The Officially Official Off Season Thread (2016)

[donaldson79]

More fuel for the Darvish bond fire.

Darvish feels strong, hopeful for mid-May return

 

[donaldson79]

I just hope he signs somewhere before the draft so we can get the draft pick.

It's gonna be a pisser if he doesn't get signed and we lose the pick.

 

[saddles]

I still think Rua has a shot. A great performance will force him in the lineup. I think completion for spots is not bad. And BTW Josh's health has not been the subject of glowing reports. I just hope the best players play. We saw DDJ take a job that was not his. It can happen again

For depth sake they will probably put Rua in AAA unless someone starts the year on the DL. I would think if everyone is healthy that they would rather keep Ruggiano instead of releasing him unless the difference in the two in ST is enormous. This spring they are probably going to go to ST having a pretty good idea about how the 25 man roster is going to shape up barring injuries of course.

DeShields took a job from Leonys. I don't believe we have any Leonys types this year. Also, we had to keep DeShields or lose him altogether. Kind of like with Ruggiano this year.

 

[saddles]

It's gonna be a pisser if he doesn't get signed and we lose the pick.

I might be tempted to sign him to a one year deal, put him in the pen when Darvish gets back and then trade him a few weeks later if it looks like that might happen. lol

 

[saddles]

The kid is supposed to decide tomorrow. I haven't heard the Rangers connected to him at all. I wonder if that is good news or bad news.

Lazaro Armenteros Weighing Offers

 

[saddles]

We signed a lifer. A minor league lifer it seems. He has had 200 Plate Appearances in the minors in each of the past 14 seasons. He has out Kirkmaned Kirkman.

Doug Bernier.

Rangers' Doug Bernier: Signs with Rangers - CBSSports.com

 

[jta4437]

James Jones, Texas Rangers backup centerfielder by default?

This article seems to suggest Ruggiano will be on the team as a backup to play 1B and COF and that Jones is the default backup in CF. That leaves 2 backup spots left and that would be a middle infielder and a catcher. That brings me back to a point we were discussing a few days ago. How does Rua make this lineup without Hamilton being on the DL no matter how he plays this spring? I think it wold be a pretty drastic move to release Ruggiano and make Rua the backup COF as well as have him backup 1B. They could do it, but I think the difference between the two of them in ST would have to be very significant.

Then when Hamilton does go down it could very well be a lefty that is called up to platoon with Ruggiano.

I am definitely ready for ST to begin. This has been a very long offseason it seems.

Don't see why Jones is the default CFer, he's not even good in CF defensively and certainly no better than Ruggiano, why is Ruggiano not the back CFer?

 

[saddles]

Evan Gattis Out Four To Six Weeks Following Hernia Surgery

 

[saddles]

Don't see why Jones is the default CFer, he's not even good in CF defensively and certainly no better than Ruggiano, why is Ruggiano not the back CFer?

That is what I was wondering. When I brought Rua up a few days ago I was thinking Jones or someone else would be kept to backup in CF. Then when everyone thought Rua had a good shot I just figured everyone was assuming Ruggy would be the backup CF and maybe I should think that too. I just knew we wouldn't have room for 3 backup OFers. Now with this article I am seeing that I wasn't the only one thinking that way so at this point I don't quite know what to think.

 

[jta4437]

That is what I was wondering. When I brought Rua up a few days ago I was thinking Jones or someone else would be kept to backup in CF. Then when everyone thought Rua had a good shot I just figured everyone was assuming Ruggy would be the backup CF and maybe I should think that too. I just knew we wouldn't have room for 3 backup OFers. Now with this article I am seeing that I wasn't the only one thinking that way so at this point I don't quite know what to think.

Look at Jones' defensive numbers, he's pretty awful, he doesn't even make sense in the way that we need him... With his defensive numbers we would almost be better off with Choo in CF

 

[Kelleyman]

Don't see why Jones is the default CFer, he's not even good in CF defensively and certainly no better than Ruggiano, why is Ruggiano not the back CFer?

I would like a better CF than what is rostered for backup defensive purposes. Jones makes no sense. We have no open roster spot but we may lose one to pick up a guy even if a minor league contract. Just keep getting talent so Brinson does not have to come up if he starts off slow. There is no guarantee Josh comes out of spring training. A lot of variables/moving pieces. Not to contradict nmuself but I hope Brinson is so red hot we move DDJ to LF. Then Mazara can play a little CF too although not ideal. All this proves to me is that there is nothing really set

 

[saddles]

I would like a better CF than what is rostered for backup defensive purposes. Jones makes no sense. We have no open roster spot but we may lose one to pick up a guy even if a minor league contract. Just keep getting talent so Brinson does not have to come up if he starts off slow. There is no guarantee Josh comes out of spring training. A lot of variables/moving pieces. Not to contradict nmuself but I hope Brinson is so red hot we move DDJ to LF. Then Mazara can play a little CF too although not ideal. All this proves to me is that there is nothing really set

We could always try to get Julio Borbon back. lol

 

[saddles]

The Rangers and Moreland have agreed on a $5.7 million deal to avoid arbitration.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

The Rangers and Moreland have agreed on a $5.7 million deal to avoid arbitration.

Moreland definitely won that battle. Only 300k off his asking price.

 

[saddles]

Jamey Newberg does a good job this morning showing us just how long it has been since the last time a Ranger went to an arbitration hearing with the Rangers.

39 Texas Rangers playoff games.

20 of which were wins.

4 in the World Series.

2,593 regular season games.

1,301 of which were wins.

2 AL MVP’s.

2 ALCS MVP’s.

Very nearly 1 World Series MVP.

Very nearly.

2 batting champions.

1 Rookie of the Year.

3 GM’s.

6 managers.

2 Managers of the Year (should have been 3).

13 Gold Gloves.

13 Silver Sluggers.

2 Pudge Rodriguez stints, 2 Kenny Rogers stints, 2 Colby Lewis stints, 2 Ruben Sierra stints, 2 Darren Oliver stints.

2 Josh Hamilton trades, 2 Mike Napoli trades, 2 Matt Harrison trades, 2 Jake Thompson trades.

2 Adrian Gonzalez trades.

1 Cliff Lee trade.

Michael Young’s Rangers career.

A second Sandy Alomar and a second Mike Bacsik.

More than 0 Rangers farmhands who learned to walk.

2 Newberg kids born.

3 Esteban’s.

3 Beltre’s.

But, alas, no Esteban Beltre’s.

4 Presidential elections.

And there will be a 5th. At least.

It’s been 5,835 sleeps, and all of the above, since Texas last went to an arbitration hearing with one of its players. On February 19, 2000, the Rangers prevailed over Lee Stevens, as a three-member arbitration panel in Tampa elected to award the 32-year-old first baseman the $3.5 million salary that the club had proposed for the 2000 season. Stevens had submitted a $4.7 million demand.

 

[saddles]

 

[donaldson79]

Moreland definitely won that battle. Only 300k off his asking price.

Good for him IMO. Honestly think he earned it and I'm happy for both sides here actually.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Good for him IMO. Honestly think he earned it and I'm happy for both sides here actually.

True. I'm hoping Big Mitch can build on last year and head into FA with another strong season.

 

[Bmurph]

James Jones isn't a good baseball player, maybe that changes at some point. I have seen him play a couple times at RR (while he was playing with the Rainers)and didnt see much to give me a ton of hope. He's fast though! I was hoping he stayed in RR all year. Not sure he should be in a ML uni this year

 

[saddles]

Teams scouting next international prospects

The Rangers are thought to be one of the teams that will be the most aggressive.