Series Thread: Rangers vs. Astros 5/12-5/14

[TheRangerDude]

I don't hold a grudge at all, I was indifferent to him leaving, but I do think it was dumb to pass on the QO to begin with

But to question the FO on this is just stupid, they made the offer and he rejected it, we moved on to Choo as a long term replacement (which is actually looking like a good move this year), and he signed elsewhere

I'm not even really questioning the front office though but I dont think there is anything wrong with questioning them on things... they make mistakes just like anyone else. I wish they could have found a way but I am happy with Choo. I've even wondered if maybe there was a trade market for Rios.

I'm not going to call anyone stupid about the situation either... we don't really know all the facts for certain. But one thing is certain I don't recall anyone being that shocked when he rejected the offer... this was actually anticipated. Even JD expected him to reject the offer:

Nelson Cruz rejects Rangers’ qualifying offer | Texas Rangers | Texas Rangers News and...

 

[jta4437]

I'm not even really questioning the front office though but I dont think there is anything wrong with questioning them on things... they make mistakes just like anyone else. I wish they could have found a way but I am happy with Choo. I've even wondered if maybe there was a trade market for Rios.

I'm not going to call anyone stupid about the situation either... we don't really know all the facts for certain. But one thing is certain I don't recall anyone being that shocked when he rejected the offer... this was actually anticipated. Even JD expected him to reject the offer:

Nelson Cruz rejects Rangers’ qualifying offer | Texas Rangers | Texas Rangers News and...

I also didn't say you did, I'm talking about all the other negative nancy's that are, but simply stating that you wish they had made managed to bring him in, means you kinda are

Then you choose not to call him stupid for turning it down, I do... its called an opinion, and I said that from the beginning, doesn't mean I'm surprised he did turn it down, but I still thought it was a dumb move on his part

I stand by the fact that the trade market for a Rios isn't as big as people think, that said I'd rather have had Rios than Cruz at the time in RF, now maybe a different story

 

[darrylgann]

@drewdavison: Matt Harrison will head back to DFW and meet with back specialist Drew Dossett tomorrow. Said there's a level of concern but hoping for best

@drewdavison: Harrison said it's unlikely that he'll make his next start, but is waiting to make a call until he sees Dr. Dossett tomorrow.

 

[Justinkm83]

To make matters worse, Oakland keeps rolling along. I gotta say though, it's weird how nobody throws their ace against Oakland, but everybody throws their ace against us. We saw Lester this weekend, Feldman tomorrow, Buerhle this weekend with the Jays. Oakland didn't have to face Strasburg from the Nats, they won't face Sale, they won't see Price from TB. It seems like teams bear down on us and take the A's lightly.

It's not just Oakland. SEA and the ANA are in front of us and are better teams. SEA just got Iwakuma back who is out dueling Price at the moment.

 

[Justinkm83]

@drewdavison: Matt Harrison will head back to DFW and meet with back specialist Drew Dossett tomorrow. Said there's a level of concern but hoping for best

@drewdavison: Harrison said it's unlikely that he'll make his next start, but is waiting to make a call until he sees Dr. Dossett tomorrow.

When I saw Harrison shaking his head when he got to the dugout I didn't think it was going to be good.

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

It's fucking may 13th.

But apparently the season is a lost cause....

Not even at the all-star break and already calling it a season/that we should tank. JFC.

 

[Justinkm83]

But apparently the season is a lost cause....

Not even at the all-star break and already calling it a season/that we should tank. JFC.

Tanking is ridiculous. Possibly losing Perez and Harrison while not feeling that great about Colby, on top of already being 5 games back has me very worried. I don't care what day it is. We are the 4th best team in our division as I see it right now. Injuries have the most to do with me feeling this way, but it's also underachieving. The injuries don't seem to be letting up so I have trouble seeing the glass half full.

 

[Justinkm83]

Rodney just blew the save against his former team. I hate that douche.

 

[WilltheThrill]

Shut out by the Astros. And it still doesn't seem we hit rock bottom yet.

If getting beat 8-0 by the Astros doesn't represent rock bottom for this year's Rangers, God help us all.

Still a ton of baseball left to be played, but this might just have to be one of those random down years that good teams have (somewhat akin to what the Red Sox went through with Bobby Valentine and the fried chicken scandal). They bounced back quickly via the big trade and a managerial change. Maybe all we need is a mid-season boost from Holland, Profar, and Soto returning and possibly a trade to change our fortunes. I'm not counting out this team, but I'm also not expecting a drastic improvement any time soon.

