The trouble with catchers
by Adam J. Morris on Feb 18, 2010 5:22 PM CST
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PrintSo, there's a lot of talk about the Ranger catching situation right now, and in particular, Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
John Sickels did a Salty update earlier this week, talking about where he is now and why he hasn't developed as expected. Joey Matches also did a post on Salty yesterday.
Evan Grant has a blog post up talking about why the Rangers are publicly saying that the catching job is up for grabs, noting in particular the club's disappointment with his performance since he was acquired, his bailing on the winter league after two games because of shoulder soreness, and Salty's showing up for camp "ten pounds heavy and looking sluggish."
Jeff Wilson says that the job is really Salty's to lose despite the public proclamations to the contrary, and Grant also seems to be taking that point of view as well, with the public comments seemingly being used as a motivational tool.
Two and a half years ago, when there were rumors of the Rangers talking to the Braves about a Mark Teixeira trade, Saltalamacchia was so well regarded that some suggested that Teixeira for Salty straight up would be fair, that expecting anything more than that would be greedy.
The trade is regarded as a steal, as a home run because Neftali Feliz and Elvis Andrus look so great, because Matt Harrison has shown flashes...and that has helped cover up the fact that, all in all, Jarrod Saltalamacchia has been a major disappointment since arriving.
He played first base some when he first arrived -- he had played some first base with Atlanta, after all, and was billed as a catcher who could hit like a first baseman -- but didn't do well there and, apparently, wasn't mentally on board with being a first baseman. He struggled with injuries in 2008 and couldn't outplay Gerald Laird, and in 2009, was handed the job but still didn't hit before being sidelined with an injury again. His OPS has dropped each year, and his plate discipline in 2009 was awful.
The plus side with Saltalamacchia is that he is still young -- he doesn't turn 25 until May -- and catchers oftentimes take a little longer to develop offensively. That said, this year appears to be put up or shut up time for him...his defense, while improved, isn't going to carry him, and he's either going to have to improve with the bat enough to stay in the starting lineup, or the Rangers are going to have to start shopping for a new starting catcher, potentially as soon as the trade deadline, if they are in contention.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out...I think the consensus is that Taylor Teagarden's future is as a backup, because of his durability and contact issues, and Max Ramirez's future is as a DH, not a catcher. The lack of other viable options (a point that Grant illustrates in his blog post) means that it is going to be a major upset if Saltalamacchia doesn't have the starting job to start the year.
But whether or not he progresses offensively is going to be a big storyline this year, particularly given the problems the team had offensively in 2010.
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i'm actually pissed off at myself
for missing Rod Barajas.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
If we where going to trade Salty I'd want a hell of a lot more than just Joba...
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Feb 18, 2010 5:41 PM CST reply actions 7 recs
were*
"He do what he do" - Ron Washington
by dustinvandeman on Feb 18, 2010 5:52 PM CST up reply actions
I'm sad I didn't more...
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Feb 18, 2010 7:32 PM CST up reply actions
I wish I was their for that.
"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.
Me two
"You promised me, Eckstein, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?" David Eckstein replied, "Because my little legs had gotten tired, and you were carrying me." And I looked down and saw that I was still carrying David Eckstein.
Then he grounded out weakly to second.
Crap
For some reason I don’t memorize LSJ posts. Oh shit, I know the reason.
"You promised me, Eckstein, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?" David Eckstein replied, "Because my little legs had gotten tired, and you were carrying me." And I looked down and saw that I was still carrying David Eckstein.
Then he grounded out weakly to second.
by WyoRanger on Feb 18, 2010 7:53 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm reminded how much I don't miss Miles.
I remember defending him early on when I got here. I didn’t understand why everyone was crapping on him.
Then I got it.
You wanna fight?
"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.
And then bang some chicks?
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Feb 18, 2010 11:24 PM CST up reply actions
Bingo!
"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.
Oh, we did overvalue our catchers in 2008 didn't we
Especially me.
Hey in my defense, it looks like Joba isn’t gonna wind up a starter as I predicted…
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
Me and everyone who thought we could trade Salty or Tea for Clay Buchholz that winter.
