Series Thread: Suddenly Streaking Rangers visit Un-Athletics

[RevSader]

Sorry.....meant to say, I also believe this was somewhat true with Wash, even if JD and company are saying otherwise.

JD stood behind Wash through everything, so I don't know how much they disagreed. That just doesn't seem too consistent with the idea that they were at odds. But idk what goes on behind closed doors, so what do I know?

 

[donaldson79]

What good #3 FA do you know that is willing to come to Texas?

I'd really like to see us go after James Shields. Even if we have to overpay to get him for the next 4 years.

Next season, we could open with Darvish, Holland, Shields, Lewis and one of the Nick's/Bonilla/Mikolas, at # 5, etc.

But this would give us a nice window for 2016 to have Darvish (provided he signs long term), Holland, Shields, Perez, and then all kinds of options for the 5th spot: Lewis, Tep/Martinez, Chi-Chi, Jackson, Thompson, etc.

I'm looking at 2016 as our next "real" opportunity for challenging for the AL pennant.

 

[saddles]

hope you are wrong on this. none of them has shown anything this year.

They have shown flashes at times, but lack consistency and maybe stamina. I just think based on how they have worked in the past the front office will decide that they can find one starter amongst all of our younger guys. I think it was Justin that said earlier that maybe even Ogando gets another look if he is healthy.

 

[Justinkm83]

i hope they aren't stupid enough to go into next season with Tepesch in the starting rotation. hopefully JD has learned and signs a couple of good FA starters to complement Yu and Derek and brings back Lewis as our #5

I agree. I don't want Lewis AND Tepesch at the back of the rotation. I'm fine w/ bringing Colby back. He's still a bulldog and finds a way to keep us in most games. I want us to trade from our surplus of MIFers (including EA) for Latos, and add a FA starter. It doesn't have to be Latos, but I see that as a possibility. I also wouldn't be surprised if Ogando is given another opportunity to be a starter. We have so many bullpen arms that I feel we don't need him in the bullpen.

 

[saddles]

There was a really good article in today's DMN about how the new manager and the GM must buy off on each other's vision and present a unified message to the players. To me, the same should hold true for the players to the team.

If Yu doesn't see this franchises desire to win, even with today's dismal record, then him waiting to see which way the team is going, does nothing more than raise my concern level and illustrates his intention of moving on. And I don't understand exactly what you mean by "which direction the franchise is going" in. If you're suggesting it's got to be a win now mode, then I disagree with the plan. We've just got too many questions going into 2015 to feel like trades and costly FA moves are what's best beyond 2015.

If I'm JD, I go to him with a plan about the teams "vision" for the short, as well as long term plan. But I'd only do this after we had a new mgr and pitching coach - assuming Maddux goes to Houston - in place.

Again, I don't want to trade Darvish. But if the team reads his intention to test the FA market in 2017 as what he desires, this changes everything. I think other organizations would line up with a treasure of young players to have a Darvish under their control even if it's just for 2 years.

I mean he may want to see how next year unfolds. He has seen a lot of poor offense here the past 2 seasons and he may want to see what the team intends on doing about it. I wouldn't blame him for that. Then again he may look around and see how many injuries are occurring to pitchers around the league and think it would be smart to sign something long term as soon as possible.

 

[saddles]

I mean he may want to see how next year unfolds. He has seen a lot of poor offense here the past 2 seasons and he may want to see what the team intends on doing about it. I wouldn't blame him for that. Then again he may look around and see how many injuries are occurring to pitchers around the league and think it would be smart to sign something long term as soon as possible.

If you are trading Yu you might as well trade Beltre as well because without Yu this team isn't going to contend until those players we get for him not only arrive in the big leagues but are able to get acclimated to the big leagues as well. By that time Adrian will be a free agent and you can bring him back then if you want to.

 

[scotsman1948]

What good #3 FA do you know that is willing to come to Texas?

i believe that any FA starter would be willing to come here if the years and money is right. i don't have anyone in particular in mind but we have got to have something better than Tepesch or any of the others that we were forced to throw out there this season. Yu and Derek can not carry this team with the rest of the starting rotation being AA quality or we'll easily be at the bottom of the AL again.

 

[Justinkm83]

They have shown flashes at times, but lack consistency and maybe stamina. I just think based on how they have worked in the past the front office will decide that they can find one starter amongst all of our younger guys. I think it was Justin that said earlier that maybe even Ogando gets another look if he is healthy.

That's crazy. I was typing my comment while you made that one. Good memory. It was me, and I prefer (if healthy of course) Ogando in the rotation.

 

[scotsman1948]

They have shown flashes at times, but lack consistency and maybe stamina. I just think based on how they have worked in the past the front office will decide that they can find one starter amongst all of our younger guys. I think it was Justin that said earlier that maybe even Ogando gets another look if he is healthy.

Ogando hasn't got the stamina and if used will break down again.

 

[Justinkm83]

Ogando hasn't got the stamina and if used will break down again.

That's where depth comes in. I still want us to add 2 quality starters. Give me a healthy Ogando over Colby any day though.

 

[donaldson79]

I read something like that, but not sure if it was the exact article. I might have read a summary on LSB.

I really like that most GMs never played the game now. It's a different type of work that requires a different kind of understanding. That's not to say that players cannot be a good GM. I bet there are a few guys out there that could do well at the job.

