tOfficially Official 2016 Spring training thread

[Bmurph]

Apparently the were willing to go above the budget, they were already 2-3 million higher than last year and then added 8 mill more. JD still getting them to open the wallets


The Rangers have committed about $143MM to their payroll with just three players awaiting contracts, writes Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Pitchers Alex Claudio, Nick Martinez, and Yohander Mendez are expected to sign split contracts soon. Presently, payroll is about $2MM to $3MM more than the club spent in 2015. In my opinion, there is reason to believe the Rangers will have plenty of in-season payroll flexibility since the team unexpectedly made the postseason last year and should contend again in 2016. However, Grant writes (in a separate article) that payroll is expected to remain flat.

Here’s more from out West:

• The Rangers have held preliminary talks with Ian Desmond, per Grant. The content of those talks related to using Desmond as a super-utility player. The most pressing need is in left field, although having flexibility throughout the infield is always in demand.

Flat? Not so much!

 

[romeo212000]

So much for all that talk. Lol.

 

[donaldson79]

What's the thinking behind Desmond?!?

Edit: oh, LF.

I think he'll get his share of time in LF. But I bet he'll move around quite a bit as well.

I don't mind the money, but losing the 19th pick stings a little.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but the Desmond move seems to tell me that the Rangers expect pretty much zilch from Hamilton this year.

 

[romeo212000]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but the Desmond move seems to tell me that the Rangers expect pretty much zilch from Hamilton this year.

I think it's definitely insurance. Could also be a move that could allow them to move Elvis if the right opportunity came along and Profar wasn't quite ready.

 

[DT LUNA]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but the Desmond move seems to tell me that the Rangers expect pretty much zilch from Hamilton this year.

Not really surprising is it? Hope we get this outfield resolved and not to include JH.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Desmond doesn't have the greatest stats in the world, but he's a RH bat with some pop. My guess is he plays even if Hamilton is available.

 

[donaldson79]

I think it's definitely insurance. Could also be a move that could allow them to move Elvis if the right opportunity came along and Profar wasn't quite ready.

I'm with ya 100%. This move isn't just a hedge against the Hamilton factor in LF. Although Josh's injury certainly helped push the envelope.

 

[donaldson79]

My guess is he plays even if Hamilton is available.

I think if Hamilton is 85% or better, suits up at all, he's gonna be in LF. IF he can put on the uniform, he's gotta play or else it would make no sense whatsoever to even have him on the team. That's a wasted roster spot.

But, I it appears Hamilton is perhaps toast. That 46 year old body may be done.

 

[romeo212000]

I think if Hamilton is 85% or better, suits up at all, he's gonna be in LF. IF he can put on the uniform, he's gotta play or else it would make no sense whatsoever to even have him on the team. That's a wasted roster spot.

But, I it appears Hamilton is perhaps toast. That 46 year old body may be done.

That body might be more like 50.

 

[Bmurph]

Damn baseball cant start soon enough!

 

[True Rangers Fan]

I think if Hamilton is 85% or better, suits up at all, he's gonna be in LF. IF he can put on the uniform, he's gotta play or else it would make no sense whatsoever to even have him on the team. That's a wasted roster spot.

But, I it appears Hamilton is perhaps toast. That 46 year old body may be done.

Best case scenario, unfortunately, is that it won't be until the end of April until Hamilton can even get to that 85%.

 

[saddles]

I wonder what Ruggiano is thinking about his expected playing time?

 

[DT LUNA]

I wonder what Ruggiano is thinking about his expected playing time?

I suspect he, Desmond and Josh all know they are on a short rope waiting on one of the AAA guys to step up. If not this year next.

 

[Kelleyman]

Re playing time. I always thought the best players or those on a hot streak should get the playing time. Josh was reported hurt during winter. Desmond gives another RHB with versatility and on only a ONE year contract. This is an aggressive move with Darvish/Beltre/Hamels window still open. The slot money will now be allocated towards Desmond. Contract year guys do traditionally perform. He was going to get more and we got him on the cheap kind of like Balt got Cruz to a lessor extent. We have also saved money due to no pressure to start the clock prematurely on out big upcoming prospects.

Back to original point, I hope the best players play and we can utilize new tire squad no we are fresh come playoff time assuming we get there.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Does anyone have ESPN insider? What was the Rangers final offseason grade? ( article was posted today)

Red Sox got an A+ for adding Kimbrel and Price. That's all I could see tho.

 

[donaldson79]

Does anyone have ESPN insider? What was the Rangers final offseason grade? ( article was posted today)

Red Sox got an A+ for adding Kimbrel and Price. That's all I could see tho.

Texas Rangers -- Grade: B-

Key acquisitions to date: Tom Wilhelmsen, Colby Lewis, Jeremy Guthrie, James Jones, Tony Barnette, Ian Desmond.

The Rangers' last-minute move to sign Desmond saved their grade, as he should be a huge upgrade in left field, with his expected 20-home-run and 20-stolen-base expected production If we counted the July trade deadline, the Rangers really should get an A here. Unfortunately, these grades are based on just offseason moves, and besides Desmond, all they’ve done is acquire another power arm for the pen in Wilhelmsen, bring back Lewis, sign Guthrie and trade for a backup center fielder in Jones. The good news is that the Rangers have a postseason-caliber roster and are serious World Series contenders -- especially if Yu Darvish returns to form.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

When it comes to BSPN, a Red Sox A+ and a Texas Rangers B- means in reality, the Rangers actually had a better offseason (once adjusted for east coast bias).

 

[Nightcrawler]

Texas Rangers -- Grade: B-

View attachment 92899Key acquisitions to date: Tom Wilhelmsen, Colby Lewis, Jeremy Guthrie, James Jones, Tony Barnette, Ian Desmond.

The Rangers' last-minute move to sign Desmond saved their grade, as he should be a huge upgrade in left field, with his expected 20-home-run and 20-stolen-base expected production If we counted the July trade deadline, the Rangers really should get an A here. Unfortunately, these grades are based on just offseason moves, and besides Desmond, all they’ve done is acquire another power arm for the pen in Wilhelmsen, bring back Lewis, sign Guthrie and trade for a backup center fielder in Jones. The good news is that the Rangers have a postseason-caliber roster and are serious World Series contenders -- especially if Yu Darvish returns to form.

Thanks.... Probably should be a B+ or A-. The key thing is the Rangers didn't really lose anybody and they got healthier ( the offseason should have helped Darvish, holland, and Perez).

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I suspect he, Desmond and Josh all know they are on a short rope waiting on one of the AAA guys to step up. If not this year next.

Desmond will be interesting. His stats have declined the last 4 years with 187 K's and a 674 OPS last year in 583 ABs. Plus this will be new territory for him playing LF. If he could produce somewhere between his 2012 and 2015 years that would be nice. But he had a lot of ABs those 4 years and am not sure what to expect if he is platooned.