TXAggie2011 said:

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AccidentProne said:

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Anybody ever been up to Baltimore before? I'm thinking about going for the series next week

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Yep. A few times I've gone up there from D.C. to catch a game. Lovely ballpark, in a nice little pocket of town along its Inner Harbor, weather usually nice compared to what you get in Arlington.

What's potentially bringing you to Baltimore?

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aggie1906 said:

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AccidentProne said:

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Anybody ever been up to Baltimore before? I'm thinking about going for the series next week

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Camden Yard is nice and holds up well for an early 90s park. The Babe Ruth Museum (I believe it was a few blocks from the park) leaves a little to be desired. It is cool seeing the bats he used to use though. It is quite different than today. I wasn't in Baltimore long, just enough to catch the game so I can't speak for the city.

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Appreciate the insight. I'm not really planning on doing much else outside of going to the games Monday and Tuesday.

Though I might actually consider staying in DC, do some sight seeing there one day, and then go up to Baltimore for the game the next day.

AccidentProne said:

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TXAggie2011 said:

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AccidentProne said:

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Anybody ever been up to Baltimore before? I'm thinking about going for the series next week

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Yep. A few times I've gone up there from D.C. to catch a game. Lovely ballpark, in a nice little pocket of town along its Inner Harbor, weather usually nice compared to what you get in Arlington.

What's potentially bringing you to Baltimore?

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Alright sassafras. Start in DC, go to Baltimore the next day in time to make a game or in time to see Fort McHenry/Inner Harbor then go to a game.

Here's the gist: DC is better than Baltimore. If you've got nothing to do go to D.C.; if you've not been, go to the National Mall and pick out what you want to see. The Smithsonians are all free. Take the Metro across the Potomac if you want to see the Pentagon and/or Arlington Cemetary and/or Marine Corps statue.

Actually, stay in Northern Virginia---Rosalyn or Crystal City--- and save yourself some of that commission money. Take the Metro in to town.

Take a morning train to Baltimore from Union Station and explore a little bit, and then go to a game.

Check the train schedule. Might want to stay in Baltimore after going to a night game. Don't get stuck. You could go up in the afternoon, go to the game, see Baltimore (Fort McHenry and Inner Harbor) the next day and go to another night game. Or go to the afternoon game.

Walking from the Amtrak station to Camden Yards takes you downhill through downtown. A bit of a trek. Uphill after the game and a beer. Maybe take a car ride.

If you're flying to BWI you can get to D.C. just as easy as Baltimore.

Thanks! I've got a family friend that lives in Maryland so I might see if I can crash with them.

Where are you flying in and out of?

Dallas to BWI, most likely

Free 24 hour airport shuttle to train station, can take MARC and Amtrak trains to both Baltimore and D.C.

I'd really suggest going to D.C. first, stay the night, and then trip to Baltimore the next day. Just go early enough to see anything else in Baltimore you'd want to see. But alas, just have fun whatever you do.

I'm assuming you live/used to live up there?

AccidentProne said:

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I'm assuming you live/used to live up there?

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Yeah. I'm in Austin for the time being but I worked for a federal agency until recently. Probably will be back at some point in the next handful of years, too late to be able to offer a place to sleep

Just trying to help you get a start on the transport stuff if needed, it's a complicated network.

I thought AP had a girlfriend in every port...

I assume by "family friend" he means he has a Johns Hopkins sweety up Baltimore way.

We had such high expectations for Lucroy and he's disappointed, but I still think he's a better catcher than Chirinos long term.

Question is whether he's worth the difference in $$$

gigem1223 said:

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Put up or shut up boys. Predict final record, 2nd half MVP, playoffs? I'll go first.

88-74
Cole Hamels
2nd wild card spot

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77-85
Beltre
No playoffs

Prepare to be bombarded with Texas A&M ads all throughout the Metro stations in DC.

Quote:

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Check the train schedule. Might want to stay in Baltimore after going to a night game. Don't get stuck. You could go up in the afternoon, go to the game, see Baltimore (Fort McHenry and Inner Harbor) the next day and go to another night game. Or go to the afternoon game.

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Fort McHenry was the favorite part of our last trip to Baltimore/DC. Drink some Natty Boh while you're up there too - it's beer that's really not that good, but it's a Baltimore thing.