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
I don't think we overvalued them too much
Getting Buchholz would have capitalized on the Red Sox need for a catcher and their rotation depth, but at the time, Salty’s value was still extremely high. Didn’t turn out that well in the end, but that doesn’t mean they were valued incorrectly then.
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 remember
Heated debates over whether to ‘settle’ for Bowden/Masterson+ Bard. Most were against the idea.
by Conjunction on Feb 18, 2010 10:57 PM CST up reply actions
I remember that.
Would look nice now….20/20 though.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
by Cecilio's Guante on Feb 18, 2010 10:58 PM CST up reply actions
I think we'll look back eventually,
and be glad we didn’t make that trade. Eventually.
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
Bold. I like it.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
by Cecilio's Guante on Feb 18, 2010 11:23 PM CST up reply actions
Emphasis is fun.
You get a chance to see if Metzlers is carrying San Miguel Dark?
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
I am actually headed up there today, will check it out.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
by Cecilio's Guante on Feb 19, 2010 9:59 AM CST up reply actions
No dice on the San Miguel Dark, Scoop.
I did pick me up some Celis White though, that’s my new fave.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
by Cecilio's Guante on Feb 19, 2010 12:27 PM CST up reply actions
I was definitely against it
and if I were the Rangers GM, went back in time, and was offered that deal again, I still wouldn’t take it. With a catcher like Salty, you take a chance that he will develop and reach his ceiling. That’s worth a lot more than a pitcher who has a ceiling of a #3/4 and a fireball RP. Bowden and Masterson still aren’t exactly attractive options and their value was definitely at its peak in the offseason after 2008 when Bowden had a breakout season in the minors and Masterson had a great ML debut.
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'm still not that into Bowden or Masterson, and even though Bard tore up some serious butthole skin this year, he was a pretty big risk at the time.
I believe I was rather on the fence regarding that deal at the time, but it’s not something I feel like “What the fuck was past me thinking!!!???” when present me looks back at it.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
by thedirkatron on Feb 18, 2010 11:37 PM CST up reply actions
you always have to worry about future me though
that’s one sneaky bastard
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Feb 19, 2010 10:09 AM CST up reply actions
I can only dream...
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Feb 19, 2010 6:09 PM CST up reply actions
Young Catcher Stagnation Syndrome
To the nth degree is what we have here. Let’s hope he recovers, and this is all moot.
"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 like that nickname for Joey
http://www.lonestarball.com/2010/2/17/1314228/evan-grant-with-prospects-11-15#30930073
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
It makes it sound like he's a firebug that works for the mob
setting fire to buildings for the insurance…
Mental
First he was too patient, then too impatient.
Give him the job, and hope Hurdle gets him to be reactionary.
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
my thoughts exactly
at least in the short term. If he doesn’t show at least an improved approach, if not actually improved numbers, by June, start making plans for a trade acquisition.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
I think that's actually a good point
No one wants to trade someone that’s having a down year (or couple). But with someone as highly touted as Salty was, I’m sure there are plenty of GMs and hitting coaches that think they can fix him. “Look at the upside!!!”
"You promised me, Eckstein, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?" David Eckstein replied, "Because my little legs had gotten tired, and you were carrying me." And I looked down and saw that I was still carrying David Eckstein.
Then he grounded out weakly to second.
Whups
Failed to recognize you weren’t talking about trading Salty but just acquire someone else. Point still remains.
"You promised me, Eckstein, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?" David Eckstein replied, "Because my little legs had gotten tired, and you were carrying me." And I looked down and saw that I was still carrying David Eckstein.
Then he grounded out weakly to second.
The point remains
that if Saltalamacchia struggles offensively in the first half of 2010 like he did throughout 2009, you’re going to be selling him at his all-time lowest value.
Okay, but at some point you do have to sell assets that are not part of your long term plans.
