2007 Texas Rangers thread (1 Viewer)

[bentley]

Gary Matthews Jr., Carlos Lee, Mark DeRosa and Adam Eaton are gone (which leaves the Rangers on the receiving end of a very lopsided Chris Young for Aki Otsuka deal). The "DVD" pitching staff of the future is completely dead (with Danks in Chicago, Volquez in the minors and Diamond on the DL for the year). Robinson Tejeda and Jamey Wright are in the starting rotation. Kenny Lofton and Sammy Sosa were fantastic outfielders eight years ago. Even Frank Catalanotto's best days are well behind him. Don't know why they didn't go ahead and sign Juan Gonzalez to add to the mix. He'd fit in great.

It should be another long summer in Arlington. Not sure why they dropped Ameriquest from the stadium sponsorship. I couldn't imagine a more appropriate company to be associated with than a subprime mortgage lender on the edge of financial ruin.

Oh well, there's always next year when the mediocre farm system should crank out another bumper crop of nobodies.

 

[[icon]]

Got tickets for the july 2nd game at Fenway.

Can't wait to see these boys hit.

 

[Gaddis]

What do you homers think of Nelson Cruz? Kid looks talented.

 

[bentley]

What do you homers think of Nelson Cruz? Kid looks talented.

The words "nine year minor league veteran" worry me a bit, but I think he'll be OK.

 

[JimboJim]

On the positive side, they did upgrade at manager. Buck had been bringing down the whole team starting after his decent first season. The players didn't like him, his style and there were rumors floating around he was going to end up running off YOung and Tex.

Resigning Young to that multiyear deal was big. It showed that the team will pony up cash to keep their own star players.

C - Laird: Ho hum, a solid catcher and can take a few deep every year. Decent average, but needs to stay healthy.

1B - Tex: Down year last season for his standards, but still a top 5-10 MLB first baseman.

2B - Kinsler: Looks to be a player on the rise; good hitter and fielder, only average power.

SS - Young: Best player on the team; should go to the all-star game every year.

3B - Blalock: Need more out of him. At one point, he was the crown jewel on the Rangers org. Career seems to be going in the wrong direction.

OF - Lofton, Cruz, Wilkerson: Very little power from Wilkerson and Lofton. Wilkerson was a mess as a leadoff man and should do better hitting later in the order. Cruz is the unknown. Sosa is there too; can't see him doing a lot.

DH - Cattalanato: He was really solid when he was here before; he'll hit .300, but can he stay healthy.

SP - Millwood, Padilla, McCarthy, Wright, Tejada: Millwood and Padilla should be good for about a dozen wins and a dozen losses. Jamey Wright was the surprise to make the team. He played great in pre-season, but being effective for an entire season is another thing. McCarthy and Tejada are the unknowns. I think McCarthy was a good pickup; we needed a legit starter and there was no guarantee Danks would be here this season or next. Tejada started 14 games last season and went 5-5. No one knows; he could tank or turn out to be a geam; probably the first with the history of this team.

RP - Gagne, Loe, Wilson, Otsuka, Rheinecker: One of the better bullpuns this team has had in a while. Both Otsuka and Gagne can close. Most of the other guys have had their shots as a starter for this team over the last few years. Kameron Loe is probably the best of the bunch.

Prediction 94-68, 1st in the AL West (homerism)

 

[culdeus]

Do you realllly think we deserve our own thread?

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=311702

 

[bentley]

Do you realllly think we deserve our own thread?

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=311702

Of course we do. Baseball's a talking sport and we can't be restricted to a single thread.Good morning to ya.

 

[Knightro]

Sammy Soser has actually learned to lay off the pitch 2 feet outside. Too bad he took strike 3 right down Broadway

 

[culdeus]

0-8 with RISP.

Gotta love the most overpriced and overrated hitting coach in all of baseball.

 

[JimboJim]

When will they learn to just walk Vlad; especially with runners on base. Young killed them as much as Soser did last night; 0-5 and left 6 on base.

