The Officially Official Off Season Thread (2016)

[donaldson79]

I thought I'd heard us linked to Parra as a possibility.

I don't recall anything specific really. It seemed like it was more fodder than anything. Perhaps wishful thinking.

This guy would be more than fine for me in a Ranger uniform for 2016.

 

[romeo212000]

It's been overdue for this to be pointed out really.

I still think we're gonna be happy with this guy for at least the next 2/3 years. It's the back-end which is going to hurt some. I suspect anyway.

I think you're right.

 

[DT LUNA]

I saw us linked via an article but no one on here has said much about him, only Cespedes and Upton, lets be honest, we're not paying big money to them with Choo around (he's not getting traded, no one is taking on that contract sorry) and Mazara/Gallo and Brinson potentially coming soon

Funny thing to think that even with his horrid first year and a third here, that Choo (based on current WAR valuations) is actually 800k in the positive on that bad contract

Now I don't think he'll meet the expectations when its all said and done, but his horrible start had me thinking the front end was a bust too, but not so, he just lost the chance to build up some surplus value to make the back end worth it

Anyone not understanding why JD has not opened up the money purse yet may find the answer here. There are more ways to meeting our needs than spending big money. Here are several good thoughts on that very thing.

 

[scotsman1948]

Grow up, Scotty. Quit playing the bullshit victim card and up your fucking game. Deal with people disagreeing with you and pointing out when youre being foolish, or fuck off. And again, cool it with the childish name calling. Nobody likes a crybaby.

fuck you asshole

 

[romeo212000]

fuck you asshole

That's enough of that.

 

[Kelleyman]

Re CF. I do think Brinson could come in quicker than we think but we will need a guy like Stubbs or another Defense first speedburner we can stash at AAA for insurance until Brinson is ready. Our pickup Jones needs to develop. I don't think he is that guy yet. Believe Justin R has played some CF too but thinking that is emergency fill in. Have to think there will be a AAA CF signing soon.

 

[Kelleyman]

BTW. Good to keep it friendly on the site IMO. Although respectful difference of opinions definitely enjoyed. Even re Budget. Ha.

 

[romeo212000]

BTW. Good to keep it friendly on the site IMO. Although respectful difference of opinions definitely enjoyed. Even re Budget. Ha.

I got no problem with heated exchanges regarding differences of opinion, but it doesn't need to devolve into juvenile name calling and the like. It offers zero substance to the board.

 

[jta4437]

I got no problem with heated exchanges regarding differences of opinion, but it doesn't need to devolve into juvenile name calling and the like. It offers zero substance to the board.

He still hasn't answered the question with anything specific that he would've/we could've done to shore up LF and catcher

 

[romeo212000]

He still hasn't answered the question with anything specific that he would've/we could've done to shore up LF and catcher

He's probably taking some time to cool down, but I noticed the same thing.

 

[Kelleyman]

I got no problem with heated exchanges regarding differences of opinion, but it doesn't need to devolve into juvenile name calling and the like. It offers zero substance to the board.

Hey I appreciate Rangers talk with myself being so invested. Romeo, You called me out once on the old ESPN board and I learned to hang tough. Of course generally only softballs became tossed on that board and only my pride and insecurity kept me coming on this board sooner. So yes I think it is good to bring A game vs spouting baseless opinions because it is open game.

For me if I think something is best and based upon own evidence it is good to stand behind it no matter if called out. And yes last response curses are nonproductive. Better to take high road if possible.

Re last diatribe with Scotty. Do not think it is going anywhere and would let go for now. But future comments on board by anyone are of course open to responses. Even this one or my past ones re optimism with FO

 

[Kelleyman]

Guys like Pudge at catcher are unicorns. I think as a back up we need to find a defense first back up. We are not going to make it through season with only Chirinos and Chris G.
Lucroy best option but at this point not worth cost seen so far.

Agree with most re LF. Platoon Ham and near RHB likely Justin R until Ham goes down. Hopefully Mazara ready then. Of course other potential scenarios.

 

[saddles]

BTW. Good to keep it friendly on the site IMO. Although respectful difference of opinions definitely enjoyed. Even re Budget. Ha.

Friendliness is always best. Good natured ribbing is fine. A lot of times disagreements come into play as a result of this type of communication being so limited. I can remember numerous times where I have tried to defend my position and the other person suspected I was bent out of shape. I don't know how many times I have written out a comment or response with a smile on my face and had the other party think I was upset. That is just the nature of this form of communication. It is really easy to misunderstand emotions in this kind of forum.

No two people are going to agree on everything even when they root for the same team. I have had several instances on boards where it is obvious the other person didn't know what they were talking about, but I never found it necessary to point that out unless they found it necessary to be rude to me first. There is no need to tell someone they are clueless even if it is obvious they are. I can promise you we have all had clueless opinions at some point every once in awhile. As long as they are clueless and cordial I have no problem with them.

