Your Texas Rangers!: Official 2009 Thread

[tcat075]

Originally Posted by Five-ofan

A. They havent failed. B.If they had failed, feliz would be next in line id imagine.

I know, I know, I was overreacting. I'm not sure ODay has the closer mentality that is needed. He seems rather bland when he's out there...I think closers have to be able to feed off the energy and buzz that's around at the end of the game when his own team is up. I like O'Day, but I wouldn't trust him in the closer's role.

However, I don't trust Frankie either. Not just last night, he's been awful since he came back from he injury. Since June 20th, Frankie's ERA is 8.53 and he's blown 3/7 saves.

I'd be fine giving the role to CJ again. I'm not sure the organization would be comfortable with Feliz as the closer, being a rookie and only 21. I think Feliz is a risk to hit some rough patches (not assuredly, but possibly) and then you'd have yet another controversy on your hands, but Feliz as the 7th and/or 8th inning setup man, occasionally finishing out the 9th, I'd be fine with that.

[mavspwnage]

Originally Posted by tcat075

The future is here.

Pedrioa or Martinez needs to get a fastball in the ribs tomorrow.

we don't have Padilla anymore.

[Murphy3]

Personally, I've always believed that set-up men often face more challenges than closers. Set-up men are more likely to come into an inning with runners on base... most closers usually come into a game to start an inning with no one on base. Many times, the more critical situation will occur earlier in the game often in the 7th or the 8th.

Don't get me wrong..the closer role is very important,...but it's also a little overrated by many.

[ocelot_ark]

F the ribs. Hit those mf'ers in the head.

I think that was the most fun rangers game I've watched...ever?

[Kirobaito]

There's nothing that just screams weak more than throwing at a team because your catcher sucks and can't do his job. The Red Sox have thrown out 8 runners this year. EIGHT. Out of over a hundred.

[Five-ofan]

Originally Posted by ocelot_ark

F the ribs. Hit those mf'ers in the head.

I think that was the most fun rangers game I've watched...ever?

you could literally kill someone by hitting them in the head. that said pedroia and martinez both need to be hit tommorow. Actually if he wasnt so young feliz would have been the perfect person to do it because of how hard he throws.

[Five-ofan]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

Personally, I've always believed that set-up men often face more challenges than closers. Set-up men are more likely to come into an inning with runners on base... most closers usually come into a game to start an inning with no one on base. Many times, the more critical situation will occur earlier in the game often in the 7th or the 8th.

Don't get me wrong..the closer role is very important,...but it's also a little overrated by many.

i concurr

[Murphy3]

Personally, I don't want Feliz suspsended. Let Guardado or Jennings throw at someone.

[alexamenos]

Guardado? The guy's fastball is about 48 miles an hour. I think Nippert is going to have to get it done.

[Murphy3]

It was kinda a joke when I mentioned the fat one.

[alexamenos]

i just had this picture of fat Eddie throwing at Ortiz....Big Papi reaching out and grabbing the ball with his bare hand and throwing it back like nothing happened....

[mavspwnage]

holy crap, some kid just got two foul balls from Josh Hamilton within a couple pitches. And he caught them both, and got a friggin standing ovation from the crowd. lol wow

[alexamenos]

kid is getting interviewed now....

[alexamenos]

true story...years ago I was at a game sitting down the 3rd base line....some old japanese dude had just bought a beer and settled into the row in front of me. First pitch gets fouled and nails the guy, causing him to spill his beer all over himself. He gets up and leaves momentarily, cleans himself off and comes back with another beer. He hadn't been in his seat more than 4 or 5 pitches before another screaming foul ball nails him again. He leaves and never comes back.....

[alexamenos]

Teagarden has some pop.

[mavspwnage]

holy mother....Teagarden destroyed that Benny from Sandlot style. Geez

[mavspwnage]

WIN!!!! what a game! wild card leaders!

[jthig32]

That Frankie guy..what a failure....

[mavspwnage]

Originally Posted by jthig32

That Frankie guy..what a failure....

absolutely terrific bounce back. He was outstanding. Still too bad that we could have swept and lead by 2.5 games instead of just .5 games But I won't complain after that performance by Frankie.

[mavspwnage]

Is this what playoff baseball feels like? I had forgotten.

[mavspwnage]

New article!

Look out Cowboys, you may have competition

[dalmations202]

Originally Posted by jthig32

That Frankie guy..what a failure....

Love the sarcasm.......his 93 fast ball still scares me though. He was throwing 95+ before the injury sometimes hitting 98. Now 93 was the best I saw in the 9th.

I can't wait till he is fully back though.

[Flacolaco]

The Stars are now officially getting dragged into this:

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/st...17/daily3.html

And so now, as far as I'm concerned, Tom Hicks can officially go eat a d*ck. He better sell his baseball team, or the Stars, or Liverpool, or something.

[jthig32]

*sigh*

Flacco posts the one thing that can get depressed about the Rangers right now.

This financial situation is going to continue to fester and prevent the Rangers from making any free agent moves this offseason. I can feel it.

[Flacolaco]

Sorry, but if any one of free agents Loui Eriksson, Steve Ott, or James Neal get away next summer, I am going to have to stab him in the neck.

And I'd like to see the Rangers add the right veterans they'll need to make a significant run at this thing next year as well.

[tcat075]

What veterans do you suggest the Rangers add? Please don't say John Smoltz.

[jthig32]

Wat?

[Kirobaito]

There isn't a free agent to be that I really want the Rangers to go after. I think they're pretty much set.

