Sunday Morning Open Thread: Five Questions
1. What on earth do you make of Rich Harden at this point -- particularly after Friday evening's disastrous setback? Was this a one-start hiccup as he attempts to round back into ace-caliber form, or yet another sign indicating that the Rangers aren't going to be able to trust him through the summer months?
2. Reader-submitted question (by "A. Stephens"): "In my view, if Chris Davis bat can regroup, given his age, service time, and skill set his best opportunity to stay in this organization may be as a future replacement in RF. Agree or disagree?"
3. From May 7th-14th (the time span immediately following a rather provocative editorial on his shortcomings), Michael Young hit .385/.529/.538 in 34 plate appearances. That's great news, of course, but his defense continues to fail the "eye test" and ranks among the worst in baseball in both plus/minus and UZR. Is there much in the way of hope for his lateral range at this point, and assuming that there isn't and that he continues to decline, does Texas end up being forced to move him into the DH spot down the road?
4. Are you ready to hop aboard the Max Ramirez bandwagon (.368/.458/.737) in spite of what observers still presume to be below-average game-calling and defensive skills -- particularly given Matt Treanor's continued slide (.200/.291/.257) and the disappointing minor league exploits of Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden? Could this seriously be the year that he proves he can hit above AA-ball?
5. Peer into your crystal ball and take a stab at this final question: "On August 1st, the Rangers' starting rotation will comprise ___________ [five pitchers]."
[Thanks for all of the reader-submitted questions last week. Feel free to bounce a few more around. I can always use inspiration. Additionally, special thanks to Jason Parks, Josh Garoon and Mike Hindman for their recent contributions and for helping to make this past week the most successful traffic-wise in BBTiA history. We'll soon be able to take early retirement to Malibu.]
55 Comments | in Open Thread, The Season
Reader Comments (55)
1. At this point I think you have to consider the one good start the outlier. You could send him to the DL with something, then a long rehab to see if you can figure it out.
2. I think the Rangers can do better in RF. Cruz is there for the next three years, by that time Davis is probably in another organization. You don't have that long to decide about Davis.
3. Young looks like a future DH in the field. Unfortunately, he won't hit well enough to be a DH by the time he gets there, probably in 2012.
Oops.
4. I was never off the Ramirez bandwagon as a hitter, but he's certainly not the catching solution. The team will trade for a catcher this summer, I think. Max will be a RH bat, 2nd or 3rd catcher, backup 1B/DH.
5. Lewis, Wilson, Holland, Feldman, Hunter
1. Harden isn't buying into the pitch to contact philosophy. He is still a strikeout, high pitch count kind of guy. Is that why he isn't able to keep his pitches down? Who knows. He isn't a good fit for the Rangers, but can they afford to eat his contract?
2. Davis is a AAAA player who'll never be more than marginal in the big leagues.
3. Michael (the face of the franchise) Young will be a DH affter Guererro's conract expires, but he will be a less than effective hitter when he does.
4. I am waiting to see what Ramirez does during the rest of the season and next year before I decide on him.
5. Wilson, Lewis, Feldman, Holland, and Hunter
1. I'm hoping he will get his leg caught in a tarp, ala Vince Coleman.
2. Right field? No. Well, maybe. But no.
3. I think you see a new third baseman next year (if the rangers have any brains - and sometimes I wonder) which really screws up a lot of things, including losing Vlad. Thanks Young.
4. No. He might hit .275 but he still can't catch. I'd like to see all the catchers in the Rangers system tied up (until you get down to DiFazio) and sent on a rocket to Andromeda. Can 16 year old Jorge Alfaro be any worse than these guys? Play him!
5. Wilson / Feldman / Lewis / Holland and ding ding ding Tanner Scheppers
#5. In no particular order - Holland, Hunter, Wilson, Lewis & Feldman.
Harden gets one, maybe two more starts, and then a trip to the DL or a DFA.
Davis in RF? I don't think so.
MY will dragged to the DH spot kicking and screaming and then the average tanks. Hint: move closer to the plate, Michael....
When the closest competition is hitting below .200, the debate loses a lot of steam. Max Ram gets the nod.
Wilson, Lewis, Holland, Hunter and Feldman in that order.
1) He's either injured or completely baffled to the point of becoming a head case. They need to send him through a rigorous set of physical tests to be certain he doesn't have an injury and clear that from everybody's head and to do their due diligence.
They need to move him out of the rotation right now.
2) No. That role belongs to Mitch Moreland. Davis is a 1B with occasional ABs at DH. Probably won't have a role on this team in that capacity.
3) The Paul Molitor path is his destiny. Paul Molitor became a full-time DH at age 34. Next year, MY will be 34. It's time.
