Series Thread: Rangers Host the Dodgers For Three Games April 18-20

[Kelleyman]

If we were to play the Dodgers now in a 7 game series I could these games being very similar to what we just saw this past weekend.
Question is as this season plays out do the Rangers acquire a couple of more bullpen arms at the deadline to match up with the Dodgers?
Right now I see these teams very close but the Dodgers have a better bullpen. That is why we lost this series. Their offense struggled too, but we have too many guys struggling.
The Dodgers could get knocked off as some of their favored teams have in the past, but this year their pitching is elite and is good as I have ever seen.
As far as our offense goes the team still has options internally for improvement. If Crim and Foscue continue to hit at RR and the same Rangers can’t hit then CY is going to have an obligation to bring them up. Not doing so is a disservice to the organization and the fans.
Bochy seems to be too nonchalant about offensive changes saying they will come out of it and they can’t keep hitting like this.
Even if some of the slumping players start to hit better it still may not be good enough.
IMO I don’t think Semian or Burger are going to hit much over 200. Burger could start hitting Hrs but he is overmatched against good Rh pitching. Pederson is a mess and have no idea what’s going to happen with him.
Don’t even want to get into Garcia or Tavares because it’s too much for me. Guess I want to wait it out a little longer with Garcia.

Going to tap the brakes on Crim and Foscue but love to see Crim get a shot if injury happens
Wonder if FO is now seeing Leody less valuable than Harris
We have alot or OF replacements

 

[saddles]

Adam Morris did an in depth study on the Rangers hitting. He used a lot of stats, some of which may actually be worthy of use. This was his conclusion:

So why are the Rangers, as a team, putting up such paltry numbers? Its because four regulars have been really, really bad:

Jake Burger — 51 OPS+

Leody Taveras — 37 OPS+

Marcus Semien — 21 OPS+

Joc Pederson — -32 OPS+

Those four players have been black holes in the lineup — they have, collectively, dragged what would otherwise be an above-average offense into the lower ranks of the league.

 

[saddles]

Of the 4 guys Adam mentioned i think Burger is the most likely to rebound, followed by Pederson, Semien and Taveras.

I actually think Burger is likely to rebound and Pederson has a decent chance of doing so. I think Semien has seen Father Time catch up to him. I think Taveras is a 4th OF on a team with high aspirations.

That doesn't mean I think any of those guys deserve to play every day or to hit in the top 5 of the order.

 

[Kelleyman]

Of the 4 guys Adam mentioned i think Burger is the most likely to rebound, followed by Pederson, Semien and Taveras.

I actually think Burger is likely to rebound and Pederson has a decent chance of doing so. I think Semien has seen Father Time catch up to him. I think Taveras is a 4th OF on a team with high aspirations.

That doesn't mean I think any of those guys deserve to play every day or to hit in the top 5 of the order.

I agree with this. I so hope Marcus rebounds some but the time time in Toronto seems an aberration

 

[fanman8825]

Going to tap the brakes on Crim and Foscue but love to see Crim get a shot if injury happens
Wonder if FO is now seeing Leody less valuable than Harris
We have alot or OF replacements

I would at least see Crim can come up and provide a spark. If it does not work out then we say can say he was given an opportunity

 

[fanman8825]

I agree with this. I so hope Marcus rebounds some but the time time in Toronto seems an aberration

I see Semian hitting over 200 but not getting close to the 237 he hit last year.
I like the guy and his contributions he made in our championship year but clearly age has played a factor in his decline.

 

[Kelleyman]

I would at least see Crim can come up and provide a spark. If it does not work out then we say can say he was given an opportunity

To do that we have to drop a guy off the roster and option someone.

 

[fanman8825]

Of the 4 guys Adam mentioned i think Burger is the most likely to rebound, followed by Pederson, Semien and Taveras.

I actually think Burger is likely to rebound and Pederson has a decent chance of doing so. I think Semien has seen Father Time catch up to him. I think Taveras is a 4th OF on a team with high aspirations.

That doesn't mean I think any of those guys deserve to play every day or to hit in the top 5 of the order.

I agree with this as well but Burger probably hits around 220 with about 21-23 hr. Just a hunch. Tavares is what he is. Semian will hit about 200-215 and I have no idea what’s going to happen with Pederson.

 

[fanman8825]

To do that we have to drop a guy off the roster and option someone.

Yes If Crim continues to hit the way he has been, then a tough decision has to be made. Probably Pederson or Tavares go down.
I would say give it until mid May to see how this unfolds. Around 54 games in which is a third of the season

 

[saddles]

Yes If Crim continues to hit the way he has been, then a tough decision has to be made. Probably Pederson or Tavares go down.
I would say give it until mid May to see how this unfolds. Around 54 games in which is a third of the season

They would have to DFA Pederson, and if no one wanted to trade for him, he would still be owed all of this year's and next year's salary. I am not sure how the mutual option would work. I just can't see the Rangers eating that much money. I think we are a year away from them even considering that.

They might entertain an offer to trade him while paying about 60-70% of his salary, but even that would be down the road.

They are already going to have to eat a ton of money on Semien's contract.

 

[jaar01]

Trading Marcus Semien at the deadline or this coming off-season would be a very positive step for this organization.

Unfortunately, due to his age, contract, and regression, finding a willing trade partner is going to be very challenging.

In the meantime, continuing to bat him lead off is taking loyalty to vets way too far.

We are witnessing the blueprint to wasting great pitching by adhering to veterans because of their salaries and skins in the game.

Games in April count as much as games in September. Unless you are Bruce Bochy.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

To do that we have to drop a guy off the roster and option someone.

We also want to make sure he has a position to play as well along with DH so he would get plenty of ABs so he stays sharp.

 

[fanman8825]

They would have to DFA Pederson, and if no one wanted to trade for him, he would still be owed all of this year's and next year's salary. I am not sure how the mutual option would work. I just can't see the Rangers eating that much money. I think we are a year away from them even considering that.

They might entertain an offer to trade him while paying about 60-70% of his salary, but even that would be down the road.

They are already going to have to eat a ton of money on Semien's contract.

I know not a ton of options. Pederson has no value at the moment. Just hope he starts hitting so he can help the team win

 

[saddles]

Former Rangers prospect, Zak Kent, gets the call to make his major league debut for Cleveland. He is a relief pitcher now.

 

[Kelleyman]

Former Rangers prospect, Zak Kent, gets the call to make his major league debut for Cleveland. He is a relief pitcher now.

To your chagrin? lol

 

[saddles]

To your chagrin? lol

No, he's gone. I don't care what Cleveland does with him. Lol

Actually, he struggled as a starter for a couple of years in the minors. That means it was time to try relieving. Much the same as Cole Winn and Owen White with us. Those two were completely different than Teodo and Feliz, both of whom never struggled with starting in the minors.

 

[Kelleyman]

Bennie. Does Jeff Wilson think they are about to make changes to the lineup?