2018 pitching rotation:
Hamels
Darvish
Otani
Cashner
Griffin

DallasAg 94 said:

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Interesting article on Otani in the DMN:
https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2017/08/05/minor-deal-help-rangers-potential-bid-acquire-major-asset-japanese-star-shohei-otani

With the Dodgers being a NL team and capped at $300K for Int'l signings, I wonder how that plays for both Darvish and Otani.

I've believed it is really down between Texas, NYY and Sea, for Otani. I can't imagine the Rangers have added Pool money, without some level of belief Otani is a possibility. He will likely be posted in October or November. At which point I think this gets resolved quickly. I can't imagine teams haven't already been narrowed down.

As for Darvish... it doesn't surprise me the article indicates the Rangers never made an offer. Darvish expressed his desire for FA all along and making an offer served no purpose, regardless of whether the Rangers were interested or not. It would act as a floor. For the Rangers, I think more than the $/yr, it is the number of years. You could go 3 or 4 years. Anything longer than that is too risky, IMO. There are too many SPs right now on the DL.

Cashner has seemed like a great fit. However, I haven't heard anything about talks and wonder if he is looking to get back in the NL, or just wants to see what FA offers. He will be 31 next month. Another guy probably looking for 5 years.

---

From that article:

Quote:

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If Otani comes to the U.S. this winter -- and that remains a big if -- he will be subject to the same restrictions that Latin American teens are under.

---

I thought it was pretty much a given that Otani would be leaving Japan for the MLB this coming off-season? That info was a little surprising to me. What would be his incentive to wait?

As far as Darvish goes, it might be prudent for a team to only sign him to a 3 or 4 year deal, but I don't think that happens Somebody will offer him 5 years at least . He''ll be shopping for long term guaranteed money, I think it'll take 5 years to get him. Unless he break down for the Dodgers during their stretch run, then that might change things.

Calhoun went yard again for Round Rock, that makes 2 in four games since arriving:


http://www.milb.com/multimedia/vpp.jsp?content_id=1692653283&sid=t102

Ag2012 said:

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2018 pitching rotation:
Hamels
Darvish
Otani
Cashner
Griffin

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Griffin has been in MLB since 2012 (age 24). He has gone: 15, 32, 0, 0, 23, 9 GS. His ERA since being with Texas is 5.10. I'm not sure he gets consideration beyond being a 7th or 8th SP brought into ST to take a look.

I heard an interview with Banny on Perez, this week, after the loss to Colon. He said Perez will be skipped, to work with Brocail on his delivery, and deception. He said he really felt like Perez was a better pitcher 2 years ago.

Also, YoMen was put on DL this week.

KT 90 said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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Interesting article on Otani in the DMN:
https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2017/08/05/minor-deal-help-rangers-potential-bid-acquire-major-asset-japanese-star-shohei-otani

With the Dodgers being a NL team and capped at $300K for Int'l signings, I wonder how that plays for both Darvish and Otani.

I've believed it is really down between Texas, NYY and Sea, for Otani. I can't imagine the Rangers have added Pool money, without some level of belief Otani is a possibility. He will likely be posted in October or November. At which point I think this gets resolved quickly. I can't imagine teams haven't already been narrowed down.

As for Darvish... it doesn't surprise me the article indicates the Rangers never made an offer. Darvish expressed his desire for FA all along and making an offer served no purpose, regardless of whether the Rangers were interested or not. It would act as a floor. For the Rangers, I think more than the $/yr, it is the number of years. You could go 3 or 4 years. Anything longer than that is too risky, IMO. There are too many SPs right now on the DL.

Cashner has seemed like a great fit. However, I haven't heard anything about talks and wonder if he is looking to get back in the NL, or just wants to see what FA offers. He will be 31 next month. Another guy probably looking for 5 years.

---

From that article:

Quote:

---

If Otani comes to the U.S. this winter -- and that remains a big if -- he will be subject to the same restrictions that Latin American teens are under.