4) Why not Max? Do they really want to spend prospects on a trading for a catcher?
5) Greinke, Harden, Feldman, CJ, Holland. Yes. I continue to hang onto the Greinke dream.
1. Harden's issue is in his head. He can't hit the strike zone because he is thinking about location. It's his mechanics. I'm starting to wonder about Maddox. I though this guy is supposed to be great with pitchers but Harden has been struggling for the majority of the season and Maddox can't straighten him out. I give no credit to Maddox for CJ and if Holland keeps pitching this way then no credit for him either. The one pitcher I am willing to give him sone credit for is feldman who... Don't look so good.
2. Davis is a tradeable commodity as a 1B
3. There is no room on the team for MY if he can't field 3B
4. MaxRam is a nice surpise and needs more starts.
5. Lewis , Wilson, Holland, Greinke, Feldman - scheppers is traded to KC along with Perez and Hunter and borbon. (tell me KC doesn't do that trade)
Rooster stole my thunder as I was typing my comments when his posted.
1. Don't know what to make of it. Came in advertised as ace unless injured. He is not throwing ace stuff, and is not injured (That we know of).
2. Davis is future 1B/3B/DH bench player. Don't buy he is AAAA player. He has hit major league pitchers in the past. He should be up here giving MY and Smoak days off.
3. I like Mike. Why? Because there is not much else out there. My question is which AL 3B not playing in BOS, NY. or TB would you rather have?
4. Max is C1IB/DH option. I like to fill bench with multi-position players.
5. Wilson, Lewis, Feldman, Holland, and another H (Hunter, Harrison, or Harden)
1) Harden needs to be removed from the rotation now....the guys mechanics are really messed up and I think the has become a head case due to that.....some time at OKC and if that doesn't help then DFA'd...cut our losses early on with this guy.
2) Davis is a much better defensive player than Smoak, my thought is one or the other is used as trade material by the trade deadline this year. Smoak has shown patience at the plate but is simply not hitting as was Davis....Davis is scorching them at OKC give him one more try with the big club and then make a decision on these guys. Nellie is in RF, not great all the time defensively but that is not a Davis position.
3) Michael is terrible at 3B.....he was forced there by Jon-Boy and others.....he would not be happy at DH and his hitting would probably reflect that.....sad to say but MY needs to be part of a "blockbuster trade"......maybe to KC to obtain Greinke or to Minnesota for their hot shot young catcher Wilson Ramos and some additional pitching. Thanks for the memories Michael....we do love 'ya! Look at signing Vlad for a few more years......if it wasn't for him this year we would probably be in last place!!! He is our DH going forward.
4) Max is not the answer and it doesn't appear that Salty is having any luck at OKC with his throwing....Teagarden will probably never see the "show" again.....Matt Treanor should be a back-up, light hitter though. We could really use Pudge now....thanks Mr. Daniels for that screw-up!! Wilson Ramos is someone we should look at with Minnesota.....great tools and offensive capability.....he will never get anywhere with Minnesota as long as Joe Mauer is around and that is probably for years to come......look at some type of trade for Ramos.......
5) Wilson
Lewis
Holland
Hunter
Feldman
And Feldman is not a lock.......could be one of those marginal pitchers who had his one year in the sun!
1 Tag your it! Tom Grieve's comment about tieing Mithch Williams 5 walks in an inning comment makes me think Haden is the second coming. Heart Attach Haden may be like this all year. Just hope for a hot streak.
2 I was hoping the loser of the 1st base sweapstakes would be a legit big time trade probability but I am beginning to believe that Davis may just well be a AAAA guy and thus only a marginal trade chip. Watching both Smoak and Davis at the plate in Arlington leaves no doubt in my mind that Smoak will be the real deal.
3 MY stays at 3rd til he decides to retire
4 Max could really be a big asset to the Rangers now and in the future. He could be Vlad's replacement whenever he leaves (hopefully not soon), a decent backup catcher and 1st baseman and right hander off the bench. He fills a lot of voids if he hits like we all used to talk about before his injury last year. I like him...let him catch and gain experience before Salty gets back.
5 We are so loaded with quality starters it is scarry. I really cant believe we are in this situation. I really havent a clue who the 5 will be and one reason is that I still like Hunter and cant figure who he replaces. I hope Harrison adapts well to the bullpen.
1. Harden is a veteran. He'll round into form as soon as spring is over.
2. CD has been tried in the OF and failed.
3. I always felt that MY will be a super utility player at the end of his contract.
4. Max has earned more playing time.
5. Lewis, Wilson, Feldman, Holland, Hunter
JFitz: Not Scheppers. They need ML-ready starting pitchers. Hunter or Harrison, and two high profile prospects not named Holland, Feliz, Smoak, Scheppers, Perez, plus a couple of low-level interesting prospects.
