Sunday Morning Open Thread: Five Questions
Joey Matschulat
1. When viewed in conjunction with his previous transgressions and coaching-related issues, does the well-publicized Danny Gutierrez oversight raise any additional warning flags, or is this merely one of those "nothing to see here" incidents?
2. Which three Rangers starting pitchers will log the most major league innings in 2010? Feel free to take job security and injury risk into consideration when answering; remember, Derek Holland (138.1 IP) landed in the top three last season despite having not made his first major league start until May 22nd.
3. Assuming that Julio Borbon starts at least 100 or so games in center field in 2010, how do you expect his defense to manifest in terms of runs above or below league average? In other words, how will Borbon's defense compare to that of the league-average defensive center fielder? Phrase your answer in the "-5 < x < 0" syntax if you're so inclined.
4. How encouraged are you by Clint Hurdle's proactive approach -- as extensively detailed by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News -- towards straightening out the likes of Ian Kinsler, Josh Hamilton and Chris Davis?
5. In anticipation of pitchers and catchers reporting to Surprise, Arizona this coming Thursday, finish this sentence in any positive or negative way that you see fit: "The No. 1 storyline during Rangers spring training will be _________."
Reader Comments (23)
1.No -- I think that's just Danny being Danny.
2. Lewis, Holland and Feldman
3. 0
4. Instead of fooling with their swings, he seems to be using a lot of psychology. +5 for Clint.
5. if everyone stays healthy - we've got a real shot in 2010.
1. Maybe it will help Gutierrez grow up. It's a mistake. It doesn't have to be a lethal one to his career.
2. Colby Lewis, Tommy Hunter, and Scott Feldman
3. I have no ideas how these statistical dogmas work.
4. By the time they reach the major leagues, players should have their mechanics worked out. The mental approach is what makes the difference between ultimate failure and success as long as players don't spend so much time thinking that they forget to swing.
5. Whether or not Feliz or Holland make the starting rotation.
1. Gutz is probably my least favorite Ranger prospect in terms of personal like/dislike. Based on what we've heard he seems like a cocky, irresponsible douche, and this incident does nothing but solidify that general perception.
That said, the punishment leveled on him seemed a bit harsh to me, given that he did have a prescription for the meds, and his quotes afterward said all the right things (albeit somewhat robotically). Hopefully he gets his act together and fullfills his potential. Maybe he can use the time off to work on his changeup.
2. Feldman, Lewis, Hunter.
3. I'd hope he can be a run or two above average out there, since that's primarily where his value is supposed to be coming from. Defensive metrics can be tricky, but if he puts up Jacoby Ellsbury's 2009 UZR numbers out there I'll be pretty disappointed (and slightly concerned).
4. As long as "productive team plate appearances" translates into avoiding outs and not Ozzie Guillen-style smallball BS, I'm down. I'm really encouraged with the fact that he's gotten through to Kinsler, and has Ian saying the right things for a change.
5. The fact that both Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland wind up starting the season in the minors to make way for players who don't have options. I'm gonna go ahead and call that now.
I would prefer it for Feliz, but I'll likely be at the forefront of the disgruntled mob re: Holland.
1) Gutierrrez will be a problem child going forward and I have to "ditto" Jon Page's comments above.
2)Feldman, Holland, Hunter...........Lewis will fall by the wayside quickly.
3) He will continue to learn and progress and mature as a good defensive center fielder.
4) Let's just hope they listen and not "I know what's best for me"!!
5) Neftali Feliz........
(1) He is what he is, but maturity can come at any time. Will this be his time.............who knows.
(2) Feldman, Lewis, Hunter
(3) Slightly above average with continued improvement especially in throwing.
(4) I think the increased emphasis on recognition of where they are in the game and in the pitch count is exactly what was needed. Rudy was great on teaching them how to be hitters. Hopefully, Hurdle will help them all become Major League productive hitters.
(5) How will our catching situation play out.
1. yes, he is a problem child that appears to need constant supervision
2. Lewis, Holland, Hunter
3. +.5
4. Show Me
5.will KInsler, Hamilton & Davis get back on track
1. Shocker! He obviously has big boy talent and I hope this situation will help him turn the page.
2. Feldman, Hunter, third spot will be between Holland and Lewis.
3. I don't think Borbon is that bad or "average". With Hamilton, Cruz, and one of the others in left and right makes Borbon better
4. We need a quick start, filled with W's, HR's, RBI's, etc. then Hurdle looks like a stud and will have the boys for the rest of the year. Winning cures everything!
