Rangers designate Thomas Diamond for assignment
by Adam J. Morris on Sep 1, 2009 2:00 PM CDT
164 comments
Per the S-T blog, Thomas Diamond has been designated for assignment, and Brandon Boggs has been recalled and transferred to the 60 day disabled list, moves necessitated by the activation of Brandon McCarthy from the 60 day disabled list and purchasing the contracts of Kevin Richardson and Craig Gentry.
Esteban German and Eddie Guardado have been activated from the disabled list, and Guillermo Moscoso and Warner Madrigal have been recalled. Willie Eyre will likely be recalled, as well, as soon as his 10 days run.
The Diamond move is a bit of a shocker, as I figured Joaquin Arias would be the one to get the axe, but Diamond has disappointed this season after being considered a dark-horse candidate to make the team out of spring training in the bullpen. Diamond has missed a lot of time the past three seasons due to injury, and I suspect the Rangers are going to look to move him for a fringe prospect in the next 10 days.
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Good luck
moving him for anything.
"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
by DJCahill on Sep 1, 2009 2:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe a Carlos Melo-type
eratic young arm
by shroomer on Sep 1, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd be for that
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
by boomer1 on Sep 1, 2009 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who has room on their 40 to take a risk on an injury prone pitcher?
Who sadly has lived up to nowhere near his hyped potential.
by Mark from OC on Sep 1, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Washington?
San Diego?
After Fuentes blows a save and an Angels loss to the Indians:
"Angels still in first place" - UCI Halo
"Hey you know who would have gotten those 3 outs in the 9th?
Darren O’Day." - FirebatM3
LOL
by hinduplaya on Sep 1, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Astros
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Sep 1, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
KC? heh ...
BTW, read this short blurb by Posnanski - pretty sad and funny.
Watch the two plays he mentions on video here.
by shroomer on Sep 1, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
HA!
Wow, I like this in the comments (they’re responding to another commenter who thinks Dayton Moore is the best the Royals can do)
13: Sabby said at 11:16 pm on August 31st, 2009:
@ John W. (#6):
"Please find me anyone that is more qualified than Dayton Moore. "
- OK, that one is easy, there are any number of GMs or other front-office types who are either as qualified or more qualified than DM. Ironically, DM might have been more qualified when he got the job than he is after having to put "GM of the Royals, 2006-2009″.
"Then, if by chance you do, will they ever be a general manager for the Royals?"
- Yes. If the money is better, yes, of course. 95% of the time, at least – and I’m being generous to the 5% who may or may not value "winning".
- How about Bill James? Or Rob Neyer? Or Joe P.? Or, hell, the Sports Guy? Or Rany? For literally $0, you could get one of those 5 to GM, and I would be at least 3 of them would do a better job.
That’s all. Accepting the triumph of the second best is a huge failure.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Sep 1, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
who would give anyone high-ceiling for Diamond?
Go Rice Owls!
by JBImaknee on Sep 1, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
I don’t think you could even get a Melo type.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 1, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd be furious if we traded a Melo for someone's Thomas Diamond
You can get those guys for almost free, a la Dustin Nippert.
Go Rice Owls!
by JBImaknee on Sep 1, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comparing Nippert to Diamond
Is such an insult to Nippert…
Diamond has been a worthless piece of coal for years. Nippert was just a year away from being on prospect lists when we acquired him.
by TRanger on Sep 1, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and yet we still got Nippert for (essentially) free
I’m just pointing out that Diamond isn’t going to return anything of even remote value. Best just to hope someone claims him and gives you the $50K
Go Rice Owls!
by JBImaknee on Sep 1, 2009 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rangers get rid of Padilla, now Diamond
When will this team learn that it needs pitching?
(Wife) "So what do you want to watch on the T.V.? UFC or porn?"
(Husband) "Hmm... well, porn, I guess."
by mtex on Sep 1, 2009 2:02 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Oh god. Who brought The DMN crowd?
by Too Legit To quit on Sep 1, 2009 2:23 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I read that as sarcasm
or at least I hope it was……
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 Sep 1, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
harsh, man.
