Wednesday a.m. Rangers things
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 30, 2010 9:25 AM CDT
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Frustrating, frustrating game last night. Too many men left on base (although the Angels also stranded a bunch). Mediocre pitching, and a questionable decision to leave a clearly struggling Scott Feldman out there in the sixth inning until he blew the lead. Chances to take back the lead that weren't capitalized on.
Jeff Wilson's game story talks about that key sixth inning, where the Angels scored four runs after two were out in the inning and no one was on.
The game story on the Rangers' web site talks about the Angels big inning spoiling Vladimir Guerrero's return to Anaheim, although he did his part to give the Rangers a chance to win.
Richard Durrett has his post-game thoughts up at the ESPN Dallas blog.
Wilson's notes in the S-T include Colby Lewis's reaction to being bumped back a couple of days, and the Anaheim crowd's reaction to Vlad's return.
Wilson also has a story about Omar Beltre making his major league debut today, after all those years of not being allowed in the United States.
Rich Harden will throw a side session today, and could head out on a rehab assignment next week.
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Forgetting last night...
I have high expectations for Beltre tonight.
"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 was there last night. I hate the rally monkey.
Can’t really complain, we had our chances and didn’t capitalize and they did. Feldman was scuffling all night, don’t see why we left him out there, but hey, that’s our manager, it is what is it.
What was the deal with Kinsler bunting? Didn’t make a lot of sense since he had homered, singled, walked, but not sure what they said on the broadcast.
Bunting makes me spooge in my pants!
poor managing
Wash shoulda known Kinsler would do something stupid and told him not to bunt!
/sarcasm
"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
According to the GDT, Grieve praised Ian for it
TV guys said it was a great idea but it simply wasn’t executed properly.
Shocking that they would alibi for a dumb decision made by a Ranger, I know.
"Don't confuse the outcome that a decision produces with the intelligence that went into making that decision."--Tony LaRussa
Ian could take a dump on home plate and Tag..
would say “That’s a great move, it’ll keep the Angels from wanting to touch home plate Boy”
It gets to be a bit much, has he EVER called anyone out on stupid shit??
A punch and JUDY hitter is by definition a hitter who hits well placed but weakly hit balls for singles. Walter Alston once said of Willie McCovey "When he hits a home run he hits it with such authority it seems like an act of god. He's not a punch and Judy belter."
by BigGuns on Jun 30, 2010 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 6 recs
zactly
A punch and JUDY hitter is by definition a hitter who hits well placed but weakly hit balls for singles. Walter Alston once said of Willie McCovey "When he hits a home run he hits it with such authority it seems like an act of god. He's not a punch and Judy belter."
I'm laughing over here
because I can absolutely hear TAG saying that, too.
"I think I'm going to name my new car Scooter, because it dominates on the road." - mikeyoungfuturehof, 9.10.09
"I’ve been a Rangers fan all my life and I can tell you there’s been plenty of fucking crying in baseball…" - WhipSmart, 6.3.08
no recs?
"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 Jun 30, 2010 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
The only person that can is Newberg
"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 Jun 30, 2010 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I can too...
In the case of last night, though, it looks like he got screwed by Oliver, who came in, walked the leadoff man, gave up a double to a lefty (Abreu) then intentionally walked Hunter, and retired Matsui.
Oliver gets Abreu and Feldman only gives up 3 runs and we win 5-3 on Vlad’s homer.
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
Pretty sure he screwed himself over that inning.
2 outs nobody on, and he proceeds to give up 3 straight singles and throws a wild pitch in just for shits and giggles.
even when he gets ahead he doesn't have an out pitch
"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
You know what's strange is that he actually
is getting more pitches in for strikes and more first strikes than last year.
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
Here is a horrible question: Who would you rather see pitch Feldman or Harden?
I can’t decide, they both equally annoy me.
Bunting makes me spooge in my pants!
That's easy
unless Harden gets turned around give me Feldman. Feldman’s FIP and xFIP were actually better than Ted Lilly’s before last night’s start. Lilly did well against the Pirates while Feldman sucked against the Angels, but both are still close to league average.
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
I would love to see Lilly come here just
for the entertainment value. It’d be even better if he was traded for Chris Davis.
I have no idea how Lilly would do with Texas in this, the back end of his 4th year as a Cub but he was a damned good investment before the 2007 season. I believe (and there are LSB Do-Gooders who will correct) in his last 7 starts he has Game Scores between 57-82 (with most above 65) with a GS of 26 that came against the Angels.
How does that compare to Scott Feldman (who threw down a sparkly Game Score of 30 last night)?
Given how much lust he has received from me, I know Ted Lilly would become a polarizing figure and message board gold with the LSB Crowd .
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
by Josey Wales on Jun 30, 2010 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think he would be such a polarizing figure
He’s a better-than-average pitcher. I’m not sure anyone would argue with you on that, especially if you said you’d replace Feldman or Harden with Lilly.
