2014 Offseason

[Bmurph]

Or you have the option of

Martin
Andrus
Choo
Beltre
Fielder
Moreland
Rua
Chirinos
Odor

 

[Bmurph]

What I mean by over-correct is that in 2012-2013, it seemed like Wash absolutely refused to make any changes, operating under the "we've been successful before, and we'll be again" mantra. In 2014, though, I recall many times where Wash would shuffle the lineup on an almost daily basis, trying different guys in different spots in the lineup to see if it all gelled. I realize that the basic concept of that is sound, but there was never any chance to see if a lineup gelled because the next day it would be totally different. And that's not because of injuries, it was Wash trying something new.

I got the just of your post being, after all the years being resistant to any lineup changes Wash decided last year to shuffle it up almost daily without giving it any time for guys to get acclimated to. I'd agree with this assessment as well.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Or you have the option of

Martin
Andrus
Choo
Beltre
Fielder
Moreland
Rua
Chirinos
Odor

I agree with the first 5 spots. After that it is a crapshoot. And if I recall Martin started to flourish in the top spot because Bogar left him there to finish out the season. One thing to watch is if Martin has better pitch selection. If he continues to swing at those hard breaking inside pitches and the fastballs to the outside then we need to start looking for a CF because if he doesn't figure it out this year he probably won't.

 

[scotsman1948]

Or you have the option of

Martin
Andrus
Choo
Beltre
Fielder
Moreland
Rua
Chirinos
Odor

you need a right handed bat between Prince and Moreland so that in later innings the other team can't throw a leftie out there against the left-handed bats. go left, right, left, right down the lineup to force them to waste pitchers if they decide to pitch the odds with a lefty-lefty or righty-righty match-up.

 

[donaldson79]

KESN is having Ranger talk next and Bannister is on at 5 today as well.

 

[jta4437]

I agree with the first 5 spots. After that it is a crapshoot. And if I recall Martin started to flourish in the top spot because Bogar left him there to finish out the season. One thing to watch is if Martin has better pitch selection. If he continues to swing at those hard breaking inside pitches and the fastballs to the outside then we need to start looking for a CF because if he doesn't figure it out this year he probably won't.

CF doesn't have to leadoff, if he can't lay off those pitches then he's not a good leadoff candidate, but he's still a solid CF

 

[saddles]

Maybe Evan should defer questions to this board, so folks might get some legitimate answers if there are many with all the unknowns going in to this season.

HaHa. Good ole Evan. He answered three of my questions(out of seven I submitted). With the first one he answered a different question than I asked(he does that a lot). Two of my questions he actually answered. The other he failed to read the question correctly I guess and really didn't answer what I asked at all. He does that a lot. He often takes the subject you ask about and goes on to talk about that subject without really answering you. In forums where you can ask follow up questions he gets a little testy when you re-ask the question that he has already avoided answering or simply misunderstood. lol

Oh well, I am glad he was available to answer questions.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Oh well, I am glad he was available to answer questions.

One thing that bothers me about Grant is that his opinions are presented as "definitive." For example, he said that once the lease is up on the Ballpark (unsure of what year because he has "2013" in his answer), the Ballpark will either have a roof on it or the Rangers will open a brand new stadium somewhere else, and "Those are the only two options." No chance they just re-up?

 

[ESPN Refugee]

One thing that bothers me about Grant is that his opinions are presented as "definitive." For example, he said that once the lease is up on the Ballpark (unsure of what year because he has "2013" in his answer), the Ballpark will either have a roof on it or the Rangers will open a brand new stadium somewhere else, and "Those are the only two options." No chance they just re-up?

When it comes to that particular subject I don't think there's any chance in hell they re-up the contract. If they do it may be a very short term deal to bridge the gap of when they sign on to a new ballpark.

Next time around they better not screw up and ignore putting a retractable roof on their new stadium and IMO put it closer too or in Downtown Dalllas but that's a whole different subject.

 

[saddles]

One thing that bothers me about Grant is that his opinions are presented as "definitive." For example, he said that once the lease is up on the Ballpark (unsure of what year because he has "2013" in his answer), the Ballpark will either have a roof on it or the Rangers will open a brand new stadium somewhere else, and "Those are the only two options." No chance they just re-up?

I don't think I would mind him being definitive most of the time if he was right more often. lol

I do hope the Ballpark gets a roof eventually and that it stays in Arlington.

 

[saddles]

Latest On Hector Olivera, Yoan Moncada – MLB Trade Rumors

Notably, however, Badler adds that the Cubs and Rangers are “not out of the race” and are being aggressive in their pursuit of Moncada. Both teams would need to convince him to wait until July 2 to sign, which seems unlikely at this point.

 

[jta4437]

When it comes to that particular subject I don't think there's any chance in hell they re-up the contract. If they do it may be a very short term deal to bridge the gap of when they sign on to a new ballpark.

Next time around they better not screw up and ignore putting a retractable roof on their new stadium and IMO put it closer too or in Downtown Dalllas but that's a whole different subject.

I'm indifferent to the roof thing, I see nothing wrong with the present stadium, but if they find a way to add a roof or shading system, so be it

Moving to Dallas, no way in Hell, I like the present more central location between Dallas and fort worth

 

[donaldson79]

When it comes to that particular subject I don't think there's any chance in hell they re-up the contract. If they do it may be a very short term deal to bridge the gap of when they sign on to a new ballpark.

