Nolan Speaks the Truth and Gets Hammered

This has been an interesting week on the Ranger front. I was listening to ESPN Radio’s national feed on XM after Nolan spoke about Josh Hamilton’s tobacco debacle this season. What he basically said was that Josh picked a bad time to quit dippin’. (cue Lloyd Bridges form Airplane). A lot of dialogue followed from the sports world, most of it not very nice about Nolan. I’m with him. If it were on his to do list, the off-season last year would have been good. Hell, spring training too for that matter. Or wait for the off-season. Most of the talk started “well I have never used tobacco, but for his health this shouldn’t be a problem with anyone.” Which health? Physical or mental? I am a smoker. I have tried, to no avail, to quit several times. It messes with everything. You mind, body and soul. Josh, being an epic addict, would be familiar with this.

Honestly? I took Nolan’s comments as a positive thing for Josh. He was basically telling all potential Josh suitors, it didn’t work out well for us, but now he’s done so line up your offers. I also point out that all but the local media didn’t follow the Rangers and Josh on a daily basis. So shut the hell up. You didn’t witness what a sideshow the Josh Hamilton Travelling Baseball Show had become. It was so much more than God punishing Josh for falling off the Copenhagen wagon.  So move along here, there is nothing else to see on the topic of Nolan Ryan.

One of my friends is an Angels fan and he said the Angels should sign him. To which I replied, go ahead. That would be great. After watching the Yankees struggling offensively against the O’s, I think they will be a major player in the “Sideshow” bidding.

Speculation? Yeah it’s starting. Hardly at a fever pitch, there have been some interesting ideas in the Dallas Morning News. One, from Tim Cowlishaw, suggested we go after Nick Swisher, Tori Hunter and Zack Greinke on the free agent market. I’m good with that. When it comes to replacing Josh, I think about that line in Moneyball. When trying to replace Jason Giambi, Billy Beane told the room they would recreate him in the aggregate. Swisher and Hunter would just be part of the equation. I also saw a trade idea thrown out. Derek Holland and Ian Kinsler for David Price. Yup. That works. Then there are the persistent rumors about Justin Upton. Okay, maybe I started those. How about the deal with the Rays and then Mike Olt and Martin Perez for Upton? Another trade chip for us? Mitch Moreland. A lot of people want us to trade Michael Young. I don’t see that happening and Cowlishaw suggested he might be a DH against righties, batting eighth. But no big talk yet as to how we would solve a problem at catcher. But it’s early still.

One last note. We may be visiting with Yu part two. Shohei Otani is an 18-year-old with a strong desire to play in America. His has a fastball that  regularly hits 99 on the gun and a mentor ready to go. No bidding process as he can go straight from high school to the Majors here. We’ll see. Not sure how all of that would work, but I doubt he wouldn’t even start in Frisco.

As I have been saying, this is one of my favorite parts of the game. I would just rather be sweating bullets during a division series.

Why Not Right?

Ranger Brass Speaks- My Take

Yesterday, the Rangers brain trust (so nice not being sarcastic when I say that) met with the media. On the topic of Josh Hamilton, they said they would not make an initial offer to Josh Hamilton. Some members of the media think the Rangers might be playing a game of chicken with Josh. I think it means the Hamilton era in Arlington is over. I think that is a good thing. While there has been nothing from the team to indicate they think so, I think he took a toll on this team and it was nice to see Evan Grant at the Dallas Morning news throw something out there that agrees with that hypothesis. I do think, because it was such an epic collapse by Josh, there is a chance he might have to approach us by December and ask for an offer. Unless he learned a lesson (which didn’t seem too possible, based on his own comments), that will only happen if the big money is not thrown at him. One of the sports websites called Josh’s free agency “the most confusing ever.”

When it came to Ron Washington, he said something that I actually think came right from Nolan Ryan’s mouth. I don’t know that Wash would have said “I ran my team into the ground.” I think that is what Nolan said to him and Wash being an honest guy, agreed. He went with that in the press conference. The reason I think it came from Nolan was that it was so painfully obvious to fans that he was doing that, that there was no way Ron Washington was too aware of that. Or he would have rested guys more and more importantly, he would have played Jurickson Profar more. I have already gone over how I feel that would have been good on so many levels. Not just resting guys. In Wash’s defense, our bench wasn’t deep beyond Profar since Mike Olt had a bad case of plantar fasciitis. Still, it would have been nice to see him do something. Anything.

Based on comments in that press conference, it appears some coaches will be replaced. It’s a shame. Scott Coolbaugh seems the most obvious to go. The only problem, the Rangers approach has always been work a pitcher over. Go deep into a count when you can. Be selective. Hamilton, very obviously, chose to ignore that strategy. Others not as bad, but Coolbaugh appears to be a victim of circumstance. I wonder if Rudy Jaramillo will return. I have seen Gary Pettis’ name on the net as well. If they decide to totally re-tool, my head spins. I just wonder if any of them would be possible replacements for Wash. I’m sure Maddux is safe and if anyone were to replace Ron Washington later, I would sure hope it would be him.