 

[TheRangerDude]

I also didn't say you did, I'm talking about all the other negative nancy's that are, but simply stating that you wish they had made managed to bring him in, means you kinda are

Then you choose not to call him stupid for turning it down, I do... its called an opinion, and I said that from the beginning, doesn't mean I'm surprised he did turn it down, but I still thought it was a dumb move on his part

I stand by the fact that the trade market for a Rios isn't as big as people think, that said I'd rather have had Rios than Cruz at the time in RF, now maybe a different story

Fair enough I suppose... we may never really see eye to eye on this issue but I think I at least understand where you are coming from more. So, guess there was some productivity from the conversation.

Cruz was my favorite Ranger from the WS runs so I still hold him in high regard personally. Sort of the same why I do Griffey and Pudge. Anyway, I will try to stick a fork in this conversation.

 

[TheRangerDude]

If getting beat 8-0 by the Astros doesn't represent rock bottom for this year's Rangers, God help us all.

Still a ton of baseball left to be played, but this might just have to be one of those random down years that good teams have (somewhat akin to what the Red Sox went through with Bobby Valentine and the fried chicken scandal). They bounced back quickly via the big trade and a managerial change. Maybe all we need is a mid-season boost from Holland, Profar, and Soto returning and possibly a trade to change our fortunes. I'm not counting out this team, but I'm also not expecting a drastic improvement any time soon.

You could be right on the whole down season thing but I still have a lot if hope for this team if they can ever escape the injury bug. I don't expect a WS run or anything but I think returning to the playoffs and maybe winning a series is still a reasonable expectation- again if they can get healthy by the break. Really the best thing we have going for us right now is most all teams beyond the Tigers and A's are looking pretty average so far and there is still way more than enough time to catch up.

On a different note I don't understand the whole tanking the season for the first pick in the comment made earlier. This isn't football. Many first round picks are high schoolers that never even see the bigs and it usually takes those that do a considerable amount of time before they can develop enough to be called up and make any sort of impact. To me the mlb draft is more of a crap shoot given the age of many of those drafted. If I had to guess, I would bet that the odds of the first overall pick ever making an mlb roster are lower than the converse.

 

[terpsfball09]

I just read the past 4 pages. Take my word for it cuz I know its not "official." I'll just quote the text I got a few months ago when I asked about it.

"We already offered Nelly. It was a completely fair offer too. In the same ballpark as Seattle and Baltimore. He is familiar with us and we have made enough moves to be dominant, which is our best selling point. But he thinks playing in the field will make him more valuable in the future and takes a lot of pride in his throwing arm. He said it would crush him if he wouldn't be able to throw anymore. So it isn't looking good for us because he doesn't want to DH."

That's what I got. We offered him. I didn't know that's why you were lamenting on it so bad. We did everything we could to bring him in, but our defense would have been worse if we had sold out and let him play in the field, so we let him walk. That's the way it goes man.

 

[TheRangerDude]

I just read the past 4 pages. Take my word for it cuz I know its not "official." I'll just quote the text I got a few months ago when I asked about it.

"We already offered Nelly. It was a completely fair offer too. In the same ballpark as Seattle and Baltimore. He is familiar with us and we have made enough moves to be dominant, which is our best selling point. But he thinks playing in the field will make him more valuable in the future and takes a lot of pride in his throwing arm. He said it would crush him if he wouldn't be able to throw anymore. So it isn't looking good for us because he doesn't want to DH."

That's what I got. We offered him. I didn't know that's why you were lamenting on it so bad. We did everything we could to bring him in, but our defense would have been worse if we had sold out and let him play in the field, so we let him walk. That's the way it goes man.

I have no reason not to trust you or your source. You were pretty spot on though out the off season. Also the content of that text sounds a lot like Nelly... I know he values his defense and his arm a lot. I was pretty confident as soon as we signed Choo... Cruz was out. I was just under the impression it was more of a mutual thing at that point.

Looks like Romeo and JTA were correct... we did make competitive offers and he choose to play the field for the O's. I stand corrected fellas. I respect the choice he made but wish he would have chose here.

He will still remain one of my favorite Rangers in our history but I will drop my case in light of your post. Keep on mind that Nightcrawler was the one that initiated this topic today though... so I can't speak for him.

 

[donaldson79]

I'm going to hate this Detroit series coming up next week. Seeing Kinsler hit and Nathan saving.

