2014 All-Star Week Discussion (Rangers Edition)

[donaldson79]

I would crap my pants if greinke came here just sayin

You're pants are safe for another 3 1/2 seasons. So not much to worry about on that front.

 

[donaldson79]

Yu seems like a man who puts his all in winning and playing for a winning team more than seeing how much money he can make. Just my perception

I know I'm gonna receive a ration of shit for this post - perhaps deservedly so - but I'm not at all sure this is a true about Darvish. I know you said it's your perception, but I think it's reflective of what many think.

To me he seems like a guy who is very concerned with his stats - like SO - to me. I'm not saying he doesn't want to win. But I do believe he looks at the box score and wants to see himself "looking good" first.

And I personally don't have any idea of how $$ driven he is or not. So far, he signed with the only team who he could sign with, which is us. This said, I would never blame him for looking at others contracts (i.e. Tanaka, Lester, etc) and adjust accordingly. That's good business.

I'll be the first to admit he's vastly under paid to date.

Fire for effect my friends.

 

[RevSader]

I know I'm gonna receive a ration of shit for this post - perhaps deservedly so - but I'm not at all sure this is a true about Darvish. I know you said it's your perception, but I think it's reflective of what many think.

To me he seems like a guy who is very concerned with his stats - like SO - to me. I'm not saying he doesn't want to win. But I do believe he looks at the box score and wants to see himself "looking good" first.

And I personally don't have any idea of how $$ driven he is or not. So far, he signed with the only team who he could sign with, which is us. This said, I would never blame him for looking at others contracts (i.e. Tanaka, Lester, etc) and adjust accordingly. That's good business.

I'll be the first to admit he's vastly under paid to date.

Fire for effect my friends.

I don't see it that way at all. I see someone who is brutally honest about his performance as a pitcher. He is harder on himself than Wash, JD, or Maddux are ever going to be. I also feel bad for him because a lot of what he says is put under a microscope and dissected a million times. I hope JD finds away to keep him around for the long haul, because he's a joy to watch pitch.

 

[Bmurph]

You're pants are safe for another 3 1/2 seasons. So not much to worry about on that front.

I'm pretty sure Greinke has an opt out clause after next season, think I read on mlb trade rumors where he is watching closely what the FA pitching market yields for guys like Scherzer and others. Doubt we ever land him however

 

[terpsfball09]

You're pants are safe for another 3 1/2 seasons. So not much to worry about on that front.

Greinke was quoted as saying he was seriously going to consider waiving his option depending on lester/scherzer contracts. That would be freakin ideal. We'll be in a little trouble next year. I mean, I understand we're getting everyone back, but our pitching staff blows horribly.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I'm pretty sure Greinke has an opt out clause after next season, think I read on mlb trade rumors where he is watching closely what the FA pitching market yields for guys like Scherzer and others. Doubt we ever land him however

He definitely does. There is an article about it and he even talked about it at the All Star Break.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Greinke Articles on the Opt Out subject:

Will Zack Greinke opt out after 2015? - SweetSpot Blog - ESPN

Dodgers News And Rumors: Zack Greinke May Opt Out After 2015 Season | Dodgers Nation

 

[donaldson79]

Greinke Articles on the Opt Out subject:

Will Zack Greinke opt out after 2015? - SweetSpot Blog - ESPN

Dodgers News And Rumors: Zack Greinke May Opt Out After 2015 Season | Dodgers Nation

Had not seen this. thanks

 

[DT LUNA]

I don't see it that way at all. I see someone who is brutally honest about his performance as a pitcher. He is harder on himself than Wash, JD, or Maddux are ever going to be. I also feel bad for him because a lot of what he says is put under a microscope and dissected a million times. I hope JD finds away to keep him around for the long haul, because he's a joy to watch pitch.

Completely agree especially being brutally honest. I don't know if he looks at box scores are not but I hope he does. Whatever he thinks makes him better is not out of line. The more K's the better and certainly leads to wins and after all that's what it's all about.

