Rangers steering clear of f.a. starters this offseason

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2007 5:58 PM CDT in News

T.R. Sullivan reports that Rangers management is talking sense in regards to free agent starting pitching this offseason:

The Rangers have good reason to want to take a hard look at Volquez and Rheinecker.

The chances of getting starting pitching help this winter through the free agent market is bleak, especially with Carlos Zambrano re-signing with the Chicago Cubs this week.

"I'd say I don't envy teams that feel compelled to go to the free agent market to fill starting pitching needs," assistant general manager Thad Levine said. "I don't think we're compelled. We'll be opportunistic if the right deal is there, but I don't feel we enter the offseason feeling the need to sign free agent starting pitching."

Right now, the two best free agent pitchers could be Livan Hernandez, who is 9-7 with a 4.86 ERA for the Diamondbacks, and Carlos Silva, who is 9-12 with a 4.17 ERA for the Twins. Paul Byrd is 9-12 with a 4.41 ERA, but the Indians gave an $8 million option to him for 2008 and are expected to exercise.

Six of the most well-known potential free agent starters are currently on the disabled list: Bartolo Colon (elbow), Freddy Garcia (shoulder), Randy Wolf (shoulder), Jaret Wright (shoulder), Kenny Rogers (elbow) and Matt Clement (shoulder). Jason Jennings (elbow) and Curt Schilling (shoulder) have also been on the disabled list this year.

"There is significant risk," Levine said.

Other free agents to be that aren't mentioned by Sullivan include Jon Lieber, Livan Hernandez, Carlos Silva, and Victor Zambrano. Update [2007-8-19 21:9:26 by Adam J. Morris]: -- Well, he does mention Hernandez and Silva, but I was looking at the list of hurt guys and missed them. Sorry.

Realistically, the Rangers shouldn't be dipping their toes in the free agent starting pitching market this offseason.

At this point, Millwood, Padilla, McCarthy, and Gabbard are probably locked in to the 1 thru 4 slots in the rotation, leaving Kam Loe, Edinson Volquez, and Eric Hurley vying for the #5 slot.

There's a few guys on the list I'd have mild interest in on a one or two year deal, but I don't think there's anyone there that you'd want to pay retail for.

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Comments

Levine?

what's up with Thad Levine? I've never heard this guy speak until just this weak. What, Daniels can't make his own statements? Or is just something to try and get this guy known?

by meatbonelefty on Aug 19, 2007 5:56 PM CDT reply actions

Levine

He's talked a fair amount in the past, I think. He's basically Daniels' version of Daniels (when Hart was g.m.), but you heard a lot more from Daniels back then because Hart almost never spoke to the media.

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2007 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah that's what

I was going to say. You have to watch for him, but he is quoted from time to time.

by Brett Perryman on Aug 19, 2007 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions

THE GENERIC RANGER FAN...

...would not be pleased if we went the entire offseason without signing one free-agent or making one trade.

that said... i have a bad feeling we're going to ink a centerfielder... and that gerald laird's time is up.

by oc on Aug 19, 2007 6:00 PM CDT reply actions

Good

We don't need the mediocrity/shoulder problems that are out there....

Now, if we could only steer clear of aging good CFs who will cost too much.

Req

by Requiem on Aug 19, 2007 6:14 PM CDT reply actions

Y'know...

It's been said here before, but I haven't been too worried about free agent CFs since Borbon came aboard.

Torii on the contract he'll require (~5 yr) is too much of a block. Having to slide him to a corner for Borbon to play, just as his age-decline is hitting...that's an outcome JD will avoid.

Andruw might be a different story, but probably not.

Now, I wonder if Cameron is at the top of JD's board at this point. That I could see, although when Lofton gets $6m for a year, I wonder if a guy like Cameron would be cost-prohibitive. He might be a nice fit for the 2008-to-2009 transition to winning.

Anyway, carry on...

by hightowersmith on Aug 19, 2007 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah...

I think with our aquisition of young centerfielders in the minors this past year has changed our need for a long term centerfielder through FA. Cameron would be a great 2-3 year fix and I would think Rowand would be at the top of the list too if he required less then 5 years or 12 mil a year.

by slimshadty12 on Aug 19, 2007 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Free Agents

I don't think you can let your free agent acquisitions be affected that much by a guy that you just drafted and hasn't even played one game as a professional. The draft is too much of a crapshoot to start using it to determine roster moves at the big league level.

by Topgun22 on Aug 19, 2007 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions

True...

