Sullivan: Rangers remain "in contact" with Wilson

by Adam J. Morris on Nov 14, 2011 10:28 AM CST

T.R. Sullivan has a story up on the Rangers website about the Rangers and C.J. Wilson, with Jon Daniels saying that the Rangers would like to have him back and that the team has "remained in contact" with Wilson since he became a free agent.

What is particularly noteworthy/worrisome about this article is that Sullivan states flatly that, if Wilson returns or the Rangers acquire another starting pitcher, Neftali Feliz will remain in the bullpen as the closer. I've been working under the assumption that the Rangers are going to make a decision this winter on whether Feliz should be given a shot at the rotation or stay at closer based on what they think his long-term future holds, but Sullivan is saying it is going to be dependent on the Rangers' roster.

There's also discussion of how, if Feliz moves to the rotation, the Rangers have to go get a big dollar free agent closer, and also a look at some other free agent starting pitcher options and some trade candidates, if the Rangers don't bring Wilson back.

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And TR has a stellar track record regarding predictions?

We’re not about sending messages. We’re about winning ballgames.-Wash, 04/03/11
Hell to the fucking no. -Wash, 10/07/11

by Rodney on Nov 14, 2011 10:31 AM CST reply actions

We're calling up Brian Barden soon, right?

Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.

"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.

by Aqua on Nov 14, 2011 10:34 AM CST up reply actions

Still waiting for Brian Barden's call up.

But in all seriousness, TR does get team fed info. But some of what he gives is pure opinion. It’s tough to tell.

"I became an optimist when I discovered that I wasn't going to win any more games by being anything else." by Earl Weaver

by Brad on Nov 14, 2011 10:35 AM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Yeah...

I trust that JD isn’t going to go out and spend big $ on a FA closer, he has even said in the past that he doesn’t feel like that’s a good allocation of money.

As far as Feliz as a starter/closer, that decision isn’t going to be made soon by anyone. Look how late in ST they waited to make that decision last year. I’m sure Feliz is going to get every opportunity to start again this year.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Nov 14, 2011 10:36 AM CST up reply actions

Welp. From Morosi:

Interest in free-agent starter C.J. Wilson has been heavy despite his disappointing postseason, sources say.

An official with one of the involved clubs predicted that the left-hander would get "at least five years" with an option for a sixth year; an official of another club told FOXSports.com that Wilson could end up with a six-year deal.

In other words, Wilson, who turns 31 this week, appears likely to surpass the five-year, $82.5 million guarantees received by John Lackey and A.J. Burnett in recent years.

"The fattest countries have the biggest tits" -Texas Jihad, 10-12-11

by hornedfrogs45 on Nov 14, 2011 10:39 AM CST reply actions

If that's true

Then we should wish CJ the best of luck and thank him for his efforts.

by Darrell McKown on Nov 14, 2011 10:41 AM CST up reply actions

John Lackey and A.J. Burnett

How could CJ’s agent look him in the eye if he failed to leverage those two contract precedents for his client?

Of course that’s where the bidding starts.

I feel fine with giving him 5 years.

Go Strangers.

by hightowersmith on Nov 14, 2011 10:57 AM CST up reply actions

Sullivan's article

It sounds like a lot of speculation to me.

He says that it “could” mean that Neftali Feliz will remain the closer if we re-sign Wilson or sign another starter.

And he mentions Mike Adams and Mark Lowe as in-house candidates for reinforcing the bullpen if Feliz moves to the rotation.

I think he’s just speculating on which direction they might go.

I don’t see this team spending a bunch of money over several years for a closer. I could see them giving a Lidge or Nathan a short-term deal to add right-handed depth if Feliz goes to the rotation.

by Darrell McKown on Nov 14, 2011 10:40 AM CST reply actions

has neftali ever thrown a changeup?

"God dammit TAG I swear to God if you keep this "It was a close play" shit up all night I will send you cookies made from my own shit" -River Fenix 8/26/2011

"this is a big reason I decided not to convert to Islam now if it was 72 skanks? Different story, my friend" Bob Loblaw 9/2/2011

by I am Neftali Feliz on Nov 14, 2011 10:40 AM CST reply actions

You should know.

"The fattest countries have the biggest tits" -Texas Jihad, 10-12-11

by hornedfrogs45 on Nov 14, 2011 10:41 AM CST up reply actions

Yep...v Baltimore in 2010.

Some Orioles spare hit it in the upper-deck…grand slam in extra innings, maybe the day we acquired Cliff Lee?

"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."

"Don't become the '82 Milwaukee Brewers."

"You want false modesty? F that."

by Josey Wales on Nov 14, 2011 10:41 AM CST up reply actions

Corey Patterson

Baseball Rain Man

"Calmer than you are dude"

by Arlington Stadium Legend on Nov 14, 2011 11:01 AM CST up reply actions

And the grand slam

sent the game into extras.

"Calmer than you are dude"

by Arlington Stadium Legend on Nov 14, 2011 11:01 AM CST up reply actions

and bengie said something to the effect of

“yeah, i won’t call that pitch ever again”

by SteveP on Nov 14, 2011 11:07 AM CST up reply actions

Every 10th pitch in 2009

About every 30th pitch since

by blakethegr8 on Nov 14, 2011 10:52 AM CST up reply actions

I miss that curveball..

by TheHuntforRedOctober on Nov 14, 2011 10:53 AM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't trust that.

I don’t think Pitch F/X properly identifies his cutter vs. his slider.

Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.

"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.

by Aqua on Nov 14, 2011 11:09 AM CST up reply actions

His cutter is like 10 mph faster than his slider, I don't see why it would be diffcult to identify

by Telegraph on Nov 14, 2011 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

I meant curve vs. slider.

Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.

"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.

by Aqua on Nov 14, 2011 1:37 PM CST up reply actions

Change-up to lefties this year

Cutter to righties.

Ever been in a boardroom, or a gang fight? Ever save a life? Ever won a court case against the odds? Ever held a dying buddy in your arms?.- jackanape on "perspective," 11/8/2010.

"do you a jet ski rental place would work here" - Mike E, 5/10/2011, in response to me saying I would rather face the Thunder than the Grizzlies in the WCF.

by Aqua on Nov 14, 2011 11:08 AM CST up reply actions