(Wife) "So what do you want to watch on the T.V.? UFC or porn?"
(Husband) "Hmm... well, porn, I guess."
by mtex on Sep 1, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought it was hilarious
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 Sep 1, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I did too.
Some people need to calibrate their sarcasm meters again.
by Hull Fan on Sep 1, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can get a calibrater at Home Depot for $15
"BIg whoop, wanna fight about it?"
by lost in space on Sep 1, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
lowe's will beat that by 10%
(Wife) "So what do you want to watch on the T.V.? UFC or porn?"
(Husband) "Hmm... well, porn, I guess."
by mtex on Sep 1, 2009 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but I can't get out of Home Depot without spending another $100...
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 Sep 1, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sad that Diamond's best baseball moment
is probably that Newberg story of him staring down the opposing dugout. That was Diamond, wasn’t it?
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Sep 1, 2009 2:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Man I remember reading that
and being excited about him.
by bdavison94 on Sep 1, 2009 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was still reading Newberg dayily when Diamond was drafted
Someone will have to help with the details, but I remember that drafting Diamond was one of the last moves made by the senior exec who was supposed to take over for John Hart, but instead Hart signed a long extension and his to-be successor left (to San Diego, I think?).
I think the guy was from the Oakland organization.
I know this all wasn’t too long ago, but it feels like it’s been decades since that whole thing went down.
by alon91 on Sep 1, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
thank you
insane how much a baseball organization goes through in barely four years.
Here’s the background on all that crazyness. It was Buck and Hart who convinced Hicks and managed to push Fuson out of the organization. Can’t believe I forgot all these details.
I was 100% anti-Hart and was furious when this all went down. Looks like he’s still with SD, although I’ve not heard anything about him in years.
by alon91 on Sep 1, 2009 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hart screwing over Grady and causing Grady to leave = biggest non-issue ever?
I remember many were furious and all I can say is, thank goodness Grady wasn’t our GM. His draft picks haven’t exactly set the world on fire.
"You dont know much do you, Big Steve?"
--Finnerty.Fan on Aug 13, 2009 5:13 PM PDT
by WestTxAg06 on Sep 1, 2009 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
well Fuson >>> Hart, but I’d much rather have JD in charge.
by alon91 on Sep 1, 2009 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
I would have rather had Grady than Hart for those last few years, but I think I will gladly take Hart then + JD now and in the future over Fuson then, now, and in the future.
"You dont know much do you, Big Steve?"
--Finnerty.Fan on Aug 13, 2009 5:13 PM PDT
by WestTxAg06 on Sep 1, 2009 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fuson has been a real disappointment
He hasn’t exactly lit things up in San Diego either since he left. I think Matt Bush, of Brian Thomas signature fame, was one of his picks as well (though I could be wrong)
Go Rice Owls!
by JBImaknee on Sep 1, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Matt Bush
The rich man’s Miles.
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 Sep 1, 2009 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, thank god
Fuson got run off. It’s a pretty disappointing record. Scott Lucas did a full rundown.
http://www.rangers.scottlucas.com/archives/2006/09/grady_fuson_rec.html
"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
by DJCahill on Sep 1, 2009 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's missing Kinsler there, right?
The high points of Fuson’s tenure were probably getting Kinsler and Danks in the same draft and then picking up Gonzalez, Young and Francisco cheaply in rent-a-player deals involving Urbina, Everett and Diaz. Made a lot of bad, expensive choices, though.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 1, 2009 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh
he says first eight rounds there, so that’s not a comprehensive list.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 1, 2009 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Post 8th round
a few semi-notable additions aside from Kinsler:
Jesse Chavez
Kam Loe
Sam Narron
Travis Metcalf
Tug Hulett
Zach Phillips
by Brett Perryman on Sep 1, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What ever happened w/ John Hudgins?
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 Sep 1, 2009 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dealt him to San Diego...
with Sinisi for Freddy Guzman. If memory serves.
