October 12, 2015
Unbelievable...
Joey Gallo hit the roof at The Ballpark during practice. This is the second time he's done it in the last few weeks.
(I should stipulate, yes it was a fair ball.)
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October 11, 2015
Winning team problems...
Prior to the third ALDS game at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Jeff Wilson announced on twitter that RHP Nick Martinez, a converted infielder who has figuratively been Texas' "Little Dutch Boy", was being recalled from the team's training facilities in Arizona to be introduced with the team. Joey Gallo and other "green room" Rangers who are being kept in preparedness in case of serious injury will likely be included as well. Nick was one of those improbable Cy Young candidates for the first month of the year, maintaining an ERA and WHIP around 1.00. Once regression hit and he returned to being a depth pitcher who never K's anyone, he continued to pitch to contact and turn in a decent number of quality starts until Derek Holland and Martin Perez returned after the All Star Break.
Not being introduced with the team is former Center Fielder Leonys Martin. The Cuban was signed in 2010 and went from the Rookie League to AAA by 2012, when he appeared in 24 games for the big club. He produced 2.9 fWAR in 2013 and 3.5 fWAR in 2014, entirely with his defense. The bat is league-average at best. In 2015, his contact and BABIP dropped off significantly, resulting in an offensive hole that his defense couldn't compensate for. When Delino DeShields, Jr. was substituted for the struggling Leonys, DDJ was able to grab the starting CF job with little difficulty. Leonys wound up with some minor injury diagnoses that got him a short disabled list stay and a long rehab assignment, during which Leonys failed to impress with either his results or his efforts, according to some observers. With Drew Stubbs, the Rockies veteran who handled playing deep in Colorado with ease, on the roster as a defensive replacement, Martin was sent to Arizona when the playoffs started to stay prepared as an injury replacement or roster alternative.
However, Rangers fans learned today that Leonys refused the assignment and was angry with the club at being left off of the ALDS roster. Ergo, Leonys is not being included in the honor roll later today.
Leonys Martin, when healthy, is arguably the best defensive Center Fielder in MLB. His bat has never been projected very high, but he doesn't have to do much to make up his value. As bad as his year has been, he still would have been on track to produce 1 fWAR, purely from defense. Considering he's being paid $3 million per year, that's still great value. Which means he was likely left off the roster for reasons other than his health.
The Rangers appear to have been on a roll for the past several months getting rid of players that new manager Jeff Banister has designated as not fitting in the clubhouse. If these reports are remotely accurate, Martin will likely have an interesting off-season. He was signed as a free-agent and his contract ends this season, but his service time didn't start until 2013, so he has three years of service time as of the end of this season. As far as I understand it, that means that as part of any application for free agency he can go into salary arbitration with his current club. I really don't understand for sure how that will work.
Only minutes after the Leonys Martin tweet, a tweet about Lewis Brinson crossed my feed as well. Brinson has reported to the Arizona Fall League, where he'll play for the Ranger's team. Brinson is also a true Center Fielder, projects as good as Leonys defensively, and has a bat with a 60 ceiling. Brinson is still at least another year away, but don't be surprised if he gets a chance in Arlington next year with Martin on the outs.
Not being introduced with the team is former Center Fielder Leonys Martin. The Cuban was signed in 2010 and went from the Rookie League to AAA by 2012, when he appeared in 24 games for the big club. He produced 2.9 fWAR in 2013 and 3.5 fWAR in 2014, entirely with his defense. The bat is league-average at best. In 2015, his contact and BABIP dropped off significantly, resulting in an offensive hole that his defense couldn't compensate for. When Delino DeShields, Jr. was substituted for the struggling Leonys, DDJ was able to grab the starting CF job with little difficulty. Leonys wound up with some minor injury diagnoses that got him a short disabled list stay and a long rehab assignment, during which Leonys failed to impress with either his results or his efforts, according to some observers. With Drew Stubbs, the Rockies veteran who handled playing deep in Colorado with ease, on the roster as a defensive replacement, Martin was sent to Arizona when the playoffs started to stay prepared as an injury replacement or roster alternative.
