Jim Callis chat session
BA's Jim Callis has a chat session going right now, and this jumps out at me:
SportsNation Jim Callis: (2:25 PM ET ) The Rangers. Via trades and the draft, plus the improvement of prospects already on hand, they'll jump from No. 28 last year to perhaps the top five. I haven't broken down all the systems, so I can't be more precise.
That sound you hear is zywica and I saying, "I told you so."
Go back to last year -- particularly after the Brandon McCarthy trade -- and there was much howling about what a desolate wasteland the Rangers farm system was, that it would take years to get the minor league system back to respectability, despite a few of us pointing out that there was a good chance of there being a big leap in 2007.
Now, one of the most respected prospect gurus out there has the Rangers as a top-5 system.
The talent at the major league level is not good right now...but the future, at least, looks very bright.
Of course, we also have this...
SportsNation Jim Callis: (2:11 PM ET ) Texas needs pitching, San Francisco needs hitting, would make sense for both sides.
No. Texas needs hitting more than pitching right now. Kinsler is the team's best positional player, and trading him for a pitcher with shaky peripherals that is a year closer to free agency would not be a good plan.
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75 comments
Comments
Arrogance?
I don't think anyone on this thread thought after JD traded Lofton, Tex, and Gagne for prospects that our farm system would still suck.
by Agreen07 on Nov 28, 2007 2:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
There are folks
by DJCahill on Nov 28, 2007 2:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
As illustrated by your sig
by RangerMoto on Nov 28, 2007 2:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, JD damn sure got rid
I think it's rather obivious that JD has done flopped and done absolutely nothing to improve starting pitching. He's actually set this team back several years by letting Chris Young and John Danks go.
by LtDan on Nov 28, 2007 8:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
JD has made some great...
I would love to see the moves you would have made if you were GM.
by slc ranger on Nov 28, 2007 9:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The Danks for McCarthy was bad
Sure, JD stacked up on some prospects from the Braves and Red Sux trades. But prospects are just what they are. Prospects. We shall see. Don't get me wrong... I'm big on prospects. I follow what's going on with how farm system and the top prospects.
But, for anyone to completly overlook the major league players that JD has traded away that we once had is not being very realistic to the fact he completly messed up in trading away a Chris Young, John, Danks, Adrian Gonzalez, and Alfonso Soriano.
I mean... my goodness, trading Alfonso Soriano to the Washington Nationals for Brad Wilkerson, Terrmel Sledge, and Armando Galarragato. That was his first major trade and then trading Chris Young, Sledge and Adrian Gonzalez to the San Diego Padres for Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka, and Billy Killian.
How can you have much confidence in a GM that does this
by LtDan on Nov 28, 2007 9:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Look at how young JD is...
by slc ranger on Nov 28, 2007 9:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Danks
His 5.50 ERA had little to do with his run support.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 28, 2007 9:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Half and half
Nope Chris Young wouldn't be worth much as a Ranger. Gawky, one actual ML pitch, endurance issues, hittable big time when tired, just a losing situation. Good mind, big body, should be trading equities is precious metals and not playing baseball. Even basketball would be a losing proposition, Princeton just doesn't come up to superstreet NBA standards.
You got the wierdest player fascination I've ever seen! And you don't answer your email LOL
by Ed Coffin on Nov 28, 2007 9:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
sorry.. Ed
Heck if I know. I do apologize. But, I thought I said a while back in some unknown post or thread that I never got your email.
by LtDan on Nov 28, 2007 9:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
True
Thanks!
by Ed Coffin on Nov 28, 2007 9:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My point was...