Next time around they better not screw up and ignore putting a retractable roof on their new stadium and IMO put it closer too or in Downtown Dalllas but that's a whole different subject.

I'm with ya on the re-upping part for sure. And I can't imagine us even considering building another park without a roof.

As far as where this new park should be, I'll leave this up the club and deal with it. But several years ago I was involved with a business situation where we had face-to-face discussions/negotiations with the city of Dallas and honestly, it was a nightmare. Dumbest bunch of fools I've ever tried to make sense with.

And I have no idea of where the fan base is located, percentage wise, nor the advantages of moving outside of Arlington.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

I'm with ya on the re-upping part for sure. And I can't imagine us even considering building another park without a roof.

As far as where this new park should be, I'll leave this up the club and deal with it. But several years ago I was involved with a business situation where we had face-to-face discussions/negotiations with the city of Dallas and honestly, it was a nightmare. Dumbest bunch of fools I've ever tried to make sense with.

And I have no idea of where the fan base is located, percentage wise, nor the advantages of moving outside of Arlington.

Dallas would be such a nightmare, you're right. Fort Worth should step up and make something happen.

But I don't understand the problem with staying in the Ballpark... is it simply not "modern" enough anymore or another reason?

 

[romeo212000]

Dallas would be such a nightmare, you're right. Fort Worth should step up and make something happen.

But I don't understand the problem with staying in the Ballpark... is it simply not "modern" enough anymore or another reason?

Because it sucks balls sitting in that park when it's 100 degrees.

 

[donaldson79]

Dallas would be such a nightmare, you're right. Fort Worth should step up and make something happen.

But I don't understand the problem with staying in the Ballpark... is it simply not "modern" enough anymore or another reason?

Frankly, I never was enamored with the park. It wasn't terrible nor great when it was brand new.

But the heat is terrible here most summers, so from a fan experience that kind of sucks. And I also feel it would help us get FA more interested in coming here if the park was covered. It certainly couldn't hurt anything.

 

[saddles]

Camp notes: Rangers in talks with Coke; Choo takes field | texasrangers.com

But the Rangers would like more left-handed options, and Coke is a seven-year veteran who was 5-2 with a 3.88 ERA in 62 games for the Tigers last season. One obstacle is the Rangers have a full 40-man roster. They would either have to take somebody off or sign Coke to a Minor League contract.

 

[saddles]

Holland putting 'dog days' of spring behind him | texasrangers.com

"The thing is, people talk about the game in the World Series or those stints like September," Holland said. "I don't want to be known as a one-game wonder or for little stints. I want to be the guy who has Hall of Fame numbers. There have been some good games, but there is a lot more there. I'm capable of being a No. 1 or No. 2 starter."
So his goal for 2015 is simple.
"I want to make a statement," Holland said. "I want to do something. I don't want to be a one-hit wonder. I want to be here a while and I want to make people notice me."
That would put the Fido jokes to rest.

 

[RevSader]

Frankly, I never was enamored with the park. It wasn't terrible nor great when it was brand new.

But the heat is terrible here most summers, so from a fan experience that kind of sucks. And I also feel it would help us get FA more interested in coming here if the park was covered. It certainly couldn't hurt anything.

I've always loved how it looked and really enjoyed the quirks of the park. It's hard to believe that the Ballpark is 21 years old this year.

 

[saddles]

Rangers' lineup and rotation far from set | texasrangers.com

Projected batting order
1. CF Leonys Martin :
.274 BA, .325 OBP, .364 SLG, 68 runs, 31 SB in 2014
2. SS Elvis Andrus :
.263 BA, .314 OBP, .333 SLG, 72 runs, 27 SB in 2014
3. 3B Adrian Beltre :
.324 BA, .388 OBP, .492 SLG, 19 HR, 77 RBI in 2014
4. 1B Prince Fielder :
.247 BA, .360 OBP, .360 SLG, 3 HR, 16 RBI in 2014
5. RF Shin-Soo Choo :
.242 BA, .340 OBP, .374 SLG, 13 HR, 40 RBI in 2014
6. DH Mitch Moreland :
.246 BA, .297 OBP, .347 SLG, 2 HR, 23 RBI in 2014
7. LF Ryan Rua:
.295 BA, .321 OBP, .419 SLG, 2 HR, 14 RBI in 2014
8. 2B Rougned Odor :
.259 BA, .297 OBP, .402 SLG, 9 HR, 48 RBI in 2014
9. C Robinson Chirinos :
.239 BA, .290 OBP, .415 SLG, 13 HR, 40 RBI in 2014
Projected rotation
1. Derek Holland , 2-0, 1.46 ERA in 2014
2. Yu Darvish ,10-7, 3.06 ERA in 2014
3. Yovani Gallardo , 8-11, 3.51 ERA in 2014
4. Colby Lewis , 10-14, 5.18 ERA in 2014
5. Ross Detwiler, 2-3, 4.00 ERA in 2014
Projected bullpen
Closer: Neftali Feliz , 13/14 saves, 1.99 ERA in 2014
RH setup man: Tanner Scheppers , 0-1, 9.00 ERA in 2014
LH setup man: Alex Claudio , 2.92 ERA in 2014