Of course if someone persists in acting like a jerk then it can be no holds barred. Over the years I think I have tried to take a more mellow approach during disagreements than I used to, but I can get drawn offsides when the other person feels like they have to be a jerk. Sometimes there are posters like Frets, Feckless Garbeau, and Gregory from a couple of other boards that you just cannot be civil with. Then there are guys like Red, Larry, and David that I have had many disagreements with over the years and yet we remain on good terms with each other.

I don't mind anyone disagreeing with me, but it would be nice to keep disagreements civil. Sometimes it would help if folks stayed sober while posting.

 

[saddles]

Guys like Pudge at catcher are unicorns. I think as a back up we need to find a defense first back up. We are not going to make it through season with only Chirinos and Chris G.
Lucroy best option but at this point not worth cost seen so far.

Agree with most re LF. Platoon Ham and near RHB likely Justin R until Ham goes down. Hopefully Mazara ready then. Of course other potential scenarios.

I guess the days of having catchers like Slaught, Petralli, and Stanley all on the same team are unicorns as well. Then we had Petralli, Krueter and Stanley all on the same team once. Up through the days of Pudge we had been extremely blessed at that position over the years.

 

[saddles]

Quick Hits: Rangers, Chi Chi, Upton, Gray, Span

Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine and A’s executive Billy Beane appeared on the MLB Network Radio show with Jim Bowden to discuss offseason rumors (tweets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Levine spoke broadly about Texas’ approach in free agency, saying “we’ll stay in touch with all the agents for the existing free agents. If something does fall into our lap, we’ll be poised to strike.” Reports suggest the Rangers have some budgetary constraints in play, but the roster is already is decent shape.

• The Rangers have not offered pitching prospect Chi Chi Gonzalez to the Marlins for outfielder Marcell Ozuna. There is “no truth to the rumor,” per Levine, although he does confirm that the Rangers have talked shop with the Marlins and other clubs. Earlier today, we heard that Don Mattingly and Barry Bonds hoped to keep Ozuna with the Marlins.
• Levine and associates are long time admirers of Justin Upton. The aforementioned budget constraints restrict the club from making a long term commitment. However, they’ll continue to monitor the status of his market.

 

[romeo212000]

Quick Hits: Rangers, Chi Chi, Upton, Gray, Span

Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine and A’s executive Billy Beane appeared on the MLB Network Radio show with Jim Bowden to discuss offseason rumors (tweets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Levine spoke broadly about Texas’ approach in free agency, saying “we’ll stay in touch with all the agents for the existing free agents. If something does fall into our lap, we’ll be poised to strike.” Reports suggest the Rangers have some budgetary constraints in play, but the roster is already is decent shape.

• The Rangers have not offered pitching prospect Chi Chi Gonzalez to the Marlins for outfielder Marcell Ozuna. There is “no truth to the rumor,” per Levine, although he does confirm that the Rangers have talked shop with the Marlins and other clubs. Earlier today, we heard that Don Mattingly and Barry Bonds hoped to keep Ozuna with the Marlins.
• Levine and associates are long time admirers of Justin Upton. The aforementioned budget constraints restrict the club from making a long term commitment. However, they’ll continue to monitor the status of his market.

It's not just budget constraints keeping them from going after a big OF bat. They also have some young impressive bats that we'll be looking to insert soon. If they gave Upton or Cespedes a big FA deal, our corner outfield spots would be occupied for the foreseeable future with nowhere to potentially put someone like Mazara when he is ready.

 

[saddles]

It's not just budget constraints keeping them from going after a big OF bat. They also have some young impressive bats that we'll be looking to insert soon. If they gave Upton or Cespedes a big FA deal, our corner outfield spots would be occupied for the foreseeable future with nowhere to potentially put someone like Mazara when he is ready.

I think they are mentioning Upton with the thought of him going with a one year contract. I don't believe there have been rumors associating us with him this offseason until it was suggested that he might take a one year deal. That would negate the idea of him interfering with our plans for our young outfielders, but it would mean Hamilton would be on the bench. That is unless Hamilton becomes the DH and Prince plays 1B with Moreland sitting. That might be the reason they only mentioned budget constraints and not Mazara. Just guessing.

 

[saddles]

2016 bold predictions for AL: Trout belts 50 HRs, A's deal Gray

There are many good second basemen in the majors, but 2016 is the year Rougned Odor becomes the best, or at least the best offensive second baseman.

 

[saddles]

Should Arlington build a new stadium for the Texas Rangers?

 

[True Rangers Fan]

2016 bold predictions for AL: Trout belts 50 HRs, A's deal Gray

There are many good second basemen in the majors, but 2016 is the year Rougned Odor becomes the best, or at least the best offensive second baseman.

So, Odor had the best slugging % of 2B in 2015, and BSPN is predicting that in 2016 he will have the best offensive stats of 2B in 2016?

Way to step out on a limb with your "bold" predictions.