looking ahead......

[bone3421]

the rangers will need to sign 1/2 sp this off season windingwatch so....if we keep cj great if not we can get oswalt and a cheaper option.....then we can use some of the money we saved on other players....and the front office/owners has said they are committed to this so that means bigger payroll we wont be ran cheaply like hicks did...and as for the japanese pitchers..i believe you said 1/2 a year so wang,dice-k and im not sure if some of these are from japan or just from asia....kuroda,chan ho park,nomo,irabu

 

[jta4437]

Feliz went back and forth between the SP and BP couple of times during ST. I don't remember him being thrust back to the BP. He didn't want to be an SP ... Nolan convinced him to try again ... he did but then Feliz decided he wanted back in the BP.

So if I'm management ... I wait for him to come back and beg to get another SP opportunity.

Maybe Napoli gets him to work over the winter on secondary pitches ... but he had them back in the spring just didn't believe in them.

At the end of ST they began preparing him for more of a closer role

He didn't want to be a starter, then he did, then he didn't after he had an injury early in the year

Feliz has shown to be unreliable about knowing what he wants

 

[Al Falfa]

I so hate FA spares talk. There are better prospects for long term value in the TEX system.

Doubt TEX pushes Feliz to SP again until he bangs on the door and demands the chance like CJ did. With Mike Adams on board there is no reason to deal for a closer.

TEX may offer Webb another deal contingent on him making the roster ... but TEX is in a position now where it doesn't need to live on dreaming and looking at old FA pitchers any more.

I so don't like FA talk.

I guarantee you that if you put Mike Adams in a closer roll some will be wanting to ship him back to San Diego before the AS break. This guy is way overrated.

 

[jta4437]

I guarantee you that if you put Mike Adams in a closer roll some will be wanting to ship him back to San Diego before the AS break. This guy is way overrated.

I disagree but thats just MHO

 

[romeo212000]

You guys need to forget about moving Feliz to the rotation and just enjoy having one of the best closers in baseball.

 

[Al Falfa]

I disagree but thats just MHO

I can respect that. It's probably not going to be a popular opinion.

 

[jta4437]

You guys need to forget about moving Feliz to the rotation and just enjoy having one of the best closers in baseball.

I'd rather potentially have an awesome starter, if not I can settle for a great closer

 

[romeo212000]

Feliz is too much of a thrower and not enough of a pitcher to be a starter.

 

[bone3421]

i think feliz can be a starter,but i think he also knows he can get a nice big payday as a closer also and you dont have as much risk of damaging your arm as you do being a starter

 

[DallasMCRSdynasty]

Rangers Management: Please leave Feliz as the Closer!!! He wants to be the closer, he's the best young closer in the game and Mariano Rivera in the making! Leave him as the closer!!! Adams hasn't shown me anything to prove that he's got the stones to close. He's looked shaky in the playoffs at best. I'm surprised that Koji said he wants to go back to Baltimore (during the WS), but if that's true then peace out son! I want M-Gonzo back. He's terrific as a lefty specialist. I'd like to see a replacement for Oliver. Hopefully, Kirkman can win a spot next year.

I say the Rangers go for a big splash and sign either Pujols or Fielder and then re-up CJ for cheap (if not peace out son! I thought you were a stud but you're a dud when the lights get bright) or CC if he's available. If CJ leaves and no CC, then get Buerhle. Pick up Colbra's option.

CC/CJ/Buerhle
Holland
Ogando
Harrison
Lewis

Feliz
Adams
Uehara
Feldy
Gonzalez
Kirkman/FA
Hurley
Lowe/Yosh

 

[jta4437]

Rangers Management: Please leave Feliz as the Closer!!! He wants to be the closer, he's the best young closer in the game and Mariano Rivera in the making! Leave him as the closer!!! Adams hasn't shown me anything to prove that he's got the stones to close. He's looked shaky in the playoffs at best. I'm surprised that Koji said he wants to go back to Baltimore (during the WS), but if that's true then peace out son! I want M-Gonzo back. He's terrific as a lefty specialist. I'd like to see a replacement for Oliver. Hopefully, Kirkman can win a spot next year.