---

I thought it was pretty much a given that Otani would be leaving Japan for the MLB this coming off-season? That info was a little surprising to me. What would be his incentive to wait?

As far as Darvish goes, it might be prudent for a team to only sign him to a 3 or 4 year deal, but I don't think that happens Somebody will offer him 5 years at least . He''ll be shopping for long term guaranteed money, I think it'll take 5 years to get him. Unless he break down for the Dodgers during their stretch run, then that might change things.

---

An international player that is 25 and has 6 years of pro service can come to MLB as an UFA. Meaning, they can sign for whatever they want and are not subject to either the International Pool system, nor the Serf\Arb rules.

This was done originally for Cuban players who come here. Otani just turned 23 and has 5 years of service.

If he signs this off-season, he will get the Int'l Pool money, which max would be like $5.5M for the year. Then, he is subjected to 3 years of Serfdom and 3 years of Arbitration. The Serf years are like $550K and then Arb are negotiated to be determined. So, he would get $5M signing, and $550K for 2018/2019/2020. 2021 will be Arb. So, he gets $7-8M or so for 3 years. If he waits until after the 2019 season, he can come in for whatever he wants. Theoretically, he says, "I'm 25. Sign me." Nobody gives up a draft pick or pool money. He could sign for $15M... $20M... He would likely make more in 2020, than he could make combined if he came over now. Not to mention what he would make in Japan during those years.

Wow, what a bomb

Jesus Christ! Gallo is a frickin monster

Since the ASB Gallo is hitting over .260 with an OPS well over 1.00

Great to see him turning into a legit MLB stud.

If Gallo could somehow hit 260 for the season, he'd hit close to 70 homers. Don't think the average will ever get there, but It's insane how much power he possesses. If he can just tick up the contact rate overall, he's going to hit a lot of homers in his career.

Ladies and gentlemen, Nick Martinez!!

How bad would a team like this be?!

Spend all the money on SP
$93M + Serfs + Arbs
Sign Darvish $30M
Sign Cashner $20M
Sign Otahni $Pool
= Hamels
= Perez

That gives you:

IF: Guzman-Odor-Andrus-Beltre
OF: Gallo-Robinson-Choo
DH: Calhoun
C: Chirinos

There is talk of evaluating Robinson in CF. Not sure how he did the other night, but he is expected to see some time there.

The counter to that:

Is it worth going big on older (31+) SP?!
1. Kershaw (29, 10DL): $35M - 21GS, 2.04 ERA
2. Greinke (33): $34M - 22 GS, 3.10 ERA
3. Price (31, 10DL): $30M - 11 GS, 3.82 ERA
4. Verlander (34): $28M - 23GS, 4.20 ERA
5. Felix (31-10DL): $26.8M - 13 GS, 4.28 ERA
6. Sabathia (37): $25M - 18 GS, 3.81 ERA
7. Lester (33): $25M - 23 GS, 3.96 ERA
8. Cueto (31, 10DL): $23.5M - 19 GS, 4.59 ERA
9: Hamels (33): $22.5M - 13 GS, 3.59 ERA
10. Scherzer (33): $22.1M - 22 GS, 2.21

Strasburg (28, DL10) makes $18M. Had 23GS in 2015, 24 GS in 2016 and has 20 GS this season.

I think you easily make the case against signing an aging SP for big money.

While I think we all wanted the return for Darvish to be higher (and all knew it wasn't going to be after seeing what Oakland got for Gray), I think a lot of the beat writers are glossing over that Calhoun looks to be a major-league-ready bat.

Regardless if Darvish ends up back here after free agency or not, Texas went out and got a player that should help them in the next few years rather than just a few lottery tickets.

The one thing that slightly concerns me is the prospects/young players we have right now are basically all left handed hitters. Odor, Gallo, Mazara, Guzman, Calhoun, Robinson.

