NEWSFLASH: Rangers Call Up Justin Smoak; Chris Davis Demoted
Justin Smoak - Photo courtesy of Scott LucasThere's something to be said for exercising patience, but a lot more to be said for maximizing production. With Chris Davis continuing to give Texas virtually nothing from an offensive standpoint at first base, the Rangers elected to accelerate their future into the present -- and hopefully provide a much-needed infusion of on-base percentage to the lineup -- after Thursday evening's series-salvaging victory at Fenway Park by promoting upper-tier first base prospect Justin Smoak from Triple-A Oklahoma City to the majors.
Said general manager Jon Daniels of the changing of the guard at first base (via Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News): "We need to get more production out of that spot. Chris isn't the only guy in the lineup off to a slow start, but Justin has had quality at-bat after quality at-bat down there. We want to see if he can continue to do that up here. We want to reward our guys for having that quality at-bat approach. Elvis [Andrus] had quality at-bats; he was promoted to the top of the lineup. Justin's had quality at-bats; he was promoted to the majors."
A surprising turn of events, albeit more so in the timing than in the fact that it actually went down at all. The Davis-for-Smoak swap was always inevitable, but most considered it to be no less than 4-6 weeks -- a timetable undoubtedly accelerated by the growing urgency of upgrading the offense by whatever means necessary. Given that there were really only three positions upgradeable via internal means (first base, catcher, which remains in a state of flux, and second base, which is waiting on Ian Kinsler's activation), it makes sense that the Rangers would opt to make a move now as opposed to later, when they might be forced to overcome a formidable deficit in the standings.
Davis entered Thursday evening's series finale batting a meager .200/.265/.311 (park-adjusted wOBA of .247), which wouldn't be quite so dreadful if poor luck was the underlying cause; alas, despite some peripheral improvement in his walk rate, contact rate and out-of-zone swing rate, he's hitting for neither average nor power, displaying virtually none of his characteristic home run power to center/right field and posting a sub-0.30 walks-to-strikeouts ratio (which, as you might recall, is very bad), and while his defensive ability might be above average, it's hardly enough to justify being retained as a very conspicuous black hole in a problematic lineup. A second chance in the majors this year will be contingent upon getting himself straightened out in the minors yet again and, in all likelihood, Vladimir Guerrero succumbing to injury, or Smoak badly faltering.
And what of Smoak? The switch-hitting 23-year-old still profiles as an impact bat, wielding the most advanced plate discipline in the system (Baseball Time in Arlington scouting guru Jason Parks grades this aspect of his game at 70 present, 70 future on the 20-to-80 scouting scale), an excellent pure hit tool (60 present, 70 future) and above-average power to all fields (55 present, 65 future). There's the requisite adjustment period and all that that implies to traverse, which makes .270/.350/.430-caliber performance -- or thereabouts -- something of a likelihood, but that could still represent a one-plus-win improvement over Davis the remainder of the way. I'll happily take that.
[Couple of procedural notes: First, a 40-man roster move will be required to finalize this transaction (by virtue of the 40-man roster currently being at maximum capacity, but that potential issue can be easily side-stepped by placing right-hander Omar Poveda -- who underwent season-ending Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery on March 3rd -- on the 60-man disabled list. And second, assuming Smoak never sniffs the minor leagues again, he will end the 2012 regular season with two years and 164 days of service time -- assuredly enough to gain 'Super Two' arbitration eligibility. However, assuming this, he will also remain under club control through the 2016 season.]
27 Comments | in Analysis, NEWSFLASH, Prospects, The Season
Reader Comments (27)
I am more pleased with this than I was with the news that through he use of sorcery, we had ended our losing streak.
I'm giddy to have such a patient hitter coming into the lineup.
Jim Callis and Keith Law have both told me that it's time for him this week. I agreed. I've been the biggest supporter of Chris Davis, but it's time to see what Smoak can do.
Jason Parks' full grid of scouting numbers:
Hit tool: 60 present, 70 future
Power: 55 present, 65 future (some grade his power at 70)
Plate discipline: 70 present, 70 future
Glove: 55 present, 60 future
Range: 50 present, 50 future
Arm: 50 present; Accuracy: 55 present
AOFP: 61 -- All-Star-caliber major league starter
Davis has been a horrible hitter this year. Replacing him with Smoak should help especially if Smoak gets on base at a .365+ clip.
But is the problem really Chris Davis? The problem is a manager who makes horrible game decisions most of the time. Send HIM to Triple A and bring up Steve Buechele.
But is the problem really Chris Davis? The problem is a manager who makes horrible game decisions most of the time. Send HIM to Triple A and bring up Steve Buechele.
