2017 Texas Rangers offseason thread

[scotsman1948]

We actually Ned 2 starters one needs to fill the #1 and the other needs to be a #2/3 and we need a true closer. And then trade to fill the position holes in the outfield.

 

[saddles]

So we should write off 2018 sign a bunch of low level talent and wait until 2019 or beyond.

No, we have to start acquiring good talent this offseason. Just realize that not every one of those 7 areas are going to be fixed in one offseason.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

So we should write off 2018

as far as the postseason goes, yes.

 

[DT LUNA]

We all know what we need. The trick is how to make it happen.

 

[jta4437]

he understands that. but he wants to be part of a competitive team and that entails signing quality parts to fill missing holes on the roster. Fister and Martinez are not quality parts. Martinez is at best a #6 or 7, Fister is at best a #5 or 6 and Perez is at best a #4 or 5. with Hamels possibly degrading to a #3 or 4 we need 2 quality starters that are 1 and 2 level or we can anticipate another flustrating season at around 70 to 75 wins and a 4th or 5th place finish in the West

I think that's the intent, but you can't make people sign here

Would be nice to develop our own pitchers instead of relying on 30+ free agents

 

[Kelleyman]

as far as the postseason goes, yes.

It's too early to write anything off but yes we have needs so the odds are long. Almost everyone here thought Cashner would be a bust. But that did not happen. Fister is going to eat some innings.

And players believe it or not do improve. We always thought Persz could be a legit 3. He has the stuff do that so it could happen. The bullpen could completely turn around like it has in e past for the good or the bad. Yu like it here and despite some sports writers take may sign again. We might get Ohtani.

I know there are a lot of ifs but I would like to see his offseason play out before I judge this to be a written off season or a 2 year project.

 

[saddles]

It's too early to write anything off but yes we have needs so the odds are long. Almost everyone here thought Cashner would be a bust. But that did not happen. Fister is going to eat some innings.

And players believe it or not do improve. We always thought Persz could be a legit 3. He has the stuff do that so it could happen. The bullpen could completely turn around like it has in e past for the good or the bad. Yu like it here and despite some sports writers take may sign again. We might get Ohtani.

I know there are a lot of ifs but I would like to see his offseason play out before I judge this to be a written off season or a 2 year project.

What all do you think needs to be done to make this team one of the best 2 or 3 teams in baseball?

 

[UK Cowboy]

What all do you think needs to be done to make this team one of the best 2 or 3 teams in baseball?

The Astro's and Dodgers are the two best teams in baseball...we are a long ways off

 

[Kelleyman]

The Astro's and Dodgers are the two best teams in baseball...we are a long ways off

Cleveland is close and the two best teams don't always make or win the WS

 

[Kelleyman]

What all do you think needs to be done to make this team one of the best 2 or 3 teams in baseball?

1. Nomar, Gallo, Odor progress a lot. Calhoun break out year. Strikeouts regress.
2. Get s legit CF with range and arm and who can climb the wall
3. Better bench who gets legit playing time i.e. Rua and likely Guzman. Not sure re Profar
4 get lucky and get Ohtani and Yu who learns to pitch clutch better
5 a legit closer who gets strikeouts. Claudio is used as 4th important piece
6. Pen who throw strikes and not walk guys. Bush finds movement on FB. LeClerc finds plate
7 better ABs with men in scoring position thus again less strikeouts
8. More contact and less all or nothing. Yes less strikeouts
9. Surprise production from farm. Controllable cheap pieces
10 improved coaching,managing and learning. Like a pitcher picking up a new pitch

 

[UK Cowboy]

1. Nomar, Gallo, Odor progress a lot. Calhoun break out year. Strikeouts regress.
2. Get s legit CF with range and arm and who can climb the wall
3. Better bench who gets legit playing time i.e. Rua and likely Guzman. Not sure re Profar
4 get lucky and get Ohtani and Yu who learns to pitch clutch better
5 a legit closer who gets strikeouts. Claudio is used as 4th important piece
6. Pen who throw strikes and not walk guys. Bush finds movement on FB. LeClerc finds plate
7 better ABs with men in scoring position thus again less strikeouts
8. More contact and less all or nothing. Yes less strikeouts
9. Surprise production from farm. Controllable cheap pieces
10 improved coaching,managing and learning. Like a pitcher picking up a new pitch

Yeah, that lol

 

[fordman84]

What all do you think needs to be done to make this team one of the best 2 or 3 teams in baseball?

