Sunday Morning Open Thread: Five Questions
Tommy Hunter delivers a first-inning pitch against the White Sox on Saturday, July 3rd.1. What's your final abridged assessment of the Bengie Molina trade? For that matter, am I completely undervaluing the worth of leadership/game-calling/etc. in the context of this trade?
2. A question that could, I suppose, be framed as "just how legitimate is Tommy Hunter?": If the playoffs started tomorrow, would you rather roll with Hunter or Scott Feldman as your No. 3 playoff starter behind Colby Lewis and C.J. Wilson?
3. Have Jarrod Saltalamacchia and/or Taylor Teagarden already seen their last and best chances to establish themselves in the Rangers' organization come and go?
4. Which secondary trade candidates -- that is, guys who aren't quite as buzz-inducing as Cliff Lee or Roy Oswalt, but could still generate value in an abbreviated time frame -- have you found yourself tracking, or would like to see Texas make a run at?
5. We've finally hit the bottom of the question barrel, so here is where you can exercise your option to pose your own question and perhaps see it used next week. The creator of the best question wins a copy of Nickelback's latest album signed by Danny Balis and the first-season DVD of Rich Phillips' "Raceweek" -- or something.
70 Comments | in Open Thread, The Season
Reader Comments (70)
1. I don't think losing Michael Main is THAT big of a deal. Getting Molina is a even a lesser of a big deal though. The Rangers can't package 2 or 3 decent prospects together and FIX the catching situation? Molina is a Band-Aid on a broken leg.
2. Go with the hot hand (arm.) Hunter is pitching really well right now.
3. Gone.
4. I think they can afford to trade Francisco when Scheppers is ready. I don't know for who yet - I'm going to be really pissed off if they trade one of the big six prospects for a rental.
5. Q: Are you really so blinded by Rangers' love that you cannot see the utter fruitlessness of Ron Washington's mindless mental mistakes on the baseball diamond? Q: Why does the local media constantly overlook these mistakes? Q: Why is Washington never accountable to the media for his mistakes?
1. Don't like it, but don't hate it as much as you do. Yes, of course, I believe you are greatly undervaluing those things. There are reasons player performance peaks at age 27 -- they're called experience and development. The best players are those who learn to use their talents wisely and develop a feel for what they need to do and not to do if they want to be a winner. Those who don't know these things yet or aren't capable of learning them can't perform up to their talent potential. Molina's been there and contributed to a World Series win, and though he's down this yr, we certainly hope he adds to this team's chances of making a long playoff run.
2. Tommy has beaten some pretty bad teams thus far, though his wins against the pale hose last night and Tampa in his first game were pretty darn tough lineups. How can you argue with "undefeated"? He's been the ace for 6 starts now, other than his injury-shortened outing. He is certainly our #3 right now with Feldman at #5...don't know who we plug in at #4, but we need some help soon, or this upcoming schedule is going to expose us badly.
3. I think they're done...if you got beat out by Max Ramirez, and the FO is trading for old vets, you aren't very highly thought of by your coaching staff.
4. There must be at least a dozen guys available who would help us win the AL West, but just a couple who would add to a WS berth over what we already have. Maybe Haren, but he'd cost as much as Oswalt, probably. Totally under the radar would be Randy Wells, who would be considerably better than Feldman and the open rotation slot. I heard mention we're in the mix on Carmona, but Justin Masterson would actually be quite a pick-up if we didn't have to give up a Holland or Scheppers or Perez.
5. The entire starting rotation -- Colby, CJ, Hunter, and Feldman -- walk by Miguel Tejeda's locker and receive 50-game suspensions...who do we plug into the starting rotation for 8 1/2 weeks? Is Neftali a candidate? How about Perez?
1. Main plus Ray was an overpay but we needed another legitimate catcher. Treanor is in uncharter territory in terms of games played and what would we do if he gets hurt? MaxRam is not ready to be a starter and may never be.
2. Hunter is on a roll, and you have got to go with the hot hand when it is a close call.
3. Salty and TT, at this point, do not project to be any more than backup major league catchers, at best. They may not even make it back. Both are hitting around .250 in AAA/AA. Maybe Kellin Deglan or Jorge Alfaro is the next franchise catcher . . . or not.