"[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 Sep 1, 2009 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Correct, but I meant after that
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 Sep 2, 2009 7:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
what happened to sam narron
I saw him pitch one game and then he dissapeared after that.
by cashman on Sep 3, 2009 11:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Amazing how many of those ended up as Padres
It seems like some GMs acquire an inordinate number of their former players when they move to new teams. Go with what’s familiar, I guess.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Sep 1, 2009 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Mayor of Pitchabilityville
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 Sep 1, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Arias
Do the Rangers feel he has any value left? I don’t see him surviving the 40 through spring training 2010, so if they need another replacement in the next month who is not already on the 40, he has to be the next to go.
by Mark from OC on Sep 1, 2009 2:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
even if you wanted to keep him, after what he showed up here I’d have been shocked if anyone claimed him. Maybe the same can be said for TD.
by Sherman McCoy on Sep 1, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Would the Rangers care if anyone claimed him?
I don’t think most fans would care as Arias really has no part of future Rangers plans.
by Mark from OC on Sep 1, 2009 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why would they need a 2B in the next month?
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
by RangerMad on Sep 1, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You read it wrong
If the Rangers need ANY replacement in the next month, for injury or whatever, Arias is the next to go away off the 40.
by Mark from OC on Sep 1, 2009 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like when Eyre comes up tomorrow.
"We have a better chance to win with other guys in the lineup," said Blalock, who is hitting .190 the past 30 games. "That’s something I’ve got to deal with."
by diamond_dave on Sep 1, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Naw
Not in that case. Eyre is already on the 40 so the Rangers don’t need to make room.
by Mark from OC on Sep 1, 2009 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he's a back-up utility infielder?
I dunno if we bring back Omar, and I’m not sure if we have any other MIF/CIF prospects who we want wasting away on the bench.
by jwiscarson on Sep 1, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the Rangers would find a FA instead of Arias
I say the Rangers absolutely invite Omar back – question is whether he wants one more year. As for someone wasting away on the bench, the Rangers can sign some low end free agent.
by Mark from OC on Sep 1, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Possibly.
We do have Esteban German up right now, but I just wonder if the FO doesn’t think “hey, we get marginal value out of these guys for the rookie minimum, which is probably about what we’d get from a veteran FA.”
I think the Omar move this year made a lot of sense with Elvis, so maybe they bring him back to continue mentoring Elvis, but I just don’t know. I certainly wouldn’t be upset if we did.
by jwiscarson on Sep 1, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Arias
All I can imagine for why he’s still here is the current b/u infielder is in his 40s.
"[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 Sep 1, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could he be the contingent PTBNL
with the Astros for the Pudge deal?
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
by laxtonto on Sep 1, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They already got vallejo
Why would they want Arias as well
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 Sep 1, 2009 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why, to round out the trifecta of course...
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 Sep 1, 2009 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
'cause
they’re minors suck and they will take what they can get…
by MikeEl on Sep 1, 2009 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably will
take Diamond too, just out of spite.
by MikeEl on Sep 1, 2009 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because Tejeda is their starting SS
and if they resign him, he is going to 3B. That would leave a fight between Manziela, Arias and Vallejo for SS and the UT job
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
by laxtonto on Sep 1, 2009 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
fine with me.
i would have been fine with arias or various others, but he was probably gone sometime this winter anyway.
the preceding post was a great success.
by DSheppard on Sep 1, 2009 2:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hadn't thought of that
What’s it like for him when he’s putting in that call/text?
by Sherman McCoy on Sep 1, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
On a side-note:
I really despise it when related links show anything older than a few days.
by jwiscarson on Sep 1, 2009 2:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess DFAing gets you around Hicks edict not to trade any 1st round starters.
"[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 Sep 1, 2009 2:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Boggs
Does this move mean his checks will be about 8 times bigger
this Winter than had he remained unrecalled?
by shroomer on Sep 1, 2009 2:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not sure if it works that way for the 60 day
and it is also my understanding even though some players get paid year round, it is based upon the number of major league games, not time in the majors. Thus, winter time doesn’t really count towards the amount they make.
by Mark from OC on Sep 1, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You only get paid for the time you are in the majors.
