Monday morning Rangers things
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 3, 2009 11:53 AM CDT
Email
Print59-44 is the second-best record after 103 games in franchise history. Remarkable.
Scott Feldman rebounded from his worst start of the season to give the Rangers a solid outing on short rest.
Neftali Feliz is up, Frank Francisco is activated, and Ian Kinsler and Jason Grilli are d.l.'d.
Omar Vizquel is happy to be able to contribute at second base with Kinsler being down.
Gil LeBreton says the Rangers' road trip, which starts today, could determine the fate of the season.
262 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
ot via twitter
Via Twitter, MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon reports that Edinson Volquez had Tommy John surgery and will miss a year. What a blow for the Reds.
The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ
Yesterday's news.
http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/8/1/972268/volquez-to-have-surgery
"I saw a soldier try to dig a foxhole with his bare hands. He didn't notice that he'd torn off all his fingernails. I got him out of there quickly; not for his sake, but for ours. Fear is poison in combat...destructive, contagious." - Band of Brothers
I think that's the first confirmation that it is T-J
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 3, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah..
that there would be surgery is old news, but they weren’t sure whether a’scope or TJ. Just came out that it is TJ.
That trade went from both great players
to two bags of suck.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Aug 3, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions
He's about to run Johnny Cueto into the ground too.
by LiamP on Aug 3, 2009 12:30 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
yup
Cueto has hit a wall. Hard.
He’s getting killed in his last several starts. .384 baa since the all star break.
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
RJ Anderson wrote a fangraphs piece on Cueto speculating that he was injured in early July
It’s an interesting read.
Next victim for Dusty will probably be Bailey, who already has terrible mechanics.
by LiamP on Aug 3, 2009 12:47 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Arm Slot
If I remember correctly, Volquez’s success last year was attributed to a return to his previous arm slot and throwing mechanics. I wonder if the old mechanics contributed to the injury. Maybe this is why the Ranger’s system was tring to change his motion. If that is the case, it looks like Volquez had the choice to be ineffective with correct mechanics, or be an effective pitcher and a giant injury risk. I guess neither road worked out in the end.
by Jack Nicholson 1974 on Aug 3, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
interesting thought
Sad for him, either way. Very strange how this year has turned out for both Hamilton and Volquez.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
From his twitter:
“Sucks to be on DL for a bit. Hit a speedbump and will be back soon! I take the ball every chance I get & this is result of 110%!”
per Insidecorner
Grilli said this has been an on-going problem and didn’t flare up after retiring two batters on Saturday night. When he allowed a run on Friday night in working two-thirds of an inning, that was the first one that he’d given up in 14 innings over 12 appearances. His ERA since being acquired from Colorado on June 9 is 1.53.
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
Agree with Lebetron
This road trip will tell the tale
luckily
it’s the A’s and the Indians (post trade deadline).
No Holliday, Cliff Lee, and Victor Martinez means this is the time to be catching those teams.
I really think an 8-2 trip is highly possible.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
Don't the Angels get some nasty teams?
Like Boston and NYY or something?
Sure would be nice for them to hit a few confidence-crushing sweeps..
they'll beat NY and BOSTON
by 15 runs per game.
Don’t kid yourself.
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Cecilio's Guante on Aug 3, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions
that's good for us too
We need to overtake 1 of (Yankees / Sox / Angels) to make the postseason.
Games remaining for those teams:
Boston: LAA Yankees(10)
LAA: Yankees (4)
Nope, nvm.
Chicago, TB, Baltimore, and Cleveland are their next opponents…
I guess we’ll have to do everything ourselves when we visit them next week.
I'd be really careful about thinking we're going to kick the A's
in the nuts over the next four games especially when we’re rocking this series without Millwood or Feldmania.
With this offense and the pitchers we’re throwing, a split is likely and then we need to take 2 of 3 from LAA and Cleveland which gives us a 6-4 roadie. Be careful with Cleveland because although they’re really bad, they’ve still won 7 of 10 and are playing without any pressure.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
more realistically
I think a 7-3 trip would be sweet but 6-4 more likely.
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
We're 11-5 since the AS Break (damn you Twins)
Oakland and Cleveland shouldn’t be a problem and we’ve beat up on LAAAAA all season. If they don’t go at least 7-3, I’ll be pretty disappointed and we’re likely going to need a lot of breaks to catch back up in the division and WC if they do worse.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
I want 8-3. I'll settle for 7-4.
by TooLegitToQuit on Aug 3, 2009 12:03 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Thats how intense we need to be
We need to get 11 wins out of 10 games.
by SaltyGoesYard on Aug 3, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Do you know who we are chasing?
We need 11-0 if we wanna get within 2.5
by SaltyGoesYard on Aug 3, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Perspective
amazing what a year can do for our terminology. 7 inn and only 2 ER becomes “solid outing.” Love it
Crazy
BenBadler: Brian Matusz getting called up to Baltimore http://bit.ly/13zPXP
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
hmm, so they got Tillman up now too right?
looks like they are going to have all their young studs ready to start next season. Is Arreita (sp?) in AAA still? If i were an O’s fan, Id be almost as excited about their future as ours.
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
OT: MLBTR
Baker hears that the Red Sox gave the Mariners the chance to choose five of the following players in exchange for Felix Hernandez:
Clay Buchholz
Daniel Bard
Justin Masterson
Nick Hagadone
Michael Bowden
Felix Doubront
Josh Reddick
Yamaico Navarro
Very well good be a false rumor, but as good as Felix is, I’m really, really, really glad the M’s don’t now have {Buchh, Bard, Masterson, Hagadone, and Bowden}
Ha ha... I was just typing up a large OT post on this right below.
The other interesting part of this is that Boston then tried to get SD involved in a 3 team deal that would’ve sent A-Gon and Buchholz and Boston prospect or two to Seattle, F-Her to the Red Sox, and Phillip Aumont, Carlos Triunfel, Brandon Morrow and a Red Sox prospect or two to Whale’s Vagina.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
by thedirkatron on Aug 3, 2009 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions
That's the kind of deal that I think would've greatly helped both sides.