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 28, 2007 2:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
well kudos to you then
by Agreen07 on Nov 28, 2007 2:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That's a bit revisionist, Adam
by RangerMoto on Nov 28, 2007 2:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Well
It was also noted that, if the Rangers fell on their face, they were going to have quite a few tradeable assets to replenish the farm.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 28, 2007 2:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, I'll accept that
by RangerMoto on Nov 28, 2007 2:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Lowry is hotter than Kinsler...
by RangerMoto on Nov 28, 2007 2:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Hotter...
by benmor78 on Nov 28, 2007 2:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
both
by RangerMoto on Nov 28, 2007 2:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
actually, nevermind
Kinsler for Lowry would be an awful deal for the Rangers. Laird for Lowry? Sure.
by RangerMoto on Nov 28, 2007 2:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd choke on my ghasp
by Walter Sobchak on Nov 28, 2007 2:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You forget...
by cjcheng on Nov 28, 2007 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yah
by thedirkatron on Nov 28, 2007 5:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
AJM
Thus, unless we expect Hicks to dish out big-time money for Sabathia or Peavy next offseason, it seems like trades or farm products are the only way we are going to get quality pitching here. So while we may need offense more than pitching, we certainly need both and in order to get quality pitching I think we will have to trade an offensive stud in our farm system or on our major league roster to get a great pitcher in return.
by Agreen07 on Nov 28, 2007 2:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
BTW
by Agreen07 on Nov 28, 2007 2:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Lowry
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 28, 2007 2:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Where are we going to get an offensive stud?
Who, though, is an offensive stud in the system right now?
Kinsler? Saltalamacchia? Chris Davis?
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 28, 2007 2:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Teagarden
That being said, I still believe we are much weaker in offense than pitching.
by dstar442005 on Nov 28, 2007 2:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Botts
Ramirez and Teagarden look like they will be good to great hitters for catchers, quite possibly, but not middle of the order impact bats.
Davis is the only one who looks like he could be a legit #3/#4 masher.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 28, 2007 2:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you
by Agreen07 on Nov 28, 2007 2:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think so
Kenny Lofton and Frank Catalanotto are the big acquisitions, unless you want to go back to Juan Gonzalez.
by Adam J. Morris on Nov 28, 2007 3:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of Lofton...
by rooster on Nov 28, 2007 3:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think...
And I think I would rather go with what we have now over Lofton another year.
by slc ranger on Nov 28, 2007 9:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
maybe its cat and mouse
by ab03 on Nov 28, 2007 4:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Big free agents
ARod, Millwood and CHoP are the only ones that come to mind.
by thedirkatron on Nov 28, 2007 5:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Infield vs. Outfield
with that said, leave Kinsler there unless, as AJM said, you can swing a deal for a true Ace - Santana, Peavy, Bedard if he's healthy, etc.
by Walter Sobchak on Nov 28, 2007 3:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Lowry
But we need pitching, so what the heck.
by clark on Nov 28, 2007 2:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Kinsler for Lowry=CY/AGon for Eaton/Otsuka
by pblack on Nov 28, 2007 2:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I want
by dstar442005 on Nov 28, 2007 2:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Lackey
by Ajax on Nov 28, 2007 2:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
theres a club option for 09
by DSheppard on Nov 28, 2007 2:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pirates
by rooster on Nov 28, 2007 2:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
and yet
by t ball on Nov 28, 2007 2:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
yep
by Longhorn on Nov 28, 2007 2:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
link please
by Brian Thomas on Nov 28, 2007 3:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i think it's fairly common knowledge
by Longhorn on Nov 28, 2007 3:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes,
by t ball on Nov 28, 2007 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Like Mike Vanderjagt sucking?
by Longhorn on Nov 28, 2007 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well
You may have said it, I don't know. I've never cared enough to spend 2 minutes and look it up.
As far as JD goes, I think it's entirely fair to say he hasn't had many bigger, more consistent, and more vocal supporters than T Ball and myself. But to extrapolate from that support some kind
of "I told you the farm would make a quantum leap in one year" assertion is quite ridiculous. I certainly wouldn't make that claim, and I'm pretty sure T Ball wouldn't either.
Adam once remarked that one of the reasons he started this blog is because of people claiming he said things he knew he didn't, and conversely, people alleging they never said things he thought they did.