How players elect to take their paychecks can be whatever they want, but they are technically only “paid” during the season. So, if Boggs will get big league minimum money, it will only be for a month’s worth, plus whatever other time he spent up briefly.
by FuturePants on Sep 1, 2009 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
tough job but somebody has to do it
His Sept check might be more than what he made in the minors this 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
by RangerMad on Sep 1, 2009 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boggs
I don’t remember him playing long enough to wind up on the 60-day.
I had a paper route when I was a kid. I was supposed to go to 2,000 houses. Or two dumpsters.
by TheBZA on Sep 1, 2009 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
huh?
Hes injured and wouldn’t play this season again so moving him to the 60 day is merely procedural. it opens a spot now and after the season when our FAs drop off then he will have his spot back
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 Sep 1, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I meant
I don’t even remember watching him play.
I had a paper route when I was a kid. I was supposed to go to 2,000 houses. Or two dumpsters.
by TheBZA on Sep 1, 2009 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ahh gotcha
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 Sep 1, 2009 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, don't blame your blackouts on Boggs.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Sep 1, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So the DVD era is officially over
We got Josh and what else out of those 3 guys?
Larry Parrish Was Da Man!
by TRFAN on Sep 1, 2009 2:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Flashes of excellence from Brandon McCarthy.
by Too Legit To quit on Sep 1, 2009 2:25 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
complete game shutout today, its happening.
the preceding post was a great success.
by DSheppard on Sep 1, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
B-Mac
The 2009 Texas Rangers offense: sigh...
by Kinslerhomer on Sep 1, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Paisano
although Masset way outweighs him.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 1, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
finally
we can move on!
" This is the inning that propels us to the playoffs. Mark it down."
- Rohn Warshington on Jul 27, 2009 9:19 PM EDT
5th inning against the Tigers
by gossamer on Sep 1, 2009 2:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
At least Drew Meyer made it to the big leagues
Go Rice Owls!
by JBImaknee on Sep 1, 2009 2:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hicks is pissed
He mandated that no more first round pitchers be dealt, and his front office circumvented his directive by just cutting one.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 1, 2009 2:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
if i were him
i’d sell the team because of it.
" This is the inning that propels us to the playoffs. Mark it down."
- Rohn Warshington on Jul 27, 2009 9:19 PM EDT
5th inning against the Tigers
by gossamer on Sep 1, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
When did he make that mandate?
And for what reason? I missed this discussion previously.
by Mark from OC on Sep 1, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was trying to reassure suspicious fans a year or so ago, and part of his evidence was that he’d told Daniels that he wasn’t allowed to deal any more pitchers they’d drafted in the first round (Danks rightfully being the focal point of much of the frustration). And yes, it sounded as silly when he said it as when I recount it.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 1, 2009 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Question:
Do you think that Jon Daniels is better at evaluating trades now than he was previously, or do you think he has just not been ‘fortunate’ enough to see more recent trade ideas go through?
I’m not identifying this one point as whether or not he is a good GM, but I would like more evidence that he make a good trade that involves the Rangers trying to improve their current major league team. Carlos Lee? Even though we did end up with a lot of talent from that, there were so many moving parts I’m not sure how to evaluate it. Vicente Padilla, though the extension wasn’t a very good idea.
I ask this because it seems like the Rangers are going to be at the point this offseason or next trade deadline where they would make trades to increase their short term success…and I’m still a bit scared from Danks/Masset, Young/Gonzalez/Sledge, and the theoretical Feliz/Smoak/Borbon/plus fiascos.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Sep 1, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you better at your job than you were two years ago?
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 Sep 1, 2009 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I share your concern
I think that the failure on those early deals wasn’t Daniels’ rating of assets, but poor scouting and coaching evaluations that he ran with. The game guys who told him that McCarthy was one of the top young arms in baseball are still lead evaluators (and have made some other really good calls, of course), and while Daniels has presumably learned a lot about hands on scouting, it is not his area of expertise, so he does rely on some of those people. I have always suspected that you could point to the coaching staff and Buck’s leverage in the organization had a lot to do with the Young/Gonzalez deal and that the lesson that Daniels probably learned there was in dealing with a powerful manager (which is not an issue at this time, of course, but which could come up later in his career). The issue of whether we have the best scouts is valid to me. I said at the time of that deal that it would tell us a lot about how good we will be at evaluating players as compared with a Chicago. But they have made some really fine evaluations in the mean time on professional players, so I’m much less concerned than I was at the time.