 

[RevSader]

This is the shit I was talking about with Fraley...

With last-place Rangers, Yu Darvish has higher goals but says 'it's really hard to motivate myself' | Dallas Morning News

 

[PDay8810]

This is the shit I was talking about with Fraley...

With last-place Rangers, Yu Darvish has higher goals but says 'it's really hard to motivate myself' | Dallas Morning News

what's wrong with that article?

 

[donaldson79]

Completely agree especially being brutally honest. I don't know if he looks at box scores are not but I hope he does. Whatever he thinks makes him better is not out of line. The more K's the better and certainly leads to wins and after all that's what it's all about.

We'll have to agree to disagree.

I know this sounds like I'm completely down on Yu, and that's not true. But what is true, he's absolutely struggled since Oakland spanked his butt, yet again, about a month ago. He's pitched like a # 3 starter ever since. At least to this naked eye.

Although I'm not a hater of Darvish, I don't see an ace out there enough either. An ace goes out there and stops the backslide when a team is struggling. During our 3-22 free fall he's been part of the slide rather than "righter of the ship." His ERA is well over five during this time period too. I know we haven't hit, especially when it counts (RISP). But he hasn't pitched at all well either.

But hey, that's the fun and beauty of this site. Friendly banter, with a dash of horse manure to keep things interesting.

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

K.Law's updated "Top 50 prospects" list... which includes 3 Rangers.
MLB - Keith Law's top 50 MLB prospects - ESPN

18. Joey Gallo, 3B | Texas Rangers
Age: 20 | Current Level: AA (Frisco)
Preseason Ranking: N/A

Not sure I need to say much more -- this is the best power bat in the minors, a game-changing kind of hitter if he can make enough contact. He's already made so many adjustments in the last 24 months, really reducing his weaknesses now to hard stuff on the inner half, that he should reach that point in the next two years.


31. Jorge Alfaro, C | Texas Rangers
Age: 21 | Current Level: High A (Myrtle Beach)
Preseason Ranking: 44

Alfaro has two grade-80 tools in his power and arm and he has the bat speed to hit for average. However his plate discipline isn't progressing and his receiving is a mixed bag, sometimes above-average, sometimes appearing like he's taking a play or two off. There's still a substantial amount of upside here -- a catcher who can hit 20-to-25 homers a year and shut down the running game is a star even with a low .300s OBP -- but I'd like to see more consistent progress in his game.


48. Lewis Brinson, CF | Texas Rangers
Age: 20 | Current Level: High A (Myrtle Beach)
Preseason Ranking: N/A

Brinson is a plus defender in center already and has substantial raw power from his quick, strong wrists, but he struck out 191 times last year in low-A and hit just .232, so the Rangers sent him back to Hickory for a second year. He improved across the board this year, as a good player should when repeating a league, and earned a promotion a week ago to high-A Myrtle Beach. Even if Brinson were to strike out 30% of the time in the majors, he has the defense and power to be an extremely valuable regular, 3-4 WAR a year or more depending on what other value he can provide with the bat.

 

[RevSader]

what's wrong with that article?

If you don't know what is wrong with that article, then I cannot help you, sir. It's a hack job meant to stir the pot for absolutely no reason. He implies that Darvish is mentally weak and straight up questions his "acehood."

It would be like saying Adrian Beltre is a bad leader because he had a bad April. It's non sequitur red herring click bait.

 

[donaldson79]

K.Law's updated "Top 50 prospects" list... which includes 3 Rangers.
MLB - Keith Law's top 50 MLB prospects - ESPN

18. Joey Gallo, 3B | Texas Rangers
Age: 20 | Current Level: AA (Frisco)
Preseason Ranking: N/A

Not sure I need to say much more -- this is the best power bat in the minors, a game-changing kind of hitter if he can make enough contact. He's already made so many adjustments in the last 24 months, really reducing his weaknesses now to hard stuff on the inner half, that he should reach that point in the next two years.


