Sunday a.m. Rangers stuff
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 24, 2010 9:40 AM CST
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PrintAs one would expect, this morning's stuff is all about the sale going through...
Jeff Wilson has a story up on the deal in the Star Telegram, writing that Tom Hicks has a small piece of the team than was initially anticipated, and won't have a seat on the board of directors.
T.R. Sullivan also has a story on the sale up, and he notes that the hope is that the process will be finished, and the transfer of ownership accomplished, by April.
Evan Grant writes that the pressure is now on Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg, to spend the money and make the moves to make this team a championship team.
The DMN has a timeline up of Tom Hicks' tenure as owner of the team.
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Here's to a new era
filled with playoff vitctories
by BuckyB on Jan 24, 2010 9:44 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
:D
"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.
Good God.
I woke up today feeling the same way I did back in college after a night of beer bongs, threesomes, and pretty much all around epicness. Completly worn down, but with a huge smile on my face and loving life. This could easily be the greatest week of my life. Thank you Chuck.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
Grant's Article
Grant specifically mentioned money once in his article, and it was in relation to free agents. It makes me wonder about LA signings or going over slot in the draft. Will public perception be focused solely on free agents? How will other members of the press pass judgement on the new management? I hope there is some sane temperament to the expectations of this team going forward.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Jan 24, 2010 10:02 AM CST reply actions
I wouldn't say my article is about money
It’s about the thankless task of ownership. I mentioned money to show that when Hicks spent money, he was criticized. And when he didn’t, he was criticized. Lord knows, he deserved a lot of the criticism, but not all of it.
My point is that no matter how well-intentioned and how well thought out the plans of Ryan and Greenberg, if they don’t win, they are going to be criticized. You can do everything right as an owner and if the guys on the field don’t produce, it’s your fault. Either you shouldn’t have spent the money on the guys you did, or you should have spent more for better players.
I guess I should have made it more clear that it’s all about results in the public’s eye. That’s how good ownership seems to be defined these days in public perception.
Agree or disagree?
Mostly Agree
But, if owners are going to stick their nose into player-personnel decisions (ala Cuban and Jerry), then you are taking the risky position of win-or-be-hated. When Cuban and Jerry win they are the most beloved of owners in the country.
When Hicks insisted on getting the players he wanted to in the early 2000’s, he better have been right.
The owners who keep their faces out of the media and do not influence the decision-making of the GM (other than giving the green-light to spend money), imo, won’t be nearly as hated/beloved
Also,
we all have suspicions that Hicks drove the Rangers into financial troubles in order to purchase Liverpool (although nobody seems to have the definitive answer as to the merit of this accusation), and anytime your owner shows that he is willing to damage your franchise on behalf of someone else’s, I think it’s appropriate to tell him to screw off
Agree
I realize that your article was not about money. However, Adam’s summation said that the pressure is on the new ownership to “spend money” and then to make the moves to bring home a championship (at least that is how I read the recap). I guess what I should have said is that I don’t agree with Adam’s summary because it seems like the point of your article is not about spending more money.
I also agree about public perception being the key to the “success” of ownership. However, I have not lived in the DFW area for several years now, so I am not really in tune with how the public feels. As such, I took your mention of money and free agents to mean that the public does not really care about LA signings or going over slot in the draft. Was I wrong do so? How about other members of the local press, will they too be focus on free agent signings? Thanks for your input.
by Excel Hearts Choi on Jan 24, 2010 10:49 AM CST up reply actions
Agreed
The new ownership group bought at the right time it would seem. Seeing how the farm system is set up and appears to be on the verge of something special.
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
I would have to agree, but just to an extent.
With Hicks, it seemed like he was on both ends of the spectrum. At one time, he was at the big spending end and gave the enormous deal to A-rod. Ugh.
Now recently he had a team that was on the cusp of the playoffs, a deep farm, and budding stars. Yet he handcuffed the GM in spending to get them over the hump. It is kind of like working the count for your pitch and then you lay down a bunt.
I agree that a winning team will cure all and make the fans happy towards the management. But I think it is possible to have a positive view of ownership and not make it to the World Series every year. As long as the team is moving forward and there is a goal that is greater than the last, you can still look good to your fanbase.
Hicks did a good job of putting the right people in place and getting the Rangers in position to win, but he layed down a bunt when it time to make the next step and put in the final pieces.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
Maybe in other places.
If the front office puts together major league teams that should be good backed up with a talented and intelligent minor league player acquisition and development plan, but still fail to win a World Series or ALCS, I doubt many here are going to call for anyone’s head. Even if that means he decides that JD isn’t right for the job and brings in his own personnel.
In other words, fans, especially here, have moved past just evaluating teams on whether they won the World Series or made it there. Good organizations tend to get their chances in the playoffs, what happens when you get there involves more luck. When rooting for moves in ownership or the front office, I’m hoping for intelligence and competence.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jan 24, 2010 11:39 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
I think the point is consistency
The problem with Hicks is that he made promises that he couldn’t back up.
If the Greenberg/Ryan group comes out and says something realistic about payroll (say 90-100 mil), then sticks to it, things will be fine.
Don’t come in here saying you expect to compete with the Yankees then in 5 years compete with the A’s and Marlins.
Heres a question for you then
What if the new ownership comes in and takes a long look at the team and decides there aren’t really any areas that they should go spend big money on. They may decide the way we did things this offseason with one year high risk/high reward deals are the way to go to supplement the good young talent we already have in place. And that good young talent goes on to win and make the playoffs who gets the credit? Will you go give Hicks any credit since he was the owner when all this talent was acquired? Or will it be the Doug Melvin effect where people heap praise on the new owners even though they are winning with the same people we had when Hicks was owner?
