Eagerly anticipating the offseason as sewer dwellers invade Arlington 09/28-10/01

[saddles]

We have a logjam at DH. Someone is gonna get moved I think

Yes, if we sign Otani it really gets crowded at DH/1B/COF. Otani, Gallo, Mazara, Choo, Calhoun, and Guzman and that is if they decide DeShields is the full-time CF instead of a COF.

Then there is Rua and Robinson as reserves at those positions.

 

[Kelleyman]

Whether they trade him this offseason or not I don't believe he will be given much of an opportunity to play before they do get rid of him. The only thing that might change that is a long term injury to Odor.

Agree but anything could happen. Still wonder if Odor could play in the OF. I just don't think we dump Profsr for nothing

 

[Kelleyman]

Yes, if we sign Otani it really gets crowded at DH/1B/COF. Otani, Gallo, Mazara, Choo, Calhoun, and Guzman and that is if they decide DeShields is the full-time CF instead of a COF.

Then there is Rua and Robinson as reserves at those positions.

I have been impressed with DeShields offensively but I just can not digest him in CF. Guzman is definitely in the equation

 

[Kelleyman]

ChiSox walk off against Halos eliminating them. Minnesota clinches

 

[donaldson79]

Offseason to address IMO is the amount of strikeouts. I know it is league prevalent and other metrics lessen its hurt as declared by others but working counts and knowing how to hit with 2 strikes I think needs improvement AND a different approach

If there is a silver lining to the Ks it's this. 2 years ago the Astros had a HUGE strikeout problem. Now, with basically many of the same guys, it's semi cured.

 

[donaldson79]

ARLINGTON -- On Wednesday, the unofficial start of the 2018 season, the best you could probably say was that Willie Calhoun gave Rangers fans a glimmer of hope as they prepare for their winter of discontent.

Of course, that's assuming any fans remain after this series with Houston, which was so bad, it's historic.

For the first time ever, the Rangers allowed at least 11 runs in three straight games, culminating with Wednesday's 12-2 debacle before 26,053 at the Globe. Not since Germany overran Poland has a regional rivalry seemed so suddenly one-sided. The Astros have finally figured out the Rangers, all right. Now if only Jon Daniels can do the same.

On the wish list, there will be at least a couple of starters, a closer, maybe a center fielder as well as a backup plan for Adrian Beltre. A makeover for Roogie Odor is a must. So is a lecture or two on making contact.

And then there were Wednesday's contributions to the bizarrely bad: We had a pitcher, Tony Barnette, point skyward, signaling a pop-up, on George Springer's moon-shot that landed in the back of the Rangers' bullpen. And we had a baserunner, Will Middlebrooks, picked off second with the Rangers down 10 to end the game.

"Unacceptable," was what Jeff Banister called it, and he could have meant pretty much any development in the entire series.

What really hurt about Middlebrooks' mistake, though, was that it came with Calhoun at the plate, preparing for his fourth at-bat.

Up to that point, Calhoun had homered, singled and grounded out in three tries, and believe me when I say that pretty much covered the Rangers' highlights.

His first home run in the second didn't come off just anyone, either. Justin Verlander tried sneaking an 87-mph changeup past the outside corner. Calhoun, who's seen nothing but off-speed stuff since a single in his first major league at bat, pulled it on a line into the right field seats.

If the kid has seemed pretty unflappable since his call-up, it's no illusion. He's smart enough to know he shouldn't get carried away with anything, especially after his team just got whacked.

Asked what it was like to hit his first home run, he said, "Uh, it was pretty cool. ... He's one of the best pitchers in the league for a reason, and I put some pretty good swings on him."

Also lined a 95-mph Verlander fastball over shortstop Carlos Correa, playing 20 feet right of second in a shift.

For the record: Verlander gave up only four other hits to the Rangers, didn't walk anyone and struck out 11 in six innings. So the kid more than held his own.

