Wednesday a.m. things

by Adam J. Morris on Mar 21, 2007 10:04 AM CDT in News

With Opening Day less than two weeks away, there's a lot of Rangers stuff out there in the news today...

Evan Grant has a new DMN newsletter out, that starts off with a lengthy explanation about why the Rangers need to keep Robinson Tejeda in the starting rotation, despite his struggles this spring. He also fields, among other things, why he's not too concerned about Brandon McCarthy being a flyball pitcher, Hank Blalock's defense, and the prospects of trading Rick Bauer and Francisco Cruceta.

Richard Durrett talks about Tejeda's outing yesterday, and the improvement he showed over his last couple of appearances.

Durrett also has some notes on the bullpen, with Eric Gagne seeming satisfied with his first "A" game outing of the spring. Gagne gave up a homer to the first batter he faced, but it was on a hanging curveball, which is Gagne's third pitch...I don't imagine he's going to be throwing a ton of curves in the regular season. And Gagne says in the S-T that he wouldn't have thrown a curve in that particular situation in the regular season.

Ron Washington says that there are five spots locked up in the bullpen -- Gagne, Akinori Otsuka, Ron Mahay, C.J. Wilson, and Joaquin Benoit -- and that one of the final two slots will likely go to one of the pitchers competing for the 5th spot. This means that Scott Feldman, Wes Littleton, and Frankie Francisco are all vying for the last spot in the pen.

While I think Littleton earned a spot with his performance last season, he's having issues with his mechanics in regards to his release point, which is causing him major control problems. If he's having to work out his mechanics, he needs to do that in AAA, not the majors, so if he doesn't get it fixed in the coming week, I don't have a problem with him being optioned.

Over in the S-T, Dave Sessions also runs through the bullpen situation, analyzing who has jobs and who is competing for the remaining spots.

Durrett also has yesterday's "Spring Report," with Washington talking about his desire to see the team be more aggressive on the basepaths. And although "Desimania" appears to have petered out, we do have some "Katamonium," with Matt Kata hitting .484 this spring in his bid to win a utility job.

Kevin Sherrington has a column up on "Ameriquest" disappearing. He is, not surprisingly, happy about the change.

And Jim Reeves has a column on Ron Washington, contrasting his style with his predecessor and comparing him to (ugh) Ozzie Guillen.

The Rocky Mountain News says Byung-hyun Kim has generated "tepid interest" from three teams, the Rangers being among them. I can't imagine the Rangers would like to trade for Kim at this point, though...

And the San Francisco Chronicle says Eric Gagne had some interest from the Giants before signing with Texas, while Russ Ortiz strongly considered an offer from Texas before signing with the Giants.

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Comments

If Ozzie and Wash are similar,

it is only in a very narrow sense: unpolished. I don't think we'll see Wash airing a player's dirty laundry in public, and I don't think we'll see someone who is gritty win out over someone who is good.

It is funny to see Reeves continue to stand by his man Buck. Upon reflecting on letting the Blalock brothers play together, Reeves says this:

"Ironically, it's exactly the kind of thing Showalter would have done on his own, but it wouldn't have been nearly as appreciated as it was coming from Washington."

I guess this is the firing of Buck is the one decision Reeves will not let JD or anyone else forget that Reeves opposed.

by rooster on Mar 21, 2007 10:53 AM CDT reply actions

Katamonium

I prefer: Wilkabaloo

Obama '08

by RangerMoto on Mar 21, 2007 11:00 AM CDT reply actions

Obama on Larry King.

Did you see it? What stuck out to me was his assertion that the troop surge is primarily meant to be an attempt to fight back against sectarian violence. If I understand the work of Gen. David Petraeus, the additional troops are meant to train Iraqis to defend themselves and to stabilize long enough to build confidence in the current government.

I agree with Obama's diplomatic surge rhetoric. And, I have rarely seen Obama do anything but accept and articulate all sides of a discussion, but, in this case, I don't think he is communicating the current troop surge idea correctly. Obama favors keeping troops for traning, etc to aid the stability of the region if certain "benchmarks" are met. As far as I can tell, it sounds a lot like the current plan.

by rooster on Mar 21, 2007 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

The new troops are fighting

Several of them were killed last weekend. If they're training, they're training on the fly. There's no doubt they're performing combat missions.

This is all heresay, but my mom's friend's kid just got back there a couple of weeks ago and is securing neighborhoods in Baghdad. That doesn't sound like training to me. And he wasn't originally supposed to go back until late summer, so it sounds like he's indeed part of the "surge".

by Dustin on Mar 21, 2007 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Kinsleriffic

by rooster on Mar 21, 2007 11:16 AM CDT reply actions

One thing

you didn't point out in the DMN article is Botts' concession that he's going to AAA.

Very disappointing.

Jason Botts said Tuesday that he expects to begin the season at Triple-A.
Botts is competing for Marlon Byrd for a spot on the roster and has a much better bat, but Byrd is a more versatile defensive player. "I'll go down and work hard and be ready when and if they need me," Botts said. "I want to play here for the Rangers. I know I have to stay patient. If I have to wait for my opportunity to play, I will. I just want to show them as much as I can right now." Mar. 21 - 10:56 am et
Source: Dallas Morning News

by willamos2 on Mar 21, 2007 11:17 AM CDT reply actions

The Rangers need Byrts.