But we have Boggs who's done well this year along with bringing in Murphy and Beltre (even though he's 4+ years away).

I'm just saying it might be easier to pass up on Hunter knowing that you might have some adequate guys to play center in a few years while you plug in a guy like Cameron/Rowand or Byrd/Murphy/Boggs/ etc.

by slimshadty12 on Aug 19, 2007 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions

cost prohibitive

with the way the team's budget is looking for next year (currently ~42 mil, I think), I don't think that anybody on the market is prohibitive from a money standpoint. It's the contract length that we have to be careful with.

If there was a good OF that would help us out for the next couple of years (Cameron?), we could afford to pay them 10-15 million a year, as long as the contract length was only a couple of years.

Saltalamacchia: one player, six vowels.

by tricer on Aug 20, 2007 1:12 AM CDT up reply actions

ubergood.

"Jon Daniels is going to end up being the best thing to ever happen to the Texas Rangers." - me, a long time ago...

by Longhorn on Aug 19, 2007 6:21 PM CDT reply actions

good

We got 7 viable ones to make 5, any and all of which have a pretty good chance of being just as good or better than any of those FA dudes.

Millwood, Padilla, McCarthy, Gabbard, Loe, Volquez, Hurley

by Brian Hayes on Aug 19, 2007 7:08 PM CDT reply actions

Oh, and by the way

Volquez is officially starting Tuesday. Don't think I like the idea of them keeping Rheinecker in the rotation at Loe's expense, if that's what they do.

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by t ball on Aug 19, 2007 7:24 PM CDT reply actions

Rheinecker in the rotation at Loe's expense

where did you hear this? Surely this cant be the case.

Gabbard is our "ace"...yes I believe that!

by rkh on Aug 19, 2007 9:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Did you read the article?

It's in the 2nd paragraph, and repeated on the DMN blog. TRSullivan's article:

"But manager Ron Washington admitted the last spot in the rotation is down to either Loe or John Rheinecker."

From the DMN blog:

"The Rangers are still deciding who they will move out of the rotation for Volquez. But, barring injuries, it's between John Rheinecker and Kameron Loe."

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by t ball on Aug 20, 2007 7:08 AM CDT up reply actions

sorry

i didnt read the stories, just Adams verbage.

I cant believe that.

Loe's been shown little respect from the Rangers this year.......going all the way back to spring training.

just curious.........who do you think deserves the ball more, Loe or Rheino?

Gabbard is our "ace"...yes I believe that!

by rkh on Aug 20, 2007 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Loe is

three years younger, his numbers are better despite having a lot more starts and IP, and he has better stuff. This should not be a difficult decision.

by Brett Perryman on Aug 20, 2007 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions

I certainly agree.................then

what in the hell could Wash be thinking?

Gabbard is our "ace"...yes I believe that!

by rkh on Aug 20, 2007 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions

he could be thinking...

we have to see if we have anything at all from Rheinecker, Koronka-style, so why not play him the rest of the way to see if we need him next year? Loe is going to be around no matter what, and it looks more and more likely like he'll pitch out of the pen next year anyways...

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Aug 20, 2007 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions

While Loe

has been a bit inconsistent, that is to be expected from a young pitcher and the team should only take him out of the rotation if he's injured. I see zero justification for Rheinecker getting starts at his expense. Loe deserves every chance to prove he doesn't belong. This reminds me too much of the team's historical pattern with young arms.

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by t ball on Aug 20, 2007 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Adam...

...looks like he does mention Livan & Silva...minor clarification.

Why not spend some of A-Rod's opt-out money on a 1 year flier on one of these guys?

Lick by lick, mountains erode

by RangerMoto on Aug 19, 2007 7:42 PM CDT reply actions

Rotation

If you are writing 2008, then I guess it's okay to go with those options and focus on seeing what Gabbard, Volquez, and Hurley can do.