Padilla and Millwood had two bad outings, but at least thow two have proven track records. I don't see either ending up 8-15 or anything like that; barring a complete Padilla meltdown.

The next couple of games should be really interesting with McCarthy and Tejada pitching; looking forward to seeing what they have.

 

[culdeus]

It's really hard to see this team winning much more than 70 games this year. .500 would be the absolute upper limit.

Nothing is going to change as long as Hicks runs this thing into the ground.

 

[bentley]

At least we don't have to **** around with having hope this season.

 

[culdeus]

Who wins more games?

Rangers regular season vs. Mavs regular season

Rangers regular and *chuckle* post season vs. Mavs regular and post season

I think Mavs might just take this on both counts.

I look forward to an 0-6 start too.

good times, good times.

 

[bentley]

Who wins more games?Rangers regular season vs. Mavs regular seasonRangers regular and *chuckle* post season vs. Mavs regular and post seasonI think Mavs might just take this on both counts.I look forward to an 0-6 start too. good times, good times.

I think the Rangers can win 70. No way can they top the Mavs if you add postseason wins.Looking forward to the day when Koronka, Zeke Astacio and Kam Loe are all in the starting rotation.

 

[culdeus]

Loe looked like dogcrap last night.

That being said for some reason we really own the Red Sox. Why in the hell does it seem like we can hang with them regardless of how good they are?

 

[doughboydeluxe]

I know he didn't cost anything and he's not totally horrible, but Kenny Lofton just epitomizes everything this team has been about these last many years.ETA: What happened to Lance Nix anyways?

Nix went to the Brewers as part of the Carlos Lee deal last year.The Rangers, as always, have one job and one job only. Get me from the end of Mavs/Stars playoffs to the start of the NFL pre-season. That's it. That's all I ask. Be in semi-contention until early August. Everything else is just gravy. Last year they were 38-33 and tied with the A's for the division lead when the little Mavs met their untimely undoing, and they were 60-58 when the Cowboys played their first pre-season game, five games behind the A's (who were in the middle of 12-1 run). That works for me. Just don't suck.

 

[Bogart]

One week in, I am more worried about this team's hitting than I am about it's pitching. The rotation could become very solid and the bullpen should be above average, but I could see this team losing games 3-0 instead of earlier years losing 8-7. The BA with RISP is become very worrisome.

 

[my man otis]

WTF Teixiera? A bit too early to start to worry, but sheesh.

 

[Bogart]

One week in, I am more worried about this team's hitting than I am about it's pitching. The rotation could become very solid and the bullpen should be above average, but I could see this team losing games 3-0 instead of earlier years losing 8-7. The BA with RISP is become very worrisome.

6 RBIs with 2 outs after this post. Granted it's against the Double A's, but I will take it at this point.

 

[bentley]

One week in, I am more worried about this team's hitting than I am about it's pitching. The rotation could become very solid and the bullpen should be above average, but I could see this team losing games 3-0 instead of earlier years losing 8-7. The BA with RISP is become very worrisome.

There's nothing like looking in the paper on Saturday and seeing Gerald Laird has the best batting average on the team at .213.

 

[Bogart]

Forgetting how many outs there are while on base is unforgivable. Shame on you Tex, shame on you.

 

[doughboydeluxe]

Going to see the Roughriders tonight, and Gagne is supposed to pitch an inning or so.

 

[Redwes25]

WTF Teixiera? A bit too early to start to worry, but sheesh.

After the horrible start he had last year I am a little worried. Of course will not trade (for less then full value) or do anything rash.

 

[JimboJim]

With the way Jamey Wright pitched last night, don't be surprised to see them call up Edison Volquez again.

Anyways, it's way too early to tell who got the best of the McCarthy for Danks deal.

Tejada really has some potential; going to see him pitch tonight.

I'm not trying to be overly optimistic, but the starting pitching on this team is probably the best I can remember going into a season since the late nineties.

