2013 Season Thread

[jta4437]

The Rangers could try to resign Dempster. Perez I feel will be in the Rotation next year. Will Colby Lewis be back? If Hamilton walks the Rangers need to go hard after Cargo. So many ways the Rangers can go. One thing foe sure next Year the Rangers are going to be a different team in many ways.

I think Dempster is ok, but I think Colby Lewis fills the same role for a lot cheaper

 

[Windingmywatch]

I definitely see the Rangers being a player, b/c the rotation is definitely looking very thin after this year

Possible rotation candidates going into next season w/o Greinke:

Darvish, Holland, Harrison, Kirkman, Ogando, Ross, Grimm, Perez, Ramirez, & maybe Lewis as a buy low FA

Other "top" FAs: Anibal Sanchez, Kyle Lohse, Francisco Liriano, Shaun Marcum and MAYBE the Angels don't exercise the options on Haren and/or Santana; none of those really adds much in the way that we need it

Slim FA pickings. TEX may very well play in the negotiations as they normally do to stay close to the market to help them value what is on the shelf.

As I have said before though ... I am not a Greinke fan. He seems too fragile mentally. We'll see how it goes the rest of the way for LAA.

 

[Senator_fan]

Someone will ... probably LAD ... it's a budget so you know what worst case might be. Personally ... I think Greinke wants back in the AL as soon as he can.

If the Dodgers want to take a chance on Hamilton they will shell out for him too, no question. Imagine him and Kemp in the same outfield.

 

[jta4437]

I seriously doubt that the Dodgers get both Hamilton and Greinke, but then again I didn't think the Angels would get Pujols & Wilson last year

 

[Al Falfa]

I don't think we will see Adams, Hamilton, Napoli or Colby back next year. I also don't think we'll see Ross back in the bullpen.

 

[Senator_fan]

I seriously doubt that the Dodgers get both Hamilton and Greinke, but then again I didn't think the Angels would get Pujols & Wilson last year

I don't even know if the Dodgers want Greinke, but if they do it won't be a problem to sign both him and Josh and other players if they put their money where there mouth is. The new ownership immediately said they are going to get heavily involved in the Free Agent market as soon as the clock strikes 12 and the bidding begins.

On top of that you are going to have the Dodgers wanting to out do the Angels for what they pulled off this spring. It's going to be interesting this fall for the Dodgers.

 

[jta4437]

I don't think we will see Adams, Hamilton, Napoli or Colby back next year. I also don't think we'll see Ross back in the bullpen.

Personally, while they might serve a useful role, I don't typically like the placing of young starters in a bullpen @ the ML level (Feliz, Harrison, Holland, Ross, etc...),

especially if you still hold out hope that they'll be a starter someday, I think it stunts their development, they learn to come into games and throw and often don't "pitch" for their 1 inning appearances

Doesn't mean they can't get there, but I think it takes them longer to realize their potential, b/c they have to get back to learning how to pitch to batters multiple times and not just blow them away

It also doesn't affect guys who already have to pitch more than throw, as much, hence Harrison and Ross are less affected by these type of decisons, but Holland and especially Feliz are moreso

 

[Windingmywatch]

I'm with Al ... don't think Adams, Hamilton, or Napoli are back. Could be wrong about Colby. He would be a cheap sign and contract could be conditional of him making the rotation out of camp which would be nice insurance.

Ross ... also don't think he is back in the bullpen but down at AAA working to become an SP. TEX made the mistake of moving Feliz into and out of the closer role to the SP role and tried to do it at the ML level. Think they have learned if they jump a level to use a guy's special talent that sooner or later they may need to retrace some steps they missed the first time.

Feliz will return but probably no earlier than the ASB and then most likely working at AAA to restart the process. Am thinking he's not ready to return to the rotation until 2014 unless pressed to fill in for Joe at the end of 2013.

Ogando ... with Adams not resigned he might become the 8th inning guy unless Lowe finally materializes in that capacity. Would prefer Ogando in the rotation. In my opinion only Ogando is the most capable steady pitcher on the TEX roster. Darn those lost 4 years.

Harrison and Holland will be there in 2013 ... wonder how long Holland will have the asterisk by his name ... * not sure of yet. At best he will never be more than a 2 and more likely a 4.

 

[jta4437]

I don't even know if the Dodgers want Greinke, but if they do it won't be a problem to sign both him and Josh and other players if they put their money where there mouth is. The new ownership immediately said they are going to get heavily involved in the Free Agent market as soon as the clock strikes 12 and the bidding begins.

On top of that you are going to have the Dodgers wanting to out do the Angels for what they pulled off this spring. It's going to be interesting this fall for the Dodgers.