They have Botts, Byrd, and Kata for one position, since Hairston is guaranteed a spot. Bummer for Botts for now, but I think he's right to think he's likely to be called up as a platoon DH when the Sosa experiment ends in May. He said the right things to make sure he won't be in the doghouse when the Rangers start looking to the farm for a bat, whether he believes it or not, and that is a smart play by Botts'. Now, he needs to post a huge OPS, as good or better than last year, the first couple of months at AAA.

by rooster on Mar 21, 2007 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Sosa fail?

Haven't you been paying attention to the stats? He's going to hit .400 this season and hit 50 homeruns. ST numbers don't lie (which means that Tex, Blalock, Wilkerson, and anybody else not hitting .300 in ST ought to be dropped). Get with the program, man.

by Athos on Mar 21, 2007 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Your way off

He'll hit at least 60 and win the triple crown.

by cgolden on Mar 21, 2007 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions

You are right

Wilkerson should be dropped.

by Longhorn on Mar 21, 2007 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Cruz

It was great to see him hit well for the 2nd game in a row yesterday. Hope he keeps that up.

I am just baffled as to why anyone would think the Rangers need Kim.

by t ball on Mar 21, 2007 11:31 AM CDT reply actions

"because the Rangers need pitching"

would be the answer you'd get if you asked the Denver staff writer that came up with that rumor.

------------
:) - Obligatory smiley showing I don't mean whatever mean
spiritedness is likely contained in the preceding post

by jtts on Mar 21, 2007 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Kim

The Rangers need GOOD pitching. Kim is not a good pitcher, and hasn't been for a couple years.

by RCCook on Mar 21, 2007 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes...

we don't need growing doubts about Cruz...and then end up in the situation where we are stuck without him in the OF.
I am really exicited about the upside of Cruz, and am definitely cheering that he shines.

Troy I.

by tdi1985 on Mar 21, 2007 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Another one...

Teixeirama

Troy I.

by tdi1985 on Mar 21, 2007 12:42 PM CDT reply actions

excellent

Obama '08

by RangerMoto on Mar 21, 2007 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions

A-Rod to Angels

They're guessing that it might happen at Halos Heaven. I'm not completely following, so I'll just put the whole thing here:

The LA Times and Riverside Press Enterprise are both reporting that Jered Weaver will start the season on the disabled list, but it will be a short stay.

Weaver is penciled in for his turn in the rotation on April 12. His April 6th start will be taken by Dustin Moseley.

After reheating the A-Rod to LAA rumor mill yesterday, what is shocking is that neither outlet is putting 2 and 2 together:
Moseley is getting the start over Carrasco as part of an audition for a trade to the Yankees. Stoneman and Cashman have reportedly agreed on a three-tier wait-and-see:

Audition Moseley
See if the boo-birds flock on A-Rod and how Boras then responds to a trade proposal (as Rodriguez can ultimately veto it)
Assuage Boras by adding Jered Weaver to the deal, as WTY in Yankee Stadium = Visions of future big bucks to tempt Scott B.
Yankees get Weaver, Moseley and Jose Molina for A-Rod.

Texas Rangers: baby step to 2007. Baby step to 2007.

by WyoRanger on Mar 21, 2007 1:05 PM CDT reply actions

That's making the rounds

At angelswin.com, who have a very low opinion of HalosHeaven and mlbtraderumors.com

There is quite a bit of dissension in their discussion, but most think it's phony (mlbtraderumors) and puffery (haloheaven). Their take:

http://www.angelswin.com/Snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6858

"When you're riding in a time machine way far into the future, don't stick your elbow out the window, or it'll turn into a fossil."

by Ed Coffin on Mar 21, 2007 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Is your signature, a Steven Wright joke?

by rooster on Mar 21, 2007 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Jack Handy

Milk, milk, lemonade, around the corner fudge is made.

by LoneStarBallUser on Mar 21, 2007 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh yeah.

Steven Wright would've started it something like this... "The other day I was riding in a time machine..."

It's better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.

by rooster on Mar 21, 2007 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

That'd....

be one more reason to dislike the Angels.... :)

Buster Olney should have relations with himself..

by Captain Fubar on Mar 21, 2007 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions

One more reason to hate John Hart.....

if the Yankees get all that for A-Rod....

by peteincaviglia on Mar 21, 2007 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions

assuaging Boras...

...has nothing to do with it. Rodriguez has to sign off on the trade, and if he doesn't want to go play for the La La La's, Boras can't make him. They'd be a much less attractive destination without Weaver.

I don't see anyway that deal's happening.

by Dustin on Mar 21, 2007 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions

the thing

is simple as this...the media doesnt seem to understand that we actually dont need pitching for a change. But seeing how we seem to be always looking for garbage pitchers they throw our name into it. we dont need another chan ho project

by NYTXFAN on Mar 21, 2007 4:33 PM CDT reply actions