94chem said:

---

Houston didn't score until 2 outs in the 5th inning of game 1. Hedges was our best pitcher for the series. IDK.

Maybe it all works out if that series caused Dusty to play Maldonado more.

---

If I'm stealing signs in a series... do you think I commit to the information early... or do you validate 1st?

If I think I've got foreknowledge of signs, I'm going to test the information before I commit. Once I'm sure I'm correct, I'll go all-in.

You think Hedges as the P was using the same PitchCom setup that he wasn't likely wearing, or do you think he went old school traditional? I didn't get to see the games, but it'd be interesting to know. Remember, with the PitchCom system you designate not only the pitch... but the location.

Hedges is also less likely to hit his spots.

DallasAg 94 said:

---

94chem said:

---

Houston didn't score until 2 outs in the 5th inning of game 1. Hedges was our best pitcher for the series. IDK.

Maybe it all works out if that series caused Dusty to play Maldonado more.

---

If I'm stealing signs in a series... do you think I commit to the information early... or do you validate 1st?

If I think I've got foreknowledge of signs, I'm going to test the information before I commit. Once I'm sure I'm correct, I'll go all-in.

You think Hedges as the P was using the same PitchCom setup that he wasn't likely wearing, or do you think he went old school traditional? I didn't get to see the games, but it'd be interesting to know. Remember, with the PitchCom system you designate not only the pitch... but the location.

Hedges is also less likely to hit his spots.

---

From what I remember seeing, Hedges really had one pitch - throw the ball to the catcher and hope it doesn't get obliterated. I don't think PitchCom was being used at all with him on the mound.

I could be wrong...might be worth going back and trying to find the video.

That's what I'd expect... and expect from most position players.

DeangeloVickers said:

---

What a fun ending this will be

4 really good teams for 3 spots. All will earn their spot.

---

I'm worried that the one team that gets left out is going to be Texas. Flashbacks to the horrors of middle school dances . . . .

So Antoine Kelly needs to be promoted yesterday to help this bullpen.

Since June 1. 35.2 innings, 26 H, 5 ER, 6 BB, 49K, WHIP of 0.90, BAA of .193, 1.26 ERA, 2.37 FIP.

gigem1223 said:

---

So Antoine Kelly needs to be promoted yesterday to help this bullpen.

Since June 1. 35.2 innings, 26 H, 5 ER, 6 BB, 49K, WHIP of 0.90, BAA of .193, 1.26 ERA, 2.37 FIP.

---

I'd tap the brakes on that.

He is not on the 40.

He was 5.8 BB9 in 2022. He'll be on the 40 in a couple months (Rule V) and likely a consideration for 2024 BP... but after this season, we'll see what CY does.

As I've said before there's a lot of dead weight on the 40 currently that I'd DFA. His K/ BB ratio has been excellent for months. We need all the help we can get (especially in the pen) if we're to make a run at this thing.

Without looking at the 40, I would be very surprised if less than 10 come off for various reasons I'm the off-season.

Outside of Montgomery, is there an expiring contract on a player we want back? Is Stratton a FA?

The 40 going into next season will be an interesting topic.

Here is a list of players currently on the 40 that I don't expect to be with the team/on the roster next season. That may be due to trades, retirement, DFA, whatever - I don't see the following players filling up 40 man spots next year.

Ian Kennedy
Zak Kent
Yerry Rodriguez
Jake Odorizzi
Josh Sborz (on the fence on this one - personally I'd dump him)
Cole Winn
Mitch Garver
Jon Ornelas and/or Josh Smith
Brad Miller
Dustin Harris
JP Martinez
Robby Grossman and/or Travis Jankowski

That's 13 spots that could potentially be opened up for off-season acquisitions and other minor leaguers who need to be added to the 40 to avoid the Rule 5 draft.

I listed Garver, who has been very productive, not because I think he should be dumped necessarily but because I think the chances he re-signs with the Rangers are slim to none as a UFA. Other than him, I wouldn't mind any of the players mentioned going away.

** edit to add - Stratton and Montgomery are both UFAs and I doubt both will be back, but hopefully at least one of them will.

So when are we expecting the MRI feedback?? Gig Em, we need some good news so start wandering the halls!!

Shameless Plug:

Y'all have been so kind this year using the TexAgs coupon for purchasing Rangers tickets. That certainly means a lot to me, and I hope to be able to continue to provide that year after year.

