Ugh Elvis hurt and now replaced.....auck

HBP on hand

Idk what to do about Maz. Total liability at this point. Not buying into the new process maybe?

Option A: Homerun
Option B: Strikeout

Gallo going with option B.

Should've traded Mazara last summer to get a ton of young pieces. He's always going to be a liability in the field and if he doesn't hit he is worthless

Kind of amazing how a guy that came up at age 21 could put up 3 straight seasons that are essentially clones of each other at the plate. Absolutely zero progress followed by the lousy start this year.

DannyDuberstein said:

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Kind of amazing how a guy that came up at age 21 could put up 3 straight seasons that are essentially clones of each other at the plate. Absolutely zero progress followed by the lousy start this year.

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He's going to turn into George Wright if he doesn't get it together.

94chem said:

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DannyDuberstein said:

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Kind of amazing how a guy that came up at age 21 could put up 3 straight seasons that are essentially clones of each other at the plate. Absolutely zero progress followed by the lousy start this year.

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He's going to turn into George Wright if he doesn't get it together.

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Just remember that Choo had one of the worst Aprils in history several years ago, then played like an MVP for 5 months.

DannyDuberstein said:

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Kind of amazing how a guy that came up at age 21 could put up 3 straight seasons that are essentially clones of each other at the plate. Absolutely zero progress followed by the lousy start this year.

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I'm not quite ready to give up on him, but he has been frustrating.

I fear he is a long-term casualty of the Anthony Iapoce era.

If you look at DeShields, Odor, Choo... and Mazara... all 4 of them are essentially consistent from '16-'18.
Andrus had a power '17, but his '16 and '18 seasons are very similar.
Gallo wasn't here for the full '16, but '17 and '18 were parallels.

Woody brought Luiz Oritz with him from LAD. Hopefully that helps.

On the sign stealing thing...

Quote:

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OAKLAND, Calif. - The Rangers are quickly gaining a reputation around the league as adept sign stealers. It is not a crime with which manager Chris Woodward has any concern being connected.
Over the weekend, Houston manager A.J. Hinch suggested the Rangers had picked up pitches from Gerrit Cole during a Saturday thrashing. It was the second time Cole had faced the Rangers in the first four weeks of the season. If there were trends or signs to pick up, facing him twice in a short period of time would only increase that possibility.

Woodward came from the Los Angeles organization, which was considered one of the most advanced when it came to identifying pitch tipping and sign stealing
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"I think we're getting better at it, I want us to," Woodward said Monday.

It is an acquired art. In the past, some hitters have expressed hesitancy to dive into it because they feel studying a pitcher's glove or hand placement before the pitch can take focus off recognizing the pitch out of the hand. Or looking at second base to get a sign relayed from a runner can be distracting.
Woodward likens the art to being at a blackjack table.

"You know what you are holding," Woodward said. "Now, if you had a chance to know what both cards the dealer has are, wouldn't that increase your chances of success? And if you knew the dealer had with those two cards before you even placed your bet, wouldn't that increase your wager?"

Woodward said the Rangers have added several staff members and players who bring a lot in the area of identifying in-game trends. Against the Astros, the Rangers put up nine runs or more on Cole and Collin McHugh in back-to-back games. If the Rangers were able to turn the trick on the Astros, it ups the gamesmanship in the rivalry. The Astros have been considered the league's best at the art for several years.

"I felt like they were on a lot of stuff in the first inning, especially their takes and some of their pitches they chose to swing at," Cole said. "I think they were maybe a little bit of a step ahead of me in terms of maybe being able to identify what pitch I was throwing."

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Drew smyly to the injured list. Probably for the best right now. The guy just looks overmatched whenever he goes out there.

Somebody text Bartolo and tell him to get his ass off the beach and start throwing.

Grapesoda2525 said:

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Drew smyly to the injured list. Probably for the best right now. The guy just looks overmatched whenever he goes out there.

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Here is another explanation. Above elbow, below the shoulder, so around bicep area.

DannyDuberstein said:

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Kind of amazing how a guy that came up at age 21 could put up 3 straight seasons that are essentially clones of each other at the plate. Absolutely zero progress followed by the lousy start this year.

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Suggests a physical limitation to me.

