This is why if you give him a roster spot, imo, he needs to get the lions share of reps at DH, because he doesn't bring anything else to the table. You would be wasting a roster spot on him if you gave him a day or two a week as the DH.

Tksymm7 said:

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I'm leaning towards both of them making it as of today. Put Langford in Left, Carter in Center and Adolis in Right, then have Foscue mix in at DH. You might sacrifice some defense in Center with Leody out of the lineup, but he's just not going to be a consistent enough hitter to ever grab that gig full-time with better hitters behind him. Defense can only take you so far.

Foscue feels like a real deal hitter. He may not ever hit more than 25 homers in a season, bat .300 or have an OPS of .850, but he's more than capable of being an every day pro hitter. And, in this lineup he could just be a guy. Nothing flashy. Just get on base, drive gaps, and run when you need to. That would allow us to get a better bat line Langford in the game more often, and drop Leody to a bench/rotational guy, which is probably what he really is with the Rangers.

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That's how I've felt about him for the last couple of seasons. I think you could package Leody with Winn or White with someone like Tampa for a reliever and maybe mid-potential minor league guy. Really just one of those teams known for producing pitching.

I think Carter makes the club on Opening Day.

I just don't see wasting a roster spot on a 25 yo DH. Foscue is a liability in the field and with Adolis, Seager, and Jung, you need that DH spot for flexibility. Last I heard, Jung is likely starting the season as DH.

2023
Foscue (24-AAA): 122 G, .266, 18 HR, 14 SB, .394 OBP, .862 OPS
Taveras (24-MLB): 143 G, .266, 14 HR, 14 SB, .312 OBP, .733 OPS
Hernandez (28-AAA): 137G, .298, 18 HR, 9 SB, .360 OBP, .774 OPS

IMO, you are hard pressed to say you'd bench Taveras for Foscue.

I think in ST, Taveras is feeling the pressure of all the hype for Carter and Langford. I don't know this, but I'd think he feels he has to beat them out. And don't dismiss OF Elier Hernandez. Still time and this is only ST, but he plays all 3 OF positions.

2024 Spring Training:
Langford: 17 AB, .353, 3 HR, 1.332 OPS, 5 SO
ECarter : 18 AB, .389, 2 HR, 1.178 OPS, 6 SO
LTaveras: 16 AB, .063, 0 HR, 0.426 OPS, 8 SO
Hernande: 19 AB, .421, 0 HR, 1.160 OPS, 4 SO

Jankowsk: 13 AB, .231, 0 HR, 0.643 OPS, 2 SO

I think Langford makes the Opening Day roster because he is disciplined and plays within himself and stays committed to the process. There is too much upside having him with the team working through the struggles. He'll get better looks in MLB batting ahead of someone like Heim or Semien than he will in AAA.

Lineup: Semien-Seager-Carter-Adolis-Jung-Lowe-Langford-Heim-Taveras

Yep. It's unfortunate for Foscue, because he's having a great spring, but unless the Rangers plan on committing to him as the full time DH, having him make the club is the waste of a roster spot. Doing that would be a mistake IMO.

There are a number of players on the team who will need, for various reasons, some days at DH (Garcia, Seager, Jung, Duran, Huff if he makes the team, maybe even Semien). Foscue doesn't fit the profile for a utility/bench player. His defense is terrible, or adequate at best, and the positions he DOES play are filled by guys who should play a lot of games, barring injury. He's not a baserunning threat. So basically he's a one-trick pony (good hitter). Quite frankly, this board's favorite whipping boy Josh Smith is a better fit for a utility guy than Foscue ever will be (plays multiple positions well, has speed - definitely needs to improve as a hitter though).

Also agree about Tavares. He'll never likely be a great hitter, but he's a solid hitter who plays gold glove caliber defense at a critical position (CF). This team needs players who can pick it - we don't have a lot of high strike out guys on the pitching staff, so the defense has to make plays. Can't afford an inferior glove up the middle. Now Carter is a great CF, and he could fill that slot, but Langford from what I've heard is a work-in-progress defensively. I agree that he makes the team, and that will probably be what keeps Foscue from making the club as well, because Langford could grab a lot of the DH ABs. JMO

So when we break camp... the Rangers will have some tough decisions:

OF
Langford - he'll be part of the Rangers 2024. He could start in minors, but will end up on the Rangers
Elier Hernandez - At his age, I can't see him staying in the minors.

IF
Smith - Likely UIF.
Foscue - he'll be in MLB for 2024. With Texas or another team.
Ornelas - Seems like JAG.
Huff - I don't think we'll go 3 Cs. Having Garver as DH allowed for 3C, but we others for DH

P
Marc Church (P) - Likely with club?
Carson Coleman (P-RuleV) - Like IL

Others on 40:
Corniell - Could make the BP
Antoine Kelly
Zak Kent
Jake Latz

Owen White - Change of scenery
Cole Winn - Change of scenery

Elier Hernandez isn't going to make this team.