"Does this effectively hide my thunder?"
C'mon now, Officer Bob...TBall would come prancing
in here twirling his xFIP baton trying to tell everybody there’s no difference between Lilly, Harden and Feldman.
And then he’d grab a book of poetry and watch a sunset.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
by Josey Wales on Jun 30, 2010 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
yeah
xFIP and FIP, what a bunch of morons. Everyone knows the only thing that matters is game scores.
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 don't discount xFIP and FIP.
I consider it to be information as part of the evaluation.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
by Josey Wales on Jun 30, 2010 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
I can tell
Clearly, by how you responded to t ball pointing out Lilly’s defensive independent stats, you put a lot of stock in this information and don’t just write it off like some stubborn jackass.
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
Throw strikes, get ahead of hitters, stay healthy
and you have a great chance to be effective in The Show.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
by Josey Wales on Jun 30, 2010 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions
You are clearly the new Bill James
with your revolutionary thoughts.
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
Wow, you should write a book
people need to know this stuff.
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
So you're saying you think saying "Stick the xFIP up your ass." is discounting xFIP?
Hm. A bold position, to be sure.
But you ignore them when it suits you, which is most of the time
This is why you suck at baseball analysis. You think that just because Lilly has been lucky so far and outperformed his peripherals by a wide margin that he will continue to do so. Somehow his ERA is more meaningful as an indicator of future expectations than his FIP and xFIP.
Lilly has had FOUR starts against Pittsburgh, the 2nd worst offense in baseball, and one against Seattle, the 3rd worst. He’s had three pretty good outings against strong offenses like Milwaukee (twice), and Texas, and some middling efforts against middling offenses like LAA, LAD, the Marlins. Sounds like an average pitcher.
Lilly is having an ok year. He’d be a decent trade pickup for a team looking for innings, but nothing to get too excited about. I cannot get excited about an NL pitcher putting up league average production against mostly weaker offenses with a BaBIP more than 40 points lower than his career mark. The Rangers have a few guys capable of doing the same and without having to pay the price in salary or prospects.
You constantly claim to respect Bill James, yet at every opportunity you contradict everything he stands for. When it comes to statistics, you don’t even know what you don’t know.
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
maybe we can have the enjoyment of these two guys on back-to-back days again
by sam in so cal on Jun 30, 2010 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
pass
"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 Jun 30, 2010 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions
personally, Harden
but that’s assuming he comes back healthy. And that’s me assuming that his glute caused control issues. I have torn a glute in the past, it throws EVERYTHING off.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jun 30, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
maybe you need a fake cortisone shot
by sam in so cal on Jun 30, 2010 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I could use quite a few actually
of the real variety: back, feet, shoulder, neck…especially after playing soccer for the first time in 10 years yesterday
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jun 30, 2010 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Ogando on the other hand
I hope that 12 pitch inning, including a strike out of the dangerous Napoli, cements him staying when a roster decision needs to be made today.
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
I'm still trying to fathom ANY possible explanation........
……..this team could give if they were to decide to send Ogando down today. Given that Harry and Ray both have options, there’s just no way in hell to justify it.
"Don't confuse the outcome that a decision produces with the intelligence that went into making that decision."--Tony LaRussa
Ray or Nippert need to go before Harry
unless they plan to move him back to a SP. Ray has an option, send him down.
Thank you Houston for drafting Jason Castro.
I like the idea of sending Harry down into the rotation of AAA
To gain some cred as a starter prospect, again (for trades)
Yeah,
I can’t see messing with Harrison in any capacity other than trades. Slow developing lefties just don’t seem to have much chance of grabbing a spot with the upcoming talent.
"Look, we're basically on earth to shit and fuck. So unless your job's to help people shit or fuck, it's not that important, so relax."-https://twitter.com/shitmydadsays
Yep
I like Harrison a lot. And think he’ll be a fine major league starter one day. But I increasingly doubt it will be with the Rangers, not because the powers-that-be don’t like his stuff (I think they do), but I think they’re frustrated with his injuries and there are simply too many other high ceiling players who they have to give opportunities to as well.
Harry has had his shot here, and didn’t seize it. Put him in AAA, let him puff up his numbers quite a bit, and package him with Davis to a rebuilding team like Houston who can afford to have high-ceiling, high-risk guys like Davis and Harrison on their major league roster. These Rangers are too far along to take that risk.
Go Rice Owls!
As a Harrison fan
I totally agree with your assessment.
by ncrangerfan on Jun 30, 2010 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
As do I
Let him matriculate for some lower rung team and he will have a 10+ year career. This is just too high of a leverage situation to afford to nurse him along in Texas.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
I keep Matty Ice around this year
and let him splash around the bully.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
by Josey Wales on Jun 30, 2010 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
Ray has options?