I’m kind of surprised they didn’t pull the trigger, actually.
I would’ve said, make it any four of those guys (Bard, Buchholz, Hagadone, Reddick) plus Casey Kelly and you’ve got yourself a deal.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
by thedirkatron on Aug 3, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions
i dont konw, it certaintly seems like Felix + Aumont +Triunfel + Morrow is a hell of alot to deal
even if its for both A-Gon and Buch. Thats a tough ne. Would have been very, very interesting though
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
No, I'm talking about the straight up F-her to Boston for prospects deal.
The 3-way deal would’ve been pretty bad for Seattle, though I say that without knowing exactly which of the non-Buchholz Boston prospects would’ve gone to SD and which ones would’ve gone to Seattle.
But F-Her and three valuable young pieces for A-Gon and Buchholz is not a good deal.
F-Her is a crazy talent.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
Buccholz
I know they would be getting a good piece but wow Boston seems really interested in moving him.
You are obsessed with bodily wastes A turd being held under my nose, this team being a steaming pile, Jonny Donuts having a stinky diaper, the front office pissing themselves, the team crapping the bed…
I think you should seek counselling.
(AJM to Josey Donuts)
by Michael Cave on Aug 3, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
how do you figure?
He was rumored to be on the block for Adrian Gonzalez and now Felix Hernandez – two guys that are both established and elite. All the other rumors I saw say that teams were trying to get Buchholz but the Sox wouldn’t let him go.
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
His name was thrown around quite prominetly in the Roy Halladay talks and there were conflicting reports about him being offered in the V-Mart discusions.
But overall I think you’re point is spot on.
It’s not that they were trying to get rid of him at all, it’s just they were looking to see if they could make a major impact move to add a star to their roster and he was perhaps their biggest chip, so of course his name came up a lot.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
by thedirkatron on Aug 3, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
But we want them to take Jarrod Saltalamacchia for him
And if Theo asks really nice, we’ll kick in Omar Poveda.
by Adam J. Morris on Aug 3, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Heh, right on cue, a few post below this:
I think you put together a package like Teagarden, Beavan and maybe Lemon or someone, and we could get him.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
by thedirkatron on Aug 3, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
You sure it
wasnt that those teams wanted him so bad but it was the Red Sox were overvaluing him? This is just my personal opinion but i just get the feeling Buchholz is going to be a bust in the majors.
You are obsessed with bodily wastes A turd being held under my nose, this team being a steaming pile, Jonny Donuts having a stinky diaper, the front office pissing themselves, the team crapping the bed…
I think you should seek counselling.
(AJM to Josey Donuts)
by Michael Cave on Aug 3, 2009 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Bill Simmons with an amazing twitter post yesterday
Watching Sox with @jacoby_ – decided Theo Epstein is DeNiro in Casino + Buchholz is Sharon Stone .
Hilarious.
"[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 3, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Would it be totally out of the realm of possibility for us to get back in on him?
I think you put together a package like Teagarden, Beavan and maybe Lemon or someone, and we could get him. Thoughts?
"Either we need to re-calibrate our rectangle, or Alfonzo Marquez is not having a good night." - Josh Lewin
by utlonghorn24 on Aug 3, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Absolutely not going to get him for a pu-pu platter.
You’re just not.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
by thedirkatron on Aug 3, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Hmm...
Well maybe that’s not enough still, but I was under the impression that their stock in him had gone down a bit this season…
"Either we need to re-calibrate our rectangle, or Alfonzo Marquez is not having a good night." - Josh Lewin
by utlonghorn24 on Aug 3, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
It has gone down a bit as he's struggled to turn AAA dominance into big league production.
But it’s going to cost you to get a guy as talented as he is and gys like him never get dealt for pu-pu’s.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
by thedirkatron on Aug 3, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Fair enough.
If we were to get back in on him, what do you think it would take at this point?
"Either we need to re-calibrate our rectangle, or Alfonzo Marquez is not having a good night." - Josh Lewin
by utlonghorn24 on Aug 3, 2009 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Smoak
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
That'd be too much, imo.
But you’re in the right general area imo.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
by thedirkatron on Aug 3, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe Main and a lesser prospect?
Or still not enough?
"Either we need to re-calibrate our rectangle, or Alfonzo Marquez is not having a good night." - Josh Lewin
by utlonghorn24 on Aug 3, 2009 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Uh, exagerate much?
Obviously Main’s trade value is far below Buchholz’s, but Main does NOT have zero trade value right now.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
by thedirkatron on Aug 3, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Until someone knows for sure if he'll pitch again, he has ZERO trade value...
Yeah, I know he’s healthy now and ready to start working out, but look at it from another team’s perspective – undiagnosed illness, shaky results before he was shelved; how is any team supposed to put a value on that sort of risk???
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
Because any team worth a shit scouted him before the mystery ailment and will get all the pertinent info on his rehab and assign him a value based on what they deem the reward to be versu what they deem the risk to me.
I can’t imagine the Rangers selling on him now when his value is so low, but to say he has zero value is silly.
He’s most likely valued by other clubs as a high-ceiling lotto ticket at the moment, and those types get dealt all the time so they must have some value.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
Find me a high-ceiling MiLB "lotto ticket"...
who has both struggled in his most recent season AND is sidelined with an illness that isn’t diagnosed clearly, yet was still traded for anything that doesn’t basically round off to zero.
Hell, I give you all the guys who are on what amount to season-ending injuries too since the number of guys out with serious illnesses is probably VERY low.
FWIW, I think what IS silly is admitting that his value is “so low”, yet quibbling that it isn’t exactly at zero. The risk-reward equation is WAYYYY out of whack for him right now; too much so for him to be anything more than a throw-in.