Don't 100% agree with Tim yet, but will reconsider over the next 10 games after the break (all on road I believe too)

https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2017/07/12/heck-wild-card-race-rangers-need-sellers-trade-deadline

bigcat22 said:

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Don't 100% agree with Tim yet, but will reconsider over the next 10 games after the break (all on road I believe too)

https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2017/07/12/heck-wild-card-race-rangers-need-sellers-trade-deadline

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I once tried listening to that mouth breathing libtard's radio show...awful decision. ESPN and the DMN have the worst "journalists".

So I assume the Rangers will have a good indication if they can sign Darvish or not, right? If they don't think they have a solid chance, and the package is right, wouldn't you think they have to move him.....regardless of wildcard?

And so it begins.

Cubs trade for Quintana.

Wow, trading him to the Cubs. That's pretty wild. Cannot imagine White Sox fans are too happy about him going to their cross-town rival.

Gave up their Top 2 prospects.
#1 Eloy Jimenez (OF-20-A+)- #8 overall, 3rd rated OF: 42G, .271, 8HR, 0SB
#2 Dylan Cease (RHP-21-A)- #63 overall: 13 GS, 2.79 ERA, 51.2 IP, 74K
Matt Rose (1\3B-22-A+): 65G, .227, 14HR, 0SB
Bryant Flete (MIF-24-A+): 70G, .305, 6HR, 4SB <- Probably a Rule V guy

A Texas equivalence, would likely be Tavaeras and YoMen:

#1 Leody Taveras (OF-18-A)- #45 overall: 85G, .260, 5HR, 14 SB
#2 Yohander Mendez (LHP-22-AA)-#46 overall, #5 LHP: 17GS, 3.94 ERA, 1.15 WHIP

Quintana is controlled through 2020 (@2018:$8.8M, 2019@$10.5M, 2020@$11.5M). However, @28, he is having a terrible year... 18GS, 4.49 ERA, 1.32 WHIP. I don't know what the BP looks like in CWS, so it may just be inherited runners and late inning collapses... his 104.1 IP puts him right at 5 2/3 IP/GS.

Quintana is 22nd in AL ERA (18GS, 4.49 ERA, 1.32 WHIP)
Martin Perez is 23rd. (16GS, 4.60 ERA, 1.67 WHIP)

Yeah, I know most believe Quintana has proven he is better than his numbers this year, but it should give you some perspective about Martin Perez, who has a 4.34 career ERA. This year of the "inflated" ball, has not hurt him too bad. He'll make $6M, $7.5M and $9M the next 3 years.

JD must feel like he has a long-term plan for SP. Maybe this signals hope for Darvish? If he thought Darvish was out, then he might be willing to give up YoMen, to get Quintana for 3 years. Hamels, Quintana, Perez.

Where as, keeping YoMen... believing you can get Darvish: Darvish, Hamels, Perez, Ohtani, YoMen

Or maybe he just wasn't ready to become a buyer? SP is not a need for this team, per se. Bigger needs.

Either way, if we drop big money on Darvish... we'll need some cheap options like YoMen.

I've said it once before, and I'll say it again. Yu Darvish will be a SP for the Rangers in 2018

jtstanley4621 said:

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Wow, trading him to the Cubs. That's pretty wild. Cannot imagine White Sox fans are too happy about him going to their cross-town rival.

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Funny thing is both the Sox and Cubs are 7.5 games back of the wildcard. But obviously the Cubs are a WAY more talented club than the Sox......counting on things to turn around I suppose.

I don't think it matters what JD has plans for, whether he was ready to be a buyer, etc. The Rangers, if I dare speculate, did not have the kind of top prospect like Eloy Jimenez and the supporting package to get the White Sox to pull the trigger.

(I think part of that is Yohander Mendez is a bit controversial in that there is a lot of disagreement on what kind of player he can be. And he's already burned through two minor league options.)

MSFC Aggie said:

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jtstanley4621 said:

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Wow, trading him to the Cubs. That's pretty wild. Cannot imagine White Sox fans are too happy about him going to their cross-town rival.

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Funny thing is both the Sox and Cubs are 7.5 games back of the wildcard. But obviously the Cubs are a WAY more talented club than the Sox......counting on things to turn around I suppose.

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I think the CWS are also taking a page out of the Tampa book.