I didn’t know that; that makes it easy, especially with all of the innings he’s tossed
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jun 30, 2010 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
isn't Ray's option
much like the situation with McCarthy where they have service time built up?
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
theoretically
I’d rather have him until Scheppers or Strop are ready…than not.
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jun 30, 2010 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Ogando is this year's Feliz.
Ogando has a legit repertoire….he belongs in the bullpen, pitching in the late innings, this year, right now.
I will lucking fose it if he is sent down and Ray stays.
"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 Jun 30, 2010 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
this
A punch and JUDY hitter is by definition a hitter who hits well placed but weakly hit balls for singles. Walter Alston once said of Willie McCovey "When he hits a home run he hits it with such authority it seems like an act of god. He's not a punch and Judy belter."
Circle of Trust™
Not to be confused with the Josey Wales Circle of Trust™
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
We also have Trust Trees.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
by Josey Wales on Jun 30, 2010 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
I do but not when they suck
A punch and JUDY hitter is by definition a hitter who hits well placed but weakly hit balls for singles. Walter Alston once said of Willie McCovey "When he hits a home run he hits it with such authority it seems like an act of god. He's not a punch and Judy belter."
Ray is a WASH guy so you know they are not sending him down altough it is the ONLY
common sense move to make, but we all know when it comes to sense and Warsh the 2 don’t jive
Leaving starters in
This has been pretty much a constant this year, part of the Ryan-led philosophy change I assume. One the one hand I support the concept of letting guys get through tough spots, fixing their own problems, etc. On the whole I think it’s a good idea, gives your starters confidence to work out of jams, saves the bullpen a bit perhaps.
On the other hand, of course, you risk innings like the 6th last night, and you risk overworking your rotation over the course of a season. The Rangers rotation is habitually throwing 110+ pitches and it seems like the manager and pitching coach won’t even consider pulling a starter until they approach that total unless disaster is happening. I’m a little bit worried about fatigue late in the season with the starters pitching so many stressful 5th-6th innings when their pitch count is already over 100 for the night.
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
The first part of your post
Nolan said something along these lines on The Ticket the other day.
"...he’s subliterate and needs to have a cork on his fork to keep from hurting himself when he eats" - AJM on Ron Washington
by Anonymous New Guy on Jun 30, 2010 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Wasn't it just a few weeks ago
we were worried about our Bullpen’s workload?
I can understand leaving Scooter in – he even got two easy outs in the 6th… but a releiver should have been ready and at the first sniff of trouble (the first walk) he should been gone.
"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
Yep, I can't really criticize the philosophy
just specific instances of its implementation.
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
I don't know about "easy outs"
My recollection was that the first two outs of the sixth were hit hard, but I could be wrong.
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 30, 2010 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions
ok, 'quick' outs
"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
We have been told that the opposing hitters will
tell a manager when a pitcher is done. Well last night, the Angel hitters were screaming in Ron’s ear that Feldman was toast.
Thank you Houston for drafting Jason Castro.
We should still be worried about
our bully’s workload.
Wanna say we led the AL in IPs going into yesterday (ERA was a mighty fine 3.24).
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
by Josey Wales on Jun 30, 2010 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
You gotta pick your poisen, though
Do you want the starters to push deep into games
or do you want to save your bullpen?
I agree
I’m saying it’s a good philosophy overall. It’s awesome when a starter is going well and gets into a tough spot. You definitely let him work through it and keep going. But when a guy has been struggling the whole game you’d be better off not doing that. Pull him sooner on those nights.
Like any philosophy it has to be flexible and adapted to the game situation.
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
CJ
I’m worried about the state of the rotation if/when he hits a wall. He is already at a career high in IP.
Me too
I’m worried about a terrible 2nd half from him
A combination of a regression in his BABIP, the more impressive offenses we’re facing, and the fatigue, never been a starter before, thing…. could lead to some bad news.
The dude really needs to stop walking people so much, and start striking them out more, bullpen style
was coming on here to post the same thing.....
We leave our starters in to pitch over 100 pitches period.
It doesn’t matter if they are mowing people down or if they are getting shelled. It cost us last nights game. It was pretty obvious that Feldman was flirting with danger all game.We should have had the bullpen already in that game.
Also I didn’t like taking Ogando out after 1 quick dominate inning…..Frankie could have easily gave up a few there.
by death of the cool on Jun 30, 2010 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
that just means
we have Ogando, O’day, Neftali, and Ray all available tonight.
"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 also think that leaving him in was ill advised in a division matchup
But Elvis could have made that play and gotten out of the inning; I assume Wash just wanted to give him one more shot at it.
it's so weird to see Elvis NOT make a play
the runner (Frandsen?) did a good job screening that ball
"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
you mean the runner on 2nd b/c of the wild pitch?
by sam in so cal on Jun 30, 2010 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions
Why?