Ag2012 said:

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Willie Calhoun has 2 homers tonight. 4 HR in his first 5 games in Round Rock.

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Call him and Guzman up. This season is over, let the young core play everyday and let's see what we got.

Gomez/ Robinson CF
Andrus SS
Mazara RF
Beltre 3B
Odor 2B
Gallo LF
Chirinos C
Calhoun DH
Guzman 1B

I will say with Calhoun it is great to see a left handed hitter who doesn't strike out too much. Seems like when Calhoun makes outs, they're outs that are made on contact. That is a good thing.

Looks like the Rangers took out a large ad in a national Japanese newspaper thanking Yu for his services in a Ranger uniform. Classy move and couldn't hurt in the resigning process.

DallasAg 94 said:

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KT 90 said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

---

Interesting article on Otani in the DMN:
https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2017/08/05/minor-deal-help-rangers-potential-bid-acquire-major-asset-japanese-star-shohei-otani

With the Dodgers being a NL team and capped at $300K for Int'l signings, I wonder how that plays for both Darvish and Otani.

I've believed it is really down between Texas, NYY and Sea, for Otani. I can't imagine the Rangers have added Pool money, without some level of belief Otani is a possibility. He will likely be posted in October or November. At which point I think this gets resolved quickly. I can't imagine teams haven't already been narrowed down.

As for Darvish... it doesn't surprise me the article indicates the Rangers never made an offer. Darvish expressed his desire for FA all along and making an offer served no purpose, regardless of whether the Rangers were interested or not. It would act as a floor. For the Rangers, I think more than the $/yr, it is the number of years. You could go 3 or 4 years. Anything longer than that is too risky, IMO. There are too many SPs right now on the DL.

Cashner has seemed like a great fit. However, I haven't heard anything about talks and wonder if he is looking to get back in the NL, or just wants to see what FA offers. He will be 31 next month. Another guy probably looking for 5 years.

---

From that article:

Quote:

---

If Otani comes to the U.S. this winter -- and that remains a big if -- he will be subject to the same restrictions that Latin American teens are under.

---

I thought it was pretty much a given that Otani would be leaving Japan for the MLB this coming off-season? That info was a little surprising to me. What would be his incentive to wait?

As far as Darvish goes, it might be prudent for a team to only sign him to a 3 or 4 year deal, but I don't think that happens Somebody will offer him 5 years at least . He''ll be shopping for long term guaranteed money, I think it'll take 5 years to get him. Unless he break down for the Dodgers during their stretch run, then that might change things.

---

An international player that is 25 and has 6 years of pro service can come to MLB as an UFA. Meaning, they can sign for whatever they want and are not subject to either the International Pool system, nor the Serf\Arb rules.

This was done originally for Cuban players who come here. Otani just turned 23 and has 5 years of service.

If he signs this off-season, he will get the Int'l Pool money, which max would be like $5.5M for the year. Then, he is subjected to 3 years of Serfdom and 3 years of Arbitration. The Serf years are like $550K and then Arb are negotiated to be determined. So, he would get $5M signing, and $550K for 2018/2019/2020. 2021 will be Arb. So, he gets $7-8M or so for 3 years. If he waits until after the 2019 season, he can come in for whatever he wants. Theoretically, he says, "I'm 25. Sign me." Nobody gives up a draft pick or pool money. He could sign for $15M... $20M... He would likely make more in 2020, than he could make combined if he came over now. Not to mention what he would make in Japan during those years.

---

Interesting, thanks for the info.

I get the feeling we won't bring Guzman and Calhoun up. There's really no reason not to

Huell Babineaux said:

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I get the feeling we won't bring Guzman and Calhoun up. There's really no reason not to

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OJT in LF at the MLB is probably a bad idea.

Unless the Rangers plan to use Calhoun strictly as a DH, he needs some time to learn LF at AAA. Having only DH as an option for Calhoun limits your flexibility for guys like Beltre and Choo, in terms of giving them rest from the field.

