427 replies to this topic

[BobPhelan]

They didn't want to throw Olt in there just for kicks? Geez.

They got a little desperate with Lewis and Feliz out for the season.

[Mackus]

They didn't want to throw Olt in there just for kicks? Geez.

Is that really so much for Dempster?

Villanueva was #100 heading into the season. Hendricks wasn't in the top 100. Only Villanueva was in BA's Rangers top 10 heading into the year. Villanueva is 21 w/ a upper 700s OPS at A+, he's been pretty consistent at each level with about a .280/.350/.440 slash line. Hendricks has pitched very well this year as a 21 y/o in A+ as well. I don't know anything about either of these guys from a scouting standpoint, but the numbers and rankings show them to be solid but not incredible prospects.

Delgado from ATL (the previously accepted trade that Dempster vetoed) #46 heading into the season and has pitched respectably in the bigs this year.

Seems like a fair deal to me. Maybe they could have had some leverage since it was up against the deadline and Dempster only wanted to go there or NYY, but they paid less than Atlanta had agreed to pay.

[Oriole85]

Not to totally pull this Rangers thread in another direction, but can you imagine what life would have been like for Cal in '92 (.689 OPS, following his 2nd MVP), with the media (including social) of today?

I've already mentioned this but I think it bears repeating in light of your point. If social media had been back then, my guess is many people on Twitter and boards like these would've been "telling him" to take a day off.

[BSLChrisStoner]

ESPN Dallas: So, Uh, This Josh Hamilton Thing Keeps Getting Weirder
http://www.bbtia.com...ng-weirder.html

[Mike B]

Josh is costing himself a lot of money. Heck a few more rumors he may get down to the Orioles "wow offer level".

The Rangers are in the have to win now mode and Josh is making them nervous.

[BSLChrisStoner]

I'm still very bullish on Yu Darvish, but I'll eat some crow.

As Sammy Birdland pointed out in the Chen thread, Chen has a better era, and was obviously far cheaper.

After getting rocked last night, Darvish is now:

11-7, 4.38 era, 127.1 ip, 110 hits, 12 hr's, 70 bb's, 145 k's, .698 OPS against, 0.94 G/F.

Solid enough numbers overall, but not indicative of a starter I thought would show to be one of the 10 best in the game right away.

We will see what happens down the stretch, I still think Darvish can make a difference for Texas in the post-season; but I acknowledge the flip-side of that is that Darvish is going to have to pitch better the next two months to allow the Rangers to get back to the playoffs.

[BSLChrisStoner]

I'm still very bullish on Yu Darvish, but I'll eat some crow.

As Sammy Birdland pointed out in the Chen thread, Chen has a better era, and was obviously far cheaper.

After getting rocked last night, Darvish is now:

11-7, 4.38 era, 127.1 ip, 110 hits, 12 hr's, 70 bb's, 145 k's, .698 OPS against, 0.94 G/F.

Solid enough numbers overall, but not indicative of a starter I thought would show to be one of the 10 best in the game right away.

We will see what happens down the stretch, I still think Darvish can make a difference for Texas in the post-season; but I acknowledge the flip-side of that is that Darvish is going to have to pitch better the next two months to allow the Rangers to get back to the playoffs.

FanGraphs: Yu Darvish's Bad Command Comparables
http://www.fangraphs...nd-comparables/

[BSLChrisStoner]

Dallas Morning News: Andrus trade 'certainly a possibility' for Rangers this off-season
http://www.dallasnew...-off-season.ece

I'd certainly have interest in the O's pursuing Andrus, with a package centered around Schoop. Effectively giving the O's 3 SS's (Machady, Hardy, Andrus) for SS, 2nd, and 3rd.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Yahoo: Profar homers in first career ab
http://sports.yahoo....12562--mlb.html

[BSLChrisStoner]

Beyond the Boxscore: Adrian Beltre and the unsexiness of defense
http://www.beyondthe...ness-of-defense

[BSLChrisStoner]

Baseball Nation / Neyer: What Should Rangers do with Profar (and Andrus)?
http://mlb.sbnation....urickson-profar

[BSLChrisStoner]

Dallas Morning News: Rangers have a fully healthy bullpen for first time since June
http://rangersblog.d...ince-june.html/

[BSLChrisStoner]

Texas Rangers: Yu Darvish Now Officially Abusive
http://www.fangraphs...cially-abusive/

[Oriole85]

ESPN: Panic time for the Rangers

http://espn.go.com/b...for-the-rangers

But mostly this is a reminder that pennants aren't won on paper. The Rangers had eight All-Stars this season; the A's just one. The Rangers signed Roy Oswalt and traded for Dempster. The A's called up more rookies.

[BSLChrisStoner]

To me, Texas is the best team I saw the O's play all year. However, Friday is a one game scenario and the O's are certainly capable of winning.

If the Birds were going to match-up against Texas at any point in the Playoffs, the Wild Card Showdown would have always been my preference.

[Oriole85]

To me, Texas is the best team I saw the O's play all year. However, Friday is a one game scenario and the O's are certainly capable of winning.

If the Birds were going to match-up against Texas at any point in the Playoffs, the Wild Card Showdown would have always been my preference.

First of all, Texas has been slumping recently, not sure how relevant that is given it's only one game, and in theory, anything can happen. But to that point, I totally agree with Chris on this. It's much easier to win one game, than win multiple ones.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Dallas Morning News: Rangers face enormous pressure
http://www.dallasnew...us-pressure.ece

[Oriole85]

ESPN: Josh Hamilton to test open market

http://espn.go.com/d...-contract-offer

[Oriole85]

ESPN: Dave Magadan leaves Red Sox

http://espn.go.com/d...x-texas-rangers

[BSLChrisStoner]

Beyond the Boxscore: The Texas Rangers Middle Infield Dilemma
http://www.beyondthe...urickson-profar