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Where on this 25-man roster are you fitting more bullpen arms?

As long as guys aren't going on the DL, there's no room for an additional bullpen piece.

The bullpen is fine if Bannister would learn to manage it.

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You make room if you think a player is better than a player you have. Its a temporary problem, anyways, as once the roster expands to 40 players, suddenly there is a lot more room.

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The issue isn't with the bullpen usage overall, it's with the specific personnel being overused.

Dyson is on pace to blow through his career high in IP (which was last year -- which blew through his previous career high).

Matt Bush is fresh out of jail and he's gonna end up throwing 50 innings.

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And this is exactly why Danny and I advocate looking to add some more quality bullpen arms. Don't need an All-Star but who can get outs.

Its quite understandable if Bannister is trying to stretch out Dyson, Bush, etc. They're the only guys you can really have any trust in at this point.

Now, I personally think Bannister isn't giving them ungodly amounts of work. Dyson and Diekman have been 70 appearance guys before,

I think this is just who those guys are. They're decent bullpen guys, right where they've been most of their career if not a bit better in Diekman's case.

As far as Bush, he's an unknown. I infamously took a shot at him after the Odor incident and I stick by that I don't think he was ever going to keep posting a 1.00ish ERA. But either away, that unknown with him is another reason why I think you have to look for another arm or two.

These aren't the most talented guys in the business, in the first place. And they're being given these workloads almost out of the necessity of having no one else that you can have any trust in.

I'm not sure you know how the expanded roster works. And IIRC, it happens Sept 1.

You always have a 25 & 40 man roster. When the rosters expand, that just means guys on your 40 can now be in the dugout. Many of the differential between the 25 & 40, are minor leaguers who are protected, and DL15 guys. DL60 guys don't count.

For the Rangers, that 15 includes:
DL15: Holland, Darvish, Colby
Minors (P): Claudio (24), Faulkner (23), Leclerc (22), Yohander Mendez (21), Sadzeck (24), and Surkamp

Now, we just added Surkamp, and Colby will likely be moved to the DL60, as necessary. We could argue that Claudio and Faulkner might not warrant being on the 40. But, then you have to contend with Rule V.

But keep in mind, we'll have to add several players like Brinson.

Expanded rosters doesn't mean you can go out and get 15 RPs and add them to play.

Luke Jackson in particular has done nothing up to this point to be immune from replacement until the roster expands.

And as a right hander, they've got 4 others in the bullpen. Barnette, Bush, Dyson, and Tolleson.

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You make room if you think a player is better than a player you have.

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It still takes someone's spot on the roster.

A 7-man bullpen is going to have one long-man and one guy that comes in for mop-up work.

Leaves you with 5 positions for high leverage bullpen arms.

Dyson
Diekman
Bush
Barnette
Tolleson


So unless you're pushing one of those guys to the DL, you are pushing one of them to mop-up work.

Numbers right now say no way you can do that with Dyson/Diekman/Bush... So you're left with either Barnette or Tolleson -- both of which have been the ones looking better as of late (and Barnette with a sub 3 ERA as it is).

So you're going to give up prospects to bring a high-end bullpen arm in that not only pushes a high-end bullpen arm into a mop-up role, but likely only has numbers marginally better than the guys you already have?

Not gonna happen.

The only bullpen mode you'll see made is if one of our guys heads to the DL, or for a middle of the road guy to eat innings (which won't take any significant prospects).

You've got a healthy rotation of Hamels, Perez, Griffin, ChiChi, Nick Martinez

You've got a projected if things go well rotation of Hamels, Perez, Griffin, Yu, Nick Martinez


If you're trading valued prospects, it's for a rotation piece -- not a bullpen piece.

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I'm not sure you know how the expanded roster works. And IIRC, it happens Sept 1.

You always have a 25 & 40 man roster. When the rosters expand, that just means guys on your 40 can now be in the dugout. Many of the differential between the 25 & 40, are minor leaguers who are protected, and DL15 guys. DL60 guys don't count.

