OFFICIAL OFF SEASON THREAD ( 2017 )

[RevSader]

At some point maybe we start suggesting that MLB players not go home and drive in the DR. I know it's their home and heritage, but their roads are absolutely stupid. I also won't be too shocked if it turns out he was drunk. Life is fragile enough without upping the risk factors like that. Once again we lose another young star way before his time.

 

[RevSader]

Royals RHP Ventura, 25, killed in car crash

If I ever win the lottery, I'd still never step foot in the Dominican Republic.

You could likely afford to go there now, and that's sound advice. Just a nightmare on the roads.

 

[Kelleyman]

Still trying to figure out why so much talk re player dump during an offseason. Really doubt Rangers are done adding players. Definitely understand our farm is on the low side but have to play it out during Yu window.

Have to think Nomar and Rougie improve. I think whether Rua starts or not, he has quite a bit of pop in his bat. I do hate to waste Profar as a utility player though. Really the wild card for me is SP. I have no problem with them not reupping Dutch though.

 

[saddles]

Still trying to figure out why so much talk re player dump during an offseason. Really doubt Rangers are done adding players. Definitely understand our farm is on the low side but have to play it out during Yu window.

Have to think Nomar and Rougie improve. I think whether Rua starts or not, he has quite a bit of pop in his bat. I do hate to waste Profar as a utility player though. Really the wild card for me is SP. I have no problem with them not reupping Dutch though.

Most all of the talk about "player dump" is prefaced with something like "if we are out of contention in July". I think there are 2 good reasons to think we won't be in contention. One is the fact that the postseason ended so abruptly coupled with all of the one run wins and close games that leads to a feeling that even last year's team wasn't as good as the record showed. We all heard about the low run differential during the latter part of the season and scoffed at it during the regular season, but it sure looked like we didn't belong in the postseason. The second reason is that we seem to have a less talented team going forward from this point than we did last year. Of course we have to play out the first few months before we know what will happen, thus the use of the phrase "if we are out of contention in July". Who knows, maybe Josh Hamilton is the Comeback Player of The Year and Martin Perez is a Cy Young candidate and we are much better than everyone thinks, but I doubt it.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

I also won't be too shocked if it turns out he was drunk.

Yes he was drunk.

 

[donaldson79]

maybe Josh Hamilton is the Comeback Player of The Year and Martin Perez is a Cy Young candidate and we are much better than everyone thinks

See if you can get ya some odds outta Vegas on either one of those. Better yet, parlay it, win and you can b/c a majority stockholder in our franchise.

 

[saddles]

See if you can get ya some odds outta Vegas on either one of those. Better yet, parlay it, win and you can b/c a majority stockholder in our franchise.

Kind of like the hypothetical bet they were talking about on the radio. Can you imagine the odds if you had bet back in the 80s that Trump would be elected president in the future and have the chance to dance with Bruce Jenner at the Inaugural Ball. lol

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Kind of like the hypothetical bet they were talking about on the radio. Can you imagine the odds if you had bet back in the 80s that Trump would be elected president in the future and have the chance to dance with Bruce Jenner at the Inaugural Ball. lol

well that settles it... we definitely need some new Rangers news immediately.

 

[saddles]

As spring camp nears, clock is ticking on Rangers’ season

 

[donaldson79]

Kind of like the hypothetical bet they were talking about on the radio. Can you imagine the odds if you had bet back in the 80s that Trump would be elected president in the future and have the chance to dance with Bruce Jenner at the Inaugural Ball. lol

Trump dancing with Caitlyn Jenner is quite a visual. You should send that idea to SNL.

 

[DT LUNA]

As spring camp nears, clock is ticking on Rangers’ season

Some positive comments here

 

[darrylgann]

Someone wake me up till spring training. Nor feeling too good about this inactivity.

 

[DT LUNA]

Someone wake me up till spring training. Nor feeling too good about this inactivity.

Still believe something will break.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Saw online that JD is, ironically, in the Dominican Republic right now.

 

[Bmurph]

Trump dancing with Caitlyn Jenner is quite a visual. You should send that idea to SNL.

A visual I can not even put in my head, way too much of a block going on there for that! I would literally rather stab myself in the eyes repeatedly with splintered toothpicks

 

[Bmurph]

Yes he was drunk.

