Wednesday morning Rangers stuff
by Adam J. Morris on Mar 23, 2011 8:33 AM CDT
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PrintNine days until Opening Day, and the Rangers are getting closer to getting the final questions about the team's roster resolved.
Jeff Wilson and Anthony Andro go over the five leading questions the Rangers have to answer, with the most important one being what is going to happen with Neftali Feliz.
Gil Lebreton has a column on the bullpen situation, advocating that Alexi Ogando close and that Brett Tomko get the final spot in the bullpen as the long man.
Colby Lewis and Darren O'Day both pitched well in minor league games yesterday.
Joey Matches defends Julio Borbon, in the wake of suggestions that Borbon should be sent to AAA.
Richard Durrett has a piece on Don Welke, who was instrumental in getting Josh Hamilton and Neftali Feliz, among others, to the Rangers.
Evan Grant suspects that, despite signing a four year deal with the Chuck Greenberg-owned Myrtle Beach franchise, the Rangers will be one and done with Myrtle Beach, looking to get out of the deal after the 2011 season.
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Murphy, Hamilton, Cruz
This should be the outfield.
I own Mickey Tettleton's couch.
by Pith on Mar 23, 2011 8:38 AM CDT reply actions 6 recs
I actually agree with bigsteve here
They need a 4th outfielder that can play center field to get regular playing time.
agreed
My grandfather is a HUGE Gentry fan. We had a pretty good argument last year about this time and I was very adamant he’d never amount to anything.
Sure wish he’d quit running into walls and get a shot if Borbon doesn’t cut it.
I love Gentry's speed on the bases
-- Micah
Baseball Is My Boyfriend
I'm an Andrus-caliber catch. :-)
by The Best Micah on Mar 23, 2011 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I just freaking love Gentry
I’ve never really been sure why I love him so much
Baseball players routines: Spit, Chew, Curse, repeat.
by Gay For Feliz on Mar 23, 2011 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Probably
not much worse of a hitter than Borbon.
"I wanted to go out there and punch Julio" - Ron Washington
You would be incorrect.
The minors stats indicate that Gentry has a lower batting average by quite a bit, a similar BB rate, his K rate is MUCH higher than Borbon’s, and he has much less slugging than Borbon.
Superior defender? Sure. Better arm? My grandma has a better arm. Better bat? No. Definitely not.
he had a heck of a season going for him in 09 and 10
09: 303/378/418
10: 309/393/413
He’s someone who has gradually progressed rather than regressed as he’s moved up the levels of the minors.
I’ve very interested in him as a hitter and fielder
AND GODDAMN.
HE’S JUST SO GRITTY!
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.
No, that's a Cahill.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions
If you only had one bullet...
who would you shoot, Holland or Borbon?
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Josey
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
by willamos2 on Mar 23, 2011 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
And then
I’d pistol whip him.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Because you think Borbon is a bad defender in CF?
Or because you don’t think he’ll hit?
Or both?
by Adam J. Morris on Mar 23, 2011 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions
I believe he is a good defender with a good bat
And has shown flashes of them. Spring isn’t enough to go on for the entire season, obviously, but it looks like he needs to refine some things in AAA before coming back up again.
It’s more of seeing Murphy as a player and thinking that he has more of a bat than Julio.
I don’t know, I hate trying to talk baseball because I feel stupid compared to the analysis you guys bring to the table.
I own Mickey Tettleton's couch.
by Pith on Mar 23, 2011 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Come to the OT thread
that’s where they send kids like us with a dunce cap on their head.
"Sometimes I'm Bill Buckner, baby. Sometimes I'm Willie Mays." -dariustx
Well, you're right that Murphy's a better hitter than Julio
But the question is whether he’s good enough to wash out the downgrade in defense to CF (if you believe the metrics), the downgrade in defense in LF, and the risk of the MVP losing another fight with the CF wall, on top of losing Julio’s speed on the basepaths (which isn’t showing up in-game, I know.)
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Did you call the hypothetical hardware store and buy a theoretical chain saw?
According to FG's metrics when I checked them late last season,
the Cruz-Ham-Murph lineup was definitely better than having Borbon in there. Borbon’s hitting was that bad.
That has no way to take into account injury risks in the various positions for Hamilton, but that’s an extremely SSS area.
Off the top of my head, I wouldn't have expected that
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Did you call the hypothetical hardware store and buy a theoretical chain saw?
Heh.
I looked it up because Cahill was going on about how Murphy’s offense was clearly worth more than Borbon’s defense, and I suspected that FG/UZR would disagree. Nope.
Kind of depend on how well you think Murphy will hit going forward
Personally I doubt he matches 2010 again. If Murphy comes back a little and Borbon improves at the plate a little that would change the valuations a bit.
Nelson Cruz - 2011 MVP
That's because
Hamilton is still a plus defender in centerfield and Murphy is still a plus defender in left field.
however, if the team feels that playing Hamilton in centerfield 6 days a week is more likely to cause him injury (and remember he has patellar tendonitis in his knees), then you’d definitely want Borbon in center if he can produce above replacement offense to go with outstanding defense.
Why don't you have a nice big cup of shut the fuck up? - Lisa W 3/4/2011
I don't talk much baseball
because I am ridiculously smarter than everyone else.
Unfortunately I have no links or statistical proof to support this.
I can't stand people who are intolerant of other people's taste in music or people who like Nickelback.
by jonas m. on Mar 23, 2011 10:19 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
No, I'm not a Jonas
Brother, I’m a grown up
No, I’m not a virgin
I use my cajones.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
a little bit of both, but moreso on the hitting
If Borbon could hit like Murphy, this wouldn’t even be a discussion.
I get nervous every time the ball is hit near Borbon, kind of like when Soriano was playing 2B or when MY was at 3B. I just have much more confidence in Hamilton to make the play.
I hope I’m wrong because it looks like Borbon will be starting, but I don’t see that lasting long. I don’t think he can hit, despite what he’s done in the spring.
I just don’t think the downgrade on defense is greater than the upgrade on offense, and I think the heightened injury risk is a bunch of baloney.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
If Borbon hits like he did last year, that's one thing
But if he posts a 700-725 OPS, vs the 775 OPS you’d be likely to get from Murphy, that’s different.
by Adam J. Morris on Mar 23, 2011 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
I think Murphy and Borbon
both will hit better than they did last year. And Murphy hit quite well.
I’d roll with Borbon unless he played abysmally for around a month (both with the bat and with the glove). If his bat starts to look like Craig Gentry and his defense makes Vlad look decent, then by all means move him to AAA.