I'm once again asking for help, but not related to Rangers tickets. My wife's middle school band has been selected to perform at a national convention in Indianapolis next spring. This is a huge honor for her students, but unfortunately it's pretty expensive and the students have to pay their own way. They do have a few fundraising events set up throughout the year, and they have set up a link to make donations to their program. Any amount helps if you feel like donating!

Donation Link

Flounder Dorfman said:

---

Without looking at the 40, I would be very surprised if less than 10 come off for various reasons I'm the off-season.

Outside of Montgomery, is there an expiring contract on a player we want back? Is Stratton a FA?

---

We want Montgomery back?

South Platte said:

---

Flounder Dorfman said:

---

Without looking at the 40, I would be very surprised if less than 10 come off for various reasons I'm the off-season.

Outside of Montgomery, is there an expiring contract on a player we want back? Is Stratton a FA?

---

We want Montgomery back?

---

He was great in June, July and August. Has had a tuff last few starts (who in the rotation hasn't). I think he can be a solid MORP for us. I'd like to get him back on a short term deal personally.

South Platte said:

---

Flounder Dorfman said:

---

Without looking at the 40, I would be very surprised if less than 10 come off for various reasons I'm the off-season.

Outside of Montgomery, is there an expiring contract on a player we want back? Is Stratton a FA?

---

We want Montgomery back?

---

On something like a two year deal? Absolutely.

South Platte said:

---

Flounder Dorfman said:

---

Without looking at the 40, I would be very surprised if less than 10 come off for various reasons I'm the off-season.

Outside of Montgomery, is there an expiring contract on a player we want back? Is Stratton a FA?

---

We want Montgomery back?

---

Yes. At the right price

Flounder Dorfman said:

---

South Platte said:

---

Flounder Dorfman said:

---

Without looking at the 40, I would be very surprised if less than 10 come off for various reasons I'm the off-season.

Outside of Montgomery, is there an expiring contract on a player we want back? Is Stratton a FA?

---

We want Montgomery back?

---

Ok something like a two year deal? Absolutely.

---

He's another #4 starter like Perez, Gray, Heaney and Dunning. For 50 years our franchise has tried the secret recipe of hoarding #4 starters to the same roster. We must try to use the money for someone better. Snell, then hope Degrom's arm doesn't turn into a slinky toy.

Scherzer
Snell
Degrom
Eovaldi


That really ought to be enough to win the Series. Trade Dunning, Jon Gray, Perez, or Heaney.

rbtexan said:

---

The 40 going into next season will be an interesting topic.

Here is a list of players currently on the 40 that I don't expect to be with the team/on the roster next season. That may be due to trades, retirement, DFA, whatever - I don't see the following players filling up 40 man spots next year.

Ian Kennedy - FA
Zak Kent - Serf1
Yerry Rodriguez - Serf1
Jake Odorizzi - FA
Josh Sborz (on the fence on this one - personally I'd dump him) - Serf3
Cole Winn - Serf3
Mitch Garver - FA
Jon Ornelas and/or Josh Smith - Both Serfs
Brad Miller - FA
Dustin Harris - Serf1
JP Martinez - Serf1
Robby Grossman and/or Travis Jankowski <- Both FA

That's 13 spots that could potentially be opened up for off-season acquisitions and other minor leaguers who need to be added to the 40 to avoid the Rule 5 draft.

I listed Garver, who has been very productive, not because I think he should be dumped necessarily but because I think the chances he re-signs with the Rangers are slim to none as a UFA. Other than him, I wouldn't mind any of the players mentioned going away.

** edit to add - Stratton and Montgomery are both UFAs and I doubt both will be back, but hopefully at least one of them will.

---

For clarity... inserted official status and additional FA info

FAs:
Martin Perez
Odorizzi
Montgomery
Hedges - C
Miller
Garver - C
Chapman
Will Smith
Stratton
Kennedy
Grossman
Jankowski
Leon (already gone)

All of these guys will likely be on the 40, next year:
Zak Kent - Serf1
Yerry Rodriguez - Serf1
Josh Sborz (on the fence on this one - personally I'd dump him) - Serf3
Cole Winn - Serf3
Jon Ornelas and/or Josh Smith - Both Serfs
Dustin Harris - Serf1
JP Martinez - Serf1

Like them or not... unless there is someone more significant to protect... they'll all be back. For Free.

