Per KRLD

More Gabbard-like than thought...

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Woo.

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per Stark

"Angels first baseman Casey Kotchman was pulled off the field during pregame warmups this afternoon at Fenway Park. And there are strong indications he is about to be traded to the Braves for Mark Teixeira, according to a source with knowledge of those discussions. Details are still being finalized, and additional, lesser names are expected to be involved. But Kotchman for Teixeira is the core of this deal."

Well, this would definitely be interesting.  Given the surely high price, I would like this from a rangers standpoint.  If I were an angels fan I'd probably like it too depending on just how the price is, that team with Tex would move from very good to great.

Didnt have anywhere to post a random bit of info.. so I figured we could collect the minor trade rumors of the day in a thread.  Barring anything big happening of course.

To start the day off, The South-Florida Sun Sentinnel confirms the Marlins are looking to acquire a catcher, and lists Laird as one of four targets.

They are also looking for a left handed reliever, with guardado in the mix there as well.

Anyone have a realistic return in mind? I'm not particularly familiar with their system.

7:00 on Fox

AL Starter: Cliff Lee
NL Starter: Ben Sheets

AL Lineup:
Ichiro Suzuki (rf)
Derek Jeter (ss)
Josh Hamilton (cf)
Alex Rodriguez (3b)
Manny Ramirez (lf)
Milton Bradley (dh)
Kevin Youkilis (1b)
Dustin Pedroia (2b)

NL Lineup:
Hanley Ramirez (ss)
Chase Utley (2b)
Lance Berkman (1b)
Albert Pujols (dh)
Chipper Jones (3b)
Matt Holliday (rf)
Ryan Braun (lf)
Kosuke Fukudome (cf)
Geovany Soto (c)

AL Reserves: Kinser (2b), Young (ss), Morneau (1b), Navarro (c), Varitek (c), Crede (3d), Longoria (3b), Guillen (3b), Drew (OF), Quentin (of), Sizemore (of)

Pitchers: Duchscherer, Halladay, Kazmir, Nathan, Papelbon, Rivera, K-Rod, Santana, Saunders, Sherrill and Soria

NL Reserves: Martin (c), Mccann (c), Gonzalez (1b), Uggla (2b), Ramirez (3b), Wright (3b), Guzman (ss), Tejeda (ss), Hart (of), Ludwick (of), McClouth (of)

Pitchers: Cook, Dempster, Haren, Lidge, Lincecum, Marmol, Volquez, Wagner, Webb, Wilson, Wood, Zambrano

So, we've got a few days off here, how about some fluff discussion of your Ranger awards for the first half.  Well, first half and then some, but you know what I mean.

List your general awards in a post, but Ill include a poll for the all important MVP vote.

MVP Candidates with completely unnecessary writeups:

Milton Bradley - .316/.440/.610

For: Leads the AL in on base and slugging percentages and thus .ops, and is among the top 10 in homeruns and extra base hits.

Against: Has been mostly limited to DH thus obviously limiting the defensive value he has offered.  Additionally he has missed a significant number of games with recurring but minor injuries that has stopped him from reaching quite as impressive HR and RBI totals as he may otherwise have.

Josh Hamilton - .310/.367/.552

For: Leads the majors with 95 rbi, and is second in the AL with 21 homeruns.  Is among the top 10 in batting average, slugging, extra base hits, and runs.

Against: Defensive value lessened with a move to primarily right field, and is last among the MVP trio in .ops.  His plate discipline comes and goes, and he has been the most inconsistant of the three, with 3 significant slumps.  However, that also comes with the most impactful hot streaks of the three as well.

Ian Kinsler -.337/.397/.548

For: Leads the AL in batting average, hits, doubles, extra base hits, runs, total bases and ranks highly in slugging, on base percentage, stolen bases and more.  Very good baserunner in game situations as well.

Against: High error total and disputed range factor make his defensive value questionable despite his premium position.  Although I believe his range is in fact very good.

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Other categories you may award: Rookie of the year, Cy Young, and anything else you feel like.  Feel free to go off the beaten path, this is really just a discuss the first half thread.

And the battle continues into the bottom of the 10th...

The Rangers have used Feldman, Littleton, Guardado, Wilson, and Francisco.

Madrigal, Rupe, and Wright pitched extensively yesterday.  Probably have to chance Frankie for another inning.  You can probably try to use wright if you have to.  Nippert may be available to throw an inning.  You could consider scratching mendoza's start and go with him if it goes on too long.

But lets not worry about that.  Lets watch another walk-off shot.

Go rangers.

Go Rangers.

75 word game summary:

Kinsler, Young, Hammy, MaxRam, Davis, and pretty much the entire offense is... pretty good.

Scott Feldman..... well hes pretty good but was not tonight.  Some highly questionable managing went on, but in the end its 10-10 in the 8th with Josh Hamilton up.  Who can complain?

And.. we are watching one of the most exciting 2 days in rangers history.  Yes angels fans, we know its sad.  Screw that, its still fun.

Bring it home boys.

MLB.com press release

Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Josh Donaldson and Eric Patterson for Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin

Pretty interesting move.  Gallagher has been decent so far, but there arn't many pitchers in baseball better than Harden if he happens to be healthy during the playoffs.   We are all familiar with the very little value of Matt Murton, though I dont know much about Patterson or Donaldson. 

I'm not surprised they would sell High on Harden, but this doesn't seem all that high.  Especially with Gaudin, who has been useful, thrown in.

I guess they are big Ghallager believers.

Link

SEATTLE -- Seattle Mariners Chief Executive Officer Howard Lincoln today announced that Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations & General Manager Bill Bavasi had been relieved of his duties with the club.

Vice President/Associate General Manager Lee Pelekoudas will take over as the interim General Manager, effective immediately. He is the eighth General Manager in club history.

"Change is in order." Lincoln said. "We have determined new leadership is needed in the GM position. With a new leader will come a new plan and a new approach. A search will begin immediately for a permanent GM, and Lee will be a candidate for the position."

Well, about time I guess.