Official Rangers off season thread - Page 12 - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Male30Dan · 12-20-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavspwnage

That meant getting World Series tickets for $70 when those same seats were selling for about $900 on stubhub.

Win.

sike · 12-20-2010, 10:33 AM

strike 1 wiffing on Lee

strike 2 wiffing on Greinkie

This offseason is starting off exactly like a Ranger at bat in the world series...

dalmations202 · 12-20-2010, 04:22 PM

Cost for King Felix?

Shoot BIG!!!!!!

Male30Dan · 12-20-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalmations202

Cost for King Felix?

Shoot BIG!!!!!!

This should about do it:

mavspwnage · 12-21-2010, 06:37 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5943925

The Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals continued to show strong interest in Brandon Webb on Tuesday, while a third reported suitor, the Chicago Cubs, fell off the pace in their pursuit of the free-agent starter.

A source confirmed that Webb, the 2006 National League Cy Young Award winner, planned to talk by phone Tuesday with Rangers manager Ron Washington and pitching coach Mike Maddux. General manager Jon Daniels has already spoken with Webb to gauge the pitcher's interest in coming to Arlington, a source said.

The Rangers, who lost out to the Philadelphia Phillies in a recent bid to sign free agent Cliff Lee, have been active in their efforts to acquire another starter. At the moment, Texas' rotation consists of C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis and Tommy Hunter. Derek Holland and Michael Kirkman are also candidates to start for the Rangers, and Texas hasn't ruled out the possibility of moving closer Neftali Feliz to the rotation. The Rangers also signed former Brewers starter Seth McClung to a minor league deal over the weekend.

The Rangers see Webb as a potential high-upside acquisition, even though he pitched a total of only four innings in 2009-10 because of shoulder problems. Dr. Keith Meister, Texas' team physician, did a cleanup of Webb's right shoulder in August 2009, and one club official recently told ESPN.com that Meister's familiarity with Webb's medical history has contributed to the team's "comfort level'' with the pitcher.

Now that Lee has signed with the Phillies, Webb and Carl Pavano are the most accomplished starters left on the market. While Pavano is seeking a multiyear contract after winning 17 games for Minnesota in 2010, Webb is looking for a one-year deal that will allow him to re-establish his value and go back on the open market next winter.

It's uncertain if Webb will decide on his new team by the weekend. An unidentified National League Central team has expressed late interest, according to a source, but Webb is already several weeks along in the decision process.

Contrary to recent reports, the Nationals have maintained an active interest in Webb this week, even after signing Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year deal for $1 million plus incentives. Washington general manager Mike Rizzo was the scouting director in Arizona when Webb was establishing himself as one of baseball's most durable and productive starters.

Webb posted a 70-37 record for Arizona from 2005 through 2008, and averaged 227 innings per season over a five-year stretch with the Diamondbacks.

mavspwnage · 12-21-2010, 06:38 PM

Webb made only one start last year and got hit pretty badly. But his career with the D'Backs was consistently good. I would be very happy to see the Rangers get him.

jthig32 · 12-23-2010, 10:41 PM

Hmm. The signing of Rhodes might make Feliz to the rotation a bit more likely.

Not real excited about the signing though.

Rhylan · 12-25-2010, 12:12 AM

Growing up in Hamilton, we read the Waco newspaper on the weekends, so I remember following Rhodes out of La Vega HS.

It's been noted how consistent and effective he's been in the last 3 years since Tommy John surgery, but otherwise, kind of a weird career. A couple pretty good seasons and a lot of meh.. but then you look at his numbers in 2001-2002. WHIP of 0.853/0.833 and K/BB ratio of 6.9/6.2... compared to career averages of 1.2 and 2.24. Way out of bounds.

To some extent that's how middle relief & setting up goes, I suppose. I dunno. But I'll take his production the last three years, particularly as a lefty.

mavspwnage · 12-26-2010, 07:49 PM

Brandon Webb is coming to the Rangers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/mlb...ory?id=5956794

Male30Dan · 12-28-2010, 02:13 AM

I truly can't understand how anyone could be upset with the Rhodes signing. Not even slightly so. Dude has been a stud for 3 straight years.

