Rangers in NYC to scout Gallo: TEX @ NYY 5/6-8

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Lowe is 3 for his last 37.

Didn't realize Ibanez was the backup 1B

 

[saddles]

Yesterdsy's doubleheader had me doing some thinking. It seems to me like the Rangers once set a record back in the late '70s or early '80s for most consecutive sweeps of a doubleheader. In researching that I found this nugget about one of my all time favorite Ranger players, Al Oliver.

"On August 17, 1980 — At Tiger Stadium Al Oliver belts four home runs – one in the opener and three in the nightcap – as the Rangers sweep a doubleheader from the Tigers, 9 – 3 and 12 – 6. He is the second American League player to hit four home runs in a doubleheader this season. Al also adds a double and triple in the opener and his 21 total bases for the two games is a record."

 

[Kelleyman]

If all you have to go on are those stats then that is all you can do. However, I didn't wait until now to condemn the trade. I did that when we made it. It simply made no sense at the time and it still doesn't. That is the type of trade you make when you are desperate for a 1B when you are a serious contender.

If we can praise the front office for drafting Evan Carter, then we can surely use guys at the same level to condemn a trade.

Whether any of those three pan out or not, we gave up too much for Lowe. Hindsight, in 3 to 5 years, will probably bear that out, but a trade needs to be evaluated when it is made based on value given vs. value received. We gave up too much value for Lowe when we made the trade.

Your opinion is as good as mine if not better. I think they saw a future long term 1B in Lowe
We Shall see how that progresses
Surely don’t want an inconsistent 1B blocking legit hitters as our window begins to open

 

[saddles]

Didn't realize Ibanez was the backup 1B

I believe Garver and Solak have played some first. Has Culberson?

 

[Kelleyman]

I believe Garver and Solak have played some first. Has Culberson?

All this tells me that at the least we have another utility guy needed for next year who can play first. Maybe it is Ibanez once Jung makes it back

 

[saddles]

I did find that in 1977 the Rangers swept 7 doubleheaders in a row. That was a magical season in a lot of different ways.

 

[saddles]

All this tells me that at the least we have another utility guy needed for next year who can play first. Maybe it is Ibanez once Jung makes it back

I think that is the price teams pay for keeping so many relief pitchers. You used to be able to keep a guy on your bench who was a true first baseman, but then teams used to only carry 5 or 6 relief pitchers.

 

[saddles]

All this tells me that at the least we have another utility guy needed for next year who can play first. Maybe it is Ibanez once Jung makes it back

We have done a poor job over the last several years in drafting corner infielders. I am really starting to hope Melendez is available for us at pick #109.

 

[Kelleyman]

 

[saddles]

A week later his OPS is up to 1.480 with 25 HR.

The other college player with 22 HR is Ivan Melendez, the UT first-baseman that I mentioned a few weeks ago as someone to keep an eye on when the Rangers select in the 4th round.

His slash line is currently at

.411/.531/.893/1.423

 

[saddles]

 

[DT LUNA]

Pretty weak start.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Pretty weak start.

In waco we call it auspicious

 

[DT LUNA]

In waco we call it auspicious

Smarty!

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Guessing we've got another blister situation

 

[DT LUNA]

Guessing we've got another blister situation

Possible BP day.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Rangers sure enjoy keeping opposing pitch counts low

 

[DT LUNA]

Rangers sure enjoy keeping opposing pitch counts low

and so it continues

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Gray settling down a bit.

 

[Cyder]

It looks like both teams can't wait to get to the next series.