I haven't re-evaluated the dream, so I'm short on names at this moment.
My opinion: It would take 2 of 3 of Perez/Feliz/Scheppers + probably Ogando + a "throw in" guy who is years away that they will schrewdly insist on having (like an Alfaro or Profar or Beltre.)
The Rangers aren't gonna win the World Series anyway without a decent catcher, a legitimate-fielding third baseman, a tough LOOGY in the pen - and if you lose Scheppers, Feliz and Ogando, you have decimated your bullpen (for the rest of this year, at the least)
Why would you want to do that?
1. Don't think there's any hope for Harden. It would be an immense black-eye for JD were it not for the Vlad signing.
2. Don't think there's any hope for Davis. He will eventually be included in a trade, probably part of a package to get a catcher.
3. Don't think there's any hope for Young. His disturbing decline will be a major headache for management the next couple of years.
4. I do think there's hope for Max. The league seems to be full of catchers with one deficiency or another. Right now, we need his bat.
5. Wilson, Lewis, Holland, Hunter, Feldman.
1) Look Harden is not going to be the pitcher he was in Oakland ever again, he has become more hittable the last couple years. He is absoluetly crushing our bullpen and it will catch up late in the season. "Its Time" to toss this failed experiment, I think he gets one more start so Hunter is stretched out and if he isnt great I think u move on to Hunter, who at least has a future here.
2) Part of the problem with Davis is all the moving around, he is a 1st baseman and on top of that is he going to take Nellie Cruz'S spot um.......no. Dumb Idea
3) I love Mike but he is a huge liability, he makes too much money for a cash strapped team, he grounds into way too many double plays, he isnt playing defense they he used to, and he has lost the ability he seemed to have to get the big hit every time u needed it. I dont kow what u do because he isnt going anywhere and he isnt being productive and he is the only leader left. By the way I love the way he goes about his business and has been one of my favorite Rangers ever.
4) It seems to me that the only pitcher that has had real success was Holland with him behind the plate, but Harden and Feldman have been horrible all year, so who knows. he might develop you never know. Holland says he is good behind the plate, so lets find out if he can keep hitting and figure out how to handle a staff.
5) Why is everyone overlooking that Feldman has been almost as bad as Harden. Wilson, Lewis, Oswalt, Holland, Hunter. I think Oswalt would be better than Grienke, you have to give up way too much. JFitz you're absolutely right the Royals would do that trade in a heartbeat, but there is absoluetly no way in hell the Rangers would Perez, Hunter, Scheppers, and Borbon that would be worse than any trade they have ever made You would give them a potential Ace, a potential dominant Closer, a solid middle of the rotation horse, and our CF of the future. Thats crazy, how about we send the Astros whio have no farm system, send them Moreland or Chris Davis, Beavan or Moscoso, and Shceppers or Ogando
1) Harden had one bad start (albeit absolutely awful) after two decent starts. The Toronto pitchers complained after the game that the heavy winds screwed with their pitches. I'm not making excuses for Harden, but before Friday, he has given us a null WOR. It's not worth the salary he's getting, but at the same time, his velocity is back (hit 95 several times on Friday, just couldn't hit the strike zone). I'm not ready to call it quits just yet. Call me an optimist.
2) Honestly I see Chris as the 3B of the future (and back-up 1B). He's a plus defender at 1B (according to the eye-test...UZR ranks him negative if I remember) and a pretty decent defender at 3B. With no real prospects at 3B (in my opinion...I have a feeling none will pan out), and Michael showing his inadequacies, I wouldn't mind bringing Chris back as the back-up 1B and 3B. Eventually he can take over for 3B, or if Tommy Mendoca shows he's the future, we can trade him. A power 3B has more value than a 1B.
3) I cringe every time I see Michael field a ball (expecting a worm-burner to first base) or make a half-hearted effort to "dive" for a double. I don't know what you end up doing with him. In another year or two, when his defense is just too abhorrent to watch, he'll be a .280/.330/.440 kind of hitter. Not someone you want as a DH. We're either stuck with him at 3B, or he's going to be a $12 million utility guy.
4) I can't say he's the answer or not...sample size is too small. If you throw out last year due to the wrist injury, he's still a powerful prospect. Salty improved his defensive game (except on throws to the pitcher)...I think Max will come along as well, and at least give us average defense. Just in the few games he's started, I've seen him improve.