Its perfectly reasonable to see a team in a couple years that could be WS contenders with a payroll not much bigger than what we currently have.
Payroll should be player specific. If a player helps us win then go after him. If that player only costs a few million then fine. If they cost tens of millions fine. But this theory that we need a bar that we have to spend is what leads to signing guys for ridiculous contracts.
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 will give the credit to JD and the off the field
talent he put together to put a good product between the lines. Did Hicks hire JD yes but did he hire him because he was cheap or because he thought he had talent? I think he hired him because he was cheap and it turned out to be a great hire with what he has doen with the farm to get to this point.
Fuck, fuck face Hicks…
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
Why would Hicks get credit for the work JD's staff has done?
He should get credit for signing off on the plan, but the execution of the plan is the front office. You can’t really compare Melvin and Hicks. Melvin wasn’t an owner. Melvin deserved credit for talent acquisition, Tom Hicks doesn’t.
I didn’t say payroll shouldn’t be player specific. I said consistency is in order. Don’t tell me you’re going to compete with the Yankees financially then spend 60 million on payroll on a year to year basis. Obviously they shouldn’t spend money just to spend money.
An argument could be made that Hicks did his part when he increased payroll to $100 million
unfortunately, that didn’t improve results on the field and the fans didn’t rush to support the $100 million payroll as attendance decreased, rather than increased.
Park, Van Poppel etc. all bad contracts
There is is a right way to drop a lot of cash and a wrong way. Just because you have it doesn’t mean you have to spend it on shit.
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
This is the reason I'm hesitant on Sheets.
Granted, those were multi-year deals and Sheets will be a one year deal. And Sheets isn’t exactly sh^t. But I think just because the Rangers have the money doesn’t mean they need to spend it.
I’ll say it again: I love the way our pitching looks right now. Let’s play the games and then make the adjustments.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
Sheets on a 1 year deal is worth it.
If he were demanding multiple years coming off the surgery I’d say no.
Did you say no last year
when the Rangers had a 2 year deal on the table?
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
He was hurt
I wouldn’t mind him here on a one year deal with a team option for $7M or so.
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
He ended the year hurt, but it wasn't until his physical that the surgery was determined.
Knowing everything we knew at the time, I was fine with it. Obviously when he failed his physical I was against it.
I’d be fine with 1 year at 7 mil and a team option, but why would he give a team option?
"He ended the year hurt, but it wasn't until his physical that the surgery was determined".
Yea, I guess that’s why he had offers from 29 other teams also?
I'm not sure what that has to do with anything.
It’s accepted fact that Rangers doctors told him he needed surgery. He didn’t take a physical with any other team. We also have no idea what other kinds of offers he had.
Based on what we knew at the time (that he does have an injury history, but that he threw 148 and 198 IP in back to back years), I was fine with 2/20.
One great way
is to use it to lock up your own young talent so you don’t have to trade it away when they get close to FA. I love the haul we got for Tex, but it would be nice to be able to keep some of those guys…
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 24, 2010 3:14 PM CST up reply actions
Exactly
If they’re adding significant payroll from outside the organization it needs to fill a significant need. This Rangers squad doesn’t need to spend significant money to fill out the backend of the roster like those early 2000’s squads needed to.
swampdonkey is Hicks bastard son
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
I'm not sticking up for anybody
I just think you don’t have to be a jackass about things. Hicks is no longer the owner and I’m glad the deal got done (short of approval by the owners and creditors). But if insulting billionaires somehow overcomes the fact that you aren’t one, then have at it. I’m sure you can find a therapist somewhere that will take your money and tell you it’s a healthy behavior.
I don't care how rich someone is
If they come in and fuck up the Texas Rangers, I’m going to hate them profusely
Yup, we hate Hicks because we want to be him.
“You must not be from around here…”
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jan 24, 2010 10:58 PM CST up reply actions
I'll give him credit for sticking with JD and giving him a chance.
Something I don’t think enough owners do.
yeah,
I don’t think he gets enough credit for that, and for not going with a baseball executive with “experience” like Cam Bonifay or something.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
I've mentioned before
his track record with all of his GM type hires has been to either hire a celebrity name (in every case but Hart and Klinsmann, one with direct local ties, and since Klinsmann had become a soccer celebrity in the US especially after the ’06 WC he was about as familiar of a name as Hicks would know of) or to promote the assistant of the guy he fired. Of all of his moves, Hart was the most unfamiliar name, and Hart was a GM celebrity himself.
Rangers: John Hart, assistant, Nolan Ryan
Stars: assistant, assistant and Brett Hull, Joe Nieuwendyk
Liverpool: wanted to hire Klinsmann but was blocked
That’s not so much to argue against the bottom line. He did the right thing imo, and it’s one of the main things for which I’d credit him. But he has two plays in his playbook and one was way too expensive for him, so the other seems like almost a default result.
by Brett Perryman on Jan 24, 2010 7:47 PM CST up reply actions
One of the men in the picture is not like the other, and doesn't belong,
so get the hell out Hicks, you arrogant, greedy, loser piece of crap! hahahahahahaha
"I’m not in the meetings and not part of the discussions; it’s not my responsibility. . My responsibility is to go out and win tonight. My focus is to win tonight. The club has to look at more than just this year." -Michael Young
I refuse to believe this is nothing but an upgrade in management...
until proven otherwise, with that said GO GREENBERG! GO GREENBERG!