But if you are holding out any hope of being competitive, you are fooling yourself. Millwood has been horrible, Padilla remains an injury risk (last start not withstanding), Loe isn't good as a starter, and who know what the deal is with McCarthy's injury. Will Carroll brought up the name Kurt Ainsworth when discussing it, which is not good at all.

by BurntOrange on Aug 19, 2007 7:56 PM CDT reply actions

And how will 2008 change if we sign any FAs?

Do you really think Carlos Silva or Livan Hernandez would make the Rangers contenders in 2008?

Fire Ron Washington

by pblack on Aug 19, 2007 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions

But...

how does adding Jennings change anything? We still are going to have Millwood, Padilla, McCarthy and Gabbard.

by chase1971 on Aug 19, 2007 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions

don't understand

I know everybody is interested in a centerfielder but for a good price and right amount of years. I've heard everybody's opinion on Hunter and that 5 years is too long. I've heard an Aaron Rowand and Mike Cameron being considered for a 2-3 year deal and how it might transition to winning years. Kenny did get a 1 yr. deal at 6 mil. Cameron or Rowand might cost 7- 10 maybe. Why put 7-10 mil on a payroll when you plan not to contend which is what I've heard from fans and even the owner. 2008 is lost and 09 might be so you're spending 7-10 mil on a guy in his last year on a contract that has no more future here but will help you for 2010. You committed 30 mil to a player that you only needed for 1 season. Why not see what Murphey can do for almost nothing and if he doesn't work out or Borbon is a bust then you go out in 2009 or 10 and get I guy that going to be contributing to his team all 5 years.

by meatbonelefty on Aug 19, 2007 8:34 PM CDT reply actions

PR

I can't speak for anyone else, but I wish the Rangers would just stand pat and give some kids a chance. Lord knows they aren't going to be much better next year.

However, I think everyone assumes that, for PR purposes, the Rangers are going to sign at least 1 big free agent name. Otherwise, they will probably get slammed by terrible/lazy national writers for failing their fans this off-season.

Really, we are just hoping that the signing we don't really need will be for a short time span so that we aren't stuck with a prohibitive contract in '10 when the Rangers are finally good.

by BAC on Aug 20, 2007 12:26 AM CDT up reply actions

That is interesting

Daniels doesn't sign a FA in the off season and he fails the fans, yet he has been praised incessantly for the trades he made that will help the club in the future. All of the writers have expressed they understand the team is rebuilding. And we care about national press because...?

Does Ron Washington have to choke a bitch???

by xxthetoddxx on Aug 20, 2007 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions

anyone else?

We all seem to be operating under the presumption that next years rotation will be Millwood, Padilla, B-Mac, Gabbard.........and then the 5th spot would be b/w Loe, Volquez, or Hurley

I personally want to see at least 2 of the guys in that last group in the rotation next year.

For that to happen Millwood or Padilla would have to be moved.

If we arent truly competitive until '09, which of Padilla and Millwood would be the least likely to be helping us at that point? I say deal whomever is the answer to that question. and dont tell me you cant deal these guys in the offseason(you may get less than you want but with their contracts being reasonable(Millwood's moreso than Padilla's) I think you could certainly move either of them.)

That would leave next years rotation looking something like Millwood, Gabbard, B-Mac, Volquez, and Hurley(or Loe if Hurley's not ready.)

FWIW-I think you could get a pretty good return on Millwood this offseason, although I'd much rather deal Padilla.

Gabbard is our "ace"...yes I believe that!

by rkh on Aug 19, 2007 9:19 PM CDT reply actions

nope

If the season ended today, Millwood would have very little value and the Rangers would have to eat a significant portion of his contract. Padilla - nobody would touch this guy.

by Randy Richardson on Aug 19, 2007 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Padilla

Your post got me to thinking.

If it is true that no team would trade anything for a guy like Padilla, then I would really hope that JD is finding another team's Padilla and will take him for salary dump.

I mean if there is a guy out there that had an injury riddled season and might have some makeup concerns, but has an upside of 200 ip w/ mid 4's ERA in our ballpark w/ good ratios, and all that we have to do to get him is take on salary - then that would be a perfect opportunity for this team and I'd hope that JD would be all over it.

I know we have some young guys that we want to take a look at, but if there is an opportunity to pick up a high ceiling, near his prime SP, and all we have to do is take on the salary - then that is a perfect opportunity for us. With any luck, we'd have an outstanding trade chip, or a new rotation horse.