5) Lewis, Harden, Holland, Hunter, Feldman. I love CJ Wilson, don't get me wrong. But something tells me that all the conditioning in the world can't make you move from throwing 73 innings to throwing over 200. If he can, then that's great, and keep him in the rotation and subtract Harden (DFA) or Hunter (trade). Harrison is either traded or becomes long-man in the bullpen replacing Mathis, Scheppers replaces Ray (or Franky Frank, but Franky Frank appears to have rounded into form) and Ogando is an extra arm with a reduced bench. Yummy.
1.) No clue.
2.) Chris Davis big league future (if he has one) is playing first base for somebody else.
3.) MY is serviceable for now. In a year or two? Not so much. DH isn't a good answer. I don't have a good answer. Boston pays Varitek to sit. Could we do the same?
4.) The Max Ramariez is rickety, old, and unpainted, but at least it still has wheels. The other three wagons do not.
5.) Oswalt, C.J., Lewis, Holland, Feldman
1. Harden is the real deal. This year is not an accurate picture of his skills. I would DL him now and get some help with those mechanics. If not, he is risking injury. If he does figure it out, we get the ace we were promised. DL NOW!!!
2. RF, no way. Why doesn't anyone talk about 3rd. He is a better 3rd baseman than MY now, and is the type of player that will work to improve his defense. We don't have anyone in the pipeline who is close to being ready.
3. MY will finish the year at 3B. If we sign VLAD the DH spot is not open. Its sad cause MY really is Mr. Ranger. I don't see him accepting a backup position, so I think he probably is a throw in on a trade. We will be forced to take the short end on that trade due to his contract. I do think with only hitting to focus on that he will become an above average DH.
4.MAX does deserve more starting days or late inning pinch hitting for Treaner. But going forward he looks like a perfect fit at the 25th spot on the roster. Backup or third catcher, backup DH and possible starter once Vlad leaves, right handed pinch hitter and back up 1st baseman, (I would spend a lot of time working him there in practice). Much cheaper than a Lowell or Garko. Why in the heck did we go with Garko??
5. Wilson, (Looks like an ace) Feldman, ( he will figure it out), Harden, Lewiis, (JD stole one here) Holland. Grienke should be our target in July provided we are allowed to trade with the sell in limbo. But Perez should not be part of that package, lefty aces at our Ballpark have an advantage.
1. One more start to "get right". If he can't, a move must be made. As Jimmy Johnson might say to him, "the asthma field's over there"!
2. Options;
A. Trade bait -unfortunately value is diminished if he can't show some Major League progress
B. Should Smoak be the one moved in a Greinke type deal, 1st base in Arlington until someone better can be secured if he can't progress
C. RF @ RBiA. Why? He's a plus athlete with a plus-plus arm, good baseball instincts, and acceptable speed. Definitely a down the road scenario. Assumes
(1.) Smoak is here
(2.) Davis gets his bat right
(3.) Cruz is the one moved in a Greinke type deal
3. There is hope for him to re-work his lower half and focus his conditioning emphasis on quickness, but it won't happen this season. He's definitely a full time DH by 36 at the latest.
4. I'm good with Treanor/Ramirez until it just doesn't work at all. Need to stabilize the position around game calling, defense, and moderate offensive production. I think they can provide value in that regard.
5. Not a prediction because there are too many unknown variables that could happen but I guess ideally you're looking at,
Wilson
Lewis
Feldman
Holland
Hunter
So about this: perez - most important piece, hunter - solid young semi proven prospect, harden - sell his upside and balance contracts, Davis , TT, and borbon.
I would do that and we keep holland, feliz, and scheppers and then new owners lock up CJ.
And aren't the Rangers in position to win now with such a weak division, we have depth in pitching and Greinke is 25 and already has Cy Young award under his belt. According to the numerous scouting posts by Prof Parks, rangers have enough #3 starters in the pipeline to go big at the trade deadline and not purge the farm. My 2nd proposal needs to get done.
RH - to the pen.
CD - if you bring him up one more time and he flops we are stuck with him. He maintains/grows his value in OKC. We have seen him choke at the ML level enough... what is the definition of insanity?
MR - roll with it and see where it goes until someone else in the org performs to the degree that issue is forced.
MY - he will be fine. He will figure it out. He is not the problem. His leadership makes up fore the funk he is in and this team needs player leadership.
CJW DH ZG RH TH
JFitz: the Royals aren't going to take Harden. They have no incentive to make contract spending balance out. It's just the opposite, actually.
James Mason: The Rangers absolutely shouldn't do the deal you propose. I agree with you. Why do you think it would take that?
The only reason I continue to keep the dream alive is that I feel Glass wants a reset. He purged Hillman. He might force a restocking of talent by trading Greinke. Jose Guillen is definitely on the block. The Royals will need to be bowled over to release Greinke, but perhaps not to the level you suggest.
