Official 2014 Texas Rangers Spring Training Thread

[UK Cowboy]

How do you figure? Nelly doesn't offer as much protection as you think. Both guys are big power guys, but strike out prone in a major way. Not to mention Cruz it's extremely streaky.

Oh, I didn't say they weren't gonna strike out a lot. But both guys, when they are hot, can carry a team. I just know the Orioles are starting to look pretty good

 

[romeo212000]

Thanks.....you're considerably better at this than me and I'd like to see where he comes in.

But what I'm overall alluding too is, it seems to me we're set up via age/salary to win now, and without something magical happening in ST we're shy of this goal and with a pretty big disadvantage too.

Am I being too pessimistic?

Probably being too pessimistic. Here's some things to think about.

Harrison hasn't been ruled out. The mri looked fine, and he said his back felt 100% today. He's getting his back looked at by his specialist purely as a precautionary measure. Texas knows his importance to this team and they're not taking any chances.

Holland's injury and ensuing absence sucks, but reports are strong that he should be back mid season, and that will be a big boost. I know I was very pessimistic about any of our pitchers returning last season where many others were optimistic, but that's because I'm very aware of these injuries, procedures, and recoveries due to the nature of my occupation. Assuming a healthy harrison, or rotation should shape up like this.

Darvish
Harrison
Ogando
Perez
Lewis/Hanson/Tepesch/Kirkman

I'm good with that, and it should be a strong enough rotation to win. We've also got a lot of pitching depth while we wait for the cavalry to arrive.

Lastly, our offense and defense is a major upgrade from last year.

LF Choo: Loved Kinsler, but choo is a better lead off hitter

SS Andrus: one of the best defenders in baseball, and I expect him to be consistent with the bat.

1b Fielder: Losing defense at first, but we actually have a three hole hitter this year, and a damn good one.

3b Beltre: nothing needs to be said.

RF Rios: Big time defensive upgrade, and while he's not the deep ball threat Cruz is he'll still go deep probably 20 times, and seems to almost steal bases at will. I expect thirty stolen bases at minimum. He'll also hit plenty of doubles and triples Cruz would never have the legs to get to.

DH Moreland: This really is the big question mark in the lineup. Moreland could be huge for us, or he could shit the bed. I personally think if he stays healthy, he'll find some consistency.

C Soto: Big time defensive upgrade over AJ. I also like his bat better than AJ's. Didn't hit for as high of average and is strikeout prone, but tends to see a lot of pitches and work the pitcher. He also has some good power and a knack for big hits. I think he picks his offensive game up a little bit.

2b Profar: Again, I loved Ian but profar will end up being a defensive upgrade, probably this year. Offense is a bit of a question mark, but hitting 8th he'll get to see some pitches to hit. I think his offense will pick up now that he has a defined role every day.

CF Martin: His defense should improve this year, and we all know about his arm. I hope choo will have a positive effect on him and with him basically hitting as a second leadoff hitter in front of choo, he should see plenty of pitches to hit and will absolutely terrorize on the bases.


Make no mistake, this team is better than last year's and while it's built to win now, there's a lot of youth on this club as well. The only pitcher out for the start of the season is Holland.

 

[romeo212000]

Oh, I didn't say they weren't gonna strike out a lot. But both guys, when they are hot, can carry a team. I just know the Orioles are starting to look pretty good

I think you're forgetting how ice cold Cruz tends to go at times as well.

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

To consider that a short stop with projected elite defense at the position might play elite defense at third and even approach Beltre level of defense is not exactly an "out there" line of thinking.

Actually, I'm with ya on this. I'm probably looking at Beltre through Beltre-colored-glasses at this time. Pretty huge fan.

Do you know what Odor's projections are for the future, offensively? I see he hit double digit dingers in the minors a couple of times.

Could hit better than .300 while averaging 15-20 HRs. They just did a spot on him on mlb network... (Baseball America Top 50 prospects)

 

[jta4437]

Looks like I was right the other day


The Orioles are close to a deal with slugger Nelson Cruz, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Heyman adds, "There are still a couple issues to be resolved, according to sources, though a deal looks extremely likely."

The Orioles signed Jimenez on Monday to a four-year, $50MM contract, a franchise record for a pitcher. The O's sacrificed the 17th overall pick in the June draft to do so. At the trade deadline last year, the Orioles dealt their Competitive Balance Lottery Round A pick to the Astros in the Bud Norris deal, currently #33 overall. That means their next available pick to sacrifice for a qualifying offer free agent is #52, so the penalty to sign Cruz is less pronounced. The Rangers will receive a supplemental first round pick for their loss.

Didn't I say this as well... pretty sure I did after they signed Jimenez

 

[Duane1952]

O's sign cruz. Soto has surgery, expected to miss 3 weeks.

