Does JD deserve blame for not getting a bat?

[terpsfball09]

The only reason I made this thread is because I keep hearing about it on the radio. We all know how hard he tried at the deadline to get a good power bat. The fact of the matter is though that he has known for many months about Nelly's involvement in this scandal. Even before the season started, in fact. Could he have gone out a while back ago and gotten a bat to help this team out?

 

[PDay8810]

JD deserves credit for not giving in and over paying more than any blame to me. He paid a price for the best free agent out there in Garza. I'm glad he didn't again.

 

[romeo212000]

JD deserves credit for not giving in and over paying more than any blame to me. He paid a price for the best free agent out there in Garza. I'm glad he didn't again.

Dead right. JD worked his tail off to get us a bat and he didn't hurt the farm or future deals by giving up key prospects for a bat that really wouldn't have had a significant impact on the lineup out of desperation. The talking heads on the radio don't have a clue. I'm sure Galloway is one of them berating JD. The man knows jack shit.

 

[TDs3nOut]

It's so easy to criticize someone when you really have no idea about the details of what the person who is the object of that criticism has really done. Seems to go on quite a bit in both politics and sports and, more generally, in life itself. Personally, I judge JD by his entire record, which, in my opinion, is outstanding.

I think that the plan initially was to get a significant amount of production from Berkman. That worked out pretty well for the first month or so, but Lance just wasn't up to the task physically. Now it looks as if we'll just have to rely on pitching, defense, and some of the youngsters to step up.

 

[Duane1952]

There wasn't that many teams that were selling. And the ones that were, the asking price was to high. He was smart to stand pat. I just hope he does something in the off season to fix the corner outfield positions.

 

[terpsfball09]

I think the point is that he's known for months and months that this was likely going to happen. I remember when I was on espn posting back during spring training that we probably need one

 

[romeo212000]

I think the point is that he's known for months and months that this was likely going to happen. I remember when I was on espn posting back during spring training that we probably need one

Ok, but you have to have to people willing to make a trade and very few teams will trade an impact bat away before the season starts or in early season because everyone thinks they have a chance to compete. It's not like JD can walk into the baseball player store and pick a MOTOB off the shelf.

Fact is, buy adding garza we added wins. We're just going to have to win differently now. Good job JD.

 

[romeo212000]

There wasn't that many teams that were selling. And the ones that were, the asking price was to high. He was smart to stand pat. I just hope he does something in the off season to fix the corner outfield positions.

I think with the addition of the second wild card most large acquisitions will happen in the offseason now.

 

[fordman84]

I think the point is that he's known for months and months that this was likely going to happen. I remember when I was on espn posting back during spring training that we probably need one

Yes, but as soon as the suspension stuff started, the price for available bats went up a notch. If we were the mariners looking to get a bat, no biggie and the price was normal. When a contender calls, and especially one you know is about to lose a power bat, the price doubles.


Glad JD sat this one out. Hoping to see a low risk bat brought in just to keep guys rested, but other than that I'm happy with the team. Losing Cruz might be the jumpstart the offense needs...help them take on a "ok, I've got to be the guy" focus.

 

[Duane1952]

I think with the addition of the second wild card most large acquisitions will happen in the offseason now.

To many more teams have a shot now. And the teams know that you need something are going to try and take you to the cleaners. So glad that JD hung on to Aflaro and Odor.

 

[romeo212000]

Yes, but as soon as the suspension stuff started, the price for available bats went up a notch. If we were the mariners looking to get a bat, no biggie and the price was normal. When a contender calls, and especially one you know is about to lose a power bat, the price doubles.


Glad JD sat this one out. Hoping to see a low risk bat brought in just to keep guys rested, but other than that I'm happy with the team. Losing Cruz might be the jumpstart the offense needs...help them take on a "ok, I've got to be the guy" focus.

A bat like morse could be an option. However, this team knows it won't be scoring with the long ball nearly as much now. Like you said it may change the focus of this team, but not in a "I have to be the guy" way. More like "everybody has to do their part way." It may actually take some of the individual pressure off the guys.

What we will see is a lot more base stealing. Having a lineup where the 8-3 hitters could consist of gentry, Beltre, Martin, Elvis, and Ian will be a holy terror for pitchers and catchers. Double plays will be very hard to turn, and while Ian isn't your prototypical #3 hitter with 30-40 home run power, he still fits because he puts solid at bats together and with the speed in front of him he should drive in plenty of runs. Especially with Beltre behind him. Baker will probably continue to crush lefties and maybe Moreland gets it going again.

What he as fans have to understand is we will get thrown out trying to steal some. Don't freak out.

 

[Windingmywatch]

At the deadline I don't think there was a legitimate power bat available worth the asking price.

The offseason and deadline market for big bats is extremely thin.

2014 Free Agent Power Rankings: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

Only guys on this list I think TEX might have any real interest in the FA market are Cruz and Choo ... and McCann. Depending on what happens between now and November ... I see TEX priority is signing Garza and McCann first ... then at least one COF (Cruz and/or Choo).

I don't see TOR wanting to deal either Bautista or Encarnacion ... or COL giving up Carlos Gonzalez for anything less than a mine-ful of prospect talent. Stanton in my opinion is overhyped and doubly expensive.