1. I think he will find it withing the next 3 starts. As bad as he has looked, he has still shown some good signs and good swing and miss stuff, basically it has been his location recently. So when he begins to be the old rich harden that we thought we were getting when we signed him, you can look here and say i said it first.
2. RF is if we were really trying to find a spot for him because he rips ML pitching, which obviously is not the case. plus, his defense his just one notch below spectacular at 1st, he should be a 1st baseman, just not with out ML club. I see him as a throw in for a deal for: maybe Oswalt...they may need a 1B for when Berkman is gone
3. Michael, michael, michael. who knew that gold glove winning D at SS would translate into near awful D at 3rd. I still hold out hope that he is still learing the position (though that is a very slim chance). He really wouldnt make a great DH unless he could pop 25+ HRs at 36 or 37 yrs old, hard to envision right now, but we definitly need to play it out a couple more years and maybe draft a future 3B or 2 in the upcoming drafts to put some pressure on him sooner rather than later.
4. First of all, I have been on the bandwagon since we got him from cleveland. now obviously he wont keep this pace up avg wise, but his 2 home runs is promising, considering the rest of the catchers only had 1 all season. as for gamecalling, I think we should ask the pitchers that throw to him, so far there doesnt seem to be any issues, and Wash didnt have any problem sending him out there 2 days in a row, so obviously he doesnt have any issue either.
5. Oswalt, Holland, Lewis, Feldman, and Harden (see #1)
1) Will he pitch? Yes. Will there be a time you don't watch through your fingers? No. At the beginning of the season everyone said a Harden injury would be more of when, rather than if so that is the excuse management needs to keep Harden out of the rotation.
2) I would rather see what CD has at third than in the outfield, but being the great defensive first baseman he is he will play first base for the Rangers or another team who may come calling at the trade deadline.
3) Young can't stay at third for very much longer. I would be interested in him getting some time at first, especially with Smoak's current ability to hit lefties. There is no way that Young would let the move to first happen, but since the idea of having Blanco and Arias play some 1B is becoming a much more realistic possibility the idea of Young to first intrigues me.
4) MAXRAM is playing out of his mind at the plate and the Rangers love it. Despite Holland's man love for MAXRAM and the solid bat the front office could not be more giddy because this will jolt his trade value. MAXRAM will be playing for another team come August and Salty will be short hopping the pitchers mound in Arlington.
5) Wilson, Lewis, Holland, Hunter, Fausto Carmona
@rooster If you had the best pitcher in baseball and he was 26 years old, what would *you* ask for?
1. Rich Harden is a stop gap until the Rangers fill the rotation with high-ceiling prospects. John Daniels was correct that 2011 would be the year of critical mass -- no more free agent starting pitchers needed. Harden should be given until the All-Star break to become a decent #4/5 starter. In July, the Rangers do need to trade for Greinke. I am loving the huge support for this idea on the BBTiA board.
2. Chris Davis can DH for KC. (Greinke trade; KC needs a DH)
3. Michael Young should be the Rangers' DH in 2011. His fielding is a liability at 3B, so remove him from the field, unless performing utility duties. Clearly, the Rangers need to trade for a high-performing 3B -- there are no legit options in the minors. Perhaps Matt Harrison, Scott Feldman, and Brandon McCarthy would interest the NY Mets for David Wright? (The Mets need 2 SPs)
4. The Rangers should sell high. Include MaxRam in a trade this summer (Greinke trade; KC needs a catcher).
5. On August 1st, the Rangers' starting rotation will comprise CJ Wilson, Colby Lewis, Derek Holland, Tommy Hunter and Scott Feldman.
1. Salty isn't the only Ranger with a case of the Yips. Harden gets another two or three starts and then ... who knows? If he can't pitch who cares. He was worth the gamble no reason to be down on JD over this one. The guy has been a true ace but these things happen. My personal guess is that he is through in Texas.
2. I am a minority maybe of one that thinks Smoak is far from a sure thing. Moreland? May never make the majors. A fringe player. A few years ago he would have been the cream of the Ranger's farm system, so people have gotten in the habit of over rating some kids. If you look at what Davis is doing vs. what Smoak as doing and compare their defensive abilities (Smoak looks pretty poor to me) then I think you have to bring Davis back in a few weeks if Smaok can't turn it around. I don't like RF but I do like 3B. I don't think he will be the third baseman he is first baseman but he can be above average. And he'll hit like a 3b.