Dodgers currently have 19 players under contract/control that will certainly play a role on next years team at a price tag already in excess of 125+ million (they're still paying Andruw Jones 3.25 for the next 2 season HAHA)

They need a LF, 1B and SP for sure, they have a sure fire ace and solid back end options like Billingsley, Capuano and Harang, so someone like Anibal Sanchez and/or Shaun Marcum makes sense for them

So I don't think they spend all that dough on Greinke

Hamilton certainly is an attractive target for them to play LF, and there are SP options that fill their needs,

But there really isn't much in the way of potential 1B FAs, and not much down on the farm for them, so not sure how they fill that one

Point is, the Dodgers are looking at a payroll next season in the neighborhood of 165-175 million if they go all out... which I don't put past them

 

[jta4437]

I'm with Al ... don't think Adams, Hamilton, or Napoli are back. Could be wrong about Colby. He would be a cheap sign and contract could be conditional of him making the rotation out of camp which would be nice insurance.

Ross ... also don't think he is back in the bullpen but down at AAA working to become an SP. TEX made the mistake of moving Feliz into and out of the closer role to the SP role and tried to do it at the ML level. Think they have learned if they jump a level to use a guy's special talent that sooner or later they may need to retrace some steps they missed the first time.

Feliz will return but probably no earlier than the ASB and then most likely working at AAA to restart the process. Am thinking he's not ready to return to the rotation until 2014 unless pressed to fill in for Joe at the end of 2013.

Ogando ... with Adams not resigned he might become the 8th inning guy unless Lowe finally materializes in that capacity. Would prefer Ogando in the rotation. In my opinion only Ogando is the most capable steady pitcher on the TEX roster. Darn those lost 4 years.

Harrison and Holland will be there in 2013 ... wonder how long Holland will have the asterisk by his name ... * not sure of yet. At best he will never be more than a 2 and more likely a 4.

I think if Adams leaves, you see Ogando in the 8th inning role, if he comes back, then I think Ogando goes to the rotation and spends the offseason working on a reliable 3rd pitch (a splitter might be a good pitch for him)

I could definitely see all or most of Ramirez, Perez, Grimm, Ross and Feliz in AAA (or recovering in Feliz's case) for all or most of the season next year

That leaves Darvish, Holland, Harrison, and Ogando potentially, if they sign Lewis, then I don't feel as bad about the rotation, but for that to work they definitely need a close down 8th inning option to replace Ogando with (I like Lowe, but I don't think he's the guy)

 

[WilltheThrill]

I think the big ? heading into next season is the starting rotation. At this point it's Darvish, Harrison, and a bunch of maybes. Holland- will he thrive, regress, or continue to be a frustrating enigma? Does Dempster return? Does Colby? Will Feliz ever be able to nail down a starting role once healthy? Will Robbie Ross make the successful transition to starter? Feldman? Too many questions.

I really like Ogando as a starter. In terms of talent/stuff, he is second to none on the team (maybe Darvish). I'm not a fan of having the team's best pitcher serve as a set-up man. I'd rather the Rangers re-sign Adams and move Ogando to the rotation. I'd also bring Colby back if the price is reasonable. Despite the injuries/age, he is a very underrated member of the team.

I'd have Darvish-Harrison-Ogando-Colby-Holland-Perez-Ross as the primary 7 starters with injuries and overall consistency determining the 2 odd men out. If we didn't have so many question marks, I'd be much more comfortable with letting Colby and Adams walk and relying on a smaller and more defined group of starters.

 

[romeo212000]

I'd have no problem moving ogando to the rotation and Feliz to the pen.

 

[Windingmywatch]

I think if Adams leaves, you see Ogando in the 8th inning role, if he comes back, then I think Ogando goes to the rotation and spends the offseason working on a reliable 3rd pitch (a splitter might be a good pitch for him)

I could definitely see all or most of Ramirez, Perez, Grimm, Ross and Feliz in AAA (or recovering in Feliz's case) for all or most of the season next year

That leaves Darvish, Holland, Harrison, and Ogando potentially, if they sign Lewis, then I don't feel as bad about the rotation, but for that to work they definitely need a close down 8th inning option to replace Ogando with (I like Lowe, but I don't think he's the guy)

If Lowe's not the guy ... then why is he here? If being a 6th inning cleanup guy then fine but if that is all he can be then TEX needs to move on. Lowe and Holland are a lot alike. They look like nails for 2 batters then throw a meatball on 0-2 that goes into orbit. I think Roy has been using Lowe's locker while he's been out.