However, Rangers fans learned today that Leonys refused the assignment and was angry with the club at being left off of the ALDS roster. Ergo, Leonys is not being included in the honor roll later today.
Leonys Martin, when healthy, is arguably the best defensive Center Fielder in MLB. His bat has never been projected very high, but he doesn't have to do much to make up his value. As bad as his year has been, he still would have been on track to produce 1 fWAR, purely from defense. Considering he's being paid $3 million per year, that's still great value. Which means he was likely left off the roster for reasons other than his health.
The Rangers appear to have been on a roll for the past several months getting rid of players that new manager Jeff Banister has designated as not fitting in the clubhouse. If these reports are remotely accurate, Martin will likely have an interesting off-season. He was signed as a free-agent and his contract ends this season, but his service time didn't start until 2013, so he has three years of service time as of the end of this season. As far as I understand it, that means that as part of any application for free agency he can go into salary arbitration with his current club. I really don't understand for sure how that will work.
Only minutes after the Leonys Martin tweet, a tweet about Lewis Brinson crossed my feed as well. Brinson has reported to the Arizona Fall League, where he'll play for the Ranger's team. Brinson is also a true Center Fielder, projects as good as Leonys defensively, and has a bat with a 60 ceiling. Brinson is still at least another year away, but don't be surprised if he gets a chance in Arlington next year with Martin on the outs.
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October 09, 2015
Damn it, Cubs...
I know it's at Busch. Just gotta take one game there from the lying, cheating bastards. Just one. I know you can do it.
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2 - 0 and back to Arlington...
Although, today, the attitude was displayed by relief pitcher and future closer Keone Kela. Kela, who in baseball parlance, "pitches fearlessly" and is known for muttering a constant stream of obscenities on the mound to keep himself pumped up, got into a F-bomb match with Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson. When Donaldson started toward the mound and the benches started to clear, Kela whipped his glove off and started toward Donaldson.
The outcome would have been interesting; Kela outweighs Donaldson, is built like a football player, and has a history of scrapping (successfully, incidentally).
The outcome would have been interesting; Kela outweighs Donaldson, is built like a football player, and has a history of scrapping (successfully, incidentally).
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October 08, 2015
ALDS, one game down...
That the Rangers beat David Price in a post-season game for the fourth time isn't much of a surprise. Texas, somehow, has a decent record against Price, just as they have the single-best team record against Felix Hernandez. Less expected was that the offensive damage was done by Robinson Chirinos, who has been on the DL for the past two and half months, Rougned Odor, who slammed a solo home run after being plunked by Price twice (Rougie doesn't get mad, people...well, actually, he does, but he does the revenge thing, too).
Game Two features the Ranger's ace left-hander Cole Hamels, who will likely have to be at his best to handle a Toronto club that's mashed lefties better than righties this year. Still, Texas is playing with house money in a year that they weren't expected to go this far, so it's all good.
Game Two features the Ranger's ace left-hander Cole Hamels, who will likely have to be at his best to handle a Toronto club that's mashed lefties better than righties this year. Still, Texas is playing with house money in a year that they weren't expected to go this far, so it's all good.
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October 04, 2015
Random things for this season...
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Finished...for now...
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October 01, 2015
Five days later...
The Texas Rangers are back in post-season baseball after missing the past two years. (Unless you count the tie-breaker play-in game FOR the Wild Card game in 2013, which is technically game 163)
Either one more Rangers win or a Houston loss will also give the A.L. West Division to the Rangers for the first time since 2011.
Oh, and the Cubs made the playoffs for the first time since 2008, so that's pretty neat, too.
Oh, and the Cubs made the playoffs for the first time since 2008, so that's pretty neat, too.
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September 26, 2015
...and another ten days later...
Someone on twitter last night, after Rangers 6 Astros 2 happened, said Texas was now tied with New York.
"That can't be right," I said to myself. "New York was something like five games up on Texas a week ago."
And yet, as I went to check the game time for today's match, there's Texas at 84 - 69, same as New York. The two teams are four back of Toronto, who are one back of league-leading Kansas City, who hasn't been playing so hot lately.
