*****Official Texas Rangers Offseason Thread*****

91,467 Views | 1008 Replies | Last: 6 yr ago by Lt. Joe Bookman
Quincey P. Morris
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Ryno01 said:

Crossing fingers for a Kevin Millwood and Bruce Chen to round out this pitching staff


I think I'd be good if we actually signed Kevin Millwood and Bruce Chen at this point.
DallasAg 94
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Huell Babineaux said:

KT 90 said:

Lucky #007 said:

Well they signed Trevor Plouffe.
Just saw that this morning. That's a definite game changer! I guess if you line up enough retread's, you are bound to hit on a few of them.
You would think. But we've yet to hit and we sign multiple retreads a year
Carlos Gomez:
2016 (Hou): .210, 5 HR, .322 OBP, 13 SB in 85 GP
2016 (Tex): .284, 8 HR, .362 OBP, 5 SB in 33 GP
2017 (Tex): .255, 17 HR, .340 OBP, 13 SB in 105 GP

Andrew Cashner:
2015: (SDP): 31 GS, 4.34 ERA, 1.440 WHIP
2016 (Mia/SDP): 27 GS, 5.25 ERA, 1.530 WHIP
2017 (Tex): 28 GS, 3.40 ERA, 1.320 WHIP

It hasn't been a complete bust. If any of the pitchers we signed this off-season nears that level of production, I'd be happy as a clam.
KT 90
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Huell Babineaux said:

KT 90 said:

Lucky #007 said:

Well they signed Trevor Plouffe.

Just saw that this morning. That's a definite game changer! I guess if you line up enough retread's, you are bound to hit on a few of them.


You would think. But we've yet to hit and we sign multiple retreads a year

I'd consider Cashner last year as one that worked out, also Bush, DeShields. I'm sure there are others. But the problem is even if you "hit" with one of these on a short term deal, you still have to resign them the next year for a larger contract or lose them to free agency. I guess Bush and DeShields don't have the service time to leave yet via free agency, but still consider them reclamation projects off the scrap heap.

KT 90
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DallasAg 94 said:

Huell Babineaux said:

KT 90 said:

Lucky #007 said:

Well they signed Trevor Plouffe.
Just saw that this morning. That's a definite game changer! I guess if you line up enough retread's, you are bound to hit on a few of them.
You would think. But we've yet to hit and we sign multiple retreads a year
Carlos Gomez:
2016 (Hou): .210, 5 HR, .322 OBP, 13 SB in 85 GP
2016 (Tex): .284, 8 HR, .362 OBP, 5 SB in 33 GP
2017 (Tex): .255, 17 HR, .340 OBP, 13 SB in 105 GP

Andrew Cashner:
2015: (SDP): 31 GS, 4.34 ERA, 1.440 WHIP
2016 (Mia/SDP): 27 GS, 5.25 ERA, 1.530 WHIP
2017 (Tex): 28 GS, 3.40 ERA, 1.320 WHIP

It hasn't been a complete bust. If any of the pitchers we signed this off-season nears that level of production, I'd be happy as a clam.

Didn't think of Gomez, was typing as you posted this.
Ag2012
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DallasAg 94 said:

Huell Babineaux said:

KT 90 said:

Lucky #007 said:

Well they signed Trevor Plouffe.
Just saw that this morning. That's a definite game changer! I guess if you line up enough retread's, you are bound to hit on a few of them.
You would think. But we've yet to hit and we sign multiple retreads a year
Carlos Gomez:
2016 (Hou): .210, 5 HR, .322 OBP, 13 SB in 85 GP
2016 (Tex): .284, 8 HR, .362 OBP, 5 SB in 33 GP
2017 (Tex): .255, 17 HR, .340 OBP, 13 SB in 105 GP

Andrew Cashner:
2015: (SDP): 31 GS, 4.34 ERA, 1.440 WHIP
2016 (Mia/SDP): 27 GS, 5.25 ERA, 1.530 WHIP
2017 (Tex): 28 GS, 3.40 ERA, 1.320 WHIP

It hasn't been a complete bust. If any of the pitchers we signed this off-season nears that level of production, I'd be happy as a clam.
Depending on how you categorize Ian Desmond, he could be considered a really damn successful retread too.
DallasAg 94
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And I wasn't opposed to the Cashner and Tyson Ross experiment to fill a #4 Spot.