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Just stop whatever this has been the past few weeks. I know exactly how the 40 man active roster expansion works and yes, it will give the Rangers more roster flexibility to make additions and secure more depth---in the bullpen, first base/DH, and other "weak" spots.

Yes, its September 1. There is a month between the non-waiver trade deadline and the roster expansion.

Most of these bullpen guys getting rotated through have options, they can be sent down for that month to the minors.

And if you have to let one go, that's too bad for them but none of these guys have earned unending loyalty from the Rangers organization.

I'll reiterate what I said yesterday---they shouldn't do anything drastic and send out too much minor league talent to improve the bullpen. But every deficiency folks are pointing out points to looking to add an arm or two.

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So unless you're pushing one of those guys to the DL, you are pushing one of them to mop-up work.

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Or you're spreading out innings. Did you just complain they were over-relied on?

Or you do push one to mop-up work. Oh well. I don't give a ****. Did the team get better? If yes, that's the goal.

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Luke Jackson in particular has done nothing up to this point to be immune from replacement until the roster expands.

And as a right hander, they've got 4 others in the bullpen. Barnette, Bush, Dyson, and Tolleson.

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I'm all for replacing Luke Jackson... But he's a mop-up guy that is typically brought in when we're losing late.

So are you going to go trade for a high end bullpen arm to come in and pitch when we're losing? Or are you going to move the most eligible candidate by the numbers (Tolleson) into a mop-up, down a few runs role? The return on that isn't worth what you're giving up.

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So unless you're pushing one of those guys to the DL, you are pushing one of them to mop-up work.

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Or you're spreading out innings. Did you just complain they were over-relied on?

Or you do push one to mop-up work. Oh well. I don't give a ****. Did the team get better? If yes, that's the goal.

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The over-reliance has come from Bannister using guys in situations where it's really not necessary.

Sam Dyson has pitched in games with the following finals:

Won 10-6
Won 7-3
Won 7-3
Won 6-2
Won 15-9
Lost 5-0
Lost 8-4
Won 8-3
Won 5-1
Lost 9-6
Won 8-4
Won 7-3
Lost 9-5



Again, I'm not saying you don't pick up another arm -- bu you aren't going to go for a high-end arm that is going to require valued prospects.

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Von Miller confirmed for July 8th. He'll be throwing out the first pitch.

If you haven't gotten your tickets for that game, get them now. Don't forget to use the discount code, or you can shoot me an email and I'll help get you set up.

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Oh, and the hat's look really sharp. I won one on a radio call-in haha

The problem with the bullpen is, in my opinion, you don't really have a guy that Bannister trusts to come in and get you a low-drama close out of a game when you're up 4 runs.

We enter an awkward "well, we've used Ramos already and we don't totally trust Tolleson or Barnette I guess, we need to win this so let's put in Bush" situation during those kinds of times. Additionally, Matt Bush is not a seasoned pitcher, or bullpen member. I don't think he's used to pitching an inning, sitting in the dugout, and then coming back out and pitching another one.

I realize that it's baseball, and stupid/ridiculous stuff like this will happen sometimes, but I think you have to at least TRY to give Tolleson a somewhat high leverage chance.... And use Kela for things like this when he comes back. For better or for worse, if Tolleson really HAS turned the corner somewhat, we have to let him show us that in non-blowouts. If anything, so we can move on totally or have him as part of the plan in the future. I still think we need to add someone else, preferably a lefty.

But Bannister can't go back in time though and make Dyson a full-time closer before he was the full-time closer or the "game finisher" role.


Dyson has pitched in 2 games since May 29th that weren't a save/tie game situation.

June 14th, the cited 10-6 game.
He was asked to get 2 outs in the 9th inning after Alex Claudio had shat the bed was getting pounded.

June 3rd, one of the cited 7-3 games.
He was asked to get 3 outs in the 9th in a game in which Darvish hadn't made it out of the 6th and Diekman and Barnette had already pitched. Dyson hadn't pitched in 3 days and threw 12 pitches.