 

[romeo212000]

O's sign cruz. Soto has surgery, expected to miss 3 weeks.

Breaking news everybody!!!!

 

[Justinkm83]

Didn't I say this as well... pretty sure I did after they signed Jimenez

Yeah I think so. Not sure.

 

[Justinkm83]

Justinkm83
2-18-14, 3:11PM: I have a feeling Cruz will be the next Ranger to play for the O's. Too bad they gave up their 1st pick for Jimenez already. Nelly would do damage in their park.


JTA
2-18-14, 4:50 PM: Now that Jimenez is in Baltimore it makes that a much likelier landing spot for him now, since the compensation is lower

I always said he'd sign here for something like 2/24 and an option year or someone would get desperate in ST due to injury or other issue

 

[jta4437]

Said this from the get go, and that draft pick compensation would eat his value alive

Now that Jimenez is in Baltimore it makes that a much likelier landing spot for him now, since the compensation is lower

I always said he'd sign here for something like 2/24 and an option year or someone would get desperate in ST due to injury or other issue

I knew it!

Except I can't believe he left essentially 6 million on the table for 1 year haha, whatever Cruz, see yah! Glad that debate is over with

 

[TheRangerDude]

Nelson Cruz and the Orioles have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reports. The deal is for one-year and a base salary of $8MM, plus $750K in incentives, obviously a very disappointing outcome for a player who declined a $14.1MM qualifying offer from the Rangers and at one point reportedly sought a four-year, $75MM deal. Cruz is represented by the Wasserman Media Group.

The Rangers will now receive what is currently the No. 30 overall pick in the 2014 draft as a result of Cruz signing elsewhere.

Wow, thats sad, we should have signed him for that but I realize that we really don't even have that to spare in our current payroll. I'll miss Nelly and wish him luck with the O's. Seems lik ethe right place for him to go anyway-if he is not going to be a Ranger.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

To consider that a short stop with projected elite defense at the position might play elite defense at third and even approach Beltre level of defense is not exactly an "out there" line of thinking.

Actually, I'm with ya on this. I'm probably looking at Beltre through Beltre-colored-glasses at this time. Pretty huge fan.

Do you know what Odor's projections are for the future, offensively? I see he hit double digit dingers in the minors a couple of times.

I just have my phone now so can't really look it up but MB is not a HR conducive park but he was at the top in doubles when called up to Frisco. In his short time at Frisco had something like 8 doubles and 7 HRs.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I knew it!

Except I can't believe he left essentially 6 million on the table for 1 year haha, whatever Cruz, see yah! Glad that debate is over with

Wow! What a letdown for Cruz. He could do well in that park. I wonder what we were willing to pay. I see we are in the running for Santana.

 

[scotsman1948]

Typical.

so if i don't mention someone i get hammered and if i do i get hammered, can't win either way with you

 

[scotsman1948]

At least three teams -- the Orioles, Rangers and an NL West club -- have strong interest in Ervin Santana, ESPN Deportes' Enrique Rojas tweets. Rojas also notes that the Blue Jays could still be a possibility (although a recent report indicated the Blue Jays would not sign a free-agent starting pitcher). The identity of the NL West team is unclear, although the Rockies have been connected to Santana.

The Orioles have interest despite their recent signing of Ubaldo Jimenez. Santana would still upgrade their rotation, and with their first-round draft pick no longer a factor, there is less disincentive for them to sign a free agent like Santana who has a qualifying offer attached. The Orioles would only have to give up the No. 90 overall pick -- their third-rounder -- to sign Santana. The Rangers would have to sacrifice the No. 30 overall pick they are about to receive as compensation for Nelson Cruz signing with Baltimore.

 

[darrylgann]

For what it's worth:

Jerry Crasnick ‏@jcrasnick 44m
Execs from rival clubs say Nelson Cruz turned down multiple 2 and 3 yr offers before signing 1-yr deal with #orioles.

 

[romeo212000]

Wow! What a letdown for Cruz. He could do well in that park. I wonder what we were willing to pay. I see we are in the running for Santana.

Or so his agent says.

 

[romeo212000]

so if i don't mention someone i get hammered and if i do i get hammered, can't win either way with you

I wouldn't know. You've never tried. You take things too personal here Scotty.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Or so his agent says.

That did cross my mind.

 

[TheRangerDude]

I figured we would've gotten involved at that price point. Cruz wants to pay the field that bad I guess. Funny thing is, with Cruz accepting such a cheap deal, that may affect Morales market to some extent. Maybe he could be had cheaper than we thought. Unless Seattle gets desperate and makes a knee jerk offer.

Actually, that's what I thought too initially but some of the articles I have read have stated that the Os signed him to DH.