Does JD deserve blame for not getting a bat?

[Windingmywatch]

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

You sign McGann ... makes it whole lot easier to sign a Garza.

 

[romeo212000]

You sign McGann ... makes it whole lot easier to sign a Garza.

Why is that?

 

[Nightcrawler]

I personally think it was a mistake to not resign Napoli. We all know he had a horrible year last year, but I'm more inclined to believe his good year with us was more indicator of his true abilities. He chose the Red Sox because they offered him a full time position. We told him a mixture of 1B, DH, and catcher. In hindsight, we would of been better off this year if he played full time DH or even 1st base. I think Moreland gets hurt too often and is in a slump 90% of the time.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Why is that?

You sign McGann ... means you have signed the best batterymate possible. Excellent defensive catcher. Excellent game calling. Excellent offense. Creating an environment where your top pitchers are happy and want to pitch is a very good thing.

Garza already knows he could be very happy with TEX and if in front of his singing TEX were to sign a very positive piece ... that might make all the difference in his choice of where he goes all things being equal.

 

[romeo212000]

I personally think it was a mistake to not resign Napoli. We all know he had a horrible year last year, but I'm more inclined to believe his good year with us was more indicator of his true abilities. He chose the Red Sox because they offered him a full time position. We told him a mixture of 1B, DH, and catcher. In hindsight, we would of been better off this year if he played full time DH or even 1st base. I think Moreland gets hurt too often and is in a slump 90% of the time.

If you look at Napoli's career 2011 was far and away the aberration. What you're seeing right now in boston is actually probably a bit inflated by the green monster. Fact is we needed at catcher and Napoli couldn't catch. We'd love to have him as dh, but I'm sure Napoli wants to play the field and the fact is his first base defense just isn't very good. But I'd be shocked if he ever had another year close to 2011.

 

[terpsfball09]

I don't really think MG is gonna look at whoever signs McCann and say "wow I wanna go there now." I think he wants $

 

[romeo212000]

I don't really think MG is gonna look at whoever signs McCann and say "wow I wanna go there now." I think he wants $

He wants money, but he also wants to win. Winding makes a good point about how signing McCann could make garza's decision to re-sign with us very easy.

 

[TDs3nOut]

I don't really think MG is gonna look at whoever signs McCann and say "wow I wanna go there now." I think he wants $

I have no idea, but it certainly seems plausible that a pitcher wants to win and play with players who give him the best chance to win. That's not to say that he doesn't care about money, since money and winning aren't mutually exclusive.

 

[fordman84]

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.

True. Did I hear that we didn't have an extra base hit last night? But put up 8 runs. Wow.

 

[jta4437]

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.

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.

Totally agree about Garza, Choo, McCann and maybe Cruz

 

[Hambombs]

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.

That maybe true but having him and Martin in the outfield would be intriguing but I don't think we go for a CF

 

[romeo212000]

That maybe true but having him and Martin in the outfield would be intriguing but I don't think we go for a CF

Possibly no better than having Martin and Beltre in the OF.

 

[jta4437]

Possibly no better than having Martin and Beltre in the OF.

And Gentry

 

[pegasusredleg]

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?

I think he tried many avenues and they all turned up dry holes. If he had a 50/50 suspicion that Cruz would be suspended during the 2013 season, then he should have shopped a bit more to find a bat. But remember, the market was pretty bare last year.

 

[Duane1952]

Totally agree about Garza, Choo, McCann and maybe Cruz

I'd like to have choo also. A good replacement for murphy or Cruz.

 

[scotsman1948]

I think he tried many avenues and they all turned up dry holes. If he had a 50/50 suspicion that Cruz would be suspended during the 2013 season, then he should have shopped a bit more to find a bat. But remember, the market was pretty bare last year.

every other GM knew who was suspected and they were trying to bleed the teams with those players so without selling the farm he wasn't going to get the needed bat

 

[pegasusredleg]

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.

The talking heads are creating "the dialogue" on JD now so if the team misses the playoffs or has a meltdown, they can say "see we told you so." They will also sow in a few stories about how the Rangers 'can' get to the playoffs to hedge their bets. It is all about later on saying "how you knew all along."

 

[pegasusredleg]

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.

Good points but if Mitch gets his power stroke back, we will be putting up a few more HRs when needed.

 

[Windingmywatch]

I don't really think MG is gonna look at whoever signs McCann and say "wow I wanna go there now." I think he wants $

Don't mean that he'll have his agent just lock arms with McCann's agent and go door to door. I'm saying that if he is already in conversation with TEX ... and TEX signs a McCann in front of him ... that sends a strong message that TEX has upgraded the position that has the most affect on his success as a pitcher.

In Garza's career before he came to TEX his front line catchers have been Joe Mauer, Dioner Navarro, John Jaso, Geovany Soto and Wellington Castillo. Bet his appreciates Soto being here ... and maybe even AJ's slyness. But after Mauer ... he's never had a catcher who was his equal as an impact player. McCann would be that kind of guy ... only need to look at the success of the ATL staff to see his impact.

That's my opinion. Signing McCann would make signing Gaza easier.

 

[RevSader]

The only thing I hold against the FO is that they knew since January that Cruz might miss 50 games. Their best contingency plan has been Joey Butler and Engel Beltre at this point. That's not very good planning, but they didn't want to mortgage the future, and I can respect that.