Sunday a.m. Rangers stuff
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 10, 2010 8:29 AM CST
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PrintSo, we have some activity...after a couple of months of rumors and speculation, the DH and utility infielder roles have now been filled, meaning that the roster currently in place should be pretty close to what we can expect to see on Opening Day.
Evan Grant says that this move is the offensive version of the Rich Harden acquisition, adding a player who can give you a high level of performance when he is healthy, but who (at least in 2009) wasn't healthy often enough. Grant also reminds us that, coming off a 2004 season where a Ranger team in rebuilding mode turned into a surprising contender, the Rangers gave a one year, $5 million deal to Richard Hidalgo, a deal that turned out to be a bust, although Grant suggests that Guerrero is a better acquisition that Hidalgo was.
Anthony Andro also has a write-up on the acquisition of Guerrero and of Khalil Greene, the former Padre shortstop who has the inside track on the utility job.
Richard Durrett says having Vlad Guerrero in the lineup will make everyone else in the lineup better. I don't know that I necessarily agree with that, but Guerrero should be an upgrade over a David Murphy/Joe Inglett platoon.
T.R. Sullivan has a story up detailing Greene's travails the past few years, with some quotes from his college coach talking about how hard Greene has been working this offseason.
At this point, the Ranger bench presumably will be Greene, David Murphy, a catcher, and someone else. The question now is who that someone else will be...do they go with a true centerfielder who can provide insurance for Julio Borbon? Do they stick with recent acquisition Joe Inglett?
One of the concerns at this point is that the Rangers' only first baseman at this point is Chris Davis, who, of course, is anything but a sure thing right now. I have to wonder if the 25th man won't be someone who could be a 4C guy with a righty bat, someone who could start at first base against some lefties and provide some insurance if Davis flops again to start of 2010.
Richard Durrett has a Q&A up with Jarrod Saltalamacchia, with Salty talking about the issues regarding his return from injury.
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Damn, not gonna get him on a NRI
@Rotoworld_BB C. Lewis -R -KC : Lewis mulling multiyear offers from 6 teams http://tinyurl.com/y98t9c2
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
Multiyear deal for Colby
I can’t see that being a good investment in the player’s decline phase.
He has not managed to be successful in MLB. And, again, decline phase.
"[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 Jan 10, 2010 8:47 AM CST up reply actions
I don't know about "decline phase"
Isn’t he 30?
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Jan 10, 2010 8:48 AM CST up reply actions
Decline phase
I think of it as after 28, and definitely after 30, even though there are productive players that age.
"[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 Jan 10, 2010 8:55 AM CST up reply actions
That is on average, not every pitcher
…and a lot of SPs have great stretches in their early 30s. Lewis is a case that has enough juice but needed all of those things you add with age, and had factors delaying his upward arc.
You were right about not being able to assume he would be really cheap, though.
by Brett Perryman on Jan 10, 2010 11:14 AM CST up reply actions
haha
@injuryexpert $5m in Texas buys Vlad. $5m in Houston buys Brett Myers. Hmm.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
drayton
is he dead set on turning them into the Pirates?
Ed Wade is dead set
on turning them into his old Phillies club.
I'd go with Boggs
he can play a nice CF and either he can learn 1B or Murphy can continue learning it (they almost started him there some last season remember).
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
Or maybe Greene gets some AB's at 1st base and Gentry is on the team.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Jan 10, 2010 9:00 AM CST up reply actions
That was my thought
Boggs or Gentry, and get one of the other guys, (ie. Murphy, Greene, Salty), to familiarize themselves with 1B.
Gentry and Boggs also give you some speed off the bench
which is nice to have even if you don’t end up pinch-hitting all that much.
Eyyyy little darlin, don't shed no tear...
No woman, no pride!
"[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
Looks like the discussion over the 25th man is going to be our dominating topic till ST starts
And it’s an interesting, if largely insignificant topic. This team still doesn’t really have a true backup for either CF or 1B, and it’s also extremely left-handed at both positions (even Smoak, who would prolly get called up if Davis blows up, can’t hit lefties worth a shit).
So do you go for a backup 1B in the ilk of Garko or Lowell, who can provide some lefty-crushing off the bench, or do you make like Jim Bowden and roll with yet another OF like Gentry or Boggs who likely won’t contribute anything to the roster but backing up CF?