Why did Wash bring in Oliver with two on to face a right handed Howie Kendrick? Why didnt he bring in O’Day to get the right handed hitting Kendrick and if he gets on you bring in Oliver to face Abreu? Please some one explain this to me…..
by LetsgoRangers09 on Jun 30, 2010 9:47 AM CDT reply actions
because DO is your best reliever?
"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
What?
Why wouldn’t Wash not trust O’day he is one of our best situational pitchers? That was the perfect situation for him to come in. I just think Wash fell in love with the idea of throwing it in the face of the Angels with their old players and it got him in trouble last night.
by LetsgoRangers09 on Jun 30, 2010 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree with the 'situational move' argument
But I still don’t think DO was a bad choice there. It just didn’t work.
"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
Plus even though DO looks cool on the outside you know he was stressed coming
into that game, any other game i would say yeah bring him in, but i think the stress of pitching in front of those former fans got to him, that and some shit umpire calls
Angels Series comebacks...
The first LAA road series last season was in July. Game one, Millwood lost to Weaver 9-4. That was a bummer too. Then we had bad news, a rookie (Holland) was facing Lackey.
How did it end?
Holland beat Lackey. Then Padilla beat Santana. We won the series 2-1.
"Do you understand probability theory? Yes, I do. The Rangers will probably lose."
I was thinking the same thing.
This was a frustrating loss, but the last road trip started with a loss too, and that one turned out ok.
This loss sucked...
but Feldman in Anaheim had everyone concerned. Beltre is an unknown (and that’s a great thing tonight, since they don’t know what to expect from him), then we ride the C.J. wagon.
OT: Beltre was born in 1981. Some news people got that wrong yesterday, he’s almost 29.
"Do you understand probability theory? Yes, I do. The Rangers will probably lose."
I'm really nervous for the next two games.
Beltre is untested and CJ has been walking quite a few. I just worry it’ll catch up to him.
SP's
These better teams do expose our biggest weakness, SP’s. We do need an upgrade there.
"Do you understand probability theory? Yes, I do. The Rangers will probably lose."
He has owned us historically.
Hopefully this year is different, but I’m not exactly optimistic about this series.
"Historically" he's also been better than he is right now
“Historically” lefties have owned us
The past is that past. Let the healing begin.
Heh, he only throws one pitch that has positive value this year
+1.2 on his change up…
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
July 3, 2009
He entered the game with a 7.28 ERA and gave up 1 ER. He didn’t really pick it up until over a month later when he got traded.
We haven’t been as potent offensively against LHP this year either.
July 3, 2009
Kazmir: 5 Innings, 99 pitches, 5 Hits, 3 Run-1Earned, 6 K’s, 1 BB.
Oh and for the record, he gave up a 2-run homer to Hank Blalock in that game. Not terrible but not great from your man Kazmir.
Trade Deadline idea:
What if instead of picking a target and trying to outbid other teams (lee, oswalt) we came up with our own package of minor leaguers that we were willing to give up, especially due to the pending 40pocalypse, and then had 10 or so “sellers” bid on the package? I’m thinking a package of some combination of font, beavan, Davis and other similar prospects depending on who our front office prioritizes keeping the most. Come up with a pretty solid package of 3-5 second tier prospects and tell 10 teams that we will give the package to whoever gives us the most value for what we need. That way we don’t give up any of our blue chip guys, and we have multiple teams bidding against each other which would hopefully drive up the value we got in return?
my better is better than your better.
by rangerjake on Jun 30, 2010 9:51 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
I think the only guy you would want
Who you could get for that would be Oswalt, and that’s because you’re picking up all of his salary.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jun 30, 2010 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh that's not what I meant, I should have clarified...
I’m saying we shouldn’t be going after the lees and oswalts, we should be going after lesser targets that we could get from this package. Maybe a team offers up a solid #3 starter and a righty bench bat? Maybe a #2 guy plus a decent catcher? We hand pick the guys that we are most willing to lose, and might even be forced to lose with the 40 crunch, and then take whatever is the best value another team is offering. Maybe we turn 3 or 4 B/C prospects into one A prospect and a bench player? There are a lot of possibilities, I’d just prefer to get teams bidding against each other for our package vs us having to outbid others for the lees/oswalts.
my better is better than your better.
by rangerjake on Jun 30, 2010 10:32 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
dang it
hit post too soon (duh).
Why would teams give up a #3 starter for the Beavans of the world? And Oswalt is a #2 pitcher and look at what people think it’s going to take to get him..
