This offense is not that bad, and has been underachieving. The ability of Andrus, DD, Beltre, Profar, IKF, Mazara, Choo, and Guzman to put the bat on the ball should be putting more pressure on defenses. Gallo and Odor are still all or nothing rally killers, but the lineup has less dead weight than last season. With the pen at full strength, this is a .500 club. Outfield defense and SP are the big holes.

94chem said:

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This offense is not that bad, and has been underachieving. The ability of Andrus, DD, Beltre, Profar, IKF, Mazara, Choo, and Guzman to put the bat on the ball should be putting more pressure on defenses. Gallo and Odor are still all or nothing rally killers, but the lineup has less dead weight than last season. With the pen at full strength, this is a .500 club. Outfield defense and SP are the big holes.

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Agreed.

Gallo and Odor have been black holes this year. Chirinos has been sub par tho honestly.

I wouldn't say OF defense is a big hole. DD has been outstanding in CF and Gallo is average but still just learning the position. Mazara has a cannon but limited range.

The glaring hole for this team is definitely SP. Hopefully we net some pitching prospects in trades and aggressively pursue Kershaw in the offseason, along with others and get this thing turned around in a couple years.

gigem1223 said:

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I wouldn't say OF defense is a big hole. DD has been outstanding in CF and Gallo is average but still just learning the position. Mazara has a cannon but limited range.

The glaring hole for this team is definitely SP. Hopefully we net some pitching prospects in trades and aggressively pursue Kershaw in the offseason, along with others and get this thing turned around in a couple years.

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Maz is Nelly 2.0 but a little bit better

DallasAg 94 said:

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Don't look now.

Rangers are only 18.5 GB.

I'm calling it now... Rangers make the playoffs in 2018.

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If only the Rangers were in the Central...the Indians have it good.

DallasAg 94 said:

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Don't look now.

Rangers are only 18.5 GB.

I'm calling it now... Rangers make the playoffs in 2018.

---

Goooood drugs

94chem said:

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This offense is not that bad, and has been underachieving. The ability of Andrus, DD, Beltre, Profar, IKF, Mazara, Choo, and Guzman to put the bat on the ball should be putting more pressure on defenses. Gallo and Odor are still all or nothing rally killers, but the lineup has less dead weight than last season. With the pen at full strength, this is a .500 club. Outfield defense and SP are the big holes.

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It will be interesting to see what happens.

I just don't see the Gallo-DD-Mazara OF being that great defensively. Choo and Calhoun are in the same mold.
Gallo is a Serf in 2019 and DD and Mazara are both A1.

Leodys Taveras (19-A+) isn't close (2020?)
Julaio Pablo Martinez (22-A Short Season) just entered the system from Cuba. Projects to 2020, but it seems like the Cuban players are always a year or two later adjusting.
Yanio Perez (22-AA) Another in 2020?

If you sign a big name in the OF... who could you sign and whom do you bench or trade?

Stros lose

gigem1223 said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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Don't look now.

Rangers are only 18.5 GB.

I'm calling it now... Rangers make the playoffs in 2018.

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Goooood drugs

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A little Cakebread Cellars 2014 Chardonnay Reserve.

DallasAg 94 said:

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94chem said:

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This offense is not that bad, and has been underachieving. The ability of Andrus, DD, Beltre, Profar, IKF, Mazara, Choo, and Guzman to put the bat on the ball should be putting more pressure on defenses. Gallo and Odor are still all or nothing rally killers, but the lineup has less dead weight than last season. With the pen at full strength, this is a .500 club. Outfield defense and SP are the big holes.

---

If you sign a big name in the OF... who could you sign and whom do you bench or trade?

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Bryce ****ing Harper and trade Choo away for nothing in return except money. If we can get Choo's contract off the books we'll have a ton of money to spend in the offseason.

gigem1223 said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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94chem said:

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This offense is not that bad, and has been underachieving. The ability of Andrus, DD, Beltre, Profar, IKF, Mazara, Choo, and Guzman to put the bat on the ball should be putting more pressure on defenses. Gallo and Odor are still all or nothing rally killers, but the lineup has less dead weight than last season. With the pen at full strength, this is a .500 club. Outfield defense and SP are the big holes.