Taveras has 4 years of Arb remaining counting 2024.

I'd like to see him start Opening Day in CF. Jung is projected at DH.
Duran is either 3B or SS, depending on Seager. I think Seager chomps at the bit and get in at SS.

If Taveras gets off to a decent start offensively, I'd like to see him packaged with maybe Foscue, Winn, and/or White.

I don't know what it'd take to get Dylan Cease, but if we can cobble together players.
This link:
https://www.mlb.com/news/dylan-cease-trade-proposals

Had the O's offering (current MLB prospect rankings):
Basallo (O's #2 ; C/1B)
Norby (O's #7 ; 2B/OF) <- Foscue is #5
Povich (O's #10; LHP ) <- OWhite is #10 LOL
Urias

Cease for Taveras, Foscue, OWhite, and somebody else?!

Also, for those interested... MLB updated their T30 prospects for the ALWest teams.


https://www.mlb.com/prospects/rangers/


T100 for MLB should now be updated, as well.

Let the bantering begin.

Those three guys are fine, but it would probably take one more player/prospect with some upside. Foscue could be a solid MLB hitter tomorrow, and Leody is a well rounded MLB CF, but they lack upside. Owen White looks like a bust, so my guess is that they would want at least one prospect with some upside.

Cease is due $8M in '24 and is Arb in '25.

Taveras is getting $2.55M

I'd sweeten the pot, but I'd have them pick up most of that $8M for Cease and most of the $2.55 for Taveras.

Let Fantasy Baseball GM'ing begin.

If it took Leiter instead of Owen white I'd do it.

pre all star break Taveras makes for some hard choices going forward in 24. Idk if anyone remembers due to his late season slump but at the All Star break he was going great, flirting with .300 BA and the OBP and OPS were in the very good category …. all that to say ST 24 has been the pits for him.

Interesting if true:

Can't imagine the Dodgers signing him.

They're currently projecting $319M CBT Payroll. Tax of $65M.
They are in the 110% Tax Bracket meaning anything they sign now (say $25M) they will pay 110% ($27.5M). That'd cash-flow about $52.5M

Jordan Montgomery recently followed the Dodgers on Instagram.

He also UNFOLLOWED the Rangers… pic.twitter.com/l18o8GosyF

— Rangers Nation ⚾️ (@rangers__nation) March 7, 2024

Would love you have Monty back but I am glad the team is not crippling the plan for him. I trust that CY et al are going to do the right and smart thing.

The thing is, with the Dodgers, they almost have to sign a guy like Monty. Imagine him being their Innings Eating anchor....

I covered their SP last year extensively here and while I didn't project an early exit, it didn't surprise me. Them and Tampa had real SP trouble going into the playoffs.

All that spending, and I'd argue the Dodgers are no better for it.

Projected Rotation:
Bobby Miller (24-R): 22GS, 3.76, 124.1 IP
Glasnow (29-R) Signed 5/$136.5M extension. <- 8 years in MLB and last year's 120.0 IP was his peak.
Yamamoto (24-R) Signed 12/$365M <- 24 yo Japanese SPs generally need a year or 2. Remember they pitch a 6G week and a 6 person rotation. He'll tire.
Buehler (28-R) <- Coming back from 2nd TJ in '22. Hasn't pitched in MLB since. 140-150 IP max?!
James Paxton (34-L): 19GS, 4.50 ERA, 96.0 IP w/BoSox. 1yr/$7M
- Had TJ in 2022 and after signing him this offseason, the Dodgers have now reworked his contract due to health concerns for the 2024 season.

Paxton is likely the reason the Dodgers are possibly looking at Monty.

SPs in 2023 that got pushed down
Sheehan (23-R): 11GS, 4.92, 60.1
Stone (24-R): 4GS, 9.00, 31.0

Minor Leaguers
Knack (25-R) optioned already
Frasso (24-R) optioned already
Ricky Vanasco (25-R) optioned already

River Ryan - minor league camp
Kyle Hurt (25-R)

Players signed to minor league contracts this offseason
Elieser Hernandez
Jesse Hahn - just moved to minor league camp
Gonsalves - just moved to minor league camp

Injured SPs
*Kershaw
*Ohtani
*Dustin May (60IL)
*Gonsolin (60IL) <- ETA

2024 Outlook
Their #1-#2 pitched 124 and 120 IP in 2023.
Their #3-#4 did not pitch in MLB in 2023.
Their #5 is so at risk, they renegotiated his FA contract

On a team with a $300M+ Payroll.

When you add Kershaw and May back in (he should be back around July give or take, just like deGrom), their rotation is pretty freaking ridiculous. I know they have injury concerns, but so does everyone else. Every team in the MLB deals with minor and major pitching injuries every year.

Edit to add: our rotation looks pretty freaking lethal as well when you add deGrom, Scherzer and Mahle back in at some point. We'd have deGrom, Scherzer, Eovaldi, Mahle, Gray, Heaney, Dunning and possibly Bradford. The only downside to that rotation is that they are all right handed. It would be nice to have a decent lefty mixed in.