3. I am MY's number one fan but I think age is beginning to show. Some players age slowly after they reach their early 30s while others turn off like a light. MY has begin his decline and I fear it could be rapid. I'll bet we begin to see time on the DL too. Yet, the Ranger's are paying him a fortune for another five years! I don't know what the hell you do with him. You sure can't trade him; no one will take the contract. He can't play 3B and I don't see him in the outfield or at DH (I see Hamilton there soon enough). Big problem.
4. You gotta hand it to Max he is giving this shot his all. Viva!! I really don't see him as a catcher but maybe. DH? Hmmm. Too young maybe but not sure where else he can play. Maybe a trade? Then again maybe his defense will begin to shine.
5. Wilson, Lewis, Holland and Hunter. If Harden turns it around I'd say Harden but I am doubtful. If Feldman turns it around I'd say Feldman; but I have always considered him a 1-year wonder. Maybe a trade if we ever get an owner.
1. It is what it is. Unless he can be convinced to go to the DL, have to roll with him.
2. Prof. Parks could probably address this more accurately, but Davis doesn't have the speed and/or range to play RF, does he?
3. Why does everyone keep harping on what we've known to be for a while now? Of course MY is going to have to move to DH, and of course he'll give lower than avg offensive production for that position. I don't see the point in continuing to discuss the topic.
4. Ready? Hell, I've been on board for over 2 years now. I thought he should have been given the chance to DH over Jones or Blalock last year, and I was totally against dealing him for Lowell this season. At least Max can throw the ball back to the pitcher, and at least he doesn't strike out every time at the plate. His offensive production will out weigh his defensive lackings, and managing pitchers is a learned skill anyway. Woot-woot... all aboard.
5. Lewis, Wilson, Holland, Hunter, Feldman.
@James Mason and rooster:
KC would trade Greinke to fill several holes in their ML lineup and to pocket a high-reward Class A prospect..... a trade similar to the Ranger's haul for Mark Teixeira.
KC has a wealth of infield prospects, would like a young catcher to platoon with Kendall, and desperately needs multiple starting pitchers. The Rangers should trade ML-ready players who meet KC's greatest needs.
At catcher: Max Ramirez
Starting Pitchers: Scott Feldman, Guillermo Moscoso, Matt Harrison, and Brandon McCarthy
Pitching prospect: Wilmer Font
This team is Zach Greinke away from winning the World Series. The offense is in terrible shape. We have a black hole at catcher and center field, a young unproven 1st baseman (granted that is more productive than Davis but still well below average at this time), and below average offensive number from third. Those are major holes that Greinke cannot fix. Greinke is going to cost too much in prospects and hurt us more down the road. We do not have a track record of trading for a player like this and then giving him a contract that would keep him. I don't want to give away the farm just to make it to the playoffs this year from one of the weakest divisions in baseball. Assuming we got Greinke, we'd still be heavy underdogs to the Yanks or Rays in the playoffs. If we want to push for the playoffs this year, Oswalt is the one to focus on (if we get the ownership situation solved by the deadline). That would be mostly a salary dump from the Astros and wouldn't cost near as much in prospects. The ultimate goal is not to win the division once a decade.
@texaslifter Would you take 2 mediocre pitchers, 2 hurt pitchers, 1 moderate prospect pitcher and 1 very low prospect catcher (who has obvious holes) for Neftali Feliz?
Then why would you think KC would want that crap from the Rangers for someone who is twice as good as Feliz?
@James Mason
Teams trade based upon need. KC and Texas are in different positions relative to ML talent and minor league potential. Substituting CJ Wilson and Colby Lewis for Matt Harrison and Brandon McCarthy (for example) may be a disincentive for KC. The Royals would only have Wilson and Lewis under contract for 2011. KC needs to rebuild, not execute a trade for a one-year championship push.
If KC would prefer prospects like Blake Beavan, Danny Gutierrez, Robbie Ross, Joe Wieland, Engle Beltre, etc. then discuss and deal.
btw: I do not equate human beings with crap.
Doing some proofreading... I meant this team is NOT Greinke away... Thank you for your time.
1. I have very little faith in Harden. He looked pretty mediocre last year and his command/control is completely and totally lacking this year. I can't imagine they stick with him much longer.
2. Disagree. Would he even have the range to be a RFer? I doubt it. I don't think he ever becomes a productive major league hitter with the Rangers.
3. I think Young will have to be moved to DH at some point, but not in 2011 or 2012. But either way, his defense is just atrocious. That contract looked terrible at the time it was given out, and it looks terrible today.