Dyson hasn't pitched an inning other than the last inning since May 14, and he hasn't pitched in a game that was decided by more than 4 runs since but one time (May 25) since May 13.

Choo with the lead off HR

Choo Choo!

Choo Choo MF!

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Von Miller confirmed for July 8th. He'll be throwing out the first pitch.

If you haven't gotten your tickets for that game, get them now. Don't forget to use the discount code, or you can shoot me an email and I'll help get you set up.

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Oh, and the hat's look really sharp. I won one on a radio call-in haha

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Picture, please?

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Von Miller confirmed for July 8th. He'll be throwing out the first pitch.

If you haven't gotten your tickets for that game, get them now. Don't forget to use the discount code, or you can shoot me an email and I'll help get you set up.

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Oh, and the hat's look really sharp. I won one on a radio call-in haha

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Picture, please?

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Luke Jackson in particular has done nothing up to this point to be immune from replacement until the roster expands.

And as a right hander, they've got 4 others in the bullpen. Barnette, Bush, Dyson, and Tolleson.

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Even if you send Luke down (which I wouldn't argue with), he is 24. It is WAY too early to give up on him.

The Avg age of MLB players is 27.4 years. At 21, I think Mazara is the 2nd youngest (maybe 3rd now) behind Urias (19-LAD-SP).

Having looked at the AL West minor league teams (specifically LAAA, Seattle & Oak), they are filled at the AAA level with a large % over 26, and AA over 24 without having seen the majors.

Frisco (AA)
Wolff - 25, just reached AA this year.
Sadzeck - 24, 101 IP at AA level
Payano - 23, 166.1 IP at AA level
Garrett - 23, 53.2 IP at AA level
Mendez - 21, 29.2 IP at AA level
Ortiz - 20, 28.2 IP at AA level

Dillon Tate is 22 and at low-A ball.

I think with Luke, the problem is you have a set 40 and your options at RP is limited to Claudio (24) and Faulkner (23). The 3 of them may be a season or two away, but we have to protect them, if you think they are on track.

That is really it. Who on the 40 would you dump, in order to add a RP, whether it is an internal option (like Dillon Tate) or external option?

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But Bannister can't go back in time though and make Dyson a full-time closer before he was the full-time closer or the "game finisher" role.


Dyson has pitched in 2 games since May 29th that weren't a save/tie game situation.

June 14th, the cited 10-6 game.
He was asked to get 2 outs in the 9th inning after Alex Claudio had shat the bed was getting pounded.

June 3rd, one of the cited 7-3 games.
He was asked to get 3 outs in the 9th in a game in which Darvish hadn't made it out of the 6th and Diekman and Barnette had already pitched. Dyson hadn't pitched in 3 days and threw 12 pitches.

Dyson hasn't pitched an inning other than the last inning since May 14, and he hasn't pitched in a game that was decided by more than 4 runs since but one time (May 25) since May 13.

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No, Bannister can't go back in time and not overuse Dyson.

That doesn't mean he has to do so going forward.

Making a move to add an A+ bullpen arm so you can push a B+ bullpen arm into a mop-up role when you've got 3 starters on the DL and another starter with an ugly injury history (pitching far over his peripherals) is not using your resources wisely.

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I'm all for replacing Luke Jackson... But he's a mop-up guy that is typically brought in when we're losing late.

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Which hasn't been the case lately (losing late), which is why he sits with 10.0 IP.

I think that is something being missed. Where other teams may have used RPs for mop up, we've been in most of these games which puts us in a situation to use our key arms.

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No, Bannister can't go back in time and not overuse Dyson.

That doesn't mean he has to do so going forward.

Making a move to add an A+ bullpen arm so you can push a B+ bullpen arm into a mop-up role when you've got 3 starters on the DL and another starter with an ugly injury history (pitching far over his peripherals) is not using your resources wisely.

