Texas Rangers 2022 - 2023 Offseason Thread

[Kelleyman]

 

[True Rangers Fan]

By no means am I a Phillies fan except this coming series.
But regardless you have to be impressed with Bryce Harper the way he performed and embraced the city.

Like to see him continue his tear and take home World Series MVP

 

[saddles]

I had read reports that some of the players were on hand for the press conference yesterday and I wondered which ones were there. Jeff Wilson tells us in today's report.

"A nice-sized group of players made its way to the Bochy news conference, including second baseman Marcus Semien and first baseman Nate Lowe. Left-handers Taylor Hearn and John King were there, as were infielder Josh Smith and right-handers A.J. Alexy and Josh Sborz."

 

[Kelleyman]

 

[saddles]

Four inexpensive, yet realistic, ways to improve the offense and four expensive, yet necessary, ways to improve the pitching. I think we can be wildcard contenders if these eight things happen.

1) Seager hits like he is capable of hitting
2) Jung does what is expected
3) Josh Smith rounds into form
4) Ezequiel Duran comes up mid-season and hits well


1) Sign Martin Perez
2) Sign Nick Martinez
3) Limit bullpen games due to prospect-filled AAA rotation
4) Spend big money on the bullpen

 

[Kelleyman]

Four inexpensive, yet realistic, ways to improve the offense and four expensive, yet necessary, ways to improve the pitching. I think we can be wildcard contenders if these eight things happen.

1) Seager hits like he is capable of hitting
2) Jung does what is expected
3) Josh Smith rounds into form
4) Ezequiel Duran comes up mid-season and hits well


1) Sign Martin Perez
2) Sign Nick Martinez
3) Limit bullpen games due to prospect-filled AAA rotation
4) Spend big money on the bullpen

Martinez started and WS in the pen I am thinking this year. He would be a good pickup
Would not be surprised if we got Rodon or another high profile guy
Have to have a closer

The ST and competition for OF spots should prove interesting

 

[Kelleyman]

I had read reports that some of the players were on hand for the press conference yesterday and I wondered which ones were there. Jeff Wilson tells us in today's report.

"A nice-sized group of players made its way to the Bochy news conference, including second baseman Marcus Semien and first baseman Nate Lowe. Left-handers Taylor Hearn and John King were there, as were infielder Josh Smith and right-handers A.J. Alexy and Josh Sborz."

So I wonder what the guys are doing at the facility besides working out

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Do you think Bochy was prepped on having to deal with Nate Lowe's dumb face?

 

[DTC]

If Josh Smith and Bubba Thompson are in LF and Leody and Bubba in CF
Infield Set.
Where does Duran fit in ?
DH?
Or will that be a Garver/Heim/Huff C/DH Trio?

 

[saddles]

Here is where Perez and Otto ranked in ERA from August 1 until the end of the season.

 

[saddles]

If Josh Smith and Bubba Thompson are in LF and Leody and Bubba in CF
Infield Set.
Where does Duran fit in ?
DH?
Or will that be a Garver/Heim/Huff C/DH Trio?

I think Duran starts out in Round Rock and kills it there like he did in the minors this year. I think Taveras will continue to be what he has been and by August he will be on the bench. Most likely Duran is in LF and Smith in CF from that point. I guess it could work out with Duran in CF and Josh in LF though.

 

[DTC]

I think Duran starts out in Round Rock and kills it there like he did in the minors this year. I think Taveras will continue to be what he has been and by August he will be on the bench. Most likely Duran is in LF and Smith in CF from that point. I guess it could work out with Duran in CF and Josh in LF though.

I would like to see Duran turn into a legit CF

 

[saddles]

Do you think Bochy was prepped on having to deal with Nate Lowe's dumb face?

That's why Lowe was at the press conference. They wanted Bochy to get used to it as soon as possible.

 

[saddles]

I would like to see Duran turn into a legit CF

His first 200 MLB at bats seems to have scared some folks into not expecting very much from him. I think he is the real deal.

 

[DTC]

His first 200 MLB at bats seems to have scared some folks into not expecting very much from him. I think he is the real deal.

I don’t mind his first 200 AB.
Just curious how he fits in.
Didn’t seem to take on an OF spot as quickly as Smith did which makes me wonder if he wants to stay a middle infielder?
Also seemed to make some mental errors and real errors a little too frequently.
Both on the base paths and in the field

 

[saddles]

Didn’t seem to take on an OF spot as quickly as Smith did which makes me wonder if he wants to stay a middle infielder?

In Round Rock this year, he played the same number of games in the OF as he did in the IF.

 

[saddles]

Also seemed to make some mental errors and real errors a little too frequently.
Both on the base paths and in the field

He was probably a little overwhelmed and most likely had a small level of immaturity as well.

He was up here prematurely. He has been trying to learn 3B, LF, and CF this year. So, he had good reason to be overwhelmed. Under those circumstances, I think he did very well.

I think he will be fine with more experience.

 

[Kelleyman]

1 Duran has a good bat and yes not ready for regular OF especially CF
2 Smith although skilled and high baseball IQ looks overwhelmed by high velo pitches and is not as strong as I like. With his arm he is much more suited for LF but ideally is an infielder
3 I would suspect Evan Carter has a dater pathway to CF than either of the 2 above
4. Zavala is a factor as well

We really have another at least half year IMO before any of the top two in near case scenario are ready for MLB ball. Smith offensively and Duran defensively

If they are ready sooner bring them on

 

[saddles]

 

[Kelleyman]

Other thing about Bochy hire

Think Rangers improve in their fundamentals. Less errors hitting the cities. Situational hitting
And use of the pen. Bet we make huge strides with this. If we make a legit push for arms
We can get over 500 and maybe slip into the WC.
Hope I am not overly optimistic but are batting automatically improves with bats returning like Jung. No shift for Seager and a legit DH. Just need CF and LF to produce