2017 Texas Rangers offseason thread

[Kelleyman]

If we don't sign pitching, then we may as well lose Choo regardless. How can we even think to compete without pitching. Choo is holding up traffic if we are not competing.

I think Choo is playable piece if we are competing but if not then he takes up valuable space for players to develop

 

[Kelleyman]

FYI article across DMN paywall re LAD making changes to Darvish pitching. Interesting. Not sure how much to believe. Did not read all

 

[saddles]

FYI article across DMN paywall re LAD making changes to Darvish pitching. Interesting. Not sure how much to believe. Did not read all

Apparently, they convinced him to go back to the arm slot he used prior to injury. It seems like sometimes our management's convincing power is weaker than other team's.

 

[saddles]

If we don't sign pitching, then we may as well lose Choo regardless. How can we even think to compete without pitching. Choo is holding up traffic if we are not competing.

I think Choo is playable piece if we are competing but if not then he takes up valuable space for players to develop

I would seek to trade him regardless. Half of his salary will help to add other pieces.

 

[Kelleyman]

I would seek to trade him regardless. Half of his salary will help to add other pieces.

He is a good piece but Calhoun may exceed expectations. I like him ahead of Choo if put to the test

 

[True Rangers Fan]

FYI article across DMN paywall re LAD making changes to Darvish pitching. Interesting. Not sure how much to believe. Did not read all

In a few hours, Yu Darvish will attempt to put the Los Angeles Dodgers closer to the World Series than they've been in 29 years.

But first, an explanation.

After stories suggesting the Dodgers overhauled his pitching style led the social media world to wonder if the Rangers pitching coaches had somehow failed him, Darvish felt the need to set the record straight. In a long and unsolicited text to The Dallas Morning News, he called Rangers pitching coach Doug Brocail and just-fired bullpen coach Brad Holman "great coaches" and "great people."

He said any criticism of either where his performance is involved is unwarranted.

"Though I have been pitching better the last four games, there are times I did not pitch well since I have come to the Dodgers, " Darvish wrote in a text. "I have been thinking about the reasons why I have been able to pitch better. But before I do, I just want to say this: There should be no criticism of Doug Brocail or Brad Holman. They are both very good coaches without a doubt. They are also great people. I'm not the kind of person who lies, so please trust me when I say this.

"Since I came to the U.S., I was told 'throw more fastballs' and 'pitch with better tempo' from the entire team," Darvish added. "I don't disagree that this is good coaching. It is right and good coaching for a lot of players. But I also should mention that my best year was 2013 when I believe I had the lowest fastball percentage of my career.

"The Dodgers did talk to me about pitch selection, but what I am doing is still somewhat different from that. I guess the biggest difference that has helped me the most is that the Dodgers people have approached me and let me pitch the way I like to pitch.

"This may have to do with them winning so many games and it was a luxury they could afford. But there is no major difference in coaching or philosophy that has made me a better pitcher."

There is no doubt Darvish has been dominant in his last four games, going 3-0 with a 0.74 ERA and a .133 opponents batting average while averaging less than 15 pitches per inning.

It could also be a little misleading to suggest those four starts define a different pitcher than the one in Texas.

Three of those games were against San Francisco, San Diego and Philadelphia, three of the four lowest-scoring teams in the AL. All three were well out of pennant races and using lineups peppered with minor-league callups when Darvish faced them in September. Darvish faced both Philadelphia and San Diego with the Rangers this season and was 1-0 in two starts against the same opponents with the Rangers this year, allowing four runs in 13 innings (2.77 ERA).

Where the Rangers may take something of use from the Darvish chapter in Los Angeles is in the way they present data to their players. The Dodgers are among the most data-savvy organizations in the big leagues and have done a remarkable job of boiling that data into presentable language for players to digest.

"I think there may be a bigger difference in the presentation of data than in the data itself," Rangers GM Jon Daniels told The News.

 

[DT LUNA]

He is a good piece but Calhoun may exceed expectations. I like him ahead of Choo if put to the test

A little early to assume that Calhoun will be what we hope he will be. ST will clear a lot up and make things more transparent. You're are right and he may exceed expectations. I'm with Bennie on paying off half of Choo's contract. He is still an asset but not to the extent of holding up future room for our youngsters. Our trouble is like little kids, we want every thing now.LOL

 

[saddles]

Rangers seeking bullpen help in offseason

As the Rangers approached the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline in 2016, they had multiple discussions with the Twins about reliever Brandon Kintzler. At the time, the Rangers were looking to add depth to their bullpen for a postseason run and Kintzler had just emerged as a potential closer for the Twins.

Now Kintzler is a free agent, having developed into an All-Star closer for the Twins before being traded to the Nationals, and the Rangers are going into the offseason in need of serious bullpen help. A closer could be on their shopping list depending on how the Rangers assess their current group, which includes Matt Bush, Keone Kela, Jake Diekman and Alex Claudio.


"We've got to talk and look at it,' Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "I can't sit here and say we are definitely going to add somebody for the ninth inning rather than get better elsewhere. It's going to be part of the puzzle we put together this winter and what is the opportunity cost to that and what else can we do and what do we prioritize. We are open to it for sure."

