The Officially Official Off Season Thread (2016)

[WastinSomeTime]

I'm very conflicted in situations like this.

On one hand, this young man made mistake, after mistake, after mistake, and he's probably fortunate that something worse - worse than the horrible thing which did happen - didn't happen.

On the other hand, I hate the thought of throwing someone on the trash heap, especially at such a young age, if they have taken positive steps, and truly WANT to redeem themselves.

We, as a nation tend to give people 2nd (3rd, 4th, etc with talent, granted) chances. But our own scout, Roy Silver, apparently was the reason behind this signing.

I don't know Eph.....honestly, just don't know.

I completely understand what you are saying. My feeling is he paid his dues so give him a chance to get his life out of prison on track but with a short rope.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

I'm very conflicted in situations like this.

On one hand, this young man made mistake, after mistake, after mistake, and he's probably fortunate that something worse - worse than the horrible thing which did happen - didn't happen.

On the other hand, I hate the thought of throwing someone on the trash heap, especially at such a young age, if they have taken positive steps, and truly WANT to redeem themselves.

We, as a nation tend to give people 2nd (3rd, 4th, etc with talent, granted) chances. But our own scout, Roy Silver, apparently was the reason behind this signing.

I don't know Eph.....honestly, just don't know.

Admittedly, I'm biased here. My mother lost her uncle and aunt to a drunk driver. And this kid did serve almost 3 years in prison for his transgressions. But I do worry and I am skeptical. That being said, maybe a final shot at baseball - with Silver involved - is the motivation he needs.

From a purely baseball standpoint - it's pretty damn impressive he could throw in the mid 90's after 3 years of no organized baseball. That's damn near identical to the Hamilton situation... which, again, is not exactly something you want to emulate, but that is some amazing baseball talent right there.

 

[Bmurph]

Mariners' Hisashi Iwakuma: Heading back to Seattle

Hisashi Iwakuma agreed to a one-year contract with the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. The deal includes options for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Iwakuma was set to join the Dodgers before failing his physical, but the Mariners were apparently comfortable with his medical history, and he is now back with the only MLB team he has played for. The failed physical raises a red flag on Iwakuma's health, but as long as he is not dealing with something serious, he will likely slot back into the No. 2 starter role behind Felix Hernandez.

Figured this guy would immediately re-sign w the Mariners, when the Dodgers didnt ink him

 

[donaldson79]

Ex-No. 1 pick to join Rangers after prison release

 

[Bmurph]

Hot Stove: Rangers re-sign Colby Lewis to one-year contract
By Mike Axisa | Baseball Writer

December 18, 2015 12:36 pm ET


The Rangers have re-signed veteran right-hander Colby Lewis to a one-year contract worth $6 million, CBS Sports MLB Insider Jon Heyman has confirmed. Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram first reported the deal. The team has not made an official announcement yet.

Lewis, 36, went 17-9 with a 4.66 ERA (91 ERA+) in 33 starts and 204 2/3 innings in 2015. Injuries have hampered him in recent years -- he did not pitch at all in 2013 due to arm trouble -- but Lewis does have a solid 4.34 ERA (99 ERA+) since returning from Japan in 2010.

With Lewis back in the fold, the Rangers' rotation depth chart currently looks something like this:

1. Cole Hamels
2. Martin Perez
3. Colby Lewis
4. Derek Holland
5. Chi Chi Gonzalez

Staff ace Yu Darvish is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and may or may not be ready for Opening Day. I would expect the Rangers to be a little conservative with him given his importance to the club. Giving him extra rehab time in April is better than risking re-injury.

This is the fourth straight offseason the Rangers have re-signed Lewis to a one-year contract.








Colby Lewis is back with the Rangers on a one-year contract. (USATSI)


Who thinks they will make it 5 straight years if Colbra finds similar success as he found in 2015?

 

[donaldson79]

Who thinks they will make it 5 straight years if Colbra finds similar success as he found in 2015?

Me.

And I thought it was interesting the writer put Lewis ahead of Holland in the rotation.

 

[Bmurph]

Me.