4. Dan Haren, Fausto Carmona, Jake Westbrook, Kevin Millwood, and Ben Sheets are on the market. Of those, I like Haren (4.56 ERA but 115Ks vs. 22 BB) and Carmona. Millwood and Westbrook are not an upgrade over what we already have. And Sheets scares me - I do not think he is fully back.
5. My question: Did the Rangers push Justin Smoak too fast, and at what point do the Rangers try to trade for a first baseman and send Justin Smoak down to AAA for some more seasoning?
1. Yes you undervalue leadership and intangibles but that's just the perspective of the stat and #s disciples, nothing wrong with it, just one of those forest-trees things.
That said, the inclusion of Main was overpay for Rangers but I'm moving on, these guys are playing pretty good ball and I'd rather focus on that.
2. Hunter is legitimate. You go with the 3 best performers coming into the playoffs, assuming health and regardless of names.
3. Teagarden appears done. I'm disappointed in his response to needed work, seems to have regressed. Saltalammachia is likely back, but with a huge hill to climb, I think he can do it provided he uses his AAA time and offseason productively.
4. 1st option; go to KC and sell them on reason to move Greinke, he's the only one worth the prospects it'll take to bring him, or Lee, or Oswalt in for.
2nd option; Anibal Sanchez - good luck trying to get Florida to be reasonable, or, Edwin Jackson - Diamondbacks likely more reasonable but is Jackson really that much of an upgrade?
5. What will be your private and public reaction when Ron Washington wins AL Manager of the Year?
1) It had to be done ... Chris Ray was an "extra piece" out in the bullpen ... not crazy about giving up Michael Main, but that's baseball ...
2) If the playoffs started tomorrow, I'm rolling with Lewis, then Hunter, then Wilson ... which is how I think we ought to open the second half in Boston ... kind of a "dress rehersal", if you will ... with time to adjust if we need to ...
3) YES
4) Carmona ... can probably get him for less than Lee and/or Oswalt ...
5) After the sale is approved, what's the first change you want to see the Greenburg/Ryan team make?
1 - "final abridged assessment"? You can't have a final assessment until it's seen how Bengie affects the club and, more importantly, the pitching staff. The poor guy has barely had a chance to shake hands with some of the pitchers and some are already declaring him overvalued. haha
2 - If it started "tomorrow" I'd have to give the nod to Hunter. But it doesn't. I believe Feldy is going to make this question moot.
3 - Not unless neither one has the ability to improve.
4 - Josh Johnson. Go for an ace or don't go at all.
5 - blank
1. Bewilderment.
2. Yep, Big Game starts.
3. Yep, tradebait now.
4. Thought all year Millwood comes back. Hope not.
5. Why is it so many commenters here can't be brief with their remarks?
1. Living overseas, I'm not able to comment on the strength/weakness of the trade, just don't know enough about the prospects.
2. Granted, Hunter has pitched against weaker clubs, but you can't argue with the wins. Feldman seems too inconsistent to me.
3. Probably, since they are having to trade for a second year in a row for a "seasoned" catcher.
4. Don't know.
5. Q: Were Tommy Hunter's comments after the game about how well Molina framed his pitches genuine, or is that what the club expects him to say?
1. I think the addition of Molina is a plus in terms of clubhouse leadership and game calling, the one thing that worries me is the fact that this club is built on athletisism, and Molina seems to completely against that philosophy.
2. Definitely go with Hunter #2, after Lewis and before Wilson
3. I think Teagarden is completely off the radar, it would almost take an act of God to get back to Arilington, as for Salty, I don't really know exxactly the situation, but it appears to me that the front office has zero confidence in him for right now.
4. Haren would be a great pick-up, but if everyone thinks we over paid for Molina, you ain't seen nothing yet! Carmona, maybe Myers from the Astros, would probably be much more affordable, and maybe Sheets, but only if he can keep it up for another month or so.
5. Don't really have an original question for you, but the one earlier about how long do the Rangers stick with Smoak is a good one.