 

[Kelleyman]

In a few hours, Yu Darvish will attempt to put the Los Angeles Dodgers closer to the World Series than they've been in 29 years.

But first, an explanation.

After stories suggesting the Dodgers overhauled his pitching style led the social media world to wonder if the Rangers pitching coaches had somehow failed him, Darvish felt the need to set the record straight. In a long and unsolicited text to The Dallas Morning News, he called Rangers pitching coach Doug Brocail and just-fired bullpen coach Brad Holman "great coaches" and "great people."

He said any criticism of either where his performance is involved is unwarranted.

"Though I have been pitching better the last four games, there are times I did not pitch well since I have come to the Dodgers, " Darvish wrote in a text. "I have been thinking about the reasons why I have been able to pitch better. But before I do, I just want to say this: There should be no criticism of Doug Brocail or Brad Holman. They are both very good coaches without a doubt. They are also great people. I'm not the kind of person who lies, so please trust me when I say this.

"The Dodgers did talk to me about pitch selection, but what I am doing is still somewhat different from that. I guess the biggest difference that has helped me the most is that the Dodgers people have approached me and let me pitch the way I like to pitch.

Where the Rangers may take something of use from the Darvish chapter in Los Angeles is in the way they present data to their players. The Dodgers are among the most data-savvy organizations in the big leagues and have done a remarkable job of boiling that data into presentable language for players to digest.

"I think there may be a bigger difference in the presentation of data than in the data itself," Rangers GM Jon Daniels told The News.

Yu is a class act. Sentimentally I want him back. Remember hustling to the park with my son to see his debut. Was so excited he was a Rsnger. Yeah probably staff wanted him to pitch to contact more. I get that. What I don't get is the unwarranted low class worthless criticism of Yu. One of the greatest Rangers of all time. Came across as a great teammate who was always in the middle of the dogpile with his devilish grin.

To have Yu and Otani together would be wonderful.

Eph. Thanks so much for posting this

 

[True Rangers Fan]

What I don't get is the unwarranted low class worthless criticism of Yu.

Never have understood that either.

 

[saddles]

There is a part of me that wants the Astros to win it all. I think chasing the best in baseball to win our division might be worthwhIle in the long run when we finally pass them. There is also a chance that the Astros organization becomes a little fat and sassy after a WS Championship.

 

[saddles]

Grading the 2017 Texas Rangers players, Part VII

This mentions that Profar reportedly filed a grievance against the Rangers for not calling him up in September.

 

[Kelleyman]

There is a part of me that wants the Astros to win it all. I think chasing the best in baseball to win our division might be worthwhIle in the long run when we finally pass them. There is also a chance that the Astros organization becomes a little fat and sassy after a WS Championship.

Well as a kid living in Houston I followed the Astros in Diierker Watson Toy Cannon days. hated the Joe Morgsn trade Moved up here to Dallas and followed Rangers right when it started.

Did not keep up with The Houston fan base until recently.

I just don't think I can stomach the fans down there throwing it in my face if they win a WS before us. So rooting for NL this year. Hopefully Dodgers but if Yu wins they may keep him so a lot of mixed emotions re this

 

[Kelleyman]

Stating the obvious

 

[Kelleyman]

Grading the 2017 Texas Rangers players, Part VII

This mentions that Profar reportedly filed a grievance against the Rangers for not calling him up in September.

Yes it was a burn to Profar but Rangers called him up early and lost years to injury. A big mess. Wish we could salvage big if true could likely be some bad blood which may have been a factor as well. Hate that

 

[DT LUNA]

Yes it was a burn to Profar but Rangers called him up early and lost years to injury. A big mess. Wish we could salvage big if true could likely be some bad blood which may have been a factor as well. Hate that

Bad deal all way around

 

[True Rangers Fan]

There is a part of me that wants the Astros to win it all. I think chasing the best in baseball to win our division might be worthwhIle in the long run when we finally pass them. There is also a chance that the Astros organization becomes a little fat and sassy after a WS Championship.

This is not something I can get behind. The Rangers winning a World Series would not be any "better" if they did it winning a division that also featured a recent champion, in my opinion. I don't even want those bums in it, let alone to win it.

 

[donaldson79]

Yes it was a burn to Profar but Rangers called him up early and lost years to injury. A big mess. Wish we could salvage big if true could likely be some bad blood which may have been a factor as well. Hate that

I've said his before, Profar did absolutely nothing to get his ass called up. He hit little and with zero power.

 

[saddles]

This is not something I can get behind. The Rangers winning a World Series would not be any "better" if they did it winning a division that also featured a recent champion, in my opinion. I don't even want those bums in it, let alone to win it.

That is not what I was saying. I guess I should have been more clear. I just think it helps us competitively if we have the best right in our division. I think it motivates the whole organization. From ownership, to the GM, to the coaches and the players.

 

[saddles]

I've said his before, Profar did absolutely nothing to get his ass called up. He hit little and with zero power.

He hit better at AAA than Hoying and Rua and they got called up. I think if you look back you will find that we have brought several position players up over the last 10 years that hit for a worse OPS in AAA than Profar did this year. About 95% of those guys were less versatile than Profar as well.

It was simply a case of them not wanting to lose a year of control because that would have decreased his trade value even more than they have managed to do already.