 

[jta4437]

If Lowe's not the guy ... then why is he here? If being a 6th inning cleanup guy then fine but if that is all he can be then TEX needs to move on. Lowe and Holland are a lot alike. They look like nails for 2 batters then throw a meatball on 0-2 that goes into orbit. I think Roy has been using Lowe's locker while he's been out.

B/c there are more than 2 roles in a bullpen (set-up and closer), nothing wrong with being a 6th or 7th inning guy, its still a role

 

[jta4437]

I think the big ? heading into next season is the starting rotation. At this point it's Darvish, Harrison, and a bunch of maybes. Holland- will he thrive, regress, or continue to be a frustrating enigma? Does Dempster return? Does Colby? Will Feliz ever be able to nail down a starting role once healthy? Will Robbie Ross make the successful transition to starter? Feldman? Too many questions.

I really like Ogando as a starter. In terms of talent/stuff, he is second to none on the team (maybe Darvish). I'm not a fan of having the team's best pitcher serve as a set-up man. I'd rather the Rangers re-sign Adams and move Ogando to the rotation. I'd also bring Colby back if the price is reasonable. Despite the injuries/age, he is a very underrated member of the team.

I'd have Darvish-Harrison-Ogando-Colby-Holland-Perez-Ross as the primary 7 starters with injuries and overall consistency determining the 2 odd men out. If we didn't have so many question marks, I'd be much more comfortable with letting Colby and Adams walk and relying on a smaller and more defined group of starters.

Darvish, Harrison & Holland are pretty much locks for now

I agree on Colby and I don't think he'll cost much with his injury now, reasonable 2 year contract, 3rd year option

Also agree (obviously) about Adams and Ogando, but Ogando has to develop a 3rd pitch, he can't survive on fastballs ans sliders all day, 2nd half last year shows that

Feliz is pretty much a lost cause for next year, recovery time and I think he'll spend most of his time in AAA working on being a pitcher not a thrower

Don't think Dempster returns, too expensive for what he is, a 3rd starter

Feldman has a 9.25m option and 600k buyout, which do you think the Rangers do? Maybe he re-signs but I think he's looking for a change of scenery

Then there are Ross, Perez and Grimm, unfortunately, I think need will dictate that Ross is back in the ML bullpen and Perez and Grimm will be rotating between AAA and ML starting staffs

I've always been a Ross fan, and now I think he's going to be underutilized in a bullpen due to his ML success, same as Feliz

 

[romeo212000]

I think Perez will be our #5 starter next year.

 

[jta4437]

I think Perez will be our #5 starter next year.

He needs to show he can dominate AAA hitters on a regular basis before I'd consider him for that with confidence

But I see him getting a number of starts next season, and certainly a candidate for the season after next, but I see him being first in the trenches should injury or ineffectiveness occur

 

[jta4437]

Where do these guys play next year, if multi-level jumps, give a % if you like

Leonys Martin: ML/AAA
Mike Olt: ML/AAA
Jorge Alfaro: A+/AA
Kellin Deglan: A+/AA
Rougned Odor: A+/AA
Joey Gallo: A-/A+
Jurickson Profar: AAA/ML
Nomar Mazara: A-
Engel Beltre: AAA
Ronald Guzman: A-
Zach Cone: A+/AA
Lewis Brinson: A-
Leury Garcia: AAA
Luis Sardinas: A+/AA
Nick Williams: A-
Jamie Jarmon: A-
Alberto Triunfel: A-
Jordan Akins: A-/A+

Martin Perez: AAA/ML
Justin Grim: AAA/ML
Tanner Scheppers: ML
Cody Buckel: AA/AAA
Yohander Mendez: AZL
Roman Mendez: AA/AAA
David Perez: A-
Barrett Loux: AAA
Matt West: AA/AAA/ML (september)
Wilmer Font: AA/AAA/ML
Will Lamb: A+/AA
Neil Ramirez: AA/AAA
Victor Payano: A-/A+
Luke Jackson: A-/A+
Kevin Matthews: A-/A+
Randol Rojas: A+/AA

 

[scotsman1948]

they are not going to blow-up the team the way some of you are projecting

 

[jta4437]

How is what is proposed is "blowing it up?"

Letting Hamilton and/or Napoli is just good fiscal sense, other than that you're looking at maybe Lewis, Lowe, Adams, and Feldman leaving via FA, I'm thinking at least 2, if not 3, of those guys return (Adams and Lewis are my top picks)

While we need a #1 badly, I don't see them going out and getting a Greinke and after that, there's not much to be had in terms of what we need

So that leaves the door open for Hamilton to return, and I'd also be ok with trading for a CarGo