Not saying that the club is there yet with Salty, but in any venture where something doesn’t pan out as you hoped, you will have to cut ties. For example, I own some nice property in a city where I’ll never live due to the nature of my job, and I’m going to have to sell it at close to its bottom value because I need to devote whatever value I get to a home in my town — in fact I should have done so a year ago at a lower point in the market, because the actual and opportunity costs of not resolving the situation have been significant. I love the idea of winning every transaction, but it seems that is not a great strategy for succeeding at larger aims.
I'm not saying the Rangers should hold on to Saltalamacchia
until Cashman calls Daniels and offers Joba for him, straight up. I’m very skeptical, though, that other GMs will pay any sort of premium for Saltalamacchia after three more months of offensive struggles because he’s perceived to have some fixable upside.
From the Rangers’ perspective, if they’re that frustrated with him in June, why wouldn’t they send him down to AAA, let him try to rack up some big numbers for a while, bring him up again in September, and (if still hell-bent on trading him immediately) try to bill him as having figured things out with Oklahoma City, and in need of a fresh start and a change of scenery?
As an aside, I don’t think the real-estate metaphor is an especially apt one for baseball players.
I see your point on sending Salty down.
And , yeah, I didn’t love the real-estate metaphor even when I was making it. However, real estate happens to be the asset that doesn’t fit my needs right now, while a couple of years ago it would have been a car. Of course, household economics and baseball economics don’t match up all that well, but it does seem that sending him down to mash in AAA is a similar strategy to taking a house off the market and doing a superficial set of updates — it may make it look better but it’s essentially the same asset. Still, it’s a clumsy and uncomfortable metaphor. Do you have a better one or would you contend that athletes and their contracts are unique in the way they function as assets?
I haven't thought much about alternative metaphors,
but my first instinct would be to say that young baseball players (and their contracts) are special (if not unique) as commodities because of the difficulty of assessing their value, and because of the way that teams can shuffle them between the minor and major league levels.
I wonder if stronger metaphors might not be found among financial instruments…
That's the route I'd prefer to take
No need to trade a guy like Salty at his lowest value. You’re better off not making the trade for some average vet or w/e meh deal is offered and just taking your chances that some more time in the minors can help Salty out. If he doesn’t get things figured out in the minors, you took a risk that didn’t work out and move on. And like you said, good minor league numbers will at least raise his stock back up.
The biggest thing holding Salty back that would force the Rangers hand is the injuries. He’s got to stay healthy this season or else he’s not going to be any better than Teagarden in the durability department.
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
since there wasn't anything that interesting available in FA or trade
I’m definitely ok with giving him the job this year, but you’re right by saying it’s put up or shut up time.
His age helps him, but what’s Bill James’ rule on AB’s? After a certain amount of AB’s, you are what you are. I’m fairly certain that Salty is past that point.
x
Young Catcher Stagnation Syndrome was 1st theorized by James in the 80’s.
"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.
10 lbs overweight?
I wonder if we’ll hear from a certain papa. At the very least, he’ll calm everybody’s nerves about the guy. I always did feel better about our catching situation after hearing from him
"It's 10 pounds of solid muscle!"
“of the fast twitch variety!!”
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Feb 19, 2010 10:10 AM CST up reply actions
Anyone else think AJM was baiting Wails all day today?
Saltamacchia might not work out (JW – the centerpiece of JD’s terrible trade)
Fraley (nuff said)
Hicks v. Nolan
That’s all in JW’s repetitive wheelhouse.
"You promised me, Eckstein, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I noticed that during the most trying periods of my life, there have only been one set of prints in the sand. Why, when I have needed you most, have you not been there for me?" David Eckstein replied, "Because my little legs had gotten tired, and you were carrying me." And I looked down and saw that I was still carrying David Eckstein.
Then he grounded out weakly to second.
Add in a Boggsy post (although pro-Boggsy) and a post on the Nolan role in the Purke sitch
and yeah, it’s been all Josey topix, all the time on here today
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
No.
