Series Thread: Rangers welcome YU back vs the Pirates this weekend!

[jta4437]

Like to hear what he thinks the crap is wrong with Houston right now. I guess the curse took a while to change addresses. What a moron.

I just meant that there's an actual Facebook Group called: Fire Jon Daniels Club

 

[Duane1952]

Pretty long piece but I figured someone here might want to read it anyway

Don't care how much they're paying him. He needs to be on the bench.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I just meant that there's an actual Facebook Group called: Fire Jon Daniels Club

HA! Yeah, that too.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Maybe if enough people keep writing about it then maybe the Rangers brain trust will get the picture.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a hitter who has fallen farther than Prince Fielder. His OPS is the fourth worst amongst qualified hitters. This is due to the deadly combination of not getting on base (.269 OBP) and not hitting for power (.088 ISO). If you were looking for a reason to believe in a Fielder bounceback, you would cite his .228 BABIP, but that's not enough for me.
Fielder's on base problem can partially be explained by his low BABIP, but it's also a product of a career low walk rate. The funny thing about that walk rate is that pitchers are throwing him less pitches in the zone than he's seen since 2011. This is explained by the fact that his swinging strike rate is way up and his contact rate is at a career low. Virtually everything you look at in terms of plate discipline shows you a hitter who has trouble guessing when to swing and can't make good contact when he does.

Speaking of those times Fielder does make contact, it's no surprise his power is down. Fielder's hard contact rate of 28.5 percent is the lowest of his career and his ground ball rate is four points higher than his career high. The only time his peripherals have looked this bad was the partial 2014 season when Fielder hit .242 with a .720 OPS. Even once his BABIP regresses that feels about like Fielder's current ceiling unless a big change occurs. He's the most droppable hitter on this list and in my opinion, the least likely to regain his prior form.

 

[jta4437]

Don't care how much they're paying him. He needs to be on the bench.

They've done about everything they can to snap him out of it, about the only thing I can say is bat him in front of Beltre and Mazara 3-4-5, that's about the only way he's going to see anything good to hit

I guarantee you no one wants to put him on in front of those guys, so maybe he would see more strikes... but alas I think there's more to it than that

 

[True Rangers Fan]

They've done about everything they can to snap him out of it, about the only thing I can say is bat him in front of Beltre and Mazara 3-4-5, that's about the only way he's going to see anything good to hit

I guarantee you no one wants to put him on in front of those guys, so maybe he would see more strikes... but alas I think there's more to it than that

He seemed to perk up a bit when he was slotted 5th. I say keep him there.

 

[jta4437]

Maybe if enough people keep writing about it then maybe the Rangers brain trust will get the picture.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a hitter who has fallen farther than Prince Fielder. His OPS is the fourth worst amongst qualified hitters. This is due to the deadly combination of not getting on base (.269 OBP) and not hitting for power (.088 ISO). If you were looking for a reason to believe in a Fielder bounceback, you would cite his .228 BABIP, but that's not enough for me.
Fielder's on base problem can partially be explained by his low BABIP, but it's also a product of a career low walk rate. The funny thing about that walk rate is that pitchers are throwing him less pitches in the zone than he's seen since 2011. This is explained by the fact that his swinging strike rate is way up and his contact rate is at a career low. Virtually everything you look at in terms of plate discipline shows you a hitter who has trouble guessing when to swing and can't make good contact when he does.

Speaking of those times Fielder does make contact, it's no surprise his power is down. Fielder's hard contact rate of 28.5 percent is the lowest of his career and his ground ball rate is four points higher than his career high. The only time his peripherals have looked this bad was the partial 2014 season when Fielder hit .242 with a .720 OPS. Even once his BABIP regresses that feels about like Fielder's current ceiling unless a big change occurs. He's the most droppable hitter on this list and in my opinion, the least likely to regain his prior form.

It doesn't help that they call that strike about 4-6 inches off the plate against LHHs, the best example is the AB in against LAA where in back to back ABs that ended in a strikeout they gave the pitcher the far inside strike and far outside strike... this in conjunction with his struggles and potential physical breakdown and this is what you get

 

[jta4437]

He seemed to perk up a bit when he was slotted 5th. I say keep him there.