On a side note reference the trade rumors piece ... I think Bob Nightengale is an idiot. He was totally wrong in what he and his insiders thought about Cruz going into the suspension and the idea that Cruz would be hard to sign I believe to be pure speculation on his part. He was 100% wrong about what Cruz teammates thought ... and considering what JD has said since Monday ... Nightengale will be wrong again.

How is sports media so filled with guys who are totally clueless about the game and teams they cover? There are at least two or three here on this board who are more insightful than the entire DMN and ESPN staffs. TR Sullivan ... the Ranger Insider ... often doesn't present that he's that knowledgeable as he should be. Nightengale is about the worst.

 

[Windingmywatch]

JD deserves credit for not giving in and over paying more than any blame to me. He paid a price for the best free agent out there in Garza. I'm glad he didn't again.

Absolutely agree.

Sending a message to the team that they have the talent to win despite loss of Cruz and not signing an ostensibly important bat for the run is a very big deal.

 

[terpsfball09]

I think we'll at least try to get ellsbury..

 

[romeo212000]

At the deadline I don't think there was a legitimate power bat available worth the asking price.

The offseason and deadline market for big bats is extremely thin.

2014 Free Agent Power Rankings: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

Only guys on this list I think TEX might have any real interest in the FA market are Cruz and Choo ... and McCann. Depending on what happens between now and November ... I see TEX priority is signing Garza and McCann first ... then at least one COF (Cruz and/or Choo).

I don't see TOR wanting to deal either Bautista or Encarnacion ... or COL giving up Carlos Gonzalez for anything less than a mine-ful of prospect talent. Stanton in my opinion is overhyped and doubly expensive.

On a side note reference the trade rumors piece ... I think Bob Nightengale is an idiot. He was totally wrong in what he and his insiders thought about Cruz going into the suspension and the idea that Cruz would be hard to sign I believe to be pure speculation on his part. He was 100% wrong about what Cruz teammates thought ... and considering what JD has said since Monday ... Nightengale will be wrong again.

How is sports media so filled with guys who are totally clueless about the game and teams they cover? There are at least two or three here on this board who are more insightful than the entire DMN and ESPN staffs. TR Sullivan ... the Ranger Insider ... often doesn't present that he's that knowledgeable as he should be. Nightengale is about the worst.

I'd add Loney or morse to that list as well. I really want McCann though.

 

[Duane1952]

I think we'll at least try to get ellsbury..

I really like to see McCann here next year.

 

[romeo212000]

I think we'll at least try to get ellsbury..

I think ellsbury is overrated for what he'll command as an FA. Like most Boston or Yankee players he's made by the uniform. The guy can hit for average, and has blazing speed, but cannot stay healthy. Martin can do everything ellsbury can and probably with more pop.

 

[Windingmywatch]

A bat like morse could be an option. However, this team knows it won't be scoring with the long ball nearly as much now. Like you said it may change the focus of this team, but not in a "I have to be the guy" way. More like "everybody has to do their part way." It may actually take some of the individual pressure off the guys.

What we will see is a lot more base stealing. Having a lineup where the 8-3 hitters could consist of gentry, Beltre, Martin, Elvis, and Ian will be a holy terror for pitchers and catchers. Double plays will be very hard to turn, and while Ian isn't your prototypical #3 hitter with 30-40 home run power, he still fits because he puts solid at bats together and with the speed in front of him he should drive in plenty of runs. Especially with Beltre behind him. Baker will probably continue to crush lefties and maybe Moreland gets it going again.

What he as fans have to understand is we will get thrown out trying to steal some. Don't freak out.

it may change the focus of this team, but not in a "I have to be the guy" way. More like "everybody has to do their part way." It may actually take some of the individual pressure off the guys.

Exactly.

We saw it last night ... not just the steals but running on Shuck in LF even when the ball was in short LF ... forcing perfect throws to nail a guy at the plate. And when they find a weak spot they will keep running. Gentry last night was really running without risk because either Martin was going to be the third out ... or if not LAA wasn't going to be able to make a play on him at the plate. That's smart baserunning.

You are right ... Gentry, Martin, E.Beltre and Elvis are going to give Kinsler and A.Beltre a lot of chances to drive in runs. Kinsler is going to see more balls to hit because teams aren't going to want to risk a ball in the dirt or afford an offspeed pitch that gives baserunners another half step advantage. How insane was it for LAA last night to know Elvis was running and not get him. Know Gentry was running and not get him. To pitch out because they knew Martin was running ... and missed him too ... it wasn't even close.

Spreading the offense around gets more guys involved ... keeps more guys in the game ... and puts a lot more pressure on pitchers, catchers and fielders to not make a mistake or get burned. Sure beats waiting around for the 3-4-5 guy to come in and try and hit a long ball ... while everyone else in the lineup takes the night off.

 

[Windingmywatch]

I think ellsbury is overrated for what he'll command as an FA. Like most Boston or Yankee players he's made by the uniform. The guy can hit for average, and has blazing speed, but cannot stay healthy. Martin can do everything ellsbury can and probably with more pop.

Agree too.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Yes, but as soon as the suspension stuff started, the price for available bats went up a notch. If we were the mariners looking to get a bat, no biggie and the price was normal. When a contender calls, and especially one you know is about to lose a power bat, the price doubles.

Glad JD sat this one out. Hoping to see a low risk bat brought in just to keep guys rested, but other than that I'm happy with the team. Losing Cruz might be the jumpstart the offense needs...help them take on a "ok, I've got to be the guy" focus.

And value didn't double.