My confidence in Ron Washington is waning (calling for the sac bunt in the fourth inning in a one-run game is asinine, pure and simple), but yes, Davis was a very big problem that had a greater adverse impact on the games than any ill-conceived decisions rendered by Washington.
Part of the reason why the Rangers started so terrible two years ago -- and why Washington came within a whisker of being fired, with the fortuitous timing of his birthday and a winning streak apparently saving his job -- was because Ben Broussard was such a disaster at first base in April 2008. In just 26 games, he posted a -0.8 WAR. After 15 games this year, Davis sat at -0.4 WAR. The numbers aren't infallible, and the samples aren't very big, but when one of the six most often-batting hitters in your lineup is on a -4.0 WAR pace, that is an enormous problem that a purported pennant-contending team cannot sustain for very long if it wants to remain in contention.
Davis was a very big problem that had a greater adverse impact on the games than any ill-conceived decisions rendered by Washington.
But then, so is Teagarden and the fact that even though Treanor is way better, Washington still has Teagarden in there every 2-3 days.
And then, so are his decisions regarding Frank Francisco, which Washington is directly to blame for at least 2 of the losses (at least shares the blame with Francisco.)
And then so he is the direct blame for not using Feliz for 6-7 days and one of those days was a save situation.
And then so is he to blame for using Blanco early in the year when a superior offensive player, Arias, was available (okay, who really knew this - not me.)
And then so is Washington to blame for not more quickly reversing the batting order - a struggling Borbon for Andrus.
And then so is Washington to blame for his obvious lack of leadership skills, since no one is stepping up in the role and since whatever leadership role he ever had is incapacitated by his cocaine admittance.
And then so is Washington to blame for using the bunt when not necessary and vice versa - example: how many times has Julio Borbon even tried to bunt (for a hit) this year and how many times over the first 10 games? (I don't remember any.) And he did have Teagarden and Andus sac bunt a couple of times to his credit, both in close games that I think the Rangers won. But opportunities were lost both ways.
The lack of a second lefty in the bullpen, a problem I saw coming on March first if CJ made the pen. I guess Daniels is partly to blame here but just as much Washington. I like CJ in the rotation but Oliver is not a LOOGY and they need one and one day they will desperately need one to help sew up a win or three, if they haven't already.
So is Washington to blame for not calling out the "team leader (close boob) for not stepping up in this time of chaos. Of course, close-boob has Washington's back since the coke revelation and so what is Washington to say to Young? He can't say anything. Young is as much at fault at the failure of the Rangers right now as Frank Francisco and almost as much as Washington.
To Wash's credit he did call out Salty when he had the injury early in the season and for using Frank in the pressure situation in Cleveland (even when he said he wouldn't and two balls were scorched) still - FF got the outs and you must credit (somehow) Washington for that.
The defense - Washington's supposed #1 teaching skill - has been horrible and would have even been worse if not for several home-cooking calls against the Yankees.
I could probably go on and think of some more cause these are just off the top of my head. And it's only 1/18th of the season. Hello?
James Mason: I don't agree with everything you said, but I do agree with respect to Mike Young. When is this guy going to start to feel the heat for not being the leader he's paid to be? He conducts himself as a professional, and that's valuable and to be commended. But you don't get paid $12 million for just teaching younger players how to stay out of jail. This team needs a leader who is driven to win. Mike Young has never demonstrated that he's that sort of guy. Unfortunately, given Washington's recently revealed foolishness, which takes him out of leadership contention (if he was ever in contention) that's exactly the type of veteran leadership that is critical to this team's success.
Joey, I think you better consider what JM is saying.... I think he is right on..
of coarse I have been faulting Wash since the begining...
I just dont think he is a MLB manager,
I have said all along that he is a great coach and the players friend.... good to have on the team, but not in leasership....
One down three to go.
To Do List
(1) Dump Tom Hicks
(2) Replace Wash
(3) Start Traenor and trade for Catcher
(4) Replace Harden (after one more chance) with Holland
Maybe close -boob is the reason why Daniels (and Ryan?) were pushing so hard to trade Max Ramirez for Mike Lowell? I remember reading where Daniels said (paraphrasing) "he has tremendous leadership skills."
er, make that FOUR things.
Definite message being sent by the FO. I think Ron Washington's seat just got a little hotter.
I'm laughing at all of you calling for Treanor. Yes, play him while he's hot and Teagarden is struggling BUT: Treanor is 34 and has a career OPS of .629, and a career wOBA of just .285. This is not some offensive juggernaut being unfairly contained by Washington. This is a guy in a lucky/good groove who is going to come to earth (if he hasn't already in Wednesday's 0 for 5).