I think AJM is posting about things that other folks are posting about. The fact that the Outlaw has a strong opinion on everything Rangers baseball clearly doesn’t mean AJM should avoid posting about everything Rangers baseball. And if people are tired of the Outlaw’s shtick, they should avoid engaging with the Outlaw, especially when he’s in the midst of an obvious bit. Which, at this point, is much of the time…
Quite frankly
The Influence Continues.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Feb 18, 2010 11:25 PM CST up reply actions
And Snark, before I forget...
your biggest issue other than occasional long-winded snooze-fest dissertations on UZR, FIPS & DIPS is your desire to always try to appear as though you are The Smartest Man In The Room.
No active bits are being trotted out by Josey Wales but I appreciate you putting me in everybody’s head to think otherwise.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Feb 18, 2010 11:37 PM CST up reply actions
John
What was your take on the Mike Lowell to Texas for Max Ramirez trade that fell through?
Yep, I’m still something..in my addled mind…
"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 think instead of ragging on "his influence"
we should commend JW for not hijacking the hell out of each of these threads. Give a little credit somethimes, maybe all he needs is a little love.
"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 it's hilarious
there are people in here paranoid enough to believe Adam is at the message board line of scrimmage trying to draw me offsides into a discussion that becomes a heated argument that mushrooms into yet another memorable moment that sends a drunken Rodney into another one of his passive aggresive tantrums.
Remember the words of the Great Crash Davis at a moment like this:
“Hey, Meat. Don’t think – It hurts the team.”
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Feb 19, 2010 12:00 AM CST up reply actions
I seriously doubt anyone thinks AJM would really do that.
In fact, I’ll say with conviction that no one believes it. But I will say I’m not a big fan of the people calling you out unprovocted. I’m also not a big fan of people complaining about people who call you out unprovocted. I also don’t like run-on sentences or football metaphors on a baseball website.
I was trying to be nice and then you go and call out Rodney in a ginormous run-on sentence so now I say: “GTFO”.
: )
"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.
You're just that popular, JW
Quite frankly, it never crossed my mind. But yeah, you do have a lot of fans. They should form a fan club a name it after you. How about “Josey’s Homies”? Oh, shit. Already taken.
I remember at one point, even Ken Huckaby had a “fan club”. So why not Josey Wales?
"Jurick Profar is tired of practice!! I wanna play I wanna play….waiting for march 12 to go to spring training! to kill some pichers:D:D I am Jurickson Profar son of judeska and chesmond.. And I was born ready! ready to play baseball!!" - Jurickson Profar
And I'm not talking about
morons like nathanbaum (or whatever his sn is) joining it. I’m talking about the people who really feed you shit to keep trolling for hours and hours.
"Jurick Profar is tired of practice!! I wanna play I wanna play….waiting for march 12 to go to spring training! to kill some pichers:D:D I am Jurickson Profar son of judeska and chesmond.. And I was born ready! ready to play baseball!!" - Jurickson Profar
how am i a moron
you dont even know me.
by nathanbaum09 on Feb 19, 2010 1:05 AM CST up reply actions
That was harsh
I take it back. I said that because you’ve defended Josey’s points on many ocassions. I should’ve said “cheerleader”.
"Jurick Profar is tired of practice!! I wanna play I wanna play….waiting for march 12 to go to spring training! to kill some pichers:D:D I am Jurickson Profar son of judeska and chesmond.. And I was born ready! ready to play baseball!!" - Jurickson Profar
Ive defended some of joseys points before
I think sometimes he says some things that are correct or not as wrong as people make them out to seem. I dont agree with the way he says them or how often he repeats himself and says the same thing over and over again or contradicts himself.
But sometimes, a point or two in a ten point post may have some merit.
by nathanbaum09 on Feb 19, 2010 1:12 AM CST up reply actions
Hey man....all I ever asked you to do was not use the term "Meat." Can you just not use that? Come on Holmes.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
by Cecilio's Guante on Feb 19, 2010 10:02 AM CST up reply actions
I only used "Meat"
as part of a quote. Could have rolled with The Kinks “Paranoia will destroy ya” but this is a baseball forum.
Susan Sarandon, kind of a nice piece in ’88 but she possesses the odd syndrome of having fun bags as big as her fish eyes.