Webb might be something or he might be a huge bust. The difference between this and last year with Harden is that Webb's contract only has 3M guaranteed vs. Harden's 6.5M-7M that we threw away in 2010. Simply put, he is a low risk, high reward guy.

Best case? Hell, we could get a true ace again as we had with Lee and have a 20+ game winner that, while 32, has only 30 years of wear on his tires. Worst case? We cut him after a few rough starts and cut our losses instead of dealing with a number of horrible starts as we did with Harden.

Cross your fingers. This could be tremendous and prove to be better than keeping Lee or could be what pushes us into 2nd/3rd place in the division. It just depends on how our younger guys pitch in the 4th/5th spots (assuming you want to pencil Webb in as the #3 - a long shot for sure).

nashtymavsfan13 · 12-28-2010, 04:02 AM

From the outside looking in, (being a fan of the 2010 World Champion SF Giants, sorry guys I had to

), I find the Rhodes and Webb signing to be solid for you guys. Like Male29Dan said, Webb is low risk high reward. $3M in the MLB these days is chump change, and Webb is a stud when healthy. I'm not real big on Rhodes, but he was lights out last year with the Reds and certainly seems like a solid upgrade for your guys' bullpen, even without coming anywhere near last year's numbers.

jthig32 · 12-28-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Male29Dan

I truly can't understand how anyone could be upset with the Rhodes signing. Not even slightly so. Dude has been a stud for 3 straight years.

Webb might be something or he might be a huge bust. The difference between this and last year with Harden is that Webb's contract only has 3M guaranteed vs. Harden's 6.5M-7M that we threw away in 2010. Simply put, he is a low risk, high reward guy.

Best case? Hell, we could get a true ace again as we had with Lee and have a 20+ game winner that, while 32, has only 30 years of wear on his tires. Worst case? We cut him after a few rough starts and cut our losses instead of dealing with a number of horrible starts as we did with Harden.

Cross your fingers. This could be tremendous and prove to be better than keeping Lee or could be what pushes us into 2nd/3rd place in the division. It just depends on how our younger guys pitch in the 4th/5th spots (assuming you want to pencil Webb in as the #3 - a long shot for sure).

I'm not upset about Rhodes, just not excited by it. He was much less lights out in the second half last year but maybe that was due to overuse (like Oliver).

As for Webb, I like the signing but I'm not sure how this could possibly work out better than keeping Lee.

Murphy3 · 12-28-2010, 10:05 AM

Well, obviously it could work out better thank keeping Lee. Lee could have to have a leg amputated due to a hunting accident(Monty Stratton anyone?) and Webb could win 15 for the Rangers. It's not hard to imagine scenarios in which signing Webb could turn out better than signing Lee. Now, just not sure that it's likely.

jthig32 · 12-28-2010, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murphy3

Well, obviously it could work out better thank keeping Lee. Lee could have to have a leg amputated due to a hunting accident(Monty Stratton anyone?) and Webb could win 15 for the Rangers. It's not hard to imagine scenarios in which signing Webb could turn out better than signing Lee. Now, just not sure that it's likely.

Well by that logic any move could be better than keeping Lee. I took his comment to mean that the best from Webb would be better then the best from Lee, and I don't agree with that at all.

Murphy3 · 12-28-2010, 10:35 AM

Sure,... the best from Webb this season could be better than the best from Lee, but it is highly unlikely.

Male30Dan · 12-28-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murphy3

Sure,... the best from Webb this season could be better than the best from Lee, but it is highly unlikely.

Agreed... The best from Webb and the best from Lee are fairly close. It just comes down to whether or not Webb can ever again be the pre-injury Webb. I don't think that is a known one way or the other (see Chris Carpenter). This will all just have to play out. Do I EXPECT a 20 game winner from this signing with the best ground-ball ratio in the game and 220 plus innings? No. Could it realistically happen if he could become pre-injury Webb (or at least could he out pitch Lee this year)? Yes.

nashtymavsfan13 · 12-28-2010, 12:41 PM

He doesn't even have to out-pitch Lee this season. If he could be a healthy 15 game winner that can pitch lights out in the playoffs, with your guys' offense, the Rangers will be in great shape.

mavspwnage · 01-02-2011, 08:04 PM

Adrian Beltre could be close to a deal with the Rangers. This morning, there was a rumor of a six year deal. But then it was reported that it wasn't a done deal yet. Either way, I like where this is going.