In the National League, two teams are likely to pass 100 wins, and three more will likely pass 90. The tradeoff is that the NL has six teams that may not pass 70 wins this year, while the AL has only one. In the American League, there are nine teams that could still make 80 wins on the season, only four in the National League.
Is this parity or lop-sidedness? The AL has led inter-league play this year, 162 - 129. But, the AL usually dominates inter-league play, yet World Series victories since 1997 are evenly split at 9 - 9.
"That can't be right," I said to myself. "New York was something like five games up on Texas a week ago."
And yet, as I went to check the game time for today's match, there's Texas at 84 - 69, same as New York. The two teams are four back of Toronto, who are one back of league-leading Kansas City, who hasn't been playing so hot lately.
In the National League, two teams are likely to pass 100 wins, and three more will likely pass 90. The tradeoff is that the NL has six teams that may not pass 70 wins this year, while the AL has only one. In the American League, there are nine teams that could still make 80 wins on the season, only four in the National League.
Is this parity or lop-sidedness? The AL has led inter-league play this year, 162 - 129. But, the AL usually dominates inter-league play, yet World Series victories since 1997 are evenly split at 9 - 9.
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September 16, 2015
10 days later...
The Rangers are 77 - 67, five games over .500 with 18 games left to play. They also moved into first place in the American League West last night, beating Houston for the second straight game with a walkoff sacrifice fly by Mitch Moreland.
It's really hard to not expect more, because winning baseball is winning baseball, but it's important (for sanity's sake) to remember that not only were the Rangers not supposed to be here this season, they shouldn't even be here NOW. Certainly this is a better team since the trade deadline, and since two starting pitchers returned from long injuries, but even then the Texas Rangers are a team that lose badly and win barely.
But that works, too; as long as you can keep it up.
It's really hard to not expect more, because winning baseball is winning baseball, but it's important (for sanity's sake) to remember that not only were the Rangers not supposed to be here this season, they shouldn't even be here NOW. Certainly this is a better team since the trade deadline, and since two starting pitchers returned from long injuries, but even then the Texas Rangers are a team that lose badly and win barely.
But that works, too; as long as you can keep it up.
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September 08, 2015
Stepping up...
The Rangers needed Yovani Gallardo to step up when Darvish and Holland were lost to injuries. And while he hasn't seemed very exciting and doesn't always make it through the sixth inning...
Zack Greinke has allowed no runs in 10 starts, most in baseball. But who's 2nd? Not Kershaw, Arrieta or Keuchel. It's Yovani Gallardo (9)
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) September 8, 2015
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September 04, 2015
One month later...
...the Rangers are 70 - 62, 4 games over .500. With 30 games left to play, their recent results put them on track to win 90. Their year-long record says Texas will win 86. The Houston Astros year-long record says they'll win 88. Their recent record says Houston will finish with 87 wins.
At the beginning of the season, either L.A.A. or Seattle were supposed to win the A.L. West. Oakland would come in third, Houston fourth with a record at or under .500, and Texas last; a few games behind Houston.
Even those of us who read Dave Cameron and said "ef you, Dave. Texas may not win the division this year, but they have a lot more talent than you give them credit for..." didn't expect anything better than 83 wins. And we would have been happy with 77. The Texas Rangers didn't have a winning record last year. In fact, they would have been the worst team in baseball if it weren't for the shakeup following the still-mysterious resignation of Ron Washington, which prompted the Tim Bogar-led Rangers to finish strong, jumping past Colorado and Arizona to finish 28th behind Minnesota and Houston.
Houston, incidentally, is leading the A.L. West (for now), Minnesota is in second in the A.L. Central and still fighting for a Wild Card berth, and Arizona is tied for third in the N.L. West with San Diego...not out of contention, and far better than the last place Rockies who are, once again, more than 20 games out of the division lead.
Still fighting for .500 ball, at the trade deadline Texas dealt from a deep bank of prospects to put in the winning bid for top-of-the-rotation Philly Cole Hamels, and then, like a bullied pre-schooler, shook their collective fists at the Astros.