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
Optimism
While I share in the general optimism related to the new ownership, i’m less than euphoric because I remember the excitement when Mr. Hicks bought the team. There was a sense that he would spend to make the team a winner. When he signed ARod this certainly appeared to be the case. But the downturn in the economy and failure of on the field investments resulted in a fundamental change in his approach. Now, the strengthened farm system is beginning to pay off. It seems to sting Mr. Hicks that he’s selling the team for significantly less than he could get in a year or two.
by Neftali's arm on Jan 24, 2010 10:13 AM CST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
However you feel about the Hicks era...
I can’t think of a worse time to sell.
Lean payroll, resourceful management, great international positioning, and all of these fruits accumulated in the farm as-is. The 2010 team has a great shot at the playoffs.
I didn’t follow the last couple years of Hicks financial meanderings. But goodness, you have to think he did this to himself.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jan 24, 2010 10:17 AM CST reply actions
Well put
For all his humongous earnings from his dealings, the decade 2000-2009 saw him plunge into poorly chosen endeavors – the kind that eat your asset base alive. I’m glad the Rangers can forge into this new dacade on their own merit, under their own steam, and not so much an investment piece in a larger puzzle.
"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 24, 2010 12:07 PM CST up reply actions
R.I.P. Teddy Pendergrass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykp9QSY-feg&feature=related
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
Excellent choice, brother
You should buy this CD if you don’t have it yet, I had to crank it up when I heard that news:
"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'm streaming a ManCity FA match cup thru sopcast ...
I’ve got this thread open at LSB … and I can click on LAMF’s youtube link and watch the TP video … ALL at the SAME FREAKIN’ TIME. My new computer just yawns and sez, “Dat all you got?”
Rangers pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report on Thursday, February 18.
Good deal
I think I’m gonna pop for this Roku HDTV thingie & MLB TV to watch on my 28" hd monitor this year. I just need to figure out if I can get the Rangers games.
"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 never figured out a way to do it
Theory has it that you can use someone’s credit card from way out of town and couple it with something that gives you a non-Texas-region IP address and not get blacked out, but I haven’t tried
thanks Rodney! I'm going to download it...
he was truly a legend, I loved his music.
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
Hope you like it
:)
"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.
Willie Mitchell, as well- the man behind the groove of Al Green and much more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I73iXXKzFI&feature=related
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
Ehhhh.
Hang on to the cash, roll with what we have, then make a big trade for a big arm or bat before the trade deadline in July.
We’ve got the team, let’s let them do their thing and adjust after a couple of months.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
But, Sheets is potentially better and cheaper than anyone we'd be able to trade for
And he won’t cost us prospects
And one-year deals are excellent
If our team sucks for whatever reason, but Sheets does well, say hello to a couple more prospects
Are you willing to go $12M per?
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
not at all
I guess I’m still working under the assumption that you can get him for 5-7 plus some incentives and maybe a mutual option :)
Mutual options are all the rage this offseason!
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
The guy is down for wanting up to 12 Mil.
We could possibly get him for 8M. Is that really what you want to spend right now on another wild card? We have a potentially good pitching staff.
And Sheets has been rehabing in DFW this whole time, so you know the Rangers have been watching him very closely. If they haven’t snatched him up already, you have to think either they he’s too expensive with the stuff he’s shown, or he is too big of a health question mark.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
Do ya'll think he can get 12?
I am continually shocked by contracts that players get, but I feel like we’re getting to the point where a lot of teams are nearly done spending, but there are quite a few capable free agents still available (therefore, the lack of demand would drive down their prices, but who knows)
The way some teams spend who knows.
Do I think he’s worth 12M? No way. I do think he will have to come down on his price. But he may just think that he’ll hold out until July, see which team gets the injury bug, and really needs a SP. Then he could get his 12M payday. I’m sure his agent is saying, “You could sign now for 8M plus incentives, or wait 6 months and get 12M”.
It’s a stretch and I’m talking out of my ass a bit, but I think we could get a more steady pitcher later in the season. There should be a few good names coming available when teams start turning into sellers. I think with the team we have, we can at least stay competitive and remain buyers in July/Aug. Then we can rent a guy for a few months for a playoff run, then either sign him if he did well, or let him go with no strings.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
Mid-season contracts are prorated
so if he signed a $12M in July, he’d only make about $6M in actual salary
And if he waits 6 months
Then signs for $12M he would still get $6M because he signed half way through the season. I guess if he does that it would give him 6 more months to recover then look for a really big payday in 2011.
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
That's what I was going for.
He will still make 6M with half the work. No ST or other things. He trains on his own and rehabs. He’ll be rested since he won’t be playing the first half either, only rehabing more.
This way if he’s really confident he can do well, he blows a team into the playoffs, becomes a hero, and cashes in on a big payday that sets him up for life with either that team or another.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
I don't know what's worse...
1) every thread being invaded by Josey
or
2) every thread being invaded by irrational manlove for Ben Sheets.
For example:
Rangers sign Harden, “I wonder if we’ll have enough left to sign Sheets.” Greenburg buys Rangers, “Great, now we’ll be able to afford Sheets.” Angels sign Joel Pinero, “Lol, what a dumb move. I can’t wait til we get Sheets in here.” And on, and on, and on…
Sheets has pitched more than 160 innings only once since 2004, and they guy has not played at all in a long time. The Brewers destroyed his arm from 02-04 when he averaged 220 innings per year. The dude is broken down. The chances of him returning to even a league average pitcher are slim. Move on.
