2014 Offseason

[donaldson79]

I bet he gets the LR job. Terrible message to send to Nick and the AAA rotation if they lose the #5 spot to a R5 RHP who failed to stick with NYM and BAL ... even if he went to Baylor. LR spot is normally low leverage role.

Wonder how many teams have had two R5 players on their roster at the same time before?

This makes a lot of sense. We have an obvious need for a LR, and this guy is cheap.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

This makes a lot of sense. We have an obvious need for a LR, and this guy is cheap.

Yeah, the Rangers brass would have more sense than to deflate Martinez by doing something like sending Martinez down plus it would send a bad message throughout the organization.

 

[donaldson79]

Grant: How simple, non-traditional approach can turn Rangers into elite organization | Dallas Morning News

 

[donaldson79]

Five guys predictions for the baseball season posted by SI.

What struck me most about it is how the NL is dominated by a couple of teams, whereas the AL seems wide open.

2015 MLB season: SI.com's experts make playoff, awards picks - MLB - SI.com

 

[donaldson79]

Arbitrator rules that MLB cannot punish Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton

This makes no sense to me.

 

[scotsman1948]

Arbitrator rules that MLB cannot punish Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton

This makes no sense to me.

after the 2 mlb board members voted for suspension and the 2 appointed by the MLBPA voted against suspension the arbitrator ruled that poor Josh hadn't not done anything wrong and should get his 23M for 2015 so he could continue with his new lifestyle

 

[romeo212000]

after the 2 mlb board members voted for suspension and the 2 appointed by the MLBPA voted against suspension the arbitrator ruled that poor Josh hadn't not done anything wrong and should get his 23M for 2015 so he could continue with his new lifestyle

Good. I want them paying every red cent of that contract.

 

[saddles]

Good. I want them paying every red cent of that contract.

Exactly!

 

[donaldson79]

Good. I want them paying every red cent of that contract.

Me too. But the ruling itself makes no sense. Not unhappy to see it. Just confused by it.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Good. I want them paying every red cent of that contract.

I am with you on that one. Can't help if this will not be the end of it since the Angels would love to be free and clear of Hamilton.

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

This is fantastic!

Our "Field of Dreams" | MLB.com

 

[Bmurph]

Exactly!

Josh Hamilton basically just stole money when he signed that contract and the bad part is he absolutely knew what he was doing when he signed it. He knew he would never fulfill it, he was going to find a way to miss as much time as possible and only half-ass it when he did see the field. Keep quoting scriptures Josh and pretend like the rest of the planet doesnt see through it.

 

[donaldson79]

The prediction from ESPN on where we'll finish in the West.

5. Texas Rangers

Projected record: 76-86
Contribution age: 27.74

Progressing to average
Injuries marred the 67-win disaster that was the Rangers' 2014 season, as Texas used the DL more than any other team in the majors. This year's nine-game projected upswing is based on a healthy Prince Fielder, who played just 42 games last season, and a resurgence from RF Shin-Soo Choo, who signed a $130M contract after a .423 OBP with Cincinnati in 2013 but saw that stat dip to .340 in 2014. The duo project to hit for a combined 35 homers and a .366 OBP. Meanwhile, Yovani Gallardo, 29, joins Derek Holland in trying to make up for the loss of Yu Darvish to Tommy John surgery. That void and a middling offense will limit the team's improvement. -- Schoenfield

Ready to rebound?
In the life cycle of a major league team, the 2014 Rangers were applying for Medicare. Almost literally, as most of the team expected to compete in the AL West saw a lot more doctors than wins. Although one could say that the Rangers were phenomenally unlucky with injuries -- they were -- that's always the risk with older players. Fielder is 31 this season, Choo has had injury issues in the past, and the Rangers have a number of pitchers who could probably perform their own arthroscopic surgery at this point. The good news is that the Rangers still have a great deal of talent and, with a bit of luck, could put up an impressive bounce-back campaign. They're no longer a team on the ascent like the 2009-2011 squads, and any success this core has will be in the near future. There's also a bit more good news in that the team hasn't gutted its farm system like most teams past their peak do, which means a retool/rebuild may not be as painful as it will be for teams like the Tigers. -- Szymborski

Value Judgment*

*Young player (25 or under) and vet (30 or older) with team's highest projected WAR.

 

[Windingmywatch]

IF Prince and Choo rebound ... not sure why the ceiling ought to be only +9 games from 2014. They will finish over .500 on the strength and exuberance of youth given the opportunity to contribute. Come the break if the team feels like they have a shot at 85 wins ... then they may surpass even that. For now -- I say 85.

 

[donaldson79]

I love the optimistic attitude some of ya are showing. But I don't see this team team being a .500 team this season.

Vegas has us at 76.5, and to me if we exceed this number I'll be pretty happy. Plus it should mean that the pitching has far exceeded expectations. The fact remains the 5 starters we're opening the season with, if they match their best seasons ever at the MLB level, that's 57 wins.

But like I said previously, that's why we play the games, isn't it?

 

[Windingmywatch]

I love the optimistic attitude some of ya are showing. But I don't see this team team being a .500 team this season.

Vegas has us at 76.5, and to me if we exceed this number I'll be pretty happy. Plus it should mean that the pitching has far exceeded expectations. The fact remains the 5 starters we're opening the season with, if they match their best seasons ever at the MLB level, that's 57 wins.

But like I said previously, that's why we play the games, isn't it?

Are we back talking about the relevance of pitcher Win - Loss records again?

 

[Windingmywatch]

The new dude Verrett today versus the Mets.

Should prove interesting. If they bomb him TEX could send him back and get $25k. If he does good ... he either stays as a R5 or they trade something of value for him. What to do? What to do?

 

[jta4437]

I love the optimistic attitude some of ya are showing. But I don't see this team team being a .500 team this season.

Vegas has us at 76.5, and to me if we exceed this number I'll be pretty happy. Plus it should mean that the pitching has far exceeded expectations. The fact remains the 5 starters we're opening the season with, if they match their best seasons ever at the MLB level, that's 57 wins.

But like I said previously, that's why we play the games, isn't it?

The World Series champs Giants got 56 victories from their starers in 2014

Can we finally let this go?

 

[donaldson79]

Are we back talking about the relevance of pitcher Win - Loss records again?

I am.....so let's not get too bogged down on this please.

Someone, at the end of each game has to have an L or a W attached to his name/record, pitching wise. Therefore, in order for us to be a .500 team, between our starters -who's career best year would get us 57 of said W's, is going to leave us 25 W's short.

That's my point.

 

[donaldson79]

The World Series champs Giants got 60 victories at most from their starers in 2014

Can we finally let this go?

Now that's an interesting stat there. One which I was unaware.

But I still don't see this team be a .500 team. Hope I'm wrong, regardless of how I came to the conclusion.