1. Molina is an upgrade. Main is the price you pay for the Hick's mess.
2. Hunter stays out of the middle of the plate. Feldman has misplaced his sinker and fallen in love with a cutter that doesn't always cut.
3. Salty will go the Michael Main way when the time is right. Taylor needs to start his coaching career.
4. There is talent in the Marlins organization and they are always sellers---we will eventually figure out we can't protect everyone (numbers) so offering a sweetheart deal for the right guy makes better sense than a rental to me.
5. Catch 22 for the DH/3B obstacle. Try to resign Vlad to a hometown discount for two/three years or start the painful process of kicking MY to the DH curb for the remainder of that one pony contract.
1) Hated to see us ship Main off...Ray was expendable. Molina brings a solid presence behind the plate and will be good for our young staff....but offensively he is no upgrade. It is water under the bridge but I have to bring it up...if the front office had any brains they would have retained Pudge and we would not be having this conversation!
2) Hunter! Feldman was a one-year in the sunshine pitcher and now has a multi-million dollar contract!
3) Yes....both are history!
4) Danny Haren....if we could get him without having to give up the farm. Then look long-term at either Zack Grienke or Josh Johnson.....prefer Grienke. and don't forget that Derek Holland is coming back!!
Lewis; Wilson; Hunter; Feldman; Holland.......if you get Haren he goes into the slot that Feldman has.
5) Do you believe that Tom Hicks is quietly behind the scenes trying to sabotage the Greenberg-Ryan ownership deal to spite everyone??
1. Molina is probably a modest upgrade at a minimum, but Daniels got fleeced putting Main in the deal.
2. I'm not sure in the end, Hunter won't be #1. I like his demeanor on the mound - he's unflappable - and I like his competitiveness. He may not have the "stuff" of other Ranger pitching prospects, but he ranks HIGH on intangibles.
3. Salty is gone. He'll press for a trade and may blossom elsewhere. It's obvious this organization has soured on him. Teagarden may have a future as a career backup, perhaps even in Arlington.
4. If they can't get a clear top of the rotation starter like Lee, Oswalt or Haren; they need to promote from within. Ogando made Chris Ray expendable. The same could happen with a starter.
5. (A). Has the organization soured on Matt Harrison? He began the season in the rotation, yet got passed over & demoted last Wednesday when Texas needed a starter in an important game against their chief division rival in favor of a rookie making his major league debut.
(B). Do the Rangers need to seek a rent-a-player trade for the stretch run at 1B?
1. Molina trade makes some sense as Teagarden and Salty aren't the answer at catcher anytime soon. Molina is getting old, but it appears the Rangers picked him up for this year's pennant race.
2. Gotta take Hunter over Feldman right now.
3. Salty and Teagarden are probably trade bait at some point in the near future. In the off season the Rangers have to find a catcher or get Ramirez ready to go for 2011.
4. I'm not sure about this one.
5. What will be the legacy of Tom Hicks in Dallas sports? Is the hold up in the bankruptcy court partly due to HIcks right now?
1. My initial reaction is that I am with you on not understanding the value of Molina. I'm a JD disciple...I'll give the club some leash here. I just wish we weren't in the spot that we essentially have to give up prospects for money. Fortunately we have the prospects to use, I suppose.
2. Today I stick with Feldman, his second half will improve. (I have no basis for that statement)
3. Salty will be back. Don't yo-yo him, let him stay in AAA and fully develop w/o pressure.
4. No one at the current cost of prospects. I'd pay big for Carl Crawford if he were available. Lilly might be able to add depth down the stretch.
5. Not sure how to phrase it...what is different with Ian? He doesn't appear to be a leader anymore? No longer happy go lucky/he constantly seems bitter? Is he a "Team" player or would he prefer 30/30? He needs to change his mindset more than his production...the production is coming.
1. The Rangers overpaid for Moilina. Fear of loss explains the overpayment. Daniels and Ryan are firmly committed to "It's Time." Their future is dependent upon playoff performance this season and 2011.
Yes, the article undervalued leadership. However, the Rangers did not trade for his leadership qualities. The team already has great mentors, and the commitment to Molina does not extend beyond the end of this season.
