2014 Offseason

[romeo212000]

Would be very interested IMO

Of course you would

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I like Smolinski, but I just don't see his upside being that high.

His minor league stats agree with you but there was something about his mental toughness he seemed to have that I liked and it was carrying over to the field with his play.

 

[Hambombs]

Honestly why wouldn't you guys like cliffs lee? He's probably your 2nd best starter assuming good health. I would do it for a good prospect if they eat a little more than half the salary

 

[donaldson79]

Honestly why wouldn't you guys like cliffs lee? He's probably your 2nd best starter assuming good health. I would do it for a good prospect if they eat a little more than half the salary

For me, there's several reasons, but the most compelling is, we have so many questions to answer from positional players for 2015, I don't want us to throw money/prospects at a guy who'll be 37 late next season, has thrown about 2200 innings at the major league level, and seems like he's ready to have a breakdown.

I REALLY don't want us to let go of some good youngsters to get and older player. Period.

Honestly Ham, this isn't nearly as much as a negative toward Lee as it is me being cautious toward 2015. And do keep in mind the Phillies are looking to retool completely, and they want good young players, and lots of em. Lee will come at a pretty steep price me thinks.

If we see bounce back years from EA, Choo, Prince, then we'll have time to make a move at the proper time. To me, before ST even begins, isn't the the proper time for a major move like this.

 

[DT LUNA]

For me, there's several reasons, but the most compelling is, we have so many questions to answer from positional players for 2015, I don't want us to throw money/prospects at a guy who'll be 37 late next season, has thrown about 2200 innings at the major league level, and seems like he's ready to have a breakdown.

I REALLY don't want us to let go of some good youngsters to get and older player. Period.

Honestly Ham, this isn't nearly as much as a negative toward Lee as it is me being cautious toward 2015. And do keep in mind the Phillies are looking to retool completely, and they want good young players, and lots of em. Lee will come at a pretty steep price me thinks.

If we see bounce back years from EA, Choo, Prince, then we'll have time to make a move at the proper time. To me, before ST even begins, isn't the the proper time for a major move like this.

Seems like he made it clear that he and family did not want to be here. That was when he left here to go to Philly.

 

[jta4437]

Honestly why wouldn't you guys like cliffs lee? He's probably your 2nd best starter assuming good health. I would do it for a good prospect if they eat a little more than half the salary

36 year old pitcher coming off his worst season performance and injury wise since 2007 getting paid 25 million, thats all the reason I need to stay away

They can kick in money sure, but that means better prospects, which I'm not really looking to do at this point

I'd rather play 2015 as wait and see mode, see what some of the prospects have and if things go our way, big if, then we could be competitive this year and look to deal around the deadline, if not see what we have going into next year and go from there

 

[jta4437]

being cautious toward 2015.

Exactly

 

[donaldson79]

Seems like he made it clear that he and family did not want to be here. That was when he left here to go to Philly.

I think you're taking his leaving here as total negative, and it wasn't. Maybe I'm misunderstanding. Done this recently.

If I'm understanding everything he liked it here, loved the team concept - although I suspect (in hindsight) - he may have had his problems with RW. Is this necessarily a negative toward DFW and the Rangers?

But you're 100% correct in that it was a family decision. A decision I respect, and leave it at that.

His wife didn't enjoy it here. It wasn't people driven problem. But unfortunately she got to experience the hottest summer in DFW history, and she hated it. She also had a difficult time dealing with the traffic. Both of these situations aren't gonna change so much.

Also, they have a special needs child and apparently Philly has a terrific hospital/school, etc to deal with this very difficult family situation.

But as far as baseball is concerned, certainly he'd be a welcome addition, both on and off the field. And in fairness to him, I strongly suspect he knows the finish line for his career is much sooner than later.

But this changes nothing for me in the evaluation of acquiring him. No, no and hell no, right now to making this type of commitment.

 

[scotsman1948]

DeShields for one.

hoying and richardson for 2 & 3

 

[WilltheThrill]

For me, there's several reasons, but the most compelling is, we have so many questions to answer from positional players for 2015, I don't want us to throw money/prospects at a guy who'll be 37 late next season, has thrown about 2200 innings at the major league level, and seems like he's ready to have a breakdown.