Huang seems like a strange choice. Maybe he was the only one they could get moving quick enough. Nashville to Oakland isn't likely a direct flight, altough SFO and SJC add options, doubt there is a direct to any of those. Having said that, maybe he was more likely than anyone.

Huang (25-RHP): 6 G, 1 GS, 1.86 ERA, 9.2 IP, 2 BB, 14 SO. <- Last pitched on 18th

Other Ps currently on 40:
Hearn (24-LH-SP-AAA): 4GS, 4.05, 20.0 IP, 26 SO <- Pitched Saturday
Jurado (23-RH-SP-AAA): 4GS, 3.57, 22.2 IP, 22 SO <- Pitched Sunday

Burke (22-LH-SP-AA): 3GS, 3.86 <- Pitched yesterday
Jonathan Hernandez (22-RH-SP-AA): 3GS, 3.45 <- Last pitched on 17th
Palumbo (24-LH-SP-AA): 3GS, 4.41 <- Last pitched on 19th

Gardewine (25-RH-RP-AAA)
Pelham (24-LH-RP-AAA)
Bird (27-LH-RP-AAA) - Just sent down

Neither of the 2 guys in AAA would be available until like Thurs or Friday.

I don't think Huang is a rotation replacement. He started in the rotation at AA, but appears to have been moved to the BP?! I think the Rangers may have brought him up to give him some innings tomorrow as they piece the pitchers together. If Smyly can't go his next GS, I would expect Hearn or Jurado to take the spot, next time around.

Man I hate playing / losing to this team. They're so ghetto.

Pence!!

Seems like everything goes Oakland's way when we play them.

A double play where we don't get a run out of it at least. Ugh.

Does it ever cross Lynn's mind that being too fat to cover 1st base just cost him 5 runs?

**** the A's

Sorry, that was stupid of Woodward to leave Lynn to give up another hit/run. You could tell he was done, inning wasn't going well, etc. Oh well, we get to see what the new guy has.... Huang

Crappiest series of the season by far.

Can't wait to get out of here. Shoot me now!

I'm guessing he was hoping Lynn could get out of the inning, to bring the new guy in for a fresh inning.

Lynn's meltdown is a real problem.

Now, Springs and Huang are likely unavailable, today... the day we know we have a BP game.

Our lineup last night was Choo in LF, Gallo in CF and Mazara in RF. Pence at DH.

You have to resign yourself to giving up runs, if you are playing in Oakland with the huge field, and have the fleet-footed Mazara in RF, and the defensive master Choo in LF.

Not sure why DeShields got the night off, but you are likely giving up some weak hits.

Also, I don't think we've ever figured out how to line-up defensively. Choo was playing way back, I guess it was the "not triples" lineup. The problem with slower OFs is, a gapper that may be a double in RBiA, is likely a triple, if you can't head it off... possibly an inside-the-park HR.

DallasAg 94 said:

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Hearn (24-LH-SP-AAA): 4GS, 4.05, 20.0 IP, 26 SO <- Pitched Saturday
Jurado (23-RH-SP-AAA): 4GS, 3.57, 22.2 IP, 22 SO <- Pitched Sunday

Burke (22-LH-SP-AA): 3GS, 3.86 <- Pitched yesterday
Jonathan Hernandez (22-RH-SP-AA): 3GS, 3.45 <- Last pitched on 17th
Palumbo (24-LH-SP-AA): 3GS, 4.41 <- Last pitched on 19th

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It would seem if the minor league pitchers weren't aware of the possibility of getting The Call, they certainly are on notice, now.

Last night:
AAA - Off
AA - Payano (24): 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO
A+ - Phillips: 5.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO
A - Rodriguez: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO

Dowdy (26-R) getting the GS, tonight. 4 G, 10.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 6 BB, 8 SO
He had 20 GS in the minors, last year @ AA and AAA. A very pedestrian 5.15 ERA.

Who gets Smyly's next start, which is scheduled against Pit in Arlington on Tues? The Rangers get ANOTHER day off on Monday, so they could skip that spot. I suppose if Dowdy does well, they'll roll him out there, again.

I was thinking Payano was on the 40, but he isn't.

From Scott Lucas' email today. I agree on not rushing any of the young prospects. Bring up Jurado, or find somebody off the scrap heap if need be.

