Texas Rangers 2018-2019 Offseason Thread

[True Rangers Fan]

 

[Kelleyman]

No one is saying Mathis is a long term solution but IMO a team needs elite defense at catcher and CF. Defense up the middle when you set a team up

I am looking at this as a change of philosophy of team building

 

[Kelleyman]

Ranger data within

 

[saddles]

More Rule 5 protection discussuon.

Texas Rangers (33)
6. Taylor Hearn
17. Pedro Gonzalez
22. Scott Heineman
30. Edgar Arredondo

Outlook: This number will bump up to 34 when the signing of Jeff Mathis becomes official, but even then, there are more openings here than interesting prospects to fill them. That said, it's certainly possible all four here move to the 40-man. Hearn is a definite addition after striking out 140 batters and showing a plus-plus fastball in 129 innings at Double-A in both the Texas and Pittsburgh systems. Heineman is the closest of the bunch after proving to be a slightly above-average bat at Triple-A while playing three outfield spots. Gonzalez has the higher ceiling with four potential above-average tools, but the 21-year-old only played Class A in 2018, posting an OBP below .300 along the way. Arredondo moved into the top-30 ranks after posting a 3.71 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 104 1/3 innings at Class A Advanced and Double-A, but he lacks the immediate stuff to push for a Major League spot, making him little threat to go in the Rule 5 Draft.

 

[saddles]

Of those mentioned above I would only protect Hearn and Heineman.

 

[saddles]

If the plan is to get the first draft pick in the 2020 draft then bring on 3 or 4 more Mathis-types.

 

[saddles]

To clarify, it doesn't bother me too much that the Rangers signed Mathis. The 2 years that he is signed for are lost years anyway.

 

[saddles]

 

[Kelleyman]

Dutch connection

 

[Kelleyman]

To clarify, it doesn't bother me too much that the Rangers signed Mathis. The 2 years that he is signed for are lost years anyway.

Or perhaps he is a pure back up 2020. But yes the narrative must take a back seat to logic at times. Haha. Sure you might say the same thing to me

 

[saddles]

Or perhaps he is a pure back up 2020. But yes the narrative must take a back seat to logic at times. Haha. Sure you might say the same thing to me

He might be a backup in 2019.

 

[Kelleyman]

More hurrahs of interest that you might be expecting

 

[Kelleyman]

He might be a backup in 2019.

Yes likely not to get the lion share of starts but as this is another developmental year it likely doesn’t matter.

My point though is Mathis as a defensive back in a scenario where we contend in 2020 is not all bad

 

[saddles]

Yes likely not to get the lion share of starts but as this is another developmental year it likely doesn’t matter.

My point though is Mathis as a defensive back in a scenario where we contend in 2020 is not all bad

It will be bad when we are ready to go to a WS if we have backups hitting near or below the Mendoza line. That won't happen during this contract though so no worries on my part.

 

[Kelleyman]

It will be bad when we are ready to go to a WS if we have backups hitting near or below the Mendoza line. That won't happen during this contract though so no worries on my part.

Contending can be interpreted in different ways.

Of course we hope Trevino and perhaps IKF can be useful at catcher and if Trevino is not starting in 2020 then expectations have not been met.

 

[saddles]

Contending can be interpreted in different ways.

Of course we hope Trevino and perhaps IKF can be useful at catcher and if Trevino is not starting in 2020 then expectations have not been met.

I think the ultimate answer at that position is either someone way down in our organization or a free agent brought in in 2021 or so.

 

[Kelleyman]

I think the ultimate answer at that position is either someone way down in our organization or a free agent brought in in 2021 or so.

Ok but talking 2020 but yes Trevino hit tool is unproven

 

[saddles]

Maybe some of these new coaching hires will work out great, but nothing is guaranteed just because our front office is hiring them. If that was the case Banny, Iapoce, and Brocail would still be here.

Let's hope for the best, but realize we could be looking again 3 years from now.

 

[scotsman1948]

He might be a backup in 2019.

He might be nothing but minor league depth with Trevino & IKF handling the MLB catching

 

[Kelleyman]

He might be nothing but minor league depth with Trevino & IKF handling the MLB catching

No disrespect and perhaps this was a joke but how are Rangers to send a guy that old to the minors? There are rules right?