Wednesday morning things

by zywica on Sep 5, 2007 7:47 AM CDT in News

Adam's out today and I'm having some internet issues, so I'll add to the morning post as I can...

Wins against KC are proving to be elusive, but the Rangers managed one last night...barely. There were good signs though, HR from Jarrod Saltalamacchia, continued hot hitting from Ian Kinsler (21 hits in his last ten games and has risen his OPS almost 80 points), and a multihit game from Jason Botts.

Speaking of Botts, Dave Sessions says that a toe tap did wonders for him last night. I’m beginning to get a Gabe Kapler-ish feeling about Botts. After hearing about the alterations he made to his swing early in the season and seeing incredible numbers in AAA I was halfway expecting a Hafner type swing from the left side, but it’s been long and loopy instead, and the results have been disappointing. I’m starting to fear that Botts is one of these guys who will require constant tinkering to stay in synch.

Evan Grant thinks that Gerald Laird should be retained, with a similar plan for Saltalamacchia and him in '08. Grant also has a "best of LSB"-looking Q&A with questions from several familiar names.

Lots of items from Grant in his game story, among them, the never-ending search for left-handed pitching leading to a Bill White call-up and a possible start for AJ Murray, an additional possible start for Armando Galarraga, who is back with Frisco to stay active, and Brandon McCarthy is throwing again.

TR Sullivan says that Kam Loe will miss one start, but will be replaced by Jamey Wright instead of Murray because the Rangers don't like the matchup for Murray. And Akinori Otsuka is having more elbow pain.

And don't forget to send Grant a question at chat@dallasnews.com for his chat today.

0 recs | Comment 50 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

HA!

I talked to him yesterday, and I told him that I should fill in, but he said, "no, Ben, you're the 8th string quarterback." Asshole.

by benmor78 on Sep 5, 2007 7:38 AM CDT 0 recs

He saw

the tremendous job you did updating the scoreboard.

I think he rightly figured Miles, or Sharky, or billybobisdrunk would do a better job.

by DJCahill on Sep 5, 2007 7:48 AM CDT up 0 recs

The standings...

they were beneath my considerable talents.

by benmor78 on Sep 5, 2007 7:49 AM CDT up 0 recs

hmm

must have missed the standings being taken away. was it beneath adam to update the standings too? Because thats what every other SBNation blogger does on his own.

of course, the standings haven't mattered since may and probably won't matter until 2009

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Sep 5, 2007 7:55 AM CDT up 0 recs

Geez

I had the full post up like ten minutes later...

by zywica on Sep 5, 2007 8:06 AM CDT up 0 recs

USURPER!!

Pretender!

by benmor78 on Sep 5, 2007 10:41 AM CDT up 0 recs

Cool...

Evan answered my question first...I'm usually WAY down on the list or ignored altogether. It's probably only because nobody seems to care much about the Rangers anymore...ahh well.

by rangeressary on Sep 5, 2007 8:12 AM CDT 0 recs

Botts Swing

I agree with the Gabe Kapler analogy. What we're seeing is probably what the team insiders were seeing all-along. Which is why Sosa's circus came to town.

by 3Bagger on Sep 5, 2007 8:30 AM CDT 0 recs

yeah

I'm really wondering whether its mental or mechanical. This is the 3rd time this season I've heard Jason changed his mechanics and suddenly had some success. It reminds me of little league. Coaches always try to change you when you are not working. Changes like the leg kick and toe-tapping takes your mind off the fact your missing the ball and make you think about fundamentals. Hope the toe-tapping continues to work for him forever.

by corbsclinton on Sep 5, 2007 9:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

Pure Hitters

Another lumbering big guy - Salty - is 5 years younger than Botts.

Despite this, his mechanics are better. His swing is better. I just wonder how Botts can change something he's been working-on for so many years?

That said, I never under-estimate the powers of toe-tapping.

by 3Bagger on Sep 5, 2007 9:39 AM CDT up 0 recs

Re: Pure hitters

Salty is 6'4", but I wouldn't call him lumbering. He's only about 200 pounds. Botts is more in the 250-260 range.

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on Sep 5, 2007 9:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

Salty

I agree that he isnt lumbering, but he is 235-240 lbs, not 200lbs.

by 525DP on Sep 5, 2007 11:44 AM CDT up 0 recs

Weight

I agree he's north of 225. Easily. Which begs the question. When is big too big? I like Salty. But Pudge was the best in Ranger history. 5'9" 185.

