TEX @ SEA 7/25-27

[saddles]

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Shame this guy had to play for such an incompetent owner/FO

 

[saddles]

The decision on what to do with Perez will be a part of a bigger plan the Rangers have regarding the construction of their future rotation.

Do they plan on signing only one pitcher via free agency? If so, are they satisfied with a pitcher the caliber of Perez or do they want a better one?

Would they rather trade for a pitcher than sign one?

Do they want to sign 2 or more starting pitchers eventually?

Personally, I think they plan on Leiter, Rocker and White all being in the 2024 rotation. I think they believe guys like Dunning, Otto, Ragans, and Winn are guys who can fill in if injuries or a failure to develop one of those first three guys becomes a reality. There is also Bradford and Kent and maybe even Kyle Cody to have in case something goes wrong with their plans. I think they have also at least penciled in Porter for 2025 or 2026. They have to consider Gray as a stable part of the rotation through 2025. I think that means they only plan on adding one starting pitcher that would be under their control past 2024.

Now, the question is, do they want that guy to be Perez?

They actually don't have to sign any starting pitcher for beyond 2024.

 

[saddles]

From The Athletic:

Star: Martin Perez, Rangers LHP
Alternative: Matt Moore, Rangers LHP

If you need the bulk, you can take a shot on Martin Perez, but too many teams remember how it ended for him in 2021 and may only want him as a stop gap that may end up in the bullpen. After all, his velo isn’t up, and his vertical movement on all his pitches is virtually identical to where it’s been in the past. It’s hard to pinpoint why he’s doing so much better so far this year. And so, if bulk is a question, you might as well get a lefty who is doing something different these days.

(They had a video of a Matt Moore pitch here)

Matt Moore hasn’t thrown a pitch that hard in over ten years, so he’s finally taking to the bullpen and is ready to add another chapter to his career. Oh and look, that was against Juan Soto in a punchout, that might be just what the team acquiring him is looking for.

In fact, Moore is second among all available lefty relievers in Stuff+ (and will be cheaper than Joe Jimenez, who has an additional year of team control). Moore does pretty well in the overall leaderboard among relievers you might see change teams this next week.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

It’s hard to pinpoint why he’s doing so much better so far this year.

He's locating his pitches with greater accuracy and learned to use the corners of the zone. It's actually incredibly easy to pinpoint why he's doing so much better.

 

[scotsman1948]

Looking forward to having our best prospect come up and begin playing at 3B for a long time.

wouldn't expect him before maybe mid-season next year

 

[saddles]

He's locating his pitches with greater accuracy and learned to use the corners of the zone. It's actually incredibly easy to pinpoint why he's doing so much better.

Yeah, but that takes away from his whole slant he was taking on the situation.

 

[Bmurph]

It was his numbers at AAA that sold me.

Don’t know that I recall, what his numbers were. I just know there is a lot of folks that have him penciled in, as a the heir apparent at 3B for years to come, without even an AB at the MLB level yet. Like he’s gonna be Don Mattingly.

 

[saddles]

Don’t know that I recall, what his numbers were. I just know there is a lot of folks that have him penciled in, as a the heir apparent at 3B for years to come, without even an AB at the MLB level yet. Like he’s gonna be Don Mattingly.

His numbers last year

At AA - .308/.366/.544/.910
At AAA - .348/.436/.652/1.088

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

A long ways away for these DSL guys, but fun to follow nonetheless.

 

[Kelleyman]

His numbers last year

At AA - .308/.366/.544/.910
At AAA - .348/.436/.652/1.088

Looks like If he has recovered, he serves a shot at 3B. Nothing else to learn. How well he performs at the MLB level remains to be seen.
But I do have high hopes especially for the bat.

 

[saddles]

It’s unlikely that Houston would move any member of its current rotation for pure prospects — not when the team has a firm grip on the American League West and appears poised for another potentially deep playoff run. Flipping an arm they control for multiple seasons, however, could be a means of bringing in some help at first base, in the outfield and/or behind the plate.

Astros Willing to Listen to Trade Offers on Jose Urquidy

The Astros will entertain trade offers for some controllable starters, with Jose Urquidy the likeliest candidate. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.

www.mlbtraderumors.com

 

[saddles]

Looks like If he has recovered, he serves a shot at 3B. Nothing else to learn. How well he performs at the MLB level remains to be seen.
But I do have high hopes especially for the bat.

Let's just say it has been a long time since a legitimate prospect put up those kind of numbers at that level for us. Maybe some 27 or 28 year old guys who have been in the minors for several years, but not a legitimate prospect of ours.

 

[saddles]

It’s unlikely that Houston would move any member of its current rotation for pure prospects — not when the team has a firm grip on the American League West and appears poised for another potentially deep playoff run. Flipping an arm they control for multiple seasons, however, could be a means of bringing in some help at first base, in the outfield and/or behind the plate.

Astros Willing to Listen to Trade Offers on Jose Urquidy

The Astros will entertain trade offers for some controllable starters, with Jose Urquidy the likeliest candidate. Read more at MLB Trade Rumors.

www.mlbtraderumors.com

I wonder if the Rangers think of any of those guys that could be had from Houston as being a better pitcher than Perez?

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I have a lot of friends who are from California and are Angel fans. When they signed Trout to that huge contract I told them that was a mistake and they should have traded him for a number of players. Especially pitchers.

 

[Nightcrawler]

I have a lot of friends who are from California and are Angel fans. When they signed Trout to that huge contract I told them that was a mistake and they should have traded him for a number of players. Especially pitchers.

Seems like the angels always screw up.

 

[Bmurph]

His numbers last year

At AA - .308/.366/.544/.910
At AAA - .348/.436/.652/1.088

How many AB’s?

 

[Bmurph]

I wonder if the Rangers think of any of those guys that could be had from Houston as being a better pitcher than Perez?

I don’t think the Astros part with any of those pitchers that many would want. Possibly someone like Odorizzi. They are going after Josh Bell but don’t think they will move one of their top 4-5 rotation pieces for him. McCullers I believe is coming back soon. Might make another expendable though possibly….?

 

[saddles]

From Scott Lucas:

Appearing for the first time in 16 days, Cole Winn didn't improve much from what I called a "low point." The defense cost him a run and an extra nine pitches in the 1st, but on the whole, his control and command were lacking, again.

As I've mentioned, velocity is not the issue, and I double-checked that last night. During his strong April, his heater averaged 93.2 MPH with a 2,220 spin rate. Since then, those figures are 93.3 and 2,260, both very slightly faster. His horizontal break has declined from 6.6 to 6.4 inches, which I wouldn't think is enough to cause trouble. Speed and movement aren't the issue. Location is. His fastball strike rate has fallen from 65% in April to 54% since, with a larger proportional decline in swinging strike rate.

AJ Alexy (2.2 IP, 2 HR, 1 BB, 3 SO) had his moments but surrendered two homers. I will say the stark difference between him and Winn right now is that Alexy is attacking hitters, even if the results are mixed. With Winn, the batter is almost superfluous to the proceedings. Winn's battle is with the strike zone.

Winn's silver lining through all this is only five homers all season, and only three batted balls of the velocity and angle that are nearly certain to leave the yard. His opposing slugging percentage since the beginning of May is .405, very good relative to the league.