 19, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions
It doesn't control the Rangers at any level
beyond the level it controls any other team.
Randy Galloway or his source is a dumbass. End of story, and I’ll take any wager you want on that one given what I know about this.
They aren't controlling the financial decisions of the Rangers.
That is why it would be scandalous if they somehow blocked a Rangers deal with a draft pick.
Galloway just made this whole thing up, fwiw. It’s just patently false.
well the bad part about this is
that there are a lot of dumb ranger fans who will believe everything he says in this regard
08/03/2009 A day that will live in infamy for the rest of the AL West.
by Michael Cave on Aug 19, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
That may be true..
But that’s quite a credibility limb he’s climbing out on if that’s the case. He’s basically saying that MLB is already making management decisions for the team and has assumed financial control in a very significant way. If he’s wrong, he might as well stop writing a sports column.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Dude, it's Randy Galloway.
This is what he does. He’ll dismiss it as bad info he received or spin it some other way and move on to his newest bizarre and patently false claim weeks from now, and no one will think any differently of him for it.
good point
if proven wrong he just sidesteps and rants on.
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Hmmm... I wonder what it'd be like if LSB had someone like that.
I bet he’d be a real outlaw.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 20, 2009 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions
x
it confirms our worst fears of the budget trouble Hicks is in
It only does that if you are looking to have your “worst fears” confirmed and will take that confirmation from any yokel tossing out wild and erroneous claims.
Purke had a firm $4M offer. The MLB veto claim is just simply false.
The Rangers bet on the fact that the kid and his dad wouldn’t be utterly irrational despite what they were saying before the draft. Most of the time that is a good bet as small town high school heroes and their small town yokel dads say a lot of crazy things before they meet more intelligent and better educated people that clue them in on how finance, logic, math, etc. work. But in this case the Rangers were truly dealing with utterly irrational “TCU is God’s plan” people from the sticks.
Maybe there was evidence before the draft that the Rangers could have found to demonstrate that these were the type of people the Purkes are, but I don’t think there was anyone claiming that (despite many recognizing it now).
x
The Rangers bet on the fact that the kid and his dad wouldn’t be utterly irrational despite what they were saying before the draft.
I agree with this.
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
So you think, if Galloway is right, refusing the $2.3m was irrational?
"[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 Aug 19, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions
I think refusing $4 million is irrational...
…given the economics of the game and the risk analysis connected with going to school.
I can understand passing on $2.3 million, a little more, although even then, he’d have to think long and hard.
As was pointed out before, though, at least he’s going to TCU, and not some arm-destroying factory like UT or Rice.
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Arm destroying factory?
Okay, it’s true… but at least the Rice arms are destroyed after they are drafted in the first round and paid fat bonuses. Considering that most Rice pitchers were never considered pro prospects prior to attending Rice, they do pretty well for themselves.
Go Rice Owls!
2.3 million
only 100k more than heathcott got at the end of the 1st round
and im as big of a fan of heathcott as anyone on this board, but purke >> heathcott (now had heathcott been healthy all year, thats could be another story, but as of the draft purke >> heathcott by a lot more than 100k
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 Aug 19, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Apples and oranges.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 20, 2009 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm sure Adam believes
as I do, that the Rangers sincerely made a $4M offer. I think the Rangers would have fought MLB if Purke had accepted that.
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That would be wholly unique
as a method of amateur bonus payment, far as I know. But maybe you’re right.
Offering $4m when you have $2.3m… I personally don’t see that successfully happening when you’re getting the cash from other franchise owners.
"[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 Aug 19, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions
who says
they have to pay it all right now? Some draftee (like this year’s #1 pick) bonuses are spread out over a couple of years.
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Do you think the ML deal part
could have been a big sticking pt?
08/03/2009 A day that will live in infamy for the rest of the AL West.
by Michael Cave on Aug 19, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Huge
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.
Durrett said Daniels confirmed
it was NOT a sticking point — the only point of contention was the money…
http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/08/what-does-not-signing-matt-purke-mean-fo.html
In the end, it was simply about money. Rangers GM Jon Daniels said that a big league contract (being put on the 40-man) was not a sticking point. The two sides couldn’t bridge a huge gap and Purke is headed to TCU. I’ll have to make it a point to go see how he does. He can go back in the draft in 2011.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Aug 19, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions
That wasn't a sticking point
The Rangers aren’t letting a first round pick walk because they are whimpering with fear about their 40 man situation in 3 years.
Go Rice Owls!
I strongly disagree
But whatever you say big guy
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.
Do you just dismiss the Durrett article as complete fiction?
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Aug 19, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
No
Me and JB went round and round the other day because he felt that if the kid wanted a ML deal you give it to him simply to say you signed your first round draft pick.
I however believe that would be a collosally stupid thing to do for our organization considering the amount of young talent we have who will need 40 man spots over the next 2 years which we would be one short since we would have a guy in A ball occupying one of them.
The Durrett article makes it sound like we had gotten through to him that we weren’t giving him a ML deal and he had relented on that demand and all that was wrong was the money.
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 Durrett article doesn't really specify whether it was on the table
My guess is that if it were the Rangers would never say so, because that offer could affect other negotiations, say with Scheppers or in future drafts. You don’t go advertising that you offered a kid a 40 man spot unless you actually get it done.
The problem was with money. First, I don’t think a high school kid goes to college – putting off his ML debut for 3-4 years at minimum – over not getting a ML contract today. The entire logic of demanding a major league deal goes out the window for a HS kid when the alternative is worse. Secondly, a team doesn’t allow a highly touted kid to walk for that one demand. That is equally silly logic for reasons we don’t need to go into again.
Major league deals simply aren’t that big a deal – the “40 man rules all!!!” is just not the one rule in play here. They are used as a structure to pay a kid a higher bonus than you can afford today, and they are an incentive for a college player, like Borbon, to sign. HS kids can use ML deals as negotiation tools, or as a hedge if the club signing them doesn’t have enough money to pay them what they want. But I challenge you to show me and example, any example, where a major league deal was the sticking point that kept a player from signing.
Go Rice Owls!
You might get someone to accept your challenge, but how could they win?
“You don’t go advertising that you offered a kid a 40 man spot unless you actually get it done.”
Like how I set up an impossible challenge?
Actually, it isn’t that impossible. Not that many first round picks fail to sign. Find one who afterwards said “I wanted a ML deal, and the team didn’t want to give it to me.” Nothing keeps the player from saying that.
And note that Purke isn’t saying that, which means that the 40 man question was agreed upon one way or the other, it was the $$$$. My point is that it is probably always the $$$$, never the type of deal.
Go Rice Owls!
Heres a list of pitchers who will either...
be under team control still in 2 years or need to be protected from the 40 man roster.
Diamond, Eyre, Feldman, Feliz, Grilli, Harrison, Holland, Hunter, Hurley, Madrigal, Mathis, McCarthy, Mendoza, Moscoso, Nippert, ODay, Poveda, CJ, Fabio Castillo, Beau Jones, Micheal Kirkman, Zach Phillips, Boscan, Miguel delossantos, Font, Kennil Gomez, Kiker, Carlos pimental, Beavan, Bleier, Trevor Hurley, Main, OCampo, Perez, NeRa, and Corey Young.
Thats 36 guys right there for about 22 spots on the 40 man roster. Surely not all those guys will continue developing or be out of options or whatever but that list goes to illustrate how many good pitchers we have. That doesn’t factor in someone who may breakout next year and put their name on that list. All these guys listed we will have to make a decision 40 man wise on around the time Purke would be possibly just entering AA (assuming he progressed as fast as Beavan has). And Beavan isn’t anywhere near ML ready yet if that gives you an idea how long that spot would be dead weight.
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.
On that list
I’d drop any of them except for Feldman, Feliz, Harrison, Holland, Hunter, CJ, Font, Main, Perez, or Beavan if I had to to get Purke in the system. And several of those are iffy. In two years, I guarantee several of those guys will be non-prospects, a few probably in different organizations, one or two probably out of baseball, and a few who aren’t on there being considered for protection.
I’m not saying that I wanted to give Purke a ML deal. Obviously I don’t. But worrying so much that the Kennil Gomez’s and Neil Ramirez’s may not be protected that you would prefer not to sign Purke is silly.
Obviously there is a crunch coming, and my preference would be to pay out the ear to lessen that crunch. But I’m not going to let Purke walk because of the guys on that list.
Go Rice Owls!
Thank god you aren't the GM then
Having such a short sighted view of things is not a good quality to have in that job
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.
Huh?
I don’t understand your argument.
Lets take your list. 36 guys for 22 spots up there.
Now, would you rather have
A: Those 36 guys for 22 spots, Purke at TCU
B: Those 36 guys + Purke for 22 spots
Does anyone other than Bigsteve pick A?
Go Rice Owls!
Its not just those 36 guys
What about any FA pitchers we sign? How about relievers we sign? That list is full of starting pitchers, who works the bullpen? And if you gave Purke a 40 spot it would only be 21 available spots. Maybe only 20 depending on what your positional personnel look like.
So your option B turns into: Those 36 guys for 20 spots + Purke
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.
okay, fine
A: Those 36 guys for 20 spots, Purke at TCU
B: Those 36 guys + Purke for 20 spots
Go Rice Owls!
Give me A
Heres my list
Starters: Feldman, Feliz, Holland, Hunter, Poveda, Boscan, Font, Beavan, Main, Perez
Relievers: Grilli, Moscoso, ODay, CJ, Phillips, Delossantos, Kiker, Young, Fabio Castillo, Kirkman
Thats 20 guys right there. With one veteran addition to the rotation and bullpen that gives 22. 4 relievers and 6 starters in the minors in case of injury. Thats probably too many starters to begin with but adding Purke only means one of the ones i listed isn’t protected and most likely lost. Do you want to see one of those guys lost so that purke can be hopefully in AA by this point? God help us if he has an injury or illness ala Main this year and sets him back. You just can’t clog it up with a guy who is going to be dead weight for so long.
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.
Again
I don’t want to see Purke bump anyone off the list. I’d prefer that he was in the system happily off the 40 until he forces his way on by dominating level after level.
That said, if the alternative is Purke not being in the system (which is what our hypothetical is), I don’t mind bumping several guys off that list for him.
Go Rice Owls!
In name and talent level alone...I can somewhat agree with you
But when you factor in roster construction and actualities then no I wouldn’t bump off any of those guys I listed for Purke
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.
"several of those are iffy"
“in two years, I guarantee several of those guys will be non-prospects”. What is it that guarantees that Purke will still be a prospect in two years?
by twinkilling on Aug 19, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Obviously nothing
But generally high first round talents don’t fall off the radar in two years.
Go Rice Owls!
It should have been
I have no objection to man walking on the moon.
by Chad Crudup on Aug 19, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Good point
but I still don’t see hightower’s point. It’s not like MLB has seized the Rangers’ bank accounts and they team actually only has $2.3M in the bank. It’s not that simple.
