Texas Rangers 2018-2019 Offseason Thread

[Kelleyman]

The state of baseball expounded upon

 

[DT LUNA]

#29 jersey retired forever. Thank you AB

 

[Bmurph]

#29 jersey retired forever. Thank you AB

Best thing the organization has done in a long time

 

[saddles]

This season should still be more interesting than last year.

Last year we were dealing with a stale manager and coaching staff.

This year, we’re focusing on keeping the payroll under control and developing players with a new coaching staff / manager and a new ballpark coming very soon.

I don't see this year as being a whole lot different than last year. Next year may be a little different, but not a whole lot.

The interesting things will be happening in North Carolina and Frisco for the most part.

 

[saddles]

Rangers' young players leading way forward

The meeting that defined the Rangers' offseason took place in Seattle at the end of last season. General manager Jon Daniels was there, along with interim manager Don Wakamatsu, a couple other staff members and what is now being labeled as the "core group" of young players. That includes Nomar Mazara, along with Joey Gallo, Rougned Odor, Jose Leclerc and others. Daniels and Wakamatsu spoke, but mainly wanted to hear what the players had to say. "The season was about to finish up, and anytime you have a managerial change, it is a trying year in some regards," Daniels said Saturday at Fan Fest. "We told them, 'We're going into the offseason, we have a lot to accomplish, what do you want to accomplish? Where are your heads, where is your focus?' "For me, it was the message: 'This is your team -- we are going to go where you guys go.'" The players debated the questions among themselves, and the answers became clear as the offseason progressed. Mazara did not decide to hibernate for the winter in the Dominican Republic and Odor elected not to hang out with his horses in Venezuela. Gallo changed his offseason home from Las Vegas to Dallas. The Rangers as a group made the decision to stick together this offseason and work out together in Texas. Daniels said it was the players' idea and not dictated by the front office. The Rangers MLB Youth Academy -- with superior indoor training facilities -- proved the perfect spot. The players started working out there, the group has grown as the winter has progressed and they have stayed after it. "It's been a lot of fun to watch, seeing everybody come together like that," Mazara said. "It's like a band of brothers, everybody working together as a team pushing each other, all close friends. It has been great."

 

[Kelleyman]

JD stated that next year was likely the year they sign a cornerstone piece

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

Here is a link to Fraley's story about the meeting at the end of the season between the core players and JD. He adds that Profar was a part of the meeting.

Why Rangers GM Jon Daniels has given the keys to the team to his 'Core Four'

After speaking with Daniels, the players gathered on their own to discuss what they had just heard. They accepted the responsibility Daniels had given them by agreeing to stay together in the area during the offseason for workouts.

They brought other young players, such as catcher Isiah Kiner-Falefa, first baseman Ronald Guzman and outfielders Willie Calhoun and Delino DeShields, into the group. According to Daniels, Calhoun had the best offseason of all for the work done on his swing and his body.

It may sound hokey, but a bond also developed within the bunch. With that comes accountability. Daniels said the club likely is one year away from contending again, but the Rangers are getting a head-start on that by what is happening with their core players.


"It's time for us to step up together,'' Gallo said on Saturday during the club's Fan Fest at Globe Life Park.


Said Mazara: "It's not just me. There's a lot of good young players here, and we're hungry to win. People say we can't win, but we don't believe that.''

The Rangers needed this response. The leading clubhouse forces from last season are gone: Adrian Beltre to retirement and Robinson Chirinos to Houston as a free agent. Nothing says only veterans can fill the void. The Core Four can do it, too.

"These guys have all grown up as individuals and professionals,'' Daniels said. "That's been fun to see.

"We need that group to produce. That's the core of this team. It's really encouraging for them to take ownership of the team and take ownership of their careers.'

 

[Duane1952]

Here is a link to Fraley's story about the meeting at the end of the season between the core players and JD. He adds that Profar was a part of the meeting.

Why Rangers GM Jon Daniels has given the keys to the team to his 'Core Four'

After speaking with Daniels, the players gathered on their own to discuss what they had just heard. They accepted the responsibility Daniels had given them by agreeing to stay together in the area during the offseason for workouts.

They brought other young players, such as catcher Isiah Kiner-Falefa, first baseman Ronald Guzman and outfielders Willie Calhoun and Delino DeShields, into the group. According to Daniels, Calhoun had the best offseason of all for the work done on his swing and his body.

It may sound hokey, but a bond also developed within the bunch. With that comes accountability. Daniels said the club likely is one year away from contending again, but the Rangers are getting a head-start on that by what is happening with their core players.


"It's time for us to step up together,'' Gallo said on Saturday during the club's Fan Fest at Globe Life Park.


Said Mazara: "It's not just me. There's a lot of good young players here, and we're hungry to win. People say we can't win, but we don't believe that.''

The Rangers needed this response. The leading clubhouse forces from last season are gone: Adrian Beltre to retirement and Robinson Chirinos to Houston as a free agent. Nothing says only veterans can fill the void. The Core Four can do it, too.

"These guys have all grown up as individuals and professionals,'' Daniels said. "That's been fun to see.

"We need that group to produce. That's the core of this team. It's really encouraging for them to take ownership of the team and take ownership of their careers.'

Gallo it's time for you to step up and hit more than .210 for a season.

