Series Thread: Rangers Travel to Arizona For 2 Games With the Diamondbacks August 21-22

[Kelleyman]

Everyone makes mistakes even Bochy and the IBB was not wise IMO. Maybe not letting Monty start the 9th too

He can be questioned without wanting to have him fired

Still to me the big takeaway is how vulnerable we are in endgame situations.
Smith does not have stuff to close

 

[saddles]

Still to me the big takeaway is how vulnerable we are in endgame situations.

Until they change their whole philosophy about how to construct a bullpen, we are destined to have the same problem going forward. I would not be surprised to be in this same situation next April.

 

[saddles]

MLB.com's list of free agent relievers.

"Each player's 2023 seasonal age is included in parentheses next to his name. Players are grouped by position and ranked by their FanGraphs' wins above replacement total across 2021-22."


RELIEF PITCHERS

Edwin Díaz (29 years old, 5.0 WAR) -- Signed 5-year deal with NYM (Nov. 9)
Craig Kimbrel (34, 3.0)
Kenley Jansen (35, 2.9)
Taylor Rogers (32, 2.5)
Andrew Chafin (32, 2.3)
Michael Fulmer (30, 2.2)
Chris Martin (37, 2.1) signed today by Red Sox
Chad Green (32, 1.9)
Rafael Montero (31, 1.9) -- Signed 3-year deal with HOU (Nov. 15)
Jesse Chavez (39, 1.7) -- Signed MiLB deal with ATL (Nov. 12)
Danny Duffy (33, 1.6)
Adam Ottavino (37, 1.6)
Richard Bleier (36, 1.5)
Brad Boxberger (35, 1.5)
Garrett Richards (35, 1.3)
Matt Wisler (30, 1.3)
Pierce Johnson (31, 1.2)
David Phelps (35, 1.1)
Matt Moore (33, 1.1)
Luke Weaver (29, 1.1)
Joely Rodríguez (31, 1.0) -- Signed 1-year deal with BOS (Nov. 23)
Carlos Estévez (30, 1.0)
Jake McGee (36, 1.0)
Jimmy Nelson (33, 1.0)
Dominic Leone (30, 0.9)
David Robertson (38, 0.8)
David Price (36, 0.8)
Robert Suarez (32, 0.7)
Sean Doolittle (35, 0.7) -- Signed MiLB deal with WSH (Nov. 6)
Seth Lugo (33, 0.6)
José Álvarez (33, 0.6)
Luke Jackson (30, 0.6)
Corey Knebel (30, 0.6)
Wily Peralta (34, 0.6)
Steve Cishek (37, 0.6)
Trevor May (33, 0.6)
Cody Stashak (29, 0.6)
Archie Bradley (30, 0.5)
Nick Martinez (32, 0.5) -- Signed 3-year deal with SD (Nov. 22)
Hunter Strickland (33, 0.4)
Craig Stammen (38, 0.4)
Erasmo Ramírez (33, 0.4)
Matt Strahm (30, 0.4)
Jeff Hoffman (30, 0.4)
Jackson Stephens (29, 0.4)
Art Warren (30, 0.3)
Derek Holland (35, 0.3)
Aroldis Chapman (35, 0.3)
Will Smith (33, 0.3)
Tyler Duffey (32, 0.3)
Blake Parker (37, 0.3)
Mychal Givens (33, 0.3)
Scott Alexander (33, 0.3)
Manny Bañuelos (32, 0.3)
Jarlín García (30, 0.3)
Brad Hand (32, 0.2)
Alex Reyes (28, 0.2)
Miguel Castro (27, 0.1)
Jay Jackson (34, 0.1)
Evan Marshall (32, 0.1)
Vince Velasquez (30, 0.1)
Reyes Moronto (30, 0.1)
Tommy Kahnle (33, 0.0)
Robert Gsellman (28, 0.0)
Sean Reid-Foley (27, 0.0)
Alex Colomé (34, 0.0)
Will Harris (37, 0.0)
Ken Giles (32, 0.0)
Darren O'Day (40, 0.0)
Grant Dayton (34, 0.0)
Junior Guerra (37, 0.0)
Pedro Báez (35, 0.0)
Shelby Miller (32, 0.0) -- Signed 1-year deal with LAD (Dec. 2)
Justin Wilson (34, 0.0)
Jhoulys Chacín (34, 0.0)
Josh James (30, 0.0)
Miguel Díaz (28, 0.0) -- Signed MiLB deal with DET (Nov. 29)
Anthony Gose (32, 0.0) -- Reported MiLB deal with CLE
Carl Edwards Jr. (30, -0.1)
Trevor Gott (30, -0.1) -- Signed 1-year deal with SEA (Nov. 30)
Jandel Gustave (30, -0.1)
Keone Kela (29, -0.1)
T.J. McFarland (34, -0.1)
Brad Brach (36, -0.1)
Nick Anderson (32, -0.2) -- Signed 1-year deal with ATL (Nov. 11)
Touki Toussaint (27, -0.2)
Luis Perdomo (30, -0.2)
Hirokazu Sawamura (35, -0.2)
Nick Wittgren (31, -0.2)
Tyler Clippard (38, -0.2)
Jeurys Familia (33, -0.3)
Rex Brothers (34, -0.3)
Brandon Workman (33, -0.3)
Cam Bedrosian (30, -0.3)
Jimmy Yacabonis (31, -0.3)
Chasen Shreve (32, -0.4)
Heath Hembree (34, -0.4)
Zack Britton (34, -0.5)
Bryan Shaw (35, -0.5)
Joe Smith (38, -0.5)
Dan Winkler (32, -0.5)
Greg Holland (37, -0.5)
Daniel Norris (30, -0.5)
Alex Young (29, -0.6)
Hansel Robles (31, -0.6)
Sergio Romo (40, -0.6)
Ian Kennedy (37, -0.9)
Scott Oberg (31, N/A)

Going into last offseason, here is how the free agent relievers were ranked by MLB.com. They ranked them by WAR so there is room to disagree over rankings. Will Smith was ranked 49th.