You may not have to worry about seeing Nathan saving since we can't score. Thus, his chances of saving are lowered considerably.

 

[donaldson79]

As of this morning, we've got 3 contracts which are really looking awful toward our immediate future - EA, Fielder, Harrison - and probably longer.

I realize it's mid May. But swear, I've never seen anything like this. If Harry is down again, this probably means he just might be down for life and this season is fastly turning into, "let's see what the young guys can do."

 

[terpsfball09]

I have no reason not to trust you or your source. You were pretty spot on though out the off season. Also the content of that text sounds a lot like Nelly... I know he values his defense and his arm a lot. I was pretty confident as soon as we signed Choo... Cruz was out. I was just under the impression it was more of a mutual thing at that point.

Looks like Romeo and JTA were correct... we did make competitive offers and he choose to play the field for the O's. I stand corrected fellas. I respect the choice he made but wish he would have chose here.

He will still remain one of my favorite Rangers in our history but I will drop my case in light of your post. Keep on mind that Nightcrawler was the one that initiated this topic today though... so I can't speak for him.

I wouldve told you earlier, but I never understood what your complaint was. I thought you were upset that we didn't offer him more money to DH. I didn't think you were thinking that we didn't offer him at all, because we did. The guy just wanted to play outfield. Oh well, more power to him I guess.

No worries.

 

[Nightcrawler]

, "let's see what the young guys can do."

It's not too bad.... I mean we haven't had one of those seasons in a long time. Maybe a few of the bandwagon fans will jump off. I just hope they can use it to clear this injury bug once and for all. Our injury bug has been more persistent than the bubonic plague. Get guys healthy, see what Profar can do, not the end of the world. Injuries have been the main reason we've lost the division the last 3 years. We have rarely ( if ever), fielded the team our front office envisioned on paper before Spring Training. It's always something..... A few key players are always hurt.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

As of this morning, we've got 3 contracts which are really looking awful toward our immediate future - EA, Fielder, Harrison - and probably longer.

I realize it's mid May. But swear, I've never seen anything like this. If Harry is down again, this probably means he just might be down for life and this season is fastly turning into, "let's see what the young guys can do."

I may be way off base on this but I think Tepesch, Martinez and Baker can help us out quite a bit.

 

[fordman84]

It's only mid-May, but I'm looking at what this team can do and needs to do. A few things that I hope are no brainers and then some off the wall ideas:

1) JPA...see ya. I was insanely excited to see if he could help here, but he can't. Make up an injury or cut him. One of you guys that knows the minors, what's the word on that Frisco kid Telis? Looks like a good contact hitter and I think he is early 20's.
2) Saunders...looks like he gets another shot but want nothing to do with him taking a roster spot. Cut him and move up a young kid to work BP and spot start to give guys like Ross some rest.
3) Moreland...we owe it to him to move him if Choice comes back healthy. He's a good guy and can help someone and should have some sort of value, at least more than occasional DH.

Off the wall spitballing:
1) Are we auditioning Odor for other teams? I know he looks like he belongs here, but do we just send him back down when Profar is back or are we letting teams see him? I'm not sure he doesn't do so well we keep him and shop Profar, who knows. Need to see Juri to determine, but loving Rougie so far. Package Mitch and one of these to MIA for the guy we have been wanting for a LONG time?
2) I have no idea what to do with pitching. There are going to be a LOT of buyers at the deadline, so hope we don't need to get involved for once. I was hoping we would be getting Holland back around that time and would have a surplus of starters to put on the market as a seller, but looks like a pipe-dream now.

 

[donaldson79]

Fordman..........I'm on board with JPA, but think Saunders is going to have to stick - for the immediate future anyway - so we can see how many of the walking wounded are out and for what length of time. Totally disagree on Moreland. No way do we move him now IMO.

I can't imagine we are auditioning anyone. And I said this a week ago, I think there's a very real possibility of moving Profar to 3rd. Not today, but in the foreseeable future. ABs wheels were bad coming into the season, have gotten worse, and he's in his 17th season. His bat isn't what is was, at least to date, and 2016 will be a vested option year for AB as well. Profar maybe the answer for long term 3rd.

And it would take at least a pitcher added to the package for Stanton. MM & Profar or Odor wouldn't get a nibble. Maybe if we added a Martinez then perhaps. But our OF, both for now and years to come maybe alright if Martin continues to show growth and add power. Same for MC.