We started 2017 with the expectation of:
1. Hamels (32GS, 3.32 ERA, 1.31 WHIP in 2016)
2. Darvish
3. Perez (33GS, 4.39, 1.41 in 2016 at age 25)
4. Retread: Cashner\Ross
5. Internal: AJG\Martinez

With 2018... we are:
1. Hamels: 24GS, 4.20 ERA, 1.20 WHIP in 2017 <- A bit of a rework, himself
2. Perez: 32GS, 4.82, 1.54 in 2017, coming back from offseason injury
3. Fister (34): 15GS, 4.88 ERA, 1.384 WHIP in 2017
4. Moore: 31 GS, 5.52 ERA, 1.532 WHIP in 2017
5. Minor: 0GS, 65G. Last started in 2014, where he went 25GS, 4.77 ERA, 1.438 ERA @ age 26

Colon (45) on a minor league contract: 28GS, 6.48 ERA, 1.587 WHIP

The rest of the SPs on the roster are:
Ronald Herrera (22-AA): 9GS, 1.13 ERA, 1.444 WHIP
Ariel Jurado (21-AA): 27GS, 4.59 ERA, 1.433 WHIP
Connor Sadzeck - 26, now converted to RP and has not pitched above AA.

I believe all 3 of those are Rule V guys. Herrerra was taken from the Yankees, who knew they'd likely lose him to Rule V, so they traded him. We'll see if he was a wink/wink guy with Russell Wilson trade.

I'm guessing Colon was signed to fill-in a couple GS for Perez whom I'm guessing might start the season on the DL?

YoMen is the only other candidate that I think could make the roster. And then you have to consider long-reliever.

That just looks bad.

Now I'm depressed again.
DallasAg 94
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Ag2012 said:

DallasAg 94 said:

Huell Babineaux said:

KT 90 said:

Lucky #007 said:

Well they signed Trevor Plouffe.
Just saw that this morning. That's a definite game changer! I guess if you line up enough retread's, you are bound to hit on a few of them.
You would think. But we've yet to hit and we sign multiple retreads a year
Carlos Gomez:
2016 (Hou): .210, 5 HR, .322 OBP, 13 SB in 85 GP
2016 (Tex): .284, 8 HR, .362 OBP, 5 SB in 33 GP
2017 (Tex): .255, 17 HR, .340 OBP, 13 SB in 105 GP

Andrew Cashner:
2015: (SDP): 31 GS, 4.34 ERA, 1.440 WHIP
2016 (Mia/SDP): 27 GS, 5.25 ERA, 1.530 WHIP
2017 (Tex): 28 GS, 3.40 ERA, 1.320 WHIP

It hasn't been a complete bust. If any of the pitchers we signed this off-season nears that level of production, I'd be happy as a clam.
Depending on how you categorize Ian Desmond, he could be considered a really damn successful retread too.
I'd support that.
KT 90
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Rangers to attend Lincecum's tryout later this week, because why not:


https://www.lonestarball.com/2018/2/13/17009604/texas-rangers-rumors-tim-lincecum-mlb-free-agency


TMACsDaMan
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If Daniels is willing to scrape the bottom barrel...why not ask the Mets if they would dump Harvey
DallasAg 94
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Golden Corral parking lot?

Has he been in prison?

He can't be a worse option that Colon
DallasAg 94
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I'm pretty sure JD checked under that rock, last season and this off seasob.
mhayden
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Question will be if Hamels has enough left in the tank to get back to a 3.5ish ERA pitcher or if his ERA will continue to inflate and if Perez can finally take that next step.

