2017 Texas Rangers offseason thread

[saddles]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Tyler Davis turn some heads in ST and becomes one of the first starters called up when an injury to a big league starter requires it.

 

[saddles]

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Report: Rangers boast this advantage in sweepstakes for Japanese star Shohei Otani

 

[Kelleyman]

Might cut into some Ohtani money and. From what I read needs some MILB seasoning

 

[saddles]

Might cut into some Ohtani money and. From what I read needs some MILB seasoning

He is still a few months from being ready to sign as he has to establish residency in another country and then wait for MLB to clear him to sign. By that time the Otani situation will be settled probably. There is also a possibility he doesn't become available before the next period beginning next July.

 

[jta4437]

Solid read

https://goo.gl/w3zC9o

 

[donaldson79]

Solid read

https://goo.gl/w3zC9o

Excellent read, and solid thought process from Mr Grant.........thanks for sharing

 

[saddles]

Excellent read, and solid thought process from Mr Grant.........thanks for sharing

I like his idea of freeing up money by trading Choo. The same idea can apply to Hamels and to a lesser extent Odor. If they really want to remake the team they can trade all three of those guys and replace each of them with cheaper parts that might even be better in at least one case. That way they can afford a closer, Otani, Darvish and Mikolas. They might even have some left over to fortify in another area.

As far as Evan's idea of adding Bailey, Kennedy or Zimmerman. no thank you.

 

[saddles]

 

[True Rangers Fan]

O(h)tani is coming.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

I am not conceding that the Yankees have a better chance to sign Otani just because they have almost as much money to spend as we do and they went to the ALCS. For one thing the cost of living and taxes will erode into the real amount gained by signing with the Yankees.

 

[donaldson79]

I am not conceding that the Yankees have a better chance to sign Otani just because they have almost as much money to spend as we do and they went to the ALCS. For one thing the cost of living and taxes will erode into the real amount gained by signing with the Yankees.

The little I know of Otani it seems money is not his motivating force. So from the other perspectives, I view the Yankees as having a huge advantage over the Rangers.

 

[saddles]

Yu Darvish tweeted this after flying back to Texas.

 

[saddles]

The little I know of Otani it seems money is not his motivating force. So from the other perspectives, I view the Yankees as having a huge advantage over the Rangers.

Some people thrive on the zoo that is New York and some people hate it and are a lot more comfortable elsewhere. Let's hope he falls into that latter category.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

The little I know of Otani it seems money is not his motivating force. So from the other perspectives, I view the Yankees as having a huge advantage over the Rangers.

I get where you're coming from. But the way I see it, he doesn't need help with media exposure and he's going to sign a huge contract with someone eventually, so where he goes now probably matters as little to him as the money. And, it should be noted, Japanese players are groomed differently than your typical ballplayer. Not only have the Rangers been establishing a relationship with him for years, they also demonstrated their dedication to Ohtani's personal hero.

 

[donaldson79]

But the way I see it, he doesn't need help with media exposure and he's going to sign a huge contract with someone eventually, so where he goes now probably matters as little to him as the money. And, it should be noted, Japanese players are groomed differently than your typical ballplayer. Not only have the Rangers been establishing a relationship with him for years, they also demonstrated their dedication to Ohtani's personal hero.

I think it matters to him where he lands. IMO it just has too. After all, do you really think he'd sign with the White Sox or Atlanta. He probably has it pretty narrowed down as to where he'll go and it would shock me if NY/Arlington weren't at the top of his list.

You're right about how the Japanese players are groomed differently. And we have done a good job of cultivating him for years. But then again, do we know if the Yankees haven't done the same? And let's not forget, the Yanks have had success with Japanese players for years. In fact, their # 1 starter is Japanese.

Of course it doesn't hurt our standing that Darvish was here, and may be here again.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

I think it matters to him where he lands. IMO it just has too. After all, do you really think he'd sign with the White Sox or Atlanta. He probably has it pretty narrowed down as to where he'll go and it would shock me if NY/Arlington weren't at the top of his list.

You're right about how the Japanese players are groomed differently. And we have done a good job of cultivating him for years. But then again, do we know if the Yankees haven't done the same? And let's not forget, the Yanks have had success with Japanese players for years. In fact, their # 1 starter is Japanese.

Of course it doesn't hurt our standing that Darvish was here, and may be here again.

Oh we've got competition for sure. And yeah, it matters where he lands, I should have stated that better. After posting I read another site where someone reminded me of the idea that he wants to pitch AND hit, so whichever team is more willing to acquiesce to that would probably become a favorite.

 

[donaldson79]

Oh we've got competition for sure. And yeah, it matters where he lands, I should have stated that better. After posting I read another site where someone reminded me of the idea that he wants to pitch AND hit, so whichever team is more willing to acquiesce to that would probably become a favorite.

That hitting part is damn near a demand, and honestly, until he proves he can't do it, he'd be foolish not to swing the lumber. Now, I have no idea of how we/them is going to deal with it.

Did he play a COF spot in Japan when not pitching? And I wonder if he'd have a problem with not playing, and just DHing. Thoughts?

 

[True Rangers Fan]

That hitting part is damn near a demand, and honestly, until he proves he can't do it, he'd be foolish not to swing the lumber. Now, I have no idea of how we/them is going to deal with it.

Did he play a COF spot in Japan when not pitching? And I wonder if he'd have a problem with not playing, and just DHing. Thoughts?

Yes - it looks like he has 57 games in RF and 7 games in LF. Not sure how accurate Baseball Reference is for him, but if they are, he hasn't played OF since 2014.