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

[saddles]

I have a hypothetical question for you guys. The question assumes a some injuries, but be sure, I would never hope that on anyone. I am not wanting those injuries to happen.

If Burger, Pedersen and Semien all had season-ending injuries, and if they were replaced in the following ways, would the team win more games the rest of the way than if none of them were hurt?

1) Smith takes over at 2B
2) Crim and Foscue take over at 1B and DH.
3) The Rangers trade Leody and a mid-level prospect for someone who would be a good utility player.
4) Harris plays in the OF along with Langford and Garcia.
5) At the deadline the Rangers trade for another good OF if Harris is not cutting it and Carter isn't back yet.

So, which way gets us more victories, the injuries and corresponding replacements or good health for those three?

 

[Kelleyman]

Smith can play 2nd. I am not giving up on Burger and Joc but they need to sit more until they get it together
If we are able to trade Leody I am good with that

I some ways Foscue can play 2nd but I still don’t trust his bat but if Marcus for injured he is a logical call up

 

[Kelleyman]

Still monitoring Walcott and Osuna

 

[Kelleyman]

Excerpt. AJM article
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 …

To me you have to sit 2 of the 4 most games until theres a turnaround

 

[saddles]

David Davalillo was named the South Atlantic League pitcher of the week.

Hub City's Mason Molina was named Carolina League pitcher of the week.

 

[Duane1952]

From Shawn McFarland:

“I’m not having concerns right now,” Bochy said. “Sure, you’d like to see more runs, but these guys — I keep saying it — they’ll come out of it, because they’re not going to hit what they’re hitting. Yeah, if this kept going on for a month or something, yeah, I think you’d be concerned. We have a lot of baseball left and guys are still trying to get in their groove.”

That’s what he said all of last year and they never did.

 

[Senator_fan]

Wait until they play 40-45 games and see where the hitting and pitching are at. Thats pretty much the given benchmark to evaluate a team in my estimation.

 

[fanman8825]

Excerpt. AJM article
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 …

To me you have to sit 2 of the 4 most games until theres a turnaround

That's where I am at. I have no problem sitting Leody . Burger may just need a little more time. Have to watch the Semian situation. I think he will get better at the plate but don't expect him to be that much over a 200 BA.
We can't send Joc to the minors. He would have to be DFAd. If he don't start hitting soon we are screwed. Think he just needs a couple of hits and then he should be more confident
coming to the plate.

 

[fanman8825]

Wait until they play 40-45 games and see where the hitting and pitching are at. Thats pretty much the given benchmark to evaluate a team in my estimation.

I am with you on this. We should have a good idea where this team is at by mid May.

 

[saddles]

I don't mind judging them in mid-May as long as we judge them on the whole season at that point and not just on the last 2 or 3 weeks, at that point. If we need a longer sample size before we judge them, then we need the whole sample size to judge them. The guys who are still hitting close to .200 to .220 at that point should be judged unfavorably, even if they have a 6 game hitting streak.

 

[Kelleyman]

Major League Batting Year-by-Year Averages | Baseball-Reference.com

Major League Batting Year-by-Year Averages, Batting Totals and more on Baseball-Reference.com

www.baseball-reference.com

Current league batting average is .237 and OPS 699
Trout average stinks but he is a bright spot ion the Halos

 

[Uncle Siggy]

You have to wonder if Ranger issues aren't somewhat linked to change in philosophy when Hyers left and Viele took over

 

[DTLUNA]

When the offense can not support the team pitching we 've seen thus far, no reason to think hitting will get better. Bring up Crim and see if he can't replace someone like Leody.

 

[fanman8825]

When the offense can not support the team pitching we 've seen thus far, no reason to think hitting will get better. Bring up Crim and see if he can't replace someone like Leody.

Fully agree. It's time to give Crim a shot

 

[Kelleyman]

You have to wonder if Ranger issues aren't somewhat linked to change in philosophy when Hyers left and Viele took over

Too many sluggers and not enough hitters

 

[WastinSomeTime]

When the offense can not support the team pitching we 've seen thus far, no reason to think hitting will get better. Bring up Crim and see if he can't replace someone like Leody.

The problem is if Leody is going to sit on the bench is that where you want Crim to be or is it better to have Leody there? I want Harris to keep playing for now and the Rangers are not going to bench both Joc and Jake, He would have to take Joc's place as the DH and fill in at times at 1B. He has had very little playing time elsewhere in the field lately. I am not saying don't bring Crim up as I am all for it just make sure he gets plenty of ABs.

 

[Kelleyman]

This is why we miss Carter
A high OB guy who sees pitches and can still hit the ball hard at times if it is his pitch
Elite baserunner- not the greatest arm but superior to Leody otherwise

 

[Kelleyman]

Big Crim fan and hope he gets a shot but when you say that you are saying it is time to flush Joc and Jake.
I just hope if or when a guy like those 2 go on IL that the Rangers give him his shot and he does so well they can. Or send him down

 

[saddles]

The Crim decision should have been made in the ofdseason, or should I say, the right Crim decision. They have made their bed, now.

Financially, you can't just discard Pederson, and roster-wise, there is not room for Pederson, Burger and Crim.

They are stuck.

 

[fanman8825]

Too many sluggers and not enough hitters

Yes give me 3 more Josh Smiths