2. Hunter is a legitimate #3 starter on a perennial playoff team.
3. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden need a fresh start with another organization. So do Max Ramirez, Brandon Boggs, Joaquin Arias, Brandon McCarthy, and Doug Mathis. Make way for the next wave of talent.
4. The Rangers should not pursue secondary trade candidates. Go after Cliff Lee and better yet: Zack Greinke, Yovani Gallardo, Jonathan Sanchez and David Wright.
5. Assuming no significant additions to their roster this summer, how far do the Rangers go in the playoffs?
This offseason, what type of contract (number of years and total value) should the Rangers offer Josh Hamilton?
Here's a quote from ESPN from the "Player X" blog that mentions how Miguel Olivo made a huge difference for Greinke last yr, and Jimenez this yr. Good catchers seem to be extremely valuable ...but how do you quantify it?
"In the most recent issue of The Magazine, there's a feature on Rockies pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. He's been awesome and is the NL Cy Young favorite. He's always had great stuff, but I can't help but recognize that his catcher is Miguel Olivo, the same guy who caught 2009 AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke in Kansas City last year. Jimenez's ERA was 3.47 in 2009, and it's down to 1.15 this season. Greinke? He finished '09 with a 2.16 ERA, but without Olivo he's up to 3.94. I don't think it's a coincidence." -- http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/blog?name=player_x&id=5316707
1. I was okay with it when it was Ray for Molina, even though I hated Molina. Now that's it's Main and Ray for Molina, I hate both the trade and Molina. And I wasn't even that big of a Michael Main fan. To replay the Keith Law quote one more time, "I wouldn’t trade Michael Main straight up for Bengie Molina, even if my alternate catcher was a pointed stick."
2. Well, he's obviously not 2.00 ERA good. True talent wise, I'd guesstimate he's a solid #4/borderline #3 type.
So far this year he's gotten pretty lucky both on fly balls (his xFIP is over a full run higher than his FIP), somewhat lucky on balls in play (.280 BABIP despite a 23.7 LD%) and he hasn't missed bats at all (4.95 K/9, 5.6 swinging strike percentage) so he's got some regression coming. But as a strike thrower who can give you innings from the bottom half of the rotation, he's a pretty nice pitcher to have around.
As for the playoff hypothetical, I'd definitely roll with him over Feldman in the immediate sense and probably in the longer-term picture as well, although true talent wise they're probably not all that far apart.
3. Salty might get one more shot (although he seems to be on the organizational shitlist right now), but I don't see Teagarden getting another shot at a starting catchers job here or anywhere else, for that matter. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if we never saw him in a Ranger uniform again.
4. I've been beating the Kearns/Wigginton drum for awhile now, and both might still make nice puckups, though perhaps Ty Wigginton might be a tad expensive given our financial straits (and Baltimore's potential asking price). Same deal with Cody Ross, fits the profile I'm looking for (1B or OF who has a history of hitting lefties) but is probably too expensive.
5. This is somewhat rhetorical, but: why is Joaquin Arias still on the roster, and exactly what do the Rangers still see in him? Is it his pre-injury ceiling they're still enamored with, or does he have scandalous pictures of JD and Nolan Ryan?
1. Crap.
2. Legit #3.
3. No and Yes.
4. After the great main for Bengie trade – let’s not go there again this year.
5. Why haven’t any of the three catchers in the Ranger organization developed into a bucket of warmed over spit; er Bengie Molina?
1) The Rangers have 3 pitchers that we can use to test this idea: CJ, Colby, Feldman. I think we should see improvement in their peripherals, context adjusted since they will face tougher opponents in the 2nd half, if veteran-ness has any tangible benefit in a catcher.
In general, if I were to look for the effect of a catcher on a pitching staff, I would look at the peripheral statistics like K/9 and BB/9. The idea is that a veteran catcher can improve a pitching staff's confidence and pitch effectiveness. Confidence is one thing that folks suggested the improved defense and Mike Maddux instilled in the staff last year, when they saw a significant drop in BB/9. It seems the catcher effect should be similar.
I suspect, though, that there were a few very good, game-altering catchers who were clubhouse leaders, and this type of personality/player has been branded into baseball's collective memory, and everyone is looking for the next guy that fits that mold without really considering whether the mold is being filled.