"Just wait 'til Derek Holland gets back (again!) Just wait 'til Martin Perez makes a full recovery from Tommy John surgery! Just wait 'til our over-paid, under-appreciated, on-base-machine Right Fielder gets back from his months-long mental vacation! Just wait 'til our Rule-Five pick outfielder that you guys dumped gets back from his hamstring injury! Just wait 'til our General Manager proves once-again that, despite everything retired Dallas Curmudgeon Randy Galloway says, you *can* put together a lights-out bullpen with cheap trades from organizational depth and waiver-wire claims!"
We're not waiting anymore. The Rangers have been the second-best team in the American League since June, behind the unbelievable Blue Jays. Texas recently lost two of three to the Jays, and fans and players were pretty pissed off about it. The first game was won until the Texas closer, Shawn Tolleson, came one in the ninth and clearly had nothing going. He still managed to get two outs with a lead, but just couldn't hold it.
It was his second blown save of the year. Yes, Texas Rangers think they should have won the Toronto series. Of course, I'm sure Toronto says they could have swept.
The bottom line is, right now Houston is just in the way. Hard-core Rangers fans have long-celebrated the reasonable, analytic approach taken by the Texas front office, and therefore admired the work done by Jeff Luhnow in Houston. Texas fans know how good the Houston players are. Sure, they've been a bit lucky that so many prospects hit jackpot at the same time, and early to boot. But all the same...
Texas Rangers fans are eyeing Toronto. They're relishing a chance to stomp on New York. They want another shot at St. Louis.
The Houston Astros are just in the way.
At the beginning of the season, either L.A.A. or Seattle were supposed to win the A.L. West. Oakland would come in third, Houston fourth with a record at or under .500, and Texas last; a few games behind Houston.
Even those of us who read Dave Cameron and said "ef you, Dave. Texas may not win the division this year, but they have a lot more talent than you give them credit for..." didn't expect anything better than 83 wins. And we would have been happy with 77. The Texas Rangers didn't have a winning record last year. In fact, they would have been the worst team in baseball if it weren't for the shakeup following the still-mysterious resignation of Ron Washington, which prompted the Tim Bogar-led Rangers to finish strong, jumping past Colorado and Arizona to finish 28th behind Minnesota and Houston.
Houston, incidentally, is leading the A.L. West (for now), Minnesota is in second in the A.L. Central and still fighting for a Wild Card berth, and Arizona is tied for third in the N.L. West with San Diego...not out of contention, and far better than the last place Rockies who are, once again, more than 20 games out of the division lead.
Still fighting for .500 ball, at the trade deadline Texas dealt from a deep bank of prospects to put in the winning bid for top-of-the-rotation Philly Cole Hamels, and then, like a bullied pre-schooler, shook their collective fists at the Astros.
"Just wait 'til Derek Holland gets back (again!) Just wait 'til Martin Perez makes a full recovery from Tommy John surgery! Just wait 'til our over-paid, under-appreciated, on-base-machine Right Fielder gets back from his months-long mental vacation! Just wait 'til our Rule-Five pick outfielder that you guys dumped gets back from his hamstring injury! Just wait 'til our General Manager proves once-again that, despite everything retired Dallas Curmudgeon Randy Galloway says, you *can* put together a lights-out bullpen with cheap trades from organizational depth and waiver-wire claims!"
We're not waiting anymore. The Rangers have been the second-best team in the American League since June, behind the unbelievable Blue Jays. Texas recently lost two of three to the Jays, and fans and players were pretty pissed off about it. The first game was won until the Texas closer, Shawn Tolleson, came one in the ninth and clearly had nothing going. He still managed to get two outs with a lead, but just couldn't hold it.
It was his second blown save of the year. Yes, Texas Rangers think they should have won the Toronto series. Of course, I'm sure Toronto says they could have swept.
The bottom line is, right now Houston is just in the way. Hard-core Rangers fans have long-celebrated the reasonable, analytic approach taken by the Texas front office, and therefore admired the work done by Jeff Luhnow in Houston. Texas fans know how good the Houston players are. Sure, they've been a bit lucky that so many prospects hit jackpot at the same time, and early to boot. But all the same...
Texas Rangers fans are eyeing Toronto. They're relishing a chance to stomp on New York. They want another shot at St. Louis.