Why do you think Murphy will hit better?
by Adam J. Morris on Mar 23, 2011 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
i think he could if he was playing every day...get in more of a rhythm at the plate perhaps
but he’ll probably be around an 800 OPS given how the Rangers utilize him.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
I think quite the opposite
Murphy vs. RHP: .847 OPS in 342 PA
Murphy vs LHP: .696 OPS in 125 PA
Playing every day probably means a higher ratio of AB’s against LHP, albeit probably only slightly higher ratio, where he is clearly less successful. Even if he improves in his overall skill level my expectations would be that a most likely scenario is that he stays the same or produces at a slightly lower level.
See I interpret that differently
if Murphy was facing SOLELY LHP, he’d produce at about the same level that most are expecting Borbon to produce offensively.
And Borbon’s splits are .660/.609 OPS…ugh.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
I don't think that was the question
AJM was asking why you think Murphy will hit better than he did last year. My post was responding to that. I don’t think he’d hit better than he did last year.
I think it is obvious to everyone that he’ll outhit Borbon.
i know
and now i’m switching it up a bit.
Why does everyone think Borbon will improve his offense as an everyday player when he’ll be facing almost every LH SP we face?
That 609 OPS vs. lefties seems to suggest to me that his overall OPS would regress too.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
There's a huge difference between the two
Murphy had his best year as a pro offensively. Borbon had the opposite. Borbon is also younger and has less experience in the league. He’s a lot more likely to improve AND his splits are nearly as far apart as Murphy’s. Borbon is a lot less likely to regress.
I doubt he'll be facing every LHP.
If you have four outfielders, and Murphy hits LHP’s considerably better than Borbon, and you really don’t have a right handed outfielder besides Cruz, who starts as much as possible, you are more likely to move Hammy to Center and Murphy to left and give Borbon the day off, and bring him in as a defensive replacement. Of course that assumes he gets his defenisve act together. Murphy will lose at bats against right handed pitchers because they have Napoli, M Young at DH, and Borbon hits better against righties than lefties.
the above splits actually indicate that Borbon
would be better against lefties than Murphy. That is, if Borbon is playing at all.
think of it this way:
vs lefties: Murphy .696 vs Borbon .609
vs righties: Murphy .847 vs Borbon .660
So, if your gonna play Borbon at all, you might as well play him against lefties, since you lose less production.
realizing that this is all SSS and if Borbon is up in the .700’s next year (which I suspect he will be) then things are different. Also, what we think and what Wash thinks are 2 separate issues. He do what he do.
Why don't you have a nice big cup of shut the fuck up? - Lisa W 3/4/2011
Wouldn't the optimal lineup vs Leftys be
Cruz in left, Ham in center, Moreland in right with Face and Nap doing the DH/1B thing?
Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons.
Truthfully, I think Murphy will hit better this next year
based on a gut feeling alone. The stats don’t show anything in particular.
BABIP looks higher last year than previous (though not terribly so), and I think the K rate might not go down much more than it did in 2010.
I hope you're right, but I doubt it.
I think if Michael Young gets traded, then he gets enough at bats to sustain his level from last year. But I see him dropping 100 at bats, unless injuries occur to Cruz, or Hammy. Basically the Rangers have committed to giving Michael Young at bats against right handed pitchers, and Murphy is the odd man out in that situation.
Murphy's OPS last year was 806...not sure why you're expecting him to fall below his career #'s.
Murphy had a 115 OPS+.
Borbon’s OPS last year was 649, and he had a 74 OPS+.
That seems like a pretty wide disparity…even if you think Borbon can get his OPS into the 700-725 range.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
I don't see why not
it doesn’t appear to be a gigantic anomaly to me. It was his best season, but he was 28 and got somewhat regular playing time during stretches of the season.
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
Regression.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions
I could use some baseball.
"Brevity is the soul of wit"
by RangerFloppy on Mar 23, 2011 8:43 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
We all could right about now.
Josh Hamilton: "I just show up, look at the lineup and play where I’m told. If they want me to catch, I’ll catch."
Jon Daniels on relationship with #Rangers Young: "I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." 2/19/11
A rainout and then an off-day
No bueno.
-- Micah
Baseball Is My Boyfriend
I'm an Andrus-caliber catch. :-)
by The Best Micah on Mar 23, 2011 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions
I know
Even in ST, with a rainout and off day it is miserable waiting for the next game.
Btw, who is scheduled to start today? Harrison? Feliz is tomorrow, I believe.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Mar 23, 2011 8:58 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
One and done or not
I’m still buying a Pelicans hat.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
by TxStCa on Mar 23, 2011 8:51 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
It would be too small for you.
/MikeE
Josh Hamilton is just like you, he puts his pants on one leg at a time, but once he's got his pants on he hits baseballs 430 feet.
by BigGuns on Mar 23, 2011 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
dear God, anything but that place
I’d like wherever the Rangers decided to move the highA team that it is somewhat pitcher friendly. Ideally it would be nuetral, but if I had a way to choose this would be it. I hated sending our young pitchers to Bakersfield, not only for the shitty place that it was, but for the popups that turned into HRs
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Living in NC, the first thing I thought was what is going to happen to the high A team.
Selfishly, I want them to stay longer. However, Lynchburg is a closer drive than Myrtle Beach by an about an hour or so. On the other other hand, Myrtle rocks as a destination. Watch the prospects, play one of 200 golf courses in a 30 sq. mile area, eat a huge low country boil and watch more baseball. Don’t go Rangers.
"Ooooh....I want some fucking pancakes!" son of willamos2
I'm in Richmond ...
so moving two hours away from me to Lynchburg is nice. Lynchburg has a Dicky’s BBQ to acclamate the guys to Texas BBQ. However, you’re right about Myrtle Beach being be better destination. There’s a ton of stuff to do there for the entire family.
by northtexan95 on Mar 23, 2011 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
How come Lynchburg has a Dickeys
and Tyler, Texas doesnt? That sucks
The question of our time.
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.
by Aqua on Mar 23, 2011 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
So, would Greenberg get a buyout if the Rangers end the contract 3 yrs early?
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
Depends if we can work some deal out
We may try and work some deal out with another team to basically just trade places.
I would guess its not about having the Rangers specifically but having a ML affiliate in some capacity so if we got someone else to take over our term there shouldn’t be a buyout I wouldn’t think
Presumably...
…he’d rather have the Braves back in Myrtle Beach anyway, so I doubt it.
by Adam J. Morris on Mar 23, 2011 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions
So where would the Rangers go?
And why would they want to move?