He won't have sustainable success without high quality hitters behind him

I think the last game illustrated this, he walked twice and and was on base for the next guys, pitchers will be less willing to pitch around Fielder and give him better quality pitches to hit if Beltre, Mazara, Rua and Moreland can make them pay, not to mention pitchers should becoming less afraid of him bc of his struggles

 

[saddles]

Fielder needs to be benched. I wonder how many guys we could bring up from the minors right now who would out hit him over the rest of the season if they played as often as he has.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

He won't have sustainable success without high quality hitters behind him

Good theory on paper, but I'm not sure that will make a difference with him at this point.

 

[jta4437]

Fielder needs to be benched. I wonder how many guys we could bring up from the minors right now who would out hit him over the rest of the season if they played as often as he has.

Agreed, Gallo and Rua should definitely play more but until they decide that Fielder is a sunk cost its not going to happen

 

[jta4437]

Good theory on paper, but I'm not sure that will make a difference with him at this point.

They need to give it a few more games in that order and see what happens, after that I call sunk cost and move on

 

[True Rangers Fan]

They need to give it a few more games in that order and see what happens, after that I call sunk cost and move on

Problem is, Beltre isn't exactly lighting it up right now so having Fielder in front of him isn't going to get you as much as you could otherwise.

 

[saddles]

Until they decide that he will sink our lineup.

 

[jta4437]

Problem is, Beltre isn't exactly lighting it up right now so having Fielder in front of him isn't going to get you as much as you could otherwise.

That's why your hottest hitter is behind both in the 5 spot

 

[Bmurph]

May 27, 2016 11:00 am
Rangers' Tony Barnette: Lowers ERA in scoreless apperance
by RotoWire Staff | Special to CBSSports.com
Barnette threw two perfect innings against the Angels on Wednesday, earning the hold.

Barnette has been dominant out of the Ranger bullpen recently and his ERA fell to 2.33 after this appearance. The right-hander has allowed just one run in 8.2 innings this month and has earned three wins in the process. Texas relievers have a combined 5.32 ERA, worst in the American League, so Barnette could see more opportunities.


May 26, 2016 5:22 pm
Rangers' Rougned Odor: Suspension reduced
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Odor had his suspension reduced from eight games to seven games Thursday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Odor is still expected to start serving his suspension Friday, and while a one game reduction is small, it is better than nothing. Expect Jurickson Profar to be recalled to take his place in the short-term.


May 26, 2016 5:04 pm
Rangers' Rougned Odor: Expected to begin serving suspension Friday
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Odor is expected to get a slight reduction to his eight-game suspension and will begin serving the suspension Friday, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reports.

There is still no word as to exactly how long the suspension will be, but owners should be prepared to be without Odor for at least the weekend series against the Pirates. Jurickson Profar will reportedly be recalled to take Odor's place in the lineup during the suspension, making him a strong short-term play in daily leagues and full-season leagues with daily roster moves.


May 26, 2016 4:58 pm
Rangers' Jurickson Profar: To join Rangers this weekend
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Profar will be recalled from Triple-A once Rougned Odor's suspension starts, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reports.

This was widely expected, especially given the fact that Profar shifted to second base recently with Round Rock. According to Sullivan, Odor will receive a slight reduction to his initial eight-game suspension, and he will begin serving the suspension Friday, so Profar should join the Rangers for the first game of the weekend series against the Pirates. Profar would be a top-10 fantasy shortstop if he was playing every day for a big league team, but given the Rangers' middle infield depth, and their financial commitment to Elvis Andrus, Profar is still expected to spend most of this season at Triple-A. He's a worthwhile short-term add in deeper leagues and shallow leagues with daily roster moves.


May 26, 2016 8:44 am
Rangers' Nomar Mazara: Blasts titanic homer in slugfest victory
by RotoWire Staff | Special to CBSSports.com
Mazara went 2-for-5 with a home run, his eighth of the year, and three RBI in Wednesday's win against the Angels.