Also, I fail to see why the Rangers wouldn't want either Salty or Max learning from the greatness of Molina. If Molina can help the pitchers, certainly he can tutor the catchers.
2) He's on a hot streak. He's a #3.
3) It's up to them. If they produce in the ways valuable to the Rangers, they'll be right back in the majors. The Rangers were patient with Cruz. They've been patient with Nippert. They'll wait on the catchers.
4) Dunn
5) They didn't push him too fast; they just don't have time to let him develop right now.
1. Yes, the Rangers gave up a little too much for him, but they help shore up one of their weaknesses and they bring a good veteran player on. Let's face it, he's not going to perform like he did when was younger, but he is still better than any catcher that we had.
2. Hunter is continuing to roll, I would definitely start him over Feldman if the playoffs started tomorrow.
3. Salty may get one more chance (as a potential 1B), but Teagarden is done.
4. Pitchers: SP Josh Johnson, SP Randy Wells, SP Ryan Dempster, RP Will Ohman, RP Pedro Feliciano, RP Clay Hensley. Hitters: 1b Gabby Sanchez, 1B Garrett Jones, 1B/3B Ty Wiggington, 2B/SS Ryan Theriot, OF Angel Pagan, 1b/OF Adam Dunn, OF Chris Young
5. If you were the Commish what would you do to prevent teams like the Yankees and Red Sox from becoming All-Star squads throughout the season and around the trade deadline?
1. Terrible trade. Hicks should pay the $2 million from his pockets. Too bad the fans can't sue him.
2. Hunter would be my number two not three. Is this a trick question?
3. Done and done - well done
4. With no money the price of anyone is likely too expensive. Do we have to tear up the farm system to win this year? I'd say go with what you have and if it doesn't work it doesn't work. Holland will be back soon and he has the potential to be a stud number two. Let's get his career on the road. Surely the Hicks made mess can't drag into next season.
5. If MY got hurt for an extended period who would be his replacement? Arias doesn't have the arm. Davis?
1. Like the trade -- says an awful lot about the future of Teagarden and Salty with the Rangers -- Molina better than anything Rangers have now.
2. I'd go with Hunter right now. In October, maybe another matter. Can Feldman show that last year wasn't his one good year? We have 80 games to see.
3. If I were either of them, I'd be looking hard at finding another employer or maybe another line of work. I think they are both done as far as the Rangers are concerned.
4. Don't follow closely enough to know who is truly available. Would like to have another 1B/DH. Think the pitching can handle it and will be even better in 2011 than now.
5. How long do the Rangers stick with Smoak as he is now the leakest link in the chain? Who replaces him if they decide he needs more AAA time?
1. I still don't like giving up Main. But, the more that I think about it, the more I think this trade makes sense. Game calling ability is extremely hard to quantify. It seems that the Rangers are pretty high on Molina's ability to handle the pitching staff. If the Rangers believe that Molina is worth an extra win because of his game calling ability, then this trade was worth it. I think we have to defer to the Daniels and the front office on this one.
2. Hunter. Although, I think that Feldman is having an extremely unlucky year, as evidenced by his 4.34 FIP compared to his 5.48 ERA.
3. I think so. At least their last chance for this season. I think Saltamlamacchia will be used as trade bait this deadline.
4. Perhaps Carmona? Maybe Lilly?
1. I like it, and yes you are. Look at results. You judge a catcher by his pitchers' performances.
2. If the playoffs started tomorrow, then neither of them could pitch, because Hunter pitched yesterday and Feldman will pitch today. If rested, I go with Hunter, at least until Feldman finds his sinker. The real answer is that we won't know until the playoffs get here, and see how all of them are pitching then.
3. They missed their best chance, but not necessarily their last. If either can learn to handle pitchers like Molina does, and if they can throw out a few runners, hit .250 and have good at bats, then they can be successful. Don't know if either of them are good enough to do that, though. It starts with handling the pitchers. Right now, they are just middle of the road minor league catchers with more talent than they show.
