The dumb face that launched 1000 SportsHoopla avatars: Phils at the Grill to face Nate Lowe's face 6/21-22

[DT LUNA]

A beat writer for the Rangers thinks that they will be bringing up Spencer Howard. Please no.

He won't stay.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

He won't stay.

He's dumber than Nate Lowes face

 

[Kelleyman]

Ragans is doing well through first 2 innings

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[Kelleyman]

For you guys who have an eye on the draft

 

[Duane1952]

I would love to see him come up. But just don’t think they will do it after 2 or 3 starts.

 

[saddles]

He is ready to come up.

 

[saddles]

Keith Law has Termarr Johnson as the third best draft prospect in his latest rankings.

Jones
Collier
Johnson

 

[saddles]

 

[Uncle Siggy]

Bad send on Calhoun. It by a mile but at least we scored

I think that was his own decision based on knowing their OF isn't that good. But he doesn't have the speed needed to pull that off anymore but has the heart to try...

The decision to send Josh earlier in the game was an easy one knowing the same thing...

You win some you lose some...

 

[Nightcrawler]

Some of the talking heads are starting to speculate about the possibility of the rangers trading Perez.

trading Darvish, Gibson, and lynn seemed like no brainers, but this feels different. I think Perez fits our window because this is probably the last year we’re not trying to compete.

 

[DTC]

I think the Rangers could definitely make a run for a WC spot.
They are dropping Hearn from the rotation, if his replacement(Ragans) pitches well our staff looks pretty darn good.
They brought up Duran and Smith and they are doing great. Semien Has been much better the last 30 games, Seager has had terrible luck when looking into his xBA and he’s barreling balls up, should start to see more balls drop in his way. The team should be much stronger than it was the first 30 games, and better than the last 30 as well.

 

[DTC]

Dunning is starting on Friday.
For Saturday They could use Richards, Brock and Hearn to get through 7 innings I would imagine. With the extra rest days I’m sure the bullpen would be fine. Then Otto could start on Sunday. Call up Ragans Sunday night and have him pitch on Monday vs the Royals just in time for his next start.
Send John King down and Hearn take Kings spot in the bullpen.
To make room for the 40 man- axe Nick Snyder

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

I think the Rangers could definitely make a run for a WC spot.
They are dropping Hearn from the rotation, if his replacement(Ragans) pitches well our staff looks pretty darn good.
They brought up Duran and Smith and they are doing great. Semien Has been much better the last 30 games, Seager has had terrible luck when looking into his xBA and he’s barreling balls up, should start to see more balls drop in his way. The team should be much stronger than it was the first 30 games, and better than the last 30 as well.

If - and that's a Jupiter-sized IF - the Rangers find themselves in contention for the WC this season, it will be from a huge amount of dumb luck. Mainly from several other teams massively underperforming. They are not a postseason contender right now.

That being said, the Rangers are getting results from a few players that are better than expected. Obviously the big one is Martin Perez, who was signed as a innings eater and has so far turned in one of the best seasons from a SP in franchise history.

This is pretty much what I expected from this season; a marked improvement from last year, presumably to be a step towards actual contention in 2023 and beyond. But even though a WC run is in the realm of possibility, this Rangers team isn't a WC team.

 

[DTC]

If - and that's a Jupiter-sized IF - the Rangers find themselves in contention for the WC this season, it will be from a huge amount of dumb luck. Mainly from several other teams massively underperforming. They are not a postseason contender right now.

That being said, the Rangers are getting results from a few players that are better than expected. Obviously the big one is Martin Perez, who was signed as a innings eater and has so far turned in one of the best seasons from a SP in franchise history.

This is pretty much what I expected from this season; a marked improvement from last year, presumably to be a step towards actual contention in 2023 and beyond. But even though a WC run is in the realm of possibility, this Rangers team isn't a WC team.

They’re definitely not a play off team it would seem, some teams are extremely deep with talent. I’m think a run for the wild card, it would be tough tho with the AL east. Should be a fun season the rest of the way. If our team does catch fire and plays well above expectations down the stretch it would definitely be a fun year.
I wouldn’t suggest they should trade for immediate help on big league roster because of their “chances” and definitely don’t want any rentals, but wondering if we will see a trade of a few prospects, we can’t 40 man all of them.
Curious what that looks like when it happen

 

[saddles]

The latest MLB Pipeline mock draft is by Jim Callis.

