Texas Rangers 2018-2019 Offseason Thread

[scotsman1948]

from MTR: This offseason has again placed recently extended president of baseball Jon Daniels in a somewhat awkward position, as he has worked to fill out the roster without any real hope or intention of putting a contending product on the field. The focus, unsurprisingly, has been on compiling a palatable unit of pitchers.

they haven't compiled anything

 

[scotsman1948]

Yes and it's a bad way to go.

totally agree with this

 

[scotsman1948]

from MTR: This offseason has again placed recently extended president of baseball Jon Daniels in a somewhat awkward position, as he has worked to fill out the roster without any real hope or intention of putting a contending product on the field. The focus, unsurprisingly, has been on compiling a palatable unit of pitchers.

they haven't compiled anything

knowing this we probably bring back Colon, Fister and Perez and then Daniels will talk about how they feel good about our "starting" rotation

 

[DT LUNA]

Back to catchers. IKF is an emergency catcher and that's all. Essentially we have Mathis. Tells me we need one more. Carrying two catchers is a must and IKF is not ready except in emergency only. He should stay busy as a UIF. We can't afford to not carry two catchers not including IKF IMO

 

[scotsman1948]

Back to catchers. IKF is an emergency catcher and that's all. Essentially we have Mathis. Tells me we need one more. Carrying two catchers is a must and IKF is not ready except in emergency only. He should stay busy as a UIF. We can't afford to not carry two catchers not including IKF IMO

starting 35 games is more than emergency use only but I agree we need a #1 starting catcher because Mathis only started 61 in 2018

 

[saddles]

Mike Nappli has announced his retirement.

Thank you Mr. Napoli for the great memories.

 

[Kelleyman]

Back to catchers. IKF is an emergency catcher and that's all. Essentially we have Mathis. Tells me we need one more. Carrying two catchers is a must and IKF is not ready except in emergency only. He should stay busy as a UIF. We can't afford to not carry two catchers not including IKF IMO

We need a guy who can catch 60 games IMO.

IKF may be more than an emergency catcher and much more than that in a year but he he can not be expected to catch 80 games in a year. I do think Trevino is a guy who can up in September and could easily filling this slot next year.

This is why a rule 5 guy makes sense

 

[DT LUNA]

We need a guy who can catch 60 games IMO.

IKF may be more than an emergency catcher and much more than that in a year but he he can not be expected to catch 80 games in a year. I do think Trevino is a guy who can up in September and could easily filling this slot next year.

This is why a rule 5 guy makes sense

Point is...... IKF has to play another position for some time. That is why we need another catcher.

 

[saddles]

To me, Mathis was signed either to help train IKF or he was signed to do the same for a Rule 5 pick and IKF. If we go out and get a veteran to play the bulk of the games then I am not sure why we signed Mathis.

 

[DT LUNA]

To me, Mathis was signed either to help train IKF or he was signed to do the same for a Rule 5 pick and IKF. If we go out and get a veteran to play the bulk of the games then I am not sure why we signed Mathis.

IMO we need two capable catchers if IKF is our UIF. Don't care who besides Mathis. IKF can't be counted on because he could easily be filling in for injuries and not be available.

 

[Kelleyman]

We do have a pretty capable former catcher on staff who works with our guys. Wonder off Pudge input had anything to do with Robbie non tendered.

Do agree though. great year for a rule 5 guy vs a vet pick up

 

[saddles]

IMO we need two capable catchers if IKF is our UIF. Don't care who besides Mathis. IKF can't be counted on because he could easily be filling in for injuries and not be available.

Or we could sign a utility infielder.

 

[DT LUNA]

Or we could sign a utility infielder.

Yep

 

[Kelleyman]

Or we could sign a utility infielder.

Ok but we pretty much let Alberto go if we were all in on IKF being our back up catcher. If we are spending money I hope it is on pitching. Get a young back up at catcher with promise IMO. We shall see what happens next week after Rule 5

 

[Duane1952]

Ok but we pretty much let Alberto go if we were all in on IKF being our back up catcher. If we are spending money I hope it is on pitching. Get a young back up at catcher with promise IMO. We shall see what happens next week after Rule 5

I get what you're saying. But letting Alberto go, is no big loss.

 

[saddles]

I get what you're saying. But letting Alberto go, is no big loss.

Agreed, we have had many low cost UIF over the years and Alberto was about the worst hitter of the bunch.

 

[saddles]

Ok but we pretty much let Alberto go if we were all in on IKF being our back up catcher. If we are spending money I hope it is on pitching. Get a young back up at catcher with promise IMO. We shall see what happens next week after Rule 5

I am not sure IKF is going to be the backup. He could catch 80 or more games in 2019.

If we do get a UIF in free agency he will probably be a cheap one.

 

[DT LUNA]

I am ready for things to get underway. How about you guys? Terrible off season.

 

[Duane1952]

I am ready for things to get underway. How about you guys? Terrible off season.

Me too. We will see if we get any excitement from the winter meetings.

 

[saddles]

As Rangers search for pitching, they must also consider trading likes of Jurickson Profar

Grant's take:

"With the Rangers unlikely to contend before 2021, they must consider trading some of their arbitration-eligible players, who are closing in on free agency, for guys they would control longer. Prime examples: Jurickson Profar, who has re-established his value and would be a free agent after 2020, and even Nomar Mazara, who is in his first year of arbitration, but is also part of a glut of left-handed hitting corner outfielder/DH types.

If the Rangers can trade them for multiple young prospects, well, that is the position they are in. They haven't been there for a while, but it is the reality of reconstructing a long-term contender."