Of course I am now doomed to eat my words when the guy comes back and is an allstar…..but I’m still not betting on that.
by ncrangerfan on Jan 24, 2010 11:49 AM CST up reply actions
Obvious difference: one focuses on the Rangers
a) Sheets ERA+ has not been lower than 110 since 2003. So even if he can only give us 160 innings, he would be a HUGE asset to our starting pitching staff
b) I’m obviously working under the assumption that he’s back to pitching condition (which all the scouts seem to speak to)
c) because of our SP-depth, we don’t need to be afraid of an injury, we aren’t relying on him to give us 200 innings, we are only signing him to get us as many wins as possible
d) We have an owner that loves him (as seen below) and a Sheets loves our pitching coach, Maddux
Rangers are a great match, and a staff that leads off Sheets and Harden is going to be a force to be reckoned with if we get to the playoffs and the pitchers remain health. He’s EXACTLY what we need. A short-term commitment that allows to compete now, but it doesn’t hamstring us payroll wise, and it doesn’t block a young, developing pitchers from having a rotation spot in the upcoming years.
Get over it, because you’re wrong
Also,
Sheets
Harden
Feldman
Lewis
Hunter
Frank®
Feliz®
C.J. (L)
Oliver (L)
O’Day®
Ray®
Would be worth a huge friggen party… that would be the most complete pitching staff the Rangers ever put on the field combined with one of the best defenses ever put on the field. With any bit of health and good fortune, it’s a team that could go deep into the playoffs. I’m a homer right now :/
I'm all about wishing for the best as well...
But what if he isn’t healthy? We have so many question marks already that I would rather not be handcuffed so early. We already are on a limited budget and I don’t know if the Greenberg group will be wanting/willing to spend a whole lot this early in the year.
Let’s say we give sheets 8M. Then he goes down, Harden only goes about 90 innings and he goes down. The Lewis from ’03 shows up. Then our lineup is this:
Feldman
Hunter
McCarthy
Holland
Feliz? Harrison?
Now how do you feel about it? And now the Rangers don’t have 8M to go after someone to help out because it’s tied up with a hurt Sheets.
You’re looking at the total upside and I’m looking at the total downside. Who knows what will happen. I just believe not getting Sheets at this time leaves us more options overall.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
Legitimate concerns, however
I, for one, don’t think we will find an alternative on the trade market that I’d be willing to trade for
I don’t want Smoak or Perez going anywhere, which is what I think it will take to make a significant splash on the trade market.
don't these contracts
generally have a provision where insurance pays the salary should the player not perform due to injury?
by BrentTaylor21 on Jan 24, 2010 2:47 PM CST up reply actions
but I guess
maybe it would be difficult to insure Sheets. That’s a possibility.
by BrentTaylor21 on Jan 24, 2010 2:48 PM CST up reply actions
Buying insurance on a Sheets contract would be like buying
insurance on a 90 year old man. In a word, “expensive”.
If Harden and Sheets go down...
…and Lewis is terrible, the Rangers won’t need to worry about not having $8 million ot go after someone in July because they’ll be sellers anyway.
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 24, 2010 3:19 PM CST up reply actions
Possibly not.
I’m not saying that they both go down the second week out of spring training. They may go 12 innings or 120, but the odds of them going down is a possibility.
And I think Feldman, Hunter, Holland, and Mccarthy/Harrison can keep us close to where a 8M plus prospect can get us a TORP or good #2 guy to make a push for the playoffs. So being a seller isn’t a given.
I mean, we were close most of last year and this is the same SPing sans Millwood. ( Vicente was only in for the first half. He offsets the contribution Sheets/Harden would give us)
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
I think Lewis
might be able to give us what we lost in Millwood. Even if not though, I would still rather have Harden than Millwood, and yes I understand that there will probably be a difference in innings pitched that McCarthy or someone will have to fill
I think that C is a good point and applies to both Harden and Sheets.
by Brett Perryman on Jan 24, 2010 12:18 PM CST up reply actions
Why not get Sheets
Its not like he could make our team worse. When healthy, he is going to be better than our #5 starter, whomever it may be. Now that we seem to have some money (I know I know, the deal isnt done yet, but presumably, we will be able to increase payroll at some point), I dont see the downside
by nathanbaum09 on Jan 24, 2010 2:50 PM CST up reply actions
Who do you drop from the 40 or the 25?
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
I'd drop
Mendoza for Sheets if he was healthy this year.
say Mendoza is dropped for Lewis.
Who then?
by BrentTaylor21 on Jan 24, 2010 3:59 PM CST up reply actions
We are out 8M at least.
That’s the downside. It’s easy to spend other peoples money. This is an 8M dollar risk here. We aren’t the MFYankees.
If we have the money, use it for a sure thing. 8M plus a good prospect or two can certainly rent you a good pitcher for 1.4 years to make a couple of playoff runs.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
But what if
8MM can get you a good pitcher for one year without having to give up a good prospect or two? The obviously wouldn’t sign him for 8MM if they didn’t really check him out like last time and determine he was healthy
What if Sheets is healthy but
doesn’t have it anymore? I know he looked good in a controlled environment tryout, but what about every 5th day? I think the worst situation would be a healthy, uneffective Sheets that you have to keep running out there everyday because of the price you are paying him while he continues to suck…
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 24, 2010 3:15 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, it's just crazy
that we’d talk about a pitcher who has been an ace and wonder if he might join our favorite team. Crazy, I tell you.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
This
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
irrational Sheets manlove nut job present!
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
How about I grant your wish
and invade every thread with irrational manlove for Erik Bedard instead?