Worst case we're out some money and the payroll ends up in the 60s instead of the 50s.

Saltalamacchia: one player, six vowels.

by tricer on Aug 20, 2007 1:23 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm confused

Are you saying trade Padilla?

because you just described Padilla. Why would we want another Padilla.

I'm a big fan of staying with what we have. You would get killed trading low on Millwood and Padilla. However, I think it is much more likely that they pitch closer to 2006 in 2008

by badradiorules on Aug 20, 2007 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not saying trade Padilla

I'd like to get another pitcher similar to Padilla, if all we have to do is take on the salary.

Everyone keeps saying that Padilla has no trade value. If that is true I'd like to find another team that has a similar pitcher to Padilla and acquire him for nothing but a salary dump.

Saltalamacchia: one player, six vowels.

by tricer on Aug 20, 2007 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions

Kinda agree

However, I think that Padilla will be the guy that you just described next year. 200IP, 4.50 ERA, give you a chance to win most times out.

I also truly believe that Padilla could put that season together and be the 4th best pitcher in the rotation.

I really believe that Millwood will be much better next year and Gabbard and McCarthy will be slightly better than that next year. Also, with Hurley or Volquez, there's a good chance that they could be that good or better.

I believe if we are going to take on salary it needs to be a hitter. Remember we just gave up 2 earned runs in a three game series and lost two of three.

by badradiorules on Aug 20, 2007 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions

I've felt

for the last year or so that they really don't have a fit for another mid-back acquisition, especially for any sort of money. They need to work their butts off pursuing the elusive potential front rotation types, but short of that, I'm fine with focusing - on the major league side - on the lineup.

by Brett Perryman on Aug 19, 2007 9:21 PM CDT reply actions

Potential front rotation types

Aren't available.

I say again that going into 2008 with a rotation of Millwood, Padilla, McCarthy, Volquez and Gabbard will be a disaster.

by BurntOrange on Aug 19, 2007 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions

maybe so

but whats the point of going after more guys who are like what you already have? save the roster space and the money and spend it elsewhere.

Spider pig, Spider pig does whatever a spider pig does

by rentz on Aug 19, 2007 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Well

Given the holes in the rotation, I don't see why we wouldn't try to sign someone on a one-year deal to fill a hole and potentially have trade value next July.

We darn sure didn't need another reliever last year, but we still signed one and then flipped him for something of value. We actually need a starting pitcher.

by BurntOrange on Aug 19, 2007 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Under the same circumstances:

if we have struck out on other areas to help the team and have money lying around, and a high upside stud SP with a risk factor wants to sign a reasonable one year deal, I'd be very interested.

by Brett Perryman on Aug 19, 2007 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, but...

a high upside stud SP with a risk factor wants to sign a reasonable one year deal

Who in that group would qualify?

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2007 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions

None

That was kind of my point, that comparing the Gagne signing with Jaret Wright and Jon Lieber doesn't really ring true.

by Brett Perryman on Aug 19, 2007 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Come on

You don't have to be a "high upside stud SP" to have value, given the shortage of even decent starting pitching throughout baseball.

On a one-year deal, I would probably have interest in both Freddy Garcia and Jason Jennings.

Jennings is just one year removed from a 210 inning, 127 ERA+ season in Colorado, and Garcia is a 111 ERA+ pitcher for his career.

by BurntOrange on Aug 19, 2007 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Jennings

You'd have to explain to me (and him, and his family, and his agent) how he's not going to do better than Eaton's current deal.

Heck, same with Garcia.

by hightowersmith on Aug 19, 2007 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Jennings and Garcia aren't considered Lieber

and Livan Hernandez either. They're not going to take just a one year deal, especially Garcia. I'd rather throw a Rangers prospect out there than have Livan Hernandez and his sidekicks out there next year. Detroit didn't get good by signing guys like that and leaving the young guns untested in the system.

Put Mayberry Jr. back at First Base.

by Jukebox Joe on Aug 19, 2007 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Meh

I see only one hole, at the #5 spot. And you've got internal options there...Hurley is probably going to be up and in the rotation by mid-July, you'd figure. I'd be fine with Loe or Volquez pitching in the #5 slot, with Hurley taking whatever opening comes up around the ASB, and guys like Josh Rupe and Armando Galarraga being possibilites if they are solid at AAA.