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
Dumb.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
Well, admitting it to yourself is the first step. ;-)
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
Ughhh...
Please consider suicide.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
yes, he wont be traded because his value is low
because we are smart, but that doesnt equal zero trade value, you are getting terms confused
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
Yes, exactly.
Just like we wouldn’t trade Hambone right now cause his value is so low, but it’s certainly not at zero.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
I'm not the least bit confused about this, TYVM
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
Someone wasn't listening very well 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
Doubtful that's enough
Main’s stock has dropped a lot this season
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
No.
In terms of value, think maybe Nelson Cruz + Teagarden, maybe? Depends on how the team valued Cruz and whether they thought Teagarden will hit enough to be a regular.
Buchholz is still a really talented young pitcher wih ace ceiling.
That’s gonna cost you something that hurts pretty bad.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
by thedirkatron on Aug 3, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Would you cheer it as much now as you would over the off season?
As much as I love Buchholz and would cut a homeless guy to bits with a safety razor to get my hands on him… Right now we’re in the middle of a pennant race and our offense is super terrible. Nelly is one of the few guys on this team I have in any faith in to produce at the plate at the moment.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
wouldnt do it now and i would have a hard time swallowing it this offseason
as Cruz is likely to becoming off a 5 WAR season in the midst of his prime still under cost control, but 6 or maybe 5 years of Buch could end up more valueable than 3 of Cruz and you just dont get those types of young pitchers easily. Throw in the fact that we could pretty quickly fill the open roster spot with Hamilton in RF with the same ML Service time and move Borbon into the starting CF role. Im pretty happy with Murphy in left personally. Even if he’s worse against LHP, he’s still a solid/above average overall player in LF. Good for a .800 OPS with improving on base skills
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
I dunno.
I think there’s a difference between Kelly and a guy like Bowden or Masterson or Hagadone or Navarro… but if the M’s had really stuck to wanting him as one of the 5, do you really think the Sox would’ve let that stop them from getting Felix freaking Hernandez?
I think Seattle just didn’t want to deal F-Her for a bunch of prospects unless they were just crazy insane bowled over, and if they weren’t bowled over by that deal, I don’t know that substituting Bowden for Kelly is gonna be the straw that breaks the Dr. Zoinks’s back.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
by thedirkatron on Aug 3, 2009 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, god... I'll try: Feliz, Font, Kiker, Borbon and Hunter.
So, yah.
A shit ton.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
Haha
That’s less than what was reported the Blue Jays wanted for Halladay and I would much rather have Hernandez around for 2.3 years than Halladay and his 1.3
by CS3 on Aug 3, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the BJays would've taken that for Halladay.
Especially if we hadn’t picked up the tab.
And, yah, you’d prolly have to upgrade a bit from either Kiker to to something a little more substantial to really equal Boston’s offer, depending on what you think of their prospects.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
from the Sox point of view
they don’t really have the need to keep any but the bluest of blue chip prospects. All the other guys, like Bowden for instance, are really nothing more than 3rd string contingency plans in case of a rash of injuries. Bowden is a good pitching prospect, but also the type of guy that will never be penciled in the Sox opening day rotation. They have a pretty good thing going over there.
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
Im just scared of the season being pretty much ended by getting swept by the angels
I don’t think it is likely at all, but neither was sweeping some of the teams we did.
Another 2-1 in LAA would be great.
the preceding post was a great success.
Wild Card, DShepp
I know it’s largely a rumor in here but we’re still eligible and the Bosox have lots of games left with NYY, TB, LAA, Texas, White Sox et al.
Yes, they’re much more formidible with VMartinez and accurately addressed a weakness but that’s an old team and had been leaking oil for a long time before this past weekend.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
an old team?
I’ll give you 3b and DH. What other positions are old for the Sox?
That team is mostly littered with guys in or approaching their prime. (Youk, Bay, Lester, Beckett, Papelbon, Pedroia, Ellsbury, etc…)
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
RF, C, Knuckleballer, Dice-K.
But you’re right.
They’re not an old team overall.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
by thedirkatron on Aug 3, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
C is Vic Martinez now and DiceK isn't really old
Drew isn’t “old” in years, but he does play like it, so I’ll give you that one.
I mean they have a few veteran guys, but calling them an old team is like saying the Rangers are an old team because we have Omar Vizquel and Eddie Guardado.
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
Right, it's a team with a young core of key players surrounded by a few older pieces.
And Dice-K plays old too.
In that he sucks and he’s always injured.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
by thedirkatron on Aug 3, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions
tricer
Before steroids, the age of 33 was one of the big markers of decline.
Ortiz & Drew appear to be aging before our eyes. I assume Kotchman was brought to Boston because Lowell’s hip is going to be a problem. Varitek is doing better this year but he’s a 37 year old catcher with 1400+ games under his belt in The Show.
There are a lot of young core players in or about to hit their prime but there are also several key players they depend on who are aging and they played like an old team for about the last 6 weeks.
My fear is the VMartinez trade gives them the jolt of energy (not to mention what it does for their glaring weakness) they need that recharges an old team.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
If only Crash had said
“If you win 20 at the major league level…”
by brettgardner on Aug 3, 2009 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I prefer
“fucking disaster.”
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
The Great Game.
"Look out, Itchy! He’s Irish!"
Rock Flag & Eagle Radio: Monday - Thursday, 10 PM - 1 AM, on FM 88.7 The Choice, or online @ ktcu.net!
"Brandon McCarthy's
body is rejecting the notion that he can take the bump 30 times in a season as a starter in The Show"
Oh wait, that happened.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
Yeah
So did this:
“59-44 is the second-best record after 103 games in franchise history.”
Hell, if the GM weren’t so incompentent, and the manager weren’t the dumbest in baseball, this team would probably be 103-0, right?
"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky
The Rangers also depend on some aging players
Young, Millwood, Padilla, Byrd, Jones. Not sure if that’s much better or worse than the Red Sox situation.