5. New ownership
1. Much ado about not much. I see no relationship to previous incidents. Anyone resorting to name calling at this kid over this incident is telling us volumes more about their own character than that of Gutierrez.
2. Feldman, Lewis, Hunter, the 1st two of which is by design and Hunter because he just won't be denied.
3. Personally don't care about +/- projections, but I do see Borbon making some terrific plays because of his athleticism, and causing more than a few groans due to lack of instinct. He will improve those instincts with experience, so I don't see that being a long term issue.
4. I'm a Rudy guy but, working with Hurdle doesn't mean they forget everything they ever learned from RJ. These are good hitters, they'll be fine, the focus on approach is needed throughout the system and likely would have taken place regardless of hitting coach. That is, I believe it's driven more by organizational philosophy than individual personalities. I'm good with it.
5. I think the catching situation will get the most ink and hype this spring. I believe Saltalammachia will be fine and is in line to break out, but he will have his detractors. There will be the Teagarden supporters, and then those who focus on Richardson and Hall as examples of Daniels incompetence for building good catching depth. At the end of the day it will have been a lot of needless drama on message boards over a situation that doesn't justify it.
1. Yes. To me, this ricochets over to coachability: Taking information and utilizing it to full advantage. Crash Davis would ball all over this "million dollar arm and fifty cent head".
2. No argument here. If it isn't Feldman, Lewis and Hunter we're in for either a pleasant or unhappy situation.
3. Live by the syntax, die by the syntax.
4. I used to think our manager was hired to implement that?
5. Justin Smoak.
1. Danny Gutierrez's oversight is just that.....no malfeasance here.
2. Feldman, Hunter, and Harden.
3. Julio Borbon > 0.
4. Hurdle wants the Rangers to be students of the game. He is correct in that Kinsler, Hamilton, and Davis have a PTPA learning curve to master.
5. The No. 1 storyline during Rangers spring training will be Derek Holland starting the season at AAA.
1. History will repeart itself with certain players and one of those could be this kid
2. Fledman, Hunter, Harden
3. his stats will be a -2
4. Hurdle will be a stop gap to the next hitting coach. Rudy was entrenched here for so long that it will take a while to change some of the thinking. Some will listen to Hurdle but most will follow MY and his style of hitting.
5. Tanner Scheppes
1. It's a blip on the radar. Either he learns from it, and straightens up, or he's a knucklehead and never makes it.
2. Probably Feldman, Lewis and Hunter. If Harden is one of them, it will be a great year.
3. I suspect it will be above average, and I hope well above average.
4. I have been waiting for this approach for 40 years, almost. This team is finally beginning to conduct itself the way a major league franchise ought to. First, the program instituted by Jon Daniels gets depth and talent in the minor leagues, then Mike Maddux instills a professional approach to the pitching staff. Then Nolan Ryan actually takes charge, and Eddie Chiles, er Brad Corbett, er Bob Short, oh yeah -- Tom Hicks -- is out the door. Finally, Hurdle brings situational hitting to the Rangers for the first time. I couldn't be happier or more hopeful.
5. the pitching competition.
1) Yes, warning flags. The Rangers need to put him on "corrective action" to ensure there will be no other trust issues going forward.
2) Lewis, Feldman, Hunter
3) Slightly above average, and we will see improvement throughout the season. Slightly above average is good for him considering the dimensions of TBPIA.
4) Should be positive since he is a new voice to be heard.
5) The back end of the rotation, the ownership situation, and injuries.
1. Whatever.
2. Hfeldman, Hunter, Holland
3. above avg CF.
4. I expect lees Ks from the Rangers on 2010. Expect >800 RS.
5. the lack of a storyline. At least I hope. It seems like any major news this year is likely to be negative.
The No. 1 storyline during Rangers spring training will be... "Colby Lewis is back in the bigs, and this time he's here to stay". And no, I'm not his Mom.
1 - Only in the sense that Gutierrez seems to be a young guy that does dumb stuff, and this seems like another example of a young guy doing something dumb. Hopefully it’s a wakeup call, something guys like that need something like this to hit them over the head.
2 - Feldman, Holland and Hunter. In that order
3 - Borbon will establish himself this year. I think he will show above average defense this year (excellent range, so so throwing) and make steady improvement during the season under Gary Pettis.
4 - I'm estatic, if it works. If it doesn't work, Hurdle is a bum. Kinda like everything else in baseball.
5 - "The No. 1 storyline during Rangers spring training will be Derek Holland."