---

If you sign a big name in the OF... who could you sign and whom do you bench or trade?

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Bryce ****ing Harper

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Yeah... but whom would you bench?

DallasAg 94 said:

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gigem1223 said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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94chem said:

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This offense is not that bad, and has been underachieving. The ability of Andrus, DD, Beltre, Profar, IKF, Mazara, Choo, and Guzman to put the bat on the ball should be putting more pressure on defenses. Gallo and Odor are still all or nothing rally killers, but the lineup has less dead weight than last season. With the pen at full strength, this is a .500 club. Outfield defense and SP are the big holes.

---

If you sign a big name in the OF... who could you sign and whom do you bench or trade?

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Bryce ****ing Harper

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Yeah... but whom would you bench?

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I'd be all ears for trade talks with Gallo involved. I just don't see a position for him and I don't see him improving. While a pipe dream, an Outfield of Mazara, DD and Harper sounds great to me. Calhoun can be your DH and utility corner outfielder.

DD should be a left fielder. Gallo should play CF and shade to right. Mazara...there must be a speed coach or somebody who can help him. I've actually been surprised by his home-to-1st speed a few times lately.

gigem1223 said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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gigem1223 said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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94chem said:

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This offense is not that bad, and has been underachieving. The ability of Andrus, DD, Beltre, Profar, IKF, Mazara, Choo, and Guzman to put the bat on the ball should be putting more pressure on defenses. Gallo and Odor are still all or nothing rally killers, but the lineup has less dead weight than last season. With the pen at full strength, this is a .500 club. Outfield defense and SP are the big holes.

---

If you sign a big name in the OF... who could you sign and whom do you bench or trade?

---

Bryce ****ing Harper

---

Yeah... but whom would you bench?

---

I'd be all ears for trade talks with Gallo involved. I just don't see a position for him and I don't see him improving. While a pipe dream, an Outfield of Mazara, DD and Harper sounds great to me. Calhoun can be your DH and utility corner outfielder.

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I'm a huge fan of Harper but the 400m he wants isn't worth it

gigem1223 said:

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I'd be all ears for trade talks with Gallo involved. I just don't see a position for him and I don't see him improving. While a pipe dream, an Outfield of Mazara, DD and Harper sounds great to me. Calhoun can be your DH and utility corner outfielder.

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It is one of those things like adding a front-of-the-rotation SPs. It just makes the other 2 positions look less suck.

I think Guzman has impressed enough to know he is the future 1B. Gallo has indicated he isn't a 3B.

Harper's season may bring his asking price down, but I think this season is an anomaly.

.212, 19 HR, 6 SB

I think .300, 30 HR, 15 SB is reasonable. He has .383 OBP.

What will he get $35M? $40M? 10Years?

I think they could get Beltre for about $15M with a chance to play 3B.
Andrus gets a raise.

But, we need pitching. Picking up Hamels would be nice, as long as we sign another legit SP.

I think they let Andrus walk if he opts out.

hawk1689 said:

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I think they let Andrus walk if he opts out.

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That would be one of the dumbest moves ever.

I have mixed feelings about it myself. I believe he's the greatest defensive shortstop the club has ever had. He's also put together a couple of really solid offensive seasons the two years before this one. The problem, he'll be on the wrong side of 30 for the entirety of the new contract. His value as a baserunner is diminishing. They may see Profar as a cheaper controllable option for the next couple of years rather than overpaying for Elvis' less valuable years as a pro. The club had also continued to focus on drafting SS's these past couple years and may not want a contract that hinders progress 3-4 years down the road. My heart wants Elvis to play for 5-6 more years in a Ranger uniform. My brain tells me that it might be a good thing for him to opt out.

94chem said:

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DD should be a left fielder. Gallo should play CF and shade to right. Mazara...there must be a speed coach or somebody who can help him. I've actually been surprised by his home-to-1st speed a few times lately.

