2014 Offseason

[romeo212000]

Why start his clock?

I understand your point. There are a lot of determining factors that will go into that decision, and that surely won't be the least among them. With that said, if by the time September rolls around Gallo is looking like he might be ML ready and you're thinking you might want him with the big club in 2016, then you've got to get a look at him against ML pitchers some time. The real question is, if they're thinking that, could they convince Beltre to transition to DH?

 

[romeo212000]

You know who I miss? Ian Kinsler. I know he shot his mouth off when he left, but that guy was a great Ranger. Yes, he had his moments, but he always brought it on the field. And even when his range and base stealing abilities dropped off a bit he still seemed to find moments of magic. His influence was a good thing on this team.

 

[saddles]

Why start his clock?

I don't believe September call ups start player's clocks. Besides, the Rangers have never concerned themselves in the past with starting a player's clock. They usually bring guys up when they feel they need to.

 

[Bmurph]

You know who I miss? Ian Kinsler. I know he shot his mouth off when he left, but that guy was a great Ranger. Yes, he had his moments, but he always brought it on the field. And even when his range and base stealing abilities dropped off a bit he still seemed to find moments of magic. His influence was a good thing on this team.

2 for 3 today with 2 RBI to give him 5 early in ST

Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler said he has worked on leveling out his swing this offseason to hit more line drives, according to the Detroit Free Press. Kinsler said he has a natural uppercut swing, and in some situations he tends to get overly aggressive at the plate in hoping to extend a lead or close a deficit.

“Sometimes when I take those chances, it results in a weak out. I’m trying to eliminate that as much as possible," he said.

Kinsler was an All-Star for the fourth time in his career in 2014. He hit .275 with 17 home runs, 40 doubles, 92 RBI, 100 runs and 15 stolen bases in 161 games.

Another good season last year

 

[saddles]

You know who I miss? Ian Kinsler. I know he shot his mouth off when he left, but that guy was a great Ranger. Yes, he had his moments, but he always brought it on the field. And even when his range and base stealing abilities dropped off a bit he still seemed to find moments of magic. His influence was a good thing on this team.

He sure didn't care for influencing the younger guys. I am glad Mr. "0-162" is gone myself.

 

[Bmurph]

I don't believe September call ups start player's clocks. Besides, the Rangers have never concerned themselves in the past with starting a player's clock. They usually bring guys up when they feel they need to.

Thats what I was thinking on Sept call ups

 

[Windingmywatch]

I understand your point. There are a lot of determining factors that will go into that decision, and that surely won't be the least among them. With that said, if by the time September rolls around Gallo is looking like he might be ML ready and you're thinking you might want him with the big club in 2016, then you've got to get a look at him against ML pitchers some time. The real question is, if they're thinking that, could they convince Beltre to transition to DH?

Speculatively speaking and I have been wrong far more times than right -- but I keep wondering if THIS is finally the year TEX moves Gallo to RF. The DH transition conversation then would be with Choo versus Beltre. I think that fields a better defensive lineup. I hold out a niche of my brain that the eventual Beltre replacement is Rua. IMO.

 

[romeo212000]

Speculatively speaking and I have been wrong far more times than right -- but I keep wondering if THIS is finally the year TEX moves Gallo to RF. The DH transition conversation then would be with Choo versus Beltre. I think that fields a better defensive lineup. I hold out a niche of my brain that the eventual Beltre replacement is Rua. IMO.

I could be wrong, and I do see your point. A lefty at third is definitely a little off center and having Gallo's arm in RF would be nice. Thing is, Rua isn't scouted as a +defensive third baseman. So if Gallo can improve even just a moderate amount defensively I could see them leaving Gallo at third just to keep him consistent.

 

[Windingmywatch]

I could be wrong, and I do see your point. A lefty at third is definitely a little off center and having Gallo's arm in RF would be nice. Thing is, Rua isn't scouted as a +defensive third baseman. So if Gallo can improve even just a moderate amount defensively I could see them leaving Gallo at third just to keep him consistent.

We shall all see. Not sure who the last 6'5" 3bman was.

 

[Bmurph]

We shall all see. Not sure who the last 6'5" 3bman was.