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
JD Drew is 33, Varitek is 37
and some spare named Nick Green is 30.
Wakefield & Smoltz are 42. Saito is 39 and Okajima is 33.
That’s a fairly old team.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
Average age is 28.5 on their 40 man roster.
You are obsessed with bodily wastes A turd being held under my nose, this team being a steaming pile, Jonny Donuts having a stinky diaper, the front office pissing themselves, the team crapping the bed…
I think you should seek counselling.
(AJM to Josey Donuts)
by Michael Cave on Aug 3, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
And they have a lot of older players they
are depending on to carry them.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
C Varitek 37…Martinez 30
1B Youk 30
2B Pedroia 25
3B Lowell 35
SS Lowrie 25
OF Bay 30
OF Ellsbury 25
OF Drew 33
DH Ortiz 33
SP Beckett 29
SP Lester 25
SP Smoltz 42
SP Penny 31
SP Wakefield 42/Buchholz 24
Closer Papelbon 28
They also rely on ALOT more young players.
You are obsessed with bodily wastes A turd being held under my nose, this team being a steaming pile, Jonny Donuts having a stinky diaper, the front office pissing themselves, the team crapping the bed…
I think you should seek counselling.
(AJM to Josey Donuts)
by Michael Cave on Aug 3, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I am starting to think that...
catching the Yankees or Sox might be more realistic than the Angels.
Hopefully between Bos and NYY head to head…….one team dominates.
by death of the cool on Aug 3, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Even though the Angels don't play today....
they will probably score 11 runs on somebody
by death of the cool on Aug 3, 2009 12:21 PM CDT reply actions 6 recs
Did anyone know Erick Aybar hit .439 in July?
That’s just how freaking out of their minds that the Angels are playing right now.
"Either we need to re-calibrate our rectangle, or Alfonzo Marquez is not having a good night." - Josh Lewin
by utlonghorn24 on Aug 3, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions
How about Kendry Morales?
Most HRs & RsBI since the A-S break, if I’m correct.
Your uncle molests collies.
by 3k on Aug 3, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
we need to start checking some bats
by death of the cool on Aug 3, 2009 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
or HGH
i wouldnt be suprised if the entire team is on some form of undetectable substance… Im serious
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
for the sake of stirring up controversy
I second this.
I'm Ron Burgundy?
by Cecilio's Guante on Aug 3, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions
GMJ has the hookup
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
How about
Howie Kendrick since they called him back up after sending him down.
"I saw a soldier try to dig a foxhole with his bare hands. He didn't notice that he'd torn off all his fingernails. I got him out of there quickly; not for his sake, but for ours. Fear is poison in combat...destructive, contagious." - Band of Brothers
I was curious, so I looked it up
Damn.
.388 / .431 / .552
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
Hopefully Davis has
that kind of success after we call him up.
"I saw a soldier try to dig a foxhole with his bare hands. He didn't notice that he'd torn off all his fingernails. I got him out of there quickly; not for his sake, but for ours. Fear is poison in combat...destructive, contagious." - Band of Brothers
Here are some stats to piss everyone off.
On June 3rd, we were up 4.5 games and were sitting 10 games over .500
now on August 3rd, we are 4 behind and are 15 games over .500
What happened….The Angels now lose less than Jesus is what happened.
since june 3rd….we have went 28-25, which is ok
Over that same time the Angels have gone a stupid 37-15 (a freaking .712 winning percentage). What makes it even more crazy is that we gave them 4 of those 15 defeats.
So since we were up 4.5 games on them June 3rd, the Angels have went 35-11 (a .761 winning percentage) against the rest of MLB.
that is how you gain 8.5 games in the standing on a team playing above .500
by death of the cool on Aug 3, 2009 12:45 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
We really horsed around with the Chris Davis situation
for about 6 weeks more than we should have.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
Hehe, oh Josey.
Always a breath of fresh air.
Your uncle molests collies.
by 3k on Aug 3, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions
I submit that the Rangers would have been better in June if they had not
insisted on watching Chris Davis drown every night.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
Haha epic
What happened….The Angels now lose less than Jesus is what happened.
I think that Angels in the Outfield is coming true. Someone check for a weird kid flapping his arms in a tree outside the stadium with his little brother. Quick!
"Either we need to re-calibrate our rectangle, or Alfonzo Marquez is not having a good night." - Josh Lewin
Me = fail.
Meant to reply to death of the cool.
"Either we need to re-calibrate our rectangle, or Alfonzo Marquez is not having a good night." - Josh Lewin
by utlonghorn24 on Aug 3, 2009 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
HHAHAHAAHAH, ESPN Power Rankings? HAHAHAHA
Ah yes, head to ESPN’s most recent power rankings for all of your comedy needs.
The Angels? Ranked 2nd behind the Dodgers, who have lost 5 of their last 8 games. Epic fail, ESPN. And I hereby coin the term EFPN for Epic Fail…Poop Network.
Your uncle molests collies.
Rankings
1. Dodgers – 100M
2. Angels – 119M
3. Yankees – 208M
4. Red Sox – 122M
5. Phillies – 111M
6. Rangers – 73M
Only team under 100M and 27M million away from the next team.
We're gonna be well above 50.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
Not really
Unless we either give huge extensions to current players or go big in free agency we will be right around or even below 50 million
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
No, we won't.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
It all depends on how generous the arbitration judge is
Before this season we were all assuming Hamilton would get 7+ million in arbitration but now he may be lucky to get 5 million. CJ and Frankie are both making under 2 million this year, how high do they jump? I don’t think arbitration rewards relievers as well as it probably should especially since both have been sharing closing duties the past couple years so neithers “saves” stat is that impressive.
Cots spreadsheet for next year has MY at 16 and Milly at 15 million but both actually will only make 12 million.
