2012 season thread

[WilltheThrill]

Wash is a player's manager until he has reporters dare to question his moves, at which point he's totally fine with throwing them under the bus. When challenged about lifting a 2-HR Mitch Moreland, he responds with "have you seen how bad Mitch is against lefties"? And now when asked why Oswalt didn't pitch another inning, instead of just saying something general about Oswalt being tired, he undercuts Oswalt with "he refused to pitch, go ask him why". Even if that is 100% accurate, that's something which should be kept in-house.

Again, Ron will defend his players as long as it's in the best interest of his own image.

 

[jta4437]

Fangraph's WAR rankings w/ PAs:
Andrus: 3.7 (479)
Hamilton: 3.3 (434)
Beltre: 3.3 (439)
Kinsler: 3.1 (494)
Gentry: 2.9 (208)
Murphy: 2.2 (315)
Cruz: 1.6 (436)
Napoli: 1.3 (355)
Moreland: 0.7 (199)
Snyder: 0.2 (68)
Gonzalez: 0.1 (55)
Torrealba: 0.0 (182)
Young: -1.4 (448)

WAR is an accumulative stat, meaning more PAs usually leads to higher WAR

Yet there are Gentry and Murphy with 523 combined PAs yet a 5.1 WAR

And before you go off on a splits argument Gentry has 110 PAs vs RHPs, and managed the 3rd highest average on the team @ .293 (.736 OPS), while Young trudges along with a .250 average (.600 OPS)

While against LHPs Murphy has managed a .375 average (.857 OPS), which is.... #1 on the team, albeit in 44 PAs, but has just now garnered more playing time against LHPs,

but why is Gentry not afforded the same opportunity to play regularly? He's certainly shown competence against both handed pitchers... actually recieving MORE against RHPs... 110 vs 98

If only they factored leadership into WAR, maybe then Young would be a replacement level player... Maybe Young is leading by example and thats why the rest of the offense has been sucking it up lately

Its time to roll out this lineup regularly with Murphy getting off the field and playing DH:
Kinsler
Andrus
Hamilton
Beltre
Cruz
Murphy
Napoli
Moreland
Gentry

 

[Windingmywatch]

If TEX isn't going to start Gonzalez when Elvis isn't available ... then it would be better served to carry another bat or pitcher.

Starting MY at SS for only the second time in 4 years was a bad move and sends a terrible message to the rest of the team. It's not like MY hasn't kicked a dozen DPs in the past 2 years at 1b. But if TEX can't trust Gonzalez to play SS then he needs to go today.

Not sure why TEX would use Soto at DH thereby exposing them if Napoli had to leave the game. More logical option would have been to have Olt DH.

The last two games have been total idiocy in high risk bad decisions by management.

This is not fun baseball.

 

[romeo212000]

If TEX isn't going to start Gonzalez when Elvis isn't available ... then it would be better served to carry another bat or pitcher.

Starting MY at SS for only the second time in 4 years was a bad move and sends a terrible message to the rest of the team. It's not like MY hasn't kicked a dozen DPs in the past 2 years at 1b. But if TEX can't trust Gonzalez to play SS then he needs to go today.

Not sure why TEX would use Soto at DH thereby exposing them if Napoli had to leave the game. More logical option would have been to have Olt DH.

The last two games have been total idiocy in high risk bad decisions by management.

This is not fun baseball.

Wash is making stupid decisions that put this team in bad positions based soley on his ego and stubbornness. Getting to October probably isn't the problem. However, we won't make it back to the WS with him pulling the strings.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Young is the problem. Were Young not having to be given a spot in the lineup every night Wash' decisions would be lots easier.

Young is playing below replacement value and no reason to see him improving the rest of the way this season or next.

Just like I pushed for TEX to eliminate its last backup catcher because they were not a part of next year's program and wasn't contributing to winning this year ... only way TEX gets back to the playoffs this year is to relegate MY to a bench role and put the best lineup on the field every night.

Would rather see TEX release Young at the end of the year ... eat his $16mil ... and replace him on the roster with a $480K minor league prospect.

 

[romeo212000]

Young is the problem. Were Young not having to be given a spot in the lineup every night Wash' decisions would be lots easier.

Young is playing below replacement value and no reason to see him improving the rest of the way this season or next.

Just like I pushed for TEX to eliminate its last backup catcher because they were not a part of next year's program and wasn't contributing to winning this year ... only way TEX gets back to the playoffs this year is to relegate MY to a bench role and put the best lineup on the field every night.