Bradford and Heaney are southpaws.

Correct. I am talking about a better quality lefty. Someone better than Bradford and Heaney who would be in a starting five rotation when all of the injured guys are back. I don't see a world where either Heaney or Bradford is in the rotation when deGrom, Scherzer and Mahle are back. Could be wrong though.

Gonsolin is out all year but back next. I could see them being high bidder on Monty as a 1 year pillow deal.

DallasAg 94 said:

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Interesting if true:

Can't imagine the Dodgers signing him.

They're currently projecting $319M CBT Payroll. Tax of $65M.
They are in the 110% Tax Bracket meaning anything they sign now (say $25M) they will pay 110% ($27.5M). That'd cash-flow about $52.5M

Jordan Montgomery recently followed the Dodgers on Instagram.

He also UNFOLLOWED the Rangers… pic.twitter.com/l18o8GosyF

— Rangers Nation ⚾️ (@rangers__nation) March 7, 2024

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Boras probably does this to stir up some interest and get people talking about his client.

But at the end of day, if the Dodgers (or Yankees) want somebody badly enough, they can always find the money. Those two franchises, along with the Red Sox, have always had money. Just a matter of how much do they want to spend (or willing to spend) in a given year.

I'm sure it's in this thread somewhere. What is this year's code for discounted tickets TEXAGS (something)?

Thanks and Go Rangers for Life!!

I know what you're saying, but it is one thing to have to deal with injuries that emerge. It is completely different when you are signing injured players (like Mahle) only expecting them to perform all season:

Bobby Miller (24-R): 1 yr in MLB
22GS, 3.76, 124.1 IP

Glasnow (29-R): Avg 71.1 IP/yr past 3 seasons
'23: 21GS, 120.0 IP,
'22: 2 GS, 6.2 IP
'21: 14GS, 88.0 IP
'20: 11GS, 57.1 IP

Yamamoto (24-R).

Buehler (28-R) : 309.1 IP combined 4 last seasons
'23: DNP
'22: 12GS, 65.0 IP
'21: 33GS, 207.2 IP
'20: 8 GS, 36.2 IP

James Paxton (34-L): 117.2 IP combined for past 4 seasons
'23: 19GS, 96.0
'22: DNP
'21: 1GS, 1.1 IP
'20: 5 GS, 20.1

Kershaw? - Avg 125 IP +/-. Like deGrom... great midseason addition, for sure.

May? - High quality and maybe he adds something midseason, but 31 IP avg?!
'23: 9GS, 48.0 IP
'22: 6GS, 30.0 IP
'21: 5GS, 23.0 IP

Sure, we signed a number of high risk guys in 2023 and picked up more at the deadline.

This is our projected rotation with 2023 IP
Dunning: 26GS, 172.2 IP
Gray: 29GS, 157.1 IP
Heaney: 28GS, 147.1 IP
Eovaldi: 25GS, 144.0 IP
Bradford: 8GS (20G), 56.0 IP

Dodgers projected rotation with 2023 IP
Bobby Miller: 22GS, 124.1 IP
Glasnow (29-R): 21GS, 120.0 IP
James Paxton (34-L): 19GS, 96.0
Yamamoto (24-R): 0 GS, 0 IP in MLB
Buehler (28-R): 0 GS, 0 IP in MLB

Expected to return:
Rangers: Scherzer, deGrom, Mahle
Dodgers: Kershaw, May, Gonsolin

Mr Gigem said:

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TEXAGS24

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Thanks!!!

There really is a lot of similarities in our pitching staffs. The only outlier is that they spent a fortune on a 25 year old Japanese pitcher. I like Yamamoto though. I don't know HOW good he will be, but I think he'll be solid and give them consistent innings. I do firmly believe that the Rangers will be major players for Dylan Cease as long as the White Sox don't have a shockingly good season.

FYI:

Today's SP, Urena, is interesting to me. I see him as either getting the last P spot... or taking a AAA role and being one of the 1st guys up. He could be that middle reliever that mops up and takes trash work on the main stage... or gets called up for a week when Gray has a blister.

Rangers lineup for March 7, 2024 vs. Arizona. Live audio coverage of today's game will be available for streaming on https://t.co/CUYNmSPNgA and the Rangers app. pic.twitter.com/N7xXAvDjb4

— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) March 7, 2024

Since he has prior MLB experience, I wonder if Urena has an "out' clause in his contract if he does not make the MLB roster.

Not sure the details other than it was a Minor League deal with an invite to ST, but yes, there are usually "out" clauses.

Here is what was posted:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/rangers-sign-jose-urena-to-minor-league-deal.html


I think typically, a player like him will have language in there that says:

If he has another team willing to give him a roster spot, he can request being released.
If he is still in the minors at a certain date, he can request to be released.

I think a player like him is looking to remain relevant.

Big fan