OFFICIAL OFF SEASON THREAD ( 2017 )

[True Rangers Fan]

Myself, I am wanting to win the WS and not need everything to break just right and get lucky to do so.

It's rare that a team wins the championship without that being a massive factor.

 

[Bmurph]

Latest On The Rangers’ Offseason

By Charlie Wilmoth | December 21, 2016 at 2:34pm CDT

Here’s the latest on the Rangers’ progress this offseason, via ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick (allTwitter links).

• The Rangers have asked the White Sox about Jose Quintana, Crasnick writes. The Rangers likely won’t be significant bidders for Quintana, however, unless the White Sox’ price comes down. The two teams discussed Quintana at the trade deadline during the season, and the White Sox asked for Jurickson Profar plus “a lot more.” The Rangers thought that price was too high. There would, of course, be little reason for the White Sox not to ask for a lot in return for Quintana, who is controllable for the next four seasons. While it’s not surprising that the White Sox wanted more than Profar in exchange for Quintana, the basic framework of the deal makes sense — the Rangers reportedly targeted another controllable starter, Joe Ross, when the Nationals asked about Profar.
• The Rangers are still pursuing potential trades for starting pitchers, Crasnick writes. The Rangers’ rotation is strong at the top with Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish, and Martin Perez makes a decent third option. But they’re weak after that, with wild-card new signee Andrew Cashner topping a list of possible fourth and fifth starters.
• The Rangers also continue to linger on the periphery of Edwin Encarnacion’s market. Encarnacion’s agent said earlier today that several teams had made offers to Encarnacion of three or four years, although it’s unclear if the Rangers are one of those teams. GM Jon Daniels has said that it’s “highly unlikely” the Rangers will sign Encarnacion, despite a clear opening for a bat to play first base and/or DH.

 

[Bmurph]

Rangers Claim David Rollins, Designate Tyrell Jenkins

By Charlie Wilmoth | December 21, 2016 at 1:02pm CDT

The Rangers have announced that they’ve claimed lefty David Rollins off waivers from the Phillies. In a corresponding move, they’ve designated righty Tyrell Jenkinsfor assignment.

The Phillies designated Rollins for assignment last week. His claim by the Rangers marks the fourth such time he’s been claimed in a little over a month. The Cubs claimed him from the Mariners in November, only to lose him on a claim to the Rangers four days later. The Phillies claimed Rollins from the Rangers early this month, and now the Rangers are claiming him for a second time.

Rollins spent most of the 2016 season with Triple-A Tacoma, posting a 3.77 ERA, 6.4 and a strong 1.2 BB/9 in 45 1/3 innings of relief. The former Rule 5 pick has struggled in parts of two big-league seasons with the Mariners. He turns 27 today.

The Rangers only acquired Jenkins earlier this month, getting him along with lefty Brady Feigl from the Braves in exchange for hard-throwing righty Luke Jackson. Jenkins was once a well-regarded prospect in the Cardinals system before going to the Braves in the Jason Heyward deal. Since then, though, Jenkins has posted unimpressive peripheral numbers in both the minors and Majors, culminating in a 5.88 ERA, 4.5 K/9, 5.7 BB/9 and an awful 11 home runs in 52 innings in his big-league debut last season. Jenkins is still just 24 and has never been used much as a reliever, so another upside could see upside in him, either as a starting option or out of the bullpen.


This move seems strange to me

 

[saddles]

It's rare that a team wins the championship without that being a massive factor.

Our 2011 team was the best and almost won it while catching some bad breaks and having a terrible manager. Last year it took a lot of breaks just to make the postseason and then our breaks ran out. Sure you need some things to break your way usually, but you cannot depend on that. If we get the most talented team and then catch some bad breaks then so be it. I don't want to have to depend on a lot of comeback wins and one run wins to get where we need to go. Just trying to barely slide into the postseason and hoping for the best including a lot of breaks just doesn't do it for me any more.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Just trying to barely slide into the postseason and hoping for the best including a lot of breaks just doesn't do it for me any more.

Well, let me tell you: building a team that are world-beaters is incredibly hard to do. Even if every move pays off, so many things have to happen and go a team's way, and even then, nothing is guaranteed. Hell, look at the 2016 Cubs. They were a powerhouse from the get-go, and it still took them to the last inning of Game 7 to put away the Indians.

We've definitely been spoiled by the Rangers since 2010, but the realist in me understands that not every year is going to be their year. In 2017, I would imagine that if they made it to the post-season, it would be because they barely slid in. I don't hope for that to happen, but I'll damn sure take it!

I do get what you're saying, though. AL West Pennants are nice, but they're not enough.

 

[romeo212000]

It does look like the talent level will decline to some degree next year compared to 2016. In 2016 we weren't even good enough to win one playoff game. Bleak may not be a bad way to describe the situation if your goal is to be the best team in baseball and win the WS. If your goal is to try to compete to make the postseason and hope we catch fire at just the right time then bleak is a bad word to describe the situation. Myself, I am wanting to win the WS and not need everything to break just right and get lucky to do so.

Unfortunately, things just aren't set up for us to do that this year right now, and the market doesn't exactly offer a ton of opportunities to change that this year.

 

[Kelleyman]

No it is absolutely nowhere time to declare.

Point is there is no way you write off season this early. Also to early to write off Gallo for 2016. Lets see how ST and 1st half goes. He may get a legit callup

WS won with a bit of magic.

 

[saddles]

Unfortunately, things just aren't set up for us to do that this year right now, and the market doesn't exactly offer a ton of opportunities to change that this year.

No it isn't set up that way is it. 2017 doesn't appear to be our year. That is why I think we should use whatever money we have left to spend on one year contracts and if we are struggling at the break we will have some pieces to trade to make us better in the future. We don't have to sell off pieces currently, but I hope we don't make any foolish long term signings.