And I thought it was interesting the writer put Lewis ahead of Holland in the rotation.

I did notice that and besides maybe NMart, is there someone missing? Maybe JD still adds a veteran starter so Chi Chi gets some more time at RR

 

[donaldson79]

Maybe JD still adds a veteran starter so Chi Chi gets some more time at RR

I kind of look for JD to add a veteran or two to the mix via ST invitations. But I also get the feeling they expect/hope one of our younger guys, i.e. Nick or Chi-Chi, to step up and earns that # 5 position.

 

[scotsman1948]

Me.

And I thought it was interesting the writer put Lewis ahead of Holland in the rotation.

only putting a righty between 2 lefties

 

[scotsman1948]

I kind of look for JD to add a veteran or two to the mix via ST invitations. But I also get the feeling they expect/hope one of our younger guys, i.e. Nick or Chi-Chi, to step up and earns that # 5 position.

they said JD is working on a trade for a right-hand starter

 

[donaldson79]

they said JD is working on a trade for a right-hand starter

As was quoted on here many times before, "You need 10 starters every season." Or something to that effect, so if we can land another one, all the better.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Just wanted to wish everyone a merry Christmas and say that JD is probably working on some trade that we all don't know about but will probably approve of. Things are too slow right now and I know the team isn't done or satisfied.

 

[donaldson79]

Just wanted to wish everyone a merry Christmas

Same to you partner.....Travel safe, and have a wonderful holiday season.

 

[Bmurph]

Just wanted to wish everyone a merry Christmas and say that JD is probably working on some trade that we all don't know about but will probably approve of. Things are too slow right now and I know the team isn't done or satisfied.

Have a Merry Christmas yourself Crawler! The best to you and yours, this holiday season!

 

[Duane1952]

Just wanted to wish everyone a merry Christmas and say that JD is probably working on some trade that we all don't know about but will probably approve of. Things are too slow right now and I know the team isn't done or satisfied.

Same to you Nightcrawler. Have a wonderful and safe Christmas and New Years.

 

[donaldson79]

I know there aren't many of us around this time of year, but for those few who are, please read this and tell me how truly amusing this is.

Thanks to Heyward, Cards Can Enjoy Being Underdogs - 101Sports.com

 

[True Rangers Fan]

I know there aren't many of us around this time of year, but for those few who are, please read this and tell me how truly amusing this is.

Thanks to Heyward, Cards Can Enjoy Being Underdogs - 101Sports.com

They don't raise them with thick skin in Missouri.

 

[Bmurph]

• In an offseason in which salaries for setup men have skyrocketed, the Rangers’ bullpen is talented and cheap, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes. That means they could potentially use a reliever to upgrade elsewhere, or they could keep all their current talent to provide the team with a variety of strong relief options. Wilson notes that GM Jon Daniels said at the Winter Meetings that other teams asked him about ten different relievers. And even beyond closer Shawn Tolleson, the Rangers have plenty of other bullpen options with at least some closing experience, including newcomer Tony Barnette, who registered 41 saves for Yakult in Japan last season.

 

[Bmurph]

• Now that the Phillips deal appears to be dead – or at least on hold – the Nationals could consider Jurickson Profar of the Rangers as a trade possibility, according to Jim Bowden of ESPN.com. However, Profar’s health situation probably means that a deal wouldn’t take place until March. GM Jon Daniels told reporters back in November that he was getting trade interest on the oft-injured Profar, though he added that teams were looking to buy low on him. Profar, who missed the entire 2014 season after twice tearing a muscle in his shoulder, underwent right shoulder surgery in February. Profar ranked as the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball heading into the 2013 season, receiving that distinction from Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, MLB.com and ESPN’s Keith Law. He made his debut as a 20-year-old that season and homered in his first big league plate appearance, though he went on to struggle, relatively speaking, to a .234/.308/.366 batting line in 324 plate appearances that season.

 

[donaldson79]

They don't raise them with thick skin in Missouri.

I got a laugh about it due them using all those "card" routines to perfection. Never had thought about how they play the "whoa is me" card so well and often.