I loving Eric Bedard
really manlove though? I mean…
"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.
Upon careful deliberation
I’ve come to the conclusion that you are right, Bedard is like the enantiomorph of Brandon McCarthy.
by Telegraph on Jan 24, 2010 1:55 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd for enantiomorph!
And I agree with the basic premise: Bedard is bad for the RBiA because he is more of a flyball pitcher.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jan 24, 2010 11:02 PM CST up reply actions
I dunno if I'd pidgionhole Bedard as an extreme FB pitcher
Ben Sheets is worse in that regard, for one thing, and for another, in the 2 seasons previous to being traded to Seattle, his FB%‘s where fine. You have to wonder if he made a change his approach after moving from the confines of Baltimore to the spacious Safeco that lead to the heightened FB%’s his last 2 (abbreviated) seasons (such as suddenly throwing his changeup less than half the amount of time he was throwing it in Baltimore).
Bedard isn’t as good a pitcher as Ben Sheets, but if we’ve still got money to spend and he’s willing to take a cheap, incentive-based deal I wouldn’t be opposed to acquiring him. I wouldn’t be jumping up and down over it, but theres some potential there and I don’t see anything wrong with stocking up on more potential for the rotation.
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
There's only one Big Daddy left standing.
That would be Vladdy.
by VladsOriginalBirthCertificate on Jan 24, 2010 11:11 AM CST reply actions
ESPN.com’s Buster Olney wonders if the new Rangers ownership will make a splash and go after Ben Sheets, a known favorite of Nolan Ryan.
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
That would be epic
But almost certainly guarantee some sort of trade. This team would be trotting out 3 or 4 MLB-quality starters in AAA.
by Conjunction on Jan 24, 2010 12:18 PM CST up reply actions
sounds good!
"The mystery of the beginning of all things is insoluble by us; and I for one must be content to remain an agnostic" - Charles Darwin, you know who he is...
Hooray for selling low...
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"Don't let the haircut fool you. I'm exceedingly wealthy." -Bill Gates.
by thedirkatron on Jan 24, 2010 5:42 PM CST up reply actions
When Sheets and Harden get injured
you’re going to need some good depth behind them. If they are healthy for a while, then you can make a trade later in the season to fix any holes in the team.
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'll take that
MLB quality pitchers in AAA sounds pretty damn good after fighting through decades of AAA quality pitchers in MLB
Keep wondering, Buster, just like the rest of us.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Jan 24, 2010 1:05 PM CST up reply actions
rangers going green
berg
"If he raced his pregnant wife he'd finish third." Tommy Lasorda on catcher Mike Scioscia
If we are going to get some extra money to spend now....
I want 2 moves:
1.Ryan Garko – He would be the 1B against lefties and could possibly DH some if we ever have to roll out the Cruz/Hamilton/Vlad outfield. He would also gives us a pinch hitter late in games vs tough lefties. The only snag would be him being ok with this limited role, but he is a piece that fits perfect in the last spot on our bench.
2.Ben Sheets (yes I said it again) – Now this assumes Sheets signs a 6 to million dollar deal with incentives (not the rumored 12 million). Having not 1, but 2 (Harden,Sheets) top of the rotation/high risk pitchers just gives us a better chance of having 1 of them consistantly in the rotation. I am not sure if Sheets will be ready to start the year in the rotation, but his addittion will only cost dollars and not dollars and prsopects (which the trade deadline will).
Yes we will have a glut of starting pitching, but every year we have multiple guys go down to season ending injuries.
If Sheets was signed this is what I would do with our rotation:
Harden
Sheets
Feldman
Lewis
Hunter (this spot would be up for grabs in ST)
bullpen
Frankie
Feliz
CJ
Oliver
O’Day
Nippert
Ray (or McCarthy…whichever may slide through revocable waivers )
Lineup
CF Borbon
2B Kinsler
3B Young
LF Hamilton
DH Vlad
1B Davis
RF Cruz
C Salty
SS Andrus
Bench
C Teagarden
OF Murphy
IF Greene
1B Garko
AAA guys in case we need them:
Holland
Harrison
Mathis
ether Ray or Mccarthy
mososco
madrigal
by death of the cool on Jan 24, 2010 3:10 PM CST reply actions
care to say why
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 24, 2010 3:18 PM CST up reply actions
It's not a battle
I just wondered why take the time to call it annoying if you aren’t going to give any explanation.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 24, 2010 4:37 PM CST up reply actions
but Drew he's a Legend
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
well
my original question still stands then.
"calmer than you are dude" Walter (Big Lebowski)
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Jan 24, 2010 5:08 PM CST up reply actions
They're annoying because we're x amount of days away from Spring Training and every post turns out to be another person's roster breakdown
Cut the bull and get to it
x=25 days EST
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
then part of my goal was reached...
1. annoy oc………CHECK
by death of the cool on Jan 24, 2010 4:53 PM CST up reply actions
Skip over them then.
Greetings from the Humungus, the Ruler of the Wasteland, the Ayatollah of Rock and Roll-A. I laugh at your puny plans.
by Lord Humungus on Jan 24, 2010 9:46 PM CST up reply actions
I wanna go and hang out on Ballpark and Division with a sign welcoming our new overlord
But all my Rangers gear is at my parents house. Alls I have is my fitted cap which I just pulled out of the dishwasher
i'm just getting a chance to read up on all this and make my first comment
but hell yes on Hicks’ share being smaller than expected and him not having a seat on the board.
If the transfer will be completed by April, what kind of that impact is that going to have on the team for the regular season? I assume the roster is all but set, save a backup catcher or something like that.