I am a bit concerned with how much the Rangers would pay for major league talent, particularly since they are currently unable to take advantage of any financial angle in a deal. But I do think that Daniels is smart and learns from the past, and like Brian said, I think that there is only reason to think that he is getting better and better at his job.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 1, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For some reason it cut the body of my post:
I think that the failure on those early deals wasn’t Daniels’ rating of assets, but poor scouting and coaching evaluations that he ran with. The game guys who told him that McCarthy was one of the top young arms in baseball are still lead evaluators (and have made some other really good calls, of course), and while Daniels has presumably learned a lot about hands on scouting, it is not his area of expertise, so he does rely on some of those people. I have always suspected that you could point to the coaching staff and Buck’s leverage in the organization had a lot to do with the Young/Gonzalez deal and that the lesson that Daniels probably learned there was in dealing with a powerful manager (which is not an issue at this time, of course, but which could come up later in his career). The issue of whether we have the best scouts is valid to me. I said at the time of that deal that it would tell us a lot about how good we will be at evaluating players as compared with a Chicago. But they have made some really fine evaluations in the mean time on professional players, so I’m much less concerned than I was at the time.
I am a bit concerned with how much the Rangers would pay for major league talent, particularly since they are currently unable to take advantage of any financial angle in a deal. But I do think that Daniels is smart and learns from the past, and like Brian said, I think that there is only reason to think that he is getting better and better at his job.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 1, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
FWIW, I think it was Sprite who said that Jeff Wilson told him at a UNT function the Young deal was driven by Buckles
Said he’d never hold up in the Texas heat.
If that’s true, you have to wonder if maybe Young, who by all accounts is a pretty brilliant guy, perhaps questioned Herr Showalter on some of his instructions/tutelage, etc., and der Fueher didn’t take kindly to it.
Or maybe I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about.
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 Sep 1, 2009 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They could both be true.
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 Sep 1, 2009 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
pow.
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 Sep 1, 2009 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So was Thomas Diamond another in a very long line of over-hyped Ranger minor league pitchers
or was it the injury that did him in?
"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 Sep 1, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
blame it on the boogie
" This is the inning that propels us to the playoffs. Mark it down."
- Rohn Warshington on Jul 27, 2009 9:19 PM EDT
5th inning against the Tigers
by gossamer on Sep 1, 2009 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's a tough one
Some of us have debated it in the past, and I tend to think that he was headed in the wrong direction well before his diagnosis. I don’t think that he was ever very impressive in Frisco, for example. But the one problem with my take is that it’s always possible that he was already injured, since his velo was usually way down from where it was reported in college and in Class A.
Either way, the guy never developed a breaking ball, so I think he was likely destined to not make it as a starting pitcher.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 1, 2009 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember
way back in the day on the NMLR board, during the craziness of DVD mania, when some folks were projecting Zito/Hudson/Mulder, saying that of DVD, most likely one would be a front/mid rotation starter, one would be a bullpen arm, and one wouldn’t make the majors. MJH said, yeah, but the trick is knowing which is which. Even back then, my money was on TD being the one that didn’t make it.
I’m always kind of suspicious of the college kid from the lower rung programs, and I was always bitter we let Weaver slide by to get him.
"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
by DJCahill on Sep 1, 2009 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
x
I’m always kind of suspicious of the college kid from the lower rung programs,
That same draft had Justin Verlander, though, in a no-name program.
by Adam J. Morris on Sep 1, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think most of the cognoscenti always considered Diamond a good deal behind Danks and Volquez talent-wise
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 Sep 1, 2009 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Diamond
Was a college guy with a competitive at low levels fastball in college and A ball. It seemed when he got to the AA proving ground, he looked good but got questionable results. Control and command at that point were not his long suits. If he had made MLB, he’d have been one of those exceptions who learns how to locate regardless of stuff.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Sep 1, 2009 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you look at it by date
for about a year after Diamond was drafted, some folks really liked him. I remember having some Danks/Diamond debates. But by the time he was in AA and by the time we were talking about the Beckett deal, he was far behind for most. I think that most everyone was perfectly willing to include Diamond in any deal like that, and Danks is where any hesitation started. There was separation by that time.
