Texas Rangers 2022 - 2023 Offseason Thread

[saddles]

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

When Carter and Zavala get to the big leagues there likely will be some things to not like about their game during their first year or so. That is how it usually works out. There is almost always an acclimation time needed and during that time they often appear lacking. There is always some learning and adjustments that have to be made at the big league level. Those with the high work ethic and high baseball IQ are usually at somewhat of an advantage in those adjustments and acclimation areas.

 

[saddles]

What makes us better in 2024 and beyond are essential to keep in mind when making decisions about 2023. If a decision or an acquisition helps in both the future and in 2023, then all the better.

 

[saddles]

3 from Evan's list of 5 possible pitching coaches.

-Darren Balsley: A lot of connections here. Balsley, who spent 16 years as San Diego’s pitching coach, was Bochy’s pitching coach his last three seasons with the Padres and spent five years as Chris Young’s pitching coach. He’d hit the ground running, having the trust of the manager and the GM immediately. Balsley, 57, was reassigned by the Padres after the 2020 season.

--Dave Righetti: More connections. Righetti, 63, spent 18 years as San Francisco’s pitching coach, including eight seasons (and three World Series titles) alongside Bochy. Righetti’s San Francisco pitching staffs included Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum, which tends to improve anybody’s resume. Righetti, however, has not coached since the end of the 2017 season. That’s a long layoff. Righetti was originally drafted by the Rangers but traded to the Yankees in a deal for Sparky Lyle, so coming to Texas would be, in a way, coming home.

--Mike Maddux: Speaking of coming home, there is Maddux, who spent seven years as the Rangers’ pitching coach and who still lives in the area. Maddux, 61, has spent the last five seasons as St. Louis’ pitching coach, but his contract is up with the end of the World Series. The Cardinals rank sixth in the majors in ERA (3.87) in Maddux’s time and have allowed the fewest homers. He’s a voracious consumer of video and very detailed in game prep.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

3 from Evan's list of 5 possible pitching coaches.

-Darren Balsley: A lot of connections here. Balsley, who spent 16 years as San Diego’s pitching coach, was Bochy’s pitching coach his last three seasons with the Padres and spent five years as Chris Young’s pitching coach. He’d hit the ground running, having the trust of the manager and the GM immediately. Balsley, 57, was reassigned by the Padres after the 2020 season.

--Dave Righetti: More connections. Righetti, 63, spent 18 years as San Francisco’s pitching coach, including eight seasons (and three World Series titles) alongside Bochy. Righetti’s San Francisco pitching staffs included Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum, which tends to improve anybody’s resume. Righetti, however, has not coached since the end of the 2017 season. That’s a long layoff. Righetti was originally drafted by the Rangers but traded to the Yankees in a deal for Sparky Lyle, so coming to Texas would be, in a way, coming home.

--Mike Maddux: Speaking of coming home, there is Maddux, who spent seven years as the Rangers’ pitching coach and who still lives in the area. Maddux, 61, has spent the last five seasons as St. Louis’ pitching coach, but his contract is up with the end of the World Series. The Cardinals rank sixth in the majors in ERA (3.87) in Maddux’s time and have allowed the fewest homers. He’s a voracious consumer of video and very detailed in game prep.

Mike Maddux makes the most sense by far from that list.

 

[Uncle Siggy]

3 I would suspect Evan Carter has a dater pathway to CF than either of the 2 above

 

[Uncle Siggy]

3 from Evan's list of 5 possible pitching coaches.

-Darren Balsley: A lot of connections here. Balsley, who spent 16 years as San Diego’s pitching coach, was Bochy’s pitching coach his last three seasons with the Padres and spent five years as Chris Young’s pitching coach. He’d hit the ground running, having the trust of the manager and the GM immediately. Balsley, 57, was reassigned by the Padres after the 2020 season.

--Dave Righetti: More connections. Righetti, 63, spent 18 years as San Francisco’s pitching coach, including eight seasons (and three World Series titles) alongside Bochy. Righetti’s San Francisco pitching staffs included Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum, which tends to improve anybody’s resume. Righetti, however, has not coached since the end of the 2017 season. That’s a long layoff. Righetti was originally drafted by the Rangers but traded to the Yankees in a deal for Sparky Lyle, so coming to Texas would be, in a way, coming home.

--Mike Maddux: Speaking of coming home, there is Maddux, who spent seven years as the Rangers’ pitching coach and who still lives in the area. Maddux, 61, has spent the last five seasons as St. Louis’ pitching coach, but his contract is up with the end of the World Series. The Cardinals rank sixth in the majors in ERA (3.87) in Maddux’s time and have allowed the fewest homers. He’s a voracious consumer of video and very detailed in game prep.