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Going back to my original question to Adam
When the final word came down from MLB, the Rangers were told they could not pay the kid more than $2.3 million. Period.
I don’t know if he’s right. But we’re not hearing good news about the owner’s finances lately.
"[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 Aug 19, 2009 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Doubtless
that was the tone and intent of my first post in this thread. Even if RG is only a tiny bit right and/or truthful here, it’s just more bad news on top of bad news.
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yup, 3 news reports have come out this week
1) rangers couldnt sign pruke b/c MLB control their finances
2) dallas stars wont necessarily have to hold a fire sale
3) Rafa was not given the finances previously agreed to when he signed his contract
all those take a lot more mystery out of how broke Hicks truly is.
not a good week to be a fan of any of these Hicks clubs.
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
Not true.
You can spread it over 5 years if the player is characterized as a “two-sport” player — and there are a lot more of those shoehorned into that category than you think.
by Jamey Newberg on Aug 19, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Would purke have been classified as "two sport"?
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.
Good Q.
I think someone published a list yesterday (Law? BP?).
by Jamey Newberg on Aug 19, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
Yep
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=1748
Breaking down the draft’s major league contracts and two-sport deals from the first 10 rounds into their net present value (NPV):
Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (No. 1 overall)
Big league contract: $7.5 million bonus; $15,107,104 total guarantees; $14,196,346 NPV
Draft records for largest bonus, largest guarantee
Dustin Ackley, Mariners (No. 2 overall)
Big league contract: $6 million bonus; $7.5 million total guarantees; $6,793,359 NPV
Donavan Tate, Padres (No. 3 overall)
Two-sport deal: $6.25 million bonus; $5,920,919 NPV
Draft record for largest high school bonus
Jacob Turner, Tigers (No. 9 overall)
Big league contract: $4.7 million bonus; $5.5 million total guarantees; $4,818,245 NPV
Draft record for largest high school pitcher bonus
Shelby Miller, Cardinals (No. 19 overall)
Two-sport deal: $2.875 million bonus; $2,744,431 NPV
Billy Hamilton, Reds (second round)
Two-sport deal: $623,600 bonus; $574,326 NPV
Kyrell Hudson, Phillies (third round)
Two-sport deal: $475,000 bonus; $447,377 NPV
David Renfroe, Red Sox (third round)
Two-sport deal: $1.4 million bonus; $1,238,663 NPV
Todd Glaesmann, Rays (third round)
Two-sport deal: $930,000 bonus; $849,716 NPV
D’Vontrey Richardson, Brewers (fifth round)
Two-sport deal: $400,000 bonus; $375,204 NPV
Daniel Fields, Tigers (sixth round)
Two-sport deal: $1,625,000 bonus; $1,467,339 NPV
Brandon Jacobs, Red Sox (10th round)
Two-sport deal: $750,000 bonus; $683,924 NPV
Jake Locker, Angels (10th round)
Two-sport deal: $200,000 bonus; $191,073 NPV
Actually that led me to wonder what a two-sport player is. What is that?
"[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 Aug 19, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions
Damn, anybody else recognize UW's starting QB on that list?
One Jake Locker. That’s pretty cool.
"When he came up with that ball, hop or not, he looked exactly like a homeless guy who had found a long cigarette butt – only to discover it was soaked with gasoline. He could not have thrown out anyone there, even though Cust moves at about the speed of soil erosion." - Ed C.
by inactive lsb user on Aug 19, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
With owners like florida's
making millions and millions by pocketing revenue sharing instead of investing it in players, I’m surprised MLB would be this against the Rangers’ moves.
your NOT getting it from other franchise owners
your getting it from the sale of the expos, every team had some of the cash in a fund for them ot access
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 Aug 19, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions
figured so
glad your on fbook now 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 Aug 19, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions
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 Aug 19, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
lol'd
"When he came up with that ball, hop or not, he looked exactly like a homeless guy who had found a long cigarette butt – only to discover it was soaked with gasoline. He could not have thrown out anyone there, even though Cust moves at about the speed of soil erosion." - Ed C.
by inactive lsb user on Aug 19, 2009 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions
it'd be like
"When he came up with that ball, hop or not, he looked exactly like a homeless guy who had found a long cigarette butt – only to discover it was soaked with gasoline. He could not have thrown out anyone there, even though Cust moves at about the speed of soil erosion." - Ed C.
by inactive lsb user on Aug 19, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree
with most of that whole 3rd paragraph. Perhaps the $2.3M limit claim is spurious. If so, I’d love to see someone from the team shoot it down publicly. I always read Galloway with an eye towards his shtick, but that’s a pretty bold claim if he’s making it up. Or if one of his “butt-covering” sources is making it up.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
yeah, I can't see
him keeping a job or having any “inside” sources after this if this isn’t an accurate summation of the situation. Its not like he’s trying to sell newspapers….
by corbsclinton on Aug 19, 2009 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
x
If so, I’d love to see someone from the team shoot it down publicly.
If it rose to the point of being a major issue, then I’m sure they would. But as long as it is just Randy Galloway simply making things up as Randy Galloway likes to do, then there’s no point in responding to it and giving him that kind of legitimacy.
I’ve seen a sharply worded (but professional) e-mail to Galloway today from the Rangers front office (a rarity, fwiw, as they generally ignore his blabbering), and I’m pretty sure, as I predicted earlier, he’ll now be dropping his “$2.3M MLB veto” idiocy rather than pursuing that case. Maybe he didn’t before running with this nonsense (not that he would have cared anyway), but he now knows it’s complete BS. He’ll scurry off to some other stupid idea of his now and throw his “source” under the bus if he’s ever really pressed on this.
But, hey, he fired up his “Hicks sucks!” fans for another few days with some bogus “financial woes inhibiting the team” stuff that crowd loves to believe, and well, yeah, sure it wasn’t in any way close to the truth, but that’s beside the point, of course.
Didn't JD take a few shots
at Galloway earlier this year? I don’t recall what it was about.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
I agree it is troublesome
But I think it isn’t as dire as people may think, or as Galloway makes it out to be.
If the Rangers are truly a ward of MLB, and they are just keeping the Rangers afloat until Hicks can sell the team for $600 million, then we know something else. If a higher price tag for the Rangers is in MLB’s interest, then preserving the quality of the franchise is also in their interest. They can’t let the Rangers become the Royals. They are a strong asset – a near playoff team that is very young. MLB will allow the Rangers to spend money within reason that will increase the value of the club (note the ability to acquire Pudge – he’s not cheap by any means).
Now, draft picks are a conflict of interest – MLB desperately wants bonuses to come down, and them contributing to the inflation doesn’t help their cause. I can fully buy that they strongly suggested to Hicks et al that they wouldn’t contribute more than 2.3 million bonus to Purke. The Rangers solution probably was a $4 million major league deal, with 2.3 million paid upon signing (by MLB) and the rest coming in future years.
The Purke debacle was mostly on Purke. But I think that Galloway points out that the financial situation of the club is not stable, and it is very possible that the flexibility of the Rangers was severely hindered here.
Go Rice Owls!
I just don't understand...
how people can assume that MLB would take such a hard line with this ( not to mention the possible anti-trust issues) but allow the Rangers to spend so much in LA this year. It just doesn’t make sense.
Maybe MLBs stance is partially in response to the Rangers' recent LA activity.
They used the draft as a serious punishment to the Nationals LA SNAFU.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
The draft has gotten out of control for MLB
and they desperately want to rein it in. Every one of those bonuses that came down the other night angered Selig and his cronies more. They have a “slotting system” that is a complete, utter joke. It’s just chaos where 18 year old kids and their agents are dictating terms of contracts and clubs are signing them anyway.
It is perfectly reasonable to me that MLB took a stand with Purke. The Rangers are the one team that can’t just say “Screw you, Bud, we’re caving into this guy’s demands whether you like it or not” because Bud is writing the check!
If you ask me, “covering” the Rangers expenses already borders on anti-trust issues. Do you think that Oakland and LAA would have a right to be angry with MLB if Selig just said “give Purke $7 million if that is what he wants, we’re good for the money.” What if Seattle couldn’t sign Ackley because they are fiscally responsible, yet MLB helps the Rangers sign a guy for more than he’s worth because they are providing the deep bank account?
Go Rice Owls!
Define out of control.
I find it laughable that bonuses are “too high” when the kids have no competition for their services. They can only negotiate with one team, so their main leverage is indirect: the negative ramifications of a team not regularly getting high-level talent into their system. Can you imagine if the kids were allowed to shop their services like everyone else in the world outside of the trusts that are ML sports? Drafts are bullshit.
But the slot system is not an utter joke. It’s my understanding that teams stick pretty close to the slot recommendations for the vast majority of picks outside the first round give or take. That said I haven’t really looked at what happened in later rounds this year.
Actually, the kids have far more leverage than most other sports.
It isn’t perfect, but name me another draft where kids can just say no to an offer, return to school, and then re-enter the draft later. High schoolers have plenty of leverage.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
They have more leverage than nothing...
but you can’t really say bonuses are “high” (which is the claim here) when you’re in a system that eliminates competitive bidding for services.
I would say they are high relative to other sports...
The only legit comp is the NHL, in that players drafted don’t immediately compete for a spot on the roster. The amount of money some of these kids get offered when they may not even SEE the ML camp is astounding to me. Other sports have their busts, but at least those guys suit up in training camp right away.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
If MLB was going to "take a stand"
it would seem that they should have started with the $15 million man. That deal is 50% more than any other deal in the history of the draft.
by twinkilling on Aug 19, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Inflation makes it 18% more, actually
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
We'll show you Obama's birth certificate as soon as you show us Sarah Palin's high school diploma...
by Brian Thomas on Aug 19, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
But they couldn't really take a stand
They don’t hold the purse strings with the Nationals. Any “stand” would be a blatant disregard of their own rules.
But in the Rangers case, if MLB is the one writing the check, then they have say over how big a check they are going to write.
Go Rice Owls!
So, what's better?
Would we rather have taken a lesser player at #14 who we knew we could sign, or in essence transfer that pick to next years draft and take a higher level talent when the money situation may be different.
That said, we likely would’ve signed Shelby Miller, and I think most here would’ve been ok with that.
It's not fucking true.
Are you kidding me?
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 20, 2009 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions
No one has refuted it
I never take Galloway at face value, but no one has come out and said it’s 100% false. Grant said he heard both $4m and a lower figure, and today Jeff Wilson backed up Galloway. And no one from the team has denied it. So, no, I am not kidding you. I’m waiting for someone to report that’s wrong. I’m not simply going to assume it’s completely wrong just because I hate Galloway.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Galloway
“his paid mouthpiece blogged in sympathy for Tom.”
Who is he referring to here?
Officially gay for Neftali Feliz
Sullivan maybe?
He is on the Rangers.com payroll.
Just a guess though.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
I took that mean Jamey
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Aug 19, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions
That's what I thought
Maybe not.