Johnson
Jones
Holliday
Lee
Green
Parada

It is hard to argue with Termarr Johnson going first. He is my top choice for the Rangers.

 

[Nightcrawler]

They’re definitely not a play off team it would seem, some teams are extremely deep with talent. I’m think a run for the wild card, it would be tough tho with the AL east. Should be a fun season the rest of the way. If our team does catch fire and plays well above expectations down the stretch it would definitely be a fun year.
I wouldn’t suggest they should trade for immediate help on big league roster because of their “chances” and definitely don’t want any rentals, but wondering if we will see a trade of a few prospects, we can’t 40 man all of them.
Curious what that looks like when it happen

theres been speculation that the rangers might make a ”Cole Hamels” like trade where they acquire a pitcher with control, whose better than all of the free agent market options in the upcoming offseason, and a guy they can reasonably obtain.

its no secret that the rotation is going to the front offices main priority going into the next offseason and if they get a deal they like that fixes the rangers issues with a too crowded upper level minor league system than I say go for it.

 

[saddles]

Top free agent pitchers according to Sportsnaut:

Starting PitchersJacob deGrom, New York Mets – $30.5 million player option
Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies – $16 million club option
Joe Musgrove, San Diego Padres – 2023 free agent
Carlos Rodón, San Francisco Giants – $22.5 million player option
Nathan Eovaldi, Boston Red Sox – 2023 free agent
Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox –$27.5 million player option
Chris Bassitt, New York Mets – 2023 free agent
Noah Syndergaard, Los Angeles Angels – 2023 free agent
Luis Severino, New York Yankees – $15 million club option
Charlie Morton, Atlanta Braves – 2023 free agent
Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals –

 

[WastinSomeTime]

theres been speculation that the rangers might make a ”Cole Hamels” like trade where they acquire a pitcher with control, whose better than all of the free agent market options in the upcoming offseason, and a guy they can reasonably obtain.

its no secret that the rotation is going to the front offices main priority going into the next offseason and if they get a deal they like that fixes the rangers issues with a too crowded upper level minor league system than I say go for it.

The problem is what pitcher is out there that we would want that helps us in the future? If there was a Verlander type pitcher that would be great. Sandy Alcantara would be awesome but Miami is not going to trade that guy. One guy that is a free agent next year who intrigues me is Joe Musgrove with San Diego.

 

[saddles]

From Jeff Wilson:

Woodward didn't waste any time putting Smith in left field.

The manager said on Tuesday that it was a possibility, but the thought was Smith would work there for a few days before getting put to the test. He had to make a tough catch to end the seventh, making a long run to haul in a Schwarber flyball.

One day's work was all Smith needed, Woodward said after consulting with outfield coach Tony Beasley.

"That just comes from the confidence of Beas," Woodward said. "I watched him yesterday and talked with Beas a long time in the outfield. I said, 'What you got? Do you trust him out there tomorrow?' He was like, 'Absolutely.'"

The only time Smith played left field was on the back fields in spring training. He played center field once a week this season with Triple A Round Rock. Ezequiel Duran, who has never played the outfield, is a candidate to see time in left after some more work.

Duran spent a lot of time working in left field during the lockout but did not play there in spring training.

With Smith in left field, Woodward put Duran at third and used Miller at designated hitter as Mitch Garver received a day off.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Top free agent pitchers according to Sportsnaut:

Starting PitchersJacob deGrom, New York Mets – $30.5 million player option
Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies – $16 million club option
Joe Musgrove, San Diego Padres – 2023 free agent
Carlos Rodón, San Francisco Giants – $22.5 million player option
Nathan Eovaldi, Boston Red Sox – 2023 free agent
Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox –$27.5 million player option
Chris Bassitt, New York Mets – 2023 free agent
Noah Syndergaard, Los Angeles Angels – 2023 free agent
Luis Severino, New York Yankees – $15 million club option
Charlie Morton, Atlanta Braves – 2023 free agent
Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals –

On that list besides Musgrove the guy that interests me is Syndergaard. Rodon would too but I am afraid the price might be too high.