I'm hoping the Rangers have put Nap through Revocable Waivers. Rangers owe him the remainder of his 2017 $6M salary and a $2.5M buyout for 2018, assuming they don't pickup his $11M option. Once he is gone, I agree, that I see no reason to not bring up Guzman.

I would expect both to be Sept call-ups.

Speaking of Choo... I wonder if he has been sent through waivers?! It could be a nice dump.

And just a note.

Included in the Darvish trade was

AJ Alexy (19-A-RHP): 1 GS, 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4BB, 5 SO
Brendon Davis (20-A-RHB): 4 G, 12 AB, 1 H, 3 SO, 2 BB, 0.083 BA

jtstanley4621 said:

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The one thing that slightly concerns me is the prospects/young players we have right now are basically all left handed hitters. Odor, Gallo, Mazara, Guzman, Calhoun, Robinson.

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Our young talent is definitely really heavy on lefties but Calhoun's value to the club isn't just in what he could produce for us in the bigs, but what he could bring back in a trade. A big-league ready bat for a team that is hurting for power lefties could bring back a solid pitching prospect or a righty outfielder or fill another gap in the roster.

Some Rangers minor league pitching updates... lots of RHPs.

Round Rock: Mostly fillers
Dykstra (26-RHP): 16 G, 8 GS, 7.79 ERA, 2.09 WHIP
Wagner (26-RHP): 22 G, 19 GS, 6.46 ERA, 1.64 WHIP
Bass (29-RHP): 14 G, 9 GS, 4.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP
Blackburn (24-RHP): 15 G, 14 GS, 5.37 ERA, 1.36 WHIP
Nick Martinez, et al.

Frisco:
Richelson Pena (23-RHP): 1GS <- Just promoted from A+ (@A+: 17GS, 2.92 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 87 SO)
Jurado (21-RHP) : 22 GS, 128.0 IP, 4.71 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 79 SO
Davis (24-RHP): 7 GS, 46.0 IP, 2.54 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 24 SO, 35 H, 6 BB
Wiles (23-RHP): 23 G, 21 GS, 123.0 IP, 4.10 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 90 SO, 132 H, 24 BB
Pedro Payano (22-RHP): 13 GS, 63.2 IP, 4.10 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 59 SO, 63 H, 33 BB, 12 HBP
YoMen (22-LHP-DL): 20 GS, 121.0 IP, 3.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 106 SO, 101 H, 40 BB
Sadzeck has been moved to the BP

Others of note if you follow (A-Hickory)...
AJ Alexy (19-RHP-A) 1 GS, 2.25 ERA, 1.750 WHIP, 5 SO, 4 BB <- newly minted from Dodgers/Darvish
Sanmartin (21-LHP-A) 2G, 1GS @ A, just promoted from Spokane: 7G, 5GS, 2.27 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
Kyle Cody (22-RHP-A) 18GS, 95.1 IP, 2.83 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 77H, 101 SO, 33 BB. 2016 6thRd, 6'7", 245.
Michael Matuella (23-RHP-A): 15 GS, 51.0 IP, 4.59 ERA, 1.37 WHIP. Remember he was the 3rd pick in 2015 who had TJ surgery. Getting healthy and recovery is the main thing here. He is 6'6", 220.

2017 Draftees in AZL Rookie:
Hans Crouse (18-RHP): 7 G, 4 GS, 13.0 IP, 0.69 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 6H 13 SO, 4 BB, 2HBP; 6'4", 180
Ryan Dease (18-RHP): 7G, 1 GS, 13.0 IP, 2.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 14 H, 13 SO, 2 BB, 1 HBP; 6'3", 175

2016 Draftees
in Spokane
Cole Ragans (19-LHP-1Rd): 13G, 9 GS, 41.1 IP, 3.27 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 33 H, 60 SO, 24 BB; 6'4", 190
Alex Speas (19-RHP-Spokane). 2016 2nd Rd. 8.63 ERA in 7GS in Spokane this year.

in AZL Rookie:
Derek Heffel (21-RHP): 7G, 3 GS, 25.1 IP, 1.78 ERA, 1.11 WHIP 19H, 28 SO, 9 BB; 6'6", 225

That's pretty bleak.