Edited to clean up snarky tone.

Yes I'd love Montgomery back. #3-4 type guy

Did you even read my post?

Seattle vs Angels at 3:10

Castillo (SEA) vs. Wantz (LAA)
Seattle -310

rbtexan said:

---

Did you even read my post?

---

I did... I should have used a smiley.

I'll answer my own question....no you didn't.

Because if you had read my post, you would've seen the part at the top where I said

Quote:

---

Here is a list of players currently on the 40 that I don't expect to be with the team/on the roster next season. That may be due to trades, retirement, DFA, whatever

---

Do you want me to go back and find some of your posts prior to the '22 season when you were telling us all how stuck we were with a crappy roster, completely ignoring the fact that players can be traded or signed as FAs?

rbtexan said:

---

I'll answer my own question....no you didn't.

Because if you had read my post, you would've seen the part at the top where I said

Quote:

---

Here is a list of players currently on the 40 that I don't expect to be with the team/on the roster next season. That may be due to trades, retirement, DFA, whatever

---

Do you want me to go back and find some of your posts prior to the '22 season when you were telling us all how stuck we were with a crappy roster, completely ignoring the fact that players can be traded or signed as FAs?

---

Sure, if it pleasures you... we had a crappy roster prior to '22 because we wouldn't trade or improve the roster. JD's idea of signing FAs centered around signing TJ retreads in hopes they'd have a good season (Gibson, Lynn, Lyles) and have trade deadline value. It was the point of tanking.

Sorry if I hurt your feelings. It wasn't my intent.

I did read your post. Which of these players do YOU think get traded?!

Ian Kennedy - FA
Zak Kent - Serf1
Yerry Rodriguez - Serf1
Jake Odorizzi - FA
Josh Sborz (on the fence on this one - personally I'd dump him) - Serf3
Cole Winn - Serf3
Mitch Garver - FA
Jon Ornelas and/or Josh Smith - Both Serfs
Brad Miller - FA
Dustin Harris - Serf1
JP Martinez - Serf1
Robby Grossman and/or Travis Jankowski <- Both FA

I don't think any of those players have trade value. I don't think any retire.

I believe they will all be on the 40 this offseason... and likely during the season 2024.

I think Sborz is worth keeping. If he can stay healthy he is an option in the pen.
I think Winn's time has passed. He might be a candidate to retire, but doubt that will happen. He has been snake bit and will likely serve out the course of the 2024 season. He'll likely make a few million signing as a FA over a few years.

JPM seemed promising. He has little trade value now. I was high on him.

Most of those guys are not going to be contributors of any magnitude. It wouldn't hurt my feeling if they dumped them, but unless there are better options, we'll likely keep them.

Having said that... guys I HAVE suggested could be traded before 2024:
Taveras, Adolis, Duran, and Semien. I could see Dunning, Gray, and Heaney among those talked about in trades. I made those comments around the ASB with the qualifier that we win the World Series. If we win the WS, it might be worth trading Adolis or Taveras and slipping in Carter or JPM into the OF, knowing Langy is also a future option.

If Duran continued to hit well, he might be an option at 2B and give Semien an option to play for another team of his desire.

A rotation of Scherzer, Eovaldi, and one or two of: Heaney, Gray, Dunning would fit nicely with an OWhite or Bradford. Both look promising and could hold until deGrom returns.

I'd pick up Heaney's extra $7M bonus and trade him.

I don't disagree with your premise... I wanted to put team status with your list and window for carpool was approaching, so I cut my comments short. PS... I was still late.

We could have plenty of roster turnover. Especially if we win the WS.

Baseball has a certain amount of timing associated with it... like the Astros running into the As when they are sitting on loss 99 and playing with massive pride to see if they never get to 100 the rest of the way.

Kudos to the As for quickly getting us right back into this thing with 18 to play. We really could end up with a 4 way tie here down the stretch. Getting those tie breakers are huge (Toronto last night and hopefully Seattle later this month)

DMN said Scherzer is done for the year.

Max Scherzer out rest of regular season with teres major STRAIN. “Unlikely” he pitches in postseason, per Chris Young. But surgery not needed

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) September 13, 2023