Now that we have begun the next century of silence before another JD move.....

The last Newberg Report email spoke of the possibility that JD could be done making moves, which begs the question: what about our 25th roster opening? Sullivan had hinted earlier that JD was interested in a right handed hitting 1st baseman/outfielder to platoon with Mitch and play DH from time to time. Now it seems such a signing might not happen, which means we still have a roster spot. So the question is whether we might go with a traditional corner utility even with MY in a versatile role, an extra bat like what Sullivan had mentioned to platoon with Mitch, a Thome sceanrio, speed in Esteban German, OR an 8th bullpen arm to finish a 13 man pitching squad.

What sayest thou BBTIA readers? Which would you go with? What are the risks/benefits associated with each? Feel free to answer with more than one option in order of preference.

A) Thome Scenario

B) Right handed bat to platoon with Mitch and who can also play outfield

C) A traditional corner utility (maybe Christ Davis or other)

D) A speed option in Esteban German

E) An 8th bullpen arm

F) Other

I will go tentatively with option A although I don't really feel comfortable going there considering the risks, but having that extra big bat, man, we need that in my opinion especially considering the injury history of guys like Hamilton, Cruz, and Kinsler. My second option is a 13th pitcher. BTW, I included Blanco as one of the 24 men of course.

I've suggested a Thome signing might still make sense if MY could play 40 percent of games at 1st, 10 percent at other positions, and the rest at DH, effectively platooning with Mitch at 1st and with Thome at DH. Murphy could get in the lineup by sitting Borbon for 30 percent of games. Perhaps the biggest downside here is the inability of resting Hamilton and Cruz at DH when MY plays the field, but maybe that could still happen depending on how many at bats Thome would need. The benefits of Thome's bat seem pretty substantial, but maybe he is too expensive, and further, the risk that MY might not be able to play 1st could be too great.

1) Thome Scenario

2) 8th Arm, maybe Yoshinori

I would really have to go with an extra bullpen arm. I don't have much doubt we will score runs, but since we didn't get a front line starter I think we need to make the bullpen as strong as possible. If we have guys like Tommy and Holland not go deep in games we will need those arms to keep guys like Rhodes and Oliver fresh. I don't know yet which arms we will have in the pen, but if Feliz (not Ogando for a multitude of reasons) gets converted to a starter we will really need all the help we can get.

I say make MY a catcher. your thoughts Joe.

I realize this will have some in coniptions, but I feel compelled to at least mention the possibility.

What if we traded Blanco or kept him at Round Rock in case we needed him (does he have any options left?)? This would enable us to take two of the above options as opposed to one. What if we could add Thome's bat in addition to having an extra arm in the bullpen? The only way this works is if MY shows promise backing up the infield in Spring Training, and we are able to keep major league ready middle infield utility depth at Round Rock to play in the event of injury. I don't know whether Blanco is an option to keep at Round Rock. Maybe even someone like Khalil Greene. I realize he is a risk but I am trying to think of someone who would be willing to potentially play the entire year at Round Rock on a minor league contract, but who also is proven in the bigs.

The central question in this scenario: is it acceptable to sacrifice defensive depth in a middle utility (a job that would be held down by MY) for the benefits of adding an 8th arm in the bullpen, or in the event that the 8th arm is preferred to an extra bat, for the benefits of adding Thome's offense? So, would the benefits outweigh the loss of defensive depth and the risk assocaited with having MY as your backup, at least in the interim between the occurance of injury and the time it would take for Blanco or other to arive ready to play.

I think this is acceptable as long as you have a viable option at Round Rock in an at least average (preferedly above average) major league ready glove for the middle infield to be called up in the event of injury.

Thome and an 8th arm? That sounds awesome to me. And remember, it is not like you wouldn't have a guy ready at Round Rock to back up if you needed him.

Scooby,

Awesome idea to put MY at catcher. I mean, what do you have to do anyways, just sit back there and catch the ball, anyone can do that.

Joe

And who wouldn't want MY to be able to sub in all 5 infield positions, that would complete the diamond?!

Chris Davis

Martin,

That was an honest typo, nothing more. Or were you saying you want Chris Davis as the 25th man?

Joe

Barring trades...

1. Torrealba
2. Treanor
3. Moreland
4. Kinsler
5. Andrus
6. Beltre
7. Young
8. Blanco
9. Hamilton
10. Borbon
11. Cruz
12. Murphy
13.

14. Webb
15. CJ
16. Lewis
17. Hunter
18. Holland
19. Kirkman
20. Feliz
21. Ogando
22. Oliver
23. Rhodes
24. Franky
25. O'Day

I would imagine that the ideal guy to fit what they have at DH is a 1B/OF type, since Young could play any of the IF positions. I guess if they don't sign anyone, that would be Davis most likely. Looking at the available players out there, there's nobody on the FA list who fits that bill... there are a few 1Bs and a few OFs, but nothing great. Thome would be a good guy to have around as insurance for Moreland, and he's probably going to want to go somewhere that plays him 5 days a week.

Texas does have a surplus of relievers, though, so it wouldn't surprise me to see JD trade Franky and Lowe or Franky and O'Day for that lucky 13th player.

I think there will be 1 more minor trade before the season starts. Either that, or like I said above, we see Chris Davis as the last guy on the bench.

Jdb having his fun above as fake Scooby Dude/fake Joe.

The answer is easily Thome, but then you either need to trade Young or tell him he's got to beat Moreland @ 1B if he wants more than 250 ABs. I would be willing to do that. Most Ranger fans seem opposed to that.

WWJDD,

Does the fact that both Moreland and Davis would be batting from the left mean anything to you (I'm sure you considered it already)? Not to mention the fact that there could be negative feelings on Davis' part because Moreland kicked his ass last year. They also just seam to be very very similar players to have both on a 25 man. It seems to me like one of the other options would give you more benefits and less dead weight.

Joe

Scooby,

What about Thome AND an 8th arm? See post above, but I already know your answer.

Joe

I would be open to getting Davis some exposure to increase his trade value or make him a more capable late inning replacement for Moreland. With Davis at first the Rangers would have the best infield D in the league hands down.

Floyd,

The great thing about the flexibility that the MY move gave the Rangers is that one does not have to make the decision in a final way. Wash could go with Davis sometimes, an 8th arm, speed, or a bat at different times depending on circumstances and needs.

Joe

Joe,

So true. This flexibility is a beautiful thing. And it gives us more to speculate about on forums.

For the 25th spot, I would go with somebody who is the hottest player in spring training, regardles of what position they are playing.

Not a big fan of carrfying an 8th arm. In that circumstance, on days when Young DHs and Thome is on the bench, you bench would be Treanor/Thome/Murphy. You can't sub for the infield, you have no RH bat besides Treanor, and if you PH, you get dangerously thin.

I also would hate to lose Blanco if he's out of options (which I think he is).

The other thing about an 8th arm in the 'pen is that I think 7u is plenty anyway, especially when they are all high quality.

I would go with the 2008 Chris Davis, but if we can't get that then Thome is my pick...only problem is he wants $8MM and would probably settle for $6MM, but that is expensive for possibly 300 ABs.
My gut says that there will be another small trade, probably involving relievers for minor leaguers or something... but the 25th spot will be Blanco, Wash just loves his defense and versatility plus he could provide some speed off the bench in a pinch.

Scooby Dude,

You could sub for the infield on such a day by moving MY and putting Thome or Murphy at DH. As far as not being able to PH, it doesn't seem like Wash does that too often anyways. As far as getting dangerously thin I acknowledge the possibility that you could have a game or two with a bad situation in the event of two injuries striking at once. But it would only be for a maximum two game period before your call up guy would be there. I would hate to lose Blanco as well, and if you aren't too excited about an 8th arm then what do you think about having German around for speed? If Blanco really is going to be more or less supplanted by MY it makes sense to trade him or keep him (or similar) at Round Rock.

Joe

Ryan,

What about the possibility of Blanco's role being largely supplanted by MY in the absence of injury in the infield? What if that happens? Not saying it will necessarily but what if?

Joe

I just think the Rangers have such a RH heavy lineup i think they could use another lefty off the bench he can also play 3b and COF not well i know but its an option plus it wont cost 8 Mill like Thome wants and hes just limited to DH at 41 years old i think CD will be better than Thome this year if hes not exposed to leftys so much

This is not nessisarily how i would WANT the line up but this is something i predict wash will throw out there on an everyday basis

Elvis SS RHB
Young DH RHB
Hamilton LF LHB
Beltre 3B RHB
Cruz RF RHB
Kinsler 2B RHB
Moreland 1B LHB
Torealba C RHB
Borbon CF LHB

Thats 3 Leftys 4 if you count Murphy

Against righties you could have a line up of...

Borbon CF
Elvis SS
Hamilton DH
Murphy LF
Beltre 3B
Kinsler 2B
Moreland RF
Torealba C
Davis 1B

Im not saying its a GREAT move i just like the move alot and i think it gives Wash even more options

Young might play 3B and 2B, but I would wager a lot he doesn't see more than 1-2 games at SS. And German doesn't play SS. Blanco is the backup SS. If Young starts at 3B/2B and the Rangers have a late lead, Blanco is the defensive sub. German is a great extra guy to have at Round Rock.

I would sign Thome. If not, go get a RH bat capable of playing 1B and COF.

I still am not comfortable with the rotation. I think we need a 5th starter..maybe a Josh Johnson. I believe trying to acquire Thome is like Vlad...throwing money away this year.

Why not see what it would take to get Wandy Rodriguez. He did pitch good against us in the past.