And finally, to quote the great Joey Matches: “Go big, or don’t go at all.”
by elvis1isking on Jun 30, 2010 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Ok well when I said #2 I meant
A 2 that was closer to a 3, not a 2 that’s closer to being a 1. Besides people are saying Scheppers, Beavan, Davis might be enough for Oswalt, so if we throw in Font instead of Scheppers and one or two other guys like Ross or Engel Beltre you don’t think webcam get someone a step or two down the totem pole from oswalt? I would rather do nothing than “go big” but the main advantage of this strategy would be easing the 40 crunch while still helping the team win this year. Maybe we don’t get a #3, but it only takes one selling team to really like the package were offering (maybe a scout that loves font stuff) and bam the deal is done. I think there are teams that would like a whole slew of second tier prospects from one of the top farm systems in the league to boost up their lacking system.
my better is better than your better.
by rangerjake on Jun 30, 2010 10:55 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
who do you think
Font, Beavan, and Davis get?
Also, keep in mind that most likely we’ll need to have the players salary paid for too…
Who is available that Font, Beavan, and Davis get that would be an upgrade over, say, just having Holland come back from the DL and rolling with him?
by elvis1isking on Jun 30, 2010 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
well there
is talk that they may be enough to get Lee or Oswalt, that would be an improvement
by blueballlefty on Jun 30, 2010 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
not get him
and have his salary paid for.
Which is the whole point of my questions… who is available that the Rangers can afford for that package?
by elvis1isking on Jun 30, 2010 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions
but do we really need Lee's salary paid?
Its only like $3 million for this half of the season. surely we can absorb that……
(and don’t call me Shirley)
Oh my god! What can it be? We're all doomed! Who's flying this thing?
-Wash
given all that's gone on this season
you sure we don’t?
by elvis1isking on Jun 30, 2010 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions
The problem I see with that trifecta
is that there is not a stud amongst them. What are the chances that one of those three become a major league regular? 50%? I don’t think you can expect much in return unless you eat a bunch of salary.
by ncrangerfan on Jun 30, 2010 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
I think Font is a top 100 guy soon
His performance this season should open some eyes.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
He's a high-upside A-ball arm
he’s the kind of arm you put in to close the deal. He doesn’t headline a deal for an Oswalt type where you also need significant money coming too to cover the salary.
by elvis1isking on Jun 30, 2010 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh, I agree with that 100%
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Regarding your first point...
Font has surprised me this season, and good for him. It will be interesting to see how he handles AA competition next year.
you're wrong, but i guess I'm the dumb one for biting on it
by blueballlefty on Jun 30, 2010 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
no, I'm really not
his FIP is grouped comfortably with Anibal Sanchez, Mat Latos, Hiroki Kuroda, and John Danks. Good pitchers, but not #1 caliber
He has the 24th ranked FIP, so technically he’d be someone’s #1 (and he’d be ours for sure). I’m not knocking Oswalt, really; , but he isn’t a true #1.
by elvis1isking on Jun 30, 2010 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Nope
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jun 30, 2010 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Because this team has options for #3 starters
They need to either trade for a guy who can come in and be the best pitcher or hope that Harden or Holland could fill that role.
Colby is a #1/#2 and CJ is a #2. Hunter is a 3/4. Feldman is probably going to end up with #4 type numbers this year, though peripherals suggest he’s closer to a #3. Holland should be a #3, Harden could be anything from a 1 to a 10.
If you can bring in a guy who’s a true #1, then everybody slides into a more natural position, especially against the other AL playoff teams.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jun 30, 2010 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
While I agree a #1 is better than a #3
are you forgetting that Dustin Nippert made a couple starts for our team and we are sending out a guy who has never started a major league game against are divisional rival? A solid #3 would help our depth quite a bit. Also if Holland comes back and re-tweaks something or is a risk to injure something worse I’d hate for us to need to rush him back. A number 3 could help this team make the playoffs.
my better is better than your better.
by rangerjake on Jun 30, 2010 11:06 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
That's too short sited
If you’re making a trade, you have to look at the value they bring for the entire second half. Chances are, one of Holland or Harden will come back healthy (JD said in his chat the other day that they expect both back after the ASG). The thing about the performance from a #3 is that they’re generally more variable than those from the high end guys. That means that while a #3 may be better than a #4, the odds of one being better on any given day are much smaller.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jun 30, 2010 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Healthy doesn't necessarily concern me with Harden.
But if he comes back and has the same results, we need to cut bait.
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
by Aquaman, Esq. on Jun 30, 2010 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Anyone else wishing Harden has to cut his throwing session short today?
Thank you Houston for drafting Jason Castro.
We could use him in the second half so no.
The good harden that is. Give him a shot if he shits the bed cut his ass but I hope he is well rested and gets his stuff back. that would be huge then we can put feldman on the dl with an ass pull
by mainiac1717 on Jun 30, 2010 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Who is this "good Harden" you speak of?