Outside of Mendez, who could be helping out the big club in 2018 or 2019?

Man, Ragans is the only one of that group that I truly feel good about going forward... There are some pretty bleah stats scattered in there from everyone else.

Dillon Tate

Quote:

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Tate's Arm is Doing all the Talking

Tate could be in a similar situation. Every report on him mentions what a good person with a great work ethic he is. And his interview reveals a smart and thoughtful young man.

But there is the chance that the Rangers were working in his best interest and Tate was just stubborn. This odd scouting report at least lends some credence to the idea. Is Tate smart and in control of his career, or headstrong and unwilling to take instruction?

The results since he left Texas belie the assertion, especially since the Yankees have taken a different tack from the Rangers. When asked about working with Charleston Pitching Coach Justin Pope last year, Tate said,

Quote:

---

Working with Justin Pope was really enjoyable. He really wanted me to just go out there and be myself. We worked on a lot of basic things that I already do, and he just helped me do what I do naturally, but better. We slowly improved my delivery with repetition.

---

That has paid off. Even by the Arizona Fall League last year, Tate was back to being impressive, as Therron Brockish wrote for Baseball America. Brockish rates two of his pitches as above average and his fastball as a plus. Therron goes on to say,

Quote:

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Tate's stuff was electric as he struck out four in two innings pitched.

Tate came out firing bullets at 96-97 mph. He pitched with a quick tempo and mowed through his first two innings of work, striking out four hitters in six batters faced. He threw from a three-quarters arm slot. His fastball was pretty true but seemed to get on the hitters quickly. He blew two hitters away with fastballs. Not until his third inning did a ball get hit hard off of him.

---

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MSFC Aggie said:

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Dillon Tate

Quote:

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Tate's Arm is Doing all the Talking

Tate could be in a similar situation. Every report on him mentions what a good person with a great work ethic he is. And his interview reveals a smart and thoughtful young man.

But there is the chance that the Rangers were working in his best interest and Tate was just stubborn. This odd scouting report at least lends some credence to the idea. Is Tate smart and in control of his career, or headstrong and unwilling to take instruction?

The results since he left Texas belie the assertion, especially since the Yankees have taken a different tack from the Rangers. When asked about working with Charleston Pitching Coach Justin Pope last year, Tate said,

Quote:

---

Working with Justin Pope was really enjoyable. He really wanted me to just go out there and be myself. We worked on a lot of basic things that I already do, and he just helped me do what I do naturally, but better. We slowly improved my delivery with repetition.

---

That has paid off. Even by the Arizona Fall League last year, Tate was back to being impressive, as Therron Brockish wrote for Baseball America. Brockish rates two of his pitches as above average and his fastball as a plus. Therron goes on to say,

Quote:

---

Tate's stuff was electric as he struck out four in two innings pitched.

Tate came out firing bullets at 96-97 mph. He pitched with a quick tempo and mowed through his first two innings of work, striking out four hitters in six batters faced. He threw from a three-quarters arm slot. His fastball was pretty true but seemed to get on the hitters quickly. He blew two hitters away with fastballs. Not until his third inning did a ball get hit hard off of him.

---

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I'd still like to have him, and felt we overpaid with him. However, let's see where and how he ends up.

He is 23, pitching at A+. He has 9GS, 58.1 IP, 2.62 ERA, 1.080 WHIP, 48H, 46 SO, and 15 BB, 5 HBP

He is still a long way off. When drafted, it was projected that he "could" make it is a starter, but that he was likely a Closer.

