***Official Texas Rangers 2015 Thread*** - Congrats Banister! (1 Viewer)

[Bogart]

From Newberg today:

The Rangers have announced that they have signed 22-year-old lefthander Martin Perez to a four-year contract through 2017, with club options for the 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons.

Terms are unconfirmed at this point (reports have the four guaranteed years amounting to a total of $12.5 million), but Texas has essentially set Perez up for life and, in the process, purchased control of what would be the lefty’s first two free agent years.

And that’s awesome.

So basically your rotation (depending on Yu's Cy Young results the next few years) is locked up until 2017:

Darvish 2017

Holland 2018

Harrison 2018

Perez 2020

Up the middle with Andrus, Kinsler, Martin (and Profar) is solid. I think they end up getting McCann, like everyone else, just because it makes sense.

It will be interesting to see how the corners (minus Beltre) shakes out. A Rios/Martin/Nellie outfield might not be horrible, but the black hole that was Mitch Moreland needs to be addressed.

 

[ctdub]

I'm excited to see what moves JD makes over the next couple months. The bullpen and pitching staff will be really interesting to see shakeout.

2014 25-man Roster

Position Players

IF

1. Beltre

2. Andrus/Profar/Kinsler (trade 1 keep 2)

3. Andrus/Profar/Kinsler

4. (1B)

5. Soto

6. Rosales

7. (Catcher)

25a. Moreland (LH bench bat)

OF

8. Rios

9. Martin

10. Gentry

11. E Beltre

12. (DH)

Starting Pitchers

13. Darvish

14. Holland

15. Harrison

16. Perez

17. Ogando/Tepesch/(Lewis?)

Bullpen

18. Scheppers

19. Soria

20. Cotts

21. Frasor

22. Ross

23. Feliz

24. Ogando/Tepesch

25b. Ortiz

 

[Bogart]

Great post ctcub. Really shows the holes and needs. I still can't get use to this club not only having a decent fifth starter but an actual competition for the spot. (Insert Charlie Hough joke about pitching everyday here)

Surprised at the money Murphy is going to get from Cle. Hope he does well, glad Texas didn't give that kind of contract to him. I think corner OF is still probably the biggest need right now, even more than C and 1B.

 

[oso diablo]

pleased to see the Rangers pick up Shawn Tolleson

just hope he can stay on the field

 

[ctdub]

Speechless! Welcome aboard, Prince?

 

[coolnerd]

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/20/tigers-rangers-agree-to-trade-involving-prince-fielder-and-ian-kinsler/

 

[Bogart]

I love Kinsler and always will. One of my favorite Rangers ever.

But you have to like this by solving two problems with one move. You remove the logjam at MIF and get power back at 1B. Profar, Andrus and Beltre in the infield is going to be special to watch.

I just hope we keep Prince out of the local BBQ joints. And I'm not a fan of the contract, but not my money.

 

[Bogart]

Looking at 8 million more per year for the next two years, Then after than 10-12 million, with a nice two years more at the end for 48 million.

 

[Da Guru]

I think Prince will have a good year hitting in Texas. Would not surprise me to see him get back to the 35HR mark and 110 RBIs

What Texas fans will grow weary of is how horrible he is at 1B. When Prince was with the Brewers I never knew how bad of a fielder he was..the guy is a short target with bad hands and has the mobility of a pylon. Then toss in all his base running blunders.

 

[coolnerd]

I think Prince will have a good year hitting in Texas. Would not surprise me to see him get back to the 35HR mark and 110 RBIs

What Texas fans will grow weary of is how horrible he is at 1B. When Prince was with the Brewers I never knew how bad of a fielder he was..the guy is a short target with bad hands and has the mobility of a pylon. Then toss in all his base running blunders.

As constructed, prince should be the fulltime DH with Moreland at 1st. at least that is what I would do.