I say the Rangers go for a big splash and sign either Pujols or Fielder and then re-up CJ for cheap (if not peace out son! I thought you were a stud but you're a dud when the lights get bright) or CC if he's available. If CJ leaves and no CC, then get Buerhle. Pick up Colbra's option.

CC/CJ/Buerhle
Holland
Ogando
Harrison
Lewis

Feliz
Adams
Uehara
Feldy
Gonzalez
Kirkman/FA
Hurley
Lowe

Closers are a dime a dozen, give me a quality starter any day of the week

 

[DallasMCRSdynasty]

Closers are a dime a dozen, give me a quality starter any day of the week

Disagree.

First, the Rangers have 5-6 quality starters (if you include Feldman). CJ, Harrison, and Ogando had terrific seasons. Holland showed flashes of brilliance and is a stud, obviously as evidenced by game 4. Lewis is our best playoff pitcher. Feldman has shown his value late in the season and even more so in the post season.

Second, if closers are a dime a dozen, then perhaps the Rangers would have beaten (swept) the Yankees in '96. They blew 2 late game leads because they had an absolute garbage bullpen and no one stout to close-out. That's why they went out and paid Wetteland that offseason. Feliz is 7-7 in save opps in the postseason. There's something to be said about having a guy in the bullpen that signifies to the other team - game over. He's not quite Mariano Rivera, but he's well on his way.

 

[jta4437]

Just b/c you don't have a good closer doesn't mean that there are aren't plenty of people out there who would be able to close

And the thing with Mariano Rivera is that he was a starter first, failed and then became the closer over time

If you asked most GMs whether you would rather have an arm like Feliz's closing or starting long term you would see that most would art least attempt to make Feliz a starter, not relegate him to closing

Having an arm like that be relevant 200+ innings a year as opposed to 70+, the choice would seem to be obvious

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

maybe but i think Josh feels a lot of loyalty to the Rangers because of the rangers management and the players supporting him thru his problems.

Oh he does...... but still... when it will probably be the last "large" contract you'll get... money talks.

He already said he's going to test the market... not just for himself... but for everyone in the "association". (mentioned it in an interview earlier this year I believe).

 

[1502tuley]

Oh he does...... but still... when it will probably be the last "large" contract you'll get... money talks.

He already said he's going to test the market... not just for himself... but for everyone in the "association". (mentioned it in an interview earlier this year I believe).

Yeh, I remember that comment. I think he said something to the effect that he was happy here, but that he wasn't going to be enough to make him stay, implying that the Rangers were going to have to come up with the coin. The comment supprised me a little as it came off like he was ungrateful, which I felt was not consistent with how he had previously presented himself.

Having said that, I guess that's how it works. They do this for a living and money talks.

 

[romeo212000]

Just b/c you don't have a good closer doesn't mean that there are aren't plenty of people out there who would be able to close

And the thing with Mariano Rivera is that he was a starter first, failed and then became the closer over time

If you asked most GMs whether you would rather have an arm like Feliz's closing or starting long term you would see that most would art least attempt to make Feliz a starter, not relegate him to closing

Having an arm like that be relevant 200+ innings a year as opposed to 70+, the choice would seem to be obvious

Sorry, but we disagree again. Having someone to close down games is crucial to a ball club's success. How anyone can disagree with that after watching our bullpen basically get us to the WS is beyond me.

You're assuming that Feliz's arm will be just as effective when put into the starting pitching role, and will be effective for 200+ innings and that is just not necessarily the case. Even watching Feliz now, he is somewhat wild, but is effectively wild. That works for one to two innings well, but 6 or 7 spells disaster for a guy like that. When you mention Feliz's arm all I think of is heat. He doesn't have a devastating curveball, or cutter, or splitter, or even a nasty slider like Ogando has. He has very average secondary pitches that are far more effective because of his 100 mph fastball. Again. That works great for 1-2 innings, but spells disaster in 6-7.