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions
Grant suggests they want to cut ties
The easy thing would be to swap affiliates with the Braves, who are in Lynchburg.
by Adam J. Morris on Mar 23, 2011 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Lynchburg, TN?
Home of Jack Daniels?
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
When do you all think the rotation will be announced?
My guess is sometime in the next 3 days. They’ll likely want to have their rotation slated to pitch in order leading into opening day.
Yeah
With no traditional offday after the opener and having 6 straight days with games to start the year the rotation will have to be in place by sometime this weekend or early next week so guys can get in their routines and know when they are going to pitch.
right now it works out to be
CJ, Lewis, Harrison, Hunter/Feliz, Holland
Harrison goes today vs ARI. Thursday there are SS games @CIN (3:00pm) and vs SD (8:00pm on CH 21.) Feliz and Hunter are scheduled to pitch. Who do you send out @CIN? They will likely be playing many over thier regulars. Who knows who SD will be bringing to Surpise on Thursday night.
Thats set up to go LRLRL the first time through the order
Two lefties against the BoSox lineup is probably the ideal scenario and really Harrison/Holland is a tossup so I have no problem going with Harrison
not ceilings
In the current world, starting April 1, once things count, Holland is a better bet than Harrison. Harrison is Mr March. looking incredible in spring training but getting lit up in the regular season.
32 career major league starts, and and 31 relief appearances, with an ERA of 5.39, a WHIP of 1.57, and a K/9 ratio of 4.9
what’s odd, is that despite really sucking at the major league level, he hasn’t spent that much time in the minors. 15 starts in 2008, 3 in 2009, and 1 with 2 relief outings in 2010. It wouldn’t kill him to spend all year at AAA. (in his career he has only 7 AAA starts.)
Why don't you have a nice big cup of shut the fuck up? - Lisa W 3/4/2011
ok
lets go a bit further.
in over 600 minor league innings, Harry has a 6.4 K/9 rate and a 1.235 WHIP.
Hollands K/9 is 9.5 in the minors with a WHIP of 1.061
Harry has yet to have an ERA below 3 in any season at any level.
Holland’s career minor league ERA is 2.47
I can’t explain it. Harrison might throw a bit harder, but Holland is better at getting guys out. which is more important?
Why don't you have a nice big cup of shut the fuck up? - Lisa W 3/4/2011
and that's why you are an idiot.
ok. that’s pretty harsh. But you have yet to give any reason at all to support what you think. For that matter you’ve yet to give any reason at all to support your theory that David Bush will outpitch both of them next year. So I conclude that you are a troll.
I BRAND YOU TROLL!!!!!
Why don't you have a nice big cup of shut the fuck up? - Lisa W 3/4/2011
Ive given my rationale on this subject countless times
To boil it down to a quick synopsis.
I think Bush will be just as good at run prevention as both Harrison and Holland
AND
he will be someone we can depend on to go roughly 6 innings per start every 5th day.
Im fine with having one unproven young guy in the rotation but not two because I don’t want to burn our bullpen out before summer hits.
I don't see where Dave Bush fits in this rotation...
Pls advise.
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.
I still think he would be the best fit for us if Webb isn't going to be ready until late April or later
And if Harrison or especially Holland have a bad last outing or two in spring I still think he has a chance to make the club.
You're never going to let this go.
On bigsteve’s death bed, his “rosebud” moment will be “daaaaveeee buuuush”
And then he dies.
"I'll bet you an Internet he puts up a higher OPS than Beltre." | Scoop16 on Michael Young, 2/17/2011
"Daaaaaaaaaveeeeeeeeeeee Buuuuuuuuuuuusssssssshhhhhhh
Should have started 2011 in the rotation until Webb was heal…..thy………….."
Fin.
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.
It'll be over as soon as Webb comes back
But I guarantee you if Harrison or Holland break out of the gate and are struggling and only giving this club 4-5 innings per start I will be pissed.
And if they don't struggle?
"I'll bet you an Internet he puts up a higher OPS than Beltre." | Scoop16 on Michael Young, 2/17/2011
This is the thing that scares me
If Holland comes out with a good first outing which is very possible considering the schedule. Then follows up with a solid 2nd outing are you really going to drop him to long relief or back to AAA for an unproven Webb? Just seems to me that Tommy is untouchable for at least a month before he gets moved anywhere
All with the assumption of a CJ,Colby, Feliz, Hunter, Holland roto.
I'm like 90% sure Webb will be down for longer than 2 Holland starts.
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.
and for that matter
even if Webb is throwing full strength you send him out on a 30 day rehab assignment starting in A+ ball, then to AA, then AAA, then its either back to the DL (if he sucks) or make a decision on the big club (if he shows that great sinker).
Why don't you have a nice big cup of shut the fuck up? - Lisa W 3/4/2011
Just STFU
frankly, I don’t know how you can type with Dave Bush’s penis lodged so firmly in your throat.
Why don't you have a nice big cup of shut the fuck up? - Lisa W 3/4/2011
You're typing incorrectly if it involves a clear esophagial passage.
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.
hard to see the screen
with your face pressed into the mans abdomen.
Why don't you have a nice big cup of shut the fuck up? - Lisa W 3/4/2011
I wouldn't know.
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.
Bush (Bush Bush)
All Steve really wants Bush
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions
I really don't think Harrison will be there.
It will end up CJ, Lewis, Hunter, Holland, Feliz.
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.
by Aqua on Mar 23, 2011 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1,000,000
"I'll bet you an Internet he puts up a higher OPS than Beltre." | Scoop16 on Michael Young, 2/17/2011
Rangers are now the 8th most valuable team in the MLB
Sucks to be you Mr. Hicks…
JD’s like, "you want some f*&#ing pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, b*#&hes!"- RCCook
LSB: "Oh s#*t, JD. You crazy!"
The Rangers valuation jumped 140M this year
think about that… That is a ridiculous amount.
This is an textbook example buying an undervalued asset and maximizing its value… I wonder how much of the increased valuation is due to the new TV deal?
JD’s like, "you want some f*&#ing pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, b*#&hes!"- RCCook
LSB: "Oh s#*t, JD. You crazy!"
Considering...
Considering most profits realized during the ownership period come from TV deals these days, I’d say a lot.
Time to sell!
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on Mar 23, 2011 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
What a strange comment
It goes deeper. People take out their frustrations with Josey on their real-life acquaintances, which propagates forward, and before you know it you’ve got more marriages in an easily-smashable state.-Closure GT on 12/14/2010 9:48 AM
Josh Hamilton: "I just show up, look at the lineup and play where I’m told. If they want me to catch, I’ll catch."