4. None. I'm OK with going with what we have.
5. Is it time to switch out Davis and Smoak? I'm just sayin.
1. Molina should be worth it, unless Main ends up being a future star.
2. I'd rather start Hunter over Feldman.
3. I think Teagarden's opportunity has come and gone, and he isn't doing himself any favors by apparently not even making adjustments in AA. Salty will get another shot, it just might not be this year.
4.Ted Lilly comes to mind as a good pitcher who could be had.
5.Scheppers, Beltre, Beaven, Holland and Harden
"Q: Are you really so blinded by Rangers' love that you cannot see the utter fruitlessness of Ron Washington's mindless mental mistakes on the baseball diamond?"
I'll answer this one. The bottom line is that Texas is in 1st place and except for the first few weeks of the season has been perhaps the hottest, winningest team in all of baseball. Whether or not that will continue is uncertain, but it is a fact that Texas is winning right now, and that Ron Washington as a manager has his team winning. For you to constantly berate and insult him, calling him "stupid" and "mindless" and all that, despite the fact of his performance is only an indication of your irrational prejudice and discrimination against him, Mason. If you put a microscope to ANY manager like you do, you will see cracks, mistakes, and gambles that don't pay off. To pretend that this is a RW issue is ingenuous, cowardly, and shows that you don't know much about either baseball or human nature.
The bottom line is the bottom line - and the bottom line shows you to be full of crap.
1. I would have liked the trade more in April. It is hard to transition from one team to another as a catcher. Learning pitcher preferences in the middle of a pennant race is a frustrating proposition. I do believe Molina is an upgrade though. However, Pudge is superior to Molina in almost everyway. The Hicks financial debacle probably prevented that from happening along with Daniels overvaluing Teagarden and Salty.
2. Hunter in a heartbeat.
3. As fulltime starters? YES.
4. Carmona and Myers.
5. Using the crystal ball, what is the Rangers magic number?
I'll answer this one. The bottom line is that Texas is in 1st place and except for the first few weeks of the season has been perhaps the hottest, winningest team in all of baseball. Whether or not that will continue is uncertain, but it is a fact that Texas is winning right now, and that Ron Washington as a manager has his team winning. For you to constantly berate and insult him, calling him "stupid" and "mindless" and all that, despite the fact of his performance is only an indication of your irrational prejudice and discrimination against him, Mason. If you put a microscope to ANY manager like you do, you will see cracks, mistakes, and gambles that don't pay off. To pretend that this is a RW issue is ingenuous, cowardly, and shows that you don't know much about either baseball or human nature.
The bottom line is the bottom line - and the bottom line shows you to be full of crap.
Your momma.
1) Fine with the Molina trade. Main not that big a deal. Molina as an ex-Angel has more value to us than others. How does Hicks get credit for our supposedly having to give away too much... but does not get any credit for our having plenty to give away in the first place? Whatever. He's rich and evil and stuff I guess.
2) Hunter over Feldman.
3) Teagarden's done. Never that good anyway. Saltalamacchia will be back up next year.
4) Austin Kearns.
5) What are the largest yearly operating losses Ray Davis and Bob Simpson are willing to take? In one of its best seasons ever and with a ~$55M payroll the Rangers are still losing money. Are Davis and Simpson ready to drastically raise the payroll given that?
Your momma.
I think it's very obvious what your problem is with Ron Washington.
You are pathetic.
Very well put, Yung.
It's obvious the guy is a serious racist. Disappointing to see that his constant bigotry directed at Washington is tolerated here.
1. I'm concerned about the damage Molina will do to the post-game spread. Can the Rangers afford to feed this man?
2. Scott Feldman +100 pounds = Tommy Hunter
3. Yes. They are done here.
4. Go big or don't bother. I wouldn't be opposed to a right handed OF bat, but I have no idea who that might be. There have got to be a ton of guys out there who would fit the bill.
5. Are you bothered enough by the disappointments of the 90s and the A-Rod fiasco that you would like another crack at the Yankees in October, or has that experience led you to prefer a different opponent? Or is that period of Ranger history just that, history?