I kinda dug it when she was taking bp with Costner but really dug the skirt, apron, high-heel look when she was trying to get Nuke Laloosh to give in and not respect The Streak.
Gotta confess I also liked the jacket that Costner wore in that movie. Is that gay?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
by Josey Wales on Feb 19, 2010 10:25 AM CST up reply actions
Nah, not gay...you're good.
Agreed on Sarandon. She HAD her moments, she’s bunk now.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
by Cecilio's Guante on Feb 19, 2010 12:29 PM CST up reply actions
Man, I remember when I thought Salty was the next VicMart or Brian McCann.
AJM and a lot of you guys will remember I spent months on end arguing that point during 2008.
Boy has he learned me about picking favorite players and defending them when they perform like shit.
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
yes...
I vastly overrated Salty as well.
I was never as high on Teagarden as others were…(always thought it was more about UT and being local than his ability to hit), but I was also high on MaxRam….I though he would really be able to rake in the bigs.
It’s funny to think how quickly our catching situation went from potential out the roof to the weakest spot on the team.
I will cross my fingers that something clicks this season for Salty, and we see that potential turn into reality.
by death of the cool on Feb 18, 2010 8:26 PM CST up reply actions
Don't be so sure you weren't the lead sworder of some Salty pike...
"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.
so Baby Huey Matty Harrison shows up to camp having lost 30 lbs.
I always thought he was a little chubby ….but 30 lbs?!?
That’s a LOT of weight. You go Matty! You’re not playing around this year.
Wasn’t he hitting upper 90’s on the gun this past fall? I predict a break-out year from MH.
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
30 lbs? jesus.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
by Cecilio's Guante on Feb 18, 2010 9:14 PM CST up reply actions
That would be damn nice to see MH get it rollin this year.
Big ass lefty with a mid 90’s fastball, great combo.
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball." - Terence Mann
except he doesn't have a "big ass" anymore heh
but yeh he could be the next Kenny Rogers.
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
Nope
CJ has already accepted the job of the next Kenny Rogers
Ceej needs to learn a little more finesse and location
to even sniff being the next Gambler.
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball." - Terence Mann
It's a fair comp though.
Rogers had similar walk rates at that age as a reliever. And he could bring the heat back then.
'Waiting for a girl and she gets me into fights
Waiting for a girl we get drunk on Friday night'
Could he Feel the Heat?
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
by Cecilio's Guante on Feb 19, 2010 10:03 AM CST up reply actions
Gambler was a hell of a fielder too
"Jurick Profar is tired of practice!! I wanna play I wanna play….waiting for march 12 to go to spring training! to kill some pichers:D:D I am Jurickson Profar son of judeska and chesmond.. And I was born ready! ready to play baseball!!" - Jurickson Profar
6-4, 225
Thats what the Rangers website lists Harrison at. If he lost 30 pounds thats a little on the skinny side. Wonder how this may affect his stamina
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
I would think that whatever kickass work program he's been on probably has improved his stamina.
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball." - Terence Mann
yep I bet he has an awesome trainer...
to lose that amount of weight that quickly you’d almost have to unless you are REALLY disciplined. If I had his money I’d have a top notch trainer like Carl Crawford does.
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
I think that weight's a bit generous
JMO, but he looked a bit heavier than that.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
The “Tom Glavine” comps were just silly to begin with. But he could turn into a very good No. 3
"Jurick Profar is tired of practice!! I wanna play I wanna play….waiting for march 12 to go to spring training! to kill some pichers:D:D I am Jurickson Profar son of judeska and chesmond.. And I was born ready! ready to play baseball!!" - Jurickson Profar
I just wan't to know one thing...
Is he coming to camp in the best shape of his life?
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
remember when McCarthy supposedly put on weight
and still looked like a skeleton?
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Feb 19, 2010 10:14 AM CST up reply actions
As a fellow tall and skinny I can atest
Adding 15-20 pounds onto his frame won’t be noticeable
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
and as an average height, overweight individual
I can say 15 pounds would mean the world to me
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Feb 19, 2010 6:09 PM CST up reply actions
I carry about 15 lbs.
extra on me, just in case I ever lose some and need it.