by Brett Perryman on Sep 1, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My problem with Diamond
and any college guys like that is not that they are lower rung programs, but that you don’t draft college guys who are prospects. It is the same deal as with Mayberry. If a college guy is going to have to rework his swing or learn a new pitch then he isn’t a first round talent, I don’t care how toolsy or how good a fastball he may have. High school kid maybe, because you’re getting them raw. College guys you expect a lot of their learning to be behind them.
With college guys, particularly in the first round, you have to ask the question “Could this guy hold his own in the high minors right now?” Not necessarily excel, but at least not embarrass himself. I think both Mayberry and Diamond failed this test, and for that reason were bad picks.
Go Rice Owls!
by JBImaknee on Sep 1, 2009 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How many college pitchers have three quality pitches, though?
by Adam J. Morris on Sep 1, 2009 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did Joba not have three plus pitches out of Nebraska?
by oc on Sep 1, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
mlb.com said about Crow in '08:
…showing three plus pitches to dominate hitters and establish himself as one of the top college arms, if not the top college arm, in the draft class.
Seems like they’re pretty common
by oc on Sep 1, 2009 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow you show ONE example
and proclaim its pretty common
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 Sep 1, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reports on them are common
Having three plus pitches in actuality is not.
Maybe plus in terms of very good for college baseball, but Joba and Crow did not have three plus pitches on the big-league scale back in college.
The “plus” thing is thrown around far too often, especially with young pitchers. Scouts rate players on the big-league scale, and plus pitches should also be rated on the big-league scale.
For example. Martin Perez’s curveball? Not plus yet. Probably will be once he totally harnesses it, and it is very very good for his age, but it isn’t plus yet.
by JasonCole on Sep 1, 2009 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Realistically tho
do you really need 3 plus pitches in the majors? 1 plus and 2 average pitches goes pretty far for a pitcher that knows what they are doing. That generally gets you in the rotation, anyway.
"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
by DJCahill on Sep 1, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep.
Exactly right.
The list of pitchers with three plus pitches in the Major Leagues is relatively short. Of current Rangers, I would say that only Neftali Feliz (from what he has shown thus far, but not in the minors) and Joaquin Benoit have true three plus-pitch arsenals.
by JasonCole on Sep 1, 2009 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are neftalis pitches plus though?
or are they just really good but look even better because of the awesomeness of his fastball?
or is it that they have plus potential?
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 Sep 1, 2009 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Since he has been in the Majors
the curveball and changeup have been plus, without a doubt. They weren’t that way in the minors. He is commanding both pitches with much more consistency. That’s why he has been so much more dominant in the Majors than he was at Triple-A.
Whether or not they stay that way, only time will tell. And we’ll have to wait and see if he can transition that into starting, assuming he does that. But that’s why I said, from what he has shown thus far in the Majors, because they haven’t looked plus until he got to Arlington.
by JasonCole on Sep 1, 2009 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't need three
but you need to be more than just “projectable,” which is what Diamond was.
It is more a question of how far away are they. Say 2 years away optimistically and 3 years on average. Verlander and Weaver fit that mold, as do other good college picks from recent years.
Go Rice Owls!
by JBImaknee on Sep 1, 2009 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I definitely agree
a college player really needs to be pretty polished and close to plugging in within a year or 2.
"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
by DJCahill on Sep 1, 2009 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That should be
a first round draft pick college player. In the later rounds everything is a crapshoot.
"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
by DJCahill on Sep 1, 2009 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two of the worst
Diamond could still develop into a fringe roogy, but I doubt he’ll ever be more than a 4A player who is yo-yo’d from AAA to a shitty major league team trying to find a Diamond in the rough. Points for pun.
