The 2023 Texas Rangers Spring Training Thread

[saddles]

If you say the book is still out on the young guys and would rather see them at the MLB level then I get that but history shows Miller to better in a platoon.

History shows a lot of guys were better before they got to be 33. It shows that some guys decline by that age while a handful like Beltre are good for a few more years. It also shows that many decline by a great margin very rapidly. I don't mind Miller being a backup to several positions, but I don't want him robbing younger guys of opportunities with his aging, spare self. He needs to be a bench guy.

 

[saddles]

When deGrom didn't throw a bullpen session a few days ago, CY mentioned the weather as the chief factor. It was 72⁰ there today.

 

[Kelleyman]

History shows a lot of guys were better before they got to be 33. It shows that some guys decline by that age while a handful like Beltre are good for a few more years. It also shows that many decline by a great margin very rapidly. I don't mind Miller being a backup to several positions, but I don't want him robbing younger guys of opportunities with his aging, spare self. He needs to be a bench guy.

I have zero problem keeping the LF SPOT open and Miller may have another bad season just did not agree with what his past stats said. At some poimt one of our prospects have to pan out for us to make serious noise. My own preference batwise is Duran but his defense is not nearly as good as Smith or Bubba although it probably is as good as Miller. But lol still better than Calhoun.

 

[Kelleyman]

May have said in the past but own personal preference is not to have both Leody and Bubba start at the same time unless one of their bats improve a lot. Leody had a good stretch at one point.

Bubba if he can get his OBP up would be a great starter. Especially with the bigger bases and changes to pitchers pickoff attempts.
Do agree he may be a top 3 base stealer in the league if this happens and will be a huge threat.
He has some serious athleticism

 

[Kelleyman]

Whether we like it or not all signs point to the following guys making the active 26 roster

Grossman Miller Bubba Mathias and a third catcher either Huff or a longshot not in camp
Kind of surprised they did not try to get Plawecki who signed MILB deal with Bucs

Am I missing another position player slot?

 

[Kelleyman]

Forgot about this guy

 

[saddles]

Whether we like it or not all signs point to the following guys making the active 26 roster

Grossman Miller Bubba Mathias and a third catcher either Huff or a longshot not in camp
Kind of surprised they did not try to get Plawecki who signed MILB deal with Bucs

Am I missing another position player slot?

Who is the backup SS?

 

[Kelleyman]

Who is the backup SS?

Not saying my preference but Semien unless of course Josh is on active roster. If his bat comes around I am 100% for Josh. Love his makeup and energy. Probably the second best base runner on the team


I think the shift helps Josh as I think the value for line drive/ contact hitters has increased which is what he should be

 

[Senator_fan]

I am not going to brush this under the rug. I am not happy about the fact that we did not resign him and he went to a team within our division based on his performance last year. Even if he stinks the place up this year I think he was a guy we should have rolled the dice on again.

With Moore pitching under Bochy in 2017 and leading the league in losses and earned runs given up, I wonder if that left a bad taste in Bochy’s mouth.

 

[saddles]

Not saying my preference but Semien unless of course Josh is on active roster. If his bat comes around I am 100% for Josh. Love his makeup and energy. Probably the second best base runner on the team


I think the shift helps Josh as I think the value for line drive/ contact hitters has increased which is what he should be

Semien made it very clear last year that when Seager was out, he wanted to stay at 2B. Now, maybe Bochy tells him he will have to get over it, but I don't think he will.

Versatility will be the key in the makeup of the bench. There is not really room on modern 26 man rosters for guys who cannot play multie positions. That is where guys like Smith, and eventually Duran will have the edge over guys like Leody, Bubba, and most of the other outfielders. Mathias has some versatility -- some. Miller has some. There is certainly room for versatile guys on the roster.

 

[Uncle Siggy]

Semien made it very clear last year that when Seager was out, he wanted to stay at 2B. Now, maybe Bochy tells him he will have to get over it, but I don't think he will.

He played 17 games at SS last year...

 

[saddles]

He played 17 games at SS last year...

I think he must have had the conversation I was referring to with Woodward in early August because after August 3, he no longer played SS. That is when he made it clear.

 

[DT LUNA]

With Moore pitching under Bochy in 2017 and leading the league in losses and earned runs given up, I wonder if that left a bad taste in Bochy’s mouth.

Good point

 

[True Rangers Fan]

 

[WastinSomeTime]

With Moore pitching under Bochy in 2017 and leading the league in losses and earned runs given up, I wonder if that left a bad taste in Bochy’s mouth.

You make a good point but the difference was that Moore was a starter back then. In fact he started 31 games. While last year was definitely an outlier it was the first time that every appearance was out of the bullpen.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

 

[Kelleyman]

Lol. What was that player name?

 

[True Rangers Fan]

 

[True Rangers Fan]