Oh, the headaches we’ll have debating this one.
If the Rangers were in the playoffs... the soundtrack could be one long continuous fart, and I would love it. - cmkelly
something else to consider
It would be nice if that last bench player has options so he could be sent down if needed for a pitcher.
|Space for Rent|
we already get a huge benefit by signing Vlad even if he does nothing
since we won’t ever have to face him again.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
HH in mourning today
Very sad to see him go. Regardless of whether it’s a smart move or not, Vlad was THE most exciting hitter I have ever had the privilege of watching. He will always be tied with this glorious era of Angels baseball. I’ll miss you Vlad.
No matter what happens from here on, it has been a great season.
by Rally Manatee on Jan 10, 2010 12:48 AM PST
I did not ask you if you have herpes I said is that a hairpiece?!?
i'm not sure i buy the Hidalgo comparison
Hidalgo was coming off of a 90 OPS+ season whereas Vlad is coming off of a 106 OPS+.
While I don’t think the Rangers are getting an All-Star, I think they are guaranteed to get an OPS+ above 100.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
The thing is...
…even if Vlad hits .270 with 20 HR’s, he’ll still be a feared batter. There isn’t a pitcher in MLB that wan’t so face Vlad with men on base. Hidalgo was a guy—Vlad is friggin’ VLAD.
by ncrangerfan on Jan 10, 2010 9:27 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
No doubt
Vlad has more than twice as many ABs, hell he has more career SBs that Big Dick has HRs…also more years below 100 OPS than above…Vlad has never had a season below 100.
Yep, solid comp.
"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.
Vlad had a 112 OPS in the 2nd half
last year. He was injured in the 1st half. He is much better than Hildago, Nevin, Jordan or any other veteran has been that the Rangers normally run through Arlington.
|Space for Rent|
Saying Vlad is the same as Hidalgo
or to Jordan or Nevin or Jones is lazy. Yeah, there are similarities in age and position – they were all outfielders in their decline phase. But they are markedly different players, all acquired under different circumstances.
I think some people believe every acquisition should described by past failures. Maybe someone could write an article about how all the Rangers did was acquire Justin Thompson, Todd van Poppel, and Brian Jordan and called it a day.
Go Rice Owls!
I sent him an email pointing out...
…that claiming Alomar is one of the 3-4 best second basemen of all time, when he’s pretty clearly behind Lajoie, Hornsby, Collins, and Morgan, detracts from his credibility, which is unfortunate because his central point — that Alomar is a no-doubt HOFer — is valid.
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 10, 2010 9:30 AM CST up reply actions
That jumped out at me too
He has a very valid point though.
"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.
I thought his central point was
that not all baseball writers are qualified to vote for the Hall of Fame and he used Alomar as an example.
Well
The question then becomes, who is qualified to vote for the HOF?
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 10, 2010 9:36 AM CST up reply actions
Former players and sabermetricians. Duh.
"Every Indian feels that where the ball is, there he should be, and though they do not altogether abandon an instinctive disposition, the glory of Lacrosse to them is in the exciting chases after the ball. The Indian village game was not intellectual enough for the whites, and needed systematizing; but never let this improvement be carried to such extreme as to spoil its extemporaneous peculiarities of fielding, and the general free character, which distinguishes it above all other field games."
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Jan 10, 2010 9:40 AM CST up reply actions
Find and replace. Find and replace.
"Every Indian feels that where the ball is, there he should be, and though they do not altogether abandon an instinctive disposition, the glory of Lacrosse to them is in the exciting chases after the ball. The Indian village game was not intellectual enough for the whites, and needed systematizing; but never let this improvement be carried to such extreme as to spoil its extemporaneous peculiarities of fielding, and the general free character, which distinguishes it above all other field games."
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Jan 10, 2010 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
The only correct answer
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
by WestTxAg06 on Jan 10, 2010 9:55 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I thought the point was
if I eat more ice cream then I could vote on the Hall of Fame.
Seriously though, I think it would be interesting to see what happens if the BBWAA had to vote off 5-10 of their own writers a year for incompetence. I bet that would changes some votes…
Great success with the pic.
Let it rip, Big Daddy Vladdy!! Where’s Rudy ?!