1) I think we overpaid for Molina (and think that if the financial situation were settled, it would have been Ray for Molina straight-up - which would have been fine). Yes, the pure batting line numbers tell the story of a pretty worthless trade. But the intangibles push this to be something more. It shows the players that the team is trying to win (I'm assuming that Molina has more street-cred than Ramirez). If you look at the championship teams of the past, say, 10 years, each one had a really good catcher on them. You want a good catcher for a young pitching staff (see Strasburg - Rodriguez). I think his intangibles are worth more than the numbers show.
2) Tommy Hunter's "stuff" is average or just slightly above average. However, he pitches with conviction and attacks. He's the most underrated player on the Rangers right now and he's about as untouchable as they come. I trust his moxie over Feldman's best stuff any day.
3) Teagarden is done. He's nearly 27, and is old for AA, where he is purely average. Salty just turned 25 and is at AAA. I think it's a little premature to call his career done. Especially next year, when our catching situation will be just as bad as it is now.
4) I like Ted Lilly. I don't think it'd take too much to get him. Jake Westbrook would be okay, but would be tacked on to the back of the rotation. If Holland comes back healthy, I wouldn't want Westbrook, but would still take Lilly.
5) Who will be the Rangers Opening Day catcher in 2011? Will Treanor or Molina re-sign? Will Max Ramirez be given a full-time shot? Will Salty figure it out? Will they sign a former Ranger to a contract (i.e., Barajas or Laird)? Or will they trade for a starter or a legit prospect (i.e., Wilson Ramos)?
#4 - Nolasco, Sean Marcum, Westbrook
Some of the options listed above are probably unreasonable because of payroll considerations, Lilly and Dempster, for example.
if the financial situation were settled, it would have been Ray for Molina straight-up
MLB seems very sure that Davis and Simpson ("Greenberg/Ryan") are going to get the team. So knowing that, how hard would it be for Davis/Simpson to back the $2M salary increase?
I don't think Davis/Simpson really want to raise the payroll by much, at least not right out of the gate. And I don't blame them as this team is still not profitable even with the low payroll.
Yeah, we overpaid. But Molina is a definite upgrade over Max, and hopefully Bengie and Trainor can stay fresh during the Texas heat. The real mess up was when the Rangers didn't re-sign Pudge last fall.
Tommy "Big Game" Hunter would definitely start ahead of Feldman right now.
1. While I agree that a lower-ranked prospect would have been preferable to include in the trade instead of Main, I'm also of the belief that Molina is a bigger upgrade over MaxR than you might give credit for. You want pitchers down the stretch to have a certain comfort level with their catchers, and that's something that cannot be tracked by any specific measure. Molina provides that, even at a slightly inflated value.
2. Hunter's a bulldog and he's earned that #3 spot...at this time. He's bound to hit a rough patch here in the next 3 months, so I will reserve final judgment for a little while longer.
3. I'm out on Teagarden - just don't see the bat speed needed. Salty has a chance, but perhaps with another club. If he feels "victimized" by Texas, then he needs to be included in some deal between now and next year. BTW, Chris Davis kinda falls in the same boat.
4. Go big. Half-measures really don't work in a pennant chase - you're usually better off with what you have at that point. Carmona is slightly intriguing - but only slightly.
5. If you had to trade 2 out of these 5 young players - Ogando, Beltre, Beavan, Font and Perez - to obtain a true staff ace, which 2 would you ship out? Or would you not pull the trigger?
5. Interesting thought from Rob. Would you in any way consider working Salty as a 1B and RH bat the Rangers are looking for? Hell, we let freaking Joaquin Arias play first base, why not let a guy who can actually hit get a crack at it? Probably will never happen and the Rangers may not have even thought about it for a second, but it's not a bad thought.
4. I would target Ricky Nolasco. He is only due $3.8 million this year. That means he would likely be due around 1-2 million of the season. His HR/FB% has been extraordinarily high this year. But yet again his K/BB rate has been ridiculously good. He seems to have found his groove recently. And I would think he would be a decent #3 starter with a good defense behind him.