Probably some,
but since most of it doesn’t kick in for a few more years, I don’t know if that’s the overriding factor.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Also,
I think this may serve as a correction. That’s close to what the Rangers sold for and I imagine part of that is that they’re somewhat obligated to tie this figures into what teams are actually selling for.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
I wonder how much of the depressed value had to do with Hicks' financial situation.
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.
Yeah
They did clear quite a bit of debt when the team was sold obviously. I’m sure that had something to do with it.
by Dirk Diggler on Mar 23, 2011 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
weren't there also
parking lots and debt obligations that came along with the team, though?
Nelson Cruz - 2011 MVP
Parking lots... I don't think so
I think they were stripped out of the deal. Still owned by Hicks. I think.
even without
I think some of the debt obligations are in the tens of millions over and above the value of the team in the purchase price.
Nelson Cruz - 2011 MVP
Buster Olney just mentioned Wally the Beer Man
That amazed me. Does anybody other than me know who he is?
I do.
But of course my season tickets are at my namesake and one of the girls I split them with is his granddaughter.
At least I get to see the Rangers when they play the Twins now.
Another DFW transplant I take it?
At least I get to see the Rangers when they play the Twins now.
by TargetField on Mar 23, 2011 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Grew up as a youngster in Duncanville
Teenage/Adult years have been split between South Dakota and MSP metro.
Ah
Grew up in Wylie/Plano/San Angelo and got the fuck out of Texas as soon as school was over. Came up here and love it. Well not today with this bullshit weather but most days :D
At least I get to see the Rangers when they play the Twins now.
by TargetField on Mar 23, 2011 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Not good for our friends at Target Field either
They’ve got Gopher baseball starting in 7 days. This won’t make the field any softer.
1. Kansas City Royals
2. Tampa Bay Rays
3. Atlanta Braves
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. New York Yankees
6. Cincinnati Reds
7. Cleveland Indians
8. San Diego Padres
9. Colorado Rockies
10. Philadelphia Phillies
11. Los Angeles Dodgers
12. Minnesota Twins
13. Washington Nationals
14. Texas Rangers
15. Los Angeles Angels
16. Chicago Cubs
17. Boston Red Sox
18. Seattle Mariners (6th!?)
19. Pittsburgh Pirates
20. New York Mets
21. Baltimore Orioles
22. Arizona Diamondbacks
23. San Francisco Giants
24. St. Louis Cardinals
25. Detroit Tigers
26. Houston Astros
27. Chicago White Sox
28. Oakland Athletics
29. Florida Marlins
30. Milwaukee Brewers
I love technology.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions
But I still love technology.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think so this time
They have two young pitchers that are pretty good and pretty close to major league ready. That and Montero makes for some serious firepower.
Yeah,
plus they don’t seem to be the type to chronically overrate Yankees prospects.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions
I really hope this coming year's draft/international signing
involves signing the sort of high-priced, fast-track guys that will replenish the upper tiers of the farm system.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions
28. Oakland Athletics
I guess Billy Beane the genius must feel that crappy farm teams are the new market inefficiency
Except their farm was never that good to begin with.
So it’s not like they graduate ubertalent.
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.
Moneyball
If you want to argue that most of their young talent wasn’t originally drafted by the A’s I’ll understand.
However to criticize Beane for having a bare farm system when the big league club is full of very good to elite young talent 26 and younger is odd to me. Most of those guys have played their entire big league careers with the A’s.
Anderson, Cahill, Gonzalez, Barton. That’s a lot of young talent that has all graduated with the A’s in the last 2-3 years.
And you could say something very similar about the Rangers
Yet our farm system is still at least in the teens.
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.
Which I agree with
I was responding to BEW’s criticism of Billy Beane’s moneyball strategy. I wasn’t responding to their specific ranking.
What is your point?
And thats fine
and I understand that they have a lot of talent on the big league club. Thats no justification for dropping to the bottom.
I just have never really got the Billy Beane love. I know all the geeks get an erection because he knows what the term “saber” is but honestly he’s been running the show for years in a division thats not all that strong and has a pretty mediocre record.
Calling people geeks, how Joe Morgan of you
but honestly he’s been running the show for years in a division thats not all that strong and has a pretty mediocre record.
Would you like to try some research? Billy Beane took over as GM in 1998. If you start in 1998, the A’s have had 80+ wins in 9 of 13 seasons and ranked at least 2nd in the division all 9 of those times. 8 of those are 85+ wins. I won’t crunch the WP% numbers but that is probably good for top 4 in the AL over that span. That is definitely not mediocre.
And Beane’s philosophy from moneyball had little to do with “saber” anything. It was about recognizing undervalued assets in the market, a strategy that the Twins employ with great success and the Rangers have been employing the Latin market for years.
Division titles since 1998
LAAAAA 5
Saint Billy 4
YOUR TEXAS RANGERS 3
Seattle 1
4 division titles in 13 years is OK but thats just one more than the previously erratic Rangers. Its OK but its not the God like status that everyone tries to give him.
I don't think they have a lot of talent on the big leauge club
they have some talent, but not a lot.
Go Rice Owls!
You're missing the point
He was referring to my comment about “loads of young talent” on the roster. Not the roster as a whole.
yet Fangraphs still has the Royals as the #25 organization
I hope Dave Cameron and his Seattle cronies enjoy watching some Royals October baseball. Because they’re going to be on quite a bit over the next 6 years.
Go Rice Owls!
I think they brought up legitimate issues,
many of which were brought up to a lesser degree about Jon Daniels before this past year.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
They also said they weren't going to measure minor league talent
which I think is fine. I’m sure they will rate the Royals higher in the coming years if the talent starts to pan out
Yeah,
it seems a bit short sighted given the strong track record of teams that get a #1 rated class from BA, but I’m ok with it given the general washout rate of prospects.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
to add to that
Quite a bit of October baseball over the next 6 years is a pretty big overstatement.
They will be terrible in 2011.
They won’t make the playoffs in 2012.
2013 is the earliest playoff date – and that’s assuming that many of these prospects will be great in their first or second full season.
Wouldn’t 2014 be the real date to think the Royals would be good? I think the #25 org isn’t too far from that.
Yes
Because I find it to be poor, shallow analysis and it shows up on the side of my LSB every day.
Go Rice Owls!
So you don't really think the Royals are being mistreated by being put at #25?
by Adam J. Morris on Mar 23, 2011 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions
okay, it isn't a bit then
I think that ranking underrates the Royals by at least 10 spots
Go Rice Owls!