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
Salty
I have a good feeling about him doing well this season. I know it was mentioned, but I think we tend to forget how young Salty is.
by Randy Richardson on Feb 18, 2010 9:21 PM CST reply actions
I just hope the injuries are long gone
and his defense can repeat or even get better than last year. But the injuries are getting tiresome for as young as he is.
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball." - Terence Mann
I get the same feeling
His improved defense last year was really good to see. Before all the problems with his shoulder/arm started popping up he was pretty damn good throwing out baserunners. Didn’t he start off the season with some ridiculous percentage thrown out? Like 75% or something crazy like that?
He may not get there this year but I see Salty turning into a 260/ 340/ 440 type hitter which is more than enough from your 8 hole hitter and catcher
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
I'm not sure what his %'s were, but were a huge improvement from '08.
"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball." - Terence Mann
Well they dropped considerably late in the year after his injury and teams started running on him alot
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.
yes he did start off with a ridiculous percentage of thrown out runners...
I’d be happy right now just seeing if he can get the ball to second base on the fly given all the shoulder problems he’s had.
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
or to the pitcher even.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
by Cecilio's Guante on Feb 18, 2010 10:25 PM CST up reply actions
ok I laughed LOL ... yeh baby steps, you're right LOL
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
So
Fatty McGogglepants is gonna try and make that comeback.
Just hooked on with the Dodgers.
I’m so glad we have enough quality depth we’re past the broken down veteran reliever thing.
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
Wouldn't you, or anyone who posts here too?
No offense, Jonbro, but if you could make a smooth 500k, wouldn’t you?
And don’t be a hata, he was outstanding for the Rangers :)
"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.
Yeah, especially if I could make it doing something I wanted to do.
I’m not hatin’, I’m just sayin’ – glad we don’t need him anymore.
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
heck yeh with another possible 500K in incentives...
maybe the ole boy has a little something left in the tank and YES he was real good here.
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
The bone fragments would make it hard IMHO.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
by Cecilio's Guante on Feb 18, 2010 10:46 PM CST up reply actions
oh come on Jon you'd do it for 500K...
you’d be set and it would only take ya 30 seconds. I know i.Orange could do it and he’d probably ask for a second glass full. Those people on fear factor used to do really disgusting things repeatedly for 50K. 500K is a lot of money.
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
Winning 1mil is only getting about 500k anyway.
I’m sure LSJ is just thinking about “the man” getting his cut.
"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 true you'd probably wind up with 250K these days
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
I'm really not sure your throat would allow it down,
even if you held your nose.
"Big whoop, wanna fight about it?"
by lost in space on Feb 19, 2010 12:15 AM CST up reply actions
Gahhhhh!!!
"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.
Nuh-uh
Shit? No way.
"Jurick Profar is tired of practice!! I wanna play I wanna play….waiting for march 12 to go to spring training! to kill some pichers:D:D I am Jurickson Profar son of judeska and chesmond.. And I was born ready! ready to play baseball!!" - Jurickson Profar
OT: this just in, smelly man thrown off plane.
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
it would be hilarious if it was him again...
went on a plane without showering for a week. Well he does have a movie coming out Feb. 26th :)
I did not ask you if you have herpes. I said is that a hairpiece?!?
I can't help it, I'm definitely rooting for Salty
I thought his defense looked good last year and am willing to stay patient with his bat. Hopefully Hurdle can get him going this year.
"Big whoop, wanna fight about it?"
Ohh really CJ? Didn't you forget some dude from Canada?
“It’s no secret I don’t think I should be limited to the set-up role. I have too many weapons. Here is the reality. It is real simple. There are not very many guys that have the stuff that I do that would be willing to sign here if they were free agents. There is no experienced pitcher that has my stuff that would sign here, historically.”
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
Well, outside of Harden
It’s hard to argue with him.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 19, 2010 8:42 AM CST up reply actions
Not really
He’s a good pitcher, but it’s not like he’s Jonathan Papelbon or anything.