Would rather see TEX release Young at the end of the year ... eat his $16mil ... and replace him on the roster with a $480K minor league prospect.

Wash writes that lineup card every night. Not Young.

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

This had me laughing...

 

[romeo212000]

This had me laughing...

Lol. Thanks for making me laugh.

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

Stats -- The Rangers' Hitters Since the All Star Break - Lone Star Ball

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

http://trsullivan.mlblogs.com/2012/08/07/oswalt-washington-talk-clear-up-sundays-situation/

Oswalt, Washington talk, clear up Sunday’s situation

Roy Oswalt spoke with Rangers manager Ron Washington on Tuesday to discuss what happened on Sunday afternoon in Kansas City. He also spoke with reporters.

Oswalt said that the reason why he told the Rangers he had pitched enough on Sunday was he had thrown over 200 pitches in less than a week. That’s why he told the Rangers he didn’t want to go out for a third inning on Sunday.

Oswalt threw 96 pitches in a start against the Angels on Monday. He said he also threw 50-60 pitches in a bullpen session on Wednesday in anticipation of his next start. But he was moved to the bullpen and made two appearances. He threw 24 pitches against the Angels on Thursday and 30 against the Royals on Sunday.

That put him over 200 pitches and he was concerned about the workload without being familar with his new role. Another one or two innings would have pushed him over 250 pitches.

Oswalt made it clear he still wants to start. But he said he is willing to pitch out of the bullpen whenever the Rangers need him. He said he has not asked to be traded.

 

[fordman84]

So the rumor was that before the season Nap turned down a Rangers off of 4 years at $9M per because he wanted $11per.

Wonder if he would sign that $9M per in a heartbeat right now? he was a stud the second half of last year, but what we have right now is the typical Napoli. I'd say on the market right now he would be lucky to get 4 at 9per. I bet he is looking at a 3 year deal around $7per...tops.

 

[jta4437]

So the rumor was that before the season Nap turned down a Rangers off of 4 years at $9M per because he wanted $11per.

Wonder if he would sign that $9M per in a heartbeat right now? he was a stud the second half of last year, but what we have right now is the typical Napoli. I'd say on the market right now he would be lucky to get 4 at 9per. I bet he is looking at a 3 year deal around $7per...tops.

This isn't even typical napoli right now, this is below career average Napoli,

But you're right, he has murdered his contract leverage

 

[fordman84]

This isn't even typical napoli right now, this is below career average Napoli,

But you're right, he has murdered his contract leverage

True, this is worse than he normally hits. His agent should be fired though. When you have a massive half year that stands out from the rest of your career, you strike while that iron is hot. if not, something like this could happen. And now there are rumors that he is sitting so much because of sore legs. So does that add "wearing down body" to the list of strikes against a long and lucrative contract? If I'm Texas, I call in his agent and make an offer. I make it clear this isn't a lowball because of the situation offer. Maybe with the contract settled he chills out and starts smashing again. 3 years at $9M per. That proves it isn't a lowball, almost the same offer but with one year trimmed off. See if he would sign that and maybe focus on station to station baseball again.

 

[romeo212000]

I don't care how many years you cut off. Offering 9m per to a guy performing like this and only getting older isn't smart.

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

I dont think he gets $7M per on the market currently... He hasnt been that great defensively this season either.

Some of the best moves are the ones you dont make. (IE...not extending Nap)

 

[jta4437]

I think if you keep Napoli, lets say 3 and 8, then you would have to serisouly consider carrying 3 catchers, along with Soto, so you could play both in the lineup at the same time and give Napoli plenty of time off from behind the plate, yet keep him in the lineup,

but then again, we know Young is going to be the full-time DH AGAIN next year

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

I think if you keep Napoli, lets say 3 and 8, then you would have to serisouly consider carrying 3 catchers, along with Soto, so you could play both in the lineup at the same time and give Napoli plenty of time off from behind the plate, yet keep him in the lineup,

but then again, we know Young is going to be the full-time DH AGAIN next year

3yrs for 8M? Or 3yrs at 8M per?

 

[jta4437]

3 at 8 per, just an arbitrary number based on the discussion thus far

 

[Windingmywatch]

3 at 8 per, just an arbitrary number based on the discussion thus far

How about 2 for 8 with performance vesting for an option year @ 9?

 

[Windingmywatch]

Oswalt looks good.

Would prefer to see him in Holland's spot right now.