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/ar...havent-re.html

jthig32 · 01-02-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavspwnage

Adrian Beltre could be close to a deal with the Rangers. This morning, there was a rumor of a six year deal. But then it was reported that it wasn't a done deal yet. Either way, I like where this is going.

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/ar...havent-re.html

That article doesn't really say much of anything new, but about an hour ago more rumblings appeared about this possibly happening.

A lot of smoke on this right now. Could be something to it. I think it could easily end up being a bad contract in the long term but it would be great in the short term and the Michael Young fallout would be fascinating.

Male30Dan · 01-02-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthig32

That article doesn't really say much of anything new, but about an hour ago more rumblings appeared about this possibly happening.

A lot of smoke on this right now. Could be something to it. I think it could easily end up being a bad contract in the long term but it would be great in the short term and the Michael Young fallout would be fascinating.

This signing (even in the earlier reported 6-year fashion) would greatly help me recover from the Cowboys' fiasco earlier today.

mavspwnage · 01-03-2011, 07:24 PM

New info:

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/mlb...ory?id=5984163

Male30Dan · 01-03-2011, 10:34 PM

Looks like Young had a change of heart after initially not being happy with the idea of moving to DH/Utility IF:

Link...

I would still rather him at 1B with Vlad playing DH, but whatever brings Beltre on board I can become OK with. Hell, if they do Vlad too - all the better. Maybe Young can split time at 1B with Moreland, pick up other IF spot starts, and split some time with Vlad too.

mavspwnage · 01-03-2011, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Male29Dan

Looks like Young had a change of heart after initially not being happy with the idea of moving to DH/Utility IF:

Link...

I would still rather him at 1B with Vlad playing DH, but whatever brings Beltre on board I can become OK with. Hell, if they do Vlad too - all the better. Maybe Young can split time at 1B with Moreland, pick up other IF spot starts, and split some time with Vlad too.

I love Michael Young. This is why he is my favorite Rangers player. Total team player.

Five-ofan · 01-04-2011, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavspwnage

I love Michael Young. This is why he is my favorite Rangers player. Total team player.

Im thinking its more like he was told he didn't have a choice.

Murphy3 · 01-04-2011, 09:33 AM

There's not alot of options.. Very, very few teams are interested in the guy at his cost. Actually, no one is interested in him at his price tag. The Rangers aren't interested in him playing somewhere else if they're going to have to eat his salary... He just doesn't have alot of choices. Play where the team wants you to play or pout and cost the team a chance to get better.

alexamenos · 01-04-2011, 12:01 PM

If we bag Beltre, I'm feeling pretty damn good about the offseason.

Male30Dan · 01-04-2011, 12:18 PM

We are starting to heat up here...

Link...

Link...

Link...

jthig32 · 01-04-2011, 02:25 PM

Looks like it's essentially done. Good.

Male30Dan · 01-04-2011, 02:53 PM

Man, I am starting to see one of my offseason dreams come true and I am super excited about it. I think Young will ultimately play a fairly good chunk of games at 1st too so I could still see them signing Vlad, but that is certainly unlikely.

As Grant pointed out today, penciling Young in at 1B could also allow you to dangle Moreland in front of TB (seeing as how they just lost their starting 1B) with the hopes of bringing back Garza. IF we did that, I could then see bringing Vlad back as much more likely to happen as I doubt they plan on Davis (unfortunately) spending much if any time in the majors this year unless he explodes in AAA.

Likely lineup:

Andrus
Kinsler
Hamilton
Cruz
Beltre
Young
Moreland
Torrealba
Borbon

Hopeful lineup:

Andrus
Kinsler
Beltre
Hamilton
Cruz
Vlad
Young
Torrealba
Borbon

Ecstatic lineup:

Andrus
Kinsler
Beltre
Hamilton
Cruz
Vlad
Young
Murphy
Torrealba

Likely rotation:

Wilson
Lewis
Webb (if healthy/effective - if not, move 4/5 up and add Ogando/Kirkman/Feldman as 5)
Hunter
Holland

Hopeful rotation:

Wilson
Lewis
Webb (if healthy/effective - if not, move 4/5 up and add Holland as 5)
Hunter
Feliz

Ecstatic rotation:

Wilson
Lewis
Garza
Webb (if healthy/effective - if not, move 5 up and add Holland as 5)
Feliz

dalmations202 · 01-04-2011, 03:35 PM

Harrison has the stuff -- can he get the control though? He could be up there in your rotation as well.