I could see us anywhere from 52 million to 58 or 59 million in payroll next year depending on arbitration. I don’t know how “well above 50” you meant so we both could be right. It won’t be under though like I said above.
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 does look good
but we are going to have to sign some people.
We will say adios to Hank I’m sure, but I think we may resign Byrd, especially if he has a hot end of the season. There’s no way with FX2 being out so long this year he gets more than 2 mil and CJ may get about the same. Padilla is out, so that’s nice.
There is no way we can pay over 5 mil for Hambone with what he’s done this year. The Arb should have our back on that one.
But we’re going to have to spring for another starting pitcher and if we don’t get Byrd, we’ll be adding Bourbon (he shouldn’t be too expensive).
The only SP we'll get is Sheets and even that's not a guarantee
Millwood, Feldman, Holland, Feliz, Hunter is my guess for the rotation to start next season and then you’ve got some nice depth behind that in case of injuries or some serious (and lengthy) struggles. Hurley and Harrison should be healthy, Kiker should be up for the challenge at some point in the season, and you’ll still have your true emergency guys with Mathis, Nippert, and Moscoso hanging around. And despite the crap I could get for saying this, B-Mac could be an option to make some of those emergency 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
Even if we get Sheets
He isn’t a 10 million dollar guy anymore. I bet he gets 4 million guaranteed with incentives that could make it around 10 million but that won’t be guaranteed. So he isn’t gonna baloon the payroll much.
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 have to think they won't roll into next season without a vet behind Millwood.
It’s just not going to happen.
Even if it’s just a cheap-y Carl Pavano or Doug Davis type on a one year deal.
At least I hope not.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
Better not be Pavano
I could live with Doug Davis and he could be affordable enough, but I wouldn’t bet on it.,
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 last guy we are resigning is Byrd
we’ll already have 4 OF who should be starting in the ML next year with Borbon coming + Byrd is due to make some good money and he’s also a type B FA. We may, hold your breath, think about resing Jones to a one year deal as insurance to the DH spot with Smoak and Davis + If jones has another strong season he’s gonna be a type B FA after next season… obviously, this is probably not gonna happen, but it does have some solid logic behind it
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
Makes sense..
Here’s hoping Julio comes up and has a solid Sept, and that AJ can be had for a reasonable price..
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
Okay, if you wanna discount the differed money that frees up a small bit of room.
I still think if you bring back the current roster as constructed minus the FA’s you’re going to be right at about 50, and it’s not like we’re not going to add someone over league mimimum for next season.
I think we’ll be in the 60-75 range, depending on what falls in our laps in FA or Winter trading.
I think we’ll add a veteran starter.
I don’t like going into next season with Millwood as our only experienced starter, and I have to think JD feels the same way.
Maybe it’s not a big splash guy like Lackey or Bedard, but it’ll be someone. Maybe a trade for a Harang or Vazquez-type. Maybe Kazmir comes on the market for a nice price. Who knows.
But the point is that there’s no way we roll into next season at 50mm.
I’ll kill JD myself if this happens.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
Ugh... "differed" money? Really, 'Tron? I hate you, you handsome bastard.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
Maybe they resign Duchserererer
after picking him up on waivers next week ;-)
"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.
Brett Myers? Ben Sheets? Brad Penny? Carl pavano? Dukeshurererer? Tim Hudson?
Jason Schmidt? Doug Davis?
There are gonna be plenty of options this off season if you wanna go with a medium-to-low cost option as the second vet behind Millwood in this rotation.
You know, I really wish Brett Myers wasn’t a wife punching piece of shit, cause I think he’s a pretty nice buy low candidate right now.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
But remember, Milton Bradley is the hot head in Baseball, not Brett Myers.
He argues with the umps ALL THE TIME! How dare he?!
"Look out, Itchy! He’s Irish!"
Rock Flag & Eagle Radio: Monday - Thursday, 10 PM - 1 AM, on FM 88.7 The Choice, or online @ ktcu.net!
Whoa
Thats a pretty big raise there. Hes making under 2 million this year and doesn’t have the sexy stats to get a huge raise in arbitration. You want to give him over 5 mil anually when hes probably not gonna break 4 next year?
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Yah, that's not a good deal at all for us.
You’re paying an awfully big premium to buy out on FA year.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
I would make that the high side.
You have to remember, CJ isn’t even technically our closer, Fx2 is. Middle relievers just don’t get the $$ in arb.
I mean look at Timlin on Boston. He’s making 3 mil a year.
Besides, CJ is going to end the season with an ERA about 3.00 below last year, but with half the saves. Rangers will sign him for 1 yr/2mil and avoid arb. That’s a max. Plus he is up for arb again after 2010 and a FA in 2011, so we have him for 2 more years.
I bet 2.5-3 mil is what he gets
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'm sure it will be around the 70-80 million mark again next year...
It’ll really depend on what we’re going to do with Hank, with Padilla’s option, and Byrd. We’ll owe 2 mil less to Cat, and Benny will take his 3 mil and be gone. Also, Eddie’s 1 mil will probably be gone and Omar’s 1 mil will probably retire. But arb will get most of that back and then some.
Hank and Byrd will be FAs
and I doubt they pick up Padilla’s option. Hicks has said that they 2010 payroll will be lower due those 3 and others not returning.
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
and with any luck his opinion won't matter...
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
Wow
one (bking) of the key lieutienients of the Tom Hicks Army has deserted.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
What, no comment about me coming out from under his desk???
You’re just mailing it in lately on the failed “Hicks-love” meme…
Forget to take your Enzyte today???
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
bking
You can never say you weren’t warned about Hicks.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
And you can't honestly say I was 100% supportive of him..
You’ll SAY it, but you can’t honestly say it.
The Texas Rangers have been synonymous with explosive firepower ever since they emptied 130 rounds into Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in 1934. - Alyssa Milano
Padilla and Hank are gone
I don’t see any way they return next season unless they play a huge part in a playoff run for the Rangers. I think Omar’s a great bet to return as the utility guy. He fills that role perfectly and definitely can help out off the field too. Eddie might come back too but I don’t know if its as likely to happen.