 

[saddles]

Well, let me tell you: building a team that are world-beaters is incredibly hard to do. Even if every move pays off, so many things have to happen and go a team's way, and even then, nothing is guaranteed. Hell, look at the 2016 Cubs. They were a powerhouse from the get-go, and it still took them to the last inning of Game 7 to put away the Indians.

We've definitely been spoiled by the Rangers since 2010, but the realist in me understands that not every year is going to be their year. In 2017, I would imagine that if they made it to the post-season, it would be because they barely slid in. I don't hope for that to happen, but I'll damn sure take it!

I do get what you're saying, though. AL West Pennants are nice, but they're not enough.

Yeah, and I completely understand the other kind of thinking. That just isn't where I am in my hopes and aspirations.

 

[saddles]

6 Teams Have Made Offers To Edwin Encarnacion

 

[darrylgann]

6 Teams Have Made Offers To Edwin Encarnacion

Sounds like we are going to know something soon on this. Tweets are coming fast.

 

[Bmurph]

6 Teams Have Made Offers To Edwin Encarnacion

By Charlie Wilmoth | December 21, 2016 at 6:57pm CDT

6:56pm: Cleveland, Texas, and Oakland appear to be the three most likely destinations at present, Bowden adds.

6:13pm: In addition to the Indians and Blue Jays, the Rangers, Astros, and Athletics have all made offers to Encarnacion, according to ESPN.com’s Jim Bowden(who cites team sources for each organization). As noted below, there’s apparently at least one other organization that has dangled a proposal as well.

Each of those five clubs have put multiple years on the table, per Bowden, who notes that some of the offers include opt-outs following the 2017 campaign. Two suitors, in particular, are said to be engaged in negotiations “at a rapid pace” with Encarnacion’s reps. It’s not known which of the five organizations are pushing hardest at present.

2:35pm: The Indians are “pulling out all the stops” to land Encarnacion, although they might ultimately not be able to afford him, a source tells Fan Rag’s Jon Heyman. Kinzer tells Heyman that two teams have been especially enthusiastic in their pursuit of Encarnacion, although he doesn’t say who.

 

[DT LUNA]

6 Teams Have Made Offers To Edwin Encarnacion

By Charlie Wilmoth | December 21, 2016 at 6:57pm CDT

6:56pm: Cleveland, Texas, and Oakland appear to be the three most likely destinations at present, Bowden adds.

6:13pm: In addition to the Indians and Blue Jays, the Rangers, Astros, and Athletics have all made offers to Encarnacion, according to ESPN.com’s Jim Bowden(who cites team sources for each organization). As noted below, there’s apparently at least one other organization that has dangled a proposal as well.

Each of those five clubs have put multiple years on the table, per Bowden, who notes that some of the offers include opt-outs following the 2017 campaign. Two suitors, in particular, are said to be engaged in negotiations “at a rapid pace” with Encarnacion’s reps. It’s not known which of the five organizations are pushing hardest at present.

2:35pm: The Indians are “pulling out all the stops” to land Encarnacion, although they might ultimately not be able to afford him, a source tells Fan Rag’s Jon Heyman. Kinzer tells Heyman that two teams have been especially enthusiastic in their pursuit of Encarnacion, although he doesn’t say who.

And the beat goes on. "IF" we land him then one more #3/4 puts us back in the hunt.

 

[scotsman1948]

And the beat goes on. "IF" we land him then one more #3/4 puts us back in the hunt.

i hope so because a team with DDJ in center and Profar/Rua at 1st and with nothing but Perez, Cashner & ? behind Hamels & Yu this team could struggle to win 70-75 games

 

[DT LUNA]

i hope so because a team with DDJ in center and Profar/Rua at 1st and with nothing but Perez, Cashner & ? behind Hamels & Yu this team could struggle to win 70-75 games

I have a hunch Profar will some how be involved in a trade if we get a 1B or a pitcher. Rua Gomez and Maz make a fairly nice OF with Choo DH. All depends on what JD gets done and plenty of time yet.

 

[scotsman1948]

I have a hunch Profar will some how be involved in a trade if we get a 1B or a pitcher. Rua Gomez and Maz make a fairly nice OF with Choo DH. All depends on what JD gets done and plenty of time yet.

like I've said before wish we could hold onto Profar because he and Rua provide needed multiple utility players off the bench but that would mean bringing in a 1st baseman, a #3 starter and other outfielder(preferably a cf'er) which we can't offer

 

[DT LUNA]

like I've said before wish we could hold onto Profar because he and Rua provide needed multiple utility players off the bench but that would mean bringing in a 1st baseman, a #3 starter and other outfielder(preferably a cf'er) which we can't offer

I hate to see Profar in a utility role. His value will decline over time. Think we better cash in if possible and probably only way to get pieces needed. Oh well, what do I know.

 

[romeo212000]

I hate to see Profar in a utility role. His value will decline over time. Think we better cash in if possible and probably only way to get pieces needed. Oh well, what do I know.

He or Odor imo. Not a lot of second basemen out there with 30 hr power.

 

[scotsman1948]

I hate to see Profar in a utility role. His value will decline over time. Think we better cash in if possible and probably only way to get pieces needed. Oh well, what do I know.

I'd rather go with Odor (hoping the errors go down) because of Profar's injury history but like you said what do I know

 

[romeo212000]

I'd rather go with Odor (hoping the errors go down) because of Profar's injury history but like you said what do I know

I'm less worried about the errors and more worried about the lack of walks and plate discipline. One is something that should get better with repetition. The other is reflective of his overall approach and outlook to hitting which I'm not sure can be changed all that much.