1) Indoor stadium so players are willing to play here
2) a stadium that isn't a bandbox so pitchers are willing to pitch here
3) a legit every day catcher who can throw out 50% base runners and hit .270 with 20 HR power
4) Joey to keep progressing, Belts to stay healthy, Elvis to stay 2017-ish and not revert to 2016, and Odor to get his head right
5) Choo to retire or disappear and Nomar to progress, Willy to become an every day corner guy, and a starting CFer while DeShields is the 4th
6) New pitching coach
7) Bullpen arms to gain some confidence

 

[True Rangers Fan]

3. Better bench who gets legit playing time

If the bench is getting "legit playing time," that usually means several things have gone wrong.

 

[scotsman1948]

If the bench is getting "legit playing time," that usually means several things have gone wrong.

exactly

 

[saddles]

Cleveland is close and the two best teams don't always make or win the WS

No, they don't always, but that does need to be your goal as that is the most likely way to win one. If you require a lot of breaks or luck you most likely will never win one.

 

[saddles]

The Astro's and Dodgers are the two best teams in baseball...we are a long ways off

Yes, we are.

 

[saddles]

1. Nomar, Gallo, Odor progress a lot. Calhoun break out year. Strikeouts regress.
2. Get s legit CF with range and arm and who can climb the wall
3. Better bench who gets legit playing time i.e. Rua and likely Guzman. Not sure re Profar
4 get lucky and get Ohtani and Yu who learns to pitch clutch better
5 a legit closer who gets strikeouts. Claudio is used as 4th important piece
6. Pen who throw strikes and not walk guys. Bush finds movement on FB. LeClerc finds plate
7 better ABs with men in scoring position thus again less strikeouts
8. More contact and less all or nothing. Yes less strikeouts
9. Surprise production from farm. Controllable cheap pieces
10 improved coaching,managing and learning. Like a pitcher picking up a new pitch

That is why I don't expect much in 2018. To me even a wildcard berth isn't much.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

The Ohtani checklist: How do the Rangers fare?

Resources for cultural assimilation
Hopefully, the Rangers did their homework with Yu Darvish on this one and picked his brain over the years on what helped him come to love the DFW area.

Darvish has a house in Dallas and considers Dallas to be his home away from home.

Hopefully, Darvish has spoken fondly of the DFW area while working out with Ohtani in Japan. If not, there are a few Japan-America societies in the area, and the Fort Worth Japanese Garden.

Also, Rangers Hall of Famer Tom Schieffer is the former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and might be able to relate to Ohtani on a level others in the organization can not.　

Integrating into the organization
This is another clear strength for the Rangers after going through the process with Darvish.

They will hire an interpreter for Ohtani and possibly ask their scouts in Japan who could have a relationship with him to work with him in the U.S.

Just as was the case with Darvish’s arrival, Ohtani’s arrival will be a media circus. The Rangers have plenty of experience handling that.

The Rangers can turn to John Blake, their media relations chief, to ease the media burden that will come Ohtani’s way. Blake was in Boston when Daisuke Matsuzaka came from Japan in 2007 and with the Rangers when Darvish came in 2012.

A few Japanese media members said that the Rangers’ PR department did a much better job with Darvish than the Los Angeles Dodgers’ PR department did. True story: One of the regulars who covered Darvish even went so far as to say he missed Blake.

What?

Players embraced Darvish in his first spring, as he dined out with Ian Kinsler, Michael Young and Mike Napoli. The players have changed, but the same thing would happen with Ohtani.　

Why DFW/Rangers are desirable
DFW first:

Everything Ohtani could possibly want can be found here.

Good Japanese food? Not hard to find, though I drove past Mister Max the first time I went there with Japanese writers. All Japanese players go there.

Direct flights to Japan? They can be found at DFW Airport.

The heat? That’s why a new ballpark with a roof is being built.

Now the Rangers:

What about the transition from NPB to MLB? It’s a big deal, from travel to the new cities to the workload to the difference in baseballs. The Rangers went through it with Darvish, often building in extra rest his first few seasons to help him get through the season.

The 2017 season? Only their second since 2009 with a losing record.

What about the Houston Astros? With Ohtani, the Rangers will contend for the postseason in 2018.

What about 2019 and beyond? The free-agent market next year will be filled with premium talent, and the farm system should be able to start producing big-league help.　

 

[saddles]

The last part of this one may be the key. Love Raising Cane's. lol

MLB, minor, spring facilities
A clear advantage for the Rangers going forward, even if they aren’t sure where their Triple A team will be after 2018.

The Rangers can attach construction photos and renderings of Globe Life Field, the new retractable-roof ballpark that is scheduled to open in 2020, in their response. Ohtani will have to endure the Texas heat for only two summers across the street at Globe Life Park.

Even if the next Triple A affiliate ends up at a more remote locale than Round Rock, the Rangers can show Ohtani the Double A affiliate 30 minutes way in Frisco.

As far as spring complexes go, the Rangers’ is among the best. The clubhouse has been updated, the complex is functional, and Surprise, Ariz., is getting a Raising Cane’s.

Victory!