 

[coolnerd]

for me Kinsler's value is that he pretty good offensive player at non-offensive position. Very streaking as hitter. does have excellent range at 2nd and a great arm for that position. he is a running airhead and did not steal bases as he used to. I think he is miscast as headoff hitter, should bat about 6th...imo.

as for the trade, I think this helps both in that they get player at a position they were weaker at and move parts around to make the line-up to be better overall.

(posted this in the tiger's thread also)

 

[Disco Stu]

I think Prince will have a good year hitting in Texas. Would not surprise me to see him get back to the 35HR mark and 110 RBIs

What Texas fans will grow weary of is how horrible he is at 1B. When Prince was with the Brewers I never knew how bad of a fielder he was..the guy is a short target with bad hands and has the mobility of a pylon. Then toss in all his base running blunders.

As constructed, prince should be the fulltime DH with Moreland at 1st. at least that is what I would do.

Yep. Hopefully they can platoon Moreland with someone. Who that righty is will determine how much Fielder plays at first.

 

[Bogart]

Looking at 8 million more per year for the next two years, Then after than 10-12 million, with a nice two years more at the end for 48 million.

Det throwing in 30 million. That helps tip the scale a bit.

 

[scoobus]

Looking at 8 million more per year for the next two years, Then after than 10-12 million, with a nice two years more at the end for 48 million.

Det throwing in 30 million. That helps tip the scale a bit.

Very happy to see this at least. I like, don't love, Fielder. Like what it does in regard to the infield logjam. Hate, hate, hate his contract.

Big year coming up for Profar, a repeat of last year won't get it done. Hopefully consistent playing time will help.

 

[Eephus]

Looking at 8 million more per year for the next two years, Then after than 10-12 million, with a nice two years more at the end for 48 million.

Det throwing in 30 million. That helps tip the scale a bit.

7 years at $15.4M AAV is below market value. It has potential to be bad towards the back end but who knows what the average salary will be in 2019

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Looking at 8 million more per year for the next two years, Then after than 10-12 million, with a nice two years more at the end for 48 million.

Det throwing in 30 million. That helps tip the scale a bit.

7 years at $15.4M AAV is below market value.

Check your math

 

[Eephus]

Looking at 8 million more per year for the next two years, Then after than 10-12 million, with a nice two years more at the end for 48 million.

Det throwing in 30 million. That helps tip the scale a bit.

7 years at $15.4M AAV is below market value.

Check your math

Oops I subtracted the $30M twice.

This changes everything

 

[culdeus]

sports?

 

[ctdub]

The $19mm AAV is a bargain compared to the $39mm AAV DET just paid for him. Not to mention the salary dump of Kinsler worth something. I'm going to miss Ian. He's a gritty player, seems like a great clubhouse guy. Hoping he does well in Detroit and this trade can hopefully become a win-win for both teams. I'll always be a big Kinsler fan.

 

[culdeus]

Sturm math says 3.5MM extra a year over Kinsler's deal. I don't care to verify it. I trust in the sturminator.

 

[Bogart]

Wash says he still plans on hitting Beltre fourth, which makes me think that the lineup right now is still a FA away to fill out the top three with Andrus and Rios, with Beltre hitting forth and Prince fifth.

The Cano rumors this morning don't make much sense to me.

 

[oso diablo]

i'd hit Prince 3rd

 

[The Hardline]

 

[Leroy Hoard]

as for the trade, I think this helps both in that they get player at a position they were weaker at and move parts around to make the line-up to be better overall.

 

[Bogart]

At this point, would Choo make a better fit than McCann?

Choo - RF

Andrus - SS

Fielder - DH

Beltre - 3B

Rios - LF

Moreland - 1B

Profar - 2B

Soto - C

Martin - CF

 

[Da Guru]

On The ticket yesterday they said Fielder is pushing 300lbs..up 25 since the season ended. At 5-10 that is a lot of weight to carry. First thing the Rangers should do is get Fielder a trainer and try to get him into shape. Fielders body type is a fast weight gainer and needs to be controlled.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

On The ticket yesterday they said Fielder is pushing 300lbs..up 25 since the season ended. At 5-10 that is a lot of weight to carry. First thing the Rangers should do is get Fielder a trainer and try to get him into shape. Fielders body type is a fast weight gainer and needs to be controlled.