It's not a division contending team (nor was it with Yu, nor will it be with Arrieta), but it's a team that should be able to stay above water until the deadline and then see where it stands.

I'm certainly not super stoked about the team this year, but this isn't like the 2000's when we were banking on Ismael Valdez and John Thomson.

DallasAg 94
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free_mhayden said:

Question will be if Hamels has enough left in the tank to get back to a 3.5ish ERA pitcher or if his ERA will continue to inflate and if Perez can finally take that next step.

It's not a division contending team (nor was it with Yu, nor will it be with Arrieta), but it's a team that should be able to stay above water until the deadline and then see where it stands.
A little role reversal... LOL. Aren't you the optimist... me the pessimist.

I just don't see how they stay close. Hamels can be 3.5'ish and Perez take the next step and then we can trot out 3 crappy SPs... those 3 will destroy any BP we can piece together. Baseball is just so much a mental game.

Quote:

I'm certainly not super stoked about the team this year, but this isn't like the 2000's when we were banking on Ismael Valdez and John Thomson.

Now, in fairness... in 2002, Valdez went 23GS, 3.93 ERA, 1.166 WHIP. Then there was 2003: 22 GS, 6.10, 1.539 with the Rangers.

Ahhh... 2003... Thomson was the anchor:
Thomson (29): 35GS, 4.85
Benoit (25): 17 GS, 5.49
Valdez (29): 22 GS, 6.10
Mounce (28): 11GS, 7.11
Colby (23): 26 GS, 7.30 ERA

Freaking Colby Lewis.
Team ERA was 5.67.

Over or Under?!

I predict a solid first 3 weeks. Maybe 13-10. Who am I kidding. 9-14 would be a solid start.

Then, they tank. They'll be 15 GB by May 14.

Out of 1st 41 Games, 10 are against Houston
Baby Billy
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free_mhayden said:

Question will be if Hamels has enough left in the tank to get back to a 3.5ish ERA pitcher or if his ERA will continue to inflate and if Perez can finally take that next step.

It's not a division contending team (nor was it with Yu, nor will it be with Arrieta), but it's a team that should be able to stay above water until the deadline and then see where it stands.

I'm certainly not super stoked about the team this year, but this isn't like the 2000's when we were banking on Ismael Valdez and John Thomson.


I'm not so sure. That's a pretty terrible rotation, and our lineup isn't exactly full of offensive juggernauts
mhayden
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Well the idea with the offense is, if your young guys aren't producing (Odor/Gallo/Mazara) then going out and signing a guy like Darvish or Arrieta made even less sense.

I'm certainly not optimistic about this club, but I certainly understand the strategy.

Rossko
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DallasAg 94 said:

Out of 1st 41 Games, 10 are against Houston


So they'll at least be 10-31 then?
KT 90
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If you are interested, here is a writeup going over the various candidates for the last spot or two in the rotation:

link: https://www.mlb.com/news/texas-rangers-seek-fifth-starter-for-rotation/c-266336822

ARLINGTON -- Set rotation? The Rangers? Not likely not going into Spring Training.

Such an arrangement would be highly unusual, not only for the Rangers, but for almost any Major League team. It just doesn't happen in February.

The battle for the fifth spot in the Rangers' rotation is an annual event in Spring Training, ranking right up there with country music legend Charley Pride's arrival, "precautionary" injury updates and the morning clubhouse meetings to discuss security, nutrition, social media and other exciting topics.
The Rangers made sure there would be competition by signing Bartolo Colon to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
Colon is 44, and this will be his 21st season, but the Rangers are serious about him.