Troy Glaus was the only one I remember

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Troy Glaus was the only one I remember

And Miggy is 6'4" along with Cal Ripken Jr, Mike Lowell, Scott Rolen and Chipper Jones. A-Rod was 6'3". So not quite 6'5" but close.

 

[Bmurph]

And Miggy is 6'4" along with Cal Ripken Jr, Mike Lowell, Scott Rolen and Chipper Jones. A-Rod was 6'3". So not quite 6'5" but close.

All pretty darn good players, would love to have any of those guys

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

So no one's posted the darvish throwing left handed tweets yet?!? lol

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

If I'm not mistaken, Darvish demonstrated this skill during his first Spring Training with the Rangers in some manner.

 

[Bmurph]

Saw some video from the other day of Yu fielding ground balls and sitting on a bucket with the glove on his right hand. Maybe he can pitch LH instead?

 

[donaldson79]

This has absolutely nothing to do with sports.

Longtime country radio host Terry Dorsey dies just months into his retirement | Dallas Morning News

I had the pleasure of working with Terry for years and he was as honest, hard working, genuine and decent a person as there ever was.

 

[donaldson79]

Bannister is on Norm's show about 10:30 this morning.

 

[Windingmywatch]

And Miggy is 6'4" along with Cal Ripken Jr, Mike Lowell, Scott Rolen and Chipper Jones. A-Rod was 6'3". So not quite 6'5" but close.

Some quick 3B fielding % comparisons (knowing how often irrelevant FPCT can be) for tall 3bmen ...

Gallo (minors) .923/.971 1b (limited)
Beltre .959 (4GG@3b) -- not tall but to set the bar

Glau .952/.992 1b
Lowell .974/.994 1b (1GG@3b)
Cabrera .956/.993 1b
Rolen .968 (8GG@3b)
Jones .954/.976 OF
Ripkin .961/.979 SS (2GG@SS)

Scott Rolen with 8GG@3b and Mike Lowell with 1GG@3b certainly dispel my opinion that Gallo is too tall to play the position. If there were a future conversation to move Beltre to DH to make room for Gallo -- Gallo has a long way to go to defensively. For now if both are in the lineup then Betre would be on the field. I think Gallo's most immediate route to the TEX lineup is via either COF or 1b.

 

[donaldson79]

Some quick 3B fielding % comparisons (knowing how often irrelevant FPCT can be) for tall 3bmen ...

Gallo (minors) .923/.971 1b (limited)
Beltre .959 (4GG@3b) -- not tall but to set the bar

Glau .952/.992 1b
Lowell .974/.994 1b (1GG@3b)
Cabrera .956/.993 1b
Rolen .968 (8GG@3b)
Jones .954/.976 OF
Ripkin .961/.979 SS (2GG@SS)

Scott Rolen with 8GG@3b and Mike Lowell with 1GG@3b certainly dispel my opinion that Gallo is too tall to play the position. If there were a future conversation to move Beltre to DH to make room for Gallo -- Gallo has a long way to go to defensively. For now if both are in the lineup then Betre would be on the field. I think Gallo's most immediate route to the TEX lineup is via either COF or 1b.

Good info on 3rd basemen. Thanks

IMO Gallo, even if he stays at 3rd, will never be the 3rd BM Beltre is. AB is exceptionally good. Even with a much lesser bat than he has, he would've played due to his defensive skills. Gallo's gate to the ML is his bat; not his glove.

I am not so sure about Gallo's quickest route to helping the Rangers is moving positions though. AB's wheels have really cut down on his range and it's only going to get worse. Probably soon. So Gallo's value may indeed be at 3rd.

Like it or not, AB's going to have to start testing the DH - possibly 1st too - water. And again, probably soon.

 

[saddles]

It might be prudent to wait and see where Beltre is defensively(due to his health) at the point in time that Gallo is ready to come up. Just as Gallo should be expected to get better offensively Beltre can also be expected to continue to lose the battle to Father Time as everyone does. At Beltre's age with his history of leg problems his overall ability to stay healthy and his range could suffer significantly in a relatively short period of time.