T.R. wrote at the S-T, and I can’t imagine that was a shot at him.
Someone should email Galloway and ask him.
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2009 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Well he writes for their website
and their programs, and does videos for the jumbotron so I assume he gets paid something.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Aug 19, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Just did...
08/03/2009 A day that will live in infamy for the rest of the AL West.
by Michael Cave on Aug 19, 2009 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions
From Jamey
I bet the amount of money the high school pitcher Matt Purke refused tonight was close to 50 times more than the total amount of money that big league baseball player Kevin Richardson has earned in his eight years in pro ball.
That’s sad.
And an absolutely crazy decision by the player, as far as I’m concerned. The odds of Purke increasing his draft value over the next two years at TCU are far outweighed by the odds of him seeing his draft value decrease, for any number of reasons.
If i had to guess, it would be this part. But who knows
" I have no faith in the GM making a move to help the big club but I’m on board."
Josey Wales on the 2009 Rangers. A team with 18 active players acquired by the current GM.
I just don't see
how any of that relates to Hicks directly.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
b/c he didnt turn that money down b/c MLB wouldnt allow the check to be cut regardless?
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
There is nothing about any of that
in Jamey’s post. Jamey just sounds like a fan pissed that a HS kid he wanted in the org turned down a ton of cash to take crazy odds on reentering the draft in a couple of years. There’s just nothing in the post at all that relates to Hicks.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
thats my point, t.
i read randy’s article today and unlike our takes, or other bloggers, his seems to have pretty good sources and puts the onus on MLB pretty much holding the club together financially and that limiting the clubs ability to pay over 2.3M
the 2.3 Million number he got came from a source, thats what i got from that article
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
but I wonder
how reputable is the source, and did RG run away with something and misquote/misparaphrase?
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
as far as i know
RG is the only guy to get a solid source regarding the situation though, compared to the rest of the writings, whether its PR Sullivan or Jamey or others.
im more likely to believe this though than not given the other article in the paper about how the stars wont havee to have a firesale and reports from across the pond regarding LFC…
it comes across as much more expos 1990’s era hell than anything i had read previously, and im not sure there are enough reasons to not buy his angle.
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
"RG is the only guy to get a solid source regarding the situation though"
Why do you think that? Randy is a columnist. If someone feeds him something that fits his agenda he will run with it. Do you think he tries to second source anything?
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
I would not put it past RG
I wouldn’t doubt that if he got two conflicting reports — one saying they couldn’t offer more than $2.3 and one saying that wasn’t true — that he would run with the report that supports his shtick.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Calling Randy Galloway credible...
is a little bit like dividing by zero. Be more careful, guys.
by bhudson on Aug 19, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
No shit
Acting like a bunch of ninnys here, taking his story as even half truth. That fuck hasn’t seen the ballpark from more than I-30 in ten years, just how would he have such “inside” sources with the team, when all he has done is treat them like shit for years?
"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.
im not here to defend that idiot but i also havent read another writer use the term "sources inside MLB"
the article reads like he talked to sum1 inside MLB not connected to Texas Rangers Baseball, and it doesnt read like you standard RG diatribe
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
Heh
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 Aug 19, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions
You got that from one of the GDT the other day, didn't you?
I posted that exact image.
Gracchus (about Obama): I think he knows what America is. America is the mob. Conjure money for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar. The beating heart of America is not the paper of the Constitution, it's the power of the media. He'll bring them debt - and they will love him for it.
Actually I got it off of google
but I did see it the other day in a GDT and thought of it today.
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 Aug 19, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Randy Galloway, like everyone else...
…is very much susceptible to confirmation bias.
"I love winning." - rockin_rangers, on May 16, 2009
Jayslick
please define “pretty good sources”.
by twinkilling on Aug 19, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
read the article instead of AJM's synopsis and you would know.
How many of you read the damn article before you started typing?
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
I read the damn article
even before Adam posted about it. Galloway has a huge credibility gap, no matter who is talking to him.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
agreed
although i knew you read the article b/c we discussed it in terms others hear arent
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
what comments did Jamey make that would fit the Galloway description?
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
Yeah, I'm having a hard time
reading Jamey’s post as especially sympathetic to Hicks. It was more from a fan standpoint of not having Purke.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
I thought it was definitely a shot at Jamey
Newberg went after Purke pretty hard yesterday with the purple hoodie and Economics 101 comment.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
Yeah
that’s what I thought RG meant by defending HIcks — taking a “shot” at the kid.
I dunno, just the way I interpreted it.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Aug 19, 2009 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Also
I don’t really think that’s what Jamey intended to do — but I can absolutely see how RG would spin it that way.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Aug 19, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Granted, Jamey's "shots" are always a great deal more nuanced than any of us would do..
But I really, really don’t see how any of that is a horrible attack on Purke. Jamey has always written his dailys from the perspective of the uberfan, and that particular piece simply read like a frustrated fan who truly felt that the kid had made a really bad decision. He didn’t call the kid stupid, deranged, or anything that rises to the level of the kind of shot RG and others take on a regular basis.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Jamey
also didn’t go after Tom Hicks for this bungle either.
Why not? He never, ever, ever goes after Tom Hicks.
Last March/April in here and over at NMLR we got a very impassioned defense from Jamey about how Tom Hicks spends his money.
The real blame here falls on Hicks but you sure as hell won’t read about it from Jamey.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
x
Why not? He never, ever, ever goes after Tom Hicks.
Or because Hicks didn’t make any “bungle” here.
Jamey's just a fan
He’s not a real journalist. He’s not a mouthpiece. He’s just a fan who sends out mass emails on a whim. Why are you acting like he’s some important piece of a conspiracy theory?
Do you believe that the team should never draft a player with signability issues? Also, do you believe Blalock is a clutch hitter?
He was pretty "clutch" last night...
…when he almost made the third out at third base last night stretching a double. I guess he was just excited to be running the bases.
I have no objection to man walking on the moon.
by Chad Crudup on Aug 19, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
He walked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
08/03/2009 A day that will live in infamy for the rest of the AL West.
by Michael Cave on Aug 19, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, on four pitches he couldn't reach with two bats...
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
by bking on Aug 19, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
True, but has that ever stopped him from swinging?
08/03/2009 A day that will live in infamy for the rest of the AL West.
by Michael Cave on Aug 19, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions
I was at the game
Unfortunately, the people sitting around me didn’t fully appreciate the historical moments of that game (Blalock getting a hit, Blalock getting a walk).
When was the last time that happened? A walk and a hit in the same game for Mr. Hanky
08/03/2009 A day that will live in infamy for the rest of the AL West.
by Michael Cave on Aug 19, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
The real blame falls on Hicks?
He offered the kid (sorry i dont believe it was only 2.3 mm) 4mm which would have been the 5th highest bonus for anyone in the draft. Hicks did all he could. I think Texas_Dawg said and i agree, the Rangers were counting on rationality ruling the day for the Matt Purke, his family and his advisers. That simply wasnt the case.
By the way who did he speak to prior to the draft? Nolan Ryan.
08/03/2009 A day that will live in infamy for the rest of the AL West.
by Michael Cave on Aug 19, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Nolan Ryan has the final say on a lot of things
but not on all the checks that are written.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Hey
i dont like Hicks at all. I wont defend him on everything. Stuff like the greenlighting the Arod signing and Chan Ho Park signing still irks me but he was NOT wrong in this case. Im sorry but this falls squarely on the shoulders of the kid and his circle. I dont wish him ill will at TCU at all however i do believe he cost himself a great deal of money. Hicks was in the right, JD was in the right and I think Ryan couldnt have seen this either.
08/03/2009 A day that will live in infamy for the rest of the AL West.
by Michael Cave on Aug 19, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
WHY do ppl hate the arod contract
if hes here for the rest of his career, hits his 400th, 500th, 600th, record breaking HR for the rangers + wins 5 GG + wins 1 or 2 more MVPs and plays out that contract there is NO way its a bad deal at all
the man has been worth almost 25 mil/year every year since 2002 per frngraphs — that doesnt include jersey sales or the fact he puts butts in the seats
the arod signing was giving him a lot of money, and overpaying, but he STILL was worth more than 25 mil/year all things considered
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 Aug 19, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions
hicks owes more than he bought for the club for and cant pay interest for one reason
the loan he took out to pay for arod and all those salaries. it will totally destroy all that has been built, unless an ownership change saves us. thats what makes those deals so unforgivable.
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
???
what
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 Aug 19, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions
The reason i hated it was
because, reportedly, he paid 70 mil more than the next closest bidder in the Mets. My view would be a lot different if it was down to the wire so to speak. And yes some of it is revisionist history because of who we got for him in a trade and what we had to pay to do it.
08/03/2009 A day that will live in infamy for the rest of the AL West.
by Michael Cave on Aug 19, 2009 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions
from a fangraphs-value perspective
he may have been more than earning his money, but that doesnt automatically make it a good signing. you could get a great deal on a ferrari, but if you worked at wal mart and could barely make the payments, it wouldnt be such a good idea. it would be a poor allocation of your resources. and the case can be made that allocating so much of the team’s resources to a-rod hindered it’s ability to do other valuable things like sign other free agents, sign draft picks, extend young players, be active in LA, etc.
i realize anecdote doesnt really bear that out, since we did spend on chan ho and igor and tex and some others during that period, but i can understand, after we failed to do much winning those first few years, the fan perspective that the a-rod signing put us in a bad position and left us unable to really assemble the complete organization needed to be successful.
by Smoakin in the Boys Room on Aug 19, 2009 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions
As president of operations
he signs the checks.
He just has to go to hicks when going above what is budgeted.
" I have no faith in the GM making a move to help the big club but I’m on board."
Josey Wales on the 2009 Rangers. A team with 18 active players acquired by the current GM.
Ryan wasn't asking for Hicks to give him $6M.
He was saying, understandably, that the kid would take the ridiculously good offer the Rangers had for him because he and his contacts didn’t have any reason to believe the kid and his family to be incredibly absurd.
That God was calling the shots (and is apparently irrationally greedy) didn’t come out until after the draft.
what was the slot value for purke?
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 Aug 19, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions
1.6 million
what a laugh
wow.
just…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 Aug 19, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Jamey
Well, it’s news to me that he’s Hicks’ paid mouthpiece. I guess Eleanor, Scott Lucas, Mike Hindman, Brett Perryman, and myself- all of whom have contributed content to the Newberg Report over the years- must have been cut out of all that mad money Jamey’s been receiving from Hicks.
Officially gay for Neftali Feliz
you really think Jamey's work at BPiA goes totally unpaid?
just like AJM, who is a member of a blog system valued at over a million dollars in SBN?
maybe your right, but if so, thats extremely bad business, like 17 year old junior in high school bad business.
that, i have a hard time buying
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
or it could be
so that he can maintain his objectivity. True, he IS a fan, and is slanted towards that.
