OFFICIAL OFF SEASON THREAD ( 2017 )

[saddles]

I'll refrain from disparaging the tournament in your presence. I'll just say that I've never watched a pitch of it and don't intend to. We have 162 Rangers baseball games a year to look forward too and enjoy. Lately, the team has been better than average and we've even had playoff games to look forward to on a consistent basis. I don't know about you, but 162 games seems like a lot to me. Hell.... I probably watch 120 regular season games and most of them aren't even live anymore because of my job. I don't know how someone can realistically consume 162 regular games, a bunch of playoff games, a bunch of preseason games, and the WBC unless they're either disabled, unemployed, own a business that they don't have an active role in, or they're a student in college with a very easy course load. I don't know your personal situation, but I find it astounding that people are so gung ho about the preseason in any sport. Just giving my opinion on the matter. I'll try to keep the negative preseason comments under wraps since it's almost over anyway. I honestly just want the regular season to get here. That's all.

I understand some fans feeling the way you do. What I don't understand is why you even come to this board before the regular season if you feel that way.

 

[saddles]

I haven't really come across very much optimism on this board about our chances of returning to prominence this year and making a WS run. So what do you guys think this team needs to do to once again become arguably the best team in baseball? Will it be a long process or simply hitting on a couple of players? What kind of moves need to be made and how long will it take?

 

[True Rangers Fan]

On paper, I don't think we're equipped for a WS run this year. That being said, it's baseball and things can break a team's way... I didn't think we were equipped for a WS run in 2010 either.

As for the moves? I don't know what's out there right now. I think it'll take more than a couple of players to be the "best team in baseball." The optimist in me says "go after Shohei Otani."

 

[donaldson79]

Darvish has abandoned his experiment with the split-fingered pitch.

I think this is good news.

 

[donaldson79]

Norm is interviewing Beltre at 10:50 this morning.

 

[Nightcrawler]

I understand some fans feeling the way you do. What I don't understand is why you even come to this board before the regular season if you feel that way.

I come on this board during the pre-season because I don't look at espn. I don't have any social media accounts ( probably one of the few millennials who could say this, and as I've said before, I don't watch a single pitch of preseason, the WBC, or what JTA refers to as "fake baseball". Based on what I just told you, if there is a key injury, a noteworthy trend in players performances during preseason, or an interesting transaction made by the club, I definitely want to know about it. Some people on this board do a good job of keeping up with this team year round. I generally appreciate the articles / other information that they're willing to find and share with the rest of us.

That is why I log on during the "preseason"

 

[Nightcrawler]

I haven't really come across very much optimism on this board about our chances of returning to prominence this year and making a WS run. So what do you guys think this team needs to do to once again become arguably the best team in baseball? Will it be a long process or simply hitting on a couple of players? What kind of moves need to be made and how long will it take?

After how last season ended, can you really blame anyone for not being optimistic?

The way that I see it is that this team upgraded at first base and catcher. The 3 headed monster platoon in left field is pretty retarded because we will probably end up sitting the guy who is hot and should play. I think Gomez will continue to benefit from the change of scenery, but I doubt he could duplicate or exceed Desmond's numbers. Are we going to see the Deshields from a few years ago? Apparently, the rooster thinks that we will. Can Choo stay healthy for an entire year as a ranger? If I had to put money on it, I'd definitely say no. The guy has been a terrible signing at this point.

The biggest concern is the starting rotation. I see a lot of questionable marks. Even ones with Hamels and Yu. Bullpen and lineup should be pretty good, in game strategy and management will be mediocre at best. The fun part is you never know until the guys go out there and play. We have a pretty good opponent coming to town on the 3rd, maybe we will get some answers.

