Series Thread: Rangers up North to Play Toronto 7/18-7/20

[Bmurph]

Must say that was a winnable game. Decent job by Colby but I don't see him going deep much. Our offense is anemic.

Not much in the way of pitching these days, doesn't seem like some of the bullpen guys can keep runs off the board when called upon. Got some base runners just couldn't get the hits with guys on base (16 LOB), though I figured Smolinski would come back to earth and we have seen what JPA is. Now if Robertson has to be in the everyday lineup with Rios out, it could be getting worse. Though he had 2 hits today, I won't expect much

 

[Justinkm83]

The only way we get pitching is if we trade for it. Keep that in mind. Literally the only good pitcher we've actually paid for the past 15 years has been yu, and that was cuz he was FORCED to negotiate with only us. When pitchers have other options, they choose to stay away from us.

That's why EA is likely gone. He could get us 2 arms at once. Gausman and Harvey from Baltimore plus a prospect bat.

That would be nice, but I doubt EA nets that much. He has plateaued and that doesn't appear to be changing. I don't see why other teams would be jumping at his contract and willing to give up this much. I could be wrong, and I hope I am. I would be talking to St. Louis as well.

 

[Justinkm83]

The Rangers believe they can be competitive in 2015 and therefore won’t be trading players like Yu Darvish, Adrian Beltre or Elvis Andrus, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports. Even with a number of talented young infielders in their system, they don’t want to trade Andrus, who is an important figure in their clubhouse. They will, however, consider dealing Joakim Soria and Alex Rios. The Tigers have shown interest in Soria, and the Mariners, Blue Jays, Giants or Royals could all be fits for Rios. Reliever Neal Cotts could also fetch a nice return for Texas.

 

[BLeslie59Rangers]

That would be nice, but I doubt EA nets that much. He has plateaued and that doesn't appear to be changing. I don't see why other teams would be jumping at his contract and willing to give up this much. I could be wrong, and I hope I am. I would be talking to St. Louis as well.

We might be able to get Shelby Miller for Elvis. Shelby has likewise lost value this year - been inconsistent. But he may be worth the risk...we'd probably have to throw in some cash too to help pay Elvis' exorbitant contract...

 

[BLeslie59Rangers]

Sure it can, but we also have to understand that we have absolutely no shot in hell next year unless our rotation changes dramatically. No way around it. The two best teams in baseball are in our division. We have the worst staff in the league. MP won't be back until the middle of next season. Therefore, the only 2 good pitchers in our rotation would be yu and a question mark in derek holland. So, if we even want a shot, we NEED to go out and get 2 arms this offseason. Somehow, someway, that's the only way we can compete. Considering no FA pitcher has ever wanted to come here, those chances are slim. We'd have to pull off two trades.

Amen!!!

 

[Justinkm83]

We might be able to get Shelby Miller for Elvis. Shelby has likewise lost value this year - been inconsistent. But he may be worth the risk...we'd probably have to throw in some cash too to help pay Elvis' exorbitant contract...

Shelby has just been moved to the bullpen as of today. That might not be worth the risk after all. He may not be able to handle the work load of being a ML starter.

 

[romeo212000]

The Rangers believe they can be competitive in 2015 and therefore won’t be trading players like Yu Darvish, Adrian Beltre or Elvis Andrus, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports. Even with a number of talented young infielders in their system, they don’t want to trade Andrus, who is an important figure in their clubhouse. They will, however, consider dealing Joakim Soria and Alex Rios. The Tigers have shown interest in Soria, and the Mariners, Blue Jays, Giants or Royals could all be fits for Rios. Reliever Neal Cotts could also fetch a nice return for Texas.

I'm not convinced we should trade Rios. Who do we put out there instead to match his production? Certainly not Choice.

 

[donaldson79]

The Rangers believe they can be competitive in 2015 and therefore won’t be trading players like Yu Darvish, Adrian Beltre or Elvis Andrus, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports. Even with a number of talented young infielders in their system, they don’t want to trade Andrus, who is an important figure in their clubhouse. They will, however, consider dealing Joakim Soria and Alex Rios. The Tigers have shown interest in Soria, and the Mariners, Blue Jays, Giants or Royals could all be fits for Rios. Reliever Neal Cotts could also fetch a nice return for Texas.

Thanks for sharing this Justin.....Admittedly, I'm a little surprised; especially about EA.

Wonder if we'd look at resigning Soria in the off season?

 

[donaldson79]

Frisco is playing on KTXD at 7.....just FYI

 

[donaldson79]

I'm not convinced we should trade Rios. Who do we put out there instead to match his production? Certainly not Choice.

I'm with ya, although I'm not as concerned who we put out there now, as I am keeping our options open for next season.