I guess what I’m asking is, have we seen anything about how much extra revenue this new ownership group will be bringing to the team? What/who do we think we would be targeting that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to under HIcks?
"Drinks are on me if Lewis posts >168IP and an era lower than 3.86." by RangerMad on Jan 20, 2010 12:36 PM PST
I hope they go after that LA kid Jesus Dublin
Seems like their are a lot of teams in on him. Scouting report says he has the arm of a god but he is only 16.
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
I'm as happy about the sale as anyone.
Hopefully, Greenberg brings that combination that we’re all hoping for- keeping the plan in place, locking down our young players, letting baseball people do their job, and spending wisely on positions that need to be filled.
I don’t understand the ‘hate’ for Hicks. He made bad investments in a bad economic time, and was hoping to hold onto something that’s actually going well. He flip-flopped on organizational directions, but seemed to be set on the current one. He moaned about ticket sales would provide more spending. I get how that can be annoying, I just don’t understand the ‘hate’.
Anyway, I’m glad we’re gonna have new people at the top while keeping the rest of the pieces in place. But, I’ll save my hate for the Angels, M’s, A’s, Yanks, BoSox….
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
by scoop16 on Jan 24, 2010 7:23 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
No worries,
there’s plenty of hate to go around….
"BIg whoop, wanna fight about it?"
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
by lost in space on Jan 24, 2010 7:30 PM CST up reply actions
He wanted what was best for the team
It just didn’t work out, and he made a few bad moves, and it was time for a change the Rangers needed it.
I don’t understand why some people act like his intention was to fuck up, and he wanted to ruin the whole Rangers organization. I’m sure all he wanted to do was to build this team into something huge. He just didn’t do it.
I'm just goofin' new boot goofin'
i'm sure all he wanted to do was make money
and unfortunately, there is a way of doing that that doesn’t necessarily involve investing a lot of money and winning.
and we can sure as shit be mad that he pissed all of his money away on liverpool
I'm gonna wager a guess
that he actually thought Liverpool would be a good investment. And in return, might of had more money to spend on the Rangers. Didn’t work out, forced to sell- Oh well, I’m not shedding any tears for him.
I think his intentions were to win here, and yeah make some money in the process. People generally try to make money. ‘Cept for Desme, but then again, he’s being criticized. (shrug)
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
Imagine being the owner of two local sports teams
your options are
a) invest in your own team as a “good investment” hoping to make the Rangers significantly better to turn additional revenue
or
b) purchase an english soccer team thousands of miles away and hope you turn a solid return on the investment despite the fact that you will never be able to translate into additional spending for your local franchises
If the Liverpool investment worked out,
Why couldn’t that have translated into additional spending here?
I realize in hindsight it didn’t work, but hypothetically. Surely, he planned on it working. I think ‘a’ and ‘b’ is a reasonable thought process(the first part of ‘b’).
I’m not trying to rain on the new ownership parade, as I too am excited. Just tempering emotions. It’s not like he was some tyrannical despot. Forrest Whitaker won’t be starring in “The Last King of Liverpool”.
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
I can see your point
but seriously, aren’t two teams enough?
"BIg whoop, wanna fight about it?"
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
by lost in space on Jan 24, 2010 9:57 PM CST up reply actions
Sure.
It backfired. I don’t want him to die a painful death because of it(not saying you or anyone else is saying that). It’s hyperbole, Right? :)
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
Yep
can’t remember which thread it was(maybe this one), but someone was talking about the over/under Greenberg has before he falls prey to the LSB board. It’s the nature of the beast.
"BIg whoop, wanna fight about it?"
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
by lost in space on Jan 24, 2010 10:18 PM CST up reply actions
Its Liverpool though
Its not like he decided to buy the Pirates or something.
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 Guess
He flip-flopped on organizational directions, but seemed to be set on the current one.
The first part of that sentence is enough to hate the man. It’s the reason the Rangers were such a shitty team for a whole decade. In some ways he became a much better owner as time went on. Either that or he just got cheap and the front office did an outstanding job in spite of him. Either way he could have left the franchise in much worse shape so I can’t completely hate the man. As the same time I have a really hard time giving him much respect and am glad he’s out of the picture.
by Black Francis on Jan 24, 2010 9:05 PM CST up reply actions
If I ever have significant wealth
…I’m going to have to buy a minority share of a MLB franchise. Buy something for $250 million and sell it twelve years later during the worst economy in decades for twice as much.
really?
you realize that is only around a 6% return right?
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Jan 24, 2010 9:52 PM CST up reply actions
I think he's saying that selling now is selling at its lowest point...
And he’s still making a 6% profit.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
I'm not stupid
But it’s a baseball team. A BASEBALL TEAM. The fact that it’s possible to be a part of something so awesome and make money on it at the same time is very cool. And “yep” to what Ace says below. HSG sold under pressure in a horrible economy. There’s no telling what the return would have been under different circumstances. Probably not double or anything, but a lot better.
I’d love to be a minority owner in something that’s as almost a sure thing not to lose money on. And there’s probably a hell of a lot of perks to being part of the ownership group even if you don’t have a controlling interest. It would be tons of fun.
by Black Francis on Jan 24, 2010 10:38 PM CST up reply actions
Just imagine if Hicks could have waited a year or two
Winning ML team with a low payroll and a farm system that could keep the team winning for cheap for a long time from now. If Hicks could have waited to sell after a playoff berth or two, the team would have sold for a whole lot more.