Now, you could argue that nothing Calhoun does at this point matters, and you might even be right. On the other hand, it can't hurt, either. Banister commended him for staying awake while sitting on the bench the last couple of weeks and soaking up how pitchers attack the Rangers. Eleven games between starts isn't exactly conducive to consistent performance, but the kid didn't show any rust Wednesday.

Now that the Rangers have been mathematically eliminated, as opposed to figuratively, there's room for Calhoun in the lineup from here on out. From the looks of it, maybe next year, too.

"The more we see him," Banister said, "you learn his hitting instincts and how he sees the ball. We felt like every at-bat has been a competitive at bat all the way through.

"We talk about logging in information, and he seems like a young kid that really pays attention to what these guys are trying to do."

To say Calhoun looks like an unlikely candidate to inspire much confidence in the Rangers' immediate future is an understatement. Not every phenom comes XXXXL, like Aaron Judge or Joey Gallo, but it's an easier sell when they seem not so much developed as carved from stone. Calhoun is so unimposing, he should have his first name on his back, not his last.

Whatever he lacks in size and speed and defensive ability, he makes up with a quick bat. You shouldn't underestimate his approach, either. He's not just happy to be here.

When I asked what it is that drives him, other than simply becoming a big leaguer, he said, "I just wanna excel. I wanna be great, and be the best I can be every time."

Considering his defensive limitations, he's going to have to hit his way into the lineup, which is pretty much the case with the guy who played next to him Wednesday, too. Calhoun and Delino DeShields won't scare anyone defensively. Or in a brawl. But if they can get on base, it might be good enough.

Calhoun's performance Wednesday, the first day of next season, was a good start, anyway.

As for the ceremonial stuff, Adrian Beltre negotiated with the fan who ended up with Calhoun's first homer. Traded an autographed bat and hat for it.

"Oh, really?" Calhoun said. "I need to go thank him for that."

Frankly, Willie, there are better ways to thank the Rangers' captain. More performances like Wednesday's will do. Makes the rest of this mess easier to swallow.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

 

[True Rangers Fan]

 

[True Rangers Fan]

 

[True Rangers Fan]

For those keeping score at home, Rougned Odor is on the bench.

 

[donaldson79]

For those keeping score at home, Rougned Odor is on the bench.

"Say it ain't so Joe, say it ain't so."........"Life is stranger than fiction."........."They said it couldn't be done."

Need I go on?

 

[donaldson79]

Serious question: Did you know despite the fact the citizens of Arlington have invested $500,000,000, they had "absolutely" no say so in what the new stadium looks like. Thus, is this fair? Even right?

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Serious question: Did you know despite the fact the citizens of Arlington have invested $500,000,000, they had "absolutely" no say so in what the new stadium looks like. Thus, is this fair? Even right?

Wait - didn't I post a feedback questionnaire a few days back?

 

[DT LUNA]

I'll be here. It's a long time till spring so let's all be on time and stay the course.
Looking forward to the off-season moves. Anyone think we need pitching? Some have been saying so. ha.

 

[saddles]

I'll be here. It's a long time till spring so let's all be on time and stay the course.
Looking forward to the off-season moves. Anyone think we need pitching? Some have been saying so. ha.

I would go with one named Otani and one named Darvish. That isn't asking for too much is it?

 

[saddles]

Serious question: Did you know despite the fact the citizens of Arlington have invested $500,000,000, they had "absolutely" no say so in what the new stadium looks like. Thus, is this fair? Even right?

I can't recall the local taxpayers ever getting a say in how the stadium looks. That might work out as well as the public getting a say in who goes to the All Star Game. I think the money the public puts up is seen as an investment in the local economy and to enhance the prestige of the city.

 

[saddles]

I know they wouldn't do it, but the stated reason and the real reason for keeping Profar from coming up are both irrelevant now.

 

[DT LUNA]

Not much here DT.

 

[darrylgann]

Not much here DT.

You ain't alone

 

[DT LUNA]

A bad Ranger team can't compete with Texas Longhorn football