OFFICIAL OFF SEASON THREAD ( 2017 )

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

PS.........This may also be a sign the Rangers are really concerned about Cashner.

Possibly. I think JD is constantly working angles though. Could be he's trying to get a step on the mid-season market (or anticipating the need to).

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Beltre with a tight calve, not playing today.

here is a Spring Training fun fact: in 2017, I am tied with Adrian Beltre for hits.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

DDJ has played himself into a spot on the 25 man, right?

 

[Bmurph]

DDJ has played himself into a spot on the 25 man, right?

Yeah he'll be on it, even if he winds up just being a bench player

 

[Bmurph]

March 27, 2017 11:15 am
Rangers' Matt Bush: Works in minor league game Sunday
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire


Bush struck out the side in an inning against minor leaguers Sunday, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Although Bush has made just a pair of Cactus League appearances this spring, with the last coming back on March 19, there was never any mention of an injury or any suggestion he might not be ready for Opening Day. Using a fastball that averaged 97 mph and effective breaking pitches, the former No. 1 overall pick struck batters out at a 25.1 percent clip last season, while posting a walk rate of just 5.8 percent. He will be stuck in a setup role in front of Sam Dyson to begin the 2017 campaign, but Bush has appeal in deep leagues because of the ratios and strikeouts and even in standard leagues for those speculating on saves.

 

[Bmurph]

March 27, 2017 11:28 am
Rangers' Jeremy Jeffress: Throws inning in minor league game
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire


Jeffress pitched an inning against minor leaguers Saturday, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

He retired the side in order on nine pitches, recording one strikeout. The right-hander has not been scored upon in seven Cactus League innings this spring, but with seven hits allowed and a 4:3 K:BB in that span, he hasn't exactly been dominant. Regardless, Jeffress appears in line to serve as the top setup option to closer Sam Dyson to begin 2017, ahead of the likes of Matt Bush and Keone Kela.

 

[Bmurph]

March 27, 2017 11:57 am
Rangers' Adrian Beltre: Dealing with sore calf
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire


Beltre will not play in Monday's spring game due to soreness in his right calf, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

The good news is that this is not the same calf that was bothering Beltre before leaving for the WBC. It's not considered serious, but with Opening Day just a week away, it could possibly be an issue. It will be a situation to monitor so consider him day-to-day until the Rangers note otherwise.

 

[Bmurph]

March 27, 2017 1:02 pm
Rangers' Eddie Gamboa: Sent to Triple-A
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire


Gamboa was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

Gamboa was making a strong push for the 25-man roster before being optioned down, as the 32-year-old posted a 2.12 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 17.0 spring innings. He'll likely spend the year as organizational and relief depth.

 

[Bmurph]

March 27, 2017 3:07 pm
Rangers' Hanser Alberto: Will receive PRP injection
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire


Alberto is set to receive a PRP injection in his right shoulder and will be shut down from throwing for at least two weeks, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Alberto has been bothered by a sore right shoulder for most of March, and it appears the lingering issue will force him to begin the 2017 campaign on the DL. His timetable remains unclear, but there should be a better idea once he's cleared to begin throwing agains. With the 24-year-old sidelined for the start of the season, Drew Robinson could replace him on the Opening Day roster.

 

[Bmurph]

March 27, 2017 9:05 pm
Rangers' Jared Hoying: Reassigned to minor league camp
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire


Hoying was sent to minor league camp Monday, MLB.com's TR Sullivan reports.

Hoying, who signed a minor league deal with a spring training invite in December, was a long shot to break camp with the big league club. The 27-year-old struck out 11 times in 44 at-bats and hit just .205 during spring training. At Triple-A Round Rock last season, Hoying hit .269 with 16 home runs in 100 games.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

Is someone going to put up a prediction thread? Maybe for overall record, to pick a player that will pleasantly surprise us, a player who will disappoint us, a minor-leaguer who will break through. Will be be buyers or sellers at the the trade deadline? Also, some of the usual things like leaders in different categories and the amount.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

Evan Grant predicts the 2017 Texas Rangers record with month-by-month schedule breakdown | SportsDay

Evan predicts 90-72 and a 1st place finish. He predicts them to be close to .500 every month except July and September. It almost seems that he decided they would be buyers at the deadline and they would win the division and let that influence his monthly predictions for July and September. The other months his predictions seem more realistic. He seems to be working backwards in order to attain a desired result.

 

[DT LUNA]

Evan Grant predicts the 2017 Texas Rangers record with month-by-month schedule breakdown | SportsDay

Evan predicts 90-72 and a 1st place finish. He predicts them to be close to .500 every month except July and September. It almost seems that he decided they would be buyers at the deadline and they would win the division and let that influence his monthly predictions for July and September. The other months his predictions seem more realistic. He seems to be working backwards in order to attain a desired result.

Everyone has an opinion and I hope EG is right but he sounds overly optimistic.

 

[Bmurph]

March 28, 2017 2:20 pm
Rangers' Delino DeShields Jr.: Makes Opening Day roster
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire


DeShields has made the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The 24-year-old's role to begin the year remains to be determined, but he will indeed break camp with Texas. Wilson notes that DeShields has "looked like an everyday player" this spring and suggests DeShields should be the starter in left field. It's hard to argue when looking at the numbers, as DeShields has draw 14 walks in 70 plate appearances this spring (to 12 strikeouts) while going 12-for-12 on the basepaths. Jurickson Profar and Ryan Rua are the other top options in left.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Enemy Lines: MLB scouts size up all 30 teams

Rangers blurbs if you don't want to bother reading the rest:

Cole Hamels pitched great in that small ballpark over in Philly. If you can do that, you can pitch anywhere....

Yu Darvish came over from Japan with seven pitches, and they're trying to eliminate some of them because they think this had something to do with his health issues. If he's going to bounce back, this is the year....

Martín Pérez is the biggest question mark in the rotation. He has great feel, but he shows some apprehension, like he doesn't trust his stuff....

[Starter] Tyson Ross was a great signing, even though he's still recovering from surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. He had been outstanding before that...

Matt Bush has a power fastball and he's got a second chance. I think he's going to eventually be the closer....

Jonathan Lucroy is the best two-way catcher out there. He'll be tremendous for this staff. When they have to run Dillon Gee or A.J. Griffin out there, Lucroy's value goes up even more. If you're a marginal pitcher, catchers like him can make you average....

I don't want Rougned Odor to improve his plate discipline. I know we want guys to control the zone and walk more, but some guys you want up there hacking....

Other than Brooks Robinson, Adrián Beltré is the best third baseman I've ever seen, a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He's got great hands, the cleanest exchange, can throw from all angles....

Nomar Mazara's smooth, sweet swing reminds me of Carlos Delgado's—consistent, no wasted effort. He's going to hit for average and eventually power....

As much as I love Joey Gallo's moonshots, he swings and misses too much.

 

[DT LUNA]

Odor can have plate discipline and still go for the fences.