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
Yup. Waiting=not buying Liverpool
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
Just saying
it really seemed like you were advocating that Hicks made such a great investment because it doubled in 12 years. By the way, where did I call you stupid? Sorry, if implied that. It was more of a frustration because the Ticket guys were saying that over and over the other day.
Investing 250 million and only getting a 6% return (and saying this I realize that we may never know the ROI because of taxes, HSG holdings, operating costs, etc) either shows that Hicks is a poor businessman (most likely) or the Rangers were basically a middling to poor investment.
I look at more of the numbers but you are right owning a baseball team would simply be fun. I know that some people may not like him but i am definitely envious of Mark Cuban. I mean the guy looks like he is having the time of his life owning the Mavs. I even give credit to Jerry Jones for looking like he is always having a blast owning the Cowboys. Hicks just never seemed that way. It seemed like it was more of an investment to him. Maybe that was just his demeanor but it was always like a burden to him.
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Jan 25, 2010 8:00 AM CST up reply actions
Except
he didn’t invest 250 million of his own money. Most of the investment was other folks money. If he was borrowing at 4% over that time, he made some decent money.
I suspect if you really parsed the numbers, Hicks did just fine, and I suspect he didn’t pay much taxes on the investment, due to depreciation and paper losses.
"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
Hence this:
“and saying this I realize that we may never know the ROI because of taxes, HSG holdings, operating costs, etc”
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Jan 25, 2010 8:57 AM CST up reply actions
OT: Watching the news here in Austin
and they are thinking with the Astros contract expiring with the Round Rock Express after this year, and Ryan being part owner of the Rangers now, that RR becomes a Rangers affiliate.
As an Austinite now, this makes me extrememly happy. Anyone know how this would work? If it even could? Which one could RR become? AAA? A?
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
This has been speculated on.
I think by Evan Grant? Maybe TR? Anyways, yeah, it would be for the AAA team.
One of the reasons that is thrown out there is that the Astros don’t invest enough money to acquire highly rated prospects/good players thus making the Round Rock team uncompetitive and thus less profitable.
I’d love to see it happen though, not the least of which being that I’m likely to spend a couple years in the clinic out there for school.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jan 24, 2010 11:09 PM CST up reply actions
I would love it.
If they make it AAA for 2011, I’d get to watch Perez at least 30 times before he hits up the show. Excellent
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
Hopefully
only 15 or so times (assuming he lights it up down there) :-)
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Jan 25, 2010 8:01 AM CST up reply actions
That'd be so cool
Oklahoma is not worth driving through to watch AAA baseball.
Austin most definitely is
Make for a great guy's weekend.
You could do Round Rock, Downtown Austin and Fredricksburg for a hell of a weekend.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jan 24, 2010 11:15 PM CST up reply actions
No doubt.
Hell, if I wasn’t tied up in a mortgage, it might be the final piece to move there. Music, food, bars, Lake Travis, big time college athletics, and Rangers’ prospects. Sweet.
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
My mortgage has me tied up in Kyle. HA! It's perfect!
Afternoon game in RR, downtown, then home. That sounds like a wonderful Saturday/Sunday.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
That's twice I've read about Kyle today.
Neighbors with Dave Bliss?
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
I didn't know he was down here.
Last I heard he lived in Crawford.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
According to the DMN today.
He was at the SMU game last night, and they said he’s now residing in Kyle.
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
I'll have to look that ol' scumbag up.
I’ve been meaning to find a good church around here. Maybe I’ll see him around. I heard he found Christianity after ruining the Bears.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
I'm surprised he's showing his face at all.
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
$570M
that is what Heyman says is cost Greenberg and Ryan. That must include the property also.
http://twitter.com/SI_JonHeyman/status/8178642523
Vladimir Guererro - 2010 AL MVP
so who can we look forward to drooling over for next year?
i think i heard somewhere that next year there was going to be alot of badass free agents? brandon webb i think was one of them? anyone know of anyone else?
are we even going to be able to make a run at any of them?
by mikeyoungfuturehof on Jan 25, 2010 12:34 AM CST reply actions
Beckett's the popular choice.
Here’s a preliminary list: http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2001/05/potential-free-agents-for-2011.html
This is kinda what I fear:
a. People expect us to get FA’s b/c of new ownership, despite the fact there’s 29 other teams
b. Spending money just cause we got it, and not fitting the roster or hampering future moves
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
#2 is my biggest concern.
Folks love to spend other peoples money.
"grilled cheese punches like a bitch" -Gdawg
"i feel like k-rod after a save." -by reagan on Jan 23, 2010, that glorious day Hicks was out of our lives.
Would the Twins really let Mauer hit FA? Do they have a choice?
Oh god if he’s a Yankee I’ll probably stop following baseball.
I personally don't think he will leave the Twins.
The Yankees have that stud at AA/AAA and I also feel hometown discounts for smaller market teams for local guys will be a big factor, ie: Pujols and Mauer. I hope to see some big name guys stay with the team that they came up with. I know it sounds cliché and all, but that really does help a fan base and keep it together. With all that being said if Mauer hits FA, I’d love to see the Rangers go after him, even though I know that might even be tough not because of the economy, but that being the first season of free agency for the new ownership. Do I think Mauer stays, I’d say about a 75% chance, given the Yanks prospect, Boston more than likely locking up V-Mart for a while, and I’m not certain of the market for catchers next offseason.
Well, based one something posted awhile back
Due to some kind of tax loophole or something like that, new owners are actually in a better position to spend early in their ownership. So if we’re gonna sign a mega-stud FA, 2011 might be a good bet in terms of being in position to do so.
