Hambone returns to Anaheim as a Ranger - 7/24 - 7/26

[donaldson79]

I would rather see Ryan Rua play

I can't get a positive read on how this team feels about Rua moving forward.

 

[Justinkm83]

9:58 a.m. “Industry sentiment” has the Rangers as the favorites for Hamels, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports tweets. Texas has long-term motivation for acquiring Hamels, the prospects necessary to swing a deal, and the hurler can’t block a trade to the Rangers.

 

[donaldson79]

9:58 a.m. “Industry sentiment” has the Rangers as the favorites for Hamels, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports tweets. Texas has long-term motivation for acquiring Hamels, the prospects necessary to swing a deal, and the hurler can’t block a trade to the Rangers.

I'd love to have Hamels. But it's the age old question, at what cost?

And what concerns me most is, does Phillies mgmt have any choice but to drive a hard bargain for him? The locals will revolt if they don't perceive they've received more than fair compensation.

 

[Hambombs]

9:58 a.m. “Industry sentiment” has the Rangers as the favorites for Hamels, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports tweets. Texas has long-term motivation for acquiring Hamels, the prospects necessary to swing a deal, and the hurler can’t block a trade to the Rangers.

I'm actually not shocked rangers are the favorite to landing him. He's not a rental. This could be a move for next season

 

[Bmurph]

I can't get a positive read on how this team feels about Rua moving forward.

When they let the kid play last year, he did pretty well. He went out and won a starting job in ST, and then he got hurt and they acquired Josh. Since he has been relegated to polishing the rail on the top rung of the dugout. All the while there has been an insistence to play an underperforming Choo. That is all fine, but as we have all opined here, send him to RR to play daily. Adding Ryan Raburn to sit on the bench does nothing for this team IMO going forward either, they aren't going to truly platoon Choo it appears. He would basically just add a PH option I guess. As you say though, trying to get a read from this group is tough

 

[donaldson79]

I think it's a different world when you live with these guys for 7/8 months. Showing confidence and being supportive is a huge part of the delicate balance dealing with the massive egos. Knowing the buttons and how to push them is everything. It's not just a ron Washington thing to coddle and be supportive. It's what baseball mangers do

I agree with ya, re: the supportive part. But there's nothing wrong with reacting early, rather than late, when a guy isn't following the game plan which has been discussed.

Maddux is not one to go out and berate anyone. Wouldn't expect him too, and that's not his style at all. But a little, pat-on-the-fanny, and a reminder won't hurt when Gallardo is struggling with 20+ pitch innings outing after outing.

 

[donaldson79]

When they let the kid play last year, he did pretty well. He went out and won a starting job in ST, and then he got hurt and they acquired Josh. Since he has been relegated to polishing the rail on the top rung of the dugout. All the while there has been an insistence to play an underperforming Choo. That is all fine, but as we have all opined here, send him to RR to play daily. Adding Ryan Raburn to sit on the bench does nothing for this team IMO going forward either, they aren't going to truly platoon Choo it appears. He would basically just add a PH option I guess. As you say though, trying to get a read from this group is tough

I'm sure Rua is frustrated with the situation too. More than likely, Bannister/JD have chatted him up. But other than the fact he's a RH bat, what's the down side for him getting regular time/ABs at AAA?

I'm starting to wonder if the team really has a good read on what they expect outta him. Is he going to be our LF for the future? Or is he going to be groomed to be a Utility player? Seems awfully early to be putting him in that role to me though.

 

[Bmurph]

I'm sure Rua is frustrated with the situation too. More than likely, Bannister/JD have chatted him up. But other than the fact he's a RH bat, what's the down side for him getting regular time/ABs at AAA?

I'm starting to wonder if the team really has a good read on what they expect outta him. Is he going to be our LF for the future? Or is he going to be groomed to be a Utility player? Seems awfully early to be putting him in that role to me though.