Quote:

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Should Texas want a traditional starter to replace Smyly, Ariel Jurado is still the best internal choice, in my opinion. Not an exciting opinion, I know. It's too soon for Taylor Hearn (despite his nice K rate) and the big three AA rotation prospects, and none of the off-the-40 crew have stood out.

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Upcoming roster decision discussion


I think Forsythe needs to be the one to go. Can't risk losing Santana, he is playing well. And given our rotation issues, we need all the bullpen arms we can get, so dropping one reliever from the staff may not be an option.

KT 90 said:

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From Scott Lucas' email today. I agree on not rushing any of the young prospects. Bring up Jurado, or find somebody off the scrap heap if need be.

Quote:

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Should Texas want a traditional starter to replace Smyly, Ariel Jurado is still the best internal choice, in my opinion. Not an exciting opinion, I know. It's too soon for Taylor Hearn (despite his nice K rate) and the big three AA rotation prospects, and none of the off-the-40 crew have stood out.

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I would agree with that.

Having said that, I think I would prefer to wait a few more GS before bringing up Jurado. At some point... maybe after the ASB, Jurado has to come up to determine whether he has a future here.

KT 90 said:

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Upcoming roster decision discussion


I think Forsythe needs to be the one to go. Can't risk losing Santana, he is playing well. And given our rotation issues, we need all the bullpen arms we can get, so dropping one reliever from the staff may not be an option.

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IIRC, Forsythe was given the nod because he plays 1B and Santana was not considered a 1B.

Unless the Rangers find another SP, they'll have to have the extra RP.

Gio appears to be going to the Brewers.

Santana won't clear Waivers. The Rangers could try to trade him. I'd prefer they keep him.
Pence has more value than Forsythe, but I'm not sure how that plays out.

How about we finally move
Choo: .307, .416 OBP, 1 HR
or does Mazara or DeShileds have any options left?
Mazara: .203, .295 OBP, 2 HR
DeShields: .207, .352 OBP, 1 HR, 6 SB

Regardless, we really need another SP. I think Huang could be the one sent down (assuming Smyly stays on IL), and a rotation of RPs from the minors circulate.

Gio appears to have signed for $2M +upto $2M in incentives.

Seems worth more than that, especially to a team like Texas.

Brewers are on the bubble, and will likely remain there until late in the season.

Go to Texas, and if Texas fades, you know you'll get traded... likely to be an add-on for a team looking to contend. He could be added as a potential piece to clinch a team's chances to the playoffs, assuring himself post-season games.

For say $2M, the Rangers agree to whatever terms Gio wants on trade limits. If he does well to get traded, they get a good piece and the pickup team pays the $2M bonus... or Texas gets a better prospect and picks it up.

If he does poorly, no bother on the $2M bonus.

Also, if Rangers pick him up and find themselves still in the hunt in June... like most teams, Keuchel will be waiting.

DallasAg 94 said:

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KT 90 said:

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Upcoming roster decision discussion


I think Forsythe needs to be the one to go. Can't risk losing Santana, he is playing well. And given our rotation issues, we need all the bullpen arms we can get, so dropping one reliever from the staff may not be an option.

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IIRC, Forsythe was given the nod because he plays 1B and Santana was not considered a 1B.

Unless the Rangers find another SP, they'll have to have the extra RP.

Gio appears to be going to the Brewers.

Santana won't clear Waivers. The Rangers could try to trade him. I'd prefer they keep him.
Pence has more value than Forsythe, but I'm not sure how that plays out.

How about we finally move
Choo: .307, .416 OBP, 1 HR
or does Mazara or DeShileds have any options left?
Mazara: .203, .295 OBP, 2 HR
DeShields: .207, .352 OBP, 1 HR, 6 SB

Regardless, we really need another SP. I think Huang could be the one sent down (assuming Smyly stays on IL), and a rotation of RPs from the minors circulate.

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Santana is hitting .350 and he can play tons of different positions. The rangers would have to be the most incompetent team in the league to let him go or trade him for peanuts.

He was also one of our best hitters in spring training as well. It's entirely possible that he could be a late bloomer like Nelson Cruz. The rangers had better not screw this one up. I think a smart organization would find a way to get him in the lineup everyday..... somehow.

Early start today... losing 3-1 in the third.

Forsythe says, "Hold my beer..."

DallasAg 94 said:

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Forsythe says, "Hold my beer..."

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I was just posting something similar. Didn't like me putting him on the chopping block.