"Every Indian feels that where the ball is, there he should be, and though they do not altogether abandon an instinctive disposition, the glory of Lacrosse to them is in the exciting chases after the ball. The Indian village game was not intellectual enough for the whites, and needed systematizing; but never let this improvement be carried to such extreme as to spoil its extemporaneous peculiarities of fielding, and the general free character, which distinguishes it above all other field games."
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Jan 10, 2010 9:29 AM CST reply actions
Depth
Agree with the Harden/Vlad comparison. Minor league depth might be very important this year for hitters and pitchers.
And I much prefer getting “leadership” from the 25th man than the DH. Now might be a good time to revisit the Lowell trade, since the Rangers wouldn’t necessarily need Lowell to be able to contribute as a hitter from day 1. Also, since they wouldn’t be trading for him to get run production, maybe the offer comes down in accordance with the price due to less leverage for Theo. If I were Theo, I think I would hold on to Lowell and let him potentially build some trade value on an early season minor league rehab.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Does anybody (other than AJM) really believe that Inglett was brought here to be part of a DH platoon
Doubt it
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
Does AJM believe that Inglett was brought here to be part of a DH platoon?
No. I’m just pointing out that, as the roster was constructed prior to the Vlad signing, that’s who would likely be Murphy’s platoon partner at DH.
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 10, 2010 9:37 AM CST up reply actions
Teagarden?
The guy who didn’t hit well enough to catch regularly in 2009?
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 10, 2010 9:44 AM CST up reply actions
Well ok
I think that’s not really worth pointing out then, because you knew they were going to make a move so who cares if Inglett was the “current option on the roster.”
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jan 10, 2010 9:38 AM CST up reply actions
Umm
Okay. I’m sorry you don’t feel it is worth pointing out. It wasn’t the main point of my post, and you choosing to focus on it seems weird, but that’s fine.
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 10, 2010 9:45 AM CST up reply actions
ok, I can live with that
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jan 10, 2010 9:57 AM CST up reply actions
Murphy = backup 1st baseman?
I know that has been mentioned before, but haven’t heard anyone from the organization comment on it lately
by Hard8 on Jan 10, 2010 9:44 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Talked to someone who met Nolan Ryan's friend's friend at a super market the other day.
Among discussing the high price of cheese, and how the dollar is currently crashing the Friend Of A Friend of Nolan’s said they could neither confirm, or deny this.
I'm just goofin' new boot goofin'
I believe they've talked about him taking some grounders there
and working on 1B defense a little bit.
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
He has
He played some first base the last time he was here. But having him up here to play 1B once a week, coming off a lost season, is problematic.
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 10, 2010 10:34 AM CST up reply actions
this is his last year with options as well
so if it doesn’t happen this year, we’d likely lose him on waivers the next
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
One problem with Vlad
The guy swings at everything. Talking to my brother-in-law, Bobby Grich, last season, he said it was having a bad effect on the plate discipline of the whole team because you can’t teach Vlad to be anything but what he is. We have a team that Clint is trying to get to think about at bats and hitting situationally. We need more BB. And in the middle of our lineup is a guy who doesn’t line up with that philosophy.
knocking the living shit
out of the ball, no matter where it is, is a great philosophy…one that has worked well for Vlad so far…i really doubt anyone is going to complain about him being in the middle of our lineup
But he has a career OBP of .386
and has never struck out more than 100 times in a season.
|Space for Rent|
Vlad's 36 years old and comparable hitters
don’t age very well. The team OBP last year was .320 and I don’t see how anybody can say that it’s improved.
This would have been a great off-season if this was 2005.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Jan 10, 2010 10:29 AM CST up reply actions
The War is over and your side lost.
Let the healing begin.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Jan 10, 2010 10:34 AM CST up reply actions
hank is a real hot commodity these days.
i hear he’ll be getting a minor league offer any day now.
the preceding post was a great success.
The War is over, DShepp. Hank F
will be playing for somebody else next year.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Jan 10, 2010 10:43 AM CST up reply actions
I heard he got a 3/30 offer
but it was from some guy in Plano, not, like, a major league team
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
by Keynes on Jan 10, 2010 11:19 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
3 years @ $10.00 per.....nice
More than what I thought he would get. The guy in Plano must be doing well for himself.