I really don’t see how we’ll be around 70-80 million next season unless they bring in some big FAs. Bigsteve’s got it right I think in that the current roster probably is around that 55 million dollar mark and who are we going to bring in that makes 15-25 million dollars next season.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
I think one veteran starter and maybe a veteran bat plus a bullpen piece or two.
The starter is the only one that should cost unless we decide to get creative and deal some OF’ers (Cruz?) for help elsewhere and make a run at a Holliday or Bay.
But, still.
Even if we throw out, say, a 6 or 7 million dollar one year contract at a starter a la Boston with the Brad Penny signing last off season and then sprinkle in a few vets just to make everyone happy (gotta have those vets!), that’s another 9-15mil right there that I think gets spent.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
Where would those vets slot in at?
If Borbon replaces Byrd and Davis/Smoak replace Hank/Jones there really isn’t any open positional places for vets.
I think youre dead on about the starter but I don’t think it’ll be that expensive given the economy and who we target (Sheets, etc). So the bullpen is really the only conceivable spot to sign a vet and a bullpen vet only will cost you a million or so.
I don’t see us spending more than 10 million in free agency and probably closer to 8 unless we go balls out and go for Lackey or Harden
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 wouldn't automatically gave roster spots
to Davis and Smoak. I could see JD bringing in a NRI 1B to compete with them for a roster spot. CD needs to show he can hit in the ML again and Smoak may need some time in AAA next year.
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
this is also where resigning Jones makes some sense
keeps us from having to fully rely on CD and Smoak and at the least gives us a good platoon guy to go with Smoak, CD, and Murphy who have all shown to be more inclined to hit Righties than Lefties
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
That's assuming Davis works out and Smoak makes a good transition
to the show. So we’re going to need to get another DH bat to smash lefties and that won’t be cheap. JD will want production.
I agree that COULD happen, but I don't see it.
I know we all get enamored with our young guys, but do you really see us rolling into next season with Borbon, Smoak and Davis all penciled in as everyday starters?
I dunno, I just don’t see it. Teams just don’t tend to operate this way, especially teams hoping to contend. They tend to hedge towards veterans unless they happen to think a rookie is a special case, a la Elvis.
And there’s tons of moving pieces here.
I think a spot could open via trade, and also think a trade is gonna be where any major salary additions come from.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
Yeah I do see that happening
Borbon has been labeled as our CF of the future since being drafted and has done nothing in the minors to lose that moniker. We are focusing so much on defense now that I can see them taking a hit offensively (although i don’t think it will be as pronounced as some think) to have his defense in CF from day 1.
As for Davis/Smoak. Davis isn’t a rookie who is new to the majors. Hes been up before and while he struggled this year its not like rolling with a green nose rook at 1B. And I just have alot of confidence that Smoak is gonna rake from the get go. Hopefully that isn’t opening day however because we should be Longoria-ing him to save a year of team control.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
We have a young core that could be bolstered significantly by a veteran piece or two and our payroll will be so low that I think we'll have the room to do it.
I have to think it’ll come by trade, but I think it’ll come no matter what unless there are really just zero good fits out there this winter.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
You gotta break these guys in sometime
If you think they are part of your future you gotta bite the bullet and go with it. If you aren’t gonna get them time this year then are you gonna wait until the end of next year?
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Expecting us to roll into next season with those three key positions all manned by rookies is a bit naive.
It’s like when people were baffled by not running Julio Borbon out there every day when he was called up earlier.
Yes, you have to break them in sometime.
But a contending team breaking in three guys like that all at once is a bit much to ask.
It makes sense to us (just like, say, playing Salty over Laird did a while back), but it rarely happens and I think it’s kind of unlikely we see it go down here next year.
I think a trade or a big-to-medium FA signing is gonna occur, possibly both.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
i agree with what Dirk is saying
And i think its gonna be almost certaintly in the role of DH/1b that we’ll need help. I just dont see how you can expect both CD and Smoak to be plus productive ML hitters next year. I can see one of those two being viable, but both is unlikely. One of them wont be that helpful next year and more than likely struggle. We’re are much better off with the payroll we have to sign one good right handed bat to put into this lineup anywhere from a LF, 1B, or just a plain DH. While im not sure we’ll need another vet starter, it would be nice to have another guy who we can count on to be poductive going into next season, b/c while we’ll have plenty of talent vying for the SP spots, alot of it might be considered inconsistent and unproven. Id be inclined to let that just play itself out, but signing a veteran to eliminate some of that limbo in a year we are going to contend is very reasonable.
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
add to that, a reasonably priced FA DH/1B who is productive is usually relatively
easy to find.
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
So you want to platoon Smoak or Davis with a veteran?
Or do you want to completely sit one of them? If you sit them do you keep them in the minors and delay when they come up? Cause that would be counterproductive IMO.
This season has shown we can be successful with sub par offense. Im not advocating trying to be sub par but if being sub par means breaking in guys you figure to be integral parts of the next half decade then you do it.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
But you can't break in half the team at the same time
You’re going to have CD for The Show part III, Smoak for his first, Bourbon for his first and Elvis in year two. That’s a super young core. You’ll need a vet to share time with the 1B/DH or maybe let Smoak or even CD stay in OKC for a month or two at the start of the season.
What I would do
resign Jones and keep Smoak in OKC for the first month (long enough to guarantee an extra year of control). Then trade Jones and go with Smoak. Im fine going with a young core. This is what we’ve been planning for and preparing for for a couple years now. Its not the time to shy away from young guys.
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 agree with the trade part.
We forget it now, but I think most would still view the Rangers as having 2 MLB quality 1B and 3 MLB quality catchers, though they all haven’t performed magnificently lately. Realistically, I think at least one and potentially 2 of them get traded this offseason. I don’t know if we’d have the money for it, but I’d love to see Adam Dunn and his .275/.404/.550/.954/.402 (AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS/wOBA) DH’ing for us next year.
