Texas Rangers 2025 Spring Training Thread

[Kelleyman]

Thinking about Alex Bregman and Marcus Semien

Contemplating Alex Bregman, his new contract, and Marcus Semien

t.co

Re Semien contract contrasting with Bregman by AJM

LOL

 

[saddles]

Fangraphs has 16 catchers in their top 100 list. That seems like a lot of catchers. I wonder if the Rangers could acquire one of those in a trade at some point. It has been a very long time since we have had a highly regarded catcher in the system.

 

[saddles]

Bochy says Joc Pederson will get work at 1B this spring. He says they have enough outfielders and that Pederson might be needed more at 1B this year. He has just five innings in three games at first base since 2019, when he started 19 games there for the Dodgers.

 

[saddles]

We have signed Luke Jackson. It is a major league contract.

 

[saddles]

Sborz goes to the 60-day to make room for Jackson.

Corniell can also be moved to the 60-day DL at some point

 

[saddles]

Jackson put up some poor numbers in 2024, but he did finish strong. From August 14 on he pitched 12.1 innings and struck outv18 with a 2.19 ERA.

 

[saddles]

DeGrom
Eovaldi
Bradford
Mahle
Gray
Dunning
Martin
Garcia
Webb
Milner
Armstrong
Jackson


That leaves one spot left for guys like Rocker, Church, Pennington, Latz, Chavez, and Latz.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Jackson put up some poor numbers in 2024, but he did finish strong. From August 14 on he pitched 12.1 innings and struck outv18 with a 2.19 ERA.

I am not a fan but you never know.

 

[saddles]

I am not a fan but you never know.

All we can do is be hopeful at this point. His numbers had gotten worse so drastically that it made me look to see if there was anything to show it was a fluke. I am not sure if that finish is enough to prove that or not, but at least he righted the ship for an extended period. It looks like he had 5 really bad outings out of 50 something outings. If those numbers were removed his ERA would gave looked very good last year. Maybe we have a deep enough pen that he can be replaced before his bad outings last too long. Just looking for anything positive, actually.

 

[saddles]

If the Rangwrs have enough of these bullpen guys look good this spring, that may mean Rocker starts the year in the .minors. That night not be a bad thing if his innings have to be limited in a big way.

Maybe they can structure his innings to 4 each start between the beginning of the season and the middle of June. Then 5 innings the next 6 weeks. Then bring him up in late July having trown about 75 innings in the minors. Then let him pitch in the big league rotation 11 or 12 times at 5 or 6 innings each outing, giving him about 60 big league innings. That would give him a total of 135 innings. Of course, there will be times when he comes out earlier due to getting roughed up so maybe the total is more like 125-130 innings.

If he is needed up here before then, he could pitch for awhile in the big leagues and then let Leiter take his spot.

 

[saddles]

I read two articles about Evan Carter this evening. The article from Evan Grant was full of worry about Carter and Grant used the fact that Carter didn't want to discuss the specifics of his back issue as proof that there should be concern.

Jeff Wilson had the same facts as Grant did, but his article was full of optimism about Carter's back. He acted as if Carter's reluctance to talk about the condition was normal.

 

[Kelleyman]

DeGrom
Eovaldi
Bradford
Mahle
Gray
Dunning
Martin
Garcia
Webb
Milner
Armstrong
Jackson


That leaves one spot left for guys like Rocker, Church, Pennington, Latz, Chavez, and Latz.

Besides Garcia and maybe Dunning who from the pen has options available?

Ideally you like at least two guys who have options so you can get fresh arms up

 

[saddles]

Besides Garcia and maybe Dunning who from the pen has options available?

Ideally you like at least two guys who have options so you can get fresh arms up

That would be Church, Pennington, Winn, Garabito, Curvelo, Robert amd maybe Latz. They are set in that area.

 

[Kelleyman]

That would be Church, Pennington, Winn, Garabito, Curvelo, Robert amd maybe Latz. They are set in that area.

Yeah but none of them minus Garcia start the year in active roster on team
Latz might be deserving

 

[saddles]

Yeah but none of them minus Garcia start the year in active roster on team
Latz might be deserving

It is an odd set of pitchers, but they seem to want it that way.

 

[Kelleyman]

It is an odd set of pitchers, but they seem to want it that way.

This is why to me the García pickup is the best one and this ultimately becomes a bridge year pen wise until we get our young guys ready to take over

Going to be interesting who they let close in the ST games

 

[saddles]

This is why to me the García pickup is the best one and this ultimately becomes a bridge year pen wise until we get our young guys ready to take over

Going to be interesting who they let close in the ST games

If he becomes one of the better bullpen arms, like some think he will, it is going to be difficult to shuttle him back and forth.

The problem with closing ST games is that you do it against guys who might be considered third string at best.

I fully expect Chris Martin to close games until he proves he can't.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I read two articles about Evan Carter this evening. The article from Evan Grant was full of worry about Carter and Grant used the fact that Carter didn't want to discuss the specifics of his back issue as proof that there should be concern.

Jeff Wilson had the same facts as Grant did, but his article was full of optimism about Carter's back. He acted as if Carter's reluctance to talk about the condition was normal.

I am not feeling real good about Carter and his back from what I read. It has shortened 2 of his last 3 seasons. Carter stated that they have come up with a plan to MANAGE it and that it could go into readmission. None of that is reassuring but I really hope he is good to go for the season.

 

[gregrey972]

I am glad to see some of the Carter concern here. I was looking at their current roster and wondering...who is their lead off hitter? The good Carter would be great there with his patient approach, but I do not think we can count on that just yet. Is it Semien and I am just over thinking this?

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I am glad to see some of the Carter concern here. I was looking at their current roster and wondering...who is their lead off hitter? The good Carter would be great there with his patient approach, but I do not think we can count on that just yet. Is it Semien and I am just over thinking this?

I don't think you are overthinking it. It will be Semien.