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2007 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Well....

That's a write-off the season approach.

Which, again, may be the right approach, given how horrible our OF projects to be right now.

by BurntOrange on Aug 19, 2007 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't see how...

1 pitcher makes any difference between being a contender and not being a contender.

by chase1971 on Aug 19, 2007 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Well...

...Johan Santana might...

But replacing Edinson Volquez or Eric Hurley with Jon Lieber or Carlos Silva won't make any difference.

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2007 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions

No, it isn't

It is a try to rebuild approach.

I don't see how going with Millwood, Padilla, McCarthy, Gabbard, and Loe or Volquez or Hurley is more of a write-off approach than those first four plus Matt Clement or someone of that ilk.

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 19, 2007 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Are you confident

...that McCarthy will recover from broken shoulder?

...that Gabbard is a ML SP?

I'm not 100% on either.

Saltalamacchia: one player, six vowels.

by tricer on Aug 20, 2007 1:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Well...

I'm confident McCarthy will be fine next year. Not confident about Gabbard.

However, unless you are ready to jettison one of them, it still doesn't make sense to bring in a veteran starter.

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 20, 2007 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Eh

The rewards at the next trade deadline for 4th/5th starters would be insignificant, and certainly don't belong in a conversation about acquiring front-line pitching.

Gagne, ostensibly the best reliever out there, got you Gabbard, an aging 4th outfielder and a nice but iffy rookie leaguer.

I like the deal, but it's hardly worth repeating with some mediocre starter we pick up this winter. Actually upcoming FA starters wouldn't fetch it anyway.

I agree with Adam: Hurley (and maybe Galaragga) are going to get spots in 2008 with some combo of Millwood, Padilla, McCarthy, Gabbard, Loe and Volquez. Why squeeze those candidates for possible 2008 trade bait? Not worth the opportunity cost.

I thought we were sick of the Mark Clarks... Now we're trying Beavens, Mains and Felizes. Considering good starters actually don't usually move (you're right), this plan seems more pragmatic.

by hightowersmith on Aug 19, 2007 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions

If by...

"Potential front rotation types
Aren't available."

you mean right now, maybe not. But sure they are from time to time. Do I need to make a list? And I'm not saying that it has to be Roy Oswalt or Johan, but #1s, #2s or maybe #2/3s. Front side or potential front side of the rotation guys move fairly regularly. You just have to work your butt off or be one of the charmed franchises to go get them when they do.

by Brett Perryman on Aug 19, 2007 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Potential front rotation types

If you go look at the top 20 pitchers in innings pitched right now, only five have changed teams during their major league careers:

Aaron Harang - I think we would all agree that he's not that good, certainly not good enough to go overpay for.

Dan Haren - It look Mark Mulder to get him.

Tim Hudson - I'll give you that one, but when someone of his caliber (at the time he was traded) is available, it's doubtful we have the assets to get him.

Brad Penny - probably the best example of the type of guy you might be able to get, if you are willing to overpay in prospects.

Andy Pettitte - special circumstances both times he changed teams.

So, if a "potential front rotation type" is someone you can count on taking the ball every fifth day and giving you reasonably solid innings, those guys don't really move that much, and I wouldn't be too confident in our chances of getting the few that do.

by BurntOrange on Aug 19, 2007 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Innings pitched?

by Brett Perryman on Aug 19, 2007 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Well

What measure would you use to determine who the guys are that you can count on to go out there every fifth day and keep you in the game?

by BurntOrange on Aug 19, 2007 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Something more advanced

and reflective than innings pitched.

At any rate, regardless of metric, there are more than 20 front rotation starters in MLB.

by Brett Perryman on Aug 19, 2007 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions

How are you defining front?

by BurntOrange on Aug 19, 2007 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions

List:

I would say an ace or a good #2

Johan Santana
Dan Haren
Erik Bedard
Josh Beckett
Curt Schilling
John Lackey
C.C. Sabathia
Andy Petitte
Dice-K
Felix Hernandez
Scott Kazmir
Roy Halladay
Justin Verlander
You could argue Wang, Bonderman, Buerhle and Carmona

NL:

Chris Young
Brad Penny
Jake Peavy
Brandon Webb
Tim Hudson
John Smoltz
Roy Oswalt
Cole Hamels
Carlos Zambrano
Dontrelle Willis?
Ian Snell?
Noah Lowry?

by Pitcher15 on Aug 19, 2007 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions

aces

You can probably add Escobar and Roger Clemens in the AL (if Petitte and Schilling still make the list then Clemens has to too), and Sheets and Carpenter (although not this year, obv...) in the NL.