So, I repeat. Link please.
by Brian Thomas on Nov 28, 2007 6:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
where's Craig A. Wilson?
by Walter Sobchak on Nov 28, 2007 3:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
how about...
***
Greg, TX: Whittleman or Davis?
Jim Callis: Chris Davis.
--------------------------------------------------
Russell (McKinney, TX): John Mayberry Jr. or Chris Davis?
Jim Callis: And back to Chris Davis again.
*****
he later picked brandon wood over chris davis...
at least we're in the conversations again...
by ivysafety39 on Nov 28, 2007 3:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Well
There's no comparison between Davis and Wood. Weird to even bring that up...
by hightowersmith on Nov 28, 2007 3:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
They both hit for power
by jparks77 on Nov 28, 2007 3:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well
Plus Davis has his profile from 1B, where Wood is more a rarity across the diamond.
by hightowersmith on Nov 28, 2007 3:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Cardinals would make good trading partners...
I'd be ok sending Padilla and Arias their way for a piece that could be a part of our organization for the foreseeable future. They've got some really nice prospects, but I wonder what it would take to pry away Chris Duncan or Rick Ankiel. Duncan could play either cof spot or 1B if needed. I just don't want Edmonds.
by HaegerChamp on Nov 28, 2007 3:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
ya know
by dstar442005 on Nov 28, 2007 3:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Two notions
Duncan? Why? you have Botts who is every bit as much, and Cruz who is going to be much better than either (yeah I know, very few others think so).
by Ed Coffin on Nov 28, 2007 3:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Whoah
by thedirkatron on Nov 28, 2007 3:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
He's still an "if". I for one believe he'll bust out, and I hope he's a Ranger when he does so.
by Ed Coffin on Nov 28, 2007 4:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fukudome
by Chase Irwin on Nov 28, 2007 4:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hypothetical
Remember, LF is where a lot of the "runs against" damage is traditionally done against the Rangers. The irregular base wall, the narrow angle down the foul line, and the steep fallaway to the LCF gap make it a speed and read field.
by Ed Coffin on Nov 28, 2007 4:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ed
here's crossing my fingers...
by Walter Sobchak on Nov 28, 2007 4:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I really hope you're right
I just don't know if he'll ever get another real shot to prove it in the bigs.
by thedirkatron on Nov 28, 2007 5:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Cruz
by Brian Thomas on Nov 28, 2007 6:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fewer
Good question Brian, and it reveals that I don't care much for "easing" talent into place. Produce or depart is a fair appraisal. However, if you start someone on an ease in path, it's totally unfair to then yank 'em around. Maybe Wash will put the onus on Nelson to get going or get out this spring. Cruz has a tendency to burst onto the scene, then fade. Well, don't let him fade. Keep the heat on and the spotlight ready. (My not so smart analysis, anyway).
Unsolicited, Botts on the other hand will never be an MLB hitter until he picks LH or RH. His approach, stance, swing, timing, even sense of the plate are different from the two different sides. Please set one aside until the other works?
by Ed Coffin on Nov 28, 2007 6:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
150 ABs
I just don't think he merits another full season. Thing is, this past season was the first in awhile where I didn't see as many games. Like twice a week, so maybe you saw things in him I didn't.
Moving to the East Coast = kind of sucks for watching sports. I didn't fully appreciate how good we had it out west in that regard...
by Brian Thomas on Nov 28, 2007 7:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting takes, Ed
by t ball on Nov 29, 2007 12:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Duncan is terrible in the outfield
by OKC Ranger Fan on Nov 28, 2007 3:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
to expand on Duncan
by OKC Ranger Fan on Nov 28, 2007 3:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
so what
by dstar442005 on Nov 28, 2007 3:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Could he play 1B?
Ankiel is better than a 4th OF. He'd be our best OF. But he is 28.
by HaegerChamp on Nov 28, 2007 3:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
With LaRussa and Elder Duncan
by FirebatM3 on Nov 28, 2007 3:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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