Josey Wales born on LSB July 18, 2006 Jumped the shark--That glorious day in 2008. RIP Josey Wales.
In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
Nov. 27 - 8:43 am et
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have made contact with the representatives for free agent Hank Blalock.
Blalock, 29, had a rough 2009 campaign, finishing with a .234/.277/.459 batting line. But he did hit 25 home runs and the Pirates don’t have a clear-cut starter at first base. If he does sign with Pittsburgh, it’ll most likely be on a short-term deal designed to revitalize his value.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Wow, not a damn thing since…
"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.
I don't even...
remember that.
It seems like there has been as close to zero interest in Blalock as there could be. Sad, really.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Man...
For the good that Hank F actually gave this team at one point, I really feel sorry for him.
I mean, if the damned Pirates don’t even want him, who the hell will?
just for the hell of it
if you’re the rangers, would you offer Hank a NRI
Nobody is perfect, i am nobody, therefore, i am perfect
You can't do that...
imo that would be an even bigger slap in the face to the guy than not offering him ant deal at all.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Here are his comparables...
through age 34:
1. Duke Snider (879) *
2. Jim Rice (873) *
3. Juan Gonzalez (868)
4. Gary Sheffield (864)
5. Billy Williams (864) *
6. Manny Ramirez (860)
7. Jeff Bagwell (858)
8. Rafael Palmeiro (856)
9. Orlando Cepeda (846) *
10. Frank Thomas (845)
"Blalock in the cleanup spot makes gives me agita." - Dustin
Palmeiro, Bagwell, Manny, Juando, Sheffield = PED
Cepeda, Rice and Snider were all done at 35-35 and Williams hung around until 38.
Vlad was a beast in the day but JD is asking a 36 year old in steep decline to turn back the clock and that’s always dangerous and rarely successful.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Jan 10, 2010 10:42 AM CST up reply actions
Vlad's OPS in 2010
Set the over/under.
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 10, 2010 10:44 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
.850
"Every Indian feels that where the ball is, there he should be, and though they do not altogether abandon an instinctive disposition, the glory of Lacrosse to them is in the exciting chases after the ball. The Indian village game was not intellectual enough for the whites, and needed systematizing; but never let this improvement be carried to such extreme as to spoil its extemporaneous peculiarities of fielding, and the general free character, which distinguishes it above all other field games."
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Jan 10, 2010 10:51 AM CST up reply actions
But you said...
comparable batters don’t age well. That’s a list of comparable batters, at least half of which did age well. PED’s or no, the facts aren’t backing up your claim.
"Blalock in the cleanup spot makes gives me agita." - Dustin
I may be in the minority in this
but I really don’t give a crap anymore who uses PEDs.
by aggierangerfan00 on Jan 10, 2010 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
-1
Let football deal with the PED freaks.
Baseball, the most historically corrupt sport, is the one that has cleaned itself up the fastest.
"Every Indian feels that where the ball is, there he should be, and though they do not altogether abandon an instinctive disposition, the glory of Lacrosse to them is in the exciting chases after the ball. The Indian village game was not intellectual enough for the whites, and needed systematizing; but never let this improvement be carried to such extreme as to spoil its extemporaneous peculiarities of fielding, and the general free character, which distinguishes it above all other field games."
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Jan 10, 2010 11:02 AM CST up reply actions
Wait dude
You think baseball has cleaned up? Don’t let the mainstream media fool you.
by aggierangerfan00 on Jan 10, 2010 11:03 AM CST up reply actions
What's dirty about it?
I’m not the fool in this room.
"Every Indian feels that where the ball is, there he should be, and though they do not altogether abandon an instinctive disposition, the glory of Lacrosse to them is in the exciting chases after the ball. The Indian village game was not intellectual enough for the whites, and needed systematizing; but never let this improvement be carried to such extreme as to spoil its extemporaneous peculiarities of fielding, and the general free character, which distinguishes it above all other field games."
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Jan 10, 2010 11:04 AM CST up reply actions
There continues to be players caught every year on all levels
There is no fool in the room, everyone knows that there will be cheaters every year and to think that baseball is exempt from that is incorrect.
by aggierangerfan00 on Jan 10, 2010 11:08 AM CST up reply actions
Hmm?
The trend as a whole, is that the game is cleaning up.