31. Jorge Alfaro, C | Texas Rangers
Age: 21 | Current Level: High A (Myrtle Beach)
Preseason Ranking: 44

Alfaro has two grade-80 tools in his power and arm and he has the bat speed to hit for average. However his plate discipline isn't progressing and his receiving is a mixed bag, sometimes above-average, sometimes appearing like he's taking a play or two off. There's still a substantial amount of upside here -- a catcher who can hit 20-to-25 homers a year and shut down the running game is a star even with a low .300s OBP -- but I'd like to see more consistent progress in his game.


48. Lewis Brinson, CF | Texas Rangers
Age: 20 | Current Level: High A (Myrtle Beach)
Preseason Ranking: N/A

Brinson is a plus defender in center already and has substantial raw power from his quick, strong wrists, but he struck out 191 times last year in low-A and hit just .232, so the Rangers sent him back to Hickory for a second year. He improved across the board this year, as a good player should when repeating a league, and earned a promotion a week ago to high-A Myrtle Beach. Even if Brinson were to strike out 30% of the time in the majors, he has the defense and power to be an extremely valuable regular, 3-4 WAR a year or more depending on what other value he can provide with the bat.

Not at all surprised with Gallo and Alfaro. Expected actually. But that's some good news on Brinson.

 

[PDay8810]

If you don't know what is wrong with that article, then I cannot help you, sir. It's a hack job meant to stir the pot for absolutely no reason. He implies that Darvish is mentally weak and straight up questions his "acehood."

It would be like saying Adrian Beltre is a bad leader because he had a bad April. It's non sequitur red herring click bait.

Please help me. I see quotes made...where exactly is this hack job stirring the pot?

On Tuesday night in Minneapolis, Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish was buoyant after pitching a perfect inning in the All-Star Game. Now, it is back to the hard reality of the Rangers’ season. Darvish does not escape scrutiny for what has gone wrong with this team. (here?)

When the Rangers needed Darvish at his best, he did not respond. (here?)
Darvish’s overall first-half performance — 8-5 with a 2.97 ERA in 17 starts — was strong enough to put him on the American League All-Star team for the third consecutive year. Darvish expressed ambivalence about his showing. “I have higher goals,” said Darvish, speaking through an interpreter. “The results in the first half, I think I was lucky.” What Darvish called luck ran out in the last month...(here?)
Darvish made five starts during the club’s 3-22 collapse leading into the All-Star break. The Rangers went 1-4 in his games, and Darvish was 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA. A team with an ace does not have a 3-22 stretch.


How much of a difference would five well-pitched games by Darvish have made in this historically bad stretch? Would the Rangers simply have gone 7-18 instead of 3-22? Or would the security of a strong pitching performance every fifth game by the All-Star have provided a needed emotional lift? (here?) Manager Ron Washington set the second-half goal for his No. 1 pitcher as “get back to being Darvish and keeping us in games.” Washington characterized Darvish’s recent starts as “erratic.”
Said Washington: “He usually finds himself during the course of a ballgame. There’s been a couple of games there when he was having trouble finding the pitches he wanted to use as a combination.”
The retreat began for the Rangers and Darvish with his start at Oakland on June 17. (Here?)

The Rangers had beaten Oakland on the previous evening to go to 3-1 on a make-or-break trip. They were seven games behind the division-leading Athletics at 35-35. General manager Jon Daniels still saw possibilities for the club, which would be getting reinforcements from injured players.
The situation was ripe for a statement performance by Darvish against the Athletics. The lineup gave him a 1-0 lead before his first pitch. Shut down the Athletics, and the Rangers can feel good about their survival instincts. The lead was gone by the second inning. Darvish allowed seven runs in five innings of a 10-6 loss for his eighth consecutive loss against Oakland. The Rangers took the psychological hit of seeing their No. 1 starter again failing against the division’s top team. (Here?) Neither Darvish nor the Rangers has been the same since that game. “I cannot pinpoint what went wrong, when it went wrong, how it went wrong,” Darvish said. “But the team is still fighting.” Said Washington: “Darvish is not a spring chicken. I don’t think he would allow something like that to affect his mentality.”
Oakland dented Darvish in April, too.


