The Officially Official Off Season Thread (2016)

[scotsman1948]

If the Rangers have ever had a better player, I haven't seen him

100% agree

 

[saddles]

Those S&H green stamps are one of a few memories from my childhood, as my memory isn't what it once was. I remember my mom having me lick those stamps and stick them to the little book. I don't recall anything we ever got with them though. I think she just filled up a drawer with em and thats where they stayed, but its foggy at best now. If I asked her she would remember.

fond memory to recall about your mom, no doubt

Seems like I recall my mom redeeming the Scottie stamps at Buddies, but I am not certain.

 

[saddles]

they cleared a spot for Kinsler by unloading Alfonso Soriano and moving Young to SS. they cleared the spot for Elvis by moving Young to 3rd

They might have to move someone to clear a spot for one of our top 3 prospects at some point.

 

[saddles]

If the Rangers have ever had a better player, I haven't seen him

Yes, he is my favorite all time player. Overall he might be the best to ever play his position.

 

[donaldson79]

Overall he might be the best to ever play his position.

For whatever it's worth, the Sporting News has him #6 all time behind, Piazza-Cochrane-Campanella-Bench-Berra.

I personally would have him way in front of Piazza, but have no idea about Cochrane & Campanella. My dad was a minor league catcher and he swore Campanella was the best he ever saw, whatever that's worth.

 

[scotsman1948]

They might have to move someone to clear a spot for one of our top 3 prospects at some point.

And they will when they think it is appropriate. But Bronson will probably take over LF and I'm guessing if DeShields stumbles then Mazara will step up. Now Hallo may have to wait a year or so

 

[DT LUNA]

And they will when they think it is appropriate. But Bronson will probably take over LF and I'm guessing if DeShields stumbles then Mazara will step up. Now Hallo may have to wait a year or so

I believe Mazara will come up first to CF and DDJ goes to LF and Brinson stays in AAA if DDJ works out. If not Brinson comes up. Several options to toy with.

 

[UK Cowboy]

For whatever it's worth, the Sporting News has him #6 all time behind, Piazza-Cochrane-Campanella-Bench-Berra.

I personally would have him way in front of Piazza, but have no idea about Cochrane & Campanella. My dad was a minor league catcher and he swore Campanella was the best he ever saw, whatever that's worth.

Its hard to judge guys I've never seen. Only Bench was a better catcher in my lifetime, though from all I have read, Campanella and Berra have an argument, not to mention Josh Gibson, who, if you believe what was said by his peers, was at least the equal of Babe Ruth as a baseball player

 

[scotsman1948]

I believe Mazara will come up first to CF and DDJ goes to LF and Brinson stays in AAA if DDJ works out. If not Brinson comes up. Several options to toy with.

I think Bronson would get the call first more bat ready if Hamilton & Ruggy don't work. And then if DDJ fails then they move Bronson to CF and bring up Mazara. Just my opinion of course

 

[romeo212000]

And they will when they think it is appropriate. But Bronson will probably take over LF and I'm guessing if DeShields stumbles then Mazara will step up. Now Hallo may have to wait a year or so

Brinson is the CF. Mazara is the COF.

 

[DT LUNA]

Brinson is the CF. Mazara is the COF.

Right. Had it backward. Not unusual tho....lol

 

[saddles]

Cowlishaw: If willing to take a chance, Rangers desperately need this right-handed bat | SportsDay

What's the deal with the quiet market on Yoenis Cespedes? Any shot he gets cheap enough that the Rangers take a shot at him?

Cowlishaw: There are always a few players who go along into January without being signed. It seems like that happened with Prince Fielder the year he got $214 million from Detroit. Cespedes will still get too much money for the Rangers to pursue, but I'm with you, I wish they would take a chance, open up the budget and add the right-handed power bat they desperately need.

How do you see the Rangers' rotation shaping up past the big names?

Cowlishaw: I'd say it starts with Hamels-Perez-Lewis-Holland and fifth to be chosen from Nick Martinez and all the rest with Darvish coming along around June 1. As long as Darvish is fine, that's a winning rotation.

Why are the Rangers so hesitant to make a big move? If they want to win they need to take chances...

Cowlishaw: Realistically, their big move of the off-season was adding Cole Hamels to the top of the rotation. They just made it in July instead of January. They seem to have been given a budget to keep their payroll in the $140 million range, which doesn't make them cheap but means they probably will fall out of the top 10. If you think that's an odd decision, I agree with you.

 

[saddles]

Jon Heyman is no longer with CBS Sports

 

[saddles]

Bush Has Last Chance To Make Good - BaseballAmerica.com

 

[scotsman1948]

I believe Mazara will come up first to CF and DDJ goes to LF and Brinson stays in AAA if DDJ works out. If not Brinson comes up. Several options to toy with.

see my comment above "2106"

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Cliff Lee would need a "perfect fit" to pitch in 2016

He's 37. Hasn't pitched in 18 months. Chose to rehab injury instead of surgery.

And he's telling teams they need to be the "right fit" for him and his wife to be considered.

Wow.

 

[RevSader]

Cliff Lee would need a "perfect fit" to pitch in 2016

He's 37. Hasn't pitched in 18 months. Chose to rehab injury instead of surgery.

And he's telling teams they need to be the "right fit" for him and his wife to be considered.

Wow.

Sounds like he's perfectly okay with retiring if there isn't any real interest. Why would he make a another go unless it was worth it for him financially and as a competitor? Makes total sense to me. Not like he's gonna be getting anything more than a one year incentive based deal anyway.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Sounds like he's perfectly okay with retiring if there isn't any real interest. Why would he make a another go unless it was worth it for him financially and as a competitor? Makes total sense to me. Not like he's gonna be getting anything more than a one year incentive based deal anyway.

Those are conflicting concepts, are they not?

 

[RevSader]

Those are conflicting concepts, are they not?

Not necessarily. He can get a deal with a low base salary that rewards him based on incentives. That way both he and the team that signs him win. If he's hitting those benchmarks he's probably worth the money spent.

Guys will usually come back if the money is good enough though. Hard to turn down a few million to play a game I would think.

 

[donaldson79]

Cliff Lee would need a "perfect fit" to pitch in 2016

He's 37. Hasn't pitched in 18 months. Chose to rehab injury instead of surgery.

And he's telling teams they need to be the "right fit" for him and his wife to be considered.

Wow.

I have no problem at all with him making a family decision, as opposed to being a missing parent for about 7/8 months outta the year. He does have some extenuating circumstances after all. Plus, it was part of the reason which got him to Arlington to begin with, and was also part of why he went to Philly as well.

But then again, we can we/rest of baseball be a little picky too. I like Rev's idea of one year, incentive laden contract, if at all. To me, it would either be this or nothing; make it easy on yourself Cliff.