MSFC Aggie said:

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That's pretty bleak.

Outside of Mendez, who could be helping out the big club in 2018 or 2019?

---

I would say depleted over bleak. I think if you can get one legit SP for the rotation every 2 years, you are doing about right. You just need him for about 8+ years.

The main vacuum we have is at AAA, where many of our traded SPs would be. Nick Martinez and Chi Chi were never able to make the next step. Even Holland, Harrison, et al, just never materialized. But, that isn't uncommon. Not many notables of those traded, IMO.

I've been following most of these guys all season.

From the Frisco team:
Jurado. He is having a down year, but I think he'll bounce back next year. Play AAA and be a 2019 entry.

Wiles. I think he has tired. He started the season great and has slowly gotten worse. Typical, I think for the # of IP.

Tyler Davis. I haven't followed him. His AA numbers have come out of nowhere. Not sure if they fixed something... he was recovering, or what... but as they've promoted him, his stats have gotten better. Weird.

Sadzeck was one I had been tracking, but now that they've moved him to the BP, I don't follow him. They are working more on coming in for 1IP and back-to-back games, etc. So, the numbers are meaningless, to me.

YoMen is hurt. He could be a mid-2018 call-up or someone to fill for a DL spot. It is his year (2018) to put up, though.

Payano and his brother Victor (now with Fl) have been slow to improve.

When you consider what we traded, it does look bleak.

Cubs:
Hendricks (27): 14 GS, 3.81 ERA, 1.22 WHIP (Dempster, 2012)
Edwards (25): 49 G, 3.83 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 44.2 IP, 64 SO (Garza, 2013)

Philly:
Eickoff (27): 19 GS, 4.56 ERA, 1.46 WHIP (Hamels, 2015)

Also, I didn't realize Corey Knebel was traded to the Rangers on 7/23/14 for Soria, only to then be traded 1/19/15 to the Brewers for Gallardo. Knebel (25) is 52 G, 21 Saves, 1.58 ERA.

I really wish we could look at all of this and say....."doesn't matter......won a WS"

When sleeping in a hotel bed goes wrong:

And from Evan Grant.

RicRod comes up from AA. He is 24, RHP.

2017 minors (A+ and AA): 35 G, 17 Saves, 47.0 IP, 1.34 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, 61 SO, 10 BB

It would be nice if he delivers. pardon the pun

Kela back on the DL.

Saw this in a writeup on R. Rodriguez:

Quote:

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Rodriguez was eligible to be a minor league free agent after this season if he was not added to the 40 man roster, so this is probably at least in part a move to get a look at a guy the team was going to have to make a decision on in a couple of months anyway. Calling Rodriguez up at this point gives the major league staff an opportunity to evaluate him and make a better determination if he is worth keeping on the 40 man this offseason, and with the current state of the bullpen, he would appear to have an opportunity right away to show if he can contribute.

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KT 90 said:

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Kela back on the DL.

Saw this in a writeup on R. Rodriguez:

Quote:

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Rodriguez was eligible to be a minor league free agent after this season if he was not added to the 40 man roster, so this is probably at least in part a move to get a look at a guy the team was going to have to make a decision on in a couple of months anyway. Calling Rodriguez up at this point gives the major league staff an opportunity to evaluate him and make a better determination if he is worth keeping on the 40 man this offseason, and with the current state of the bullpen, he would appear to have an opportunity right away to show if he can contribute.

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So... Rule V eligible.

Who gets moved off the 40, to make room? Tyson Ross had a recent rehab, so he won't get moved to the DL60. Rangers have 11 guys on their 40 who are in the minors. With Kela to the DL10, I presume...

Also, I've posted recently (or maybe I never posted it) a list of Rule V guys. I don't recall if I even mentioned RicRod. I think I had. Seemed like there were 12-15 legit concerns, although only 3-4 teams might gamble on.