You think the Royals are in the top half of ML franchises?
Their minor league system is good but I don’t think its good enough to vault them that much
it depends what you're ranking teams based on.
Short term: odds to win this year? Then present talent is what is most important, with finances, leadership, and farm being minor contributors. Medium term: the minors are probably most important, along with young, stable present talent. Everything is important here. Long term: present talent has no value, farm isn’t of much value, finance and ops is probably most valuable. I think their system is oddly weighting short term (in heavy present talent) and long term (in finances) with a weird ignoring of the 3-6 year time window.
I would define a ranking system as the following: How many playoff visits (and how far may they go) do you expect for the team, with a diminishing return for future years of ~20%/year. So 2011 counts as 1, 2012 0.8, 2013 0.64, etc. You could have a faster or slower decay if you like.
Personally, I think the Royals and their ridiculous farm (and it is ridiculous) plus the overall weakness of their division, it is reasonable to expect them to make the playoffs 3-4 times in the next 6-7 years. I don’t know if you can say that about 15 other teams.
Go Rice Owls!
Care to give odds on that guess?
I would wager against the Royals making the playoffs 3 times in the next 7 years.
"I'll bet you an Internet he puts up a higher OPS than Beltre." | Scoop16 on Michael Young, 2/17/2011
I'm not disputing that.
But making the playoffs 3-4 times in 6-7 years as JBI put it is a very very difficult thing to achieve. Even more so when you have a bottom tier payroll.
"I'll bet you an Internet he puts up a higher OPS than Beltre." | Scoop16 on Michael Young, 2/17/2011
eh
the AL Central just isn’t very good. That’s a big factor to consider. The White Sox and Detroit are both very much in “win now” mode; Cleveland has a worse farm and a worse current roster. Minnesota is really their only threat over the next medium term. And even they aren’t that scary going forward, what with their trade Liriano rumors and so forth.
As for Dayton Moore… he’s not great; but I think he gets a worse rap than he deserves. I think that he has put together a very nice long-term plan for that team. We’ll see if he can carry through with it well, but I suspect they know what they are doing more than people give them credit for.
Go Rice Owls!
Wanna wager?
Doesn’t have to money.
I say the Royals will make the playoffs less than 3 times in the next 7 years, ending 2017.
Actually, while I do want to wager on this… it’s going to take too long to realize.
But know in your mind… matchst1ck bet against this. :P
"I'll bet you an Internet he puts up a higher OPS than Beltre." | Scoop16 on Michael Young, 2/17/2011
okay, the internet wager is on
if KC makes the playoffs 3 or more times by 2017, JBImaknee was right.
Go Rice Owls!
I agree that
they need to define their goals better.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't think anyone would argue about them having one of the brightest futures in the league
But thats not the only thing being measured as far as I can tell. thats one part of the equation (however fucked up that equation is).
I don’t know enough about the Royals finances to make a definitive conclusion. Will they have the money to add that piece that they will need to put them over the top? Will they be able to keep all their young guys as they all come up on arbitration together?
Also their current on field product isn’t very good and their FO hasn’t been the best when it comes to ML level transactions.
As it stands I think they may be a few spots too low but i think saying they are one of the top 15 is a bit of a stretch.
As their minor league system starts churning out ML players and their current ML squad starts improving along with their top farm system then their ranking should rise.
Do you disagree with where the Royals are slotted in any of the four categories?
Or do you think their future talent alone is good enough to put them in the top half of franchises?
by Adam J. Morris on Mar 23, 2011 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
my problem
is that they are treating their rankings as parametric when they are not. Essentially, the #10 farm system on that list above is a lot closer to #30 than they are to the Royals. Whereas they have Cleveland (their #19 farm) 15 “future talent” points away from KC, and 15 “future talent” points away from Houston (their #30 farm). You simply cannot say that the #19 farm in baseball is as close to KC as they are to Houston. Give any bottom ten team a Grade A (~top 20) prospect and they move into the top half – farm systems have a very skewed distribution where most teams cluster at the bottom and a few excel.
So while I can quibble with their weighting of minor league talent (and I do, but that isn’t the issue); my problem is that the non-parametric scoring system they are using is then biased AGAIN against KC since they are far, far, far, far and away above the other teams in that category (I’d score KC a 95 or 100, and the next closest team would have something like a 70; Houston, etc, would be around 20). This should apply to the Yankees advantage in payroll as well.
Go Rice Owls!
I was sure the Indians would be third.
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.
Is that the Hard Line's own Doug Melvin team at the bottom?
by DingleBerryButtKiss on Mar 23, 2011 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Well,
I think that’s somewhat legitimate. If the Rangers had traded for Marcum and Greinke, their farm system would be pretty barren as well.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
top selling MLB jerseys
A couple of surprises. Thanks Herbie.
herbiepallotta Here’s a list of the 10 Best Selling MLB Jerseys of 2010 via @CNBC… Hint: one of them is a Texas Ranger http://bit.ly/fJFVez
Maaa get my Jeeetuh jersey!!!
Curious to see what Happy jersey sales do if he sticks in the roto this year.
I hate slideshows like that
i’m not going to give you an extra 12 clicks
by Dirk Diggler on Mar 23, 2011 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
It kills me
That Wilson and Andro acknowledge that Feliz has been one of the best five starters and then talk about how “It would do no good for Feliz to go out and give the team seven solid innings only to have the game lost in the eighth and ninth innings.”
Are they assuming that Holland or Harrison or whoever would put the team in the same situation after seven innings, but with Feliz in the bullpen we can close it out (which is an ok opinion, I’m not getting into the How much better is Feliz starting debate) or are they saying it is actually preferable to not necessarily have the lead after seven innings, but at least we have a lockdown bullpen in case we do? That answer of theirs needs a lot more discussion
Rant over – tl;dr
Yeah
there is no issue with a Feliz start if he gives you seven solid innings. There is an issue if he gives you 5 mediocre innings and there are potentially issues with every other start if you don’t have a good bullpen. But if Feliz makes a habit of giving you 7 solid innings, there is no issue.
If the club was confident Feliz could go out and give 7 strong on a consistent basis there would be no dilema
he would have been announced as a starter some time ago
They may be confident that he can do that...
but they’re also smart enough to realize that they don’t want him to jump to 200 innings this year too.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Wash on with Ben and Skin
Feliz decision within a week…
virtually…rotation will be set within a week
Per Anthony Andro and Jeff Wilson
Alexi Ogando acheduled to pitch in relief for Rangers. One inning.
To the surprise of no one.
I think it's the other way around.