They paid big money two years ago to bring in a solid #1 (Millwood). Padilla proved to be a good #2 last season; let's see if he can keep going this year. They traded Danks for McCarthy, who is at least a legitimate pro pitcher. Danks wouldn't have even been on the opening day roster.

I'm just excited to not see retreads like RA Dickey, John Wasdin, Pedro Astacio and Ismael Valdez starting games; at least McCarthy and Tejada have potential.

I say can Wright and either replace him with Loe or Volquez as the #5.

 

[my man otis]

Drive in a run Tex.

Slow start once again...

 

[JimboJim]

With the way Jamey Wright pitched last night, don't be surprised to see them call up Edison Volquez again.Anyways, it's way too early to tell who got the best of the McCarthy for Danks deal.Tejada really has some potential; going to see him pitch tonight.I'm not trying to be overly optimistic, but the starting pitching on this team is probably the best I can remember going into a season since the late nineties.They paid big money two years ago to bring in a solid #1 (Millwood). Padilla proved to be a good #2 last season; let's see if he can keep going this year. They traded Danks for McCarthy, who is at least a legitimate pro pitcher. Danks wouldn't have even been on the opening day roster.I'm just excited to not see retreads like RA Dickey, John Wasdin, Pedro Astacio and Ismael Valdez starting games; at least McCarthy and Tejada have potential.I say can Wright and either replace him with Loe or Volquez as the #5.

Pass me some of that KoolAde chief.

Touche; horrible outing by Tejada.

 

[The Ref]

Wake me up when the Rangers are.... yawn......zzzzzzzz.....

 

[WhoDat]

They look pretty bad...really bad...today. It is going to be a LONG year.

 

[culdeus]

Jarmamilo has to go. And soon. I'll never understand the fascination with this guy. Highest paid hitting coach in baseball and can't get guys to take pitches for anything.

I'm not convinced Tex ever shows up. He's got to be convinced he's gonna get traded for pitching prospects and has just taken the season off.

 

[Angry Beavers]

Jarmamilo has to go. And soon. I'll never understand the fascination with this guy. Highest paid hitting coach in baseball and can't get guys to take pitches for anything. I'm not convinced Tex ever shows up. He's got to be convinced he's gonna get traded for pitching prospects and has just taken the season off.

I really hope you are wrong!

 

[culdeus]

Jarmamilo has to go. And soon. I'll never understand the fascination with this guy. Highest paid hitting coach in baseball and can't get guys to take pitches for anything. I'm not convinced Tex ever shows up. He's got to be convinced he's gonna get traded for pitching prospects and has just taken the season off.

 

[bentley]

7-10. Rangers fever, catch it!

 

[Your Mother]

Prediction 94-68, 1st in the AL West (homerism)

Oof.

 

[culdeus]

Is it good when your "ace" starts the season 0-3?

 

[Redwes25]

Jarmamilo has to go. And soon. I'll never understand the fascination with this guy. Highest paid hitting coach in baseball and can't get guys to take pitches for anything. I'm not convinced Tex ever shows up. He's got to be convinced he's gonna get traded for pitching prospects and has just taken the season off.

He has always been a very slow starter. Hopefully he picks it up but this is getting painful. I don't want a repeat of last year with only 9 homers before the break.

 

[culdeus]

Who wins more games?Rangers regular season vs. Mavs regular seasonRangers regular and *chuckle* post season vs. Mavs regular and post seasonI think Mavs might just take this on both counts.I look forward to an 0-6 start too. good times, good times.

I think the Rangers can win 70. No way can they top the Mavs if you add postseason wins.Looking forward to the day when Koronka, Zeke Astacio and Kam Loe are all in the starting rotation.

 

[Bogart]

Nice little weekend sweep of Toronto. Young with a game-winning HR today following 5 RBIs last night. Good outings by Loe, Padilla and McCarthy.

Gotta start somewhere.....

 

[bentley]

Who wins more games?Rangers regular season vs. Mavs regular seasonRangers regular and *chuckle* post season vs. Mavs regular and post seasonI think Mavs might just take this on both counts.I look forward to an 0-6 start too. good times, good times.

