The Officially Official Off Season Thread (2016)

[scotsman1948]

Here you go Scottie, a move looks apparent

Rangers Nearing Deal With Justin Ruggiano

By Zach Links | December 17, 2015 at 11:13am CST

The Rangers are hoping to announce a deal with outfielder Justin Ruggiano today, according to Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram (on Twitter). On Wednesday, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) noted that the Rangers were working on a one-year major league deal with Ruggiano. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News recently reported on the Rangers’ interest in Ruggiano as a right-handed depth piece.

Ruggiano is a very tough out for opposing southpaws, creating a solid fit with the heavily left-handed Texas lineup. The 33-year-old turned things on after he was demoted early on by the Mariners, raking at Triple-A and even slashing a cool .291/.350/.618 in his sixty plate appearances with the Dodgers. For his career, Ruggiano owns a .256/.321/.436 slash line across seven seasons with the Rays, Marlins, Cubs, Mariners, and Dodgers. His lifetime line against lefties, of course, is a lot sharper: .272/.336/.520.

Interestingly, Wilson hears that Ruggiano will try out the first base position during spring training. The Austin, Texas native has never played first base in his big league career.

woohoo WS here we come

 

[Bmurph]

woohoo WS here we come

at least you used the sarcasm font this time

 

[donaldson79]

QUOTE="scotsman1948, post: 7724111, member: 1704"]woohoo WS here we come[/QUOTE]

I heard about this earlier today and the numbers quoted on him - no, I didn't write them down - were very impressive against LH pitching. He can also play all OF positions.

 

[Kelleyman]

It's official

 

[donaldson79]

It's official

Ya know, sometimes it's best to see how he actually performs, and how we utilize him before we make too big of a judgement leap.

Who on here was in favor of us picking up DeShields last year? Certainly wasn't me.

 

[Bmurph]

Ya know, sometimes it's best to see how he actually performs, and how we utilize him before we make too big of a judgement leap.

Who on here was in favor of us picking up DeShields last year? Certainly wasn't me.

Rangers will try him at 1st base, and he bats RH. I doubt he's more than a bench player and he's 33 years old, but he is right-handed. Not sure I wouldn't rather give Rua the opportunities, or have had Napoli back, though Ruggiano may be a bit more versatile. As you say, we should see how he performs and how it plays to before passing too much judgement. He may surprise and have a breakout, outlier year

 

[donaldson79]

Rangers will try him at 1st base, and he bats RH. I doubt he's more than a bench player and he's 33 years old, but he is right-handed. Not sure I wouldn't rather give Rua the opportunities, or have had Napoli back, though Ruggiano may be a bit more versatile. As you say, we should see how he performs and how it plays to before passing too much judgement. He may surprise and have a breakout, outlier year

Sure wish I had made note of his stats against LH pitching b/c they were pretty good. And it also struck me that he is considered a pretty good CF too.

If he's played first before, it wasn't mentioned. And frankly, until a few hours ago, this guy wasn't on my radar, regardless of position.

 

[Bmurph]

Sure wish I had made note of his stats against LH pitching b/c they were pretty good. And it also struck me that he is considered a pretty good CF too.

If he's played first before, it wasn't mentioned. And frankly, until a few hours ago, this guy wasn't on my radar, regardless of position.

His lifetime line against lefties, of course, is a lot sharper: .272/.336/.520.

Interestingly, Wilson hears that Ruggiano will try out the first base position during spring training. The Austin, Texas native has never played first base in his big league career.

 

[Bmurph]

1:01pm: The Rangers confirmed the signing via press release.

1:00pm: It’s a one-year, $1.65MM deal (plus incentives) for Ruggiano, according to Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram (on Twitter).


Cheap enough, I guess

 

[donaldson79]

1:01pm: The Rangers confirmed the signing via press release.

1:00pm: It’s a one-year, $1.65MM deal (plus incentives) for Ruggiano, according to Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram (on Twitter).


Cheap enough, I guess

In today's world of baseball signings, that's literally chump-change.

But I am very much befuddled by the idea of him getting a shot at playing time at 1st.

I would think, from looking at his 7 year ML career, he/us would be best served if he backed up DeShields in CF, platooned with Hamilton in LF, and occasionally spelled Choo in RF. He's probably good for 60+ total games, and I just am surprised we're thinking of giving this guy - potentially anyway - time at 1st.

 

[DT LUNA]

In today's world of baseball signings, that's literally chump-change.

But I am very much befuddled by the idea of him getting a shot at playing time at 1st.

I would think, from looking at his 7 year ML career, he/us would be best served if he backed up DeShields in CF, platooned with Hamilton in LF, and occasionally spelled Choo in RF. He's probably good for 60+ total games, and I just am surprised we're thinking of giving this guy - potentially anyway - time at 1st.

Agree

 

[True Rangers Fan]

But I am very much befuddled by the idea of him getting a shot at playing time at 1st.

Maybe they're wanting him to be the 2016 version of 2015 Napoli.

Either way, I submit that his SportsHoopla Forum nickname be "Ruggy."

 

[DT LUNA]

Maybe they're wanting him to be the 2016 version of 2015 Napoli.

Either way, I submit that his SportsHoopla Forum nickname be "Ruggy."

So we have a Roogie and a Ruggy.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Not bad stats in a short time especially with the Dodgers.

Ruggiano split last season between Seattle and the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting .248 with six homers and 15 RBIs in 57 games. After being traded to the Dodgers on Aug. 31, he hit .291 with four homers and 12 RBIs in 21 games

More---

Since the start of 2012, he has batted .290 against left-handed pitchers, and overall he has hit .256 in 455 major league games with Tampa Bay, Miami, the Chicago Bus, Seattle, and the Dodgers.

 

[romeo212000]

I like it. Looks like he might be a better version of Jeff Baker.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Not bad stats in a short time especially with the Dodgers.

Ruggiano split last season between Seattle and the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting .248 with six homers and 15 RBIs in 57 games. After being traded to the Dodgers on Aug. 31, he hit .291 with four homers and 12 RBIs in 21 games

More---

Since the start of 2012, he has batted .290 against left-handed pitchers, and overall he has hit .256 in 455 major league games with Tampa Bay, Miami, the Chicago Bus, Seattle, and the Dodgers.

By the way, does anyone know who the Chicago Bus is? HA!

 

[saddles]

The Ruggiano type player is one we usually wait until the deadline to acquire. This way he only costs dollars and not dollars and prospects.

 

[DT LUNA]

Is it my imagination or is this off season discussion topics extremely slow. Hasn't been much said in regards to Yu's progression for example. Who will be our closer? Do we need a closer or can one or more relievers step in?

Could be some posters are gone from the board i.e. Terps /Winding or maybe I'm bored.

 

[Bmurph]

Is it my imagination or is this off season discussion topics extremely slow. Hasn't been much said in regards to Yu's progression for example. Who will be our closer? Do we need a closer or can one or more relievers step in?

Could be some posters are gone from the board i.e. Terps /Winding or maybe I'm bored.

Where has darrylgann been?

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Is it my imagination or is this off season discussion topics extremely slow. Hasn't been much said in regards to Yu's progression for example. Who will be our closer? Do we need a closer or can one or more relievers step in?

Could be some posters are gone from the board i.e. Terps /Winding or maybe I'm bored.

JD updated Yu's status at the Winter Meetings. On track for May, with the understanding that he will not be in full Darvish Mode upon return.

Nothing stated, but no reason to think they don't go to ST with the mindset that Tolleson is the closer.