 

[donaldson79]

From Beltre.........."Raul Mondesi was a great influence on him when he first came up"..........."Is amazed he's been able to play for so long, much less be approaching 3,000 hits"........."Didn't know he was 250 games behind Brooks Robinson for the all time leader of games at 3rd base"........."Wants to play for as long as he can, but once he sees he can't produce or his body gives up, he's done"........."He likes Elvis, and thinks he keeps him young. But he also annoys him sometimes as well. Big brother, little brother kind of thing"........"His head rub problem started in Seattle. Just a personal thing for him"

 

[saddles]

On paper, I don't think we're equipped for a WS run this year. That being said, it's baseball and things can break a team's way... I didn't think we were equipped for a WS run in 2010 either.

As for the moves? I don't know what's out there right now. I think it'll take more than a couple of players to be the "best team in baseball." The optimist in me says "go after Shohei Otani."

Yeah, I would like to go after Otani, but I realize a lot of teams will want him.

 

[saddles]

After how last season ended, can you really blame anyone for not being optimistic?

The way that I see it is that this team upgraded at first base and catcher. The 3 headed monster platoon in left field is pretty retarded because we will probably end up sitting the guy who is hot and should play. I think Gomez will continue to benefit from the change of scenery, but I doubt he could duplicate or exceed Desmond's numbers. Are we going to see the Deshields from a few years ago? Apparently, the rooster thinks that we will. Can Choo stay healthy for an entire year as a ranger? If I had to put money on it, I'd definitely say no. The guy has been a terrible signing at this point.

The biggest concern is the starting rotation. I see a lot of questionable marks. Even ones with Hamels and Yu. Bullpen and lineup should be pretty good, in game strategy and management will be mediocre at best. The fun part is you never know until the guys go out there and play. We have a pretty good opponent coming to town on the 3rd, maybe we will get some answers.

No, I can't blame anyone for not being optimistic because I am not optimistic at all.

 

[donaldson79]

Some people on this board do a good job of keeping up with this team year round. I generally appreciate the articles / other information that they're willing to find and share with the rest of us.

You have a very odd way of showing appreciation.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

"He likes Elvis, and thinks he keeps him young. But he also annoys him sometimes as well. Big brother, little brother kind of thing"

Elvis is about as loose as you can get. Beltre is wound pretty tight. Great duo.

 

[saddles]

I think one thing that can actually help this team return to the WS within a couple of years or so is to be able to be sellers at the deadline. The worst thing that could happen to this team is to hang around close enough to cause JD to be a buyer again at the deadline this year only to fall short again. I firmly believe we need to take a step back before we can take a leap forward.

 

[saddles]

This is a positive development.

 

[Nightcrawler]

You have a very odd way of showing appreciation.

Whys that?

 

[saddles]

 

[donaldson79]

I think one thing that can actually help this team return to the WS within a couple of years or so is to be able to be sellers at the deadline. The worst thing that could happen to this team is to hang around close enough to cause JD to be a buyer again at the deadline this year only to fall short again. I firmly believe we need to take a step back before we can take a leap forward.

100% on board with ya. The surest way to insure long term mediocrity is attempting to be relevant without regrouping occasionally.

 

[saddles]

Tepid gives a good report on our prospects.

Raising Arizona V. 2017 Part IV

Joe Palumbo was the most impressive Rangers pitcher not named “Cole Hamels” I saw on this trip. I’d heard all about the progress he made in Hickory last year and the weight and strength he’d added—all leading to a bump of about 6mph on his FB. Heard it all. Now I’ve seen it all. He looked like a future MLB starting pitcher. Not a superstar, but a guy who’s gonna get there and compete. The FB sat 93-94 and touched 96 twice in 3ip. He got two swinging Ks with the CH and at least one with his CB. The CB is truly nasty and safely projects as a plus offering. He commanded the FB well and held his velo. Seemed poised and to have a plan. Also, he has a lot of tattoos. Not necessarily a tall kid, but he gets decent plane and good movement on his FB. Get this dude a knife and fork and let him start eating innings. Reps and experience will be key over the next 2 seasons, but if I woke up from a coma in 2020 and 25 year-old lefty Joe Palumbo was Texas’ number 4 starter, I wouldn’t be shocked.