I'm just saying.

by 3Bagger on Sep 5, 2007 12:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

Too big

I think the current era of catchers seem to be getting bigger and bigger. As long as they can remain agile and quick behind the dish, this new group of backstops may be the new mold. Most pitchers you talk to love throwing to a big target and these guys do give them that.

by 525DP on Sep 5, 2007 12:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

I wonder

if the bigger catchers end up with shorter careers due to more problems with backs and knees.

by DJCahill on Sep 5, 2007 1:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Long Term

Just looking at Salty bend/squat looks painful to me. The concern may be unjustified, but smaller catchers look more comfortable.

by 3Bagger on Sep 5, 2007 1:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

Good question

I think as long as they keep their flexibility, agility, stay in shape and not gain excess weight, they should be able to stay behind the dish as long as their smaller counterparts do. Even the smaller guys will deteriorate if they do not keep up with their fitness programs.

by 525DP on Sep 5, 2007 1:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

Big catchers

I think carry more injury risk than smaller ones.

I look at all the health problems that Mauer is having this season and just figure that a frame that large takes a lot more abuse than a smaller catcher.

And I love Salty, but yes - he is lumbering.

Saltalamacchia: one player, six vowels.

by tricer on Sep 5, 2007 1:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

lumbering?

aside from the "ole'" catchers I have seen more smaller catchers injured when run over at the plate than larger ones. As a rule you will notice most runners will try to slide around a big catcher and not risk injury to themselves.
Not sure what we mean by lumbering but he's not that slow and you wont want to get in his way when his 240# is coming at you. To me lumbering means slow and awkward which I don't believe he is. JMHO

by 525DP on Sep 5, 2007 1:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

Collisions at the plate

are pretty infrequent. And I'm sure some catcher injuries have resulted from them, but not all that often.

The thing that breaks down catchers, and I think it would be more of a factor with big tall catchers, is the wear and tear on the knees, legs, and back from all the squatting.

Think of it as Salty is squatting 250 pounds every time he comes out of his crouch. When you multiply that times the thousands of repititions over a season - it takes quite a toll on the legs and back.

Saltalamacchia: one player, six vowels.

by tricer on Sep 5, 2007 3:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

See your point

but what than, would be the difference between 6'4" 235lbs and 6'1" 225lbs playing the same position? Wouldnt size be relative? Like I said as long as you stay in shape and stay strong and flexible you should have a good long successful career.

by 525DP on Sep 5, 2007 5:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Big Catchers

We'll see. Salty is definitely bigger than any starting Ranger catcher I remember.

by 3Bagger on Sep 5, 2007 1:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

True

...but there are quite a few catchers as big as Salty scattered throughout the MLB that are successful.

by 525DP on Sep 5, 2007 1:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Salty

I know MLB's weight listings are often off (that's where I got the 200 from) but is he really that big? I know Salty's a big guy, but he still doesn't look anywhere near as big as Botts.

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on Sep 5, 2007 2:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well

Looking at the Baseball Cube, they have Salty at 6'4," 235, and Botts at 6'6," 245.

I still don't see how Botts is only two inches and 10 pounds bigger than Salty, though. I know my eyes aren't that bad. :)

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on Sep 5, 2007 2:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yep

Salty goes between 235-240lbs and is planning to trim it down a bit with his personal trainer and become stronger and more lean in the off season. However' I still think he will play at around 245lbs and will come into ST even more of a beast and better next year. ;)

I, like you, think Jason is at least 255lbs.

by 525DP on Sep 5, 2007 3:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

I just remember the Kapler dance

while here in the batters box. He had so many nervous tics and the same ritual before every pitch.

If I were a pitcher, I would have plunked him hard, maybe put him on the DL, just because watching that nonsense before every pitch would have bugged the hell out of me.

by DJCahill on Sep 5, 2007 9:35 AM CDT up 0 recs

Plunking

Which may be the real reason Kapler (and Botts) spend so much time in the weight room. To thwart-off would be bean ballers.

by 3Bagger on Sep 5, 2007 9:41 AM CDT up 0 recs

Kapler dance

The guy who drives me nuts is Nomar.

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on Sep 5, 2007 9:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

Nomar

Anyone notice that Mike Young started to add more nervous nomar tendencies prior to stepping in the batters box before every pitch? He re-does both batting gloves, then hits the velcro straps with a closed fist, then adjusts the jersey on his shoulders, sometimes tips helmet brim, then puts his right foot in the box, looks at the barrel of the bat, and then goes into his stance.

Mark Connor just shows up to the ballpark to collect a paycheck.

by jshcmp on Sep 5, 2007 10:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

Stalker

by corbsclinton on Sep 5, 2007 10:50 AM CDT up 0 recs

LOL

"Hello, win column..."

by rangersfan34 on Sep 5, 2007 11:04 AM CDT up 0 recs

Botts

With him it's either going to be that he will figure out the level and be a good hitter, or as you said he will constantly be tweaking his swing and never amount to much.

I personally think he will eventually master the level and start hitting solidly.

Can you please Look into getting a less funny signature? That's sarcasm, btw. - Sharky

by rentz on Sep 5, 2007 8:57 AM CDT 0 recs

Loe is a reliever, Botts is ???

Like Benoit, he seems to be more successful there. I've been one of Botts' biggest defenders and advocates of patience for him. But he is running out of time, and his lack of defense hurts the club's versatility considering that in the next couple of years they have multiple 4th outfielder types and not enough starters. If he doesn't show both improvement and consistency by the end of the year it may be time to move on.