Looters left Ventura to die, according to unconfirmed reports

Still too early to confirm but......

If this story is true, I hope they find the looting motherfuckers and burn their asses to death slow as fuck

 

[Bmurph]

Rangers Only Interested In Mike Napoli On One-Year Deal

By Jeff Todd | January 23, 2017 at 11:02pm CDT

It once seemed like the Rangers were moving swiftly toward a deal with free agent first baseman Mike Napoli, but nothing has come together as of yet. That may be because Texas is only interested in guaranteeing the veteran a single season, as ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports (Insider link).

It’s not terribly surprising, perhaps, to learn of that stance. With so many other power bats still remaining — even with Mark Trumbo and Jose Bautista now off the market — there’s good reason for teams to look to minimize their commitments in adding defensively limited hitters.

Indeed, we’ve heard before that the Rangers were hoping to see whether Napoli or Chris Carter would settle for a deal to the team’s liking. It seems that may be more than just a temporary bargaining position, though, as Olney suggests that Texas just isn’t interested in Napoli if it means promising him two years’ worth of salaries.

There are certainly some warts on Napoli’s free-agent case, too. He did hit 34 home runs and post a productive .239/.335/.465 batting line last year, but he also struggled badly down the stretch and in the postseason. Likewise, defensive metrics turned on him after previously showing favor toward his glovework at first base. Given that he’s already 35 years of age, Napoli comes with some obvious risks on a multi-year pact.

Still, Napoli is arguably the best-remaining slugger of the bunch. Only Carter compares in terms of right-handed hitters, with Mark Reynolds perhaps representing a bounceback option after an underwhelming 2016 season. But there are still a variety of strong lefty hitters out there, including Brandon Moss, Pedro Alvarez, Adam Lind, and Logan Morrison; any could also draw consideration from teams that don’t have a strong preference for handedness

 

[donaldson79]

Both the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays are showing interest in first baseman Chris Carter after the Milwaukee Brewers non-tendered him, writes FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman.

Carter was the the NL home run champ (tied with Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies) last season with 41. Overall, he slashed .222/.321/.491.

According to Heyman, both teams are offering "low bases," but it’s possible Carter may try to "work it out with one or the other by bridging the gap with incentives."

Carter has spent six years in the majors, compiling 150 career home runs and a .218/.314/.463 slash line.

 

[darrylgann]

Rangers Only Interested In Mike Napoli On One-Year Deal

By Jeff Todd | January 23, 2017 at 11:02pm CDT

It once seemed like the Rangers were moving swiftly toward a deal with free agent first baseman Mike Napoli, but nothing has come together as of yet. That may be because Texas is only interested in guaranteeing the veteran a single season, as ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports (Insider link).

It’s not terribly surprising, perhaps, to learn of that stance. With so many other power bats still remaining — even with Mark Trumbo and Jose Bautista now off the market — there’s good reason for teams to look to minimize their commitments in adding defensively limited hitters.

Indeed, we’ve heard before that the Rangers were hoping to see whether Napoli or Chris Carter would settle for a deal to the team’s liking. It seems that may be more than just a temporary bargaining position, though, as Olney suggests that Texas just isn’t interested in Napoli if it means promising him two years’ worth of salaries.

There are certainly some warts on Napoli’s free-agent case, too. He did hit 34 home runs and post a productive .239/.335/.465 batting line last year, but he also struggled badly down the stretch and in the postseason. Likewise, defensive metrics turned on him after previously showing favor toward his glovework at first base. Given that he’s already 35 years of age, Napoli comes with some obvious risks on a multi-year pact.

Still, Napoli is arguably the best-remaining slugger of the bunch. Only Carter compares in terms of right-handed hitters, with Mark Reynolds perhaps representing a bounceback option after an underwhelming 2016 season. But there are still a variety of strong lefty hitters out there, including Brandon Moss, Pedro Alvarez, Adam Lind, and Logan Morrison; any could also draw consideration from teams that don’t have a strong preference for handedness

My faith in this years team is dwindling fast. What we need more than anything is more billionaires to own this team.

 

[donaldson79]

Here's the Rangers' biggest question mark for 2017; Why you should trust Jon Daniels to take risks | SportsDay