Ogando’s just waiting to see if he’s going to be the closer or setup man.
I'd rather have a Feliz 1-7, O'Day 8, Ogando 9.
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.
What if it is Feliz
1-3, Tomko 4-8, and who cares in the ninth?
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think
they’d be starting Feliz if they think that he’s going to be terrible and only give them 3 innings. The thought process probably revolves an expectation of something good. I don’t know this to be fact though
You could say the same for any starter at that point.
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.
Yes you could
but most of the other starters don’t have the option of filling another role so skillfully
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
How do we know?
Just because we never tried to let Colby close doesn’t mean he couldn’t do it.
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.
We probably haven't tried
because they are more valuable as quality starters
Proven quality starters
Right now, you have two proven quality starters, and honestly, the proof is 1 season.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
CJ is a proven reliever, too
But you don’t see anyone advocating for him to go back to the bullpen.
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.
Right
starters are more valuable. C.J. is a proven quality starter.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
If the Rangers were confident Feliz would do...
…what CJ did last year, no one would be advocating that he go back to the bullpen, either.
by Adam J. Morris on Mar 23, 2011 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Exactly
Heard a guy talking about Feliz’s cutter last night. Said it was very flat and on the same plane the whole way. It was an early cutter that was easy to pick up. He didn’t feel like it would be a quality pitch for him right now.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
But would you want him improving the cutter
As a starter, where he’ll face 20-30 batters/game every five days?
Or as a closer where he’ll face 3-5 batters/game every day or every other day?
I own Mickey Tettleton's couch.
If the cutter is getting hammered
and he doesn’t want to throw it in a game, I don’t think it matters how many batters he is facing.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions
The fact that he picked up a new pitch two weeks ago
With potential to be better than average should show you the kind of talent we’re dealing with.
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.
i was blown away when i heard that.
Lady, people aren't chocolates. Do you know what they are mostly? Bastards. Bastard-coated bastards with bastard fillings. But I don't find them half as annoying as I find naive bubble-headed optimists who walk around vomiting sunshine.
by Mr. Abe Froman on Mar 23, 2011 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions
And by better than average, I meant soon.
Who knows how good it could be with an entire season of work.
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.
I don't think anyone disagrees he has talent
I don’t think anyone disagrees that his future is in the rotation.
The only question is whether the team will be better with him in the rotation in 2011, or with him in the bullpen in 2011 and in the rotation in 2012 or 2013.
by Adam J. Morris on Mar 23, 2011 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions
No
it must be black and white! No gray areas!!!
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
You just have to remember
that there is a future beyond 2011 as well that this can have a big effect on, and while winning this year is important, setting up more future success shouldn’t just be overlooked.
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
Okay...
but is that because the Rangers are expected to win in 2011 and not in 2012 or 2013?
If he doesn’t make the jump now, why is 2012 a better year for him to do it?
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
The Rangers weren't confident at this point last year that CJ could do what CJ did.
And, famously enough, neither were you.
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.
idk
I think they have a prettty good idea of what Feliz could do as a SP. Ogando otoh, thay want to see if he can up his K rate to what they feel a closer should have. That was the point of him trying to learn the splitter.
I doubt they're concerned about his K rate.
They wanted to give him a weapon against lefties.
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.
Why do you doubt me? :)
The Rangers think Ogando needs to up his ability to strike hitters out to be effective as the closer. Ogando averaged 8.24 strikeouts per nine innings last year, which would have ranked in the bottom third among MLB closers. Washington’s concern after last year was that Ogando actually threw too many strikes, leaving balls in the hitting zone even when the count was in his favor.
http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/03/alexi-ogando-working-on-split-.html
Well then I withdraw my statement.
You are correct, sir.
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.
heh
We’re concerned that our pitchers are throwing too many strikes.
First world problem, that is.
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Did you call the hypothetical hardware store and buy a theoretical chain saw?
Probably meant quality strikes
He mentions ahead in the count. That’s the old what is good command argument. Is it the ability to throw strikes, or the ability to throw quality strikes.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
He also said we may see Moreland in RF every now & then
by blakethegr8 on Mar 23, 2011 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
and that he wasn't going to be platooned
which is fine if he’s hitting lefties…but if he isn’t…we have the bench now to play a STRONG lineup vs. lefties…except for the 4th outfielder part
If Moreland and Young are both playing every day
when is Napoli supposed to play?
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
DH and C for Texas
while Young plays for someone else.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I thought Treanor was the backup catcher
Beltre and Andrus aren’t likely to need a lot of days off, and Blanco is here as Andrus’ sub. Kinsler could use his rest to keep him healthy or he’ll get hurt and Young could play then. That is the only position I could see working to give Napoli time. He’s our $7M pinch hitter.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
Think it's more that Wash doesn't want to call it a platoon
He said if the matchup favors having Napoli in the lineup he will be in the lineup.
decision within a week? Are they going to see Feliz pitch 2 more times or something
wtf would take so long. Either they are trying to get another reliever in the trade market, and don’t want to tip their hand or they need to just man up and put Feliz in the rotation.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
There is no reason Tomko should make the roster when he can be sent to RR
Personally, I’d love to see Tobin as the long reliever. You don’t lose him or have to work out a trade, and he could potentially be an asset in a setup role. And if he STBF you always have Tomko, Kirkman, etc. waiting in AAA.
by seanathan on Mar 23, 2011 10:21 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
I completely agree.
I love me some Tobin.
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.
Agreed
If Tobin sucks and we want to send him down, wouldn’t it actually probably be easier to work out a trade at that point than trying to work it out now when he’s had a good spring?
Tobin wouldn't have options though
Unless we worked out a trade. If we don’t then if we try and send him down we have to return him to the Angels
I hope we keep him
so we have another reliever the Angels dumped helping us win
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions
and more people than you have
you like it better than smoking? I tried one of those really early shitty ones a long time ago. It didn’t seem like as much fun
Vape?
What the hell is that?
"I'll bet you an Internet he puts up a higher OPS than Beltre." | Scoop16 on Michael Young, 2/17/2011
Vaporizer
I think you can do it with booze or the weed; that booze thing might have gone by the wayside, though.
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Did you call the hypothetical hardware store and buy a theoretical chain saw?
Long story short, it's not videorape, which is probably what most LSBers would assume upon seeing the word vape.
Look at the comments under Jeff Wilson's blog post on dallasnews.com. What a bunch of rocket scientists.- Keith Law
Did you call the hypothetical hardware store and buy a theoretical chain saw?
How do you vaporize weed?
Or booze?
And what’s the point of it?