But i’m sure the last thing he wants is his ‘employer’ asking why he keeps writing about player X who is having a tough season.
" I have no faith in the GM making a move to help the big club but I’m on board."
Josey Wales on the 2009 Rangers. A team with 18 active players acquired by the current GM.
No, I don't
But I think the compensation he receives is a lot less than most people think it is.
Officially gay for Neftali Feliz
Not sure why you are bringing me into this
I get paid, but it not a significant amount.
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Adam
Don’t sweat what they say about money you get – you earned it.
What’s important is that you’re not perceived to be a mouthpiece for the team or Tom Hicks.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
Of course not. Neither is Jamey.
You just made that up out of thin air. No one actually perceives Jamey as a mouthpiece because he’s just a fan. He’s not a journalist. This is one of your more stupid arguments.
Do you believe that the team should never draft a player with signability issues? Also, do you believe Blalock is a clutch hitter?
im not trying to bring you into it, im just saying money is around and you guys work for multi million dollar companies,
generally if thats the case, you dont give away intellectual property for nothing.
although im not sure what that has to do with RG, and im pretty sure neither of you get anything relative to the value thats put in, just pointing out to RC that you guys arent just doing this out of the goodness of your heart at this point. there is money involved, which RC seemed to not accept
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
Wow, that's some leap you made
The argument was about ‘Hicks’ paid mouthpiece’ – as in paid by Tom Hicks.
by Anonymous New Guy on Aug 19, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
so u dont think jamey gets paid?
how naive are ya?
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
Jay
I have a pretty good idea of what people are compensated for contributing to the Newberg Report, seeing as I’ve been one of those who did so, even if only in a minor role. I’ve also been a writer for a number of sites in the past (and currently) and while I didn’t do so out of the goodness of my heart, I’ve probably made about as much over my 15 years of writing combined as I do from one year’s salary at my day job. There’s been a lot of times I was “paid” in things other than cash as well- CD’s and free tickets (when I was a music journalist), food, drinks, etc.
I wasn’t saying that Jamey didn’t get any money from the Rangers- just that it’s not such a huge sum that he’s beholden to Hicks.
Officially gay for Neftali Feliz
Fair enough
i know what u mean, i still think RG was referncing TR Sullivan working for MLB and texas rangers andbeing a mouthpiece rather than a reporter. Your context on compensation makes me think more so.
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
Jayslick
In the very recent past (when some other controversy came up), RG dismissed what Jamey had to say on the subject because (paraphrasing) “Who cares what he says? He works for the team”.
RG and PR Sullivan used to work together at the FWST and I doubt he’d take a shot like that at him but maybe I’m wrong.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, it seemed like a real chickenshit comment by a supposed professional...
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
How is a comment about buying a purple hoodie and taking a economics class going after someone hard?
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 was sarcasm
Purke is a dumbass for giving up 4M in exchange for going through the pointless bullshit that you must freshman year
It's Jamey painting a picture the way he always does...
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
I get the sarcasm
But Josey is making it sound like jamey went off on the kid. If thats “going off” on someone then thats nothing compared to some “going off” ive seen
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.
i take it to mean that RG went to sources and put out a article based on that
whereas Jamey went the blogger using media sources and fan angle and now looks foolish as the facts a real reporter spent time going after come out.
dunno if i agree or disagree, but i think its was RG was getting at
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
Was that supposed to be a reply to me?
Cause if so im confused
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.
thats my meager attempt to get inside the head of RG on what he meant regarding the Hicks mouthpiece
honestly, when i read that article this AM i figured he was referencing PR Sullivan, not Jamey
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
what does
went to sources actually boil down to? I’m pretty sure Galloway isn’t getting information from the Rangers. Why would he have “sources” others don’t?
by twinkilling on Aug 19, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
30+ years in a career field does that
it gives you connections others dont have. has RG used them regarding rangers this decade? not that i remember. Like i said above though, this article doesnt read like your typical RG article, which is why AJM says “remarkable” in his summary.
RG, Jamey, and AJM all call Sandy Alderson, which one gets the story? that kinda thing.
my point is though, the story reads like he talked to sum1 and that sum1 wasnt in this organization feeding the standard crap to those willingly transcribing it regarding finances. RG has connections just from time served that give him an edge on a lot of people writing about rangers.
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
Sort of how I read it. He was clear to say it wasn't anyone on the baseball side of things.
Like you said, 30 years in the field will build you quite a rolodex. I suspect Randy has an old drinking bud in the business side of things and he (re)connected with this guy as his source. Whether or not that guy is totally plugged in remains the open question, IMO.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
I suspect that Galloway...
…also has a good rapport with Nolan.
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
We can agree, ajm.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
RG
has a fairly good rapport with Nolan himself and that source would trump all.
It has to piss Nolan off to no end that they couldn’t make this happen. At this point, he has a lot of political capital within the organization and is bullet-proof so I’m sure he felt no guilt about telling RG the scoop.
RG also wouldn’t run this unless he knew it was true.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
RG will run anything
he thinks will get talked about, regardless of truthfulness.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
If Nolan is that pissed off, you think JD will get fired over this?
Do you believe that the team should never draft a player with signability issues? Also, do you believe Blalock is a clutch hitter?
Well the perks at TCU will never piss off.
"When he came up with that ball, hop or not, he looked exactly like a homeless guy who had found a long cigarette butt – only to discover it was soaked with gasoline. He could not have thrown out anyone there, even though Cust moves at about the speed of soil erosion." - Ed C.
by inactive lsb user on Aug 19, 2009 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions
30+ years in a career field
also gives you the opportunity to make stuff up and cite non-existent (and nameless) sources. And in Galloway’s case he’s probably made far more enemies in his profession than he has friends over those same 30+ years.
that was funny
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
me, too
I'm tired of hearing about team chemistry. You are telling me these fuckers wouldn’t like to have a teammate that could actually help the team win, instead of being down 2-4 spots.
by diamond_dave on Aug 19, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Sullivan
Jamey and TR both took some jabs at Purke, but TR’s writing salary – his whole income probably – comes from the Rangers 100%.
"[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 Aug 19, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
He's actually paid by MLB.com
of course which is owned by all the teams. But it doesn’t come directly from the Rangers.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Aug 19, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
omg
ward of the mlb brings nightmare visions of what happened to the Montreal Expos. This is not a good state to be in. I hope it doesn’t last long, or all the talent will be saying bye bye.
What a bunch of BS
MLB wants the team sold for $600MM because less than that would drive down the value of other teams. Yet, MLB won’t allow the Rangers to try and sign talent (and thereby increase the value of the team). However, if Purke’s take-it-or-leave it demand was $6MM, then there isn’t much you can do about that because MLB wouldn’t allow anyone to go that far over slot.
Remember Red, hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.
Sorry - I was actually inferring that MLB's actions are BS
But the more I think about the source, the more I think Galloway’s full of crap.
MLB might very have well objected loudly to the $4MM offer but mostly because it was over slot. Here’s my theory – MLB did object to the $4MM offer and Hicks, knowing he needs to keep them happy, decided not to go any higher as Purke wanted. I’m guessing if Purke had accepted $4MM he’d have signed regardless what MLB wanted.
Remember Red, hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.
That's basically correct.
But had the Rangers truly felt Purke was worth the substantially more than the already astronomical (for a HS player) offer they were giving him, then they would have increased their offer and dealt with MLB’s grumbling later. (They’ve been doing this for months as it is anyway.)
Some people just need to make this about bashing Hicks, Ryan, or JD. There’s really only one group to blame here though. And I think the odds are they will be the side most heavily regretting their actions in the years to come.
Exactly
He is saying that (1) the $4mm offer wasn’t enough AND (2) the $4mm offer wasn’t valid. Which is it? If it is #1, then #2 doesn’t matter. If it is #2, then #1 is not true. His logic is flawed and it looks like he is just throwing out random ideas to see what sticks and pile on Hicks and the organization.
by Jack Nicholson 1974 on Aug 19, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions
I think here's what he's implying
The Rangers knew they couldn’t sign Purke so that’s exactly why they drafted him. But the negotiations don’t reflect this. If that was the case then the Rangers offer would have been just slightly higher than the other pitchers that signed above and below him. That’s not the case. The Rangers extended a pretty hefty offer. If the Rangers never intended to sign him why do that?
Remember Red, hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.
Maybe when Nolan talked to him...
… he confirmed that the kid was going to school no matter what.
Drafting him and not signing him while offering fabricated negotion stories is a perfect chance to save some bucks this year, and still have a chance to draft again next year when finances are better.
If this were all true...
…then wouldn’t you hear something out of Purke’s camp about how the Rangers weren’t negotiating in good faith? What benefit does Purke have to lie here?
The $4 mil offer had to be legit, and RG probably doesn’t understand the difference between MLB’s objection on going over slot versus MLB saying they won’t pay for the Rangers to sign Purke. Two very different things.
I'm just tossing out a conspiracy theory
not something I necessarily believe….
For the theory to work, Purke has to be on board with it… and that probably wouldn’t happen since he doesn’t benefit.
God bless you Adam
for reading Grampa Urine so we dont have to
by BEW on Aug 19, 2009 9:44 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Not the usual Galloway BS
He actually gives credit to JD, mentioning him by name with nothing but positive comments. I think maybe this is one of those occasional columns where he is talking truth.
"we’re a bunch of knee-jerking yahoos who like new and shiny things." -- FirebatM3 July 10, 2009
Hell is freezing
Josey must be pissed right now. His mentor giving JD props.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
Also sounds like the Rangers have PR cover of saying
they offered $ 4 million but there was a little problem – when they went to MLB, they were told “uh, no more than $ 2.3 million, buddy.”
Then we have Purke getting thrown under the bus.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
If MLB had actually blocked
the Rangers offer to purke on the basis that it was over slot, I would think the Rangers would have grounds for a grievance based on the fact that many other teams had to go over slot to sign their picks and MLB wouldn’t let them compete for talent.
by twinkilling on Aug 19, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
they are using MLB's money not the owner's
which makes a big difference i assume
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
still
you can’t handicap a team like that, everyone else is going overslot…. so by definition the Rangers can’t “compete” in the league… that’s definitely grounds for a grievance
Must kill Moe. Weeeeeeeee
by Baseball North on Aug 19, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
they can get in line behind Montreal
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
Montreal was completely different
John Henry wanted the Red Sox, which would open up the Florida franchise. Lurie wanted out of Montreal so he “bought” the Marlins. That left the expos, a very unattractive franchise without a buyer and MLB didn’t want it sold for pennies. So MLB took over the expos until they could be moved and sold for a higher price.
Remember Red, hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.
i think the rangers, the MLBPA and the agent all would scream bloody murder
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 Aug 19, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Thrown under the bus by whom?
Daniels has said nothing but positive things about Purke, even after a deal wasn’t reached.
And Galloway — if you believe him — says the baseball people aren’t trashing him.
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Jamey threw Purke under the bus yesterday, Adam.