Mazara's solo shot to lead off the second inning would have traveled a projected 491 feet, according to Statcast, making it the longest home run in the majors this season. It also sparked a three-run rally that propelled the Rangers to a 15-9 win that clinched a series victory over the Angels. Mazara's titanic home run replaced Giancarlo Stanton's 475-foot homer on May 6 as the longest of the season. The 21-year-old is looking like a Rookie of the Year candidate through the early part of the season, slashing .320/.365/.500 through his first 150 at-bats.


May 26, 2016 8:18 am
Rangers' Colby Lewis: Survives slugfest against Angels to remain perfect
by RotoWire Staff | Special to CBSSports.com
Lewis (4-0) picked up the win Wednesday against the Angels despite allowing six runs in five innings. He surrendered eight hits and a walk while garnering just one strikeout.

The 36-year-old was lucky to escape the slugfest with his perfect record and nifty ERA still intact. The five-inning outing was his shortest of the season, and the six runs were the most Lewis has allowed through his first 10 starts of 2016. Lewis' 3.38 ERA and 1.16 WHIP are both well below his career numbers of 4.73 and 1.35 respectively. The righty will look to continue his fine season on Tuesday against the Indians, a team he struggled to handle last season.

 

[Bmurph]

May 25, 2016 11:02 pm
Rangers' Derek Holland: Extra rest before his next start
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Holland will be given extra rest before his next start, .T.R.Ullivan of MLB.com reports.

Holland pitched well on Monday and will have a full week before his next start, which is now scheduled for Tuesday.



May 25, 2016 1:42 am
Rangers' Sam Dyson: Earns fifth save against Angels
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Dyson struck out two in a clean ninth inning for his fifth save Tuesday against the Angels.

Dyson has been on a roll since earning his first save opportunity May 11. In seven appearances, he has allowed just one run in six innings with five saves in as many chances. He now has five strikeouts and zero walks since taking the closer's role from Shawn Tolleson and is looking like he has what it takes to hold onto the role for the foreseeable future.


May 25, 2016 1:38 am
Rangers' Martin Perez: Earns win over Angels
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Perez (2-4) allowed five hits and two walks over six shutout innings with six strikeouts in Tuesday's win over the Angels.

Perez had the Angels waving, as he induced 10 swinging strikes in just 89 pitches before the Rangers turned it over to their bullpen. He also showed sharp control, with 18 first-pitch strikes to 23 batters. Perez used a pair of double plays to escape jams and managed to strand the bases loaded to preserve the shutout in the sixth inning. Perez now has allowed two runs or fewer in five of his past six starts and has a 3.13 ERA despite a rough 37:30 K:BB in 60.1 innings.





May 25, 2016 1:28 am
Rangers' Ian Desmond: Steals ninth base in 3-for-4 game against Angels
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Desmond stole a base as part of a 3-for-4 game with a run scored in Tuesday's win over the Angels.

Desmond is on fire this May, as Tuesday's performance marks his 11th multi-hit game in 21 starts this month. He has raised his batting line from .229/.312/.373 at the end of April to .287/.342/.466. Desmond more than hitting well enough for the outfield, and he now has nine stolen bases to go with six home runs as the Rangers' decision to gamble on him is paying dividends.



May 25, 2016 1:22 am
Rangers' Nomar Mazara: Homers in 3-for-3 game against Angels
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Mazara hit his seventh home run, scored twice, knocked in two runs and drew a walk in a 3-for-3 game in Tuesday's win over the Angels.

Mazara his hit safely in six of his past seven games and now has three home runs and six RBI in that stretch. He did a bit of everything in Tuesday's game, a good microcosm of his season -- while he hasn't been great at any one thing, he's been average or better at just about every aspect of hitting this season. His batting line is now up to .317/.364/.483 as he continues to make a case for the Rookie of the Year award.