If memory serves, you were in favor of making him a qualifying offer for next season, and then we could keep him/trade him, or get a draft pick. At the time - before I season turned to shit - this seemed like a solid plan. But I'm not so sure this isn't still a solid plan now, unless someone bowls us over with an opportunity.

We just don't have as many major league ready players as we need for 2015.

 

[romeo212000]

I'm with ya, although I'm not as concerned who we put out there now, as I am keeping our options open for next season.

If memory serves, you were in favor of making him a qualifying offer for next season, and then we could keep him/trade him, or get a draft pick. At the time - before I season turned to shit - this seemed like a solid plan. But I'm not so sure this isn't still a solid plan now, unless someone bowls us over with an opportunity.

We just don't have as many major league ready players as we need for 2015.

Actually he has an option for the 2015 season I said we should pick up and then determine whether to keep or trade him. I'm considering 2015 too and I don't see a better RF option right now.

 

[Justinkm83]

I'm not convinced we should trade Rios. Who do we put out there instead to match his production? Certainly not Choice.

I'm on the fence with this one because I'm not really a fan of Rios, but feel the same way you do. Who in the hell will we put there? I wouldn't mind getting Cruz back, or maybe Markakis. I don't like our internal options.

It depends on the return I guess. Damnit, I expected more from Choice.

 

[Justinkm83]

Now that I think about it I wouldn't mind Markakis. He's got a gold glove out there and is an all-around solid, and consistent ball player. He'll get you 15-20 while batting .280+

 

[romeo212000]

I'm on the fence with this one because I'm not really a fan of Rios, but feel the same way you do. Who in the hell will we put there? I wouldn't mind getting Cruz back, or maybe Markakis. I don't like our internal options.

It depends on the return I guess. Damnit, I expected more from Choice.

Choice's ship certainly hasn't sailed, but nobody should be expecting him to step in and contribute right away next season.

 

[romeo212000]

Now that I think about it I would love to acquire Markakis. He's a gold glover out there and is an all-around solid ball player. He'll get you 15-20 while batting .280+

He's not a game changer, but he's a solid role player.

 

[donaldson79]

I hear ya on our RF options for 2015. But getting Cruz is going to take some major dollars and for a few years too. Not sure this is how we want to move forward for 2015.

In fairness to Choice, if all had gone to plan, he'd been in the minors for this year. Let him grow and adjust to what's next for him. But due to our unfortunate happenings, he got rushed, crashed and burned. Now my concern is, did he take a huge step back due to being over exposed to failure this season?

 

[romeo212000]

I hear ya on our RF options for 2015. But getting Cruz is going to take some major dollars and for a few years too. Not sure this is how we want to move forward for 2015.

In fairness to Choice, if all had gone to plan, he'd been in the minors for this year. Let him grow and adjust to what's next for him. But due to our unfortunate happenings, he got rushed, crashed and burned. Now my concern is, did he take a huge step back due to being over exposed to failure this season?

I don't see Cruz as a viable option. He'll cost too much and want too many years.

 

[donaldson79]

I don't see Cruz as a viable option. He'll cost too much and want too many years.

Me either. I'd love to have him back. But I think our ship has sailed on this one for sure.

Even if he comes back to earth in the second half of the season, he's already done enough to show how valuable he can be.

Someone's gonna give him at least 2 years at $30 mil IMO. Of course, I thought he was gonna get 2/3 year deal this season. So what-the-hell do I know?

 

[terpsfball09]

The Rangers believe they can be competitive in 2015 and therefore won’t be trading players like Yu Darvish, Adrian Beltre or Elvis Andrus, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports. Even with a number of talented young infielders in their system, they don’t want to trade Andrus, who is an important figure in their clubhouse. They will, however, consider dealing Joakim Soria and Alex Rios. The Tigers have shown interest in Soria, and the Mariners, Blue Jays, Giants or Royals could all be fits for Rios. Reliever Neal Cotts could also fetch a nice return for Texas.

haha where ya at willy?

 

[terpsfball09]

I think its a ridiculous assumption that we couldnt compete without EA. I know he's a leader (at least, one of the best we got) but we could get a lot for him... not cuz he's AMAZING, but because he is in the upper echelon of players at a very weak position.

Fuck I want Gausman so bad. I've wanted him since he was in high school in colorado lol. I watched him pitch all the time at LSU. The dude is going to be a stud. He's got so much life on his pitches. He's also got the most likable personality. I truly think he's gonna be a multiple time all star. I think we could get him PLUS others, especially because EA is tied down for awhile. We'd have to eat up some cash but whatevs. Try to get Gausman and Harvey in the same trade and put them both in the rotation next year. I promise you my life savings they will return better results then what we are getting, plus its much more fun to watch a pitcher with a mid to upper 90's fastball then an 87 mph sinker pitcher