Berry Street, the purple hoodie and stirrups, Economics 101, etc. .
It’s one of the most read Ranger blogs out there by somebody who is nationally recognized as a mouthpiece for the team.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions
He is?
Jamey may be a homer, but I don’t think anyone gives him credit for speaking with any sort of authoritative authority.
You have absolutely no evidence to suggest that Jamey sent his email out at the urging of Rangers management. Quit making stuff up.
Do you believe that the team should never draft a player with signability issues? Also, do you believe Blalock is a clutch hitter?
Allow myself to introduce myself :-)
08/03/2009 A day that will live in infamy for the rest of the AL West.
by Michael Cave on Aug 19, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
The PR cover thing is like the Kennedy assassination
the conspiracy theories will never, ever die.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Has MLB ever refused a contract because it was over slot?
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
they just hold it off till the last min as far as i know
at one point late in the day there were 12 unsigned 1st rd dpicks
now there were only 2 that didnt sign
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 Aug 19, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions
right
so why wouk dthey do it now? The money Hick’s got for MLB was actsully an advance on future profits or something like that. Other team have gottne the same moey.
ps. Just got some shot sin my back so please excuse the spelling errors.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
Doubt it
After years and years of bashing the front office and JD, Galloway is finally faced with the reality that this organization had a plan the last couple of years and the plan is working. Faced with the reality that he is on the wrong side of history, Galloway is trying to gracefully move to the winning side by giving some credit while still bashing the FO/owner. This is purely a shot at saving face.
by Jack Nicholson 1974 on Aug 19, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
If you press RG
he’s going to give credit to the franchise turning around almost solely to Nolan Ryan.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
And he will be wrong.
Do you believe that the team should never draft a player with signability issues? Also, do you believe Blalock is a clutch hitter?
Probably so.
That’s definitely been the route of many Hicks/JD bashers (go with the popular, uncriticizable legend, right?)… and it’s a laughably chickenshit move of course.
nope
he gives a ton of props for trading a future HOF 1st baseman who was in his prime.
Only a lucky team, or a smart team, would be able to pull that off.
Based on whats happened since then, I think we can eliminate luck
" I have no faith in the GM making a move to help the big club but I’m on board."
Josey Wales on the 2009 Rangers. A team with 18 active players acquired by the current GM.
And I quote from today
The yard dogs of general manager Jon Daniels have been on the right scent the last few years. Team scouts have fanned out across the country, sizing up prospects at high school and college ballyards, and then in the drafting, headed by Daniels and his staff, the picks were made, the picks were signed, and some of them developed fast enough to already be in Arlington.Daniels and Co. have done the job.
I believe that this contradicts your statement above.
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 Aug 19, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Josey's world
is collapsing. Next thing you know RG is going to say Blalock must go.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Not at all
This is exactly what I was saying. After years of “Boy Blunder,” Galloway has no choice but to slide over to the winning side and admit JD is doing a good job. In order to not look like a complete contradiction, Galloway still needs to take a shot at management, though. This is exactly the point of bringing up the Purke mess.
by Jack Nicholson 1974 on Aug 19, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
600 million
I don’t know the true value of the Rangers but wouldn’t a well stocked farm system, an increasingly competitive club getting it done with cheap, young players, and a line of baseball analysts predicting a rosy future make this team look more and more like a good buy? Selling the Nationals or the Pirates right now might be hard, but this should look more and more like an attractive investment.
"Few things go together as well as Country & Western music and crazy people" Bob Dylan
Yes.
And they have a recent comparable in the Padres (and their awfulness) being sold for ~$500M in February (in a somewhat bleaker spot of the current economic problems).
The Hickses, if they do end up selling, will probably get something pretty close to their asking price, imho.
I'm hopeful
that someone seeing possible multiple years with playoff races (if not actual playoff appearances) sees a chance to buy a team on the upswing.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
I thought the Padres sold for
around $350M
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
fwiw
padres also have a newer ballpark
equally if hicks sells victory park area (the real estate all around TBIA) that could significantly increase the value of the team, right?
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 Aug 19, 2009 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
That's Glory Park around TBIA
That has been put on hold.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
right
but hicks still owns the land…
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 Aug 19, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Padres were a weird situation too
If I recall, they had to be sold because the owner was getting a divorce. Had to liquidate that asset. Could just say “I’ll take the house you take the team.”
Remember Red, hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.
I, for one,
am pretty excited about possibly sending a third player to the Astros for 15 games of Pudge this year (and, admittedly, a silly amount of good will and PR). Perhaps we can also sell low on Max Ram, or even Main if we play our cards right. FO FTW!
Now that I got that vinegar out of my system, how about Sir Richard Bleier last night! Matt Thompson also pitched well and seems to be finishing strong. I’d love to turn some of these C level prospects into B level prospects with strong finishes this year, because taking another look at our draft class makes me a sad panda. Unless two of Tullis, Doyle, McBride and Erlin establish themselves as legitimate prospects, this could get ugly.
And for the koolaid drinkers, how ’bout Julio Borbon? I like the cut of his jib.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Paisaino is showing well in Bake
I like what he’s done this year.
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
Very encouraging.
though, as much a hitters’ league as that is I can’t get too excited, but it’s the first real hitting he’s done.
As for the minors in general, 2008 was a very unusual year and we have been spoiled. 2009 has been, well, not the opposite, but much worse luck with injuries and disappointing performances. OTOH, for a system to graduate that much talent in the space of 12-15 months is just ridiculous and we should appreciate that singular happening for what it is.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Cole seems pretty sweet on Bleier
Watched his start last night in person…
"[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 Aug 19, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
I didn't take it that way
He was just reporting how well Bleier did last night, not proclaiming a great future for him. I am hopeful that Richard Bleienheart will be a ground ball machine horse though, and that start was encouraging.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
17:3 G:F ratio last night
pretty stout stuff. Wait until he gets to pitch on a decent field and in front of a decent defense. He and Gomez and Main and candidates 1a, 1b, and 1c to break out next year.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
I would temper enthusiasm on Bleier
just based on Parks’ comments.
And Gomez has to stop walking people.
"[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 Aug 19, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Bleier's stuff
is not really made for a true ‘breakout’, but I think he’ll plod along and contribute as a back of the rotation guy at some point.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Sounds alot like what people were saying about Tommy Hunter last 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.
But I think Hunter
has always had better velocity than Bleier. I suppose Bleier could add a pitch, but I don’t see him having the kind of surprise year that Hunter has. I like Bleier quite a bit, but I’d be awfully surprised if that happened.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Come on Clark...
if the Rangers actually get to the playoffs are you really going to be bitching about losing Vallejo, and say Thomas Diamond? It’s Fucking Pudge. You know, the guy who’s the best player the team has ever had. The publicity alone is worth that. Not to mention the sure pleasure of just seeing him in a Rangers uniform again.
Vallejo’s ceiling was a utility INF imo. Would it be nice if he was still in the system? Sure. Am I losing any sleep over them trading him? No.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
I'll be surprised, personally, if Vallejo contributes in any significant way in his career
And Pudge will make the Rangers a lot of money. I, for one, hope to nab a jersey of his as soon as it becomes available
Unfortunately
it will be very difficult to tell if the extra fans in the crowd this August and September are there because we are actually in a pennant race, or if they are actually there to see Pudge. I’d love to know the delta that Pudge will actually bring, but I can already tell it will be overvalued by many.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
You can tell easily
by all the “Welcome back Pudge” signs and the fans wearing the Pudge jerseys
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
Speaking of Borbon
what’s up w/ his arm? Has it always been suspect?
"Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don't move." - Satchel Paige
"Josh Hamilton doesn't act like he is Josh Hamilton. He acts like a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy named Josh Hamilton." - Jason Parks
it certainly don't do much either
"Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes. Home plate don't move." - Satchel Paige
"Josh Hamilton doesn't act like he is Josh Hamilton. He acts like a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy named Josh Hamilton." - Jason Parks
I'll take that arm
If everything else is as advertised. And the early returns are encouraging. The arm will be tested, be hopefully he’ll also get to some balls others can’t. Also, he’s a holy fucking terror on the bases.
johnny damon-like arm in CF i believe was the comp someone made at BP
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 Aug 19, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Damon, Lofton, Pierre
All coul drun down balls in CF makin thier arm a non issue
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
add ellsbury in there too i think
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 Aug 19, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Young Johnny Damon, maybe.
Somewhere along the way Damon went form a passable-but-weak throwing arm to the second coming of that one real fruity I had on my little league team one year who cried when coach would put him in the game.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 20, 2009 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions
To everyone but Mike hindman
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
We'll show you Obama's birth certificate as soon as you show us Sarah Palin's high school diploma...
by Brian Thomas on Aug 19, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
So now we are giving up three players for I Rod?
anyone still see this as a good deal?
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
It's an overpay without a doubt...
But the 3rd player is apparently only if we make the playoffs (i.e. Pudge did his job, so to speak), and I’m not too worrried about the two names I’ve heard so far anyway. Vallejo, whether you think this year is a fluke or not, is about as blocked as anyone in our organization, and those kind of guys (light-hitting MIFs with speed) aren’t really that hard to find, IMO.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
The guys we'
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
ughh, posting fail
The guy we gave up our probably 40 man roster casualties anyways which is why they have to clear waivers. If Diamond is the 3rd player, I’m not going to miss him too much. Chances are, we’d be DFAing these guys anyways before next season starts.
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
The first PTBNL is
I don’t know about the second one. If its contingent upon us making the playoffs we won’t even know that until October so either we could just wait a little while and trade anyone or its just a minor legauer not on the 40.
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.
I'd guess the third is someone on a predetermined list...
Giving the Astros their choice this winter. That’s what I would do if I was Houston – leave it flexible in case someone struggles or has a terrific AFL run.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
yep my guess too
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's a fine deal.
We got more for Kenny Lofton when we sent him to Cleveland, and those two trades are ridiculously similar in terms of the prinicipals involved and their situations.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Aug 20, 2009 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions
I could have handled the two discussed yesterday,
but when I heard they were offering a third PTBN it kinda scared me.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
Do you think its Martin Perez or someone like that?
Most likely its a guy who isn’t in our top 30, like the other two. When you have a syatem as deep as ours you are going to give up guys like that for rentals and such. You can’t hold onto everyone
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.
and a playoff appearance
would definitely soften our hearts if it was just a middling guy. I don’t like sending a 3rd player but I’ll withhold judgment until I see who it is.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
I wont be home tonight
but ill definitely be DVRing the game for the reaction the fans give Pudge. That alone is worth Nevarez ha.
08/03/2009 A day that will live in infamy for the rest of the AL West.
by Michael Cave on Aug 19, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
I hate this argument
because our system is supposedly so deep (even though it no longer is because we’ve graduated most of our upper level talent) we are obligated to overpay in any deal? Our B and C level prospects somehow have less value because we have so many of them? Fuck that. If we are going to give up two or three prospects for a catcher with a .650 OPS, then they should have paid the rest of his salary this year (especially considering our financial situation). The fact is this was a bad deal. Sorry kids.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Is Pudge making more than the Major League minimum for someone with his experience?