The Houston Astros are just in the way.
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August 07, 2015
Why would the Rangers trade Nick Williams?
Nick Williams, the toolsy and athletic outfielder who had gone from high-ceiling, all-potential prospect to impact prospect in 2015, was the headliner of the deal that brought Cole Hamels to Texas for the next four years. Williams hasn't slowed down in the Philadelphia system, but neither has his replacement at Frisco: Lewis Brinson. Brinson is a top talent Centerfield prospect with a lesser hit tool than Williams but more speed, better defense and more power. Big guy, long legs. He's hit consistently since his promotion to AA this week, and displayed his plus power last night:
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August 01, 2015
An exciting time to be a Texas Ranger...
The Texas Rangers have had exactly the kind of season most people predicted: they're fighting to maintain a record around .500, with a stronger tendency to stay a few games under than over. This will leave the Rangers with a win total in the high seventies at best, with a goal of reaching 82 wins just to have a winning record for the season. Bizarrely, Texas has had a good, but not great offense, and a starting rotation that has out-performed expectations to be largely mediocre. The bullpen, meanwhile, is expected to give up approximately two runs per game.
So with 60 games left in the season and a record of 50 - 52, why is it exciting to be a fan of the Texas Rangers?
Texas just traded for one of the best pitchers in baseball, which is primarily a move for 2016 and beyond but certainly helps this year. Adrian Beltre has finally started to come to life in the summer heat. Elvis Andrus is suddenly a hitting machine. One of the Rangers premier lefty starters is back from TJ surgery, although it looks like Martin Perez is going to take a while to get back into form. Derek Holland is due back by the end of the month. Colby Lewis has been sliding back up into #2 or #3 starter form instead of pitching depth form. Manager Jon Daniels just traded for two excellent power-pitching bullpen arms, a lefty and righty. One of them got five straight outs in his debut. And Rougned odor is showing everyone why Texas wasn't too concerned about trading off Ian Kinsler.
And finally, sitting four games out of a wild card slot, the Rangers are about to go on a run, both at home and away, of playing all of the teams between them and the Wild Card. With the team seemingly on the rise, a winning record over the next few weeks turns the Texas Rangers into a legitimate playoff contender, rather than a likely spoiler.
Considering the Rangers have handled L.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.L.A.A.C.A. poorly this year, and have apparently mostly had good luck against Houston, Texas is likely fixing the second Wild Card spot as their target...either Houston or L.A.etc. will win the division, and either Houston or L.A.etc. will take the first A.L. Wild Card. Texas at this point must be pulling for L.A.etc. to win, because they have a much better chance of beating Houston in the play-in Wild Card game. Let L.A.etc. lose to someone else while Texas leverages their "winningest road team in baseball" prowess to make it through the Division Series.
Why is it exciting to be a Texas Ranger? Because looking forward this 50 - 52 team has a straight shot at another pennant.
Believe it or not.
Texas just traded for one of the best pitchers in baseball, which is primarily a move for 2016 and beyond but certainly helps this year. Adrian Beltre has finally started to come to life in the summer heat. Elvis Andrus is suddenly a hitting machine. One of the Rangers premier lefty starters is back from TJ surgery, although it looks like Martin Perez is going to take a while to get back into form. Derek Holland is due back by the end of the month. Colby Lewis has been sliding back up into #2 or #3 starter form instead of pitching depth form. Manager Jon Daniels just traded for two excellent power-pitching bullpen arms, a lefty and righty. One of them got five straight outs in his debut. And Rougned odor is showing everyone why Texas wasn't too concerned about trading off Ian Kinsler.
And finally, sitting four games out of a wild card slot, the Rangers are about to go on a run, both at home and away, of playing all of the teams between them and the Wild Card. With the team seemingly on the rise, a winning record over the next few weeks turns the Texas Rangers into a legitimate playoff contender, rather than a likely spoiler.
