2014 Offseason Plans Thread

[ESPN Refugee]

Successful offseason so far? You have a very liberal interpretation of the word successful. We've lost Ian Kinsler, Craig Gentry, Nelson Cruz, AJ Pierzynski, Joe Nathan, and Josh Lindblom and gained Prince Fielder, JP Arencibia, and Michael Choice. We've lost both offense and defense. Even if you somehow believe Prince Fielder can provide the total combined offense of Kinsler and Cruz (which he can't), there is no way to spin Arencibia + Choice as increased offensive output over Pierzynski + Gentry. We lost our closer and a fill-in starter/bullpen guy and added no one.

The offseason for sure can still be a success with time left to sign/trade for some real offense. But to call it "successful" to this point is beyond optimistic.

The keywords are so far. And no I don't believe we've lost as much as people think.

Fielders bat is far far superior to that of Kinslers. Plus with Kins gone it finally gives Profar a home at 2B. He'll take his lumps I am sure but I think he could also very well surprise people with a lot of growth from last season.

I loved kitten face as much as the next person but we lost a 4th OF'er with quite a few intangibles. He's on the wrong side of 30 so I'm not really concerned over his loss to be honest. We have guys like Choice and Beltre to fill his void adequately.

Glad AJP is gone. He drove me crazy with his shitty defense and shitty plate discipline. Yes he has a decent bat and had some good moments this season but that loss doesn't scare me one iota.

Joe Nathan had a couple of great seasons here but he was expendable. There is plenty of depth who can fill his shoes and will be far far cheaper. There was not room for him and I'm ok with not risking of keeping him and having that age wall and bug hit here in Arlington.

The loss of Cruz could be big but he's still in play. I do think there will be a move to be made to add some bat but it may not be anything huge. Could very well be an under the radar type move.

So yes all in all I do think this off season has been a success given the direction of this team and where it's trying to go. This team is more and more removed for the WS teams and I'm totally ok with it. Getting change and not getting stale is a great thing for an organization to do.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

What! The Phillies are actively shopping Domonic Brown.

 

[Broseidon]

Successful offseason so far? You have a very liberal interpretation of the word successful. We've lost Ian Kinsler, Craig Gentry, Nelson Cruz, AJ Pierzynski, Joe Nathan, and Josh Lindblom and gained Prince Fielder, JP Arencibia, and Michael Choice. We've lost both offense and defense. Even if you somehow believe Prince Fielder can provide the total combined offense of Kinsler and Cruz (which he can't), there is no way to spin Arencibia + Choice as increased offensive output over Pierzynski + Gentry. We lost our closer and a fill-in starter/bullpen guy and added no one.

The offseason for sure can still be a success with time left to sign/trade for some real offense. But to call it "successful" to this point is beyond optimistic.

I think the org feels that by trading Kinsler they added Fielder and Profar, which could easily replace what Kins and Cruz gave you last season.

Feliz easily replaces Nathan at closer, with other attractive closer options in house. And, nobody in the front office lost a moment of sleep when they dealt Lindblom. Rangers have plenty of #5/6/7 types to replace him.

I agree that there is work to be done tho

 

[PDay8810]

agree that that there is work to be done tho"


Choo looks better and better
might panic a little should Choo sign elsewhere

 

[Broseidon]

What! The Phillies are actively shopping Domonic Brown.

Ruin Tomorrow Jr

 

[Hambombs]

I think choo could be must

 

[Hambombs]

I don't know why everyone is panicking though we only lost 2 less games then we did in 2012

 

[Broseidon]

Why not offer Choo less years but at a higher AAV? I dunno 3/72 or something

 

[ESPN Refugee]

I think choo could be must

Not at his price demand.

 

[WilltheThrill]

I think the org feels that by trading Kinsler they added Fielder and Profar, which could easily replace what Kins and Cruz gave you last season.

Feliz easily replaces Nathan at closer, with other attractive closer options in house. And, nobody in the front office lost a moment of sleep when they dealt Lindblom. Rangers have plenty of #5/6/7 types to replace him.

I agree that there is work to be done tho

Not sure how you can say "Feliz easily replaces Nathan as closer". Neftali is coming off of major surgery and was only healthy enough to pitch a few innings at the end of last season, where he didn't resemble himself at all. Even when he was healthy pre-injury, he had his share of struggles. Switching from a veteran closer like Nathan (a top-5 closer despite his sometimes shaky outings) to a young guy coming back from major surgery is not an "easy replacement". Soria and Scheppers are around too, so there are options to close for sure. But it's way too early to just assume that the Rangers won't miss a beat there.

 

[Hambombs]

Why not offer Choo less years but at a higher AAV? I dunno 3/72 or something

lolol I think he would not like that offer. To low

 

[Broseidon]

I don't know why everyone is panicking though we only lost 2 less games then we did in 2012

It's the winter hot stove, optimism doesn't come until springtime.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Ruin Tomorrow Jr

I didn't get that. He has offensive talent but was reading his defense is mediocre and I know Terps said JD called the Phillies about him. And he is controllable for 4 more years. But I do not know that much about him. Does he have some issues?