They have:
#1 overall prospect in Yoan Moncada. 22 year old 2B.
#11 overall Michael Kopech. #2 RHP (21-AA)
#23 overall Luis Robert. #9 OF (19-Rookie)
#28 overall Lucas Giolito. #7 RHP (22-AAA)
#36 overall Reynaldo Lopez. #8 RHP (23-AAA)
#59 overall Carson Fulmer. RHP-23-AAA
#68 overall Zack Collins. #4 C (22-A+)

Now you've added
#8 overall prospect in Eloy Jimenez. #3 OF (20-A+)
#63 overall prospect Dylan Cease. (RHP-21-A)

Starting next year (it is always next year), you have an incredible amount of controllable talent coming, so chasing playoffs now doesn't make sense. Keeping Quintana whose contract will be ending as the CWS start to bring up talent, probably doesn't make sense, either.

Yeah the White Sox could actually be really good in a couple seasons. They've got tons of minor league talent.

TXAggie2011 said:

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I don't think it matters what JD has plans for, whether he was ready to be a buyer, etc. The Rangers, if I dare speculate, did not have the kind of top prospect like Eloy Jimenez and the supporting package to get the White Sox to pull the trigger.

(I think part of that is Yohander Mendez is a bit controversial in that there is a lot of disagreement on what kind of player he can be. And he's already burned through two minor league options.)

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You should probably think through that a bit more.

You realize Eloy Jimenez is 20, playing at A+ (.271, 8HR, 0 SB) and was Rule V eligible this past off-season, meaning he will continue to be eligible?! He is likely 2 years away (2019?)

Where as, Yo Men is closer to being brought up... mid-2018? He'll have his struggles. I'm unaware of this controversy. He has been used almost exclusively as a SP. Although there have been thoughts on him being a Closer... I don't think that is his future. Also, I don't think he has burned 2 options?! Link?

Sadzeck (25-AA) appears to be headed that way.

Was that a better package at the Top? Probably. But, I'd likely have to look a bit deeper. Taveras is very highly regarded. At 18, he is playing A ball and is quite successful. He is just not as far along in the system, as Eloy.

Yeah. I thought through it and yeah, it appears there is much you're not aware of.

To answer your question: Mendez's contract was bought by the Rangers in November 2015 and thus he was on the 40 man roster through the entirety of the 2016 and will be for the entirety of the 2017 season. That's two options burned. Scott Lucas, Cot's, all those websites will confirm this.

Comparing minor leaguers are not an exact science.

Eloy Jimenez
20: (A+): 42G, .271, 8HR, 0SB
19: (A): 112G, .329, 14 HR, 8 SB,
18: (A-): 57G, .284, 7 HR, 3 SB

Leodys Taveras - Considered a 5-Tool guy and legit CF
18: (A): 85G, .260, 5HR, 14 SB

Based on pre-season MLB Scouting grades:
Jimenez (LH-LF-2019): Hit (55), Power (60), Run (45), Arm (60), Field (50); Overall (60)
Leodys (SH-CF-2020): Hit (55), Power (50), Run: (60), Arm (55), Field (60); Overall (55)

I like Taveras for what I can tell and read about him living a thousand miles from where he plays.

But I think the general consensus has been still today is Eloy Jimenez can make a bigger impact on an MLB club.

Obviously it's all inexact and a difficult call to make.

TXAggie2011 said:

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Yeah. I thought through it and yeah, it appears there is much you're not aware of.

To answer your question: Mendez's contract was bought by the Rangers in November 2015 and thus he was on the 40 man roster through the entirety of the 2016 and will be for the entirety of the 2017 season. That's two options burned. Scott Lucas, Cot's, all those websites will confirm this.

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I didn't see it on COTs when I posted, but found it on Scott Lucas' site.

I believe that has to do with... **** drum roll **** Rule V eligibility.

Mendez was signed in 2011 (IIRC), so he has been required on the 40Man. This goes back to the drum I've been beating for a couple years, re: Trades. Trading Lewis Brinson for Lucroy wasn't as dramatic a loss for the Rangers, who are limited on whom they can protect.

Might Mendez look less attractive to CWS, because of the loss of Options? Depends on their roster.

TXAggie2011 said:

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I like Taveras for what I can tell and read about him living a thousand miles from where he plays.

But I think the general consensus has been still today is Eloy Jimenez can make a bigger impact on an MLB club.

Obviously it's all inexact and a difficult call to make.

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It will all depend on what type of "supplement" regiment they are on.