Ag2012 said:

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I think all of the minor league teams finish their regular season tomorrow. I don't think any of the Rangers' affiliates even sniffed a shot.

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Also one of the Rangers two DSL squads is up 2-1 on the Rays in the five-game league championship series. The other Rangers affiliate lost to the Rays in the semis.

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As bad as Frisco was the first half, they finished a few games back the 2nd half and had a chance to make the playoffs going into this weekend.

Good stuff happening for the 'Dads too. We've been stockpiling pitchers at the lower levels, so it's good to see positive results.

So we tried the "opener" tonight. Two scoreless innings for Springs, before giving way to Jurado. Jurado has now gone 3 scoreless innings. Have to call it a success thus far?

Just way too small a sample size at this point -- so good for the individual players but doesn't tell us anything about the process.

I always wondered if a batter could still be good with a torn UCL. Now I know

28. He could still get there.

Beltre needs 26. Almost hit 3 today.

article on potential free agent opt out decisions ( LINK )

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Elvis Andrus, Rangers (Four years, $58M): Andrus could be considered more of a borderline call than some on this list, but he seems likelier to stay with Texas than to opt out. The 30-year-old hasn't had a bad season, hitting .270/.322/.396 with quality defense, but his bat hasn't been as potent as it was in 2016-17 when he hit a combined .299/.348/.457. The downturn in offensive output might not be entirely Andrus' fault; he did incur a broken elbow when he was hit by a pitch earlier this season an injury that caused him to miss just over two months of action. It's easy to imagine that injury having a lingering effect on Andrus' swing, too.

Like Heyward, Andrus has a second opt-out clause in his contract after the 2019 season. At that point, he'll have three years and $43M remaining on his contract. If his bat returns to its 2016-17 levels, surpassing that $43M mark in free agency could be plausible. If Andrus opted out, he'd certainly be issued a qualifying offer there's no reason for the team to worry about him taking a one-year deal worth about $18M when he just walked away from $58M which would only further hinder his earning power.

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Street_Cred_Norm said:

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Take it for what's it's worth but I just heard Banny is as good as gone when the season ends. Supposedly he is a "cancer" to the lockerroom and not very well liked by the players.

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Would like to hear AP's opinion on this. A no comment would be understandable.

MSFC Aggie said:

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Street_Cred_Norm said:

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Take it for what's it's worth but I just heard Banny is as good as gone when the season ends. Supposedly he is a "cancer" to the lockerroom and not very well liked by the players.

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Would like to hear AP's opinion on this. A no comment would be understandable.

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I have no idea about this since I have exactly 0 interaction with players, coaches, or really anyone on JD's side of the office. Having said that, this is the first time I've heard that rumor so I don't know what to think of it. Banny does have some questionable calls as a manager so I can see why there might be a rift in the clubhouse, but based on everything I've heard JD say about Banny, I have a hard time seeing that he's "as good as gone when the season ends."

AccidentProne said:

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MSFC Aggie said:

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Street_Cred_Norm said:

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Take it for what's it's worth but I just heard Banny is as good as gone when the season ends. Supposedly he is a "cancer" to the lockerroom and not very well liked by the players.

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Would like to hear AP's opinion on this. A no comment would be understandable.

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I have no idea about this since I have exactly 0 interaction with players, coaches, or really anyone on JD's side of the office. Having said that, this is the first time I've heard that rumor so I don't know what to think of it. Banny does have some questionable calls as a manager so I can see why there might be a rift in the clubhouse, but based on everything I've heard JD say about Banny, I have a hard time seeing that he's "as good as gone when the season ends."

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What about Brocail?

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What about Brocail?

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KT 90 said:

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AccidentProne said:

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MSFC Aggie said:

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Street_Cred_Norm said:

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Take it for what's it's worth but I just heard Banny is as good as gone when the season ends. Supposedly he is a "cancer" to the lockerroom and not very well liked by the players.

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Would like to hear AP's opinion on this. A no comment would be understandable.

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I have no idea about this since I have exactly 0 interaction with players, coaches, or really anyone on JD's side of the office. Having said that, this is the first time I've heard that rumor so I don't know what to think of it. Banny does have some questionable calls as a manager so I can see why there might be a rift in the clubhouse, but based on everything I've heard JD say about Banny, I have a hard time seeing that he's "as good as gone when the season ends."

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What about Brocail?

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If anything, Banny gets extended this offseason and the rest of the staff gets cleaned out. IMO

There is nobody I respect more than AP on this thread. Classy guy who went above and beyond by hooking a non aggie up with a hat. That said, it's not a big secret that I'm buddies with a former player and that's where I got the info. I was surprised when I was told about it but I do consider the info legit and it makes sense to me considering the success of former veteran players since they left.