Just because idiots in the minors get caught doesn’t mean anything.
I don’t think you’ll see as many ML’ers risking their careers with the new sanctions in place.
Do you beg to differ?
"Every Indian feels that where the ball is, there he should be, and though they do not altogether abandon an instinctive disposition, the glory of Lacrosse to them is in the exciting chases after the ball. The Indian village game was not intellectual enough for the whites, and needed systematizing; but never let this improvement be carried to such extreme as to spoil its extemporaneous peculiarities of fielding, and the general free character, which distinguishes it above all other field games."
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Jan 10, 2010 11:25 AM CST up reply actions
It's not just about PED's. This name ring a bell?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Jeffress
"Every Indian feels that where the ball is, there he should be, and though they do not altogether abandon an instinctive disposition, the glory of Lacrosse to them is in the exciting chases after the ball. The Indian village game was not intellectual enough for the whites, and needed systematizing; but never let this improvement be carried to such extreme as to spoil its extemporaneous peculiarities of fielding, and the general free character, which distinguishes it above all other field games."
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Jan 10, 2010 11:28 AM CST up reply actions
Exception to the rule.
In all ways. He will get into the HOF, no question. You can’t say that about McGwire, Clemens, etc.
Maybe he should listen to his medical team, or anyone, for a change. He obviously doesn’t care for cycling off of whatever he was on.
"Every Indian feels that where the ball is, there he should be, and though they do not altogether abandon an instinctive disposition, the glory of Lacrosse to them is in the exciting chases after the ball. The Indian village game was not intellectual enough for the whites, and needed systematizing; but never let this improvement be carried to such extreme as to spoil its extemporaneous peculiarities of fielding, and the general free character, which distinguishes it above all other field games."
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Jan 10, 2010 8:02 PM CST up reply actions
HGH isn't tested
so who’s to say no one is using it
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
If it isn't tested
I guarantee you people are using it.
There is no question about it.
At some point, it’s like legislating the internet.
How the fuck are you going to go about that, exactly?
"Every Indian feels that where the ball is, there he should be, and though they do not altogether abandon an instinctive disposition, the glory of Lacrosse to them is in the exciting chases after the ball. The Indian village game was not intellectual enough for the whites, and needed systematizing; but never let this improvement be carried to such extreme as to spoil its extemporaneous peculiarities of fielding, and the general free character, which distinguishes it above all other field games."
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Jan 10, 2010 11:32 AM CST up reply actions
Little Brother,
Do you think poorly disciplined hitters who don’t command the strike-zone age well?
Vlad is such a freak that it’s difficult to project what he’s going to do but simple logic tells you he’s going to break down physically and his poor plate discipline is eventually going to catch up with him.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Jan 10, 2010 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
I'm saying...
that the list of comparable players doesn’t agree with your statement that comparable players don’t age well.
"Blalock in the cleanup spot makes gives me agita." - Dustin
Did you see Frank Thomas play?
A little more patience as a hitter than Vlad, don’t you think?
Same with Sheffield and Manny.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Jan 10, 2010 10:57 AM CST up reply actions
Okay...
then link to a list of what you believe are comparable hitters. I went and got a list from an objective source, so you can’t just throw out a list of players that didn’t age well that you say are comparable to him. Link to some list and we can compare.
"Blalock in the cleanup spot makes gives me agita." - Dustin
I gave you hitters (from the same objective source)
that weren’t using PEDs and they were all done at 35-37 years old.
If Vlad is back on the juice, he might be decent next year.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Jan 10, 2010 11:08 AM CST up reply actions
My fault...
for trying to engage you in an actual conversation.
You’ve set up a false tautology, i.e., if he’s decent then he’s on PED’s. Further, if he’s decent, Nolan was behind signing him. This is ridiculous, plus you got his age wrong.
"Blalock in the cleanup spot makes gives me agita." - Dustin
I don't think Vlad & The Big Hurt were similar
hitters in approach although their results (when younger) may have had similarities.
Make no mistake, this off-season is all JD.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Jan 10, 2010 11:31 AM CST up reply actions
make no mistake
this has been a good offseason, especially when you consider the financial situation of the team, but I know you can’t open your mind new horizons.
you don’t like the Rangers, face it
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
I thought you have said
that Nolan allowed JD to try to replace MB’s offense last year and because he failed so miserably at it, Nolan was going to have to implement more change this off-season and make it happen.