Not many players were mentioned during the presser but Ian Kinsler was. There are two ways to look at it too. It was in the context of him being a leadoff hitter and that they believed he was still our best option. You can look at that as an endorsement. Or you can look at it as damage control. The damage control would be to protect Kinsler as a trade chip. As far as trading Kins? The only thing that would prevent even talking about it is Scott Boras. He represents Elvis Andrus and moving Kinsler would be directly proportionate to how much JD and Nolan think they can re-sign Elvis. We’re backed up in the middle infield right now and Profar needs to play.

The last and possibly most exciting thing to come out of the meeting with the press yesterday was Nolan saying we might get a little bump in our payroll for next year. Now outside of Josh, there really isn’t a huge name on the free agent list this year. Pitching wise, there’s Zack Grienke. But I would assume some of that money could also go to re-signing Elvis. That all depends on Scott Boras breaking character enough to let one of his clients stay with his original team.

Would Love to See Us Keep Tiny E

Sherrington: Roy Oswalt must act like a pro or head for the door | Texas Rangers Blog

I like what Kevin Sherrinton says here. It is true. This story isn’t just about Roy Oswalt either. I know they are pro athletes and get paid a lot of money to be. I understood why Michael Young was angry those times he kept getting moved. He is going through it right now with Mike Olt called up. Not a peep from Young. He has always been about “team”.

Sherrington: Roy Oswalt must act like a pro or head for the door | Texas Rangers Blog.

If We Don’t Go After Lee, We Should Still Pursue Pence

Reading the Dallas Morning News and comments from Evan Grant (if you haven’t realized it- I LOVE Evan’s work), he makes a good point. I am not sure how our $100 mil offer to Cliff Lee was structured, but it probably didn’t include a back-loaded deal that would have seen him earn the most past the age of 35. That is exactly how is deal is structured with the Phillies. I believe in the business model the team is using, even though as a fan, it is sometimes frustrating. So let’s just say for argument’s sake, we are concentrating on Zack Greinke and Josh Johnson. I do not believe our pursuit, if we have any, of James Shields is real. Have you seen his numbers? He’s just a more talented version of Derek Holland. A great outing followed by a bad one and two mediocre ones.

That said, I still see the need to add Hunter Pence. Maybe to a lesser extent Shane Victorino, but he is also a rental. Our outfield situation, while plenty populated, isn’t providing the numbers we need and certainly not the numbers we are used to. Pence, who strikes out a little much for our taste, is still a solid alternative to David Murphy and Craig Gentry. Put on top of that struggles by Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz and he could quickly work himself into a more full-time position. He also provides a little backup in case we lose Hamilton after the season. I said “little”, he is not Josh Hamilton. But he is better than Josh is right now.  The only problem with this is that I am sure the Brewers and Marlins want Mike Olt included and I would be the Phillies would also want him.

I do know this. Don’t believe much of what you read. I just go back to the original Cliff Lee deal and it surprised everyone. Not that we wanted him, but the rumor mill was clueless as to when a deal would happen.  It’s a tight-lipped bunch in the front office.

Schedule Makers Are Strange

I know. Let’s take a team fresh off the All-Star break and give them two off-days the very next week. But let’s make sure we pick a team who doesn’t have long distances to travel between stops. Really makes no sense. Especially for a team that is struggling to find its rhythm. But that’s what we are dealing with this week. Coming off a masterful performance by Matt Harrison on Sunday, the Rangers spent their off-day in San Francisco. I guess that’s good because who would want to spend a whole day with nothing to do in Oakland. We have the A’s who were already giving us fits this season and now are actually in the Wild Card chase. Not that he can actually buy much, but Billy Beane appears to be a buyer this year as we get close to the deadline. In Sunday’s game we scored 4 runs but one of them was totally manufactured. We are still struggling at the plate.

While I still can’t put my finger on what is going on with the Rangers, I do know why they trouble me in spite of the fact that they are winning games. I have four Rangers on my fantasy baseball team. Only Mike Napoli and Nellie Cruz were by design. In our auto-draft I got Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus and Michael Young. I have since dropped Young and I notice quite a few players are dropping Mike Napoli. But here’s the point of this. I make my lineup out by looking at who is hot and who is not. I can check a player by day, the last seven days, fifteen days and the season. I can check everything. Their OBA, strikeouts not just BA and overall production. So through this year I can see their struggles on a nightly basis. While I have been in first place (a strange place for me) for most of the season it has been on the backs of other players. Well sans Andrus who, in quite a few categories, has been very good for my fantasy numbers.  But watching them almost daily through MLB.tv and those numbers it just drives the point home. The Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant says we are a team that hits better in hot weather and that they will heat up. I assume that Evan has checked that out. So far this season, our hottest stretch was in the coldest part of the season.

So we have TWO games with the A’s, another off-day, then off to Anaheim. We are 5.5 games up and the Angles bullpen is having some trouble. If we could get another game on them before we cruise into Orange County, I would feel better, I’m sure they would too.