C Salty/Tea
1B/DH Smoak/Davis
2B Kinsler
3B Young
SS Andrus
OF Cruz
OF Hamilton
OF Borbon
OF Murphy
IF Vizquel/Vallejo

SP Millwood, Feldman, Holland, Hunter, Nippert, with Feliz, Harrison, McCarthy, and Hurley also possibilities.
RP Francisco, Wilson, O'Day, A.J. Murray, and those not making the starting rotation.

I don't see where there's room to really add any free agents. At least, nowhere that I wouldn't rather have a young guy taking those at bats/innings. We have the team, I think. Now we let it roll and see where it takes us.

Who would you propose we go after?

[tcat075]

I think a DH/5th OF who was good, patient hitter (OBP >.380) might be helpful to this club. Kinsler may still be that, and Young gets on base, but besides that, the offense is full of young players, and you need a few vets who will be consistent even if the younger players have trouble adjusting to the majors and slump.

If you say there won't be room for this player, I beg to differ. Borbon and Smoak will likely get the Andrus treatment next year...they'll play a majority of the games, but every four or five games, their backup will take their place (just like Andrus and Vizquel). If this guy is an OF/DH, then he can backup both Borbon and Smoak.

(as in, Smoak starts at 1B, when he's not playing, Davis starts at 1B instead of DH, this guy plays DH. when Borbon isn't playing CF, Josh plays CF and this guy plays RF/LF.)

I'm not sure that player is actually going to get signed this offseason, but it would be an addition worth aiming for.

Besides that, I'd like to point out that no one is mentioning Grilli's name when the 2010 bullpen is discussed, despite the fact he's pitched exceptionally for us. 3 runs and 9 hits in 17.2 innings. We'll see if he can keep it up when he returns in a few days, but if he can, you've got to try to retain him as a MRP.

EDIT: In other words, this OF/DH guy would be a Milton Bradley replacement. Adam Dunn is one guy who comes to mind who can do that. Nick Johnson, too, though he plays 1B. Josh Willingham, perhaps. Those types of players.

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by Kirobaito

There isn't a free agent to be that I really want the Rangers to go after. I think they're pretty much set.

C Salty/Tea
1B/DH Smoak/Davis
2B Kinsler
3B Young
SS Andrus
OF Cruz
OF Hamilton
OF Borbon
OF Murphy
IF Vizquel/Vallejo

SP Millwood, Feldman, Holland, Hunter, Nippert, with Feliz, Harrison, McCarthy, and Hurley also possibilities.
RP Francisco, Wilson, O'Day, A.J. Murray, and those not making the starting rotation.

I don't see where there's room to really add any free agents. At least, nowhere that I wouldn't rather have a young guy taking those at bats/innings. We have the team, I think. Now we let it roll and see where it takes us.

Who would you propose we go after?

Unless Davis proves himself before this season is over and Smoak accelerates himself, you're going to need a DH presence from somewhere next season. This steam is sorely in need of a righty bat that can get on base.

Also while I don't think they're going to go sign anyone to play catcher, the duo you listed is hardly cemented in stone as every day players on a playoff caliber team.

I think in a perfect world you would go sign Ben Sheets this offseason if you're really serious about contending. Nippert is not a rotation pitcher, and there's very little chance Feldman is going to keep up this level of performance long term. Ideally you'd like to go get someone this winter that pushes most of the rotation back a spot.

And really, money doesn't just apply to free agency. The Rangers are going to be in a position over the next few years that they have to start converting multiple prospects into one or two established players. That requires money as well.

[Murphy3]

If they can find a guy with a .380 OBP, he'll be hitting in the top three or four spots in the lineup. Those guys aren't easy to find.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Rangers tried to add another arm if they have the money. Perhaps they sign Ben Sheets.. If they don't go the Sheets route, then I think they'll add another bullpen arm. You can never really have too many of those. The output of a bullpen can swing drastically from one year to the next.. So add another arm.

[Murphy3]

Why is there very little chance that Feldman will keep up this level?

I agree about wanting another right handed bat. Perhaps that is JSmoak.

[Flacolaco]

Feldman makes me nervous. He's been getting results, but he dangles himself out on the precipice and flirts with catastrophic failure in the process too often when I watch him. Maybe I only turn the tv on at bad times.

[jthig32]

I like Feldman as a back of the rotation pitcher. A sub-4 ERA is not something he's going to maintain, I don't think.

[Murphy3]

With guys like Feldman, you kinda throw out stats such as BABIP and K/9 innings. There aren't many pitchers in the league that induce more poorly hit balls. I also believe that as he gains more confidence in his off speed stuff, he'll strike out more batters.

There aren't alot of guys that can move their fastball in and away from both lefties and righties as well as Feldman can.

[Murphy3]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Feldman makes me nervous. He's been getting results, but he dangles himself out on the precipice and flirts with catastrophic failure in the process too often when I watch him. Maybe I only turn the tv on at bad times.

A couple of times lately, he's struggled with his control a bit which is an anomaly for the guy. But, in general, he does a pretty good job of staying out of trouble.

[alexamenos]

Yeah, feldman probably leads the league in broken bats / 9 innings. As I understand from more knowledgable people than myself, he can't strike anyone out because all of his pitches are in too tight of a speed range...guys can foul him off all day long. Give him a good change-up and he can be a number 3 in a very good rotation.

[jthig32]

So Murph, you're saying you see Feldman as a mid-to-top of the rotation pitcher on a playoff contender?

I think this is very likely the best season Feldman will ever produce.

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by jthig32

I think this is very likely the best season Feldman will ever produce.

Why do you think that?

[ocelot_ark]

Kevin Richardson, congrats on your first big league hit. But MORE impressive is your wife. That chick is smokin' hot.