I just don't think most players can make the shrewd tough calls that you have to be able to make as a GM, because of their emotional attachment to the game. You need a cold heart sometimes and a good mix of business savvy and love for baseball is necessary.

Just waiting on the background check etc to go through. I will fill out the hiring paper work when that is settled and begin orientation the week after that is processed. So hopefully in the next two weeks. I am looking forward to it.

On those two points, I think you're pretty much 100% correct. It's a different game today, and the evaluation process has changed dramatically. Even though I'm an old fart at this junction in life, I agree with this "new" process overall.

There was a time when the process was all about players: good glove vs bad, good bat vs no glove, young with upside vs old and sliding, etc. Now, the economic impact of each decision is so enormous. It was a simpler, easier evaluation process 30 years ago, no doubt about it.

And again, congratulations - provided your not an ax murderer - and you'll breeze through the paperwork with a terrific career opportunity awaiting. Hope you make the most of it!

 

[RevSader]

On those two points, I think you're pretty much 100% correct. It's a different game today, and the evaluation process has changed dramatically. Even though I'm an old fart at this junction in life, I agree with this "new" process overall.

There was a time when the process was all about players: good glove vs bad, good bat vs no glove, young with upside vs old and sliding, etc. Now, the economic impact of each decision is so enormous. It was a simpler, easier evaluation process 30 years ago, no doubt about it.

And again, congratulations - provided your not an ax murderer - and you'll breeze through the paperwork with a terrific career opportunity awaiting. Hope you make the most of it!

I plan on making the most of it. I will also leave my self available for the opening AJ Preller's departure created. If you are reading JD, just send me a PM. I would love the job.

 

[donaldson79]

That's where depth comes in. I still want us to add 2 quality starters. Give me a healthy Ogando over Colby any day though.

I could not disagree anymore with this statement.

Ogando's arm action is a injury in process. How many times in the last 2 seasons has he been on the DL? Is it 3 or 4?

Put that guy in short relieve and "hope" he can do this. IMO, he has no opportunity to start ever again.

 

[donaldson79]

I plan on making the most of it. I will also leave my self available for the opening AJ Preller's departure created. If you are reading JD, just send me a PM. I would love the job.

Always good to have (A) a plan B and (B) aim high.

 

[Justinkm83]

I could not disagree anymore with this statement.

Ogando's arm action is a injury in process. How many times in the last 2 seasons has he been on the DL? Is it 3 or 4?

Put that guy in short relieve and "hope" he can do this. IMO, he has no opportunity to start ever again.

If you think his arm action is an injury waiting to happen then why waste a roster spot to put him in the bullpen? I say put him in the rotation where he's most valuable, and if he gets hurt then so be it. Colby will be there to take his spot.

 

[RevSader]

If you think his arm action is an injury waiting to happen then why waste a roster spot to put him in the bullpen? I say put him in the rotation where he's most valuable, and if he gets hurt then so be it. Colby will be there to take his spot.

Ugh...making starters out of established relievers has driven me wild the last few years. I know the temptation is strong because starters are more valuable, but if they aren't effective the whole thing is a wash. (no pun intended) I was initially for the moves but after the injuries to them I am just not so sure anymore.

 

[Justinkm83]

Ugh...making starters out of established relievers has driven me wild the last few years. I know the temptation is strong because starters are more valuable, but if they aren't effective the whole thing is a wash. (no pun intended) I was initially for the moves but after the injuries to them I am just not so sure anymore.

I understand the other side of it, and we're probably getting ahead of ourselves anyways. Who knows if Ogando can even come back and be valuable in either situation. I just don't think he's needed in the bullpen. If he was LH it would be different. I think if we put him in the rotation and he gets hurt again then you can cut him loose.

 

[donaldson79]

If you think his arm action is an injury waiting to happen then why waste a roster spot to put him in the bullpen? I say put him in the rotation where he's most valuable, and if he gets hurt then so be it. Colby will be there to take his spot.

BP arms are much more easily replaced. To me, it's really disruptive to replace a starter, regardless if he's a # 2 or a # 5 IMO.

Where would you have Colby going into next season, assuming your Ogando starting scenario?

 

[Justinkm83]

In his latest Insider-only piece for ESPN, Buster Olney expressed doubt that the Orioles would re-sign Nelson Cruz this winter. The O’s are more likely to let Cruz go and pick up an extra draft pick (via the qualifying offer) since Cruz’s big season may have made him too expensive for Baltimore. If the team looks for a right-handed bat to replace Cruz, Olney opines that the Braves’ Evan Gattis, rumored to be a trade candidate, would be a perfect fit as the Orioles’ new designated hitter.


Wasn't that you Rev I was talking to about Gattis a few weeks ago?

 

[RevSader]

In his latest Insider-only piece for ESPN, Buster Olney expressed doubt that the Orioles would re-sign Nelson Cruz this winter. The O’s are more likely to let Cruz go and pick up an extra draft pick (via the qualifying offer) since Cruz’s big season may have made him too expensive for Baltimore. If the team looks for a right-handed bat to replace Cruz, Olney opines that the Braves’ Evan Gattis, rumored to be a trade candidate, would be a perfect fit as the Orioles’ new designated hitter.


Wasn't that you Rev I was talking to about Gattis a few weeks ago?

Yes. I want him.