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal. George Will
by GhostofSteveFoucault on Jun 30, 2010 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I suggest viagra for a good harden, the Rangers don't have one
A punch and JUDY hitter is by definition a hitter who hits well placed but weakly hit balls for singles. Walter Alston once said of Willie McCovey "When he hits a home run he hits it with such authority it seems like an act of god. He's not a punch and Judy belter."
by BigGuns on Jun 30, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
We have bad Harden.
It’s like dating the hottest chick from high school, unfortunately it’s now like 10 years later, she’s hit the wall and has gonorrhea, and now she’s all ours…..
Bunting makes me spooge in my pants!
HELL no
that’s just horrible; he can turn it around. Hell, Julio was dead to everbody on here except me and one or two others, and look at him…
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jun 30, 2010 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions
He may not be any better though.
"Look, we're basically on earth to shit and fuck. So unless your job's to help people shit or fuck, it's not that important, so relax."-https://twitter.com/shitmydadsays
Wow
I didn’t realize he was top 5 in all three. Crazy.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jun 30, 2010 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Next....
Why was Nelson Cruz not tagging on the ball hit by Bourbon? He tags, gets to third, he scores on Elvis’s ball off the plate. Its the little things that separates playoff teams from other teams. We have got to focus and not make little mistakes if we want to win the division.
by LetsgoRangers09 on Jun 30, 2010 10:02 AM CDT reply actions
If that ball lands, he can probably score from 2nd
He should have tagged up, and if you watch Torii, he even slows down at the end bc he knows he’s going to catch it
Nelson should have been on the bag
I think it's debatable that Cruz could score if the ball lands.
If he’s standing on second base ready to tag.
Yeah, he could tell once he was in 2/3 of the way to 3rd base.
And one second later, Hunter caught the ball.
2/3 of the way to 3rd base was the problem
is what I’m saying.
You’re taught in those situations to be a few steps off (like a lead off, almost). If the ball lands, you will score.
If you see the guy is about to catch it, you sprint back to the bag for the tag.
TAG said that ball had a lot of air
under it…yes, you’re taught to be halfway but that may have been a time that Cruz should have tagged up.
Hard to say unless you were in the park and could see the hit.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
by Josey Wales on Jun 30, 2010 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
Barnett said (and I know...it's Barnett)
that no one in the ballpark thought Hunter would make that play until the last second…I was pissed about Cruz not tagging at first, but if that’s even remotely true, then I guess it’s the wise decision (ball that may land in a 1-run game, guy on 2nd, trying to come around). And the impression I got from the radio broadcast was that Elvis’ ensuing single wouldn’t have been able to score Cruz (but I could be wrong..I didn’t actually see the play).
"Does this effectively hide my thunder?"
correction
IF Cruz had gone to 3rd, Elvis’ single may not have scored him.
"Does this effectively hide my thunder?"
Cruz would have definitely scored from 3b
because Tiny E’s hit was a Baltimore Chop that bounced high off home plate.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
by Josey Wales on Jun 30, 2010 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
fucking Barnett
really painting a “word picture” last night. Nevermind, then…
"Does this effectively hide my thunder?"
Except why should one assume an identical outcome with a different game state?
by Joey Matschulat on Jun 30, 2010 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions
The point is
I’m not sure why we should care whether Elvis’s chopper would or would not have scored Cruz from third base, because if Cruz ends up on third base on the sac fly, it’s fair to assume that Andrus is pitched at least slightly differently, he doesn’t end up hitting a high chopper for an infield single, and so on.
by Joey Matschulat on Jul 1, 2010 3:32 AM CDT up reply actions
That's actually not what you're taught on a deep fly-ball into the gap.
Have you ever played organized baseball?
I know exactly what you're taught
but there are occasions when you should tag from 2B.
There are differing opinions from TAG & Barnett on what should have happened and the hit itself. TAG said there was a lot of air under the ball that Judy hit.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"The Influence continues." Josey Wales (1/18/10)
"Now run along, my question was for Jamey and not the diminutive, sawwed off little twerp from Arkansas who no longer sees the team up close."
by Josey Wales on Jun 30, 2010 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Rather than tag up for a chance to move to third, Cruz was caught halfway as Torii Hunter chased down Borbon’s drive. Cruz couldn’t advance, and he would have scored the tying run as Andrus followed with an infield single.
"In that situation, it looked like he took for granted that it was going to fall," Washington said. "You’ve got to make sure that ball falls before you take off for third base."
Wash is simply wrong.
And the assumption that Cruz scores from a tag-up position at second base if the ball falls is unwarranted.
no he's not
and I don’t defend Wash very often. nellie should have tagged up.
Thank you Houston for drafting Jason Castro.
Look, the real complaint here is that Cruz apparently didn't judge perfectly the flight of the ball and the path Hunter was taking to it right off the bat.