On the trade front, nothing has changed except we are scouting the Phillies, Cubs and Diamondbacks and their scouts have been in Frisco and Round Rock. Nothing has changed in that anyone we get who is not going to be a free agent (Garza, Upton) is going to be better for our overall plan than someone who could bolt after the season (Hamels, Greinke). Players we might see go include Olt, Holland, Perez but NOT Profar. By the way, Jurickson Profar is now the top rated prospect in the land according to ESPN.

Way too many balls in the air right now. But that’s the way baseball go.

Heading Towards Break- Still Questions About How Good We Are

The Dallas Morning News this morning has a story about whether or not this is the best Ranger team ever. You certainly could make a case for that. Anything from a fan that asks many questions seems almost ungrateful.  But I am going there. Before I start, I talked to a couple of other fans in the last few days and they had the same reaction. We have the Angels on our rear ends, gathered with all of our injuries, it was shocking to look up and see us that many games over .500 and getting our lead over the team from Anaheim back to what it was. It just didn’t feel like it. Sunday’s game was the perfect example. More wasted opportunities.

I know there have been many times we have had ridiculous two out rallies. Needing one or two runs to take the lead, we get 6, 7 or 8 runs. We lead the world with a two out average of .295. Here are the good things. Our record. More Rangers o the All Star team than ever before. The Angels have the best June in years and we are one game better. BUT, here are the questions:

When Derek Holland gets back, can he become a consistent good pitcher?

Can Yu Darvish harness his stuff and walk less batters?

Can Mike Napoli find his form from last year (this is one of the most troublesome)

Are we seeing a decline in Michael Young or is this just a prolonged slow start?

Will any of our youngsters in the bullpen stick?

Can Nellie Cruz rediscover his boomstick?

Is Craig Gentry’s average for real?

Are there ANY trades we can make that would fix any of this?

Josh Hamilton sort of found his stroke again before the off day. But it’s hard to say if he is returning to form. When we get back from the break, our schedule is a tough one. We see the Yankees and Red Sox a lot, while the Angels have the likes of Cleveland and the A’s.

Today Roy Oswalt takes the mound and we will be challenged at the plate for sure by Chicago’s Chris Sale. He’s been very good this season. It all goes back to one thing. If we get everyone playing to last year’s standards, all of those questions will become an after thought.

Dallas Morning News Ranger Prospect Update

This has only started the last year or so and I love it. Some coverage of our highly touted minor league system. Leonys Martin will probably be the only one we see this season but I am very excited about our kids. Don’t get too attached to all of them though. But the adage “trust in Nolan and J.D.” means I feel confident that if we lose any of them, I doubt it would be for short term help. I have to wonder out loud how we are going to make Jurickson Profar work with “Kindrus” as they were called on Twitter the other day already in place.

I might remind you that for the first time in our history, we won at all levels last season. That certainly adds to their readiness in the future.

Photos: Minor league report – a look at how 12 of the Rangers best prospects fared this week | Texas Rangers News – Sports News for Dallas, Texas – SportsDayDFW.

When You’re Hot- Off Days Suck

I know we need time off. Especially after the wicked opening to the season. More wickedness this weekend with the red-hot Rays coming to town. Their pitching staff is ridiculous, but guess what? So is ours. I do have a little concern about how Derek Holland comes off of one of his worst starts in a long time. It was a busy baseball day on a couple of fronts. First, the Tigers let Brandon Inge go.  I have to admit I thought he might be a way to strengthen our bench. He was 1-20 to start the year but adjusting to not playing every day. Plus if 1-20 gets you cut Albert Pujols should be gone. He’s 1 for his last 28. Anyway, checking some Ranger tweets yesterday, there appear to be some young fans who just don’t get it. There was a long string of tweets related to replacing Adrian Beltre with Inge. Seriously. Reading all of them, they had no valid points as to why Beltre should go away. It was ridiculous. Inge just learned how to play 2nd base this spring. He has played some center field and caught as well as playing third base. He doesn’t play short, but I wonder if he could replace Brandon Snyder on our bench. But again, trust in Nolan, JD and Wash. Period.

Off days are reading time for me. I have been following the Angels in the L.A. Times. Interesting column this morning that shows for the first time that I can remember, Mike Scioscia is being seriously questioned in Anaheim. Jeff Wilson from the Star-Telegram delves into where Yu Darvish is in the process right now and props to Yorvit and Naps for being there for him. There was a foul ball incident in the Yankee game the other night and since the Yankee broadcasters had nothing better to do, they thought they would cal out a couple of Ranger fans.  By the way, if you’re at a game, as exciting as nabbing a foul ball is, it really isn’t a big deal to find the nearest little kid and give it to them. They sell official balls in the souvenir shops. Kind of a cheap and shameless, but I LOVE this site, especially near deadline time. MLBTraderumors.com. They do a great job all season now, with free agent signings, releases, call-ups and send downs. For every team AND you can even just look at what the Rangers are doing.

As far as my Brandon Inge issue earlier? Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News says forget it. I agree.