"This is a guy with a ton of history," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. "Who he is, what he is capable of go out and compete, mix it up with the pitching staff, be the guy in the clubhouse we all have heard about."
The Rangers' first four are set with Cole Hamels, Martin Perez, Doug Fister and Matt Moore. Here is a rundown for the fifth-starter spot.
Mike Minor -- He was a reliever for the Royals last season, but the Rangers will give him a chance to start again.
Pros: He has a four-pitch mix, led by a 90-94-mph fastball. He won 13 games and threw 204 innings for the Braves in 2013.
Cons: Minor hasn't started since 2014. He missed 2015-16 because of injury before becoming a dominant reliever for the Royals.
Impact on club: If Minor can handle an increased workload, he would be a strong addition to a rotation.
Colon -- He is the career active leader in the Major Leagues with 240 wins and 528 games started.
Pros: He doesn't throw hard but knows how to pitch and throws strikes. He led the National League in walks per nine innings in 2015 and '16 while with the Mets.
Cons: Does he have anything left and how are you going to tell by Spring Training in Arizona?
Impact on club: If Colon makes the rotation and Minor is used as a reliever, the Rangers bullpen will be much better.
Matt Bush -- He wants to start and the Rangers are going to give him that chance.
Pros: He is the hardest thrower on the team and has potentially dominating stuff.
Cons: Bush was out of baseball from 2012-15 and has been used as a reliever the past two seasons, so his ability to handle an increased workload is a complete unknown.
Impact on club: Presumably, Minor would fill the void in the bullpen.
Jonathon Niese -- Another former Mets starter coming to camp on a Minor League contract. He did not pitch in the big leagues last season while recovering from knee surgery.
Pros: He was a solid middle-rotation starter for the Mets in 2010-15, averaging 28 starts and 171 innings with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.
Cons: Niese is not going to overpower, overwhelm or over-excite anybody.
Impact on club: If he makes it, Colon won't. But it means Minor and Bush will be a part of a strong bullpen.
Ronald Herrera -- The 22-year-old right-hander was acquired from the Yankees in November and has pitched just three innings in the big leagues.
Pros: He is not overpowering, but has a 90-plus-mph fastball with an above average changeup and a good feel for pitching. He was 8-0 with a 1.13 ERA in nine Double-A starts last year.
Cons: He has just three career starts at Triple-A and could use more experience.
Impact on club: If he makes the rotation, it probably means the Rangers didn't have a good Spring Training overall.
Yohander Mendez -- The 23-year-old left-hander has made nine relief appearances in the big leagues the last two Septembers, but has never started a game above Double-A.
Pros: He is the Rangers' top pitching prospect and No. 4 overall in the system, according to MLB Pipeline.
Cons: He needs more experience to refine his pitches and fastball command.
Impact on club: What would Spring Training be without a young pitcher getting everybody overly excited?
TXAggie2011
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I think the Rangers should be cautiously optimistic about Mike Minor being the solution this season. Maybe his arm will fall off, but there is some serious talent tucked away somewhere in his body.

Let Matt Bush try it, but I'm not exactly sure what he's done to earn that opportunity. He also has some talent tucked away somewhere but him in the bullpen has been a happy story, hope they don't miss that for a failed attempt at starting.
jtstanley4621
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I would gladly eat crow on this, but I feel like Bush going to be a starter could be disastrous. He has such little actual big league pitching experience, it would seem to make all the sense in the world to let him keep acclimating to being in the bullpen.
Quincey P. Morris
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I'm just having flashbacks to Neftali Feliz.
mhayden
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Lucky #007 said:

I'm just having flashbacks to Neftali Feliz.

But he could also have success like CJ Wilson... Then suddenly the viability of this rotation changes completely.

Personally I doubt it works simply because I haven't seen enough plus pitches from Bush to think he can fool people consistently.
Quincey P. Morris
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He could but his game thus far seems to have been to throw really really hard. I agree that I don't think he has it to see guys 2-3 times and still get them out and just throwing hard doesn't work out over 5-6 innings like it does for 1-3 batters.
TXAggie2011
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Neftali Feliz and CJ Wilson had several years of minor league experience as starters. They also had more overall experience.

Matt Bush is a converted shortstop with about 2 professional pitching starts to his name.