What size contract did he sign with them this year?
by Mark from OC on Aug 19, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Basically minimum, but with a lot of incentives..
I read somewhere that he’s likely to make $1M for the year based on reasonably-attainable incentives.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
More than that...
1.5 mil w/ 1.5 mil in incentives. The incentives are PA-based, and he’ll make several of them.
Here’s Cot’s (damn their fast, he’s already on the Rangers summary!):
Ivan Rodriguez c
1 year/$1.5M (2009)
1 year/$1.5M (2009)
signed by Houston as a free agent 3/20/09
performance bonuses up to $1.5M:
$0.2M each for 350, 375, 400, 425, 450 PAs
$0.15M each for 90, 100 g; $0.2M for 100 g
acquired by Texas in trade from Houston 8/18/09
cots is awesome
They had drafted players who signed ML Deals up by yesterday
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
Damn it all to hell!
they’re/their/there error.
That’s one of my biggest pet peeves, and now I’ve done it.
I make that error all the time when I'm speaking
"What ... 92 miles per hour?" Feldman scoffed. "That's not gas. Feliz throws gas."
by NorCalRangersFan on Aug 19, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I thought you meant "damn their fast servers" ;-)
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Isn't that double what we paid
Sammy Sosa for a whole season?
by twinkilling on Aug 19, 2009 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Sosa
had better offensive numbers than Pudge. And he would have fit a need if we had used him correctly. If people around here get so pissed when Marlon Byrd, who is actually having a good offensive year, swings at a first pitch and kills a rally, then I can’t wait to see how they respond to ’09 Pudge.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
If the Rangers have 44 games left, I would venture Pudge
won’t play in any more than 15 of those games if Teagarden stays healthy although that could change if he gets on a major hitting streak.
We’re talking 50-60 ab’s for Pudge plus the security of knowing that KRichardson won’t be catching big-time games down the stretch.
There’s also an opportunity for (and as a Bill James devotee cannot believe I’m saying this) the team and fanbase to be energized by this acquisition.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
you aren't a bill james devotee
you ignore him anytime your attention-mongering posts contradict his mantras
you continually claim that blalock’s void of production is causing the Rangers success
and you will ignore this post
Blalock is a better option than CDavis at this point
and has been so all year long.
Look at Blalock’s last 49 days in The Show and look at CDavis’ last 49 days in The Show – no contest.
Also take a nice look at the standings and exactly when the June Swoon ended.
Are there better options at 1B than Hank F? Absolutely but this year it sure as hell isn’t CDavis and Bill James would agree.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions
"and has been so all year long"
Thats where you are wrong josey. He was a better option the first three months of the season that I do not argue against. but to sit here and say Davis couldn’t put up a .200/.200 line smacks of an agenda. One that is wrong at that.
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.
Did Bill James mention 49 days
as a good measure or something? Did you ask Bill James what he thinks? The difference between those two suck machines this year is nothing, and for that I’ll take the younger, cheaper player as soon as I can get rid of the other.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Apparently JD agrees with me
or is being forced to stand down for other reasons.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Like ive asked the last couple days
What do you mean by “stand down”?
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.
Don't question his catchphrases...
It’s part of his bit. The repetitive use of catchphrases is what makes him kind of entertaining.
My only recommendation to him is that he should capitalize it, as in "JD is being forced to Stand Down by the powers that be.
Why is Blalock still here?
JD must believe Hank is the better option or he’s afraid to upset the chemistry of the room by pulling one of the vets so he could play one of his boys that everybody saw drown for 3 months..
Why do you think Blalock is still here?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions
I guess he's saying
why hasn’t he been just dropped, which is the Rangers only real option for getting completely rid of him…
..obviously no one wants him in a trade.
Why won't JD simply waive Blalock
and bring up CDavis?
Every time I ask this question, crickets appear.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions
No mystery here
I’m certain that Blalock would not be claimed on waivers, no one wants him at that salary. If the Rangers didn’t have money problems they could offer to pick up some of the salary and get a middling prospect perhaps.
Also, I’m sure they’re inclined to be patient with Davis as it’s no lock he’s going to be much better than Hank’s big bag of suck right now. And Davis came out of a game earlier this week with a hammy tweak, IIRC, so even less reason to hurry him along.
They have reason to be patient with Davis, and no one wants Blalock, so for now they might as well hang on and hope Hank, the streaky platoon player, gets rollin’ one last time as a swan song. I’d love for them to just waive Blalock, but this front office and manager give vets the benefit of the doubt almost to a fault.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Because of roster clusterfication
Andruw Jones has been one of the better hitters on the team and one of the only ones who, despite a low average, will work a walk.
We have a glut of OFs and the playoff roster is affecting things. Hamilton isn’t going anywhere.
Once Cruz comes back he is locked into place.
Washington loves him some Byrdman and he does have one of the highest averages on the team regardless of how unselective he is at the plate.
David Murphy has overcome a terrible start to the season to get his numbers back to respectablity and he isn’t getting sent down
And now that Borbon has come up and is hitting almost 500 and has brought an aspect to this team that it hasn’t seen in a long time you don’t want to send him down and not have him available for the playoffs if necessary.
That right there is 6 guys not counting Blalock or Davis who you have only 4 spots for (3OF spots and the DH). And considering Hamilton is about as everyday as it gets it really drops to 5 guys for 3 spots.
Adding Davis would require us to get rid of someone. And as bad as hank has sucked he is one of the longest tenured rangers which unfortunately does give him some added security. Dropping him for Davis (who sucked earlier in the year which is all fans remember. they don’t give a rats ass about since he went down to the minors) would create a negative vibe in alot of the fanbase and I am sure the veterans on this team would not like it.
What I see happening is on August 31st we call up Davis and send Mathis down or someone so Davis is playoff eligible. Then on September 1st we just recall whoever we sent down because they would still be playoff eligible due to the guy we have on the 60 day DL
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.
bigsteve
I believe the Blalock/Davis issue getting resolved was a longstanding tug-o-war between JD and the vets in the room.
JD doesn’t hold a lot of credibility in the room, especially with the vets and yanking Hank F in favor of CDavis (the only real option JD has) probably wouldn’t go over real well.
The games are so important down the stretch and the team has been playing so well that JD can’t take a chance on screwing up the chemistry.
My theory.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Josey
Our theories are almost identical. But the term you use “JD has to stand down” is retarded. He isn’t standing down he is trying to do whats best for his club. He is hoping that hank doesn’t cost us enough games over the next 2 weeks so that he can still bring Davis up and be an option for the playoffs without damaging the clubhouse. he can’t do that right now because it would leave us extremely short handed in the bullpen and we are in the midst of alot of games consecutively. The only other option he has is to DL Hank with some phony injury which would probably do about as much damage in the clubhouse as waiving him would. We just have to ride it out for another couple weeks unfortunately
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.
To answer your question, I'm guessing Blalock is gone after Thurdsay (before the long road trip)
I think that there is some Blalock loyalty and the team wants to see him succeed. He’s a vet in the locker room, and cutting him could be a huge disruption. However, just like managers are often fired before the start of road trips, I’m thinking/hoping we’ll see something different here. If not, we’ll see Davis up on Sept 1 anyways.
Now, I answered your question, so why don’t you answer my questions?
Crickets.
"When he came up with that ball, hop or not, he looked exactly like a homeless guy who had found a long cigarette butt – only to discover it was soaked with gasoline. He could not have thrown out anyone there, even though Cust moves at about the speed of soil erosion." - Ed C.
by inactive lsb user on Aug 19, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Why would Bill James
disagree that a local legend will energize the fan base and excite teammates? Saying that does not go against any of his research.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Its the continuous misrepresentation of Bill James work from Josey
He’s basically doing what Joe Morgan does with Billy Beane.
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
You mean the computer that wrote...
…Billy Beane’s autobiography “Moneyball”
I have no objection to man walking on the moon.
Wouldn't that be a biography?
"What ... 92 miles per hour?" Feldman scoffed. "That's not gas. Feliz throws gas."
by NorCalRangersFan on Aug 19, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions
i see what you did there
"What ... 92 miles per hour?" Feldman scoffed. "That's not gas. Feliz throws gas."
by NorCalRangersFan on Aug 19, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions
t ball strikes again
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
It's weird with Joe...
…for a guy who trumpeted “consistency” he was very wishy-washy on Moneyball. Sometimes it was a book that Beane himself wrote and sometimes it was a book written by a computer.
Of course he was wrong in either case but since he didn’t bother to read it he would never know.
I have no objection to man walking on the moon.
Sosa also couldn't catch.
Considering the offensive “production” we’ve gotten out of our catchers this year, I don’t think Pudge is exactly a downgrade.
I really don’t like the idea of trading away prospects for spare parts, but I guess the front office is uncomfortable with pushing Teagarden that hard, given his injury history.
I think this is the biggest point of the deal
With Pudge, you can have Tea catch 4 games a week, which is probably his upper limit, and be comfortable the other 2 or 3 games.
With Richardson or whoever else, you’d feel pressured to move Tea up to 5 games.
Add in the popularity factor and the postseason experience factor (non-trivial for a young team like this), and the move makes sense. Maybe the price was steeper than it had to be, but whatever.
Go Rice Owls!
The beer at a baseball game is really expensive...
but I always buy a couple. Am I overpaying? Yes. But I’m thirsty and it’s fucking beer. Did we overpay? Yes, but we needed a catcher, and it’s fucking Pudge, for chrissakes.
And guess what? I’m going to go to the game tonight (and buy a few more expensive beers) and watch a wild-card contender play. With my favorite Ranger of all time (hopefully) playing…
…while Clark et al sit here and shed tears over the loss of fucking Vallejo.
by bhudson on Aug 19, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 8 recs
Great analogy, bhudson
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
I guess I'm just cheap
and apparently that comes out in my trade evals as well. I usually try to get two or three beers in me before a game so I don’t have to buy more than one at the game itself…
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
This post has the word "beer" in it several times....
rec.
Let's hope the second half will be as good as the first half has been.
He didn't fulfill a need
that we couldn’t have done better internally, if I recall.
He might have been a nice platoon bat, or bench player, but he was used as a fulltime player for way too long, and we could have solved that problem internally with an eye towards the future.
Please
Theres no way jason Botts puts up anywhere close to Sosa numbers that 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.
Yeah, I should have been more clear...
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
1.5 mil i believe
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 Aug 19, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Nevarez and Vallejo are both C prospects
We have a shitload of those in our system. Vallejo clears a 40 spot and nevarez clears a guy we may have had to make a decision on in a year or two anyway. Neither of these guys were going to help our ML team anytime soon. For them we get a vetaran catcher who also happens to be one of the greatest Rangers of all time who has won WS rings and we are in the midst of a pennant race with a team full of young guys and some veterans with little to no pennant race experience. Its well worth the price to pay for pudge.