Cole Ragans is straight out of central casting. The reports of his Hamels hankering are accurate and I got a chance to chat with Ragans about that for a little while and I couldn’t be happier he has Hollywood to try and emulate. Ragans is as polished as they come for his age and experience level. Affable and polite on non-pitching days, I saw a decidedly different demeanor today. Focused and workmanlike. He threw all FBs in a live BP session and they were 89-92 and it had plenty of shake and wiggle. In warmups, he snapped off some of the patent--pending CHs he’s learned by watching Hamels. It’s gonna be a plus pitch. An easy 6’4” with room to add weight to what I’d guess is about 200lbs, he’s exactly what it looks like. Gonna be a fun few years tracking this kid.

 

[saddles]

Brett Martin threw 4 frames and was mostly 91-93 with the FB and the damn thing comes off a mountain top. Serious extension from his 6’5” frame. His velo has a chance to play up because of the angle he creates. It’s pretty awesome. He wasn’t particularly sharp until his final frame when he became a whiff machine with both his 84/5mph CH and his 79-81mph bender. When he has all 3 going, he can strike out 15 batters in 7 innings of a playoff game. He’s got a couple more years to go, but could be prettayyy prettayyy salty when he gets there.


Alex Speas threw in the same live BP session that Ragans did, and he too was on an all-fastballs diet. But he has juice. Serious juice. He threw easy 93-95 and ran out a handful of 96s. He can pump it into the upper-90s anytime he wants. He throws very hard. As I mentioned previously, he’s pretty raw mechanically, but his arm speed is a sight to behold. Or to not see at all. It’s moving that quickly.


Pedro Payano threw and he’s a guy to keep in the back of your mind because he throws 4 pitches and will most definitely get to the upper levels. He’s fully healed from the broken forearm that ended his season prematurely last year and he’s ready to eat innings. Way crazier things have happened in this game than a guy like Pedro Payano collecting a few big league check(s) before it’s all said and done.

 

[saddles]

Here’s a name not many people are talking about- Kyle Cody. I’d heard good stuff about him this spring from a couple of scouts and got a chance to see it in action for a few innings today. It’s good. Real good. Really promising. A hulking 6’7” 22 year-old former Kentucky Wildcat, Cody appears to be a near lock for a rotation spot in Hickory. And why not? He sat 93-96 today and broke off a few mega-legit SLs. It could very well be a plus pitch. He threw a fair number of CHs and that’ll most definitely be his “working on this” offering for 2017. But there’s plenty to be excited about. He touched 98 and seemed to be able to manipulate the depth on the SL a bit. More reps and more reps can only help and I’d love to see this kid make 18-20 starts this season.


Demarcus Evans is interesting because he’s a 20 year-old big bodied righty (6’4” 240lbs) who gets massive extension on his arm and seems to spin the holy hell outta the FB. I say that because he misses bats in the 91-93 velo band and misses them by a fair margin. That’s sometimes attributable to spin rate and when you see how high his release point is and how massive his hands are, it all kinda makes sense. ‘Member that name.


Kyle Roberts is another name to sock away. He’s left handed and threw 94-95mph today. Last summer’s 5th round pick is, unlike Demarcus Evans, not 6’4”. He’s 6’6”. 100% certain Texas would win a prospect pickup basketball tournament.


Tyree Thompson has a bit of helium as well. The 19 year-old righty, and New Orleans native, signed for $100,000 after being taken in the 26th round last year. He’s listed at 6’4” and 165lbs. Now, as you probably know, the listed weights are often inaccurate and usually on the low side. Occasionally, they’re wildly inaccurate—on the low side. In this case, I’d say it’s probably just about right. Regardless of his weight, I know his velocity is accurate because I saw it being measured by several different devices today and it was routinely 91-93.