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Agreed he doesn't have to overuse Dyson going forward but look at the numbers I posted: He's stopped using Dyson in the same way he was. Dyson's been used as a textbook closer since he was put in that role.

I'm not really advocating adding an A+ arm. I've said multiple times that I'm not advocating a drastic move.

But I'm not sure we have many A arms, or many that aren't a "B+" or worse. Our best guys are aren't as good as many of the guys we'll see in the playoffs, everyone has guys that are better, and we have less depth than we'll see in the playoffs. I don't think that's debatable.

Its not a binary world.

I didn't say give up on Luke Jackson, DallasAg.

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I didn't say give up on Luke Jackson, DallasAg.

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I didn't say you did, but your implications are as follows, which I thought I summed up:

Keep Luke on the 25.
Replace him on the 25 with someone on the 40 (Faulkner or Claudio).
Bring in a RP from the outside, in which case you need a roster spot on the 40.
Bring in a RP from internal, in which case you need a roster spot on the 40.

Who on the 40 do you dump?

You can dump the new SP they just picked up.
You can move Colby to the DL60. He will get an MRI after net-30 to determine if he is ready to throw again, so moving him to the DL60 will ensure 8+ weeks out.

Keeping in mind, you currently have Chi Chi and Nick Martinez in your rotation, and AJ Griffin is fresh off the DL.

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Our best guys are aren't as good as many of the guys we'll see in the playoffs

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Having watched both the series vs Cleveland (ALC leaders) and Baltimore (ALE leaders), I certainly didn't see a real big gap between their bullpen performance and ours.

In fact, where we actually looked mediocre in the Baltimore series was the starting pitching.

You talked about the age of minor leaguers in this organization and others, which I admit I tend to gloss over so maybe I missed something.

Who would I take off? I think Kubitza, this new guy Surkamp at some point, maybe they make a decision on the catchers moving forward...they're candidates.

And I would consider Andrew Faulkner, even though he's younger than the average AAA player. He's a failed starter that has had a very rough season trying to adjust to the bullpen.

I don't know exactly who would be first choice. I'm not a scout watching these guys (but you can't be paralyzed from improving the team just because guys are "younger than average.")

If you want to pin me down, I probably go with Surkamp (as long as the timing of the trade isn't terrible).

That's the goofiest strikeout I've seen

9 strikeouts in 4 innings. Yikes.

now tied and Griffin's pitch count is climbing. Will be getting into the bullpen soon.

Any chance you guys can solve the bullpen problem before the 7th inning? Looks like we'll need them today.

We have been carrying 3 catchers. While I would think that spot goes to Stubbs when he gets back (or maybe Delino at some point for defense and pinch-run if Stubbs can't come back), we could add an extra bullpen arm (either by trade or promotion--Leclerc anyone?) for a time to help out and give the guys more rest and not really lose anything in the short term.

If we had to move someone off the 40 because of a trade there are a couple candidates that wouldn't be the end of the world to lose for a solid bullpen piece. Certainly be worth it for a top flight RP. Once we move into the playoffs can't have too many guys there you trust in high-leverage situations. Bullpens are often the difference in October.

Did he just tag him in the nibblets?

almost identical stat lines for both teams this game. 2 hits for each team with one being a solo homer.

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Our best guys are aren't as good as many of the guys we'll see in the playoffs

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Having watched both the series vs Cleveland (ALC leaders) and Baltimore (ALE leaders), I certainly didn't see a real big gap between their bullpen performance and ours.

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Baltimore has a 3.10 bullpen ERA and Brach and Britton have been the best in the business and the Orioles are real salty when everyone's healthy. I don't know if that Despaigne guy is for real, but he's at a 1.13 ERA so far.

Cleveland doesn't have the same 1-2 punch but the bullpen ERA is 3.27 and maybe the deepest bullpen in the AL. Definitely enough quality arms to stay very fresh through a 7 game series.

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We have been carrying 3 catchers.

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And 4 total catchers on the 40 man roster.

Yet our bullpen matched them both in our series...