1. It was a stupid mistake. He will pay a steep price for it.
2. Feldman for sure, then Holland and Lewis.
3. I think Julio' s approach should be patience and get on base. If he follows that early he will find that he will be pitched to and can make the most of his hitting stroke. + 4
4. I think a new approach is good. I also think Hurdles approach is even better. It seems that year after year you watch the Ranger hitters stand and wait for that first strike before they will even look ready. Other teams are onto that and it makes it easier to pitch to any hitter when you only have to throw 2 strikes past anyone. I expect averages to be up and more men on base, and hopefully small ball at times to win a game.
5. The pitching battle with all the depth, I expect at least one surprise starter this year to emerge. Rangers all the way in 2010.
1) He needs to grow from this. This could be a situation that he doesn't do the "Little things" which are big things when looking @ successful people. I hope i am wrong though.
2) Harden, Feldman & McCarthy. I think McCarthy is going to breakout in a big way this year.
3) He will be average this year, which is good because of the people on either side of him.
4) Great addition. Situation hitting is important for winning teams. It' s like a great scorer in bb becoming a championship player.
5) How much depth we have with our pitching. This will be the biggest reason why we win the West & make a run in the playoffs. There is very little drop when an injury/poor performance happens. And I hope that if its close, the person w/options is sent to AAA. We need everyone to win this year. Injuries ALWAYS happens that is why it is some important to have 18-20 major league quality pitchers available to an organization.
1) Nothing surprising and not really all that damaging, but disappointing nonetheless. The warning flags came with him. This incident doesn't do anymore than all of his baggage to raise concerns about his makeup and dedication to baseball.
2) Feldman, Lewis, Hunter
3) -5 < Borbon's defense < 0
4) He's saying the right things. I was surprised the pitchers last year actually walked less people, but even that could be attributed as much to confidence in an improved defense as to the preaching of Maddux.
So, I'm not sure what the equivalent is for hitters learning to become more patient. Perhaps, Vlad is the key to that analogy. If Hamilton, Davis, Kinsler feel they need to be less concerned about hitting HR and more willing to trust that others (like Vlad) will drive them in.
5) Rangers hitters are working counts more efficiently.
1. Nothing to see here. Players like this exist. If he gets to the big stage and T.O.s, then we have a problem.
2. Feldman, Hunter, Harden in that order.
3. I think he'll be below average in center and we should be excited if he falls > -2.
4. Meh. I'll be excited when I see it in action.
5. The No. 1 storyline during Rangers spring training will be the competition for the 4th and 5th rotation spots. Unoriginal answer but by far the most intriguing story with so many pitchers competing for spots. More original answer: the 25th man. Will we sign someone or will someone dazzle in Spring Training?
1. A blip on the radar...
2. Feldman, Hunter, Harden
3. He will be average.
4. I think last year was an aberration. This years team will hit hit better whether Rudy was still here or not. Clint will benefit from the resurgence.
5. Vladimir and Josh are healthy and hitting....
1) If the organization had less pitching depth, this probably wouldn't derail him. As it is, I think he makes the majors in another uniform. If Michael Main has shiwn us anything, it's that if you're not taking the mound regularly, you're going to get left in the dust by a bunch of fantastic pitching prospects.
2) Feldman, Hunter, Harden, in that order. Harden only throws ~140 IP, but these are the only 3 guys who spend the entire season (when healthy) in the rotation. Feliz make the rotation by June, and the 5th spot gets a little bit of the "hot hand" treatment between Holland, McCarthy, Lewis, and possibly a newer name (see answer 5)
3) Slightly below average, but with enough rookie mistakes that he should grow out of for none of us to worry about it too much.
4) Love it.
5) Pitching depth. I expect to see some unexpected guys make a push for BL spots. Between Ogando. Beltre, Scheppers, Moscoso, Kiker, Hurley, and (Please, God) Martin Perez I'd be stunned not to see a couple of them look like they should make the BL roster out of Spring Training. None of them will, of course, but by the All-Star break I thnk there will be some big-time help coming. Of this group, my money would be on Scheppers being up around the All-Star break and taking on a Feliz-2009 role in the 'pen.
1. Not a big deal.
2. Scott Feldman, Colby Lewis, and Derek Holland (closely followed by Hunter and Harden). I think we will use 5 starters for the vast majority of the year. (I know, sounds crazy, but I'll go out on a limb on that one).
3. I'd say about league average or maybe slightly under for his first year. I'd put the over/under at about -2 UZR
4. Meh, I think the offense will be better this season, but I won't simply attribute that to Hurdle necessarily.
5. The No. 1 storyline during Rangers spring training will be Derek Holland's dominance as he runs away with the #5 spot in the rotation, on his way to becoming the Ranger's ace in 2010.