As for TAG’s comments that the ball had a lot of air under it, well, thanks TAG. You, of course, are sitting in the press box and a perfect viewing angle to the ball as it came off the bat. Nellie did not. What Nellie knew is that Hunter was playing in the LCF gap and that the ball was hit deep into the opposite gap. That situation does not call for a tag up, period.
Go back and watch the damned replay. Hunter made an over-the-shoulder catch 10 ft. from the warning track. Yeah, he made it look easy. He’s Torii Hunter. But even the Angels’ play-by-play guys (who have seen Hunter in CF at the Big A hundreds of times) weren’t sure he had chased the ball down until, literally, one second before he caught it.
run after the CF and clothesline his ass?
"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 Jun 30, 2010 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Given that the CF is playing 30 feet over in the opposite gap, and that the ball was hit deep into the RCF gap...
I’d do exactly what Cruz did.
I wouldn't run on Hunter he's not GMJ
"Josey drives to games??? I always assumed he rides in on his high horse" jam0152
"dirkatron has his own evaluation metric: rapes above replacement." AJM
Well if he doesnt make the play and it gets by him, Cruz scores from second anyways.
by LetsgoRangers09 on Jun 30, 2010 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
It doesnt matter if it drops or he tags he is still on 3rd when Elvis gets up and scores on the ball off the plate.
by LetsgoRangers09 on Jun 30, 2010 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions
What was the story behind the Schachter article yesterday?
It seemed he had a axe to grind with Jamey.
Article...
Is that the article Jamey addresses in his report this morning? Can someone link it (or tell me where it is)? I’d like to read what he said.
Here
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/06/29/2302991/hicks-drew-salary-expenses-from.html
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Too lazy
it should be easy to find. Star Telegram. Hell, it’s even on the front page here at LSB…the one about Hicks’ salary.
"...he’s subliterate and needs to have a cork on his fork to keep from hurting himself when he eats" - AJM on Ron Washington
by Anonymous New Guy on Jun 30, 2010 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Just can't trust Feldman anymore.
I’m not overly bummed about the loss.
I’m excited about Omar tonight; win or lose.
Does he even throw his sinker anymore?
The reason feldman was great last year was that his sinker was dominate….
Now all I see from his dumbass his fastballs and curves. WTF?
I would like to see a breakdown percentage wise of his pitch selection….my guess is it is a lot different than last year. Maybe the sinker is not working for him, but he needs to freaking figure it out instead of sparing us to death.
by death of the cool on Jun 30, 2010 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
His cutter was the pitch last year
and its gone to hell
"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 Jun 30, 2010 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
"I would like to see a breakdown percentage wise of his pitch selection"
Really, you don’t know where or how to look this up?
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=6283&position=P
"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 Jun 30, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
His cutter has gone from
+23.7 to -11.9.
"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 Jun 30, 2010 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
The funny part
Last year I remember some discussion about how good he could be if he improved his curveball.
Well shit.
of course, that was assuming
the cutter stayed as effective.
by elvis1isking on Jun 30, 2010 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
It's the LSB way
You have to have been lurking around here for 5+ seasons and use at least 10 statistics per post to get any respect.
It’s in the manual somewhere…
"Doctor, I'm getting a little tired of all the innuendo."
"In-YOUR-end-o!"
by WildcatPhoenix on Jun 30, 2010 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions
If he would have asked, I'd have gladly linked him
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Evan Grant says...
…his sinker isn’t sinking this year.
by Adam J. Morris on Jun 30, 2010 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
I remember last year someone posted something that showed how many bats Feldman broke last year per start or inning or per pitch....something.
I’d like to see that chart compared what he’s done this year….
"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 Jun 30, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Fangraphs says he throwing very slightly less than last year but
it is least effective pitch this year.
by diamond_dave on Jun 30, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes especially when he was tearing the cover off the ball last night.
by LetsgoRangers09 on Jun 30, 2010 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions
A friend and I were arguing last night about the Cruz throw
One of us said Cruz should have thrown home instead of second and another said it was kinslers fault for not being between RF and home for the cutoff.
Was that Cruz or Kinslers bad?
by texasraider on Jun 30, 2010 10:20 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
usually on a single to RFwith a man on 1st....
The 2B is between the RF and 3B….it was just a crazy play by Abyar
by death of the cool on Jun 30, 2010 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Cruz threw it to the right spot
Because you want to keep the double play in order. But Cruz was pretty lazy with the throw to Kinsler and that’s why Aybar was able to score. That was just really good base running by Aybar though.
It was also a shitty throw.
He overthrew his cutoff man and got Ian off balance and out of position. That should have been an E-9.
"Ok, post your favorite moment of the Tom Hicks era
Mine is today when he sold the team." - t ball
I blame both
Cruz took his time getting to the ball and picking it up, then rushed the throw; then Kinsler had to rush. But he still could’ve thrown more accurately. AND Traenor could’ve still tagged him out instead of looking up
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jun 30, 2010 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Anybody seen any word
on who’s going to make room for Beltre? Saw that it was maybe Harrison in the ST article.