The Texas heat might help melt off some of that blubber.

 

[ctdub]

At this point, would Choo make a better fit than McCann?

Choo - RF

Andrus - SS

Fielder - DH

Beltre - 3B

Rios - LF

Moreland - 1B

Profar - 2B

Soto - C

Martin - CF

I want to roll with Kittenface in LF, Rios in RF and Martin in CF. That would be a great defensive OF. Re-sign Cruz to DH and maybe pick up McCann. Hopefully land Stanton next off season when Rios deal is up.

Martin CF

Andrus RF

Fielder 1B

Beltre 3B

Mccann C

Cruz DH

Rios RF

Profar 2B

Kittenface LF

 

[Bogart]

I went to the forums at NewbergReport to read reactions to the trade. Someone mentioned the forums at AngelsWin, who were also reacting. If you want to see a group of fans on suicide watch, wander over there at some point.

 

[Bogart]

At this point, would Choo make a better fit than McCann?

Choo - RF

Andrus - SS

Fielder - DH

Beltre - 3B

Rios - LF

Moreland - 1B

Profar - 2B

Soto - C

Martin - CF

I want to roll with Kittenface in LF, Rios in RF and Martin in CF. That would be a great defensive OF. Re-sign Cruz to DH and maybe pick up McCann. Hopefully land Stanton next off season when Rios deal is up.

Martin CF

Andrus RF

Fielder 1B

Beltre 3B

Mccann C

Cruz DH

Rios RF

Profar 2B

Kittenface LF

I like that lineup. I was worried about Kittenface being exposed as an everyday player, but he played a lot more than I thought he did last year.

 

[ctdub]

I also like the idea of trading for Jason Castro. I think he is arb eligible this offseason. He is a very good defensive catcher and has a strong bat. Maybe a trade of Joe Ortiz, Luke Jackson and Chris McGuiness or Engel Beltre would get a conversation started. I'd hate to lose Jackson, but Castro is a really nice player.

 

[Eephus]

I also like the idea of trading for Jason Castro. I think he is arb eligible this offseason. He is a very good defensive catcher and has a strong bat. Maybe a trade of Joe Ortiz, Luke Jackson and Chris McGuiness or Engel Beltre would get a conversation started. I'd hate to lose Jackson, but Castro is a really nice player.

I don't think any of those prospects would warrant a return phone call from Luhnow

 

[ctdub]

I also like the idea of trading for Jason Castro. I think he is arb eligible this offseason. He is a very good defensive catcher and has a strong bat. Maybe a trade of Joe Ortiz, Luke Jackson and Chris McGuiness or Engel Beltre would get a conversation started. I'd hate to lose Jackson, but Castro is a really nice player.

I don't think any of those prospects would warrant a return phone call from Luhnow

Ya maybe not. Jackson is one of our top 2 pitching prospects. Probably need a better position player prospect like a Nick Williams or Lewis Brinson. Obviously I'm not a baseball ops guy, but I wouldn't mind hearing they are kicking the tires on Castro.

 

[Eephus]

I also like the idea of trading for Jason Castro. I think he is arb eligible this offseason. He is a very good defensive catcher and has a strong bat. Maybe a trade of Joe Ortiz, Luke Jackson and Chris McGuiness or Engel Beltre would get a conversation started. I'd hate to lose Jackson, but Castro is a really nice player.

I don't think any of those prospects would warrant a return phone call from Luhnow

Ya maybe not. Jackson is one of our top 2 pitching prospects. Probably need a better position player prospect like a Nick Williams or Lewis Brinson. Obviously I'm not a baseball ops guy, but I wouldn't mind hearing they are kicking the tires on Castro.

Rougned Odor?