Vlad
What evidence do you have that he was juicing before?
"To have the judgment and wisdom and personal touch of Nolan Ryan, and the tremendous group that JD has assembled, I think the Rangers on the baseball side are the envy of every franchise in baseball in terms of talent."
-- Chuck Greenberg
What evidence does Josey have for anything?
Josey doesn’t need facts they only get in the way of his argument.
Josey Wales born on LSB July 18, 2006 Jumped the shark--That glorious day in 2008. RIP Josey Wales.
In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
poorly disciplined hitters who don’t command the strike-zone
Is not Vlad Guerrero. Among players with more than 7000PAs, his K rate of 12.4% is virtually the same as Roberto Alomar, Lofton, Mercer, Yount and Ordonez. His BB% is the same as Vizquel, Simmons, Baylor, Ripken and Fisk. His BB/K rate is compares with Ken Griffey, Schmidt, Will Clark and Duke Snider.
Dave Kingman, Benito Santiago, Lee May, Garry Templeton, Matt Williams, Devon White, Joe Carter and Andre Dawson are guys that were poorly disciplined and didn’t command the strike zone.
|Space for Rent|
I think it is fair
to say that Guerrero is a one of a kind type of guy. He takes a huge hack, swings at a lot of pitches, doesnt walk much but yet doesnt strike that much either. I definitely believe that we are looking on 2010’s version of Bobby Abreu in terms of lineup impact.
"More than likely JW never played sports above the youth level. It amazes me that he seems to have no concept on the common reactions of an adult athlete or their normal interactions between each other." - laxonto
by Michael Cave on Jan 10, 2010 11:53 AM CST up reply actions
I imagine that
Vlad’s presence will give Hamilton an enormous confidence boost, similar to the effect Milton Bradley had on the entire offense.
"Every Indian feels that where the ball is, there he should be, and though they do not altogether abandon an instinctive disposition, the glory of Lacrosse to them is in the exciting chases after the ball. The Indian village game was not intellectual enough for the whites, and needed systematizing; but never let this improvement be carried to such extreme as to spoil its extemporaneous peculiarities of fielding, and the general free character, which distinguishes it above all other field games."
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Jan 10, 2010 12:07 PM CST up reply actions
Plus some lineup
protection.
"More than likely JW never played sports above the youth level. It amazes me that he seems to have no concept on the common reactions of an adult athlete or their normal interactions between each other." - laxonto
by Michael Cave on Jan 10, 2010 12:50 PM CST up reply actions
What credible evidence
do you have that Bagwell used PED’s??
If you’re going to throw out accusations, back them up.
In vino, veritas
The team OBP will improve simply by filling DH with ANY warm body
It doesn’t take much to improve on the Hank/Andruw OBP machine.
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
by WestTxAg06 on Jan 10, 2010 7:07 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Granted he's a freak
But how many on our team can we afford to have emulate him with near that success? That’s the point. Hoping Clint can keep them focused on what they can do with their own approach.
What's the expected difference between Avg and OBP for a patient hitter?
I’m guessing Grich is an outlier with more than a hundred points, but I don’t know where Vlad’s 65 put him. Also, I would somewhat expect the spread to decrease as Avg rose. Right?
Anything over .070 is pretty good
Anything over .100 is excellent
"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 Jan 10, 2010 11:28 AM CST up reply actions
I'm wondering if the plan isn't to count on Smoak if Davis flops again.
Can’t say I like that plan if it’s true.
I don't mind it
I think Smoak pretty clearly looks like he’s going to be ready this season and would be as good as most of the scrubs we’d get to play 1B if Davis flops. The only problem is if Davis flops early in the season before Smoak is ready.
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
Curious to know what would be your preference of these two offseason scenarios to fill the DH position:
(1) Rangers sign Cameron (same contract Boston gave him) and use one of Cruz/Hamilton as DH.
(2) The Vlad signing.
I’m not saying the Rangers could’ve had option (1) nor am I trying to say “I wish we could’ve…”. I’m just interested to hear which option folks think is the better strategy, hypothetically. A thought experiment.