 

[saddles]

It is time to put Heaney in the pen now, mainly because the bullpen needs him desperately. Bring Bradford up to pitch in Heaney's spot until Eovaldi is ready.

They may need to bring up another minor league starter to pitch in the pen as well. The situation is dire.

If Speas has a second really good outing in a row, I would considered him to bring up as well.

 

[scotsman1948]

Yea and we need to resign Montgomery.

Agree and Stratton

 

[scotsman1948]

It is time to put Heaney in the pen now, mainly because the bullpen needs him desperately. Bring Bradford up to pitch in Heaney's spot until Eovaldi is ready.

They may need to bring up another minor league starter to pitch in the pen as well. The situation is dire.

If Speas has a second really good outing in a row, I would considered him to bring up as well.

With the reports on Eovaldi we could see him activated this weekend against the Twins so Bradford might not even get the call. Bouchy may just decide to roll with Heaney one last time then insert Eovaldi on Friday, Dunning on Saturday and Scherzer on Sunday

 

[saddles]

With the reports on Eovaldi we could see him activated this weekend against the Twins so Bradford might not even get the call. Bouchy may just decide to roll with Heaney one last time then insert Eovaldi on Friday, Dunning on Saturday and Scherzer on Sunday

If they do that, they would still need Bradford, or someone, to piggyback with Eovaldi.

 

[Duane1952]

Same here but I would just use Smith in situational lefty against lefty. His era is up to 4.17 and seems to be wearing down

The problem with that is when you bring Smith in he has to face 3 batters before you pull him.

 

[scotsman1948]

If they do that, they would still need Bradford, or someone, to piggyback with Eovaldi.

Maybe but can’t see it happening. To move Heaney and bring back Eovaldi they will have to clear a roster position not add another at least until September 1st when the roster limit goes to 28.

And there’s also the fact we’ll be deadheading Heaney and Perez pretty much for the whole of September which makes a real bad bullpen even worse

 

[Kelleyman]

The problem with that is when you bring Smith in he has to face 3 batters before you pull him.

Be more selective with him. He will be usable. Just not a a closer

 

[scotsman1948]

Be more selective with him. He will be usable. Just not a a closer

That makes sense but Chapman isn’t much better as a closer

 

[saddles]

Maybe but can’t see it happening. To move Heaney and bring back Eovaldi they will have to clear a roster position not add another at least until September 1st when the roster limit goes to 28.

And there’s also the fact we’ll be deadheading Heaney and Perez pretty much for the whole of September which makes a real bad bullpen even worse

If you don't piggyback someone with him it is going to look a lot like a bullpen game the first 2 or 3 times he starts. That will cause some roster moves in itself just to get fresh arms for the pen. Either way they will have to make roster moves.

I think Heaney makes the pen better.

If Perez becomes burdensome for the pen then he most likely gets a DL stay or is DFAed.

 

[Kelleyman]

They need to find way to utilize Marteen and Heaney to the benefit of the team. It is now time to care less about any egos

Did you see Montgomery interview. He could care less about the shutout. Just wanted deeply for the team to win

 

[Kelleyman]

That makes sense but Chapman isn’t much better as a closer

Probably better than Smith but rather test him now so we know who we can depend upon come playoffs

 

[saddles]

They need to find way to utilize Marteen and Heaney to the benefit of the team. It is now time to care less about any egos

Did you see Montgomery interview. He could care less about the shutout. Just wanted deeply for the team to win

I would try Heaney as a set up man and Martinez as a long guy. Who knows, Heaney may be the closer by October.

 

[scotsman1948]

Probably better than Smith but rather test him now so we know who we can depend upon come playoffs

True

 

[Kelleyman]

We will see what Bruce Bochy is made of and how he can lift a team spirit up after a gut wrenching loss like last night
To me this is a draw a line in the sand moment

 

[saddles]

Evan's idea is to piggyback Eovaldi with Heaney. This is from his article:

For starting pitchers, a rehab assignment isn’t just a health check, but also a way to build up stamina. If Eovaldi returned without a rehab, he’d likely be on a limited pitch count of 40-45 pitches to start — the equivalent of about two or three innings.

It might lead the Rangers to piggyback the right-handed Eovaldi and left-handed Andrew Heaney. That could provide an edge by forcing opponents to either turn their lineup over earlier than they’d like. It could also allow Heaney to be more refined, shelving his inconsistent changeup to focus on the fastball-slider combo for one or two trips through the order. Heaney has had an issue with short outings this year, going less than five innings on six occasions, including his last two outings.

 

[saddles]

Evan says if Eovaldi doesn't get a rehab assignment he would be limited to 40 to 45 pitches in his first start back.

 

[scotsman1948]

They need to find way to utilize Marteen and Heaney to the benefit of the team. It is now time to care less about any egos

Did you see Montgomery interview. He could care less about the shutout. Just wanted deeply for the team to win

Problem is that there are physical limits to the number of roster spots for pitchers. From opening day to August 31st the limit is 13 and from September 1st to the end of the regular season the limit is 14. We will have Eovaldi, Scherzer, Dunning, Montgomery and Gray as starters. That leaves 8 spots until September 1st for relievers: if we move Heaney to the pen then we will have him, Perez, Anderson, Burke, Chapman, Leclerc, Sborz, Smith and Stratton. That’s 9 so who do we send down or DFA