Potential boost from Berkman return?

[TDs3nOut]

I didn't realize that Berkman could be close to returning, but I just read that he went two for three with a HR and an RBI single in a rehab game. When he first went on the DL it was reported that he was thinking of retiring, so I figured he was finished. Sure would be a boost if he could return and hit like he did the first month of the season. Any chance that happens and how important could that be?

 

[Tharvot]

To be honest, I'd rather he just hung em up for the rest of the season.

The Rangers got what they could out of him in the first half of the season. Berk just doesn't have it anymore. Let the younger guys play, they are better anyhow.

 

[ESPN Refugee]

I wouldn't expect anything from Lake Dad.

 

[TDs3nOut]

To be honest, I'd rather he just hung em up for the rest of the season.

The Rangers got what they could out of him in the first half of the season. Berk just doesn't have it anymore. Let the younger guys play, they are better anyhow.

I definitely agree that we have some good young players, but if Lance could put up a September to match his April, I suspect we'd get considerably more production from him than we would from any of those youngsters. Just wonder how big an "if" that is.

 

[Windingmywatch]

TEX not likely to activate him until Sep unless he gets fire hot in rehab AAA and TEX has problems scoring/winning between now and then.

IMO he will get Sep DH work as a tune up for post season but TEX will decide on the last day whether its Berkman or Cruz they want to fill the post season DH spot ... if the Profar + friends DH mix falters.

 

[TDs3nOut]

TEX not likely to activate him until Sep unless he gets fire hot in rehab AAA and TEX has problems scoring/winning between now and then.

IMO he will get Sep DH work as a tune up for post season but TEX will decide on the last day whether its Berkman or Cruz they want to fill the post season DH spot ... if the Profar + friends DH mix falters.

That seems to me like a good approach. Really let Berkman establish that he's healthy -- hopefully. That could be huge down the stretch and into the postseason.

 

[PDay8810]

I have no problem with Berkman coming back in a limited role. I think he certainly has some value to this club down the stretch, and roster expansions aren't far off. Experience can be a good thing when the stage is it's brightest. Earlier this season Berkman was getting the bat head threw the zone pretty good. He may still have a huge hit him.

 

[PDay8810]

"Berkman or Cruz"

I just don't see that winding. The players can work out with the club and they aren't. This will be like the Giants last season. I don't think Cruz will be back in 2013.

 

[Windingmywatch]

"Berkman or Cruz"

I just don't see that winding. The players can work out with the club and they aren't. This will be like the Giants last season. I don't think Cruz will be back in 2013.

I think Cruz will be back ...

From DMN five days ago ...

Q: Can he work out with the team while he is suspended?

A: He will be permitted to work out with the Rangers (before the gates open to the public on game days) or, alternatively, work out at minor league or Spring Training facilities. Suspended players are also permitted under Section 7.H.2 of the Drug Program to consent to an unpaid rehab assignment prior to being reinstated from the Restricted List. The problem is that the only team that will be playing over the last two weeks of his suspension is the Fall Instructional League team made up mostly of very young minor leaguers. Again, while he is eligible to work out with the Rangers or at their facilities, the club has not yet made a decision on whether the invitation will be extended.

Suspension Q&A: Rangers' Nelson Cruz losing roughly $60,000 a day | Dallasnews.com - News for Dallas, Texas - SportsDayDFW

From SI two days ago ...

Will the Rangers and Tigers welcome back Nelson Cruz and Jhonny Peralta when their drug suspensions expire this year? Both clubs say it's too soon to know, but what has become clear is that unlike Melky Cabrera, the hired gun who the Giants kicked to the curb last year, Cruz and Peralta have long-standing relationships with their clubs and are well-liked in their clubhouses. Their return will depend on whether they are needed at the time they are eligible to play. In other words, forget that they were booted off their teams during a pennant race for choosing to use PEDs; if the Rangers and Tigers need them for pure baseball reasons, they will be back.

Read More: Expect Cruz and Peralta back if their teams need them for October - MLB - Tom Verducci - SI.com

 

[TDs3nOut]

I have no problem with Berkman coming back in a limited role. I think he certainly has some value to this club down the stretch, and roster expansions aren't far off. Experience can be a good thing when the stage is it's brightest. Earlier this season Berkman was getting the bat head threw the zone pretty good. He may still have a huge hit him.

Should have posted this first: Texas Rangers notes: Berkman looks good in first rehab appearance; Feliz scratched | Texas Ra...