I would prefer Hamilton, Cameron, Cruz/Murphy with Borbon as 4th OF and Cruz/Murphy as DH to the Vlad signing. I like the idea of Cameron being a mentor to Borbon, and I think the defense OF coverage is much better with (1), even if RW prefers Murphy to Cruz in the OF. Also, I think RW would have a hard time mismanaging AB with (1), because he probably isn’t going to start Borbon at DH, so even if he puts Murphy in RF ahead of Cruz, I would think Cruz would be in the lineup as DH.
With option (2) there is still the possibility that RW doesn’t see Murphy as a 4th OF and starts him ahead of Cruz way too many times, and there is the likelihood that Borbon will be only average or less as a defender as well as as a batter.
Even though Vlad is a “presence” in the batting order, I like option (1) better.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
By being a mentor
do you mean teaching borbon how to shoot up and hit homeruns instead of use his speed?
I get frustrated
when the only real problem with #2 is that Wash may use him wrong. If the problem with planning the team is that the manager may misuse the players, then you get a new manager. You can’t start constructing a team around your manager’s weaknesses.
Go Rice Owls!
If its Hamilton as the DH
I’ll take option one, but the Vlad signing has a pretty good upside as well. With Cruz or Hamilton moving to the DH, you’re not gaining much on defense. Both Cruz and Hamilton are plus defensive players you’re moving to the DH spot and Borbon’s arm would be exposed more in a corner spot. Cameron’s offense though is a much safer bet than Vlad’s plus you get the additional benefit of keeping Hamilton healthy at DH.
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
Option 1
With Cameron you get decent hitting and a solid defensive OF all the way around. I’m a little leery of Hamilton playing most every day in LF since Arlington has so much room to cover there.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
couldnt Bourbon help Hammy the way Elvis helped MY?
Nobody is perfect, i am nobody, therefore, i am perfect
Yeah, sure
I guess, but not as much as DHing more would help.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Goldstein top 11
Five-Star Prospects
1. Neftali Feliz, RHP
2. Martin Perez, LHP
3. Justin Smoak, 1B
Four-Star Prospects
4. Tanner Scheppers, RHP
Three-Star Prospects
5. Jurickson Profar, SS
6. Danny Gutierrez, RHP
7. Mitch Moreland, RF
8. Michael Main, RHP
9. Engel Beltre, CF
10. Wilmer Font, RHP
11. Robbie Ross, LHP
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9927
"Clearly, I've been wrong. VY is awesome." - AJM
I find all the clamor of "Where do you have these prospects ranked?"
bleeping hilarious.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
by Josey Wales on Jan 10, 2010 11:10 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
but you’re going to make a lot of people upset with that statement.
by aggierangerfan00 on Jan 10, 2010 11:12 AM CST up reply actions
I find your random uses of "bleeping", considering your frequent profanity on here, odd and inexplicable
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
by WestTxAg06 on Jan 10, 2010 7:11 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Aggie
Go fuck yourself in the mouth.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"Business as usual." - Tom Hicks on the Ranger off-season 11/19/09
After you get Hank's balls out of your mouth paperboy
Josey Wales born on LSB July 18, 2006 Jumped the shark--That glorious day in 2008. RIP Josey Wales.
In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
Ahh, you're such a quality individual
"Dying ain't hard. It’s living in the wake of a thorough public humiliation that’s hard.--JDT217
Internet greatness http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/11/10/1125340/will-carroll-calls-out-josey-wales
by WestTxAg06 on Jan 10, 2010 9:05 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
If he could fuck himself in the mouth
do you really think he’d be spending time on the internet?
by JBP on Jan 10, 2010 9:58 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Wow
Even his plate discipline is beyond his years, as over 91 at-bats in a secondary Dominican League this summer, he drew a whopping 26 walks while striking out just eight times.
by Brett Perryman on Jan 10, 2010 11:20 AM CST up reply actions
after reading what he said about profar
im getting happy cited.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
Have we been overrating Robbie Ross?
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
no list is the same
but Ross is still top 10 on most everybody’s list.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Four More:
12. Miguel Velasquez, OF: The ultra-talented outfielder could be on the verge of a breakout if his personal issues are totally behind him.
13. Kasey Kiker, LHP: He has big-league arm, but size and command issues could push him to the bullpen.
14. Max Ramirez, C: His 2009 season was ruined by injuries to both wrists, but his power returned in Venezuela this winter.