​

Texas Rangers[edit]​

Maddux coaching with the Rangers in 2009
The Texas Rangers hired Maddux as their pitching coach before the 2009 season. In an early conversation, then-president and former Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan said he wanted to change the culture and perception that pitching for the Rangers was extremely difficult. "Do it, or else" was the challenge he gave Maddux.[15] In 2008, the Rangers' pitching staff produced a 5.37 ERA, the worst in the American League (AL), and from 2000–08, also produced an AL-worst 5.14 ERA. The Rangers had not completed a season with a team ERA below 4.00 since 1990, and in 15 seasons playing at Globe Life Park in Arlington, their ERA was 5.04.[16] In the previous 11 seasons before his arrival, they had given up 888 runs a season.[14]

After his first season as pitching coach with Texas, the club's ERA dropped nearly one full run (0.99).[17] In 2011, when the Rangers went to the World Series for the second consecutive season, they lacked star pitching. The rotation was composed primarily of C. J. Wilson, with a 6.02 ERA when Maddux arrived; Colby Lewis, who had just pitched in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan; Scott Feldman, and Tommy Hunter.[14] During Maddux' time with the Rangers, club won 612 games, third-most in the AL, and achieved a collective ERA of 4.04, including four consecutive seasons below 4.00. From 2010–13, their ERA was 3.83, third-lowest in the AL.[16] They trimmed the average number of runs allowed in his six years to 707.[14] Five pitchers became All-Stars in Maddux' tenure: Yu Darvish, Neftalí Feliz, Matt Harrison, Alexi Ogando, and Wilson. The Rangers reached the postseason four times and won two AL pennants.[16]

During the 2011 offseason, the Cubs fired Mike Quade as their manager and considered Maddux as a potential replacement.[18] He was also considered for the Red Sox managerial position, but he withdrew himself from consideration.[19] In 2014, he was a candidate to manage the Astros after they fired Bo Porter.[20]

When Jeff Banister became the Rangers' manager during the 2014–15 offseason, Maddux agreed to stay with the Rangers for one more season.[21] His contract with the Rangers expired after the 2015 season, and they discussed a new contract. Maddux explored options with other teams while the Rangers considered hiring a successor. The Rangers decided to hire a candidate from their interviews rather than making Maddux a formal offer.[22]

Stints with Washington and St. Louis[edit]​

The Washington Nationals signed Maddux with a two-year contract to become their pitching coach on November 4, 2015.[23] On October 20, 2017, his contract was not renewed.[24]

On October 26, 2017, the St. Louis Cardinals hired Maddux as their pitching coach.[25]
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Darren Balsley Wiki, Biography, Age as Wikipedia​

Darren Balsley is the former pitching coach of Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres franchise. He was a minor-league pitcher before he decided to go into coaching. He went to Mount Carmel High School in San Diego and attended Palomar College. He had been in this role since May 17, 2003. Under his tutelage, the Padres pitching has greatly improved, with the team ERA going from 4.87 in 2003 to a Major-League best 3.70 in 2007 and again Major-League leading best 3.07 ERA in 2010. Many pitchers have gone on to have some of the best years of their careers under his coaching. These players include Heath Bell, Jake Peavy, Cla Meredith, Chris Young, Akinori Otsuka, and Kevin Cameron.

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Coaching career[edit]​

In 2000, Righetti became the pitching coach for the Giants. Righetti's pitchers helped the Giants win the 2002 National League pennant, although the Giants would lose the World Series in seven games to the Anaheim Angels.

Despite uncertainty if he would return to the Giants for the 2007 season due to a managerial change, Righetti announced in early November 2007 that he would remain with the Giants in his present role.[22] He was the pitching coach for the pitching staff that included Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum, Jonathan Sánchez, and Brian Wilson that won the 2010, 2012, and 2014 World Series. An analysis by Fangraphs showed that Righetti has an uncanny knack for teaching pitchers to avoid giving up home runs.[23]

After 18 seasons of working under managers Dusty Baker, Felipe Alou, and Bruce Bochy, Righetti was removed from his role as pitching coach on October 21, 2017 and moved into a front-office role with the Giants.[24]

 

[saddles]

Copied from a post on Facebook

"Who was the last player to bat for the Washington Senators in the franchise’s final game and also the last active player from that team? Who played both complete games of a doubleheader at shortstop without handling a single chance? Who became one-half of the first set of American League teammates – and only the second duo in major-league history – to hit back-to-back inside-the-park home runs? Who was one of the three players who combined to hit a major-league-record three grand slams in one game? . . .Happy 74th Birthday to Toby Harrah (1972-1978, 1985-1986)."

Happy Birthday, Toby!!!

One of my all-time favorite Rangers.

 

[Kelleyman]

 

[saddles]

I really wonder why Zavala doesn't play more in Arizona. He only has 21 plate appearances compared to 51 for Acuna.