Even though he clearly has a head as big as Johnny Pap’s.
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
That's not the point
What pitchers with “great stuff” have signed here as a free agent, other than Harden?
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 19, 2010 9:02 AM CST up reply actions
That was 20+ years ago
Got something more recent?
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 19, 2010 9:04 AM CST up reply actions
Tell me how you define
CJ’s “great stuff” and I’ll give you a list. Can you start with walk rates?
by corbsclinton on Feb 19, 2010 9:10 AM CST up reply actions
Define it however you like
But the point remains is very few pitchers want to sign here as a FA.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 19, 2010 9:11 AM CST up reply actions
agreed
I’m just pissed about that quote and venting. You’d think the guy would grow up a little over his 4 plus seasons in the bigs. I’m a fan of his but not of his mouth.
by corbsclinton on Feb 19, 2010 9:15 AM CST up reply actions
ok
1991: Goose Gossage
1992: Tom Henke
1994: Jay Howell
1995: Jeff Russell
1995: Ken Hill
1995: Mike Henneman
1995: Bobby Witt
1996: Xavier Hernandez
1996: John Wetteland
1997: Todd Van Popgun
1999: Kenny Rogers
2000: Darren Oliver
2002: Chan Ho Park
2002: Rudy Seanez
2002: Ugueth Urbina
2003: John Thomson
2003: John Wasdin
2003: Carlos Almanzar
2004: Jeff Nelson
2004: Kenny Rogers (again)
2004: Jeff Zimmerman
2005: Steve Karsay
2005: Aaron Sele
2006: Antonio Alfonseca
2006: Kevin Millwood
2006: Eric Gagne
2007: Bruce Chen
wow. 2008 and 2009 are kinda wastelands…. but again, there’s not been much of a need. Think of the guys we’ve brought up from the minors in that span….
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
Basically
since the rep of the Ballpark being a hitters paradise we haven’t signed basically anyone with “great stuff.”
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 19, 2010 12:44 PM CST up reply actions
CJ couldn't hold Uggie Urbina's jock.
much less the greatness that was Antonio Alfonseca
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
Good point
Of course that turned out so well for us.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 19, 2010 9:10 AM CST up reply actions
Shit
Well, can’t argue with that one. Hah.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 19, 2010 9:13 AM CST up reply actions
So
Because we’re a historically mediocre franchise with a ballpark that has a bed rep for pitchers, it means CJ should be in the rotation?
I don’t think our history signing FA’s has anything to do with anything here, CJ is just trying to anoint himself into an elite tier of players.
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
No, I'm not saying he should be in the rotation
I merely saying that guys with “great stuff” don’t want to sign here unless there are other circumstances (like with Harden/Sheets such as major injury concerns).
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Feb 19, 2010 9:11 AM CST up reply actions
Well yeah
This is a losing franchise both historically and recently (last year aside) with a ballpark that is perceived as a bad place for pitchers.
Bottom line, yes of course we haven’t signed any big FA pitchers, this team kinda sucked until very recently.
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
One of the best relievers in the game
but right up there with 08 Jason Jennings as a starter. Can’t wait to see his new “starter stuff” and see how it works the second time through the lineup.
by corbsclinton on Feb 19, 2010 9:01 AM CST up reply actions
I'm still as big a fan as ever
hope he lights it up as a starter
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Feb 19, 2010 10:18 AM CST up reply actions
i told everybody back then
it was a bad idea to get of of Gerald Laird. That was a horrible move. Yeah.. you LSB historians and researchers can find all the bitching i did about getting rid of Laird. I was vehemently against the trade
We should have never got rid of Laird. Just like we should have never got rid of John Danks.
We traded Laird for Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo.
And now we are going to have faith in flop ass SaltalamacSUCKhia.
I'm a newbie now... I've been on a sort of sabbatical leave... a rest from LSB or hiatus so to speak.
Long time no see
Here, have some fun with numbers:
2009 OPS / wOBA:
Salty: 661 / .287
Tea: 644 / .281
Laird: 626 / .287
Morality you can fake. Fun you either have or you don't.
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