Nope
I think Harry is a logical option, but there are others. I don’t think we find out until game time, as that seems to be the new Ranger m.o.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
when I want your vote, I'll ask for it...
"Hang-Dai, Wu...Hang-Fu$&ing-Dai"
by Walter Sobchak on Jun 30, 2010 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Hmm?
Sources tell Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog.com that the Mets would be willing to part with prospect infielder Wilmer Flores to acquire left-hander Cliff Lee from the Mariners.
According to Cerrone, the Mets are reluctant to part with Jon Niese, Ike Davis, Jenrry Mejia or Fernando Martinez, but would be willing to trade Flores, as he is likely a few years away from making an impact on the major league level.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Link courtesy of JAM, Meister ranked in Top 10 Week - The Super Surgeons
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
you're welcome!
"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
Not you, the original
Joey M used to go by jam(something else)
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
OT: Mariano Rivera's Cutter Explained!
This video provides a look at Mariano Rivera’s and his cutter. The technology offers cool analysis. Offsetting that technology is my own inability to provide the link, but here’s the address.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/29/magazine/rivera-pitches.html
"Do you understand probability theory? Yes, I do. The Rangers will probably lose."
The Cutter
I have seen a lot of people try to explain his success with “one pitch” but that 2-minute video did more for me than one hour of Joe Buck on the topic.
"Do you understand probability theory? Yes, I do. The Rangers will probably lose."
Agreed
That was very informative and well done.
Godwin's Law Version 2.0 (Rangers Edition)
"As a Ranger discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Danks, Volquez, or Young approaches one."
by LBBRangerFan on Jun 30, 2010 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Damn
I thought the spin analysis was very ineresting.
"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 Cutter Grip
Some Pitching Coach explained this to me… There’s the grip itself, then there’s the feel needed for the release point. Relaxing the hand is key. His analogy included musicians and 3-point shooters. Each one essentially has similar mechanics, but unique subtle movements. Some people call it “feel” for the ball. Obviously, any pitcher would want Mariano’s pitch and they know the grip. But he does something that seems hard for others to duplicate. A mystery! Or maybe just not a priority? Danks improved when he learned to throw a cutter. I can’t imagine why more don’t use it.
"Do you understand probability theory? Yes, I do. The Rangers will probably lose."
Cool video.
Pitching coach Mike Maddux on Darren Oliver’s 0.00 ERA this spring:
"Economical work. He ain’t getting paid by the hour."
Oh Noes, Dontrell has been moved to the bullpen!
His numbers with Arizona, you ask?
21.1|21|14|14|3|27 BB!|12 K!
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
That's too bad.
"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 Jun 30, 2010 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions
The struggling STL offense did Dirkatrons to Dontrelle last night
"Don't confuse the outcome that a decision produces with the intelligence that went into making that decision."--Tony LaRussa
Just wondering...
Instead of pinch-hitting Murphy for Treanor, then replacing Murphy with Max… why not just PH Max for Treanor? We’ve been told Max’s strength is his offense.
Because .273 is much better than .227?
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
My question
Why is Omar Poveda listed as a creditor of the Rangers? Wouldn’t his salary still be paid by his parent club? Or, is he paid directly by the Rangers since he is on the 60 day DL?
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
The latter I think
he earns service time, too.
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
FWST article
I was just over at Red & White Kop (one of the biggest Liverpool fan forums) and they had a discussion thread going on about it…
Suffice it to say that Hicks is not a popular man on either side of the Atlantic right now.
I kinda think if he ever visits Europe again, they will find him
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Heh
What’s almost as sad- I went back to that Liverpool forum to discuss the article with a few of them, and in trying to enlighten them on Jamey’s role with the Rangers, I’ve already had 2 posters there call me out for being a Hicks plant.
Never minding that I’m an actual Liverpool fan, and member of the fucking supporters’ club. Fortunately, one of the other guys in our supporters’ club is a well-known poster over there, so there’s a couple of Scousers that are going to look very stupid shortly when he vouches for me.
RAWK is a hellhole that is boasts the largest complete retard:normal human ratio I've ever seen.
That place makes LSB look like a MENSA forum.
by LiamP on Jun 30, 2010 6:01 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Damn iPhone.
That “is” shouldn’t be there.
by LiamP on Jun 30, 2010 6:02 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
LOL
Yeah, there’s a reason I’ve had an account there for 2 years and only posted 5 times.
I lurk over there daily just to keep up with the anti-Hicks campaigns and to sift through the rumor mill, but I’d much rather discuss the team with the guys in the local supporters’ club or over at Paul Tomkins’ website.
Bengie Molina may be on his way to the Rangers per MLB network
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
"I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for." Lou Gehrig
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