 

[Kelleyman]

I really wonder why Zavala doesn't play more in Arizona. He only has 21 plate appearances compared to 51 for Acuna.

Maybe it is the coaches. Which to me means winter ball options

 

[DTC]

I really wonder why Zavala doesn't play more in Arizona. He only has 21 plate appearances compared to 51 for Acuna.

Maybe the rangers coaching staff asked to get Hauver more playing time between the 2..
Maybe they’re more comfortable with Zavala but not as sure with Hauver.
Want to get more looks at him?

 

[saddles]

Maybe the rangers coaching staff asked to get Hauver more playing time between the 2..
Maybe they’re more comfortable with Zavala but not as sure with Hauver.
Want to get more looks at him?

I am wondering if they just wanted to work on something with Zavala, outside of an in-game situation.

Comparing the 2, Hauver has played in 69 more minor league games than Zavala.

 

[saddles]

From Jeff Wilson:

The Rangers are holding their annual pro scouting meetings at Globe Life Field, a shift in location from Arizona due to the managerial search.

These are the meetings where the offseason plan comes to fruition. Yeah, the Rangers want to sign some starting pitchers, but they will have Plans A, B, C through X, Y, Z after this week.

First up, though, is a review of the Rangers’ roster and prospects who could impact the club in 2023. The best debate could be if Bubba Thompson and Sam Huff can be significant contributors, and if Joey Gallo could become more productive again in his happy place, without infield shifts and under hitting coaches Donnie Ecker and Tim Hyers.

The Rangers have some tough Rule 5 decisions to make next month. They have some non-tender candidates to evaluate.

The scouts will also uncover trade targets, some who haven’t been speculated upon by the national media. Pro scouts have a keen sense on what’s happening behind the scenes with other clubs.

And, of course, there are free agents to weigh. Everyone who follows this stuff closely knows who the big targets are — Jacob deGrom, Clayton Kershaw, Carlos Rodon, Justin Verlander — but Rangers pro scouts have nailed the mid-tier free agents the past five seasons.

Mike Minor, Lance Lynn, Kyle Gibson and Martin Perez signed at relatively reasonable prices and became great value signings. Don’t be surprised if the Rangers acquire a couple of these pitchers, including Perez, this offseason.

 

[saddles]

and if Joey Gallo could become more productive again in his happy place, without infield shifts and under hitting coaches Donnie Ecker and Tim Hyers.

In my mind, I ducked when I included this part.

 

[DTC]

The scouts will also uncover trade targets, some who haven’t been speculated upon by the national media. Pro scouts have a keen sense on what’s happening behind the scenes with other clubs.

at relatively reasonable prices and became great value signings. Don’t be surprised if the Rangers acquire a couple of these pitchers, including Perez, this offseason.

This is what I’m interested in lol
Makes for all kinds of scenarios and thoughts

Wonder what pitchers are being looked at on the trade market that are under the radar, not yet mentioned?

What SPs would be good value FA signing?

 

[DTC]

In my mind, I ducked when I included this part.

For real… please.. no..

 

[Kelleyman]

In my mind, I ducked when I included this part.

I don’t mind if they sign Gallo to a one year deal with options but after rule 5 and under the following conditions
He comes back and acknowledges that his approach has failed and will continue to fail regardless of shift ban. He will be open to fixing and will take a minor league assignment if needed. He is going to have to earn a starting job and it will not be given

If we get him that is fine due to his upside. It is like buying a lottery ticket

This is not to say I am optimistic he will change and certainly others are more deserving of a shot and every player should get playing time ultimately based upon productivity

 

[Kelleyman]

I am not ducking for now. Bring it on

 

[DT LUNA]

I don’t mind if they sign Gallo to a one year deal with options but after rule 5 and under the following conditions
He comes back and acknowledges that his approach has failed and will continue to fail regardless of shift ban. He will be open to fixing and will take a minor league assignment if needed. He is going to have to earn a starting job and it will not be given

If we get him that is fine due to his upside. It is like buying a lottery ticket

This is not to say I am optimistic he will change and certainly others are more deserving of a shot and every player should get playing time ultimately based upon productivity

Keep in mind most lotto tickets FAIL. Oh yeah, you have lost something.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

I don’t mind if they sign Gallo to a one year deal with options but after rule 5 and under the following conditions
He comes back and acknowledges that his approach has failed and will continue to fail regardless of shift ban. He will be open to fixing and will take a minor league assignment if needed. He is going to have to earn a starting job and it will not be given

If we get him that is fine due to his upside. It is like buying a lottery ticket

This is not to say I am optimistic he will change and certainly others are more deserving of a shot and every player should get playing time ultimately based upon productivity

What even would be the point then