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)
I only want to post a response to three of the questions, 2-4.
2. What about 3rd base? Why can't Smoak and Davis BOTH play for the Rangers, with one at 3rd and one at 1st? Haven't they both played at 3rd at some point in their lives? Wasn't Smoak a converted 3rd baseman? If so, why not move him back? After all, CD is a gold glove caliber 1st Baseman. He'll put it together at some point and when he does, he'll be a great hitter. Patience with him. Look at Cruz as an example.
3. Michael Young will never be the Rangers DH. We'll always have better hitters from here on out. If he could still hit like MY of the last 5 years, then yes. But he can't, and won't. Stay at 3rd until Smoak AND Davis are BOTH ready to play everyday. That could be another year or two. Then MY is a utility. By that point, the (unwarranted) PR hit could be diminished.
4. Let him play. We've got no other current option. Simple as that!
1. Harden is toast.
2. Davis will be next TEX 3B
3. Yes (if he's lucky), see #2
4. I'll go with Max. Am not marrying him after all.
5. Wilson, Lewis, Hunter, Holland, Feldman
Good thing we didn't trade Max
Everybody can absolutely forget the notion of Greinke being traded this year. Trust me, I don't live to far from KC so I have a notion of the Royals sentiment in that matter. Next year at the trade deadline at the very earliest.
tag heuer formula|
Pairing this authentic watches together with your shift dress together with matching ankle boots would undoubtedly maintain on-trend complication on your whole facade.