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 Aug 19, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Nope
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
We'll show you Obama's birth certificate as soon as you show us Sarah Palin's high school diploma...
by Brian Thomas on Aug 19, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
I think he explained it pretty fully.. ;-)
I hate those one word rebuttals like his, btw. They smack of someone saying “I said so and everyone has to believe me because I’m me”
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Nah.
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
We'll show you Obama's birth certificate as soon as you show us Sarah Palin's high school diploma...
by Brian Thomas on Aug 19, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions
B/C we are doing Houston a favor taking Pudge and his 600 OPS and salary on
This should have been a one C prospect deal, not a possible 3 for 1.
Very sweet deal for Hou.
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
We'll show you Obama's birth certificate as soon as you show us Sarah Palin's high school diploma...
by Brian Thomas on Aug 19, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions
I never thought someone would say giving up two non-top 30 prospects for a veteran catcher in a pennant race would be a bad deal
You would think we could have had Roy freaking Halladay for the package we gave to houston the way you and clark are bitching.
And oh no we have to give another marginal prospect if we make the playoffs for the first time in a decade. How awful Whatever shall we do
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.
Totally agree.
What a weird (and near trivial) topic to suddenly start making a federal fucking case over.
If you are referring to me, I'm not making any "fucking federal case" out of it
It is pretty small in the grand scheme of things, but that doesn’t make it any smarter. DFAing gallaraga seemed like a trivial thing to do at the time, too, didn’t it?
And big steve is being rather obtuse when he dismisses these guys potential as meaningless. Vallejo and Nevarez have some value.
Think of it like this: if you were a Houston fan, would you be happy w/ this deal? I know I would. You might check out fangraphs. They agree.
It really seems like you and stevedore and Jb are the ones getting bent out of shape about it. I can’t speak for anyone else, but it isn’t a big deal for me.
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
We'll show you Obama's birth certificate as soon as you show us Sarah Palin's high school diploma...
by Brian Thomas on Aug 19, 2009 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually
He said “federal fucking case”, not “fucking federal case”. Let’s try to keep our facts straight, please.
"What ... 92 miles per hour?" Feldman scoffed. "That's not gas. Feliz throws gas."
by NorCalRangersFan on Aug 19, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not getting bent out of shape.
I’m ok with the move from a baseball standpoint. I’m thrilled as a fan. I find it interesting that people are so protective of Vallejo. Ranger fans have been forced for years to take solace in the future. It’s time to start shifting your mindset, and think about now.
It is pretty small in the grand scheme of things. I couldn’t have said it any better.
And the fangraphs article? That’s pretty faint praise for Houston.
"It’s time to start shifting your mindset, and think about now."
Except, this doesn’t help us in the now, really. 37 year old Pudge sucks and has sucked for some time. Great for PR, but I bet Richardson would put up a better line right now.
I’m glad he’s back, but I hope he gets an ass full of splinters.
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
We'll show you Obama's birth certificate as soon as you show us Sarah Palin's high school diploma...
by Brian Thomas on Aug 19, 2009 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Well
I’m hoping that your Richardson line was just for effect, but the point is sound—he’s not a good player anymore.
But for a minimally-playing backup when we’re in a bit of a desperate situation? Meh, you could do worse.
by brettgardner on Aug 19, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
and if TT goes down for an extended period??
Are you more or less comfortable running Pudge or Richardson out there for 5-10 games??
This move provides insurance in case TT goes down – that is the primary purpose. It’s not about who can spell him for 5-10 games tops.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
I'd rather turn these extra young pieces
into guys who can help us for more than 20 games or so…
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Adding to your thought
throwing Nick Massett and Danny Ray Herrera into the Danks and Volquez deals has had more impact than folks perceived at the time. Both Massett and Herrera would be welcome additions to the Ranger’s bullpen.
Its alot harder to be blocked in the bullpen
You only have to be better than one of 7 or 8 guys.
But at 2B, or even UIF, its alot easier to be blocked
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 did I get included in that?
I just think that the deal isn’t dumb. And really, as I said yesterday, I think that we overpaid, but I don’t care because the little kid in me is happy (unlike, say, overpaying for Randy Velarde, where my little kid doesn’t care).
All said, the deal is a minor move (middling prospects for an old, way past prime, backup catcher) that gives the team some great PR.
Go Rice Owls!
I would say the Gallaraga DFA was a bigger mistake
because the choice was all theirs. Houston had some say in who they accepted in return, but the Rangers alone decided on Gallaraga.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
I'm not following how that refutes my point
Neftali Feliz says sit your 5 dollar ass down before he makes change...
We'll show you Obama's birth certificate as soon as you show us Sarah Palin's high school diploma...
by Brian Thomas on Aug 19, 2009 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions
They didn't have to negotiate
with anyone, and they had better choices (in the opinion of most everyone here) when they ditched Armando. I’m not refuting your point, just making a comment. I’m sanguine about the deal, though I agree they overpaid a bit.
I’m trusting that they don’t care to lose Vallejo, Nevarez seems like a better bet to contribute at some point in the bullpen to me. I’ll be pissed if the 3rd player (assuming a playoff berth) is anyone more significant than org fodder.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Hey I just thought of something.
With Pudge coming back, and all,
could Pudge resurrect Rudy’s career?
This could be the ultimate reclamation project bit.
And it really makes me giggle that people think we’re overpaying here. I mean, Vallejo? Seriously?
"When he came up with that ball, hop or not, he looked exactly like a homeless guy who had found a long cigarette butt – only to discover it was soaked with gasoline. He could not have thrown out anyone there, even though Cust moves at about the speed of soil erosion." - Ed C.
by inactive lsb user on Aug 19, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Pudge isn't "broken".
He’s just getting old. And his normal decline offensively looks worse because his peak was (probably) artificially inflated.
Ok, whatever. I'm convinced it's a good move, regardless of his hitting statistics in 50 AB's.
"When he came up with that ball, hop or not, he looked exactly like a homeless guy who had found a long cigarette butt – only to discover it was soaked with gasoline. He could not have thrown out anyone there, even though Cust moves at about the speed of soil erosion." - Ed C.
by inactive lsb user on Aug 19, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Whoa!
Hold on, dude… I like the deal. I love Pudge.
I was just saying that Pudge isn’t going to have a better bat suddenly because Rudy will fix him. Pudge’s timing isn’t off. He’s not flawed mechanically. He’s just getting old. Rudy can’t really fix that.
HGH, on the other hand…
Overpaying is overpaying
It doesn’t matter if you’re overpaying 50 cents on a pack of gum or if you’re paying 70 million more on a player than you need to. Its all overpaying for something. The thing I think is funny is how horrible of a move this is because of losing Vallejo and Nevarez.
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
overpaying is not overpaying
if bill gates spends $100 on a pack of gum, because he really wanted that fucking piece of gum, then there is no issue
same with the Rangers and their prospects
And what if he's only allowed to carry 40 hundreds in his wallet
And more hundred dollar bills keep showing up every day. And if he doesn’t spend them, other people get to take them?
Might as well buy the gum.
Of course, others on here would be like...
“Well if you had to spend one of those hundred dollar bills, you should have gotten a bread machine, or a nice blender… or something worth $100”
When all he really wants is gum.
ughhh
Yes, you can say that his value is what you’re willing to pay for it and all that stuff, but that is BS when talking about real life. If someone pays 100 bucks for a pack of gum, you aren’t going to be high fiving them for getting such a great deal. If I really want a new BMW, I don’t go to the dealership and hand them a blank check.
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
The 100 dollars for a pack of gum anaolgy isn't great
But the one someone had yesterday of $7 for a hamburger was really good. We may be overpaying but the amount we are overpaying isn’t anywhere close to the amount of good Pudge brings both on and off the field. Something Vallejo and Nevarez could never in their wildest dreams bring.
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.
That's pretty much what I've been saying
Yes, I think we gave up too much but I don’t see this ever coming back to bite us in the ass. Even if they can carve up some solid ML careers, a playoff berth this year and its all good
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 we are paying
for nostalgia? Is that really shrewd?
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Its Jose fucking Vallejo
Its not Babe Ruth reincarnated. The guy will be lucky to ever get to salary arbitration in his career much less be a regular on a ML team. So what if we got rid of him for a month and a half rental. Unless you really want Kevin Richardson catching games in a pennant race its a small price to pay and we got back a guy who instantly energizes the fanbase. You can’t put a price on that.
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.
I think you could argue...
Pudge will bring fans to the stadium. We’re in a playoff race right now, and people are actually paying attention to us despite the fact that the Cowboys are doing things as well. Maybe the front office saw this as a way to fill a need and maintain some of that excitement?
I’m not that happy with the deal, but I feel resigned to the idea that it had to happen.
Pudge will for sure bring in fans
I texted my parents yesterday that Pudge was a Ranger again. They lived in the metroplex for 30 years and just moved to Kansas. Dad is a RG listener and hates all things Rangers, mainly bc of Tom Hicks. Mom loves baseball but hates sitting out in the heat. Both of them responded saying that they will make a trip down here sometime this year just to come back and see Pudge in a Ranger uni. Trust me, to get my father to say that, it means something.
Elvis has "shook up" Arlington!!
soemone with gif talent needs to make a pudge gif about this
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 Aug 19, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions
As a baseball decision, no
As a business decision, very much so
We're paying to have a credible backup catcher around for the penant race...
expecially since TT hasn’t shown any history for being very durable yet. And on top of that, we get an incredible PR and marketing bonus as well.
Call me when ANY of the two, hopefully three, guys gets a cup of coffee, and then we can talk.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Did you ask why we hired Nolan as prez?
" I have no faith in the GM making a move to help the big club but I’m on board."
Josey Wales on the 2009 Rangers. A team with 18 active players acquired by the current GM.
Nolan runs
two pretty successful minor league franchises, so he’d no token name. but yeah, i get your point.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
I still think that it is interesting that people value Vallejo so highly now
and yet he was not even able to make most peoples top 30 prospect lists that were done just last month.
http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/7/31/970487/lsb-community-prospect-project-mid
A few people had him between 20-25 but most place him out of the top 30 or even 40. Could we regret losing him one day, ya there is a small chance. However, its not like we are throwing in an Adrian Gonzalez here people.
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 Aug 19, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
I just think
we’re selling low on a talented 22 year old kid who is struggling in his first year in AAA after taking huge steps last year, and a guy who by all accounts has incredibly intangibles. Nevarez I’m less upset about but he really took a step forward this year and had incredible numbers for Hickory (some of the best on our farm). Pudge was another team’s Andruw Jones. Could we expect this sort of return for him? Not unless Braves fans started feeling nostalgic.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Vallejo
has Andrus & Kinsler in front of him for the next several years and average utility men (which is probably Vallejo’s max upside) are not that difficult to find.