You're right. Rivera was a failed starter, but anyone who thinks he has not been a cornerstone in the Yankees success just doesn't know jack about baseball. A top contender absolutely has to have a pitcher who can come in the 9th and shut the game down. Think about Valverde, Papelbon, Rivera etc. Every fan thinks "we need to have the lead before the 9th because if we don't that guy is coming in" when you're playing those teams. Feliz gives us the same edge. You take him out of that role and you weaken the bullpen and late innings set up tremendously. Contrary to your belief, great closers are not a dime a dozen.

 

[jta4437]

Sorry, but we disagree again. Having someone to close down games is crucial to a ball club's success. How anyone can disagree with that after watching our bullpen basically get us to the WS is beyond me.

You're assuming that Feliz's arm will be just as effective when put into the starting pitching role, and will be effective for 200+ innings and that is just not necessarily the case. Even watching Feliz now, he is somewhat wild, but is effectively wild. That works for one to two innings well, but 6 or 7 spells disaster for a guy like that. When you mention Feliz's arm all I think of is heat. He doesn't have a devastating curveball, or cutter, or splitter, or even a nasty slider like Ogando has. He has very average secondary pitches that are far more effective because of his 100 mph fastball. Again. That works great for 1-2 innings, but spells disaster in 6-7.

You're right. Rivera was a failed starter, but anyone who thinks he has not been a cornerstone in the Yankees success just doesn't know jack about baseball. A top contender absolutely has to have a pitcher who can come in the 9th and shut the game down. Think about Valverde, Papelbon, Rivera etc. Every fan thinks "we need to have the lead before the 9th because if we don't that guy is coming in" when you're playing those teams. Feliz gives us the same edge. You take him out of that role and you weaken the bullpen and late innings set up tremendously. Contrary to your belief, great closers are not a dime a dozen.

I never assumed that Feliz would be just as effective as a starter, I said I'd like to see him be given the chance to be a starter before making him a career reliever, once again putting words in my mouth... if he fails as a ML starter then sure make him the closer for the next 15 years

 

[kennyt12]

The only thing that I've been thinking about now in the signing of a big time free agent is I actually believe in our farm system. Mike Olt could be our starting first baseman in 2012 if we don't sign a big time 1st baseman. The same can be said about certain pitchers in the minors, there is a lot of potential for Top of the Rotation Starters. Saying that, if we sign a guy like Albert we could possibly move Olt as part of a deal for a Starting Pitchers.

I just don't to forget how we got here, and it's though player development. I don't want to turn into the Yankees thinking we can sign every big name free agent. Although I do want to have a 120-140mil payroll to go along with our great farm system.

 

[Windingmywatch]

I never assumed that Feliz would be just as effective as a starter, I said I'd like to see him be given the chance to be a starter before making him a career reliever, once again putting words in my mouth... if he fails as a ML starter then sure make him the closer for the next 15 years

TEX slotted Feliz to start in 2011 ... and it went back and forth several times until Feliz opted out and went back to the bullpen. IF Feliz comes kicking down Wash's door and wants another shot at starting ... then TEX slots him back toward that role. Until then ... no way should TEX consider Feliz for anything other than a late inning job.

 

[DallasMCRSdynasty]

The only thing that I've been thinking about now in the signing of a big time free agent is I actually believe in our farm system. Mike Olt could be our starting first baseman in 2012 if we don't sign a big time 1st baseman. The same can be said about certain pitchers in the minors, there is a lot of potential for Top of the Rotation Starters. Saying that, if we sign a guy like Albert we could possibly move Olt as part of a deal for a Starting Pitchers.

I just don't to forget how we got here, and it's though player development. I don't want to turn into the Yankees thinking we can sign every big name free agent. Although I do want to have a 120-140mil payroll to go along with our great farm system.

Definitely! No one in our farm system is better than Pujols though. Nobody in baseball is better than that guy. I'd only want us to sign him if it doesn't keep us from signing the the other big guns our team or a guy like CC.