That said, I don’t expect the teams payroll to change enough to allow the pursuit of Mauer, nor am I certain I would want them paying out the wazoo for a guy who isn’t going to catch forever when we’ll hopefully have first base and DH locked down for a few years with Davis/Smoak/Moreland.
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
Jesus Montero
I have heard mixed reports about his ability to catch. Mauer does not seem like the NYY type of guy though. I believe that Cuddyer and Morneau are locked up long term so I could definitely see Mauer giving the twins a little bit of a hometown discount.
Mauer would be the only guy id want to pursue with any fervor with that FA class. I guess maybe we could look at Adam Dunn as well or Crawford if the Rangers decided to part with Cruz or if Hamilton falls on his face again this year.
Webb seems a little injury prone to me and I just think that Beckett will be one of those guys that signs for 6 yrs and the first 2-3 yrs look good but becomes a disaster the last half of the contract.
It is also interesting that Frankie is a FA after this yr. Will we be grooming a new close this yr (scheppers?)?
"JD gets complete blame or credit for what happens in 2010 and I think Nolan wants it that way. JD is paid to be a real GM and needs to start performing like one." - Josey Wales
by Michael Cave on Jan 25, 2010 8:09 AM CST up reply actions
Tom Hicks and the Rangers!!
The vast majority of the fans are looking forward to the transition of the Greenberg group as the new owners of the Rangers! Tom Hicks and his finanicial situation was a lot of all for us to weather this past year and his overall attitude, while I am sure well meaning in his mind, simply did not fit as being in the best interest of the team nor its fans. The key to whomever took over was the inclusion of Nolan Ryan and Greenberg has done that….while we would have loved to have seen an all Texas ownership this group with Nolan leading the way as President of the team will help stabilize our chances of battling for the Division and beyond in the coming season and into the future. So long Mr. Hicks and the best to you in the future!
I forgot Frankie is a FA after the season...
I wonder what we could get for him if he is having a strong year. With CJ and Feliz, i’m more the comfortable turning frankie into more stud prospects or part of a package for something. What do you guys think?
If the Rangers are in it to the end
You ride FX2 all the way to the end and get draft picks.
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
Only way Fx2 gets traded is if our 2010 plans blow up in our faces, or he's part of a deal for a bigger peice of the puzzle
He should be worth a draft pick or two though, which I’m cool with.
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
Yep
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
True
I don’t think we would trade him unless this season was going the wrong way. (which won’t happen… we are taking the division.) So I agree that the draft picks would do. He should be a A comp FA right?
by Warren P Funk on Jan 25, 2010 9:06 AM CST up reply actions
From Galloway's collumn yesterday
From a baseball standpoint, Ryan’s title of team president is the same it has been for the last two seasons. One difference on the financial side is he’s now a minority owner.
But the total one-eighty on the baseball end is that Ryan now doesn’t work with the shadow of Hicks hanging over the front office, or with the obligation to those Hicks hired before Nolan arrived.
Two years ago, the thought from here and elsewhere was that a guy like Ryan doesn’t put his name and his legacy on a long-standing failure of a baseball team unless he brings in his own people.
What exactly does this even mean
Ryan doesn’t put his name and his legacy on a long-standing failure of a baseball team unless he brings in his own people
Ryan’s ego won’t be satisfied unless he gets to fuck around with the front office?
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
There's a fair point in there that, with Ryan's name and legacy involved, he's going to make sure that he has the right people in charge
Of course, Galloway pulls out his Jump to Conclusions Mat and gleefully implies that JD & Co. will get the axe.
There is, of course, something in there that Galloway would never consider: that Nolan decides (or has already decided) that JD & Co. are the right people in charge.
"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
If Nolan were to push to replace JD now
then one must question Nolan’s decision making.
Vladimir Guererro - 2010 AL MVP
Nolan was just on the Ticket
He said at least twice that he didn’t see anything changing, and that the Rangers were going to continue to focus on building through the farm system, and plugging in key FAs when needed. Said he really liked the direction of the club regarding the talent acquisition end of things.
Also said the Rangers were interested in Sheets, and noting that several other clubs were too, so he didn’t know how the situation would play out.
Also, he is very, very happy with this offseason, and thinks the Rangers have gotten much better even with budget issues to work through.
"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.
Good to hear, Rodney
I don’t understand the notion that Nolan would change everything up just because he can, and because he and JD have different backgrounds.
I guess it’s just those who want JD gone projecting their own attitude onto Nolan thinking he must feel the same way.
"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
Any additional details on sheets?
or was that about all he said.
the preceding post was a great success.
That was all he said about Sheets
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
Yep, just a quick mention
But it did confirm the teams interest, at the least.
"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.
Galloway is just a bitter old man
He just looks to stir up things and get on ppls nerves. He doesn’t like JD because JD isn’t perfect and has made some mistakes. (some big ones early on, but he has more than made up for them with his successes)
Grandpa Urine also thought
The Hershel Walker trade was a bust.
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
WOW
Does he even acknowledge his total failure.
by Warren P Funk on Jan 25, 2010 9:13 AM CST up reply actions
Not really
"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
Woo Hoo!
Now we can finally sign Sheets!
You just don't sit in a rocking chair, when you've built a revolution.
yep
"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 25, 2010 9:50 AM CST up reply actions
x
Meanwhile Hicks has also sold one of his holiday homes, a three-acre estate in the Aspen area of Colorado. The sale went through for $18.5m, below the original £20m asking price but still a massive return on the $1.03m he paid for it in 1995.
Geez
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
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