 

[saddles]

Smyly feeling healthy heading into spring

 

[Kelleyman]

All this four core talk makes me think they will extend Mazara instead of looking for a trade

 

[Duane1952]

Looks like the top free agents are not going to get the money they thought they were going to get this year either.

 

[Kelleyman]

Wonder if there is some similarities between Crouse and him. Both are quirky

 

[saddles]

Wonder if there is some similarities between Crouse and him. Both are quirky

They were making similarities about them when we drafted Crouse. I remember posting a link to the article on here right after we drafted him.

 

[saddles]

Looks like the top free agents are not going to get the money they thought they were going to get this year either.

As soon as we are looking to sign someone then the prices will go up again. That's when the big boys will start spending money again.

 

[saddles]

All this four core talk makes me think they will extend Mazara instead of looking for a trade

Well, Profar was a part of the core before being traded.

 

[DT LUNA]

Well, Profar was a part of the core before being traded.

Hard to think he will not be on 3 rd.

 

[saddles]

Meet the 3 Rangers to make MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list, including their potential ace pitcher of the future

No. 85: Hans Crouse, RHP
Crouse just finished his second season in the Rangers minor-league system and impressed with a 5-3 record and a 2.47 ERA in 54.2 innings pitched playing for Spokane in the Northwest League and Hickory with the South Atlantic League.

The Rangers selected Crouse with the 66th pick in the second round of the 2017 MLB draft. SportsDay Rangers Insider Gerry Fraley ranked Crouse as the No. 3 prospect in the Rangers organization prior to the 2018 season.

"Crouse features a high-90s fastball and a sharp slider. He showed signs of an effective changeup in his first pro season. Crouse has an unusual delivery that includes a violent cross-body finish. Crouse dominated the rookie-level Arizona League in his first professional season," Fraley writes. "In 20 innings, Crouse allowed only seven hits and had 30 strikeouts. Right-handed hitters were 4 for 41 with 18 strikeouts against him. The Rangers limited Crouse to two innings or fewer in all but one of his appearances. He concluded the Arizona season with a three-inning appearance."

Here is MLB.com's scouting report on Crouse:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55

"A true power pitcher, Crouse blows away hitters with a fastball that parks in the mid-90s and repeatedly hits 99 mph with riding life that makes it even more difficult to barrel. He backs it up with a wipeout slider with mid-80s velocity and two-plane depth, and he shows the aptitude to manipulate it into a true curveball to give batters a different look. His changeup can be too firm at times but shows flashes of becoming an average third offering with some fade.


Crouse has a lot going on in his violent delivery, which finishes with some disconcerting head whack, yet he repeats it and keeps it in sync enough to find the strike zone on a regular basis. He's more animated than most pitchers, and he'll throw in a Johnny Cueto shimmy or groom the mound like Mark Fidrych at times. Though some scouts wonder if he can hold up as a starter, the Rangers are determined to develop him as one and believe he can become their ace of the future."

 

[saddles]

No. 88 Julio Pablo Martinez, OF
Julio Pablo Martinez batted .252, had 34 walks, 21 RBIs and eight home runs with Spokane last season. Fraley said in a chat recently that Martinez is a better center field prospect than Leody Taveras:

"Right now, it is Martinez because of age and experience. He is 24, five years older than Taveras, and played in Cuba's high-powered Nacional Series. Martinez will get to the majors first, but that it not to downgrade Taveras."

The Rangers added Martinez prior to last season, agreeing to a deal, which includes a $2.8 million signing bonus.

Martinez told Fraley he set a goal of getting to the major leagues within three years.

"I know a lot of that depends on the results and the needs of the big league team," said Martinez, speaking through an interpreter.


Here is MLB.com's scouting report on Martinez:

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

"With his plate discipline and plus speed, Martinez could fit at the top of a big league batting order. He has a good feel for putting the barrel on the ball, though his left-handed swing can get too long when he tries to hit home runs. While he's not a big guy, he generates solid raw power with his quick bat and deceptive strength in his hands and wrists.

"Martinez has the speed to be an asset as a basestealer and a center fielder, but he's still learning how to make the most of it. He needs to improve his jumps on the bases and in the outfield. He's capable of playing all three outfield spots, though his fringy-to-average arm would be a bit stretched in right."

 

[saddles]

No. 89 Cole Winn, RHP

Cole Winn was taken in the first round of the 2018 MLB draft by the Rangers and has yet to play a game in their minor-league system.

"I thought there was no chance going into the day that we would get [Winn]," scouting director Kip Fagg said to SportsDay Rangers Insider Evan Grant. "There has been a push for offensive players in the top of the first-round industry-wide the last couple of years. We had [Winn] as the highest pitcher on our board behind [No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize]. Sometimes the genre that falls is high school right-handers. We were not going to be deterred by that."

Here is MLB.com's scouting report on Winn:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55

"Winn already possesses two plus pitches in a 92-95 mph fastball that reaches 97 with some armside run and a curveball with true 12-to-6 break. He added a low-80s slider during his high school senior season, and it has already shown flashes of becoming a wipeout pitch. He gets good fading action on his changeup, which should improve as he uses it more against pro hitters.

"Winn's athleticism allows him to repeat his clean delivery and maintain his quality stuff deep into games. He's extremely advanced and has better control and command than most pitchers his age. Though he didn't throw a pitch in a pro game in 2018, he could still be the first high school arm from his Draft to make it to the Majors."