He was 1-0 with a 1.61 ERA after four starts going into a meeting with the Athletics on April 28. They spanked him for four runs in 31/3 innings in a loss. Starting with that game, Darvish is 7-5 with an ordinary 3.40 ERA in 13 starts. Darvish now must deal with an unfamiliar situation: playing out the season with a club going nowhere. His rookie season of 2005 with Hokkaido Nippon Ham of the Japan Central League is the only time he has been with a club that finished with a losing record. “It’s really hard to motivate myself, especially with the team in the situation that we’re in,” Darvish said. “People lack focus sometimes when they’re in this situation. But as a professional baseball player, I have to do whatever I have to do.”


Darvish will start the second-half opener at Toronto on Friday. His stated goal for the remainder of the season is to go deeper into games, giving the club a better chance of winning. The Rangers have done that in a Darvish start once in the last month.

 

[Nightcrawler]

K.Law's updated "Top 50 prospects" list... which includes 3 Rangers.
MLB - Keith Law's top 50 MLB prospects - ESPN

18. Joey Gallo, 3B | Texas Rangers
Age: 20 | Current Level: AA (Frisco)
Preseason Ranking: N/A

Not sure I need to say much more -- this is the best power bat in the minors, a game-changing kind of hitter if he can make enough contact. He's already made so many adjustments in the last 24 months, really reducing his weaknesses now to hard stuff on the inner half, that he should reach that point in the next two years.


31. Jorge Alfaro, C | Texas Rangers
Age: 21 | Current Level: High A (Myrtle Beach)
Preseason Ranking: 44

Alfaro has two grade-80 tools in his power and arm and he has the bat speed to hit for average. However his plate discipline isn't progressing and his receiving is a mixed bag, sometimes above-average, sometimes appearing like he's taking a play or two off. There's still a substantial amount of upside here -- a catcher who can hit 20-to-25 homers a year and shut down the running game is a star even with a low .300s OBP -- but I'd like to see more consistent progress in his game.


48. Lewis Brinson, CF | Texas Rangers
Age: 20 | Current Level: High A (Myrtle Beach)
Preseason Ranking: N/A

Brinson is a plus defender in center already and has substantial raw power from his quick, strong wrists, but he struck out 191 times last year in low-A and hit just .232, so the Rangers sent him back to Hickory for a second year. He improved across the board this year, as a good player should when repeating a league, and earned a promotion a week ago to high-A Myrtle Beach. Even if Brinson were to strike out 30% of the time in the majors, he has the defense and power to be an extremely valuable regular, 3-4 WAR a year or more depending on what other value he can provide with the bat.

Ouch..... Only 3 Rangers on the list. Need to rebuild the farm....

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

Ouch..... Only 3 Rangers on the list. Need to rebuild the farm....

My sarcasm meter is showing "off the charts" readings......

 

[donaldson79]

Ouch..... Only 3 Rangers on the list. Need to rebuild the farm....

The Twins, Astros and Cubs dominate the list. And they all three have struggled beyond struggled for years. In Chicago's case, generations.

Normally, when a team does as well as we've done over the past 5 years - give or take - it's hard to have a terrific big club and a fantastic farm system too. The Cardinals have managed to do this some, and we've done well too overall. But the losing teams get better draft positions and it should stack the deck for them in the minors anyway.

 

[terpsfball09]

Its not the amount of rangers on that list that bothers me... its the lack of pitching. Especially when its going to be an almost desperate need this offseason to even have a glimmer of hope next year. We are simply unable to sign FA pitchers, so we need to raise them or trade for them. We don't have any guys in our entire farm that I'd even project as being a #2. That's why our draft pick next year is so important. Get the first top notch pitching prospect this org has had in many years. Even better than MP