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Why would you move DD out of CF?? Especially for Gallo?

hawk1689 said:

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I have mixed feelings about it myself. I believe he's the greatest defensive shortstop the club has ever had. He's also put together a couple of really solid offensive seasons the two years before this one. The problem, he'll be on the wrong side of 30 for the entirety of the new contract. His value as a baserunner is diminishing. They may see Profar as a cheaper controllable option for the next couple of years rather than overpaying for Elvis' less valuable years as a pro. The club had also continued to focus on drafting SS's these past couple years and may not want a contract that hinders progress 3-4 years down the road. My heart wants Elvis to play for 5-6 more years in a Ranger uniform. My brain tells me that it might be a good thing for him to opt out.

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No offense, but that's dumb.

One of 2 things needs to happen.

1) he needs to be traded for assets

2) they keep him to lead the rebuild. He has valuable playoff experience. He's the only player on the roster who has been to both World Series. He could be the guy to build around.


Letting him opt out and walk away for nothing would be a terrible move by the front office.

Didn't see it posted yet, but here is at least some of the story on YoMen being sent down

Quote:

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Mendez and teammate Rougned Odor were out late with some Royals players at a Kansas City establishment after Monday's game, according to several sources. Apparently, the night on the town got out of hand for Mendez, which prompted the move.

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link:
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas-rangers/article213480004.html

Sounds like YoMen can't handle his alcohol

etxag18 said:

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gigem1223 said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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gigem1223 said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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94chem said:

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This offense is not that bad, and has been underachieving. The ability of Andrus, DD, Beltre, Profar, IKF, Mazara, Choo, and Guzman to put the bat on the ball should be putting more pressure on defenses. Gallo and Odor are still all or nothing rally killers, but the lineup has less dead weight than last season. With the pen at full strength, this is a .500 club. Outfield defense and SP are the big holes.

---

If you sign a big name in the OF... who could you sign and whom do you bench or trade?

---

Bryce ****ing Harper

---

Yeah... but whom would you bench?

---

I'd be all ears for trade talks with Gallo involved. I just don't see a position for him and I don't see him improving. While a pipe dream, an Outfield of Mazara, DD and Harper sounds great to me. Calhoun can be your DH and utility corner outfielder.

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I'm a huge fan of Harper but the 400m he wants isn't worth it

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I would agree. His ceiling is insanely high, but I think his asking price is driven by 2 seasons (2015, 2017), his age and the reputation he's had since high school. He's had 2 seasons with an OPS over 1.000, but his other 5 seasons are all sub-.900, including a sub-.800 season. Now, it's also fair to note that he was 19 in his first season, so he probably hasn't even still hit his prime, but there's just too much inconsistency to justify $400 million. He'll get at least $300mil, but I'm not sure I'd be willing at that price.

On top of all that, his games played in each season (age in parenthesis):

• 2012 (19) - 139...essentially a full season since he didn't start the year w/ big club, IIRC
• 2013 (20) - 118
• 2014 (21) - 100
• 2015 (22) - 153
• 2016 (23) - 147
• 2017 (24) - 111
• 2018 (25) - 70 out of 71 so far

There seem to be a lot of games missed, and I can't imagine it will get any better as he approaches his 30's. So, how much are you willing to spend on a guy who may give you a 10 WAR season one year, but 1.5 the next? There's no denying his immense talent, but I just wouldn't feel comfortable with it.

Now, for Trout....I'd be willing to spend $500 mil of someone else's money for him. You know what you'll get every single season.

RetiredAg said:

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etxag18 said:

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gigem1223 said:

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I'm a huge fan of Harper but the 400m he wants isn't worth it

---

---

I would agree. His ceiling is insanely high, but I think his asking price is driven by 2 seasons (2015, 2017), his age and the reputation he's had since high school. He's had 2 seasons with an OPS over 1.000, but his other 5 seasons are all sub-.900, including a sub-.800 season. Now, it's also fair to note that he was 19 in his first season, so he probably hasn't even still hit his prime, but there's just too much inconsistency to justify $400 million. He'll get at least $300mil, but I'm not sure I'd be willing at that price.