4. At this point, I'd prefer they start Max Ramirez over Matt Treanor, the majority of the time. But neither is a good option. They need to seriously look at what's available on the trade market. The same goes for centerfield. These are the two biggest holes on this team. The bottom of the lineup is absolutely horrible. The bottom of the lineup is dragging down the offense. The team cannot afford to get .500-.550 OPS production from two spots in the lineup day in and day out. It is just unacceptable. At this point, i'd be seriously evaluating trade options like Chris Snyder, Bengie Molina, AJ Pierzynski, Nyjer Morgan, etc. I'm also not too confident that Endy Chavez will be the answer in CF. I'd be curious to see how his defense is affected by his injury.
5. Wilson, Holland, Lewis, Feldman, and Hunter with Harden released in early June after his ERA rises above 6.00.
@James Mason:
I'm just keeping the dream alive based on one thing: Glass wanting to shuffle things up. And, I'm no longer going to call it "the dream" because I don't want to sound like Josey, who says things like "The Show".
I have no idea what Glass is thinking, but he clearly wants Moore to do something, and I seriously doubt firing Hillman is the end of it. Glass can have one of three perspectives on Greinke:
(1) He could tell Moore he can't afford Greinke and needs to unload him within the next year, meaning before the end of the trade deadline in '11, and needs to find the greatest return within that window.
(2) He could say to Moore that Greinke is the one guy they have to keep, forever.
(3) He could say to Moore that he wants restock immediately and to use Greinke (and Guillen and others) to get that done this year.
(3) in particular and maybe (1), if it's next year that Greinke is pushed into the trade market, are the only reasons I'm willing to still have a small amount of hope.
Texas sent an offer for Greinke the ASB prior to the extension he signed. So, there is something in the not too distant past to use as a conversation starter between the two clubs.
Why can't you guys understand that Rich Harden CANNOT be sent down to the minors?
You guys are unfairly burying Michael at 3B. He has played the position in 171 games. Lets compare MY and Last years GG winner Evan Longoria (and AFraud for good measure).
MY 2009: 9 E's, .969%
MY 2010: 6 E's, .935%
Longoria's ROOKIE 2008: 13 E's, .965%
Longoria's GG 2009: 13 E's, .970%
Longoria 2010: 7 E's & .933%
Afrauds first year @ 3B, 2004: 13 E's, .965%
2005: 12 E's, .971%
2006: 24 E's, .937%
2007: 13 E's, .965%
2008: 10 E's, .970%
2009: 9 E's, .967%
2010: 3 E's, .965%
So basically Michael had the same season as the "Gold Glover" Longoria did last year. And as AFraud has shown, there is room to improve for a Gold Glove SS moving to 3rd. Michael Young is the face of the franchise and one of the hardest working guys on the team. I expect his hard work to pay off, and make some of you guys look a bit foolish. So lets give him the benefit of the doubt right now, instead of calling for his head when there are ZERO "OTHER" options at 3rd. (i especially laughed at the Mets trading us Wright for garbage pitchers) Focus your rage on the "#1 and #2" starters in the rotation.
5. feldman, lewis, harden, hunter, holland. wilson's arm will go to crap
@Greenman
The argument against MY's defensive skills is based on his lack of range..........
1. Heres my take I am done with Harden but it mkaes since to give him two more starts until Tommy hunter is ready & hunter does need two more starts at the least because he is going through spring training all over again. After that I would put Hunter in harden's spot andI would just cut harden lose unless he is hurt then he would be headed to the DL.
2. I like Chris Davis but I would use him as trade bait for a catcher or a starting pitcher because they may need someone to take feldman's spot to but I think feldman will get it wotked out to were he is at least a solid #5.
3.I think Young will be fine he is the least of this teams worries right now. He will eventually move to DH but lets worry about that at a later date. I would say in 2013 is whne the move is made. Like some one said earlier who else in the AL has a better third baseman than Young besides the yankees, the rays, & the Red sox. If anyone actually thinks that 3rd base is a need on this team you are crazy they have many other holes 3rd is not one of them.
4.I think Max & Treanor should be a straight split in playing time. With each getting 3 games a if there is an off day during the week then if there was no off day I would give max 4 games. They do not need to wear Treanor out because all he ever has been & ever will be is a backup. I would make darn sure that Max keeps catching Holland that sure has been a match for them two all year. I will also give Max credit for getting better behind the plate he is not great but he is servicable. I never thought he would even be that. With the way the bottom of the order has struggled I would get his bat in there right now & ride the hot hand.
5. I say the rotation will be Wilson,lewis, Holland, Hunter & feldman. Although I would not rule out Oswalt taking feldman's spot. I would try to get houston to take Daivs or Chad Tracey, Ogando, & maybe Miguel Velaquez the outfieldr at high A ball. If not him maybe Renny Osuna no more than three players i would give up any combo of the 5 but no more than 3.