 

[Hambombs]

Not sure how you can say "Feliz easily replaces Nathan as closer". Neftali is coming off of major surgery and was only healthy enough to pitch a few innings at the end of last season, where he didn't resemble himself at all. Even when he was healthy pre-injury, he had his share of struggles. Switching from a veteran closer like Nathan (a top-5 closer despite his sometimes shaky outings) to a young guy coming back from major surgery is not an "easy replacement". Soria and Scheppers are around too, so there are options to close for sure. But it's way too early to just assume that the Rangers won't miss a beat there.

Not only neftali. But we have schleppers, soria ect

 

[ESPN Refugee]

Why not offer Choo less years but at a higher AAV? I dunno 3/72 or something

He's 31. This is going to be his last opportunity at a big boy break the bank contract. He's going to get at least 5-6 years.

 

[Broseidon]

I didn't get that. He has offensive talent but was reading his defense is mediocre and I know Terps said JD called the Phillies about him. And he is controllable for 4 more years. But I do not know that much about him. Does he have some issues?

Ruben Amaro Jr is a dumbass.

I think Brown has some struggles against RHP, but not exactly sure why they'd trade him.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Not sure how you can say "Feliz easily replaces Nathan as closer". Neftali is coming off of major surgery and was only healthy enough to pitch a few innings at the end of last season, where he didn't resemble himself at all. Even when he was healthy pre-injury, he had his share of struggles. Switching from a veteran closer like Nathan (a top-5 closer despite his sometimes shaky outings) to a young guy coming back from major surgery is not an "easy replacement". Soria and Scheppers are around too, so there are options to close for sure. But it's way too early to just assume that the Rangers won't miss a beat there.

I hope to never see that deer in the headlight look from Feliz when in a tough moment. Can be tough closing in those situations for a young player.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Ruben Amaro Jr is a dumbass.

I think Brown has some struggles against RHP, but not exactly sure why they'd trade him.

Okay, gotcha. Yeah, he is an idiot. Guess he wants to keep making the team older.

 

[WilltheThrill]

The keywords are so far. And no I don't believe we've lost as much as people think.

Fielders bat is far far superior to that of Kinslers. Plus with Kins gone it finally gives Profar a home at 2B. He'll take his lumps I am sure but I think he could also very well surprise people with a lot of growth from last season.

I loved kitten face as much as the next person but we lost a 4th OF'er with quite a few intangibles. He's on the wrong side of 30 so I'm not really concerned over his loss to be honest. We have guys like Choice and Beltre to fill his void adequately.

Glad AJP is gone. He drove me crazy with his shitty defense and shitty plate discipline. Yes he has a decent bat and had some good moments this season but that loss doesn't scare me one iota.

Joe Nathan had a couple of great seasons here but he was expendable. There is plenty of depth who can fill his shoes and will be far far cheaper. There was not room for him and I'm ok with not risking of keeping him and having that age wall and bug hit here in Arlington.

The loss of Cruz could be big but he's still in play. I do think there will be a move to be made to add some bat but it may not be anything huge. Could very well be an under the radar type move.

So yes all in all I do think this off season has been a success given the direction of this team and where it's trying to go. This team is more and more removed for the WS teams and I'm totally ok with it. Getting change and not getting stale is a great thing for an organization to do.

It's a bit of a stretch to say Fielder's bat is far, far better than Kinsler's. Their batting averages and on-base percentages are quite similar. Fielder does hit twice as many HR's but he also strikes out twice as often. There's also the position factor. Kinsler's production for a 2B is on par with Fielder's for a 1B. Sure Fielder is the overall more dangerous and productive hitter and it for sure is an upgrade. But the gap between the two isn't as dramatic as you're making it out to be.

Also, I have no problem with the losses the team has incurred, as those players are replaceable for sure. But therein lies my problem with saying that the offseason has been a success so far. Those players, even the mediocre Lindblom, haven't been replaced. You can't lose decent players and just not replace them. That's why I disagree with the notion that the Rangers are fine standing pat at the Winter Meetings and just rest on their "success so far". At the very least JD needs to spend the next few days laying the groundwork for 1-2 big additions, whether through signings or trades.

 

[Broseidon]

Not sure how you can say "Feliz easily replaces Nathan as closer". Neftali is coming off of major surgery and was only healthy enough to pitch a few innings at the end of last season, where he didn't resemble himself at all. Even when he was healthy pre-injury, he had his share of struggles. Switching from a veteran closer like Nathan (a top-5 closer despite his sometimes shaky outings) to a young guy coming back from major surgery is not an "easy replacement". Soria and Scheppers are around too, so there are options to close for sure. But it's way too early to just assume that the Rangers won't miss a beat there.

Nathan didnt resemble himself when he came back the year after TJ, but was lights out 2 years removed from surgery. Feliz will be 2 years removed from TJ this season. I know it's not guaranteed, but reports expect him to be fully recovered.