On top of all that, his games played in each season (age in parenthesis):

• 2012 (19) - 139...essentially a full season since he didn't start the year w/ big club, IIRC
• 2013 (20) - 118
• 2014 (21) - 100
• 2015 (22) - 153
• 2016 (23) - 147
• 2017 (24) - 111
• 2018 (25) - 70 out of 71 so far

There seem to be a lot of games missed, and I can't imagine it will get any better as he approaches his 30's. So, how much are you willing to spend on a guy who may give you a 10 WAR season one year, but 1.5 the next? There's no denying his immense talent, but I just wouldn't feel comfortable with it.

Now, for Trout....I'd be willing to spend $500 mil of someone else's money for him. You know what you'll get every single season.

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You know what else you can get for $500M?


A new freaking stadium. With a retractable roof. Air Conditioning. Maybe even chicken wraps.

DallasAg 94 said:

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RetiredAg said:

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etxag18 said:

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gigem1223 said:

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I'm a huge fan of Harper but the 400m he wants isn't worth it

---

---

I would agree. His ceiling is insanely high, but I think his asking price is driven by 2 seasons (2015, 2017), his age and the reputation he's had since high school. He's had 2 seasons with an OPS over 1.000, but his other 5 seasons are all sub-.900, including a sub-.800 season. Now, it's also fair to note that he was 19 in his first season, so he probably hasn't even still hit his prime, but there's just too much inconsistency to justify $400 million. He'll get at least $300mil, but I'm not sure I'd be willing at that price.

On top of all that, his games played in each season (age in parenthesis):

• 2012 (19) - 139...essentially a full season since he didn't start the year w/ big club, IIRC
• 2013 (20) - 118
• 2014 (21) - 100
• 2015 (22) - 153
• 2016 (23) - 147
• 2017 (24) - 111
• 2018 (25) - 70 out of 71 so far

There seem to be a lot of games missed, and I can't imagine it will get any better as he approaches his 30's. So, how much are you willing to spend on a guy who may give you a 10 WAR season one year, but 1.5 the next? There's no denying his immense talent, but I just wouldn't feel comfortable with it.

Now, for Trout....I'd be willing to spend $500 mil of someone else's money for him. You know what you'll get every single season.

---

You know what else you can get for $500M?


A new freaking stadium. With a retractable roof. Air Conditioning. Maybe even chicken wraps.

---

True, but none of that is on track to be among the greatest to ever play the game.

How can JD justify that amount of money for a guy who's a cheap Mike Trout knockoff? I'm sure ownership has told him to avoid those bad contracts at all costs.

Float a thought... and it depends on moving Choo.... but Gallo to RF.... Mazara to DH???

You may think that my statements are dumb, but you apparently need reading comprehension lessons. Trading Elvis only reinforces the point that I was trying to make. They aren't going to re-sign him for more money.

Your statements also make a stretch of an assumption that teams would be willing to part with assets in order to take on an aging middle infielder that has 58 MM left on his contract. Doesn't really happen much in today's MLB.

Alvarado Times said:

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Float a thought... and it depends on moving Choo.... but Gallo to RF.... Mazara to DH???

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Who plays LF?

Calhoun?

I think shuffling the players doesn't fix the problem.

DD (25) - Great range, but weak arm, no power, converted from 2B. Hitting .229 with 2 HRs.
Gallo (24) - Developing D as an OF. Great power who strikes out too much and can't move runners.
Mazara (23) - Limited range, but great arm. Most complete hitter of the young bunch.
Choo (old - 35) - Limited D. Better at DH. Best overall hitter of the bunch. Mazara likely more upside.
Calhoun (23) - Developing D, converted 2B. Likely a DH, but not showing greatness at AAA.
Rua (28) - 4th OF. Likely in Arlington if Tocci wasn't a Rule V guy.
Tocci (22) - Rule V, returns if he doesn't finish season with Rangers. Possible CF, likely defensive replacement a PR.

Most of those guys are still developing, but I think we pretty much know who they are.

Adding a high end OF would make any two of those seem better.

Im not saying Gallo to RF completes the team..... just a small piece.... but if Im throwing 100's of millions at players to move forward ..... its not outfielders. Its the Gerrit Coles of the world.

Ah... ok.