I'd love to see Vlad back. He needs more rest though than he got this last year.

Male30Dan · 01-04-2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalmations202

Harrison has the stuff -- can he get the control though? He could be up there in your rotation as well.

I'd love to see Vlad back. He needs more rest though than he got this last year.

That's the beauty of the idea of both being there in the DH role. If Young got his 150+ games the following way, I would be thrilled:

1B: 80
DH: 40
2B: 10
SS: 10
3B: 10

There is the argument that he should NEVER, EVER see SS again, but the bottom line is that my understanding of WAR includes defensive metrics and Young definitely has a higher WAR than Blanco. His bat would have me prefer him in the lineup in positions that he is very weak in defensively, but still capable enough to get us through a spot start here and there.

So if you did that you could still give Moreland 80 starts at 1B AND give Vlad 120 starts at DH. That would hopefully keep him as well rested as possible and get the best production available from those old legs.

Damn I am pumped, even if Young is a full time DH. So pumped.

Male30Dan · 01-04-2011, 04:03 PM

Very interesting read...

Murphy3 · 01-04-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Male29Dan

That's the beauty of the idea of both being there in the DH role. If Young got his 150+ games the following way, I would be thrilled:

1B: 80
DH: 40
2B: 10
SS: 10
3B: 10

There is the argument that he should NEVER, EVER see SS again, but the bottom line is that my understanding of WAR includes defensive metrics and Young definitely has a higher WAR than Blanco. His bat would have me prefer him in the lineup in positions that he is very weak in defensively, but still capable enough to get us through a spot start here and there.

So if you did that you could still give Moreland 80 starts at 1B AND give Vlad 120 starts at DH. That would hopefully keep him as well rested as possible and get the best production available from those old legs.

Damn I am pumped, even if Young is a full time DH. So pumped.

Why would Young start 80 games at first? Ah, nevermind, you want Vlad and Beltre.

mavspwnage · 01-04-2011, 05:59 PM

I just got an email with info about renewing a season mini plan. And while the cost is a little higher, the mini plans are now 20 games instead of 16. And the plans are A LOT more flexible.

Last season, there were I think three plans and none of them included the opening day game. This year, there are four plans where the games are set (one includes opening day) and a fifth where you can choose all the games. And that one is perfect because there are three different types of games I would choose. The first one would be opening day and the rest would be a split between weekend games and Wednesday games for dollar hot dogs.

And the great thing is that I can keep my same seats from 2010 for every plan, except for the fan's choice which is not guaranteed.

mavspwnage · 01-04-2011, 07:16 PM

I hope the rest of the Rangers know about Beltre's issue of being rubbed on the head. lol

mavspwnage · 01-05-2011, 12:49 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/mlb...ory?id=5989768

Beltre is in Dallas undergoing a physical, which is the last step to completing the deal.

Five-ofan · 01-05-2011, 06:08 AM

Given this move, the Rangers are legitamently awesome(as in top 5 or so in the league) defensively at 2b, SS, 3B, LF, CF, and RF. Thats pretty sick.

92bDad · 01-05-2011, 08:59 AM

The only negative is Scott Freakin Boras...but at this stage, a deal is a deal so move on and enjoy the player and the team.

Murphy3 · 01-05-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Five-ofan

Given this move, the Rangers are legitamently awesome(as in top 5 or so in the league) defensively at 2b, SS, 3B, LF, CF, and RF. Thats pretty sick.

Pretty solid at catcher as well.

Male30Dan · 01-05-2011, 03:44 PM

Great!

Too bad there are articles now saying we are out of the running for Vlad. This lineup COULD have been crazy amazing. Instead I will have to settle for amazing. I would still love to bring him back at a cheaper 1 year contract since it appears his best suitors are out of the running for his services. Oh well, worst case - this gets Murphy more at bats.