I think the Rangers can win 70. No way can they top the Mavs if you add postseason wins.Looking forward to the day when Koronka, Zeke Astacio and Kam Loe are all in the starting rotation.

:X

Bad call by me there. Looks like 70 is all they're going to need.

 

[culdeus]

Nice little weekend sweep of Toronto. Young with a game-winning HR today following 5 RBIs last night. Good outings by Loe, Padilla and McCarthy.Gotta start somewhere.....

2-5 for the next 7 is the best case scenario.

 

[JimboJim]

Prediction 94-68, 1st in the AL West (homerism)

Oof.

 

[doughboydeluxe]

I was grading papers this morning for one of my classes, and I had one girl write that the Rangers were a semi-pro team. I didn't take away any points from her.

 

[culdeus]

At this point you just wonder who will be left after this season both in the front office, the bench, and the players.

Tex has to go, and now. I just don't know if I want a kid managing the trade with as badly as all his trades have gone so far. The kid means well, but it's like he works out all his trades on paper without looking at the big picture. He's for sure a goner at the end of the year and hopefully Hicks will cut all ties with Hart if he hasn't done so yet.

Rudy needs to get fired during the season. He's the A#1 problem in the bench. Rangers are 12th in BA now and killing this team.

Really I'd like Hicks gone too, but the guy won't sell. I think without a new ownership group coming in there is no hope at all for a long long time. Not that there ever was, mind you, but someday I'd like to have a team that was less than 5 games out in August for a few years in a row.

Is that too much to ask?

 

[culdeus]

Blaylock = gone for year.

This thing has lost one too many heat tiles to avoid the inevitable now.

 

[Your Mother]

heat tiles

 

[culdeus]

I'm seriously to the point where I'm about to openly weep about the state of things. There is where I saw this, where I thought it might go, and where the worst case was. This is so far beyond worst case I have no idea what to do. It's been almost a month since Texas won a game scoring less than 7 runs.

In the bad days of Chan Ho at least you had the fun of betting against them when he pitched knowing that the relief pitcher and the occasional Kenny Rogers type guy would carry this thing along with some bats to end up around .500 ball.

It's not even fun to watch these games with money on them now.

Excuse me while I siphon off the antifreeze from my car.

no funeral

 

[doughboydeluxe]

It's been almost a month since Texas won a game scoring less than 7 runs.

Nice reverse jinx! Tex does need to go... his contract goes through 2008, so anyone who gets him will have him for at least the remainder of this year and all of next year. The name I seem to hear most often is Jon Lester and other prospects from Boston, but I'm sure Theo would use and abuse Lil' Jon and get Tex in exchange for the rights to Jim Rice, Carlton Fisk, and Fred Lynn bobbleheads.The sad thing about the Rangers is that right now there is absolutely nothing to look forward to. The major league team is a disaster, and there is absolutely nothing in the cupboard. It's impossible to name a minor leaguer at AA or AAA who is a legit major league prospect. At least getting some solid prospects for Tex would give us something to look forward to and hope for.

 

[Bogart]

You know things are bad when Craig Freakin Counsell goes deep on you for his FIRST of the year.

 

[culdeus]

So I'm watching the game Sunday at my FILs place with him. He's the biggest Rangers homer ever, but is just as skeptical. So I'm watching the latest Padilla trainwreck start and he's giving up like 2.5 or 3 WHIP but miraculously no runs at this point.

He asks me jokingly if giving up 3 WHIP but 0 ER is a quality start or not. I'm like Then we go on to get pasted for what/ 24 hits that night by the freaking brewers.

 

[doughboydeluxe]

Rangers extend Daniels through 2009



On a positive note, my buddy Chris Sampson is tentatively scheduled to pitch here Sunday for the Astros, so that will be cool to see him pitch in person if they stick with their current rotation. It will be weird rooting against the Rangers, but its not like I am rooting against the Cowboys or anything.

 

[Bogart]

Silver Boot champion 2007!!!!

Yeah baby yeah!!!!