Wash says this about how he might use Berkman:

"Washington said Berkman would resume being the regular designated hitter for the Rangers when he returns. Berkman could start two games and then get a day off, Washington said, but he won’t sit him on the bench.“If this guy is right, he’s another weapon,” Washington said."

Read more here: Texas Rangers notes: Berkman looks good in first rehab appearance; Feliz scratched | Texas Ra...​

 

[Windingmywatch]

That's coach speak

 

[PDay8810]

good read winding.
I still think he doesn't return this season.

 

[TDs3nOut]

That's coach speak

Translation?

 

[Windingmywatch]

That's coach speak

Berkman is a long time veteran that management just talked out of retiring. Wash was telling Berkman he would have a full-time role so as to not give him reason to quit. If he made no commitment to Berkman for playing time and made it all conditional on need ... then Berkman would most likely just shutdown.

Wash will be true to his word and when Berkman returns ... he'll be back in the lineup. Right now though it was Berkman Wash was talking to not the press.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Berkman is a long time veteran that management just talked out of retiring. Wash was telling Berkman he would have a full-time role so as to not give him reason to quit. If he made no commitment to Berkman for playing time and made it all conditional on need ... then Berkman would most likely just shutdown.

Wash will be true to his word and when Berkman returns ... he'll be back in the lineup. Right now though it was Berkman Wash was talking to not the press.

Makes sense.

I know that it is far from certain, but I'm pretty excited by the possibility of Berkman coming back healthy. If he is able to get on base and drive in runs from September onward like he did in April, he could be a real difference-maker. Would be an element of poetic justice, in my opinion, since the Berkman acquisition was so much maligned once Berkman got hurt/stopped hitting and getting on base.

 

[PDay8810]

Berkman is a long time veteran that management just talked out of retiring. Wash was telling Berkman he would have a full-time role so as to not give him reason to quit. If he made no commitment to Berkman for playing time and made it all conditional on need ... then Berkman would most likely just shutdown.

Wash will be true to his word and when Berkman returns ... he'll be back in the lineup. Right now though it was Berkman Wash was talking to not the press.

That could be true. Berkman will get early opportunities if he returns healthy. This coulda also been Berkman saying to the Rangers that they didn't need him with the young guys and Washington countering with a need when the games get more lump in the throat. I think options are never a bad thing and I think any player plugged in for a role will need to hit or the next guy will get the opportunity.

I love Profar as much as the next guy but to not think he'll be overmatched somewhat in pressure pack playoff AB's would be foolish of Washington and something I think he'll avoid. Options is a big part of the game Washington wants to play.

 

[DT LUNA]

I definitely agree that we have some good young players, but if Lance could put up a September to match his April, I suspect we'd get considerably more production from him than we would from any of those youngsters. Just wonder how big an "if" that is.

Lance was an "if" the first day. He is still an "if" with bad legs. The club is playing very well with the young guys and winning games. Hard to see how Lance can improve the style of play that Wash has going now. For my money lets keep going with what we have until we don't and then re-evaluate. Lance would have a hard time making a positive impact at this time. Right now nothing is broken so nothing needs fixing.
.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Lance was an "if" the first day. He is still an "if" with bad legs. The club is playing very well with the young guys and winning games. Hard to see how Lance can improve the style of play that Wash has going now. For my money lets keep going with what we have until we don't and then re-evaluate. Lance would have a hard time making a positive impact at this time. Right now nothing is broken so nothing needs fixing.
.

DT ... I agree. Wash' comment was meant to give Berkman reason to focus on his rehab. Will he actually get the September PT Wash' said he would get when he returns depends on what the club needs at that point. He wouldn't get anything out of him though if he told him his chance of playing was slim. Fact is ... he could be a very clutch bench bat to have available.

 

[romeo212000]

DT ... I agree. Wash' comment was meant to give Berkman reason to focus on his rehab. Will he actually get the September PT Wash' said he would get when he returns depends on what the club needs at that point. He wouldn't get anything out of him though if he told him his chance of playing was slim. Fact is ... he could be a very clutch bench bat to have available.

Very true. Lance has already shown signs of giving up. This way wash pads his ego a bit. If he can produce for the short period that is September and possibly October like he did in April and may he could be very important.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Seems that most agree, then, that Wash's comments, while seemingly about Berkman, were really directed at Berkman. Also seems to be the consensus that those remarks are simply the latest examples of Wash's brilliance.