I REALLY don't want us to let go of some good youngsters to get and older player. Period.

Honestly Ham, this isn't nearly as much as a negative toward Lee as it is me being cautious toward 2015. And do keep in mind the Phillies are looking to retool completely, and they want good young players, and lots of em. Lee will come at a pretty steep price me thinks.

If we see bounce back years from EA, Choo, Prince, then we'll have time to make a move at the proper time. To me, before ST even begins, isn't the the proper time for a major move like this.

Well said.

 

[WilltheThrill]

36 year old pitcher coming off his worst season performance and injury wise since 2007 getting paid 25 million, thats all the reason I need to stay away

They can kick in money sure, but that means better prospects, which I'm not really looking to do at this point

I'd rather play 2015 as wait and see mode, see what some of the prospects have and if things go our way, big if, then we could be competitive this year and look to deal around the deadline, if not see what we have going into next year and go from there

Yep.

Now, fast forward to the trade deadline... if Elvis, Choo, and Fielder have all had bounce-back years, if the Rangers are in first place, if the Darvish-Holland-Gallardo trio just needs a 4th member to really lock down the playoffs, AND if Cliff Lee has proven he still has a little Cliff Lee magic left, then that's a different story.

But that's a lot of if's.

 

[jta4437]

Yep.

Now, fast forward to the trade deadline... if Elvis, Choo, and Fielder have all had bounce-back years, if the Rangers are in first place, if the Darvish-Holland-Gallardo trio just needs a 4th member to really lock down the playoffs, AND if Cliff Lee has proven he still has a little Cliff Lee magic left, then that's a different story.

But that's a lot of if's.

We have too many if's to sort out as it is, to add an expensive if to the list (money and prospects) makes it a bad move right now,

Yes I'm just reiterating the point we both just made haha

If the stars align then so be it, but if the stars are aligning then we probably aren't needing Cliff Lee anyway

 

[RevSader]

Yep.

Now, fast forward to the trade deadline... if Elvis, Choo, and Fielder have all had bounce-back years, if the Rangers are in first place, if the Darvish-Holland-Gallardo trio just needs a 4th member to really lock down the playoffs, AND if Cliff Lee has proven he still has a little Cliff Lee magic left, then that's a different story.

But that's a lot of if's.

Indeed. Flags fly forever. I would give up a lot for the past to change and Texas get that final strike in 2011.

 

[donaldson79]

We have too many if's to sort out as it is, to add an expensive if to the list (money and prospects) makes it a bad move right now,

Yes I'm just reiterating the point we both just made haha

If the stars align then so be it, but if the stars are aligning then we probably aren't needing Cliff Lee anyway[/QUOTE]

hahaha.....Now ain't that the truth.

I'm all in on a wait and see mode for early Feb.

 

[DT LUNA]

We have too many if's to sort out as it is, to add an expensive if to the list (money and prospects) makes it a bad move right now,

Yes I'm just reiterating the point we both just made haha

If the stars align then so be it, but if the stars are aligning then we probably aren't needing Cliff Lee anyway[/QUOTE]

hahaha.....Now ain't that the truth.

I'm all in on a wait and see mode for early Feb.

I'm all in with ya. Remember , Mickey and Willie were once prospects too.

 

[donaldson79]

If someone has already posted this, I apologize for the redundancy. It's from Keith Law on the 4th.

Keith Law ranks the top prospects by position for 2015 - MLB - ESPN

 

[donaldson79]

Cliff Lee could be traded during spring training

 

[Hambombs]

Cliff Lee could be traded during spring training

.... To the Rangers!

 

[donaldson79]

.... To the Rangers!

Didn't we have this discussion yesterday?

You want him, and I don't for the reasons we both went through yesterday. Remember?

And since you want this guy so badly, please tell us - be specific - on what you're willing to give up to get him.

 

[gregrey972]

Instead give up just about whatever it takes for Cole Hamels...then our 1-4 in rotation would be as good or better than anyone else.