There's absolutely a chance that you are correct, but I can't say anything because I truly don't know. I can only go off what I've heard JD say about him in interviews that everyone and their dog has heard.

I've gotten to know the Banisters a bit since we both live in the same town, and every interaction I've had with them the impression that I've got is he is a great guy. Obviously that doesn't mean it is the same in the clubhouse.

Banny has done the best he could this season with the cards he's been dealt, but at the end of the day it's probably easier to replace a coach than your GM. JD has turned this team around over the last decade so I don't think you can justify replacing him.

Just my .02

I'm with you as I was very surprised to hear that. The conversation started about a side business he has and if there was any advice I could give him. I casually mentioned what he was gonna do next season as he has had a pretty good rebound season and will be a free agent. Obviously i asked what are the chances he came back and that's when I was told he wouldn't ever play for Banny again as he really alienates the vets and they have a very low opinion of him. I'm not a rumor spreader but , just like you do, any info we can get ,the other posters may like to know.

Banny just seems like one of those tough guys who can milk some decent play for awhile, but eventually loses vets. A bit of a Showalter, although not as extreme.

Going with the Opener tonight, Sadzeck to start and then Mendez coming it. May do the same on Saturday with Springs and then Jurado, but Saturday is still up in the air.

Kind of surreal to see this meaningless Friday night game in SD, and watching Beltre leg out a double, play 3B, and tie Brett on the all-time hit list. Pro's pro.

...and he just ripped another double in the same spot. Now all alone in 15th place. Still lethal.

94chem said:

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...and he just ripped another double in the same spot. Now all alone in 15th place. Still lethal.

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Looks like he is healthy again and the bat is coming around. Been hitting well of late.

And Mendez looking sharp last night. 5IP, 3H, 0 runs, 3BB, 5K. Combined shutout for the team. That is multiple good starts for Mendez. He is capable, hopefully he has figured it out, we need to fill one of the starting spots next year.

And don't look now, but Profar is up to 17 HR and 73 RBI despite not beginning the season as a starter. I think Beltre hangs them up after this season and Profar is the starting 3B in 2019.

I agree. Ideally, I think Beltre would like to squeeze out one more year. But I do not think it is worth it to him to change teams (they apparently had a waiver wire deal and he said no thanks) nor do it for a team unlikely to contend. So he hangs it up, Profar takes 3rd, and Gallo stays OF with some occasional 1B.

I think Profar is starting 3B next year regardless. If Beltre plays he'll probably be more of a DH.

Calhoun and Profar with dingers thus far today, Minor pitching well again. Up 2-1 at the moment.

Walk off grand slam

Scott Lucas update on minor league affiliations:

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Affiliations

Round Rock announced it won't be renewing its affiliation with the Rangers but has yet to say who'll replace them (Houston. It's Houston.) The Athletics are leaving Nashville for a new stadium in the Vegas suburbs, leaving Texas, Washington and Milwaukee to fight over Nashville, San Antonio and Fresno. At least one local report states the Rangers prefer Nashville, which has a nearly new stadium and fairly easy travel. San Antonio, apparently, would be the fallback. It gives the Rangers a continued marketing footprint in central Texas but has the worst facility among the three with no clear path for a replacement. City leaders haven't budged in their indifference to funding a new AAA stadium. Given the size and scope of the investment, I don't know if Bexar County or the outlying counties and communities have the political and financial wherewithal to offer a solution that excludes San Antonio.

Surely the Nats are begging, pleading with Nashville for a partnership, because the alternatives of San Antonio and Fresno are such terrible fits for them. Milwaukee teamed with Nashville for years, waiting for a shiny new stadium, but when that stadium finally arrived the Sounds unceremoniously kicked the Brewers to the curb. Still, I'm sure Milwaukee would return if offered. Understand that Nashville has the upper hand here and can pick who it wants.

My expectation is for Nashville to announce its new affiliation first, and the others will fall into place afterwards. Once again: the Rangers' AAA club will be in one of these three cities in 2019-2020. Not Frisco, not Fort Worth, not Cleburne, not the 1994 Ballpark in Arlington. The Rangers don't own a Triple A team and must partner with one of the existing teams.

As for Spokane, I haven't heard a sound. In the Northwest League, Spokane (Rangers), Tri-City (Pads) and Salem-Keizer (Giants) have contracts expiring. The neighboring Pioneer League also has a few open spots. I don't have informed opinions on the alternatives to Spokane because I never thought I'd need them. Texas and Spokane have been affiliated for 16 years and may still renew.

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For blue print purposes Nashville seems smarter.

Yeah, Nashville looks optimal, although by the sound of it, Nashville is also in prime position to negotiate the best deal for themselves among multiple teams. So beyond just picking someone else, it's possible the terms don't end up favorable enough for the Rangers to meet.

It'll be Nashville