As for Grienke I realize he is a great talent but it would take Perez or holland, Smoak or Moreland, Engel Beltere & Ogando or Scheppers. To me that is too high of a price for a guy who had a great year last yaer and was real soild the year before but before that was notihng special before that if I were haveing top give up what it would take get him he would have to have more of a track record. Also has everyone forgot that the guy is a NUT he has the same disorder that Khali Greene has! Would you be willing to risk the farm for guy who may flake out? Not me also in my mind Perez & Holland are untouchable A lefty with there ability in our ballpark is very valuable the rangers just need to give there prized arms time to develop. I hope we don't have to see perez for two more years butr I know we will. There is my rant.
Unfortunately we won't be making any trades as long as the sale is being held up. That leaves us with our own home grown talent. Yikes!!
23 strikeouts in 2 games. Sounds like my daughters softball team.
#4 - hmm - maybe they should not have been so quick to get rid of the kid from Boston, he had only caught up to AAA and worked with most of Boston's starting line up.
1. I still believe Harden can compete. My only hesitation was his reaction, he seemed to not care or he might be able to control his emotions. Personally, I looking forward to the point in the next week or so to see a helmet fly through the dugout, cooler kicked, etc.
2. Negative. If he can get his bat back, I don't care where you put him. The Rangers are at a point where we are getting log jammed. The outfield should be Hamilton RF, Murphy CF, and Cruz in LF. So that leaves you with Borbon on the bench etc. I would put Davis at 3B and "Molitor" MY.
3. I'm sure MY is tired of being shuffled around but if he's a team player and Chris Davis can swing it...you've got to move him to the DH role.
4. I'm loving the way MaxRam is hitting the ball and he's just as "fair" as Treanor, Salty, and Teagarden behind the plate. Sure the others are have attributes that outweigh MaxRam but still, if he's hitting and not hurting the staff, you have role with him.
5. Lewis, Wilson, Holland, Feldman, & Harden
You guys are unfairly burying Michael at 3B. He has played the position in 171 games. Lets compare MY and Last years GG winner Evan Longoria (and AFraud for good measure).
[Some fielding percentage/error totals]
So basically Michael had the same season as the "Gold Glover" Longoria did last year. And as AFraud has shown, there is room to improve for a Gold Glove SS moving to 3rd. Michael Young is the face of the franchise and one of the hardest working guys on the team. I expect his hard work to pay off, and make some of you guys look a bit foolish.
I especially enjoy this assertion that Young and Longoria were equal peers defensively last season, and here's why:
Young, 2009, +/-: -18
Longoria, 2009: +/-: +17
Young, 2009, UZR: -7.9
Longoria, 2009: UZR: +18.1
Now, obviously defensive statistics are not infallible, and it's good to have several seasons of data to really get an accurate bead on a player's defensive ability, but if there was ever the perfect example of why error totals/fielding percentage are a poor determinant of defensive ability, this is it. Because last season, the disparity between Young and Longoria defensively was likely somewhere between 25-35 runs, or about three wins. That is just absurd. That's the difference between a 250-300 PA role player and an All-Star.
btw: I do not equate human beings with crap. (@texaslifter)
Obviously you haven't seen Harrison pitch in the big leagues.
Besides, get real. Why so frickin' serious? I am so sick of everyone being so serious about every lil comment made. Jeez.
1. I'm still of the opinion he's got some kind of nagging injury or ache that he's trying to adjust for mechanically, and would be best off DL'd for a time to sort himself out. He's probably got one more start before Tommy Hunter is ready, and he needs to have another Oakland-type performance in it to convince me we're not better off with Hunter in the immediate sense.
And bear in mind I am not the world's biggest Tommy Hunter fan.
2. I don't really think there's any evidence to suggest Davis can even play there, much less any cause to find out. He hasn't even played OF since 36 games in Spokane in 2006. I'm not a believer in the perception of Davis as a plus-plus first baseman, but I don't know why you would want to move him off the only position where he might actually provide some defensive value when he has yet to prove he can hit in the majors over the long haul.
3. I don't have much hope for MY's D going forward or right now. He's a DH who isn't really going to hit well enough to be a DH for the rest of his contract and between that and the importance of him to the local fanbase, he's pretty much untradable.
Which means Ranger pitchers are just going to have to do their damnedest not to allow grounders to third for the next 3.8 years.
4. I've been on board the Max Ramirez bandwagon for some time, though he's probably not a long-term solution at catcher. He is however, about thrice the hitter Matt Treanor is, and should be playing thrice the time Matt Treanor is in the immediate future.
5. Colby Lewis, CJ Wilson, Derek Holland, a rejuvenated Rich Harden, and Scott Feldman.