Considering the Rangers have handled L.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.L.A.A.C.A. poorly this year, and have apparently mostly had good luck against Houston, Texas is likely fixing the second Wild Card spot as their target...either Houston or L.A.etc. will win the division, and either Houston or L.A.etc. will take the first A.L. Wild Card. Texas at this point must be pulling for L.A.etc. to win, because they have a much better chance of beating Houston in the play-in Wild Card game. Let L.A.etc. lose to someone else while Texas leverages their "winningest road team in baseball" prowess to make it through the Division Series.
Why is it exciting to be a Texas Ranger? Because looking forward this 50 - 52 team has a straight shot at another pennant.
Believe it or not.
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July 29, 2015
First good Rangers news in a while...
The Texas Rangers have traded for TORP Cole Hamels, lefty reliever Jake Diekman and cash. Texas is giving up top catching prospect Jorge Alfaro, athletic outfielder Nick Williams, AAA starting pitcher Alec Asher and Jerad Eickhoff, AA starting pitcher and #2 pitching prospect Jake Thompson and starting pitcher Matt Harrison.
The players:
The players:
- Cole Hamels - One of the best pitchers in baseball; Hamels will front the rotation for the rest of the season and, sometime in 2016, pair with Yu Darvish to provide an excellent 1-2 punch at the top of the Rangers' rotation. Of course, one has to keep in mind that Hamels is one of the two legacy pitchers, along with Cliff Lee, who formed Philadephia's "Staff of Aces" that was supposed to keep the team in contention for years.
- Jake Diekman - High K, high walk, high ground ball left reliever
- Cash - The Rangers dump some salary by trading Harrison, but not enough to cover Hamels' $20+ million this year. (Rumors are still running high that Texas is looking to move Choo this offseason, and may be looking at options with Elvis Andrus as well)
- Jorge Alfaro - "The Legend". Still one of Texas' top prospects, despite running a year late in his development *before* his season-ending ankle injury. He's not Pudge Rodriguez, but he's one of the closest to come along in a long time. Good bat and his pop times to second base are Pudge-like. Unfortunately, he's still a mess as a backstop, and hasn't developed as fast or as good as many expected.
- Nick Williams - development success story. Surprising second round draft pick in 2012. Extreme athleticism. Made it to AA on promise and enough ability to provide depth; finally turned a corner this year. Took a more patient approach at the plate and finally exploded. Fast but not too smart in the outfield yet, but tons of potential. Rocketed up several prospect lists this year, but some scouts and pundits think he's an illusion.
- Matt Harrison - one-time solid lefty starter, Matty went from a year in which he received a smidgen of Cy Young consideration and club-friendly contract extension to a back injury to a degenerative disease. Has made three starts with the Rangers this year after a year's recovery from spinal fusion surgery. And not the spinal fusion surgery in the neck that everyone else is getting; this was low-down. Wasn't actually expected to ever pitch again. Not actually expected to pitch next year, at least not yet.
- Eickhoff and Asher. Two solid AAA arms, neither has been perceived to have a high ceiling but both have handled AAA hitting competently with flashes of talent. #5 starters on competing teams. Eickhoff has an arm that might play in the bullpen better. The Rangers have lot of these guys at the moment. Or "had".
- Jake Thompson. Maybe the biggest hit. Thompson was acquired in trade last year. He was the Tigers' top prospect and immediately slotted into the top ten for the Rangers. Filthy slider; still needs some seasoning but you can visualize him as an important part of a playoff team as early as next year, but probably 2017.
- #1 pitching prospect Chi Chi Gonzales. Chi Chi spent some time in the bigs this year and started out great. Once the scouts had a good look at how he handled the bigs things turned around. The Rangers frequently bring up top prospects when they're ready to fine-tune their game, so you can bet Chi Chi is spending his time in Round Rock learning, not just practicing.
- Nomar Mazara, a power-hitting outfielder who has been discussed by several national scouts as being in the mix for #1 prospect in baseball.
- Joey "The Face" Gallo - Extreme power and the athleticism to play third base. Like Chi Chi, got a stint in the bigs before being sent down to work on pitch recognition and his swing. Has a good sense of the strike zone and walks a ton, but has some holes in his swing.
- Lewis Brinson - True center fielder with a big bat; Brinson is still a few years from the bigs.
- Ryan Cordell - Another Nick Williams. No natural position, but extreme athleticism.
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