I’d also be curious as to what it would take to get Josh Johnson away from the Marlins…but I think I’ll save anymore 2010 rosterbating for the offseason.
Don't forget Bradley's $9M
JD has to fix the offense so that means he has to bring back Milton. :)
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 just can't see the organization pushing one of the guys I mentioned above out of the rotation
Feliz and Holland are going to start next season in the rotation with Millwood. There is no way Feldman starts out anywhere but the rotation next season after the year he’s having (regardless of if you agree with that move or not). And Hunter has also been impressing the team a lot with how he has stepped up this season which makes me believe he’ll start the year out in the number 5 spot. They’ll probably bring in some NRIs, but that’s probably going to be it as far as the rotation is concerned. You’ve got your high ceiling talent that needs an opportunity, you’re veteran starter to “anchor” the rotation, and 2 solid and intriguing back of the rotation guys.
The offense is more of a question mark, but what position opens up for us to bring someone big in? Its pretty much the same problem that we faced at the deadline a few days ago with there being no good spot to play a guy without risking the team’s defense. The OF is already crowded even with Byrd not returning with Cruz, Hamilton, Murphy, and Borbon. 1B and DH are the only spots where there could be an opening but Smoak and Davis are expected to handle that next season. JD would have to get creative with some trades to bring in another bat.
And on a side note with the offense, I’m not that worried about it for next season. Some of the team’s hackers are going to be gone and I think you’ll get a better variety of offensive styles throughout the lineup especially if Smoak comes up.
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
Feliz
I think if he truly is going back to a starter then he starts next season in OKC still getting stretched out again.
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 Feliz starts next season pitching in AAA.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
again, I dont see how you can expect both Smoak and Davis to be truely productive ML hitters next year
its just not a likely occurence and rolling into the next season with Davis and Smoak as the sole holders of the DH/1B positions is just not going to happen. I expect us to find either through trade or signing a RH bat who can hold down one of those spots on a consistent basis.
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
Well it starts with me thinking Davis is a whole lot better than how he played this season
I think something like last season’s OPS is much more likely going forward and it could be even better. As for Smoak, just take a look at Braun, Zimmerman, or Longoria’s rookie seasons. Elite college bats like Smoak can have an immediate and positive impact on an offense.
I would suspect that Smoak gets Longoria’d too so he wouldn’t start the season as our DH/1B, but would have an everyday job by the beginning of May.
Where do you play this RH bat that you want to trade or sign? Davis and Smoak are clearly in the future plans for the 1B/DH spot. Kinsler, Young, and Andrus are filling out the rest of the IF with the C spot likely staying Salty/Teagarden. The OF has Hamilton, Murphy, Cruz, and Borbon (maybe Byrd too). You need a trade to open up a spot and who do you trade where the offense doesn’t suffer and you can get some good value in return for them?
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 a catch 22. We're building for a 2010 run
but we’re going to cut payroll? It’s going to be up to JD and Hicks to decide what’s going to be the theme for next year. I would run a sander over JD’s entire body until there wasn’t any skin left if he lets us get teased by this amazing season this year and then cuts our balls off by not springing for the essential pieces for 2010.
I mean we’re built for 2010 right? So I see us getting a 3-6 mil a year bat to cushion lossing Byrd and Druw.
Feliz will more than likely not be in the starting rotation because Wash slow plays pitchers (consider him the anti-Dusty Baker). So this is where we get a 5-7 mil a year pitcher (Sheets?). So we will be taking on some payroll.
Damn it I want a WS run next year and we’re not going to get it with a 50 mil payroll
Feliz not in the rotation to start the season
I agree, he’s gonna end up with less than 100 ip this year so I doubt that they start him in the ML rotation when he’d just have to be shut down about this time of 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
Feliz's innings
I don’t think you can simply look at his inning total and say he can only throw X amount of innings next year. he was a starter up until this past month and switching to a reliever is going to inhibit your innings totals. I think the rangers will take that into consideration when deciding how much to push him next year. Right now I would go with 150-160 innings max.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
You aren't really cutting payroll
You’re dumping bad contracts and continuing with the team you’ve built.
Feliz should start next season in the rotation. He’s in the ML bullpen now and likely going to stay there throughout the rest of the season. 2 months or so of bullpen work is a pretty good amount of time to get him acclimated to the Majors.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
Yeah cutting payroll is the wrong verbage
We are staying the same talent wise or getting better with cheaper players. Cutting payroll to me means sacrificing talent for 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.
Agreed...
But JD already stated he wanted a SP for the deadline and didn’t get it. You know with Padilla leaving he will want to make some sort of splash and hopefully he will get a Davis, Sheets, Pavano. Lackey would cost quite a bit, but he’s from Texas so he may give a discount.
We don’t even know if Feliz is even going to be a SP. There’s still discussion of him being our closer, especially if his secondary stuff gets lit up in The Show this season.
Cutting payroll may not be the correct wording, but it feels that way since we aren’t able to get the talent out there because of a lack of money.
Feliz is not going to be in the BP, or a closer, period.
The only ones saying that are the over-reacters on LSB.
"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.
This is Elite, Bitchez!
LA Dodgers 65 40 .619 -
LA Angels 63 40 .612 1
NY Yankees 63 42 .600 2
Boston 62 42 .596 2.5
Philadelphia 59 44 .573 5
Texas 59 44 .573 5
Amidst the angst over the trade deadline do-nothingness, and the gnashing of teeth over injuries, and the bemoaning of the offensive woes…this is truly a special season we are in the midst of.
Do not forget to enjoy it, respect it, and revel in the nuance of every play.