Guys like Lincecum, Rich Hill, and Jered Weaver are already getting pretty close. I like any of those guys better than a Lowry or Willis from this point forward.

by Brian Hayes on Aug 20, 2007 6:22 AM CDT up reply actions

injuries?

what about injured starters: Liriano, Brett Myers, Jason Schmidt, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, John Patterson, Esteban Loiaza, Rich Harden, Mark Mulder

then there are guys that would obviously be our aces: Oliver Perez, John Maine, Javier Vazquez, Ted Lilly, Rich Hill, James Shields, A.J. Burnett, Joe Blanton, David Bush, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Chuck James, Jose Contreras, Jon Garland, Dontrelle Willis, Chris Capuano, Mike Mussina

Oh...and for the record...I'd take Aaron Harang over any of our starters in a NEW YORK MINUTE.

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Aug 20, 2007 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Good list

and I agree with your point.

Willis, Snell, and Lowry are definitely not #1, and might not even be #2s.

Also, that's not to mention the #1 potential starters who've been injured/not played:

Clemens
Liriano
Harden
Pedro
Carpenter
Sheets

Also, Harang's definitely pitching like a #1. Not sure where Burnt is getting the idea that he's masquerading as a #1.

A K/BB ratio of around 4 and a K/9 of 8.33 is pretty damn good. And he's been that good for 2 years (while he was pretty good the year before).

Harang's the real thing.

Req

by Requiem on Aug 20, 2007 6:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Oops

misread who posted what.

I agree with zywica's point about #1/#2 pitchers changing hands.

Oh yeah, and Escobar should definitely be on the list.

Req

by Requiem on Aug 20, 2007 6:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Like I said above

as #1 and #2 starters. But here's the type of guy I'm talking about when I say that front rotation guys move:

Chris Young
Kelvim Escobar
Tim Hudson
Josh Beckett
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Dan Haren
Brad Penny
Derek Lowe

All have moved within the last three years. Young is a whole other discussion, I know. Anyway, they're not just flying around all over the place, but that's about three a year, and if you're willing to pay the price, you can get one from time to time.

If the Rangers had had the money/assets/interest/foresight at the time, I don't know that anyone on that list was out of reach. In other words, we talk about how we can't get pitchers to come here, but possibly with the exception of Lowe, that wouldn't even have been the issue with those guys. And really only Haren was a case of "you have to have stud pitching to trade for stud pitching."

by Brett Perryman on Aug 19, 2007 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Harang

Aaron Harang - I think we would all agree that he's not that good, certainly not good enough to go overpay for.

What the hell are you talking about? He is a top 20 SP in the Major Leagues.

Saltalamacchia: one player, six vowels.

by tricer on Aug 20, 2007 1:46 AM CDT up reply actions

If Millwood and Padilla

pitch like they did in 2006 (or even their career norms)then 2008 will not be a disaster. McCarthy will probably be improved when his shoulder heals. Gabbard just needs to be whaat he is now. I think the 5th spot goes to Loe or Volquez. If Padilla remains healthy and Hurley is ready, then the Rangers could probably get a very good return for Padilla at next years trading deadline.

by RangerMad on Aug 19, 2007 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions

how

can you say that would be a disaster? Gabbard's looked GREAT, McCarthy has too until the injury, Padilla and Millwood had horrible years but have pretty good track records, Volquez is a question mark but if he does anything close to what he's been doing in the minors, we've struck gold, and you STILL have Hurley ready to come up at some point. Then throw in Rupe and Diamond coming off injuries, Loe, and a stable of younger arms that could develop pretty quickly.

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Aug 20, 2007 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions

i completely agree with Z

as usual. spend on a true ace, even if it is over paying, but stay away from guys who's upside tops out at a #3 and go with youth from within on those spots.

by sanangelofan on Aug 19, 2007 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions