Sunday Morning Open Thread: Five Questions
Ian Kinsler points to his teammates after belting a three-run homer at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, August 27th.1. Given the disturbing direction in which Ian Kinsler's plate approach seems to be trending, has the 27-year-old second baseman put himself at any sort of heightened risk of a Hank Blalock-esque plunge in offensive value going forward?
2. Should the Texas Rangers go ahead and shut down an ailing Josh Hamilton, irrespective of what happens during Sunday afternoon's series finale against the first-place Angels?
3. Assuming that Pudge is retained through the 2010 season (and make no mistake, that's still a fairly big assumption), predict next season's playing time distribution behind the plate between Pudge, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez. Account for potential health implications.
4. Whom is the Rangers' starting first baseman on Opening Day 2011: Chris Davis, Justin Smoak or somebody else altogether?
5. Finally, an off-the-beaten-path question: If you could change one thing about the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington fan experience, what would it be?
[Two final things: First, as a patently harsh critic of Hank Blalock who has ridden him very hard this season, I feel obliged to commend him for his eventual game-winning homer in the bottom of the sixth inning on Saturday evening. Might as well eulogize his positive accomplishments now, because he's nearing the end of his Rangers career and we're not going to get many more chances to do so.
Second, many thanks to everybody who chimed in on the state of the website last Sunday morning with both praise and criticism. Reader feedback is an invaluable commodity, something that we treasure and actively utilize when it comes down to creating baseball content that people actually want to read, and for that we thank you. Suffice it to say that we have some interesting ideas that we expect to flesh out in the coming weeks ...]
20 Comments | in Open Thread, The Season
Reader Comments (20)
1. Common thread b/w Hank and Ian is Rudy. It is time for a new batting coach before he ruins another young Ranger.
2. Shut him down now.
3. Pudge 60/ Trade Salty or Taylor 30/ Max 10 with time at DH
4. Justin Smoak we need his bat after Rudy has been released from his Ranger duties.
5. Love the Ballpark wish we could have more day games in summer but need a roof because of heat.
1.I think Kinsler has got it in his head that he needs to pack this offense, which may not be totally untrue, but he needs to do it by getting on base by whatever means necessary and not by trying to flail at everything in an attempt to drive every pitch out of the park. I think he'll revert to back to closer to last year's form after an offseason in which I wouldn't be shocked that involved a overhauled hitting approach sent down from Nolan.
2. It's getting awful close to that time when you go ahead and pack it in and start planning for next season. Right now you're only getting productive starting pitching out of 2/5s of the starting staff and your offense is atrocious. This is where I start looking to play young guys and start planning what to do with guys for next year.
3. Taylor 70 Pudge 30. Not sure Salty or Max are back with the club next season. Both could be moved in the winter (even at their current low value) with someone like Cruz to try to obtain some more prospects.
4. Davis gets the nod once again if nothing else because of his (still) raw power and his defense. I could see them adding a high OPS guy to help spell him and occasionally DH in the offseason if they aren't confident with Smoak - with considering the current, very young lineup, I personally wouldn't be in a hurry to pencil another youngster in the lineup that frequently. I still endorse my idea prior this season of simply using the DH position as a break from the field for your position players... especially if we retain a strong utility infielder. I'd like to see Kinsler and Young getting spelled in the field a touch more frequently to cut down on the wear and tear.
5. I've never actually attended any professional baseball games and I'm about a 1,000 miles from Arlington.
1)Not sure what the answer is for the Rangers hitting woes. It's not like they haven't flashed potential. Maybe Ian's case is he simply trying to do too much. Wouldn't mind seeing some new hitting coach get a shot.
2) would like to see Josh get some swings in before shutting down for the Winter...from a confidence standpoint.
3) no idea on catcher
4) Davis...should continue to improve, love his defense
5) a fucking rail line would be nice....it's bad enough that the stadium is in Arlington.
1. Kins is not anything like Blalock. His speed and (at least in '08) ability to hit both RHPs and LHPs make him much more productive than the hit-or-miss Hank. And then there's his much, much improved defense. Even with all his pop-ups, Ian and Hank's salaries were definitely reversed from where they deserved to be this season. He'll get tired of trotting back to the dug-out and begin to remember how much fun it was last yr to be on base at a .375 clip instead of .325. Ian'll be back to winning baseball soon enough.
2. Probably a good idea, given that he wasn't exactly ever in a groove this yr. Let's fast-forward to April and see whether he can regain his form after fully healing.
3. I still am very grateful that the rotation seemed to blossom with Salty and Tea. You can't say enough good things about how all the batteries were clicking well together through most of the summer. When Jarrod started ailing, the staff seemed to lose its steam. If Saltalammachia is healthy, I think he deserves another chance to be the guy behind the plate for most of the season.
4. I'm torn on Davis. He's got that great glove and excellent power, but SOMEBODY has got to get him making more contact. Competition is good. Smoak may be the guy in the near-future -- his potential to reach the Teixeira-echelon, as a switch-hitter, would seem to mean he's got to get a real long look at 1B in 2010. But I think it would be nice to see both of them contributing next yr. I think Smoak will probably get a shot to make the roster, and could displace Chris as the every-day starter by mid-May or a little later. There's a little more confidence in my mind that the Rangers will get settled at 1B next yr more so than at any point since Tex left.
5. Nothing needs to change at the Ballpark -- maybe I'm biased because I love the team so much, but I try to take the kids every time I'm in town. I'm with Ian in that I don't understand why there's not 30,000 fans there every night -- but of course I only pay for a game or two per yr. It would be tough on the budget to go more than that.
Also, hopefully, having the Cowboys nearby will bring in enough money to increase the number of nicer hotel chains. Some of those places aren't real nice to stay in.
Joey, your site is terrific. You always have the best graphics, stats, and insights. Keep up the great work!
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Salty over 50%
4. Chris Davis
5. Too much and too loud canned sound from the loudspeakers. Before every single pitch. It is impossible to discuss the game. Totally destroys the experience.
1- Kinsler has to much speed to be a fly ball hitter, when he is hitting good it is line drives or hard grounders NEEDS TO QUIT THINKING OF HIMSELF AS A POWER HITTER
2-Shut him down get ailments taken care of now for next year
3- Think we will keep 2 of Pudge,Teagarden,Salty,Ramirez other 2 will be traded (would like Pudge and Salty with Salty 70% of the duties)
4- Davis -defense will save him Smoak need another year AAA did not hit that well there this year
5-Love going to ballpark(I live in San Antonio) only thing need another video board if sitting down 1st base line or rt field can not see it at all
1. Ian's gotta do a lot of work in the offseason to correct his swing and plate mentality for sure. I think it's an extremely distinct possibility that he could be headed toward Hank Blalock land. Ian needs to stick to his leadoff mentality like last year. I sure liked seeing all those line drives last year as opposed to mile high pop ups. The difference between the two is that Ian was never considered to be a masher like Blalock... for some reason, Ian decided he was a power hitter this year.
I like Ian alot with all that being said and I really think that he'll get it figured out before next season.
2. The Rangers have build a winning record without Josh most of the year. I think he should be shut down and saved for next season. MY is who I'd rather have in there 100% over JH at this point.
3. It's hard to say. I'd like to give Pudge another season with us. I think he lends alot more to the team than just his defense. I'd give him about 40% playing time and Salty the other 55%. Throw TT in there for the other 5%.
4. Chris Davis for the first part of the season... then Smoak will steal his thunder a little later on in the season.
5. There needs to be more good beer stands. I hate Bud Light, Miller Lite, etc. How about more stands with Fat Tire, Dos XX, Boulevard Wheat!! I know there's a couple stands lilke this but dependant on where you're sitting you might have to walk halfway around the ballpark.
Also... a cooler mascot. A horse? How about a Texas Ranger with six shooters? That would make more sense.
1. a new hitting coach will correct his approach
2. Hamilton is done for the year. He has demonstrated that he is not capable of staying healthy. HE should never be permitted to play any position other that DH
3. Split Taylor, Salty and IR
4. Davis will be excellent with another hitting coach
5. Move it back to Washington
1. Trade him and sign Chone Figgins to play second. Kinsler is too streaky to put in the middle of the lineup, and too in love his his power stroke to lead off.
2. Probably. Back problems don't fix themselves quickly.
3. Pudge 60%, with Salty playing intermittently when he recovers. Right now, Teagarden looks like he'll be nothing more than a defensive catcher. If he develops some ability to make contact, he has more upside than Salty. Ramirez may be the catcher of the future.
4. Davis, with Smoak playing a fair amount of the time at first, and DHing the rest of the time. Davis could spell Young sometimes at third.
5. Add a World Series.
1 - No. No worries. Is it me, or does it seem like this whole team has their wires crossed? Is it possible they're getting conflicting instructions? For the life of me, I still can't understand Cruz bunting the other night. It just seems so out of character....kinda like this whole team.
2 - Yes.
3 - 70% Saltalamacchia, 30% Teagarden.
4 - Davis. To start the season. But I see a short leash.
5 - n/a
1. Kinsler: Know your role. Aim for high OBP.
2. Shut him down. Let's see Borbon is center and Cruz get ready to DH 2010.
3. Teagarden 70%, Rodriguez 30% behind the plate. Ramirez 20% at DH. Trade Saltalamacchia: we have enough competition at first base!
4. Justin Smoak starts at 1B in 2011. Chris Davis plays 3B. I prefer Michael Young at DH during that season.
5. Cannot think of a change. We love the Ballpark.
1. I think he is already there, and is too hard-headed and arrogant to change. He may be a problem going forward.
2. Shut him down. Maybe consider trading him this winter if the right package is presented.
3. 60% Salty, 40% Pudge. TT is in OKC. Max in the mix as DH/3rd catcher if he hits in ST.
4. Davis probably. Smoak needs to prove he can hit lefties in AAA, then bring him up if he does.
5 Lower prices would always be nice(like that will ever happen).
Kinsler strikes me as a knucklehead. Same results from the same approach. Seems like the light blub would have gone off back in june or July.
May as well tell Josh to forget this year and take a seat.
Give Pudge about 50-60% of the playing time with Salty getting the rest, even though he can't hit. Teagarden to AAA and MaxRam at DH if he can bounce with the back next year.
Davis is the guy at 1st base to begin the year. Smoak needs to show a little more at AAA.
I wouldn't change anything about the ballpark, except maybe a roof for day games and bad weather but that ain't going to happen. Living 45 minutes from the park, I like the idea of some sort of mass transit.
I was trying to be creative yesterday, and I came up with a crazy idea. If the Cubs would pick up Bradley's 9 mil salary for 2010, Texas could trade Millwood for Bradley straight up - which wouldn't cost Texas anything more than what they are already going to pay Millwood, and they'd get Bradley for 2 years, which is essentially half his cost. They could use him at DH - and even if they got just 400 AB out of him, it might help them win some of these games they aren't winning because they aren't scoring.
I also am of the feeling that now is the time to trade Davis, since he has shown some improvement in plate discipline after his demotion. He's still got great potential and already has to be considered a legitimate power hitter. They shouldn't give him away, but if they can land someone like Nolasco for him - I think that would be a win-win for Texas. Give Smoak the job in ST, just like Andrus got the job in 2009. I think he can handle it. Adding Smoak and Bradley would make a huge different, I think, in the overall character of the lineup. They also probably need to drop Kinsler out of the leadoff spot - let Borbon have it full-time in 2010.
It would probably be unwise to trade Salty now (injury), but if they can get a pitcher for him, too, that might be a good move. Sign Pudge for 1 more season and let Ivan and Teagarden split catching duties in 2010.
Love to see them get Sheets on an incentive-laden deal, but I guess that's unlikely if the team really is being run by the league due to financial troubles.
1-4)pass
5) I'd have that gigantic eyesore that sits just southwest of the ballpark towed to Dallas or else demolished completely.
1. Kinsler is trying too hard at the plate. He's got a great swing, but I think he's pressing too much at the plate right now.
2. Yep, shut Josh down unless Josh can be productive at the plate and in the field. Otherwise, it's time to shut down for the year.
3. Keep Pudge as part time catcher and part time DH and part time catching coach for the young catchers. Teagarden either starts hitting above .210 (or about) or he sits in the minors next year.
4. I gotta figure Smoak plays 1b next season.
5. Stadium changes? Get rid of the silly old kids games and put in new familiy area with new games for the kids. Give people a quiz before they enter the stadium. If they don't understand or appreciate baseball please escort them out. Too many times I sit around people who have no idea (nor do they care) what is going on out on the field. They somehow got tickets from someone and are more busy being "seen" than enjoying the great game. THey don't cheer....they just occupy seats and blabber the entire night about how important they think they are.
Oh....addenda to #5....GET A ROOF! I know. It's not gonna happen, but I can wish, right?
1. Kinsler: Got into some bad habits the last half of this season. I think there's a better than average chance of fixing it next year. I'd put chances of a Blalock-style tank job at 15%.
2. Hamilton: Yes, shut him down.
3. 2010 catcher p/t w/Pudge: Pudge 40%, Salty 35%, Teagarden 20%, Ramirez 5%.
4. Smoak starts at 1B on Opening Day 2011.
5. Rangers Ballpark in Arlington fan experience: reconfigure seating in the upper deck so that people who weigh more than 90 lbs and have legs can actually sit in those seats.
BTW, I think most responders missed the "2011" date in question 4.
1. Who knows. That kind of thing seems to happen to lots of players for lots of teams. But I think it may just be the maturing process and the Rangers learning how to use him. Kins need to bat 3rd not 1st and he'd look a lot better
2. Probably. But if they pull out a miracle comeback and snag a wild card then he starts in RF
3. I would sign him if he is at all reasonable about the salary. He isn't a starting catcher anymore but he might be the best backup in the AL at this point
4. (Flame proof suit time) Hank Blalock. I trade Chris davis if I can and start Blalock in anticipation of Smoak being called up.
5. Asumming I lived close enough to ever attend a game, I'd lower the prices. It is just too expensive. cut the ptickets, concessions and parking in half and try and sell out every game. Make it up in volume