That's why they call them business sox
by egriffey on Sep 1, 2009 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It prolly should have just been the VD twins
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 Sep 1, 2009 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I knew them in high school
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
by Rodney on Sep 1, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did they get rid of Beau Vaughns blog?
I go to a direct link and “page not found”
by Too Legit To quit on Sep 1, 2009 2:29 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Ohhhh booooo. They reprimanded(sp?) him for breaking the news of Gentry being called up.
That’s so stupid.
by Too Legit To quit on Sep 1, 2009 2:32 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I think it was because he broke the news
of Gentry losing his virginity.
Purgatory's kind of like the in-betweeny one. You weren't really shit, but you weren't all that great either. Like Tottenham.
by TheJeezus on Sep 1, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Damn the man
Always keeping the young bullpen blogger down
I hope this doesn’t stop him from blogging in the future he cracks me up
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Sep 1, 2009 3:00 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Beau has to apologize
http://rangersprospect.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/09/my-apologies.html
Boo. That was comedy gold.
"You dont know much do you, Big Steve?"
--Finnerty.Fan on Aug 13, 2009 5:13 PM PDT
by WestTxAg06 on Sep 1, 2009 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I saw...
I just hope it doesnt discourage him, cus that was funny. “Im here bitch!”
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
by rentz on Sep 1, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why do we have to trade him
If he clears waivers (which I believe he will) can’t we just keep him in our minors just not on the 40 man roster since this is his first DFA?
I wouldn’t mind holding onto him just in case he turns it around we may have a decent bullpen piece in him. If not then he is just a minor leaguer who is not blocking anyone
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 Sep 1, 2009 2:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Just to salvage something in case someone else claimed him (and if you’re suggesting that that is unlikely, I tend to agree).
by Brett Perryman on Sep 1, 2009 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah i doubt he gets claimed
So if so we will probably keep him correct?
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 Sep 1, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe he'll be our pitching equivalent of Cruz
we write him off, DFA him, everyone passes, then he starts dominating the world.
a boy can dream.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Sep 1, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Goodnight, sweet prince.
What could have been…
This should serve, however, as a jarring reminder to Rangers fans that even when the future looks its brightest, TNSTAAPP.
"I love winning." - rockin_rangers, on May 16, 2009
by ghtd36 on Sep 1, 2009 2:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This is a sad day for those of us who drank the DVD kool aid
I still think Diamond has a shot to develop into a late-blooming roogy type.
That's why they call them business sox
by egriffey on Sep 1, 2009 2:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And don't count
out Justin Thompson, either!
"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
by DJCahill on Sep 1, 2009 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How is Jeff Zimmerman's comeback going?
Go Rice Owls!
by JBImaknee on Sep 1, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
Did I waste a lot of ink, bandwidth, and trip to Lourdes offers for Justin Thompson. Underscores that injury can trump anything else that matters.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912) also -
"Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance."
~Ambrose Bierce
by Ed Coffin on Sep 1, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What ever happened to Matt Riley
After TJ and rehab he seemed to disappear without a work. At one time a good looking lefty.
Foolish consistency is the hobgobblin of little minds - Emerson
by RangerEddie on Sep 1, 2009 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember back in the day when Norm was all over this kids nuts
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 Sep 1, 2009 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Diamond
Hopefully he clears waivers and sticks with the organization. I don’t know if he’ll ever have a major-league career or not, but he’s one of the nicest players I’ve ever met.
Officially gay for Neftali Feliz
by RCCook on Sep 1, 2009 3:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jeff Bailey
was DFA’ed by the Red Sox today. He’s pretty much a 1B/DH type, but he’s a righty who has historically mashed lefties and he’s a power/patience guy, so he may be a guy worth looking at. Just throwing it out there.
What is this, Horseville? Because I'm surrounded by naysayers.
by clark on Sep 1, 2009 3:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Is Wash gonna play him over Borbon, Byrd, Jones, or Blalock?
If not then whats the point
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 Sep 1, 2009 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't care how or why this happened
this sucks.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Sep 1, 2009 4:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Guess we can officially play taps for the DVD combo.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
by lonestarJon on Sep 1, 2009 5:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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