"I'll bet you an Internet he puts up a higher OPS than Beltre." | Scoop16 on Michael Young, 2/17/2011
It's not smoke
it’s vapor so it should technically be better for your lungs than just burning smoke. This is also the concept behind e-cigarettes.
As to how, the older ones just basically baked it at a high temperature instead of burned it. I don’t really know how the new ones work.
I'd never heard of this
Or an e-cigarette.
I get all of my news from technology, sports and car blogs. If it doesn’t show up there I might never hear about it.
"I'll bet you an Internet he puts up a higher OPS than Beltre." | Scoop16 on Michael Young, 2/17/2011
After looking at a picture of an e-cigarette
It looks like a more complicated version of a one-hitter.
Obviously they work completely differently since a one-hitter is truly just a pipe…. but interesting stuff.
"I'll bet you an Internet he puts up a higher OPS than Beltre." | Scoop16 on Michael Young, 2/17/2011
dont know about for booze..
but I use mine for herbal stuff.. instead of burning the substance it heats it up just enough for it to release its lovely tetrahydrocannabinol molecules, which is then inhaled.
it's pretty much all I use
since I got it last year. I got a Vapor Brothers hands free unit. from here
Don Wilkes Booth?
"Napoli batting regularly in Arlington will be the biggest explosion in the American Southwest since Robert Oppenheimer tested the Manahttan Project."
-- RevHaloFan
Has anyone discussed the billboards for the season?
“No I in Texas”???
what the hell….I don’t get it. They finally have a chance to make some casual fans into Ranger fans, and they go with some 7th grade coach cliche?
Seriously?
I haven’t even seen any around. But I already hate it.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
Your 7th grade coach
probably recognized early that you were a lost cause and saved his breath for someone else…
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Serious question:
Do you consider yourself funny?
by brettgardner on Mar 23, 2011 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Nope
Just truthful
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
So, to be sure I understand,
Your point is that I wasn’t particularly successful in athletics in 7th grade?
by brettgardner on Mar 23, 2011 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
I just figured
your coach didn’t see much of a future in you so they moved on to more promising prospects…
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
I see.
And is that observation supposed to make me feel worse about myself?
by brettgardner on Mar 23, 2011 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Not at all
Sports isn’t for everyone.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Why?
that’s a true statement. Not everyone is good at sports. Not everyone likes sports. Not everyone plays sports. I was simply explaining to him a scenario where his 7th grade coach might have said the above mentioned cliche and he didn’t hear it.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Not really
We use the play for the name on the front of the jersey, not the back variation of no I in team.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions
I get that coaches say variations of it
I think we were all talking about the specific saying “No I in Texas”
Oh that specific one
Can’t say that I have ever said that. I might add it in though.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm curious how you came to this conclusion based on what little information you have about him.
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.
No conclusion
hence the use of figured and probably. I don’t know for 100% sure that I’m correct. Again, I just presented a scenario where his coach might have said it and he didn’t hear it.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions
I thought you said
the coach saved his breath for someone else
I said probably
see above
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Why probably?
I don’t think Brett ever has said one way or the other whether he was good at sports in middle school. You assumed it was probable he wasn’t? Do you assume that about all of us?
No
I’ve heard you were a helluva dancer
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions
Man
make one joke about a guy not being good at sports and a whole bunch of panties get in a wad. Sensitive subject around here I see…
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Well....
There is a reason most of us are here instead of still on the field right now. Most of us probably had that 7th grade coach, or some variation, who focused on the more talented kids. My high school baseball coach definitely did.
So it was a joke
You could have just said that and it wouldn’t have precipitated the long conversation. I don’t know why you felt the need to lie then.
If you didn't realize it was a joke
considering the fact that we are on an internet blog where very few of us know each other, I don’t know what to tell you.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Except you said point blank
“I am just being truthful,” and got all serious about a coach’s priorities.
I’m sure the failing wasn’t with us.
I'm sorry
I’ll start every joke with an announcement or even better, I’ll put /Mike E at the end so there is no more confusion.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
You are a very sensitive individual
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
They should put /Mike E on the billboard.
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.
by Aqua on Mar 23, 2011 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
x
It goes deeper. People take out their frustrations with Josey on their real-life acquaintances, which propagates forward, and before you know it you’ve got more marriages in an easily-smashable state.-Closure GT on 12/14/2010 9:48 AM
Josh Hamilton: "I just show up, look at the lineup and play where I’m told. If they want me to catch, I’ll catch."
by RangersSD on Mar 23, 2011 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Alan Thick motherfuckers.
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.
Those billboards were Built For Fun
but i agree It’s Time for something else
Baseball players routines: Spit, Chew, Curse, repeat.
by Gay For Feliz on Mar 23, 2011 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
It was very clever
wasn’t it?
Baseball players routines: Spit, Chew, Curse, repeat.
by Gay For Feliz on Mar 23, 2011 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Gibberish would have been better
I can't stand people who are intolerant of other people's taste in music or people who like Nickelback.
by jonas m. on Mar 23, 2011 11:23 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Never mind that it sucks
Isn’t this essentially a slap in the face to Michael Young? A very public slap in the face?
This is bizarre
i was thinking of making an iTexas shirt
Just to be a smartass
I can't stand people who are intolerant of other people's taste in music or people who like Nickelback.
by jonas m. on Mar 23, 2011 11:31 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Just make it Texis.
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.
Texi$
It goes deeper. People take out their frustrations with Josey on their real-life acquaintances, which propagates forward, and before you know it you’ve got more marriages in an easily-smashable state.-Closure GT on 12/14/2010 9:48 AM
Josh Hamilton: "I just show up, look at the lineup and play where I’m told. If they want me to catch, I’ll catch."
I doubt it actually has anything to do with MY, but that's a fun way to look at it.
A nightingale in a golden cage
That's me locked inside reality's maze
Per Andro's twitter
David Murphy is going to get a look at playing center field. Won’t that be jolly beans?
I can't stand people who are intolerant of other people's taste in music or people who like Nickelback.
by jonas m. on Mar 23, 2011 11:29 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Supposedly Borbon is out of camp today for a personal reason.
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.
That soft thudding noise you're hearing?
That’s the sound of looping liners dropping all over center field.
A nightingale in a golden cage
That's me locked inside reality's maze
by LSJ on Mar 23, 2011 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 6 recs
murph
may not have quite the range as julio but he has 5 x’s the arm,
"I always thought that there was going to be life after baseball, and so I designed that in my life I would have other interests after baseball that I would be able to step into. And I didn't realize the grip that baseball had on me and on my family."