15. Guillermo Moscoso, RHP: A deception and command specialist, he could end up as a valuable swingman.
|Space for Rent|
Regarding Vlad>>>>
I’m pretty sure that I have never heard him speak. Does he speak English at all? He made his first All Star team 11 years ago and has been a big name in the sport ever since, but I have never heard him interviewed.
I seem to recall The Great Donovan (wooooooo) doing a bit in the Angels’ clubhouse a couple of seasons ago and Donnie Doo claimed that Vlad wanted NO part of any of it.
I don’t care if the guy speaks English or doesn’t give interviews, all that matters is performance on the field. Just seems strange in this day of media overkill that I’ve never heard him talk.
I haven't either
or even read any translated interviews with him. Think he’s shy of the media. Which is ok with me. I wonder how his “leadership qualities” are, never heard anything about that either.
Vlad
I think he does speak English, but his whole career, he’s been a very, very private individual. I know he’s very close to his mother, who often lives with him during the season, and he’s somewhat outgoing with other Latinos on his team, but other than that, he tends to keep to himself off the field and in the clubhouse.
"To have the judgment and wisdom and personal touch of Nolan Ryan, and the tremendous group that JD has assembled, I think the Rangers on the baseball side are the envy of every franchise in baseball in terms of talent."
-- Chuck Greenberg
Yes, and this is
absolute conjecture, but I wonder if Vlad will help Nellie Cruz’s situation. Another quietish, marginal english speaker in the outfield corps, but this one is a veteran and a masher. It’s a reach but maybe he’ll make Wash view Nellie a little differently.
Nellie
I think his contralto English is fairly good
Yeah, im pretty sure I've heard him speak very well and intelligently.
Although vlad is probably an idol of his anyway and someone he will be glad to be around.
the preceding post was a great success.
That's right t ball
I could have said “tenor English”, but that would be so meh that you wouldn’t have bothered to reply.
You could be on to something there.
Although there are a lot worse places in the U.S. for Latinos to be “stuck” than in North Texas.
"Every Indian feels that where the ball is, there he should be, and though they do not altogether abandon an instinctive disposition, the glory of Lacrosse to them is in the exciting chases after the ball. The Indian village game was not intellectual enough for the whites, and needed systematizing; but never let this improvement be carried to such extreme as to spoil its extemporaneous peculiarities of fielding, and the general free character, which distinguishes it above all other field games."
"Nothing we do here has a point" - Czar Morris
by inactive lsb user on Jan 10, 2010 12:00 PM CST up reply actions
This is an exciting lineup
Julio Borbon
Michael Young
Josh Hamilton
Vladimir Guerrero
Ian Kinsler
Nelson Cruz
Chris Davis
J. Saltalamacchia
Elvis Andrus
I’m very pumped about getting Vlad. He’s always been one of my faves, back to the Expos days. He’ll challenge Elvis for “best smile” honors in the yearbook this year.
He has a good smile, indeed
But Elvis’ smile is damn near magic
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
It's hard...
not to like the Vlad and Greene moves. A lot of question marks with those two guys, but they are certainly better options then what was already on the team.
I’m ready for some fucking baseball.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
There used to be
An elite custom sutimaker in Philadelphia, called GGG (3G in the soft goods jargon).
I was reminded of them thinking about the Rangers offseason. Greenberg, Guerrero, Greene.
Suits me just fine.
"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 Jan 10, 2010 11:32 AM CST up reply actions
Suitmakor of course
…..
"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 Jan 10, 2010 11:33 AM CST up reply actions
The big question is
Do the moves make it more likely that the Rangers win the division? I dont see how you could say no. That being said, the Angels and Mariners will both be extremely tough. The Angels were pretty clearly the best team in the division and have been for a while, I’m not willing to count them out just yet.
Maybe Disney needs to make a "Rangers in the Outfield" movie.
Then we’ll be super awesome in the following years.
or get a rally cow?
though i kind of like the dinosaurs from the GDT
Nobody is perfect, i am nobody, therefore, i am perfect
On that topic
It’s just cool that you can argue that it’s a wide open looking race. It has been a long, long time since I really thought that. Like, a decade maybe.
by Brett Perryman on Jan 10, 2010 3:31 PM CST up reply actions
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