He might not be an ace. But if we decide that the cost of Cliff Lee is too prohibitive, he would be my tough choice. I'd also see if Florida had any interest in dealing Gaby Sanchez. He is a solid offensive 1B who is viewed by some as a temporary placeholder for Logan Morrison. I could see a trade for Nolasco and Sanchez making a lot of sense for Texas - fill two of the biggest holes on the team, add a solid RH hitter and a decent #3 starter.
Then again, acquiring two players like Nolasco and Sanchez would probably cost some serious prospects.
Ron Washington could be MY DADDY and I still think he should be fired. Race has nothing to do with stupidity. If you think it does, you must be the racist.
Yes, I am a white guy but that has nothing to do with it. Stupidity comes in all colors.
By the way, are you going to call everyone a racist who has said similar things about Ron Washington? Jennifer Engel of the Star-Telegram for example? And what about the doznes of other comments about his strategy you can find on the internet? Is everyone a racist because Ron Washington is a terrible strategist?
"Stupidity comes in all colors."
And you are a great example of white stupidity then. Suggesting that a team fire a manager who has his team in first place despite the fact that 80% of the team is comprised of 1-3 year players (the Rangers are the 2nd youngest team in the majors - at least they were at the start of the season - they may be even younger now) opens the door for the question of your prejudice, Mason. Don't open the door if you don't want people to walk through it.
Both sides; take your race card bulls_it elsewhere. Mason, you do seem like a dog with a bone here, it's a bit tired.
And those of you who can't seem to disagree without throwing out the race card, just go the fu_k away, you're ruining a pretty good board. Enough already.
@Yung @Rangers100 - I see no justification in calling James Mason racist. Obsessed? Yes. Fanatical? Yes. Downright wrong? Yes (in my humble opinion...). But racist? No. And Joey, I think the prize for Q5 should go to "The view from the swamp".
@badspellr - Hilarious Molina comment, if a little cruel. Maybe you're an obesist....
@Anthony,
Props for the taking the high road.
1. It is a decent trade, if anything it gives more depth and makes us a little bit better at the back-up spot now with Treanor instead of MaxRam. I think the biggest plus to this deal is the impact he will have with the young pitchers.
2. Hunter, without any hesitation whatsoever. Feldman is what you would call a mediocre pitcher who had a fluke year and was then crowned "Ace" based on that one season
3. Well there is always hope that they will develop like Nellie did, a "Late bloomer" so to speak, I doubt either will, and i expect Tea to be traded by the deadline, and Salty will remain in AAA and will probably have his future with Texas decided next Spring Training
4. I have my doubts about Carmona, but he could be an innings eater down the stretch. Also Westbrook might be a good fit.
5. How much longer is Feldman going to keep his spot in the rotation? if Harden has improved and Holland comes back strong, Feldy sure seems like the one who will lose his spot in the rotation or go on the DL with a "Gluteus strain"
I disagree, A Stephens. I have the right to say what I want if Mason has the right to say what he wants. Unless Joey wishes to censor me, I'm not going to go the F away - especially not for someone like you.
Stay classy.
@ Drew
"5. Interesting thought from Rob. Would you in any way consider working Salty as a 1B and RH bat the Rangers are looking for? Hell, we let freaking Joaquin Arias play first base, why not let a guy who can actually hit get a crack at it? Probably will never happen and the Rangers may not have even thought about it for a second, but it's not a bad thought."
I believe that both Atlanta and Texas have tried Saltalamacchia at 1stbase already. With less than desirable results. Might as well put Max out there, from what I remember. I don't believe Jarrod ever proved he could reliably hit either....for what it's worth. I'm thinking the best thing to do is keep working him at catcher and pray there's more to him than he's shown. Maybe he'll pull a Nelson Cruz.
By the way, are you going to call everyone a racist who has said similar things about Ron Washington? Jennifer Engel of the Star-Telegram for example?
Hilarious.
As if her rhetoric is even close to your sick obsession.
And nice ducking and spinning. Same old tired bit unfortunately. Seen it a million times. Pretty obvious what your problem is.
Ron Washington? A guy getting paid a whole lot of money to coach baseball... and doing a great job at it. You? Just some stupid bigot on the internet.
Funny stuff.
Both sides; take your race card bulls_it elsewhere.
No "race card" (whatever that even means). Just pointing out the very, very obvious.