Washington has played Treanor ahead of Teagarden this week, despite Treanor having basically an entire career history of hitting like Teagarden. Their projections for this year are pretty close in terms of offense, but Teagarden is the younger guy, with a longstanding rep for good defense and game calling. And the Rangers have already publicly praised Treanor and given him starts ahead of Teagarden, consistent with promoting Andrus to leadoff and Smoak to MLB to reward good play.
You can't start Treanor every game no matter how bad Teagarden looks. And Salty isn't exactly setting the world on fire in his rehab stint. Look at the bigger picture, not just how Treanor has looked in about 4 games over two weeks. You're arguing that a guy with a career of complete ineptitude at the plate is somehow going to make a big difference. There are much bigger fish to fry with this club. Like what catchers outside the organization the Rangers must be scouting right now.
I'm certainly not saying Treanor is the answer - he's a liability. But Teagarden is a nothing bat with a lil defense.
When your team isn't hitting doesn't it make sense to play the guys who *are* hitting?
There's no doubt, if I were Jon Daniels, I'd be on the phone with SF and be asking about Buster Posey and I'd be offering 4 or 5 quality guys for him (maybe 1 major leaguer and 1 untouchable and 2 -3 really good prospects.) Facts are facts and the Rangers need a dependable everyday catcher.
tball
Baby steps. TT hits worse then an NL pitcher. Satly is an All Star DL (I have always thought that he is to big to squat down and regularly play catcher). Max is a DH (maybe) Treanor is a stop gap until the break.
By the break ownership will be resolved (Thank God for Selig - Now who thought anyone would ever say that?) and sellers will be identified. At that point, bite the bullet and trade for a starting catcher. That trade is gonna sting, but hey It's Time!...............................
Very happy to see Smoak brought up... very sad to see Davis sent down. I feel for that kid. What a roller coaster. I'm afraid his psyce is completely shot. How can he regain confidence (at least within this organization) and become the impact player we all thought he'd be?
Like the great Michael Scott once said, "do you have any idea how painful it is to have 3 vasectomys; snip/snap, snip/snap..."
We have likely seen the last of Chris Davis... and the real bummer is that he no longer has significant trade value. It's a shame... a damn shame.
@James Mason - LOL, the Giants are not trading Posey. You might get Molina.
Do you really think the Rangers aren't considering trading for a catcher? They are likely just as aware as you that the catching situation is untenable. But don't waste your time with pipedreams, the Giants aren't giving up Posey.
You're the Giants...
the Rangers offer you Hamilton, Jorge Alfaro, Alexi Ogando, Blake Beavan and Omar Beltre, you'd turn that down?
Maybe James Posey?
I mentioned the lack of "fire in the belly" of MY on the Rangers site and was scoffed at. His comment that "it would have been fun" to win that 12 inning contest the other night really was an eye opener to me that MY is not the leader in that clubhouse. It seems that all the players have taken Wash's attitude "let's just go out and have fun." I think the Davis/Smoak swap will help, but we need a new leader (manager) in the clubhouse.
JM and t ball. It's possible to get a guy like Posey, but not with a package like that. For any package that would actually net Posey, you'd have to give up way too much. I think one realistic possibility is to wait for Jose Morales to get healthy for the Twins and go after him. He's a solid catcher who's 100% blocked at the position, and he wouldn't cost nearly as much as trying to pry Posey away from the Giants. My guess is that they'll deal with what they have until the ownership situation has some resolution to it. I'd also guess that they'll hope that a solid college catcher falls to them in the draft.
Has anyone else ever wondered if Chris Davis is just a second half player? Part of me thinks that he'll absolutely tear up AAA again and will fill in for Vlad or MY as a backup DH/3b or a replacement if one of them goes on the DL. At the very least he can rehab his value in AAA and maybe a NL team will consider him a nice chip in a trade package before the deadline. Josh Willingham maybe?
I think Davis is done in Texas. He'll be the next in a long list of Pena, Gonzales, Tex, of ex-Texas 1st basemen thriving on another team.
But that is ok if Smoak is successful here. But it's just strange that as soon as Texas gets the pitching figured out, after years of ineptitude, the offense goes in the toilet. Is there a pox on Ranger ballpark or something?
por favor amigo me podria dar las perspectivas para jorge alfaro y como lo ve hacia el futuro, .le escribo desde su tierra sincelejo colombia
texrollie....
Something I have never forgotten..When Jeff Burroughs was traded back in the 70's, he called the Rangers a snakebit organization. Here it is almost 35 years later and.....