He's a different kind of project than those other two. Maybe it works but he'll be learning how to be a starter in a way that Wilson and Feliz weren't having to do.
KT 90
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DallasAg 94
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With Spring Training underway...

Notable FAs still available:
Arrieta (SP-31): 30GS, 3.53, 1.218 WHIP.
Moustaka (3B-28): 148 GP, .272, 38 HR
Eric Hosmer (1B-27): .318, 25 HR
JD Martinez (RF-29): 119GP, .303, 45 HR
Lance Lynn (SP-30): 33GS, 3.43, 1.229 WHIP. Did not pitch in 2016.

Anyone else worth tracking?

It will be interesting to see what develops. I think Arrieta comes with a QO, so it would cost a team a pick, no?! I can't imagine any of those guys want a 1 yr deal, knowing what is going to be available after the 2018 season.

Beltre has 3B locked as the Rangers escort him to the HoF. I expect the Rangers to give him every possibility to play 3B as much as possible. They could even sign him for 2019, to extend his numbers at "Games played at 3B." I need to dig up where he stands on those stats.

I'm guessing Lance Lynn is looking for a 4+ year deal. Knowing he didn't pitch in 2016, likely prevents that from happening. When will he blink? Would a 2 year deal be attractive? It would allow him one more big FA signing.

I like Hosmer's numbers, but a long-term deal for the Rangers doesn't make sense. I think determining if Ronald Guzman (23) is legit is a priority for 2018. Worst case, we have Gallo, Choo, Profar, Mazara, et al, to play 1B. And DH. He might be worth a 1 yr deal, but again... not something we'd do.
KT 90
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Quote:

Notable FAs still available:
Arrieta (SP-31): 30GS, 3.53, 1.218 WHIP.
Moustaka (3B-28): 148 GP, .272, 38 HR
Eric Hosmer (1B-27): .318, 25 HR
JD Martinez (RF-29): 119GP, .303, 45 HR
Lance Lynn (SP-30): 33GS, 3.43, 1.229 WHIP. Did not pitch in 2016.

The Rangers aren't signing any of those. Cashner is still out there, right? Or Cobb? I could see one of those two as their options dwindle and they may be willing to take a short term deal.
DallasAg 94
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Agreed. I wasn't suggesting the Rangers would go after one of those. I also agree there are other potential targets, if the Rangers do decide to act.

At this point... the Rangers are best suited to "see what they have" in the players on the bus, before adding anyone.

If Gallo, Mazara and Odor come to camp on the upswing, you might have some confidence. If Perez IS ready to pitch, and Matt Moore fixed something... you might start to believe winning 75 games is doable.

You might also find someone looking for Choo or Profar.
wbt5845
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O's sign Cashner for 2 years, $16 MM

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/02/orioles-sign-andrew-cashner.html


Ag2012
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wbt5845 said:

O's sign Cashner for 2 years, $16 MM

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/02/orioles-sign-andrew-cashner.html



Reminder that the QO this year was $17.4M and people were seriously wondering why we didn't extend one to Cashner. Good call on that one.
mhayden
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While Cashner is the type of guy it seems like we've been signing, I feel like asking him to go out there and do it again would be a recipe for disaster.
DallasAg 94
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So... Cashner for $5M to pitch in 2018?!
Quincey P. Morris
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Signed Edinson Volquez. We're just loading up the minors with aging players. Sweet.
DallasAg 94
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We've signed so many FA SPs for 2018... for the MLB, AAA and AA teams, that we're now signing players for the 2019 minors:

Quote:

Volquez underwent Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career late in the 2017 season and won't pitch in the 2018 campaign.

Talk about vision...

I hope we got a vesting option for 2020 and 2020 seasons.
DannyDuberstein
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cmiller00
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Lucky #007 said:

Signed Edinson Volquez. We're just loading up the minors with aging players. Sweet.



Did we check in on Diamond and Danks?
 
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