May 24, 2016 6:26 pm
Rangers' Robinson Chirinos: Could return when eligible June 9
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Chirinos (forearm) is ahead of schedule and could return when he becomes eligible June 9, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Chirinos is currently on the 60-day disabled list due to a broken bone in his right forearm, but the backstop could be ready to go sooner rather than later. June 9 is his earliest possible return date, but he could hit that mark, which would be well ahead of the initial 10-to-12 week timetable. Once activated, the Rangers would have to decide between keeping Bobby Wilson and Bryan Holaday.






May 24, 2016 8:48 am
Rangers' Jared Hoying: Could see regular at-bats against righties
by RotoWire Staff | Special to CBSSports.com
Hoying is expected to split time with Ryan Rua in left field for the duration of Shin-Soo Choo's absence, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reports.

Hoying got the start against right-handed Nick Tropeano in Monday's game, going hitless in two at-bats from the eighth spot before being lifted for Rua in a pinch-hitting role. Being left-handed, Hoying would be on the good side of a strict platoon if Texas elects to dole out playing time in that fashion.



May 24, 2016 8:44 am
Rangers' Shin-Soo Choo: Could miss four weeks due to hamstring strain
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Choo (hamstring) may miss up to four weeks as a result of his injury, "T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Texas will likely be extra cautious in bringing Choo back, seeing as he lasted just two plate appearances following a 40-day absence due to a right calf strain. The MRI showed the strain to be more severe than expected, resulting in the anticipated prolonged absence.

 

[Bmurph]

May 23, 2016 7:58 pm
Rangers' Patrick Kivlehan: Designated for assignment
by RotoWire Staff | Special to CBSSports.com
Kivlehan was designated for assignment Monday.

Kivlehan being designated for assignment makes room for Jared Hoying on the 40-man roster. He will remain with Triple-A Round Rock where he's accumulated a .184 average so far in 2016. The 26-year-old is a career .280 hitter in the minors so it seems likely that he can turn his early-season slump around.




May 23, 2016 7:32 pm
Rangers' Drew Stubbs: Heads to 15-day DL
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Stubbs (toe) was placed on the 15-day DL with a left toe sprain.

Stubbs exited Sunday's game against Houston with the toe injury and it is now revealed that it is severe enough to send him to the DL. Joey Gallo was recalled in a corresponding roster move to replace the 31-year-old outfielder.



May 23, 2016 5:56 pm
Rangers' Yu Darvish: Will start for Texas on Saturday
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Darvish (elbow) will return to the rotation Saturday against the Pirates, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Rangers manager Jeff Banister confirmed that plan while meeting with the media Monday. Darvish had a 21:6 K:BB over 20 innings at Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock during his rehab assignment, but it remains to be seen if he'll face any short-term workload restrictions as he completes the return from Tommy John surgery this weekend.



May 23, 2016 5:52 pm
Rangers' A.J. Griffin: Extending throwing distance
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Griffin (shoulder) is throwing from 80-90 feet but is still at least a week away from throwing off a mound, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Griffin continues to work on building his arm strength and it is likely that he misses another 3-4 weeks due to this injury. More clarity regarding his timetable for return should arise once he starts throwing off a mound again.





May 23, 2016 5:24 pm
Rangers' Shin-Soo Choo: Placed on 15-day DL
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Choo (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to May 21, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Choo will be out at least 15 days and the Rangerswill call up Jared Hoying in his place. After hitting .276/.375/.463 with 22 home runs and 82 RBI in 2015, the 33-year-old has struggled to get anything going this season, hitting just .188 with no home runs and one RBI through six games while constantly battling injury.



May 23, 2016 5:18 pm
Rangers' Josh Hamilton: To have knee surgery; season over
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Hamilton will have knee surgery and miss the rest of the 2016 season, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

He'll have the procedure in early June, but Hamilton's focus will be trying to get healthy enough to contribute in some capacity in 2017. Given the Rangers' outfield depth (even with the recent return of Shin-Soo Choo to the DL), Hamilton's playing time outlook upon return this season was cloudy.




