How 'Bout Them Rangers

[YosemiteSam]

I liked the Cantu deal to, although it appears he will be sharing time with Mitch Moreland. Moreland has looked good at the plate so far. He may be the future 1st baseman instead of Davis.

Even if Moreland remains hot, I'm still happy they grabbed Cantu. This guy is a clutch hitter that alone makes him a great pitch hitter if needed. Plus, you don't have hindsight until after it's over! :laugh2:

It was a smart pickup since Moreland's ability to handle the majors is still an unknown. Remember, Chris Davis was hitting when he first entered the league too. Pitchers figured him out, the same could happen to Moreland.

 

[Stautner]

Even if Moreland remains hot, I'm still happy they grabbed Cantu. This guy is a clutch hitter that alone makes him a great pitch hitter if needed. Plus, you don't have hindsight until after it's over! :laugh2:

It was a smart pickup since Moreland's ability to handle the majors is still an unknown. Remember, Chris Davis was hitting when he first entered the league too. Pitchers figured him out, the same could happen to Moreland.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not unhappy with the Cantu deal. Was really just commenting on Moreland and how Cantu will be used. I was excited about the Cantu signing. Besides, if Hamilton continues to have knee problems Moreland may be able to help in the outfield.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Don't get me wrong. I'm not unhappy with the Cantu deal. Was really just commenting on Moreland and how Cantu will be used. I was excited about the Cantu signing. Besides, if Hamilton continues to have knee problems Moreland may be able to help in the outfield.

What did you think of the double pitch removing Borbon for Hamilton then pitching again for Hamilton once he walked. Washington basically removed both of our center fielders during one at bat.

Now, I understand wanting to give the Rangers a chance with Hamilton, but in the top of the 7th inning leaving yourself with no real center fielder for possibility the next three innings?

I'm willing to bet that Borbon or Hamilton could have grabbed that hit that Murphy couldn't get to in the bottom half of that inning. It ended up not meaning anything, but I thought it was a questionable decision. One I wouldn't have made in the top of the 7th.

 

[DFWJC]

Cliff Lee has to be tired of no run support. IF that pattern doesn't change the Rangers chances of signing Lee to a longer term deal will go out the window.

I'm feeling bad for Lee...this is getting ridiculous. The guy should have 4-5 wins with us already.

 

[Stautner]

What did you think of the double pitch removing Borbon for Hamilton then pitching again for Hamilton once he walked. Washington basically removed both of our center fielders during one at bat.

Now, I understand wanting to give the Rangers a chance with Hamilton, but in the top of the 7th inning leaving yourself with no real center fielder for possibility the next three innings?

I'm willing to bet that Borbon or Hamilton could have grabbed that hit that Murphy couldn't get to in the bottom half of that inning. It ended up not meaning anything, but I thought it was a questionable decision. One I wouldn't have made in the top of the 7th.

I agree that it seemed a little early to use Hamilton as a pinch hitter. I wasn't quite as worried about CF as you though. I felt Murphy could handle it fine, although I agree that Borbon or Hamilton can cover the position better, and both are more used to CF. My concern was the defense as a whole. The move affected much more than just the CF spot. Also, chances were that in the 9th inning there would be another opportunity to use Hamilton.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Cliff Lee has to be tired of no run support. IF that pattern doesn't change the Rangers chances of signing Lee to a longer term deal will go out the window.

I don't think the Rangers have a chance in hell of resigning him even if they gave him 9 runs a game. Seattle tried to negotiate a long term deal with him and he and his agent made it clear he didn't even want to talk about signing long term until he's tested the market. He and his agent have made it pretty clear they're going to the highest bidder (likely the Yankees), and there's little doubt he'll be the most prized free agent on the market.


I still like the trade though. He's brought an excitement and buzz around this team they haven't seen in 15 years (if ever), and they'll get draft pick compensation for him. And since the Rangers know they won't have him longer than a year, they dont have to worry about conserving him ... they'll pitch him until his arm falls off.

 

[Stautner]

I don't think the Rangers have a chance in hell of resigning him even if they gave him 9 runs a game. Seattle tried to negotiate a long term deal with him and he and his agent made it clear he didn't even want to talk about signing long term until he's tested the market. He and his agent have made it pretty clear they're going to the highest bidder (likely the Yankees), and there's little doubt he'll be the most prized free agent on the market.


I still like the trade though. He's brought an excitement and buzz around this team they haven't seen in 15 years (if ever), and they'll get draft pick compensation for him. And since the Rangers know they won't have him longer than a year, they dont have to worry about conserving him ... they'll pitch him until his arm falls off.

Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I suspect if the Rangers are successful (win the pennant - competer for or maybe win the World Series) and they can at least offer a competative contract, they have a shot at keeping Lee. Of course with the Yankees there is always the possibility that they will throw a completely ridiculous dollar amount at Lee. My hope is that Lee will be able to see the potential for long term success with Texas, which obviously was not the case with Seattle.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I suspect if the Rangers are successful (win the pennant - competer for or maybe win the World Series) and they can at least offer a competative contract, they have a shot at keeping Lee. Of course with the Yankees there is always the possibility that they will throw a completely ridiculous dollar amount at Lee. My hope is that Lee will be able to see the potential for long term success with Texas, which obviously was not the case with Seattle.

I don't think he's opposed to signing in Texas, it's just that his top priority is getting the money. If the ownership situation is cleared up by free agency (which means Nolan's group wins the auction this week) and they want to usher in a new era by breaking out the checkbook for Lee and earn a lot of goodwill from the fans, I would certainly have no objections.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I don't think he's opposed to signing in Texas, it's just that his top priority is getting the money. If the ownership situation is cleared up by free agency (which means Nolan's group wins the auction this week) and they want to usher in a new era by breaking out the checkbook for Lee and earn a lot of goodwill from the fans, I would certainly have no objections.

He prominently mentioned the heat here at his presser when he arrived. I think he is opposed to signing here.

 

[Alumni2k11]

My guess is he'll sign with the NYY in the offseason. All the reports I read stated how excited he was when it was believed he was going to be traded there last month. Him and CC are still pretty good friends too. I guess we'll see...

 

[Stautner]

I don't think he's opposed to signing in Texas, it's just that his top priority is getting the money. If the ownership situation is cleared up by free agency (which means Nolan's group wins the auction this week) and they want to usher in a new era by breaking out the checkbook for Lee and earn a lot of goodwill from the fans, I would certainly have no objections.

If Nolan's group wins I expect them to make a hard push for him. One of Nolan's main priorities when he joined the Rangers management was to change the mindset of the starting pitchers from just trying to get through 6 innings and hand off to the bullpen, to wanting to go the distance. Nolan considered it essential for the starters to go deeper into games. Nobody in baseball fits that bill more than Cliff Lee.

 

[joseephuss]

He prominently mentioned the heat here at his presser when he arrived. I think he is opposed to signing here.

He was talking about the Miami Heat.

 

[Stautner]

Great news that the Ryan/Greenberg group got the nod. Cuban would have been a good owner, but he's not a baseball guy. Besides, Nolan has been right in the middle of the Ranger's growth, and is a big part of their current success. Why screw with that?

 

[YosemiteSam]

Great news that the Ryan/Greenberg group got the nod. Cuban would have been a good owner, but he's not a baseball guy. Besides, Nolan has been right in the middle of the Ranger's growth, and is a big part of their current success. Why screw with that?

He isn't a basketball guy either. :laugh2:

 

[juck]

I know its way too early but i wonder what the magic number is? lol

 

[YosemiteSam]

I know its way too early but i wonder what the magic number is? lol

You mean the sale price? That was settled. It ended up being $593 million. $385 million in cash and the assumption of $208 million in debt that the club holds.

 

[Stautner]

He isn't a basketball guy either. :laugh2:

I've never checked into his background, but I've seen him out on the court shooting around before games and at halftime, and the guy has clearly played some basketball.

Besides, the basketball side (as opposed to the business side) of an NBA team is much easier than the baseball side of a MLB team ...... fewer players, no farm system, fewer positional nuances to understand, fewer diverse parts to mesh together, much smaller draft pool to scout.

But really, don't get me wrong. Like I said, I think Cuban would have been a good owner. I just think the team is better off with guys who have a better knowledge of the game in charge.

 

[Mike_45]

I am very happy that Ryan won the bid. I think Cuban would have done ok, he would not be afraid to spend the cash. But Ryan is a baseball guy and will continue to do great.

 

[YosemiteSam]

It sucks that the games haven't been starting till 10PM my time. Considering I get up at 5:30am, it makes it very difficult for me to watch those games during the week.

I saw that CJ got roughed up last night, but Murphy and Young (GS) came through big last night.

Tommy Hunter got roughed up his last outing. Hopefully he bounces back and returns to form tonight as we will need it against the Mariners ace Felix Hernandez.

With a 10:05pm EST start time, I won't get to watch much of this one either.

 

[Mike_45]

It sucks that the games haven't been starting till 10PM my time. Considering I get up at 5:30am, it makes it very difficult for me to watch those games during the week.

I saw that CJ got roughed up last night, but Murphy and Young (GS) came through big last night.

Tommy Hunter got roughed up his last outing. Hopefully he bounces back and returns to form tonight as we will need it against the Mariners ace Felix Hernandez.

With a 10:05pm EST start time, I won't get to watch much of this one either.

I never thought I would say this, being as how there are 162 games, but now I DVR the late ones in case I am out or falling asleep.