Signature

by t ball on Sep 5, 2007 9:15 AM CDT 0 recs

I don't buy the

"two catchers working together to make the staff better".

I think there is natural competition and pride amongst the players to want to be the "starting catcher".

I really think, with all the catcher depth the organization has, the best plan is to shop Laird around, and hope you get a similar return as was made for the great Eddie Taubensee or the Energetic Einar Diaz. For whatever reason, catchers seem to bring a ton in trade return, and it would seem prudent to shop Laird, before he has another year like this one.

by DJCahill on Sep 5, 2007 9:32 AM CDT 0 recs

agree

Grant seems awfully optimistic about that working. He also seems awfully optimistic about Torii Hunter maintaining a high level of offense. He is probably right about Laird not having a whole lot of value, though.

Signature

by t ball on Sep 5, 2007 9:34 AM CDT up 0 recs

I never would have thought

A.J. Pierzynski, Energetic Einar Diaz, Eddie Taubensee, etc. would have had a whole lot of value though.

For whatever reason, catchers seem to bring a ton in return. I have no idea why folks overpay for catchers who realistically aren't much better than Rod Barajas, but I do recognize that it happens, and the Rangers ought to see if they can take advantage of it.

by DJCahill on Sep 5, 2007 10:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

If Laird is going to bring

anyone significant, like a good young centerfielder, it's going to be as part of a package that includes a prospect going the other way on the Rangers' part. But yeah, catchers sometimes have surprising depth. If Daniels finds someone desparate enough we could be in for a happy surprise.

Signature

by t ball on Sep 5, 2007 12:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah,

I see the forward thinking that people are doing with teagarden and maxram waiting in the wings but the fact is: They aren't here yet. So planning for them now and not having salty catch everyday is stupid. Salty needs to play catcher everyday. He can play 1B when a stud C is ready, not because we dont want to piss off a guy who is 3 years older and less talented. "I was here first" doesn't work anymore. You dont preform, you get replaced.

by corbsclinton on Sep 5, 2007 9:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

Luis Mendoza

T.R. sez on his blog that the Rangers are calling him up for Wednesday's start. Cue 40-man hullabaloo.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Sep 5, 2007 11:30 AM CDT 0 recs

why not

Galarraga?

"No team has any major strengths as all NFL players are roughly the same. If you cant run on third and one it isn't because of your players." - Sharky

by Chase Irwin on Sep 5, 2007 11:51 AM CDT up 0 recs

Quite surprising!

But I was surprised by the Schlact promo, too.

Does this mean McCarthy's definitely not coming back in 07?

I do wish we could see more of these guys this year...AJ, Galarraga and, most of all, Edinson.

Now, Mendoza's in the mix...hm. Amazing if they get productive innings from him. Seemed the likes of Brian Corey could only bring spareness back in trade.

Anyway what's your take on him, shroom?

by hightowersmith on Sep 5, 2007 12:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

Just a useful move

Mendoza is being look-see'd because of the Rule 5 draft, Wednesday is his day to pitch anyway, it's not like he's been awful this season so it's not like he's undeserving, showcase issues maybe, he sounded eager for a shot in a late-season interview I heard on the radio - so he's politicked some. No big deal - mostly just a utilitarian decision.

Galarraga, Mendoza, Harrison, Mathis, maybe the post-operative Diamond, too <- this group of guys might give you ZILCH ... or you might find another Chris Young among them, or even another Kason Gabbard. This class of player seems to confound the tony horsehide divination set most of all. Expect guys like Tatusko, Coffman, Ballard, Holland, Quintero, Batista and maybe Beau Jones to form a similar group down the road.

Rangers Farm Probables

by shroomer on Sep 5, 2007 12:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

mendoza

when is he rule 5 eligible anyway?

Can you please Look into getting a less funny signature? That's sarcasm, btw. - Sharky

by rentz on Sep 5, 2007 12:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

This winter

by hightowersmith on Sep 5, 2007 12:53 PM CDT up 0 recs

ah

well then it makes sense to add him now, since he'd need to be added this offseason anyway

Can you please Look into getting a less funny signature? That's sarcasm, btw. - Sharky

by rentz on Sep 5, 2007 12:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

Mendoza

He isn't rule 5 eligible this off-season, he is a six-year free agent this off-season if he isn't on the 40. Six-year guys always leave, so if we take him off the 40 he is as good as gone.

by uthornfan on Sep 5, 2007 1:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

ah

either way he needed to be added to the 40man

Can you please Look into getting a less funny signature? That's sarcasm, btw. - Sharky

by rentz on Sep 5, 2007 1:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

This way

the Rangers get a chance to see what he has in the majors. Now they'll have an idea of what they're keeping if they use a 40 spot for him, or what they're losing if they don't.

by Inkara1 on Sep 5, 2007 1:51 PM CDT up 0 recs