I have no problem with what the Rangers gave up to get Pudge.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Aug 19, 2009 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Vallejo is definitely blocked
by Kinsler, but I don’t like selling low on a player simply because he’s blocked. Vallejo is no A-Gon (obviously) but I don’t think a Delino DeShields-esque career is out of the question for him.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
That would be a massive massive success for Vallejo
They are trying to win now. Pudge helps more than Vallejo/Nevarez/whomever now. It’s not like they are premium prospects so worry about that later.
At least you’ve found something else to bitch about since the bullpen hasn’t been a problem most of the year.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Aug 19, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
its funny you say that
because I was thinking this morning that this subject had hit a similar nerve for me. And don’t write the bullpen off yet…as long as Jennings and Eddie are around, there’s more bitching to be done.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
heh
there’s always bitching to be done, especially by you. You just need a little inspiration.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Aug 19, 2009 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Nevarez was a must-trade
we would probably have lost him in the rule 5 this winter, from what i’ve heard
Doubt we would have lost him this winter
Maybe next winter if he has another good 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.
hes elig this winter
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 Aug 19, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I know hes eligible
I doubt he gets picked though this winter
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.
ok
thought maybe you thought he was elig next year but posted before i saw your comment right below
i think he has a fair chance of getting picked, especially if he keeps it up
should be interesting to see rule V this offseason
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 Aug 19, 2009 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions
I just don't see how a team could select him
22 years old and hasn’t pitched above Low A. Has an extensive injury history. I just don’t see it this winter.
Now like i said if next season he goes out and between High A and AA he puts up nice solid numbers then he would be a very attractive target for rule 5.
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.
i would place the odds
of Nevarez getting drafted at less than 1 percent. Kirkman and Phillips are the guys we should worry about.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
yea strop above and beyond almost anyone else in the system imho
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 Aug 19, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I must have missed it
But Stop got promoted back to OKC and pitched last night. Wonder if he gets a cup of coffee in September since hes gonna be protected anyway?
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's (barely) a RP prospect
Those guys can come on quick. They don’t need to spend time developing stamina or perfecting their control. I wouldn’t say its a given that he gets taken, but its definitely a possibility.
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
A 22 year old in Low A bullpen is probably not gonna get selected
Especially given his injury histroy. Now if he put together a solid year next year in High A and possibly AA then he becomes a likely candidate
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.
Look at it another way
What did Vallejo do before last year? He never showed any power at all, wasn’t exactly a walk machine, and couldn’t hit for average that well. He was an all speed guy who could never play baseball. Now he’s struggling again, is taking up a spot on the 40 man roster, and he is still blocked by younger and much better players. I think we overpaid for Pudge, but there is a strong possibility that this is as high as Vallejo’s value gets from this point on.
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
Yeah, we overpaid but we needed a legit catcher
Think any team would have sold cheap, knowing the state of our farm and our need??
Like someone said, we overpaid but on a small-dollar item, so I’m not upset at all.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
and one more thing...
Should we make the playoffs, having Pudge “back where it all started” is likely to be THE storyline for every game we play.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
If we make the playoffs this year
Its all worth it. Of course the WS is the ultimate goal, but making the playoffs for the first time in a decade is such a huge accomplishment for the Rangers, I’d be willing to give up a lot bigger names than Vallejo or Nevarez to make that happen.
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
If we make the playoffs this year
Its all worth it. Of course the WS is the ultimate goal, but making the playoffs for the first time in a decade is such a huge accomplishment for the Rangers, I’d be willing to give up a lot bigger names than Vallejo or Nevarez to make that happen.
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
Well, if Pudge has anything to do with making the playoffs
it will be worth it.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
to be honest
(and i sort of talked myself into this thinking yesterday) I feel like the org may have decided he was another Ramon Nivar. I suppose that is possible, but he played this entire year as a 22 year old, so he could repeat next year at AAA and still be age appropriate for the league. I really liked his tools and the trajectory of his numbers coming into the year, so its hard for me to give up on him so quickly…
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Implications of Galloway's comments for the Rangers in the future
If Major League Baseball is really controlling the purse strings of the Rangers and telling them who they can sign for how much, this could be the worse off season ever for the Rangers. Blalock, Padilla, Benoit, and Byrd’s contracts come off the books after the season. If the Rangers are not allowed to use this money to sign free agents, well I don’t want to even think of that if.
That being said… Jeff Wilson and Galloway’s sources disagree. Just 2 weeks ago I asked Jeff in his mailbag a similar question and he answered “The Rangers won’t be restricted in the off-season by the commissioner’s office.” Galloway is saying that has already happened. Who should we believe?
Not to quibble with your overall point
… that restrictions placed on the team finances/payroll are not a good sign.
Would losing the four you cited (Blalock, Padilla, Benoit and Byrd) be that big a hit to the current roster, with no cheaper internal options available? Blalock’s contribution this season has been marginal (replaceable by Davis/Smoak?). Padilla is already gone (possible Feliz or another internal option can fill the hole). Benoit has been out all season, effectively already gone. Byrd has made a solid contribution, but there are internal options available to replace him (Borbon, Boggs).
Now if the state of finances resulted in the need to dump salaries of players making a significant contribution (like Millwood), with no replacement obtained in return or through free agency, then Rangers fans should be very concerned.
I should have expanded on the point
The Rangers continue to talk about signing Sheets. He will not be getting a major league minimum deal – there will be teams negotiating up the value of his contract. Will MLB prevent this? Also, if the Rangers significantly decrease their payroll in the offseason how much more difficult will it be to bring the payroll back up to a mid-level number when they need to start signing their core players to long term contracts?
If the state of finances resulted in the need to dump salaries of players like Millwood in addition to the loss of the free agents, the Rangers would have one of the 5 lowest payrolls in baseball. For a top 10 market team, that would be completely unacceptable.
by Mark from OC on Aug 19, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
I think his point is not that...
..the Rangers need those players, but that they would like to put that salary back into the team with some FA signings. I don’t think anyone is expecting them to go after a huge star, but try to make a few more value signings to round out the team. Sheets and Abreu would make me happy.
by GhettoBear04 on Aug 19, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Joe Mauer is good at baseball.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
How was he against the Angels?
Fucking Twins. Rolled over for the Angels but not us.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
Joe Mauer
doesn’t even roll over for his wife. He’s a fucking man.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Joe Mauer fucks men?
Gross dude. I didn’t want to know that.
Gracchus (about Obama): I think he knows what America is. America is the mob. Conjure money for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar. The beating heart of America is not the paper of the Constitution, it's the power of the media. He'll bring them debt - and they will love him for it.
WOW
Just got an email back from Randy Galloway about his mouthpiece assertion:
“A name I wont give because he deserves no p.r. good or bad”
08/03/2009 A day that will live in infamy for the rest of the AL West.
wow
now i really want to know who it is.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
ha ha ha
Or Harvey, the rabbit
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Mitch Moreland -Tom Grieve Rangers Minor League Player of the Year
Martin Perez - Nolan Ryan Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Year
read somewhere they are going to re-make that movie
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 Aug 19, 2009 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions
yea me too
jimmy stewart is a great actor
hes no cary grant though
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 Aug 19, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
My concern
is an exodus of the baseball side in our front office. If you were JD or Preller etc…, would you not be updating your resume right now? You have a team that potentially is or will be MLB controlled, you have no idea who the next owner will be or what direction he will want to take the team (or if he would want to bring in his guys), and you’d be selling while your stock is incredibly high. That thought scares the hell out of me.
The team is not MLB controlled nor in any jeopardy of being so any time soon.
The only reason Daniels/Ryan/etc. would be gone is if the team is sold and the new ownership gets rid of them (or some other team offers them a deal they prefer over what the Rangers are giving them).
With the farm system those guys have put in place and the ML team this year playing the way they have those guys will have no problem getting a job somewhere else if they need to
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.
agreed
I'm tired of hearing about team chemistry. You are telling me these fuckers wouldn’t like to have a teammate that could actually help the team win, instead of being down 2-4 spots.
by diamond_dave on Aug 19, 2009 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions
So
how does this affect our ability to sign Tanner Scheppers?
"Stats are like a woman in a fine little bikini. You can see a lot, but you can't see everything." -Dirk A. Tron
Doubt it does
If 2.3 million is correct he probably wasn’t gonna get that much anyway and he will probably get a ML deal so his bonus can be spread out over the life of the contract
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.
Be a hell of a story if Scheppers walked away also
by oc on Aug 19, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions
We'd probably have to run a few Rally OC's, certainly.
"When he came up with that ball, hop or not, he looked exactly like a homeless guy who had found a long cigarette butt – only to discover it was soaked with gasoline. He could not have thrown out anyone there, even though Cust moves at about the speed of soil erosion." - Ed C.
by inactive lsb user on Aug 19, 2009 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Has there been any official statement from the Purke camp?
I haven’t seen it anywhere and no one has quoted it here.
"What ... 92 miles per hour?" Feldman scoffed. "That's not gas. Feliz throws gas."
by NorCalRangersFan on Aug 19, 2009 1:15 PM CDT reply actions
Heh, thought this was funny
I was looking back through the July 2007 archives of LSB and noticed that Vallejo has generated more posts in the last 24 hours than the Tex trade did all month.
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."
Haha...
see what you’ve done Clark. =P
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
that's why Josey and I are on AJM's payroll
to rabble rouse.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
Hilarious
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&page=starting9/090819
I have nothing to add…
"[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
Let's try that again...
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&page=starting9/090819
"[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 Aug 19, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Major league ballplayers struggle with excessive packaging just like everybody else. Pitcher Adam Eaton once missed a start after stabbing himself in the stomach while trying to open a package of DVDs.
by oc on Aug 19, 2009 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions
x
"When he came up with that ball, hop or not, he looked exactly like a homeless guy who had found a long cigarette butt – only to discover it was soaked with gasoline. He could not have thrown out anyone there, even though Cust moves at about the speed of soil erosion." - Ed C.
by inactive lsb user on Aug 19, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Good luck Dodgers. I hope Manny enjoys getting beaned every 5 starts.
It’s going to be fun watching Padilla have to take a bat and go out there after knocking down either Pujols or Holliday.
I hope this is just Wash propping up his players
"Whatever Hank is going through at the plate, it hasn’t affected his defense and that’s what I care about most"
. He’s playing a premier offensive position. What he should care about most is his offensive production. Good defense is nice, but not at the expense of offense. As we saw with CD. If what he cared about most was defense, CD would still be here.
"What ... 92 miles per hour?" Feldman scoffed. "That's not gas. Feliz throws gas."
by NorCalRangersFan on Aug 19, 2009 4:53 PM CDT reply actions
Slight difference, in that:
we care about Davis’s development. That would be my assumption as to why we’re more patient with Blalock: we don’t care if he gets fucked up in the head, cuz he’s on the way out
That being said, I would love to see Davis strikeout some, rather than Blalocks low away grounders to the right side
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