Maybe the Phillies will receive him in trade for Hamels, along with others obviously

 

[Bmurph]

Todays lineup

CF
D. DeShields Jr. (R)
2B
Rougned Odor (L)
3B
Adrian Beltre (R)
DH
Prince Fielder (L)
1B
Mitch Moreland (L)
SS
Elvis Andrus (R)
RF
Josh Hamilton (L)
LF
Ryan Rua (R)
C
Tomas Telis (S)

NMart vs. Heaney

 

[RevSader]

Damn keep it up Rougned. Guy is tearing it way up.

 

[Bmurph]

Reports: Reds trade Johnny Cueto to Royals


The Royals have acquired right-hander Johnny Cueto from the Reds, FOX's Ken Rosenthal reports, and Yahoo!'s Jeff Passan has confirmed.

While some reports had it that talks between the two sides had stalled, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported Sunday morning that the deal was still alive.

It's not yet known who's headed to the Reds in return, but Heyman adds this:

For Cueto's part, for now he's saying he hasn't been informed of any deal ...

Cueto, 29, has pitched to a 2.62 ERA (145 ERA+) in 130 2/3 innings this season. For his career, Cueto owns an ERA+ of 125 across 213 starts. He's been even better than that in recent history, as he's run an ERA of 2.51 (155 ERA+) since his breakout season of 2011. Over that span, only Clayton Kershaw, among qualifiers, has posted a lower ERA. While injuries were a past concern, Cueto since the start of last season has worked 374 1/3 innings.

Cueto is owed the balance of a $10-million salary for 2015, and he's eligible for free agency this upcoming offseason.

While the Royals, reigning AL champions, are enjoying a successful season thus far in 2015 -- they're on pace for 98 wins and presently lead the AL Central by 6 1/2 games over the Twins -- the rotation needed reinforcement, particularly after the season-ending injury to Jason Vargas and the disappointing performance of Yordano Ventura. This season, the Royals' rotation ranks last in the AL in WAR, 11th in the AL in ERA, 14th in the AL in quality-start percentage, and last in innings per start. Needless to say, an established ace like Cueto directly addresses those shortcomings.

Johnny Cueto is headed to Kansas City, where he'll front the Royals' rotation. (USATSI)

 

[donaldson79]

Maybe the Phillies will receive him in trade for Hamels, along with others obviously

Very solid thought if we are indeed the "front runner" in the Cole Hamels sweepstakes.

He'd be a good player to have IMO. And he'd be inexpensive for them for the next 2 1/2 seasons, at least.

Hate to see him go, but what we're doing with him seems odd and semi-self destructive to me.

 

[Bmurph]

12:10pm: The Phillies and Rangers remain in dialogue about a Hamels trade, but nothing is “close” at this time, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter) hears from sources.

 

[scotsman1948]

I would rather see Ryan Rua play

Same here but there reports we are pursuing Raburn

 

[romeo212000]

12:10pm: The Phillies and Rangers remain in dialogue about a Hamels trade, but nothing is “close” at this time, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter) hears from sources.

Blah blah blah.

 

[romeo212000]

Todays lineup

CF
D. DeShields Jr. (R)
2B
Rougned Odor (L)
3B
Adrian Beltre (R)
DH
Prince Fielder (L)
1B
Mitch Moreland (L)
SS
Elvis Andrus (R)
RF
Josh Hamilton (L)
LF
Ryan Rua (R)
C
Tomas Telis (S)

NMart vs. Heaney

Glad to see Rua get another start.

 

[scotsman1948]

I'm actually not shocked rangers are the favorite to landing him. He's not a rental. This could be a move for next season

JD is not interested in rentals

 

[donaldson79]

JD is not interested in rentals

If he were, my faith in him would be shaken, if not worse.

 

[Bmurph]

Greinke has given up a run it appears

 

[donaldson79]

Glad to see Rua get another start.

Me too.....also happy to see Telis get a chance.