Nolan Ryan
And I'll give you the same response here as when you just said this to me on twitter.
A good arm is so far down the list of important attributes for a good CFer, it’s not even funny. Murphy’s range is his limiting factor, and range is actually incredibly important.
Would you rather have someone with good range and a good arm? Sure. But I’d take Borbon’s range over Murphy’s arm every day.
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.
by Aqua on Mar 23, 2011 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Good arm in CF isn't a big deal at all
the amount of throws a CF has to make with a chance to get an out is very low. Runners rarely go 1st to 3rd on singles to center. Most balls in the gap are sure doubles, and with the mound in the way, it’s hard for a CF to throw a guy out at home.
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Read this post, Brooks.
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.
How does it compare
to the sound of a dropped fly ball?
by CS3 on Mar 23, 2011 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Before anyone gets in a tizzy
I’m not saying Murphy is better than Borbon defensively
It seems fairly obvious to me.
We just adapt this for the CF padding, and we can all put an end to this Hamilton/Murphy/Borbon madness.
by River Fenix on Mar 23, 2011 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Myrtle Beach
I believe that minor league realignment only occurs every two years under the agreement between MLB and the minor leagues.
I suspect they will be stuck together for two seasons, then Myrtle Beach will go back to being a Braves affliliate and the Rangers will have to find a new affiliate in the bi-annual shuffle following the 2012 season.
by Darrell McKown on Mar 23, 2011 11:46 AM CDT reply actions
I believe each club is responsible for signing agreements with their affiliates
Its not just a two year term. For instance we signed a 4 year deal with MB before this season. But if we move then we have to have somewhere to move to. Thats the problem.
I don't think that's right
The teams sign agreements with their affiliaties, but they have to be for either two or four year terms, thus minor league realignment only occurs every two years.
That’s why you never see a one or three year agreement.
by Darrell McKown on Mar 24, 2011 7:52 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think its required to sign a 2 or 4 year deal
But given how for one team to move it requires a opening somewhere else it makes sense for teams to be on similar schedules when it comes to when their contracts run out.
And re-alignment isn’t required. Some clubs have been in the same minor league city for decades. Clubs will generally only switch if it makes sense either due to closer proximity to their major league club or if the ballparks are newer.
Yes, it is
They always expire in even-numbered years.
Realignment isn’t required, but the player development contract is still only a two or four-year agreement. They simply get renewed, such as occurred numerous times between the Rangers and Oklahoma City.
Baseball America always has several stories up about the bi-annual “affiliation shuffle”.
by Darrell McKown on Mar 24, 2011 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions
So I am worried about Colby
Not necessarily from the spring box scores, but his velocity is still down 2-3 mph from last year. Usually, pitchers should have gotten their velocity back at this point of spring training already. Since his fastball is a pretty important part of his repertoire, loss of velocity is going to be a big problem if it is real.
I always liked Tom Henke
awesome glasses
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
look at his '87 season...yowzah.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
The way Borbon plays D
Maybe he should keep the glove on his head, maybe he will have better results
Quote from Yankees GM about the Texas Rangers Beating them in the 2010 ALCS "They manhandled us," Cashman said. "It was like a steamroller. We couldn't stop them."
Fucking shoulder injury.
Urgh.
What are we at the park for except to win? I'd trip my mother. I'd help her up, brush her off, tell her I'm sorry. But mother don't make it to third. ~Leo Durocher
son of a bitch
I’m not holding out any hope for him.
Right now I just want Feliz in the rotation and I’m counting on Holland to have his breakout year.
I can't stand people who are intolerant of other people's taste in music or people who like Nickelback.
by jonas m. on Mar 23, 2011 12:48 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, not a good idea to rely on him for much.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
x
Webb said he didn’t have any pain, but could feel something at the top of his shoulder. He said it was nothing like the pain he had that led to his shoulder surgery.
This is probably why
you don’t make rotation decisions on the assumption Webb will be back anytime soon.
When he comes back it is a good problem to have. Roll with the 5 best you can roll with now.
Go Rice Owls!
by JBImaknee on Mar 23, 2011 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
DING DING DING.
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.
Mr Bush, you are a winner
here’s your prize….. a five month vacation in Sunny Round Rock, Texas. you’ll get 1 Southwest Airlines ticket to Austin’s beautiful airport. A rental car for the first two weeks while you find some used beater to use for the rest of the summer, and the chance to sleep on Chris Davis’ couch until he gets called up!
Why don't you have a nice big cup of shut the fuck up? - Lisa W 3/4/2011
by iblum on Mar 23, 2011 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
And if you ever, ever come near RBiA, you're going to get another prize
A swift kick right in the taint.
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.
You are more stubborn than Josey sometimes.
It goes deeper. People take out their frustrations with Josey on their real-life acquaintances, which propagates forward, and before you know it you’ve got more marriages in an easily-smashable state.-Closure GT on 12/14/2010 9:48 AM
Josh Hamilton: "I just show up, look at the lineup and play where I’m told. If they want me to catch, I’ll catch."
I'm shocked
Thank God Texas has so much flat ground for him to throw off after he sees the doc.
"I wanted to go out there and punch Julio" - Ron Washington
Another tweet by Gammons' butt.
pgammo Peter Gammons
Interesting scouting report on Chris Davis:“He is the next Carlos Pena”
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.
So
a few good years and then back to hitting .200
"Calmer than you are dude"
by Arlington Stadium Legend on Mar 23, 2011 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions
He is probably talking about
being a late bloomer, which is possible. I wouldn’t be surprised if Davis is worth something to someone down the road, He wouldn’t be the first player, or even the first Ranger that developed in his late 20s with his 3rd or 4th club.
"I wanted to go out there and punch Julio" - Ron Washington
it is a testament to how silly his fanboys are
when the guy’s ceiling is that of Carlos Pena
Go Rice Owls!
I always thought his upside was more
of a Henry Rodriguez type of thing, where he could have a big year with a high BABIP, and have folks wringing their hands and gnashing their teeth. Be a fairly erratic player with a big year or 2.
Then again, how many truly great years has Pena had? 2? maybe 3?
"I wanted to go out there and punch Julio" - Ron Washington
Just like Carlos Pena
with only one third the latino, and half the patience.
Why don't you have a nice big cup of shut the fuck up? - Lisa W 3/4/2011
x
Buster_ESPN Buster Olney
Roy Oswalt: Neck contusion, after being hit behind the right ear. He never lost consciousness and has no dizziness. On way for X-rays.
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.
Why?
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." - Jon Daniels
by GhettoBear04 on Mar 23, 2011 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions
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