Series Thread: Rangers in a short home stand with the A's

[saddles]

I've seen very little of Alfaro. But a couple of years ago the Rangers had him earmarked to be our front line catcher around 2015. Now, he's nowhere near ML ready.

And for whatever it's worth, Hitzges and the Goose were discussing how he has not progressed as a catcher and still appears to be years away.

Gosselin needs to stick to football discussions and Norm always seems to doubt prospects until they have had success at the big league level. In several discussions I have had with Norm he comes across that way.

 

[donaldson79]

When you are winning you know it will end but you hope not. And then when you start losing you hope you can get that winning feeling again. So lets hope the wins start back up soon. We knew when we lost Beltre, DeShields and even Hamilton plus Rua and Blanks on top of that it was going to be a struggle and for the most part hung in there.

Like romeo said, "all I'm hoping for is to be a .500 team at the AS break." Maybe we'll get some help with those you mentioned above (except Blanks).

Martin was doing well for a short time but is right back where he always is. A very good CF for the most part with a great arm but he has not grown at all in what I think is 4 or 5 years with the Rangers. What he is now is what he will always be. DeShields hurry back.

Martin is a good CF at times. But he doesn't take charge of balls in the gaps, still at times takes questionable routes, and anytime he hits the warning track he starts jumping.

IMO, for all practical purposes, DeShields - in spite of his lack of experience at the position - is going to be our # 1 option at CF when he's healthy unless Martin asserts himself, and SOON.

 

[donaldson79]

Two things, (1) don't forget today's contest is 12:30 and (2) Has anyone heard any scuttlebutt of the status of Moreland?

 

[donaldson79]

He's actually not "nowhere near ready," his defense improved leaps and bounds form everything I've read this year, still doesn't walk much but would probably be an immediate improvement hitting wise over the current batch we have.

I'd say he would've made an appearance in September this year, and probably would've competed for a job next season, might still do so

I could see him splitting time at catcher next year with someone, and thats ok since he's a catcher you don't need him playing everyday anyway[/QUOTE]

After getting hurt this season, it would very much surprise me to see him open next season with the big club.

But we'll see. Part of the reason I'm on this site.

 

[Bmurph]

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton played in his first rehab game since suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain in early June. Hamilton went 1 for 3 with a double, a walk and a run scored while serving as the designated hitter for Double-A Frisco on Wednesday.

Hamilton is hoping to be able to return on Monday when the Rangers take on the Orioles in Baltimore.

 

[jta4437]

I say that simply bc of how horrendous our catching options now are

I doubt he opens up with the big club but he'll be an option pretty quick, a Telis/Alfaro duo would be interesting and young

 

[donaldson79]

I say that simply bc of how horrendous our catching options now are

I doubt he opens up with the big club but he'll be an option pretty quick, a Telis/Alfaro duo would be interesting and young

I'm with ya there.

Actually, I like the growth I've seen outta Chirinos behind the plate and think he'll get even better. But that .200 avg just isn't gonna cut it.

I could see opening next season with Telis up for sure. Wonder if the club would be interested in bringing back Robinson for a one year deal? He's only making about $550,000.

Open the season with Chirinos/Telis and see how Alfaro comes along. We could always trade/release Chirinos if we feel Alfaro is ready. But Chirinos may catch on with another club for a longer tenured contract in the off season.

 

[jta4437]

I'm with ya there.

Actually, I like the growth I've seen outta Chirinos behind the plate and think he'll get even better. But that .200 avg just isn't gonna cut it.

I could see opening next season with Telis up for sure. Wonder if the club would be interested in bringing back Robinson for a one year deal? He's only making about $550,000.

Open the season with Chirinos/Telis and see how Alfaro comes along. We could always trade/release Chirinos if we feel Alfaro is ready. But Chirinos may catch on with another club for a longer tenured contract in the off season.

If he could get back up to the .230-240 range he'd be solid back there, but he's pretty much sink or swim at this point

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I'm with ya there.

Actually, I like the growth I've seen outta Chirinos behind the plate and think he'll get even better. But that .200 avg just isn't gonna cut it.

I could see opening next season with Telis up for sure. Wonder if the club would be interested in bringing back Robinson for a one year deal? He's only making about $550,000.

Open the season with Chirinos/Telis and see how Alfaro comes along. We could always trade/release Chirinos if we feel Alfaro is ready. But Chirinos may catch on with another club for a longer tenured contract in the off season.

I am good with Telis/Chirinos for next season.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

2B Rougned Odor

RF Shin-Soo Choo

DH Prince Fielder

3B Adrian Beltre

1B Mitch Moreland

LF Joey Gallo

SS Elvis Andrus

CF Leonys Martin

C Robinson Chirinos

SP Colby Lewis

 

[jta4437]

Patton up, Choice down

 

[donaldson79]

Heard on 105.3 a few minutes ago that the word on Harrison is there's just not as much movement on his fastball as once was and his curve isn't as crisp. Not good.

Regardless, he's only got about 2 weeks of rehab time left and the Rangers have to call him up, or he has to accept a minor league assignment. And they said, Harrison is not going to accept the minors.

If this is true, it really puts the team in a tough position and frankly, I'm REALLY disappointed in Harrison.

 

[Bmurph]

Two things, (1) don't forget today's contest is 12:30 and (2) Has anyone heard any scuttlebutt of the status of Moreland?

Read where MM said it was nothing but routine soreness for this time of year, seems like total BS cause he's had rest for part of this season. Problem is this is the time in the year where he usually hits the DL

 

[Bmurph]

Cant say Im glad to see Choo back

 

[jta4437]

Heard on 105.3 a few minutes ago that the word on Harrison is there's just not as much movement on his fastball as once was and his curve isn't as crisp. Not good.

Regardless, he's only got about 2 weeks of rehab time left and the Rangers have to call him up, or he has to accept a minor league assignment. And they said, Harrison is not going to accept the minors.

If this is true, it really puts the team in a tough position and frankly, I'm REALLY disappointed in Harrison.

If he's obviously not back in pitching shape, which he isn't, and he won't accept an extended stay in the minors to do so, then he leaves the Rangers no choice but to put him back on the 60 day DL for good, b/c he's obviously not healthy

 

[Bmurph]

not sure where that first pitch to Vogt was, but it looked like a strike

Then he K's and gets HBP all in the same swing.

 

[Bmurph]

If he's obviously not back in pitching shape, which he isn't, and he won't accept an extended stay in the minors to do so, then he leaves the Rangers no choice but to put him back on the 60 day DL for good, b/c he's obviously not healthy

I haven't heard Matt say that he wouldn't accept more time in the minors to get right. I don't take those radio guys word most of the time until I hear it from the team or player. I know he wouldn't want to stay in the minors for the better part of the year, but I don't know in what context they were speaking of the situation either.

 

[Bmurph]

Not sure why Choo isn't the leadoff guy when he's in the lineup, he's proven to be better in that spot than pretty much anywhere else. Yeah I know its not saying much

 

[Bmurph]

AB doesnt look right with the swing, that hand appears to be hurting but he put a good swing on that floater

 

[romeo212000]

Moreland is fucking worthless right now.