 

[ctdub]

I also like the idea of trading for Jason Castro. I think he is arb eligible this offseason. He is a very good defensive catcher and has a strong bat. Maybe a trade of Joe Ortiz, Luke Jackson and Chris McGuiness or Engel Beltre would get a conversation started. I'd hate to lose Jackson, but Castro is a really nice player.

I don't think any of those prospects would warrant a return phone call from Luhnow

Ya maybe not. Jackson is one of our top 2 pitching prospects. Probably need a better position player prospect like a Nick Williams or Lewis Brinson. Obviously I'm not a baseball ops guy, but I wouldn't mind hearing they are kicking the tires on Castro.

Rougned Odor?

Ya, I guess that would give the astros the ability to shop Altuve and get rid of their only real contract.

 

[Bogart]

Prince press conference was comical as the Dallas-Fort Worth media threw fastball after fastball.

Prince to wear #84 and hit third.

 

[Bogart]

OSB also saying that Martin will most likely hit leadoff, so your first four will be

Martin

Andrus

Fielder

Beltre

Guessing Rios fifth as of right now, Soto, Profar, Gentry and Moreland some order after that?

 

[ctdub]

OSB also saying that Martin will most likely hit leadoff, so your first four will be

Martin

Andrus

Fielder

Beltre

Guessing Rios fifth as of right now, Soto, Profar, Gentry and Moreland some order after that?

Ya that's probably right. Maybe Moreland 5 and Rios 6 if we don't sign Cruz or Beltran. How about Elvis, Beltran, Prince, Beltre, Rios, Soto, Profar, Kittenface, Martin? Or Choo/Elsburry, Elvis, Prince, Beltre, Mitch, Rios, Soto, Profar, Martin?

 

[ctdub]

Interesting tweet from lonestar baseball last night. Name the free agents JD has given a contact longer than 2 years to?

Spoiler

Kevin Milwood and Adrian Beltre

 

[Bogart]

Interesting tweet from lonestar baseball last night. Name the free agents JD has given a contact longer than 2 years to?

Spoiler

Kevin Milwood and Adrian Beltre

Interesting. He pretty much went 1 for 2 there.

 

[culdeus]

Feliz being groomed as closer?

 

[ctdub]

No! Don't trade Kittenface! He's going to be awesome in Oakland.

 

[culdeus]

Choice is a good get. 1st rounder in 2010 and considered A's 3rd best prospect. Hits for average it seems.

Maybe it's a sell high situation.

Will miss kittenface. I wonder what Grubes thinks.

 

[oso diablo]

really like this deal for Texas

 

[Disco Stu]

I like Gentry, but he lost the battle with Martin. Trading him for a different type of player makes sense.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

 

[ctdub]

I like Gentry, but he lost the battle with Martin. Trading him for a different type of player makes sense.

He lost the battle of playing time based on the $$ the Rangers have invested in Martin. I'm happy for Gentry, I think he deserves more playing time than what he got in Texas and I look forward to seeing how he does if he's given an opportunity as an erveryday OF'er.

 

[Disco Stu]

I like Gentry, but he lost the battle with Martin. Trading him for a different type of player makes sense.

He lost the battle of playing time based on the $$ the Rangers have invested in Martin. I'm happy for Gentry, I think he deserves more playing time than what he got in Texas and I look forward to seeing how he does if he's given an opportunity as an erveryday OF'er.

I agree that the deck was stacked against him here. Didn't mean to imply it was a fair fight.

I do love Martin's arm though. And JD feels he has more potential as a hitter, so Gentry was expendable despite being a huge weapon on the base paths.

 

[Bogart]

Will miss kittenface. I wonder what Grubes thinks.

Grubes most likely on suicide watch.

Not sure you can pull anything over on Beane but I like the trade for Texas. Another area of surplus where you go and get something you don't have.

 

[Disco Stu]

How many white guys have we gotten rid of the past two off-seasons?

If I was Mitch I wouldn't be buying a house any time soon.