"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.
by Rodney on Aug 3, 2009 12:50 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
+59-44
"Either we need to re-calibrate our rectangle, or Alfonzo Marquez is not having a good night." - Josh Lewin
by utlonghorn24 on Aug 3, 2009 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions
I enjoy it
But my hatred for the Angels is starting to take over.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Aug 3, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Quick Trivia
Without looking it up, among our starting pitchers this season (minimum 5 starts), who has the highest percent of swinging strikes? Who has the highest percentage of pitches thrown for strikes?
I like this...
% Strikes: Millwood
Swinging Strikes: Padilla
Although, I bet Holland has really moved up on Swinging Strikes after his last performance..
Good questions
Strike%: McCarthy
Swinging Strike%: Holland
GB%: Feldman
Purgatory's kind of like the in-betweeny one. You weren't really shit, but you weren't all that great either. Like Tottenham.
My attempt
Swinging strikes: Holland
Thrown for strikes: Hunter
GB%: Hunter
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
hmm, I'll go with
pct swinging strikes – Holland
strike pct – Hunter
gb pct – Feldman
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
Gonna go:
%Swinging: Brandon MacCarthy
% thrown for strikes: Holland
% GB: Feldman (Millwood is tempting here)
The shocking truth revealed
% strikes: Hunter (64.2%)
Swinging strike: Hunter (9.3%) – Holland is second at 8.2%
Ground ball: Padilla (47.7%)
Data per Statcorner
you know i said this after Hunters bad start, but the strike out stuff for Hunter is there
and really suprised me as to how many swinging strikes he was getting. I had no idea he was doing this, but considering everyone’s label as just a GB/LAIE pitcher, Hunter has certaintly suprised me with the stuff… I really like his chances of at least being a solid guy to have in any rotation
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
Ugh
I feel like being in the midst of one of the best seasons in franchise history while not even being in the driver’s seat for the wild card just encapsulates the frustration of being a Rangers fan.
. . . well, I guess there’s that whole “it’s only going to get better” thing. . .
When is the last time you thought of the name
Brandon McCarthy? I just now remembered he is still part of the organization.
Who would have thought that Nippert would contribute more than BMac?
Me, that’s who.
Hate to pull a Josey, but I took a lot of grief for that. (looking at you tball)
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
You're not pulling a Josey until you repost that AT LEAST 20 more times...
piker….
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 JD a question yesterday?
And start it off with a “comment”?
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
no I couldn't make it
Bought a ticket but had a last minute change of plans. What is the question that you’re asking about?
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
It was just a B-Mac question
I remembered you saying something here about going and thought that you might have been the one to ask JD about it. The “comment” part was that the question started out, “One of the not so great deals you made was Danks for B-Mac.” and then he asked whatever the question was (I forgot). JD responded that it was a comment followed by a question which got some laughs.
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
Aw, c'mon tricer
I made one comment out of all those you linked, and I was just doing what you asked, why single me out? I couldn’t be happier that Nips is pretending he’s a real big league pitcher and I hope he keeps it up. I wish McCarthy was giving you reason to be wrong, though. I’ve probably said plenty of times I don’t believe in Nippert one bit, but I’ll be glad to be wrong if this is more than a flash in the pan.
To me, one of the nicest things about this season so far is the way some of the emergency guys have stepped up. The depth is better this year.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
just poking atcha
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
You're still crazy
I think Nippert and Mathis are mirages, but I’d love to be wrong.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Yes!
LoneStarDugout(Jason Cole): Hearing very good things on the Chad Bell front. He would be a huge get for the organization.
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
WTH is that?
"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.
That's a very good thing.
He’s been fantastic in the Cape League this summer and supposedly has had a number in mind all along. If that number hasn’t changed from draft date to now, the Rangers will probably give him what he wants because he’s shown he’s earned it.
There are about five or six guys after Purke, Scheppers, and McBride that I really want. He’s one of them and could help make this class very, very good.
Awesome.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
yay for good scouting + obviously set aside money for amatuer aquistions.
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
Very cool news
Cole, if you’re checking this…love to hear any scouting on his stuff.
"[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 3, 2009 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Galloway discussing JD and trade deadline right now
and how JD was made to look foolish.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
RG sez they will discuss where Nolan was in all this
next.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
You aren't doing a good job of disputing the claim
that your opinions are driven by Galloway
the insult being that Galloway doesn’t change his opinion on anything regardless of changing circumstances, and most of his sports-commentary is based solely on attracting attention/ratings rather than on forming legitimate sports opinions
RG says entire handling of Halladay trade was
“an abortion.”
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
Randy Galloway's Mom
should have had “an abortion”
"The House That Ruth Built, 85 years old, goes out as The House That Hamilton Knocked Down"
If that would have happened
RG and some hag down by the river would never had little Josey.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
RG said if Jerry Jones had done the same thing
he would have been crucified by the DFW media.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
That's because Cowboy hype/hysteria is idiotic.
"Ho visto il tuo agire, non solo rendono per me. Basta un sacco di fluff".
The Cowboy hype/hysteria is ridiculous but that shouldn't excuse
most of the DFW media blindly accepting the explanation on how this trade was handled without a word of criticism towards the Rangers.
Can you imagine what the Boston media (and fans) would have done to Theo if he came back after a month of negotiations and said he found out Halladay wasn’t going to waive his NTC the night before the trade deadline?
If the Jays insisted that any deal have Holland in it and you don’t wanna make it, fine, move on to another team that can help you address your glaring weakness.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Gardner, What you should do is tip your cap and then move forward with your tail tucked snugly in your gash."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
Well he also said the H. Walker trade
was an abortion. RG is nothing more than a drunk that has a radio show full of lemmings.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Five tips for Showtime’s second season of ‘The Franchise,’ featuring the Miami Marlins
- The 10 best things about being a Detroit Tigers fan
- Surprise! A’s finally end the Yoenis Cespedes derby with $36 million deal for Cuban star
- The time Whitney Houston sang to Jim Bowden
- Pitchers and catchers! Mariners get early start in Arizona
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