May 23, 2016 4:12 pm
Rangers' Drew Stubbs: Out 1-3 weeks
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Stubbs (toe) is expected to miss 1-3 weeks, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Stubbs had left Sunday's game with a toe injury and will now focus on rehabbing. The 31-year-old is hitting .245/.328/.358 with two home runs and five RBI through 30 games this season.



May 23, 2016 8:40 am
Rangers' Luis Ortiz: Set to make Double-A debut
by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Ortiz will make his debut at Double-A Frisco on Monday.

Ortiz made six starts in the challenging High-A California League, striking out 26 batters against just six walks in 27.2 innings. He'll be one of the younger players in the Texas League as he won't turn 21 until late September.




May 22, 2016 8:18 pm
Rangers' Nomar Mazara: Drives in three runs Sunday
by RotoWire Staff | Special to CBSSports.com
Mazara went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBI Sunday at Houston.

Mazara drove in all of his runs after the Rangersmoved out to a four-run lead in a game they'd win easily. He's now hit four homers this month to give him six on the season, pushing his slash line to .304/.351/.457.




May 22, 2016 8:14 pm
Rangers' Cole Hamels: Strikes out 11 hitters Sunday
by RotoWire Staff | Special to CBSSports.com
Hamels (5-0) allowed two runs, one of which was earned, on five hits and two walks while striking out 11 over eight innings to earn the win Sunday at Houston.

Hamels was staked to a five-run lead in the third inning, and he coasted easily to his fifth victory. After allowing three earned runs in both of his last two outings, he allowed one or fewer earned runs for the fourth time this season, lowering his ERA to 2.83 to go along with a 1.26 WHIP. He'll make his next start Friday against the Pirates.

 

[Bmurph]

WATCH: A montage of best right-handed punches in history of MLB fights
Right-handed punches throughout baseball history are just around the bend


On Sunday, Rangers warrior-poet used his fist of hardened maple to make a polite suggestion to the Blue Jays. You probably heard about this already. Anyhow, in celebration of this sky-scraping moment of infield vigilantism, we present a brief, looping montage of some of the most memorable straight rights/right hooks/overhand rights in baseball history. Come with us, won't you?

Captured above and expertly rendered for your viewing pleasure: Very many right-handed business decisions -- i.e., punches, mostly, plus a four-seam beer heave. Exhaustive list? Of course not!

Now, people of baseball, go forth and demonstrate to those who afflict you that you're not going to take it any more, in which "it" is almost anything, really.


WATCH: A montage of best right-handed punches in history of MLB fights

 

[PhantomWarrior]

Maybe if enough people keep writing about it then maybe the Rangers brain trust will get the picture.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a hitter who has fallen farther than Prince Fielder. His OPS is the fourth worst amongst qualified hitters. This is due to the deadly combination of not getting on base (.269 OBP) and not hitting for power (.088 ISO). If you were looking for a reason to believe in a Fielder bounceback, you would cite his .228 BABIP, but that's not enough for me.
Fielder's on base problem can partially be explained by his low BABIP, but it's also a product of a career low walk rate. The funny thing about that walk rate is that pitchers are throwing him less pitches in the zone than he's seen since 2011. This is explained by the fact that his swinging strike rate is way up and his contact rate is at a career low. Virtually everything you look at in terms of plate discipline shows you a hitter who has trouble guessing when to swing and can't make good contact when he does.

Speaking of those times Fielder does make contact, it's no surprise his power is down. Fielder's hard contact rate of 28.5 percent is the lowest of his career and his ground ball rate is four points higher than his career high. The only time his peripherals have looked this bad was the partial 2014 season when Fielder hit .242 with a .720 OPS. Even once his BABIP regresses that feels about like Fielder's current ceiling unless a big change occurs. He's the most droppable hitter on this list and in my opinion, the least likely to regain his prior form.

Well Atlanta may just be a landing spot for Fielder. However, may cost a few prospects to get the money off our hands.

The 30: Atlanta Wants Your Bad Contracts and Your Good Prospects

The 30: Atlanta Wants Your Bad Contracts and Your Good Prospects